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UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

   ____________________________

 

FORM 8-K

 ____________________________

 

 CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 11, 2022

 

____________________________

  

Weber Inc.

 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

  ____________________________

 

 

Delaware   001-40702   61-1999408

(State of Incorporation

or Organization)

 

(Commission

File No.)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.) 

     

1415 S. Roselle Road 

Palatine, Illinois

      60067
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)       (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 934-5700

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

____________________________

 

Check the appropriate box below if the form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2 (b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class  

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   WEBR   The New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01.Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Merger Agreement

 

Overview

 

On December 11, 2022, Weber Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Ribeye Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), and Ribeye Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger. Parent and Merger Sub are affiliates of BDT Capital Partners, LLC (“BDT”). Certain other affiliates of BDT, including Byron D. Trott, BDT Capital Partners I-A Holdings, LLC and BDT WSP Holdings, LLC (collectively, the “Fund I Holders”), and BDT Family Holdings, LLC (together with the Fund I Holders, the “Specified Holders”), collectively, hold (i) a majority of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Class A Shares”), (ii) a majority of (a) the Company’s outstanding Class B common stock, $0.00001 par value per share (the “Class B Shares” and, together with the Class A Shares, the “Common Shares”) and (b) the Class B Shares held by the stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”), dated August 9, 2021, by and among the Company, Weber HoldCo, LLC (“HoldCo”) and certain other parties set forth therein, and (iii) a majority of the outstanding Common Shares.

 

A special committee (the “Special Committee”) of the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company consisting only of independent and disinterested directors of the Company has (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (the “Transactions”), including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the Company’s stockholders (excluding the Specified Holders and their respective affiliates) and (ii) recommended that the Board (a) approve the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, and (b) recommend adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, to the Company’s stockholders

 

The Board, acting in reliance upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, has (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders (excluding the Specified Holders and their respective affiliates), (ii) approved the Merger Agreement, the execution and delivery by the Company of the Merger Agreement, the performance by the Company of its obligations contained therein and the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Merger Agreement and (iii) resolved to recommend adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, to the Company’s stockholders.

 

 

 

At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, each Class A Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than (i) Class A Shares held by BDT Capital Partners I-A Holdings, LLC and BDT WSP Holdings, LLC, (ii) any Common Shares canceled pursuant to the Merger Agreement and (iii) any dissenting Class A Shares) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $8.05 per Class A Share, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”). All of the Class A Shares held by BDT Capital Partners I-A Holdings, LLC and BDT WSP Holdings, LLC and all of the issued and outstanding Class B Shares will be converted into an equal number of Class A Shares and Class B Shares, respectively, of the surviving company and remain outstanding. Holders of Class B Shares and paired units of HoldCo will have the right pursuant to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of HoldCo (the “HoldCo LLC Agreement”), as amended by the First Amendment to the HoldCo LLC Agreement (as further described below), to participate in the Merger by delivering a notice of participation on or prior to the date that is 11 days after the Company first files its preliminary Information Statement on Schedule 14C (the “Information Statement”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the Merger.

 

Treatment of Company Equity Awards

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase Class A Shares, award of restricted stock units with respect to the Class A Shares (“Company RSU Award”) and limited liability interest designated as a “Profit Unit” in HoldCo, in each case, whether vested or unvested, will remain outstanding and continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as immediately prior to the Effective Time, as set forth in the applicable Company equity plan and award agreement, except that any Company RSU Award held by any director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company, Parent or any of their respective affiliates (a “Director RSU Award”) will instead accelerate in full and be canceled, with the holder thereof being entitled to receive, in respect of such cancelation, without interest, an amount in cash equal to (i) the number of Class A Shares subject to such Director RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration.

 

Closing Conditions

 

The obligation of the parties to consummate the Merger is subject to various conditions, including: (i) adoption of the Merger Agreement by holders of (a) a majority of the outstanding Class A Shares, (b) a majority of (1) the outstanding Class B Shares and (2) the Class B Shares held by the stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement, and (c) a majority of the outstanding Common Shares; (ii) the absence of any judgment or law prohibiting the consummation of the Merger; (iii) the mailing of the Information Statement and the passage of 20 days thereafter; (iv) the expiration of the waiting period applicable to the Transactions under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended; (v) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the parties (subject to customary materiality qualifiers); and (vi) each party’s performance in all material respects of its covenants and obligations contained in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement does not contain a financing condition. Following the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Specified Holders executed and delivered to the Company a written consent adopting the Merger Agreement and approving the Merger (the “Stockholder Consent”), thereby providing the required stockholder approval for the Merger. No further action by holders of Common Shares is required to complete the Merger.

 

No-Shop

 

Under the Merger Agreement, the Company is subject to a customary “no-shop” provision that restricts the Company and its representatives from soliciting Takeover Proposals (as defined in the Merger Agreement) from third parties or providing information to or participating in any discussions or negotiations with third parties regarding Takeover Proposals. However, prior to the receipt of the Stockholder Consent, the “no-shop” provision permitted the Company, under certain circumstances and in compliance with certain obligations set forth in the Merger Agreement, to provide non-public information and engage in discussions and negotiations with respect to an unsolicited Takeover Proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The Merger Agreement also restricts the Company and its representatives from soliciting Financing Proposals (as defined in the Merger Agreement) from third parties or providing information to or participating in any discussions or negotiations with third parties regarding Financing Proposals.

 

 

 

Termination; Termination Fees

 

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for the Company and Parent, including the right of either party to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated on or before June 11, 2023. The Merger Agreement also provided that the Company would have been required to pay Parent a termination fee of $5.5 million under certain specified circumstances prior to delivery of the Stockholder Consent.

 

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

The Company has made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among others, covenants (i) to use reasonable best efforts to carry on its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business during the period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and (ii) not to engage in specified types of transactions or take specified actions during this period unless agreed to in writing by Parent.

 

Delisting of Shares of Common Stock

 

If the Merger is consummated, the Class A Shares will cease to be quoted on the New York Stock Exchange and will be eligible for deregistration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Equity Commitment

 

Pursuant to an equity commitment letter, dated December 11, 2022, BDT Capital Partners Fund 3, L.P., BDT Capital Partners Fund 3 (TE), L.P., BDT Capital Partners Fund 3 (Del), L.P. and BDT Capital Partners Fund 3 (LUX) SCSP agreed to provide (i) equity financing in the aggregate amount set forth therein and (ii) a limited guarantee subject to a cap of $11 million of Parent and Merger Sub’s payment obligations in respect of any monetary damages required to be paid to the Company in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

  

Description of Merger Agreement Not Complete

 

The Merger Agreement and the above description of the Merger Agreement have been included to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company, Parent or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties in connection with negotiating the terms of the Merger Agreement, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made by each party for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties. In addition, certain representations and warranties may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from those generally applicable to investors and may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. Information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures by the Company. The Merger Agreement should not be read alone, but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding the parties that is or will be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the Information Statement to be filed by the Company in connection with the Merger, the transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 to be filed by the Company, Parent and certain other persons in connection with the Merger, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents that the parties will file with the SEC. Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company, Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates or businesses. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

Loan Agreement

 

On December 11, 2022, Weber-Stephen Products LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Weber-Stephen”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) by and among Weber-Stephen, as borrower, and Ribeye Capital, LLC, as lender (the “Lender”). The Loan Agreement provides for an unsecured delayed draw term loan facility in an initial aggregate committed amount of $120 million (the “Term Facility”) and an unsecured revolving credit facility in an initial aggregate committed amount of $230 million (the “Revolving Facility” and, together with the Term Facility, the “Facilities” and the loans thereunder, the “Loans”). The Loans may be drawn by Weber-Stephen subject to customary conditions not later than December 31, 2023.

 

The Loans, if and when drawn, will bear interest at a fixed annual rate equal to 15%, payable (at Weber-Stephen’s election) in cash or “in kind” by adding such amount of accrued interest to the outstanding principal balance of the Loans, in either case on a quarterly basis. An upfront fee of 2.0% of the principal amount of the Loans shall also be payable (at Weber-Stephen’s election) in cash or “in kind” to the lender upon funding of the Term Facility. A commitment fee of 0.50% per annum or the average daily unused commitments under the Facilities shall also be payable (at Weber-Stephen’s election) in cash or “in kind” to the lender quarterly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar quarter commencing on the last business day of December 2022 and on December 31, 2023. The Loans mature on December 31, 2023.

 

Weber-Stephen has the option to prepay the Term Facility under the Loan Agreement upon two business days’ notice without premium or penalty. The Loan Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default, as more fully described therein. The Loan Agreement contains no negative covenants and no financial maintenance covenant.

 

Proceeds of the Loans may be used (i) to pay fees and expenses in connection with the Loan Agreement and (ii) for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of Weber-Stephen and its subsidiaries.

 

The Loan Agreement was approved by the full Board following the recommendation to do so by the Special Committee. Neither the Loan Agreement nor the funding of any Loans pursuant thereto is contingent upon entering into, or the consummation of, the Transactions or any other potential transaction with BDT, an affiliate of the Lender.

 

The foregoing description of the Loan Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Loan Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Loan Amendment

 

On December 11, 2022, Weber-Stephen, entered into an amendment to an existing loan agreement (the “Loan Amendment”) which amends that certain Loan Agreement dated as of November 8, 2022 (the “November Loan Agreement”) by and among Weber-Stephen, as borrower, BDT Capital Partners Fund I, L.P. and BDT Capital Partners Fund I-A, L.P., as lenders (each a “Lender” and together, the “Lenders”). The Loan Amendment provides for an extension of the maturity date of (i) the Initial Loans (as defined therein) to January 29, 2028 and (ii) any Incremental Loans (as defined therein) to January 29, 2028 or such later date as may be agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Loans.

 

The foregoing description of the Loan Amendment is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Loan Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

  

Amendment No. 1 to Tax Receivable Agreement

 

On December 11, 2022, the Company amended the Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), dated August 9, 2021, by and among the Company, HoldCo and certain other parties set forth therein. As amended, the Tax Receivable Agreement will automatically terminate in full without any payment, including any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (each as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) upon the consummation of the Merger, and none of the Transactions, including the Merger, will constitute a Change of Control (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) or any payment, including any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment.

 

 

 

The foregoing description of Amendment No. 1 to the Tax Receivable Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of Amendment No. 1 to the Tax Receivable Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of HoldCo

 

On December 11, 2022, certain affiliates of BDT amended the HoldCo LLC Agreement. As amended, holders of Class B Shares and paired units of HoldCo will have the right to participate in the Merger by delivering a notice of participation on or prior to the date that is 11 days after the Company first files the preliminary Information Statement with the SEC. Such right will be in lieu of any right such holders had to participate in the Merger pursuant to Section 10.05(a) of the HoldCo LLC Agreement or otherwise redeem units of HoldCo during the period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger.

 

The foregoing description of the First Amendment to the HoldCo LLC Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the First Amendment to the HoldCo LLC Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03.Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The information set forth under the heading “Loan Agreement” under Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

  

Item 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On December 12, 2022, the Company issued a joint press release with Parent announcing entry into the Merger Agreement. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
2.1* Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 11, 2022, by and among Weber Inc., Ribeye Parent, LLC and Ribeye Merger Sub, Inc.
10.1 Loan Agreement, dated December 11, 2022, by and among Weber-Stephen Products LLC and Ribeye Parent, LLC
10.2 Amendment No. 1, dated December 11, 2022, to Loan Agreement, dated November 8, 2022, by and among Weber-Stephen Products LLC and BDT Capital Partners Fund I, L.P. and BDT Capital Partners Fund I-A, L.P.
10.3 Amendment No. 1, dated December 11, 2022, to Tax Receivable Agreement, dated August 9, 2021, by and among the Company, Weber HoldCo, LLC and the other persons and entities party thereto
10.4 First Amendment, dated December 11, 2022, to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Weber HoldCo, LLC, dated August 9, 2021, by and among the Company, Weber HoldCo, LLC and the other persons and entities party thereto
99.1 Press Release, dated December 12, 2022
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document)
   

* Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.  A copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request.

  

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K, and the documents referred to herein, contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have used the words “approximately,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will” and similar terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements. All of our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we are expecting, including:

 

 

 

  risks associated with transactions generally, such as the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, any required regulatory approvals or other consents;
  the failure to consummate or delay in consummating the Merger for other reasons;
  the risk that a condition to closing of the Merger may not be satisfied;
  the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement;
  the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted following announcement of the Merger;
  failure of Parent to obtain the financing required to consummate the Merger;
  failure to retain key management and employees of the Company;
  issues or delays in the successful integration of the Company’s operations with those of Parent, including incurring or experiencing unanticipated costs and/or delays or difficulties;
  unfavorable reaction to the Merger by customers, competitors, suppliers and employees;
  unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities or the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and
 

additional factors discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K are based on management’s current plans, estimates and expectations in light of information currently available to the Company and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that the Company has anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global, regional or local political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, as well as the other factors described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2021 10-K filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021, as supplemented in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 15, 2022. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company speaks only as of the date on which it is made. All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the previous statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

The Company will prepare the Information Statement for its stockholders with respect to the approval of the Transactions. When completed, the Information Statement will be mailed to the Company’s stockholders. You may obtain copies of the Information Statement, Schedule 13E-3, any amendment or supplements thereto, other relevant materials (when available) and all documents filed by the Company with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or from the Company’s website at https://investors.weber.com.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  WEBER INC.  
       
Date: December 12, 2022      
       
  By:  /s/ Erik Chalut
    Name: Erik Chalut
    Title: General Counsel

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

 

By and Among

 

 

WEBER INC.,

 

 

RIBEYE PARENT, LLC

 

 

and

 

 

RIBEYE MERGER SUB, INC.

 

 

Dated as of December 11, 2022

  

  

  

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I

 

The Merger

  

SECTION 1.01.  Merger 2
SECTION 1.02.  Merger Effective Time 2
SECTION 1.03.  Effects of Merger 2
SECTION 1.04.  Charter and Bylaws of the Surviving Company 3
SECTION 1.05.  Board of Directors and Officers of Surviving Company 3
SECTION 1.06.  Closing 3

 

ARTICLE II

 

Effect on the Share Capital of the Constituent Entities; Payment of Consideration

 

SECTION 2.01.  Effect of Merger on the Share Capital of Merger Sub and the Company 4
SECTION 2.02.  Exchange Fund 5
SECTION 2.03.  Company Awards 7
SECTION 2.04.  Shares of Dissenting Holders 9
SECTION 2.05.  Adjustments 9

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Standing 10
SECTION 3.02.  Capitalization 10
SECTION 3.03.  Authority; Noncontravention 12
SECTION 3.04.  Governmental Approvals 14
SECTION 3.05.  Company SEC Documents; Internal Controls 14
SECTION 3.06.  Absence of Certain Changes 16
SECTION 3.07.  Legal Proceedings 16
SECTION 3.08.  Compliance with Laws; Permits 16
SECTION 3.09.  Anti-Corruption; Sanctions; Anti-Money Laundering 17
SECTION 3.10.  Tax Matters 18
SECTION 3.11.  Employee Benefits 18
SECTION 3.12.  Labor Matters 19
SECTION 3.13.  Environmental Matters 20
SECTION 3.14.  Intellectual Property 21
SECTION 3.15.  IT Assets, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity 21
SECTION 3.16.  Anti-Takeover Provisions 22
SECTION 3.17.  Contracts 22
SECTION 3.18.  Insurance 23

i 

 

 

SECTION 3.19.  Opinion of Financial Advisor 24
SECTION 3.20.  Brokers and Other Advisors 24
SECTION 3.21.  Title to Properties and Assets 24
SECTION 3.22.  No Other Representations or Warranties 24

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub

 

SECTION 4.01.  Organization; Standing 25
SECTION 4.02.  Authority; Noncontravention; Voting Requirements 26
SECTION 4.03.  Governmental Approvals 27
SECTION 4.04.  Ownership and Operations of Merger Sub 27
SECTION 4.05.  Financing 27
SECTION 4.06.  Certain Arrangements 28
SECTION 4.07.  Solvency 29
SECTION 4.08.  Brokers and Other Advisors 29
SECTION 4.09.  No Other Representations or Warranties 29
SECTION 4.10.  Non-Reliance on Company Estimates, Projections, Forecasts, Forward-Looking Statements and Business Plans 30
SECTION 4.11.  Legal Proceedings 30
SECTION 4.12.  Ownership of Common Shares 30

 

ARTICLE V

 

Additional Covenants and Agreements 

 

SECTION 5.01.  Conduct of Business 31
SECTION 5.02.  No Solicitation by the Company; Change in Recommendation 34
SECTION 5.03.  Delivery of Stockholder Consent 38
SECTION 5.04.  Preparation of Schedule 13E-3 39
SECTION 5.05.  Reasonable Best Efforts 40
SECTION 5.06.  Public Announcements 42
SECTION 5.07.  Access to Information; Confidentiality 42
SECTION 5.08.  Equity Financing 43
SECTION 5.09.  Notification of Certain Matters; Litigation 44
SECTION 5.10.  Merger Sub Shareholder Approval 44
SECTION 5.11.  Stock Exchange De-listing 44
SECTION 5.12.  Cooperation with Debt Financing 44
SECTION 5.13.  Indemnification 44

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Conditions Precedent

 

SECTION 6.01.  Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger 46
SECTION 6.02.  Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub 46

ii 

 

 

SECTION 6.03.  Conditions to Obligations of the Company 47
SECTION 6.04.  Frustration of Closing Conditions 48

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Termination

 

SECTION 7.01.  Termination 48
SECTION 7.02.  Effect of Termination 50
SECTION 7.03.  Termination Fee and Expense Reimbursement 50

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 8.01.  No Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants 51
SECTION 8.02.  Amendment or Supplement 51
SECTION 8.03.  Extension of Time, Waiver, Etc. 51
SECTION 8.04.  Assignment 52
SECTION 8.05.  Counterparts 52
SECTION 8.06.  Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries 52
SECTION 8.07.  Governing Law; Jurisdiction 52
SECTION 8.08.  Specific Enforcement 53
SECTION 8.09.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 53
SECTION 8.10.  Notices 54
SECTION 8.11.  Severability 55
SECTION 8.12.  Definitions 55
SECTION 8.13.  Fees and Expenses 66
SECTION 8.14.  Interpretation 67
SECTION 8.15.  No Recourse 67

 

Exhibit A Form of Surviving Company Certificate of Incorporation

Exhibit B Form of Stockholder Consent

iii 

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) dated as of December 11, 2022, among Weber Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Ribeye Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), and Ribeye Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”). Capitalized terms used but not defined elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in Section 8.12.

 

WHEREAS the parties hereto intend that, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving such merger as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”);

 

WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) established a special committee of the Company Board consisting only of independent and disinterested directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”) to, among other things, review, evaluate and negotiate this Agreement and the Transactions and make a recommendation to the Company Board as to whether the Company should enter into this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS the Special Committee has unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the Public Shareholders and (b) recommended that the Company Board (i) approve this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, and (ii) recommend adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, to the stockholders of the Company (such recommendation, the “Special Committee Recommendation”);

 

WHEREAS the Company Board, acting upon the Special Committee Recommendation, has (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (b) declared this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, advisable, (c) approved this Agreement, the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the performance by the Company of the covenants and agreements contained herein and the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein and (d) resolved to recommend adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, to the stockholders of the Company (such recommendation, the “Company Board Recommendation”);

 

WHEREAS the managing member of Parent (the “Parent Managing Member”) has (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of Parent, (b) declared this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, advisable and (c) approved this Agreement, the execution and delivery by Parent of this Agreement, the performance by Parent of the covenants and agreements contained herein and the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein;

 

WHEREAS the Board of Directors of Merger Sub (the “Merger Sub Board”) has unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests

 

  
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of Parent (in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub) and Merger Sub, (b) declared this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, advisable, (c) approved this Agreement, the execution and delivery by Merger Sub of this Agreement, the performance by Merger Sub of the covenants and agreements contained herein and the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein and (d) resolved to recommend adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, to Parent (in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub);

 

WHEREAS as promptly as practicable following the execution of this Agreement (and in any event within 24 hours), Parent will execute and deliver, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, a written consent adopting and approving this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger (the “Merger Sub Shareholder Approval”); and

 

WHEREAS the Company, Parent and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The Merger

 

Section 1.01.    Merger. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease, and the Company shall be the surviving company in the Merger (such surviving company, the “Surviving Company”).

 

Section 1.02.    Merger Effective Time. As soon as practicable on the Closing Date, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub will cause the Merger to be consummated by filing a certificate of merger executed in accordance with, and in such form as is required by, the relevant provisions of the DGCL (the “Certificate of Merger”) and shall deliver and tender, or cause to be delivered or tendered, as applicable, any Taxes and fees and make all other filings, recordings or publications required under the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at the time that the Certificate of Merger is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”) or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, at such later time as is agreed to by Parent and the Company prior to the filing of the Certificate of Merger and specified in the Certificate of Merger (the time at which the Merger becomes effective is herein referred to as the “Effective Time”).

 

Section 1.03.    Effects of Merger. From and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

 

  
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Section 1.04.    Charter and Bylaws of the Surviving Company. At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated as of the Effective Time to be in the form of the certificate of incorporation attached as Exhibit A and the bylaws of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the “Surviving Company Organizational Documents”), respectively, and as so amended and restated shall be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Company until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable Law and in each case consistent with the obligations set forth in Section 5.13.

 

Section 1.05.    Board of Directors and Officers of Surviving Company. The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Company until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal, in each case in accordance with the Surviving Company Organizational Documents and applicable Law. The officers of the Company in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Company until their respective successors are elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal, in each case in accordance with the Surviving Company Organizational Documents and applicable Law.

 

Section 1.06.    Closing. The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at 8:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second business day following the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent such waiver is permitted herein and by applicable Law) of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent such waiver is permitted herein and by applicable Law) of those conditions at such time), at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019 or remotely by exchange of documents and signatures (or their electronic counterparts), unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by Parent and the Company. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date”.

 

  
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ARTICLE II

 

Effect on the Share Capital of the Constituent Entities;
Payment of Consideration

 

Section 2.01.    Effect of Merger on the Share Capital of Merger Sub and the Company. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the occurrence of the Merger, and without any action on the part of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any holder of any equity thereof:

 

(a)      Conversion of Merger Sub Shares. Each common share, par value $0.001 per share, of Merger Sub (each, a “Merger Sub Share”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be converted into and become a number of authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A common shares, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Company (each, a “Surviving Company Class A Share”) equal to (i) the number of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (each, a “Class A Share”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any Class A Shares held by Holdings or BDT WSP Holdings, LLC (such Class A Shares, the “Holdings Shares”) or canceled pursuant to Section 2.01(b)) divided by (ii) the number of Merger Sub Shares issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

(b)      Cancelation of Certain Shares. Each Class A Share and each share of Class B common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of the Company (each, a “Class B Share” and, together with the Class A Shares, the “Common Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and owned by the Company as treasury shares shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist and be outstanding and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor. Each Common Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist and be outstanding and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

 

(c)      Conversion of Certain Class A Shares.

 

(i)       Each Class A Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than (A) the Holdings Shares, (B) any Common Shares canceled pursuant to Section 2.01(b) and (C) any Dissenting Shares) (such Class A Shares, “Converted Shares”) shall automatically be canceled and converted into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $8.05, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”).

 

(ii)     As of the Effective Time, all Converted Shares shall no longer be issued and outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of (A) a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time evidenced any Converted Shares (each, a “Certificate”) or (B) any Converted Shares that were uncertificated and represented by book-entry immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, a “Book-Entry Share”), in each case of clauses (A) and (B), shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration (less any applicable withholding Taxes pursuant to Section 2.02(g)) pertaining to the Converted

 

  
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Shares represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Share, as applicable, to be paid in consideration therefor in accordance with Section 2.02(b), and the right to receive dividends and other distributions in accordance with this Article II, in each case without interest.

 

(d)     Continuing Common Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) each Holdings Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, as of the Effective Time, be unaffected by the Merger and continue to exist and remain outstanding as a Surviving Company Class A Share and (ii) except as provided in Section 2.01(b) each Class B Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, as of the Effective Time, be unaffected by the Merger and continue to exist and remain outstanding as a Class B common share, par value $0.00001 per share, of the Surviving Company.

 

Section 2.02.   Exchange Fund. (a) Paying Agent. Not less than 10 business days prior to the anticipated Closing Date, Parent shall designate a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as agent (the “Paying Agent”) for the payment and delivery of the aggregate Merger Consideration in accordance with this Article II and, in connection therewith, Parent and the Company shall enter into an agreement with the Paying Agent prior to the Closing Date in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company. At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent or Merger Sub shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Paying Agent an amount in cash sufficient to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration (the “Exchange Fund”). Pending its disbursement in accordance with this Section 2.02, the Exchange Fund shall be invested by the Paying Agent as directed by Parent in (i) short-term direct obligations of the United States, (ii) short-term obligations for which the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to provide for the payment of principal and interest, (iii) short-term commercial paper rated the highest quality by either Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services or (iv) certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or banker’s acceptances of commercial banks with capital exceeding $5 billion. Any and all interest earned on the funds in the Exchange Fund shall be paid by the Paying Agent to Parent. No investment losses resulting from investment of the funds deposited with the Paying Agent shall diminish the rights of any former holder of Converted Shares to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with this Article II. To the extent that there are investment losses or the Exchange Fund otherwise diminishes below the level necessary for the payment and delivery of the aggregate Merger Consideration in accordance with this Article II, Parent shall promptly deposit or cause to be deposited additional amounts in cash in immediately available funds with the Paying Agent for the Exchange Fund as necessary to ensure that the Exchange Fund is at all relevant times at the level necessary for the payment and delivery of the aggregate Merger Consideration in accordance with this Article II. Except as directed by Parent, the Exchange Fund shall not be used for any purpose other than the payment to former holders of Converted Shares of the Merger Consideration or payment to the Surviving Company as contemplated in this Section 2.02.

 

(b)     Letter of Transmittal; Exchange of Class A Shares. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time (but in no event later than three business days after the Effective Time), the Surviving Company or Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record of a Certificate a form of letter of transmittal (which (i) shall specify that delivery of a Certificate shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to such Certificate shall pass, only upon delivery of such Certificate to the Paying Agent and (ii) shall be in such form and have such other customary

 

  
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provisions as the Surviving Company may specify, subject to Parent’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed)), together with instructions thereto, setting forth, inter alia, the procedures by which holders of Certificates may receive the applicable Merger Consideration and any dividends or other distributions to which they are entitled pursuant to this Article II. Upon the completion of such applicable procedures by a holder and the surrender of such holder’s Certificate, and without any action by any holder of record of Book-Entry Shares, the Paying Agent shall deliver to such holder (other than to any holder in respect of Dissenting Shares), (A) in the case of Book-Entry Shares, a notice of the effectiveness of the Merger and (B) cash in an amount (subject to Section 2.02(g)) equal to the number of Converted Shares represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Merger Consideration to which such holder is entitled under this Article II, and such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall forthwith be canceled. If payment of the applicable Merger Consideration is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name a Certificate surrendered is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that (x) the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall otherwise be in proper form for transfer and (y) the Person requesting such payment shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving Company and Parent that any transfer and other Taxes required by reason of the payment of the applicable Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder either has been paid or is not applicable. Until satisfaction of the applicable procedures contemplated by this Section 2.02 and subject to Section 2.04, each Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive the applicable Merger Consideration and any dividends or other distributions pertaining to Converted Shares formerly represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Share as contemplated by this Article II. No interest shall be paid or shall accrue on the Merger Consideration payable with respect to Converted Shares pursuant to this Article II.

 

(c)     Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Company or Parent, the posting by such Person of a bond, in such customary amount as the Paying Agent may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Surviving Company shall cause the Paying Agent to pay, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the applicable Merger Consideration as contemplated by this Article II.

 

(d)     Termination of Exchange Fund. At any time following the date that is 180 days after the Closing Date, the Surviving Company shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to deliver to it any portion of the Exchange Fund (including any interest received with respect thereto) that had been delivered to the Paying Agent and which has not been disbursed to former holders of Converted Shares, and thereafter such former holders shall be entitled to look only to the Surviving Company for, and the Surviving Company shall remain liable for, payment of their claims of the applicable Merger Consideration and any dividends or other distributions pertaining to their former Converted Shares that such former holders have the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of this Article II. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by such holders at such time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any Governmental Authority shall become, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the property of the Surviving Company or its designee, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.

 

  
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(e)     No Liability. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, none of the parties hereto, the Surviving Company or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any Person for Merger Consideration delivered to any Governmental Authority pursuant to any applicable state, federal or other abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.

 

(f)     Transfer Books; No Further Ownership Rights in Common Shares. The Merger Consideration paid in respect of Converted Shares upon surrender of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares in accordance with the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Converted Shares previously represented by such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, subject, however, to (i) Section 2.04 and (ii) the Surviving Company’s obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time that may have been declared by the Company on Converted Shares not in violation of the terms of this Agreement or prior to the date of this Agreement and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, the share transfer books of the Company shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers on the share transfer books of the Surviving Company of Converted Shares that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time, the former holders of Converted Shares formerly represented by Certificates or Book-Entry Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such underlying Converted Shares, except as otherwise provided for herein or by applicable Law. Subject to the last sentence of Section 2.02(d), if, at any time after the Effective Time, Certificates or Book-Entry Shares are presented to the Surviving Company for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article II.

 

(g)     Withholding Taxes. Merger Sub, the Surviving Company and the Paying Agent (without duplication) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), or under any provision of other applicable Tax Law. To the extent amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be (i) timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority and (ii) treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. The parties hereto hereby agree to use their respective reasonable best efforts to cooperate to eliminate or reduce to the greatest extent possible any such deduction or withholding.

 

(h)     Other Matters. The Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall reasonably cooperate to comply with the second sentence of Section 6.1 of the Company Charter and clause (i) of Section 4.01(a) of the HoldCo LLC Agreement.

 

Section 2.03.   Company Awards. (a) At the Effective Time, each Company Option, whether vested or unvested, that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to exist and remain an issued and outstanding Company Option and continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, as set forth in the Company Stock Plan and applicable award agreement.

 

(b)     At the Effective Time, (1) any vesting conditions applicable to each Company RSU Award held by any director of the Company who is not an employee of the

 

  
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Company, Parent or any of their respective Affiliates (a “Director RSU Award”) shall, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, accelerate in full, and (2) each Director RSU Award shall, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, be canceled and shall only entitle the holder of such Director RSU Award to receive (without interest) an amount in cash equal to (x) the number of Class A Shares subject to such Director RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (y) the Merger Consideration. As promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time (but in any event no later than three business days after the Effective Time), the Surviving Company shall pay (or cause to be paid through such other method as the Company utilizes for payments to such Persons) to the holders of the Director RSU Awards the amounts contemplated by this Section 2.03(b); provided that, with respect to any Director RSU Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and that is not permitted to be paid at the Effective Time without triggering a Tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code, such payment shall be made at the earliest time permitted under the Company Stock Plan and applicable award agreement that will not trigger a Tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c)     At the Effective Time, each Company RSU Award (other than a Director RSU Award), whether vested or unvested, that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to exist and remain an issued and outstanding Company RSU Award and continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, as set forth in the Company Stock Plan and applicable award agreement.

 

(d)     At the Effective Time, each Company Profits Unit Award, whether vested or unvested, that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to exist and remain an issued and outstanding Company Profits Unit Award and continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as immediately prior to the Effective Time, as set forth in the Holdco LLC Agreement, the Company Stock Plan and the applicable award agreement.

 

(e)     Prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or, if appropriate, any committee administering the Company ESPP) shall take all actions as it deems necessary or appropriate to ensure that (i) no Purchase Period (as defined in the Company ESPP) under the Company ESPP shall be commenced on or after the date of this Agreement, (ii) beginning on the date of this Agreement, no new participants may join the Company ESPP during the Purchase Period in existence under the Company ESPP as of the date of this Agreement (such purchase period, the “Existing Purchase Period”), (iii) beginning on the date of this Agreement, no participant may increase the amount of such participant’s payroll deductions with respect to the Existing Purchase Period and (iv) the Company ESPP shall terminate on the earliest of (A) immediately following the purchase date for the Existing Purchase Period, (B) two business days prior to the Effective Time, in which case all participant contributions under the Company ESPP shall be used to purchase Class A Shares on such date in accordance with the terms of the Company ESPP as if such date was the last day of the Existing Purchase Period (such earlier date, the “ESPP Purchase Date”) and (C) the date that the Company otherwise terminates the Company ESPP.

 

(f)     At or prior to the Effective Time, the Company or the Company Board (or, if appropriate, any committee administering the Company Stock Plan or the Company ESPP), as applicable, shall adopt any resolutions and take any other actions that are necessary to effectuate

 

  
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the treatment of the Company Equity Awards and the Company ESPP pursuant to this Section 2.03.

 

Section 2.04.   Shares of Dissenting Holders. (a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, at the Effective Time, each Dissenting Share shall automatically be canceled (but shall not entitle its holder to receive the applicable consideration in respect of such canceled Dissenting Share contemplated by Section 2.01) and, without any further action on the part of the Company, Merger Sub or the holder of such Dissenting Share, automatically be converted into the right to receive the appraised fair value of such Dissenting Share in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL unless and until such holder fails to comply with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL or effectively withdraws or otherwise loses such holder’s rights to receive payment under Section 262 of the DGCL.

 

(b)     In the event that a holder of Dissenting Shares fails to comply with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL or effectively withdraws or loses such holder’s rights to receive payment under Section 262 of the DGCL, then such Dissenting Shares will no longer be Dissenting Shares for purposes of this Agreement and instead will be treated as the applicable class of Common Shares, and such holder shall have no rights with respect to such Dissenting Shares, and instead shall have the rights with respect to such Common Shares contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

(c)     The Company shall (i) give Parent prompt written notice of any written demands for appraisal of Dissenting Shares and any other written instruments, notices, petitions or other communications received by the Company or its Representatives in connection with the foregoing and (ii) give Parent the opportunity to participate with the Company in any settlement negotiations and proceedings with respect to any demands for appraisal pursuant to the DGCL in respect of such Dissenting Shares. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Parent, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, offer to settle or settle any such demands, or agree to do any of the foregoing.

 

Section 2.05.   Adjustments. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article II to the contrary, if between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time the issued and outstanding Common Shares shall have been changed into a different number of Common Shares or a different class by reason of the occurrence or record date of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

The Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub that, except as (A) set forth in the confidential disclosure letter delivered by the Company to Parent and Merger Sub concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) (it being understood that any information, item or matter set forth in one section or

 

  
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subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed with respect to, and shall be deemed to apply to and qualify, the section or subsection of this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and each other section or subsection of this Agreement to the extent that it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that such information, item or matter is relevant to such other section or subsection) or (B) disclosed in any report, schedule, form, statement or other document (including exhibits) filed with, or furnished to, the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement by the Company and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement (the “Filed SEC Documents”), other than, in the case of clause (B), disclosure contained in any such Filed SEC Documents under the headings “Risk Factors” or “Cautionary Statements About Forward Looking Statements” or similar headings, or disclosure of any risks generally faced by participants in the industries in which the Company operates, in each case without disclosure of specific facts and circumstances (it being understood that clause (B) shall not be applicable to the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.02, 3.03(a), 3.03(b), 3.03(c) and 3.03(e)).

 

Section 3.01.   Organization; Standing. (a) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. A true and complete copy of each of the Company Organizational Documents in effect as of the date hereof is included in the Filed SEC Documents.

 

(b)     Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, except where the failure to be so incorporated or organized, existing and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by such Subsidiary or the character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by such Subsidiary makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.02.   Capitalization. (a) The authorized share capital of the Company consists of 6,000,000,000 shares, consisting of (x) 4,500,000,000 shares of common stock, divided into 3,000,000,000 Class A Shares and 1,500,000,000 Class B Shares and (y) 1,500,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with the par value of $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). At the close of business on December 7, 2022 (the “Capitalization Date”), (i) 53,738,392 Class A Shares were issued and outstanding, (ii) 234,476,377 Class B Shares were issued and outstanding, (iii) no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, (iv) no Class A Shares were held by the Company as treasury shares or held by its Subsidiaries, (v) no Class B Shares were held by the

 

  
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Company as treasury shares or held by its Subsidiaries, (vi) 534,021 Class A Shares were issuable in respect of outstanding Company Options, (vii) 7,836,433 Class A Shares were issuable in respect of outstanding Company RSU Awards, (viii) 1,052,634 Class A Shares were issuable in respect of outstanding Company Profits Unit Awards (assuming an intervening exchange into common units of HoldCo and achievement of applicable performance goals at maximum performance levels and that the price of a Class A Share used for purposes of calculating such intervening exchange is equal to the Merger Consideration), (ix) 12,966,567 Class A Shares were reserved for future issuance under the Company Stock Plan and (x) 8,892,777 Class A Shares could be acquired with accumulated payroll deductions under the Company ESPP as of the ESPP Purchase Date (assuming that (A) the market price of a Class A Share as of the ESPP Purchase Date is equal to the Merger Consideration and (B) payroll deductions continue at the rate in effect as of the Capitalization Date). Since the Capitalization Date through the date of this Agreement, other than (A) in connection with the settlement or exercise, as applicable, of Company Equity Awards or purchase rights under the Company ESPP that were outstanding on the Capitalization Date and included in the preceding sentence, (B) as required pursuant to the HoldCo LLC Agreement, or (C) as would be permitted by this Agreement (including Section 5.01) had such issuance occurred during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has issued any Company Securities.

 

(b)     Except as set forth in, or as contemplated by, Section 3.02(a), as of the date of this Agreement, there were (i) no outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Company, (ii) no outstanding securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Company, (iii) no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, phantom equity rights, profits interests or other commitments or agreements to acquire from the Company, or that obligate the Company to issue, any capital stock of or other equity or voting interests in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Company (the items in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to collectively as “Company Securities”) and (iv) no other obligations by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any payments based on the price or value of any Company Securities or dividends paid thereon. Other than in connection with the Company Equity Awards or purchase rights under the Company ESPP or the HoldCo Documents, there are no outstanding agreements or instruments of any kind that obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Securities (or obligate the Company to grant, extend or enter into any such agreements relating to any Company Securities) or that grant any preemptive rights, subscription rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights with respect to any Company Securities. Except as described in this Section 3.02(b), no direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company owns any Common Shares. Other than the HoldCo Documents, none of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is a party to any stockholders’ agreement, voting trust agreement, registration rights agreement or other similar agreement or understanding relating to any Company Securities or any other agreement relating to the disposition or voting with respect to any Company Securities. Except as set forth in Section 3.02(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter or pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, no holder of Company Securities has any right to have such Company Securities registered by the Company. All issued and outstanding Common Shares have been authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. The Class A Shares are the only issued and outstanding classes of equity securities of the Company registered under the Exchange Act.

 

  
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(c)     Except as set forth in the HoldCo Documents, all of the issued and outstanding share capital or shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company are owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, by the Company, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and transfer restrictions, other than transfer restrictions of general applicability, as may be provided under the Securities Act of 1933 (collectively, the “Securities Act”) or other applicable securities Laws. Except as set forth in the HoldCo Documents, each issued and outstanding share capital or share of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company that is held, directly or indirectly, by the Company, is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, and there are no subscription rights, options, warrants, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, calls, contracts or other commitments that obligate the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to issue (other than to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) any share capital or shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interests of any Subsidiary of the Company, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or agreement, any agreements granting any preemptive rights, subscription rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights (to Persons other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) with respect to any securities of any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(d)     All grants of Company Equity Awards and purchase rights under the Company ESPP were validly issued and properly approved by the Company Board (or a committee thereof) in accordance with the Company Stock Plan, the Company ESPP and applicable Law. The Company has provided Parent with a complete and correct list, as of the date of this Agreement, of (i) each outstanding Company Option, including the date of grant, exercise price, vesting schedule and number of shares of Class A Shares subject thereto, (ii) each Company RSU Award, including the date of grant, vesting schedule and number of Class A Shares subject thereto and (iii) each outstanding Company Profits Unit Award, including the date of grant, vesting conditions and applicable participation threshold.

 

Section 3.03.   Authority; Noncontravention. (a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to obtaining the Required Stockholder Approval, to consummate the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, have been unanimously authorized and approved by the Company Board (acting upon the Special Committee Recommendation), and, except for obtaining the Required Stockholder Approval and Governmental Approvals, and filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State pursuant to the DGCL, no other corporate action on the part of the Company is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, rehabilitation, conservatorship, liquidation, receivership and other similar Laws, now or hereafter in effect, of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) is

 

  
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subject to general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity (collectively, the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exception”).

 

(b)     The Special Committee, at a meeting duly called and held, has unanimously (i) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the Public Shareholders and (ii) resolved, subject to Section 5.02, to make the Special Committee Recommendation, and, as of the date of this Agreement, such Special Committee Recommendation has not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way.

 

(c)     The Company Board (upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee) has (i) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (ii) declared this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, advisable, (iii) approved this Agreement, the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the performance by the Company of the covenants and agreements contained herein and the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein and (iv) resolved, subject to Section 5.02, to make the Company Board Recommendation, and, as of the date of this Agreement, such Company Board Recommendation has not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way.

 

(d)     Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, nor the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, nor performance or compliance by the Company with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (i) subject to the receipt of the Required Stockholder Approval, conflict with or violate any provision of (A) the Company Organizational Documents, (B) the similar organizational documents of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or (C) any of the HoldCo Documents or (ii) assuming that the Governmental Approvals and the Required Stockholder Approval are obtained, the filings referred to in Section 3.04 are made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, in each case prior to the Effective Time, (A) violate any Law or Judgment applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) violate or constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, are bound or give rise to any right to terminate, cancel, amend, modify or accelerate the Company’s or, if applicable, any of its Subsidiaries’, rights or obligations under any such Contract, (C) give rise to any right of first refusal, preemptive right, tag-along right, transfer right or other similar right of any other party to a Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or (D) result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except, in the case of clauses (i)(B), (i)(C) and (ii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)     The Required Stockholder Approval may be satisfied by the execution and delivery of a written consent to approve and adopt this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, in accordance with Section 228 and Section 251(c) of the DGCL by stockholders of the Company holding, as of the effective date of such written consent, (i) a majority of the Class A Shares outstanding as of such time, (ii) a majority of (A) the Class B Shares outstanding as of

 

  
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such time and (B) the Class B Shares held by the stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement as of such time and (iii) a majority of the Common Shares outstanding as of such time. Other than the Required Stockholder Approval, no vote, consent or approval by the stockholders of the Company is required to adopt and approve this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

Section 3.04.   Governmental Approvals. Except for (a) compliance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, (b) compliance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), including the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of the Information Statement and Schedule 13E-3, (c) compliance with the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, (d) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State pursuant to the DGCL, (e) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act and making or obtaining any Consents, filings, declarations or registrations required to be made or obtained under any applicable other Antitrust Laws and (f) compliance with any applicable state securities or blue sky laws (collectively, the “Governmental Approvals”), no Consent of, or filing, declaration or registration with, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, other than such other Consents, filings, declarations or registrations that, if not obtained, made or given, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.05.   Company SEC Documents; Internal Controls. (a) The Company has timely filed with the SEC all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (collectively, the “Company SEC Documents”). As of their respective effective dates (in the case of Company SEC Documents that are registration statements filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act) or their respective SEC filing dates or, if amended or supplemented prior to the date hereof, the date of the filing of such amendment or supplement, with respect to the portions that are amended or supplemented (in the case of all other Company SEC Documents), the Company SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, applicable to such Company SEC Documents, and none of the Company SEC Documents as of such respective dates (or, if amended or supplemented prior to the date of this Agreement, the date of the filing of such amendment or supplement, with respect to the disclosures that are amended or supplemented) contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding written comments from the SEC with respect to the Company SEC Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of the representation and warranties contained in this Section 3.05(a) are made with respect to the Information Statement or the Schedule 13E-3 or any other report, schedule, form, statement or other document required to be filed or furnished with the SEC in connection with the Transactions.

 

(b)     The consolidated financial statements of the Company (including all related notes or schedules) included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents (collectively, the “Company Financial Statements”), as of their respective dates of filing with the

 

  
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SEC (or, if such Company SEC Documents were amended or supplemented prior to the date hereof, the date of the filing of such amendment or supplement, with respect to the consolidated financial statements that are amended, supplemented or restated therein), complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC or other rules and regulations of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except (i) as may be indicated in the notes thereto or (ii) as permitted by Regulation S-X) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods shown (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).

 

(c)     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise), except liabilities (i) reflected or reserved against in the consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto) of the Company as of June 30, 2022 (the “Balance Sheet Date”) included in the Company SEC Documents, (ii) incurred after the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business, (iii) as contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise incurred in connection with the Transactions, (iv) as related to Taxes or (v) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)     The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) that are applicable to the Company. With respect to each Company SEC Document, each of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Company has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act and Section 302 or 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to such Company SEC Documents. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (taking into account that the Company qualifies for certain “controlled company” exemptions to such rules and regulations).

 

(e)     The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and a system of internal controls over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has identified or been made aware of “significant deficiencies” or “material weaknesses” (as defined by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) in the design or operation of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting which would reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data, in each case which has not been subsequently remediated.

 

(f)     Since August 9, 2021, neither the Company nor any director, officer or accountant (to the extent communicated to the Company) thereof, has received any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, that (i) the Company has engaged in illegal or fraudulent accounting practices, (ii) there are any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of the internal controls of the Company which have materially and adversely affected the ability of the Company to record, process, summarize and

 

  
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report financial data or (iii) there is any fraud, whether or not material, involving management or other employees that was reported to the Company Board or management of the Company.

 

(g)     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract (including any Contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC)), where the purpose of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, the Company in the Company’s published financial statements or any Company SEC Documents.

 

Section 3.06.   Absence of Certain Changes. (a) From June 30, 2022 through the date of this Agreement, except for the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the discussions and negotiations related thereto, the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been carried on and conducted in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and (b) since June 30, 2022, there has not been any Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.07.   Legal Proceedings. Except (a) for any Action commenced or threatened against the Company or its directors which relates to this Agreement or the Transactions or (b) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is no (x) pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, Action or, to the Knowledge of the Company, investigation against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (y) outstanding injunction, order, judgment, ruling, decree or writ of any Governmental Authority (a “Judgment”) imposed upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (in their capacity as such) or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Person for whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be liable as an indemnifying party or otherwise, in each case, by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Section 3.08.   Compliance with Laws; Permits. (a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) are, and have been since August 9, 2021, in compliance with all state, federal or foreign laws, statutes, common laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations (collectively, “Laws”) and Judgments, in each case, applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) have not since August 9, 2021 received from any Governmental Authority any written, or to the Knowledge of the Company, oral, notice or communication asserting any noncompliance with any such Laws, except for any such noncompliance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)     The Company and each of its Subsidiaries hold all valid licenses, franchises, permits, certificates, approvals, authorizations and registrations from Governmental Authorities necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses as each such business is currently conducted (collectively, “Permits”), except where the failure to hold the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The operation of the business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted is

 

  
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not, and has not been since August 9, 2021, in violation of, nor are the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in default or violation under, any Permits and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or violation of any terms, conditions or provisions of any Permit, except where such default or violation of such Permit would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All such Permits are in full force and effect, except where the failure to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.09.   Anti-Corruption; Sanctions; Anti-Money Laundering. (a) To the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries are in violation, or since August 9, 2021, have been in violation, of any Anti-Bribery Laws, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing, since August 9, 2021, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, their respective directors or officers, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective employees or agents, acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has made or caused to be made any Payments, (i) to or for the use or benefit of any Government Official, (ii) to any other Person either for an advance or reimbursement, if it knows or has reason to know that any part of such Payment will be directly or indirectly given or paid by such other Person, or will reimburse such other Person for Payments previously made, to any Government Official or (iii) to any other Person, to obtain or keep business or to secure some other improper advantage, in violation of Anti-Bribery Laws, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has policies, procedures and controls that are reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with the Anti-Bribery Laws.

 

(b)     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective officers or directors, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective employees, agents or other Persons acting on behalf of any of them, is the subject or target of any sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, enforced or administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the United Kingdom (collectively, “Economic Sanctions”), and does not make any sales to or engage in business activities with or for the benefit of any Persons or jurisdictions that are the subject or target of any Economic Sanctions that would cause any Person to be in violation of any Economic Sanctions, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Since August 9, 2021, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action that would constitute a material violation of any Economic Sanctions, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)     Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Action or, to the Knowledge of the Company, investigation, by or before any Governmental Authority involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Bribery Laws or Economic Sanctions is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

  
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Section 3.10.   Tax Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)     Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has prepared (or caused to be prepared) and timely filed (taking into account valid extensions of time within which to file) all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them. All such filed Tax Returns (taking into account all amendments thereto) are true, complete and accurate, and all Taxes owed by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries that are due have been timely and fully paid (whether or not showed to be due on a Tax Return), other than any such Taxes that are being contested in good faith or have been adequately reserved against in accordance with GAAP.

 

(b)     As of the date of this Agreement, the Company has not received written notice of any pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened audits, examinations, investigations, claims or other proceedings in respect of any Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. No deficiency with respect to any amount of Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been informed in writing by any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently does not file Tax Returns that the jurisdiction believes that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries was required to file any Tax Return in such jurisdiction.

 

(c)     There are no Liens for Taxes on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than Permitted Liens.

 

(d)     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in any “listed transaction” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

 

Section 3.11.   Employee Benefits. (a) Each Company Plan has been administered in compliance with its terms and applicable Laws and the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied with all Laws related to compensation and benefit plans, programs, agreements or arrangements, in each case, other than instances of noncompliance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the date hereof, there is no material pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Action relating to the Company Plans, other than routine claims for benefits.

 

(b)     Each Company Plan that, as of the date of this Agreement, is intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or is entitled to rely upon a favorable opinion issued by the IRS, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no existing circumstances or any events that have occurred that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of any such qualification status of any such Company Plan, except where such loss of qualification status would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(c)     Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has ever maintained or contributed to a plan subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, including any “single employer” defined benefit plan (as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA), any “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), any “multiple employer plan” (as defined in C.F.R. Section 4001.02) or a plan subject to Section 413(c) of the

 

  
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Code, any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA) or applicable state Law or any “voluntary employees’ beneficiary association” (as defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code) or other funded arrangement for the provision of welfare benefits. “ERISA Affiliate” means any Person which is (or at any relevant time was or will be) a member of a “controlled group of corporations” with, under “common control” with or a member of an “affiliate service group” with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as such terms are defined in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

(d)     Except as required under applicable Law or where the costs are borne solely by the participant (or such participant’s dependents or beneficiaries), no Company Plan provides health, medical, dental or life insurance benefits following retirement or other termination of employment.

 

(e)     Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.03(b), neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, shareholder or other approval of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the Transactions may, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) entitle any employee, director, officer or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any compensation or benefits (including any termination, severance, change of control or similar benefit or otherwise), (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation or other amounts due to any director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether by virtue of any termination, severance, change of control or similar benefit or otherwise), (iii) directly or indirectly cause the Company to transfer or set aside any assets to fund any benefits under any Company Plan, (iv) limit or restrict the right to amend, terminate or transfer the assets of any Company Plan on or following the Effective Time or (v) result in the payment of any amount or any benefits that could, individually or in combination with any other such payment, constitute an “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code.

 

(f)     No current or former employee, director or other service provider of or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled to any gross-up, make-whole or other additional payment from the Company or any other Person in respect of any Tax (including under Section 4999 or 409A of the Code) or interest or penalty related thereto.

 

(g)     All Company Plans that are maintained outside of the United States that provide benefits in respect of any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who is primarily based outside of the United States (i) have been maintained in accordance with all applicable Laws, (ii) if they are intended to qualify for special tax treatment, meet all the requirements for such treatment, and (iii) if they are intended to be funded and/or book-reserved, are fully funded and/or book-reserved, as appropriate, based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions, except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.12.   Labor Matters. (a) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, as of the date of this Agreement, (a) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no activities or proceedings of any labor organization to organize any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries ongoing, pending or threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and no demand for

 

  
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recognition as the exclusive bargaining representative of any such employees has been made by or on behalf of any labor or similar organization, (b) no approvals of any works council, labor union or similar organization are required under applicable Law or any Collective Bargaining Agreement in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Agreements, or the consummation of the Transactions, (c) there is no ongoing, pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened strike, lockout, slowdown or work stoppage by or with respect to the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (d) there is no unfair labor practice, labor dispute (other than routine individual grievances) or labor arbitration proceeding ongoing, pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Laws regarding labor and unfair labor practices, employment and employment practices and terms and conditions of employment, including Laws relating to discrimination, paying and withholding of Taxes, hours of work, the classification of service providers and the payment of wages or overtime wages, except for instances of noncompliance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)     Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no investigation, review, complaint or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority or otherwise with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in relation to the employment or alleged employment of any individual is ongoing, pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries received any notice indicating an intention to conduct the same.

 

(c)     Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, since August 9, 2021 the Company and its Subsidiaries have not received or been subject to any complaints, claims or actions alleging sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, bullying or discrimination committed by any director, officer or other managerial employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or alleging a workplace culture that would encourage or be conducive to the foregoing.

 

Section 3.13.   Environmental Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is, and has been since August 9, 2021, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of violation, claim, settlement or order since August 9, 2021 (or that otherwise remains unresolved) alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of or has any liability under any Environmental Law, (b) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries possesses and is, and has been since August 9, 2021, in compliance with all Permits required under Environmental Laws for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted (“Environmental Permits”), (c) to the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no Release of or exposure to any Hazardous Materials that would reasonably be expected to result in any Action under any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (d) there are no Liens or Actions under or pursuant to any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (e) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Judgment imposed by any Governmental Authority under which there are outstanding obligations on the part of the Company or its Subsidiaries arising under Environmental Laws and (f) the Company made

 

  
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available to Parent and its Representatives copies of any written environmental reports, audits, and site assessments completed since August 9, 2021 in the possession of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pertaining to (i) any unresolved liabilities under Environmental Law, (ii) any Release of Hazardous Materials by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or at any property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.

 

Section 3.14.   Intellectual Property. (a) The Company and its Subsidiaries own all Company Intellectual Property, and hold all right, title and interest in and to the Company Intellectual Property, in each case, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or have sufficient rights to use all material Intellectual Property used in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted; provided that nothing in this Section 3.14(a) shall be interpreted or construed as a representation or warranty with respect to whether there is any infringement of any Intellectual Property, which is the subject of Section 3.14(b). All material Company Intellectual Property that is registered or issued is subsisting and, to the Knowledge of the Company, valid and enforceable.

 

(b)     To the Knowledge of the Company, (i) no Person is misappropriating, violating or infringing, and, since August 9, 2021, no Person has misappropriated, violated or infringed, the rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Company Intellectual Property and (ii) the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted does not violate, misappropriate or infringe and, since August 9, 2021, has not misappropriated, violated or infringed the Intellectual Property rights of any other Person, except in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.15.   IT Assets, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity. (a) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is, and has been since August 9, 2021, in compliance with all Privacy Requirements. Since August 9, 2021, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has (i) been the subject of any Action regarding its collection, storage, transfer, maintenance, processing or use of any Personal Data and there are no such Actions, governmental investigations or claims pending, threatened in writing, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, otherwise threatened related to any applicable Privacy Requirements, or (ii) notified, or been legally required to provide any notices to any Governmental Authority, data subjects or individuals in connection with a Sensitive Information Breach, except in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)     The IT Assets operate and perform materially in accordance with their documentation and functional specifications and are adequate and sufficient for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted. To the Knowledge of the Company, none of the IT Assets contain any virus, “trojan horse”, worm or other code, software routine or instructions designed to permit unauthorized access to or to disable, erase or otherwise harm the IT Assets or Sensitive Information, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  
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(c)     Since August 9, 2021, none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has experienced any failures, crashes or similar incidents with respect to its IT Assets or any Sensitive Information Breaches, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented and maintain commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT Assets and Sensitive Information from unauthorized processing, disclosure, use, access or unlawful destruction, loss or alteration, taking into account the risks to and sensitivity of the data processed by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 3.16.   Anti-Takeover Provisions. No (i) “business combination”, “control share acquisition”, “fair price”, “moratorium” or other anti-takeover Laws (each a “Takeover Law”), (ii) stockholder rights agreement, “poison pill” or similar anti-takeover agreement or (iii) anti-takeover provision in the Company Organizational Documents applies or will apply to the Company with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

Section 3.17.   Contracts. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, “Material Contract” means any Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets is bound (other than Company Plans and Collective Bargaining Agreements, any Contracts solely between the Company and one or more of its Subsidiaries or solely between the Company’s Subsidiaries, any Contracts to which BDT Capital Partners, LLC or any of its Affiliates are a party or any Contracts related to the Transactions (including the Merger)), whether or not scheduled and including any such Contract entered into after the date hereof that:

 

(i)     is or would be required to be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;

 

(ii)    relates to the formation or management of any joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement that is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, but excluding any Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)    under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has directly or indirectly incurred or guaranteed or assumed indebtedness for borrowed money of another Person (other than any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company), in each case having an outstanding or committed amount in excess of $2,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(iv)    has been entered into since August 9, 2022, and involves the acquisition from another Person or disposition to another Person of capital stock or other equity interests of another Person or of a business or any assets, in each case, for aggregate consideration under such Contract in excess of $5,000,000 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, acquisitions or dispositions of supplies, equipment, products, properties or other assets in the ordinary course of business or dispositions of supplies, equipment, products,

 

  
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properties or other assets that are obsolete, worn out, surplus or no longer used or useful in the conduct of business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries);

 

(v)     would reasonably be expected to provide for the payment by the Company of more than $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023 that is not terminable at will by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or by Parent and the Surviving Company following the Closing Date) on less than 60 days’ notice without payment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of any penalty; or

 

(vi)    requires capital expenditures in excess of $2,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate.

 

(b)     Each Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company or its Subsidiaries to the extent such Person is a party thereto, as applicable, and to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect and is enforceable against the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except where the failure to be valid, binding or in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, has performed all obligations required to be performed by it under each Material Contract and is not in breach of or default under such Material Contract, (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of the existence of any event or condition which constitutes, or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute, a default on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Material Contract and (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no events or conditions which constitute, or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute a default on the part of any counterparty under such Material Contract. From August 9, 2021 to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have received written notice or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other notice, from any other party to any Material Contract that it intends to (A) terminate such Material Contract or (B) seek to change, materially and adversely, the terms and conditions of such Material Contract.

 

Section 3.18.   Insurance. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries own or hold policies of insurance with financially sound and reputable insurers, or are self-insured, in amounts providing reasonably adequate coverage against all risks customarily insured against by companies in similar lines of business as the Company and its Subsidiaries. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect except for any expiration thereof in accordance with the terms thereof, no written notice of cancelation or modification has been received other than in connection with ordinary renewals, all premiums due have been paid in full, no insurance claim has been disputed or denied by the applicable insurer, and there is no existing default or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a material breach or a material default by any insured thereunder.

 

  
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Section 3.19.   Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Special Committee (in such capacity) has received the written opinion of Centerview Partners LLC (“Centerview”), as financial advisor to the Special Committee, on or prior to the date of this Agreement, that, as of the date of such written opinion, and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the Merger Consideration to be paid to the Public Shareholders (except as set forth in such written opinion) in the Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Public Shareholders, as of the date of such written opinion. It is agreed and understood that such opinion is for the benefit of the Special Committee and may not be relied on by Parent or Merger Sub for any purpose. The Company shall provide to Parent, solely for informational purposes, a copy of such written opinion promptly following the execution of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.20.   Brokers and Other Advisors. Except for Centerview, the fees (the aggregate amount of which have been disclosed to Parent or its legal counsel on or prior to the date hereof) and expenses of which will be paid by the Company, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other similar Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission, or the reimbursement of expenses in connection therewith, in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 3.21.   Title to Properties and Assets. (a) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and valid fee simple title in all parcels of Owned Real Property, free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens, (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have leased, licensed, or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy any Owned Real Property or any portion thereof except pursuant to any Permitted Liens, and (iii) there are no outstanding options or rights of first refusal or offer granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of a third party to purchase any Owned Real Property or portion thereof.

 

(b)     Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have valid leasehold, subleasehold or license interests in all Leased Real Property, free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens, and (ii) there exists no default or event of default under any of the Real Property Leases (or any event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as applicable) or, to the Knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, any other party to the Real Property Leases.

 

Section 3.22.   No Other Representations or Warranties. (a) Except for the representations and warranties expressly made by the Company in this Article III and the certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 6.02(a), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any other Person, has made or is making any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates of any documentation, forecasts or other information with respect to any one or more of the foregoing, and each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges the foregoing.

 

  
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In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except for the representations and warranties expressly made by the Company in this Article III and the certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 6.02(a), neither the Company nor any other Person makes or has made any express or implied representation or warranty to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates with respect to (i) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospective information relating to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or (ii) any oral, written or other information presented or provided to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates in the course of their due diligence investigation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the negotiation of this Agreement or the course of the Transactions.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company acknowledges and agrees that neither Parent nor Merger Sub, nor any Affiliate or Representative of either of them, has made or is making any representation or warranty relating to Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or Merger Sub, whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by Parent and Merger Sub in Article IV and the certificate delivered by the Parent and Merger Sub pursuant to Section 6.03(a), including any implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding Parent and its Subsidiaries furnished or made available to the Company or any of its Representatives, and that the Company has not relied on any such other representation or warranty not set forth in Article IV and the certificate delivered by the Parent and Merger Sub pursuant to Section 6.03(a).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub

 

Parent and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Company that, except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by Parent to the Company concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”) (it being understood that any information, item or matter set forth in one section or subsection of the Parent Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed with respect to, and shall be deemed to apply to and qualify, the section or subsection of this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and each other section or subsection of this Agreement to the extent that it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that such information, item or matter is relevant to such other section or subsection):

 

Section 4.01.   Organization; Standing. Parent is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and Merger Sub is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority, as applicable, necessary to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned or

 

  
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leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.02.   Authority; Noncontravention; Voting Requirements. (a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to obtaining the Merger Sub Shareholder Approval, to consummate the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Transactions, have been unanimously authorized and approved by each of the Parent Managing Member and the Merger Sub Board, as applicable, and, except for filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State pursuant to the DGCL and obtaining the Merger Sub Shareholder Approval (which approval shall be provided by the written consent of Parent as promptly as practicable following the execution of this Agreement (and in any event within 24 hours)) and Governmental Approvals, no other action (including any stockholder vote or other action) on the part of Parent or Merger Sub is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability may be limited by and is subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

 

(b)     The Parent Managing Member has, and the Merger Sub Board has unanimously, (i) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable, fair to and in the best interest of, Parent and Merger Sub and (ii) adopted resolutions that have approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Transactions, and, as of the date of this Agreement, such resolutions have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way.

 

(c)     Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub, nor the consummation by Parent or Merger Sub of the Transactions, nor performance or compliance by Parent or Merger Sub with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the certificates or articles of incorporation, memorandum of association, by-laws or other comparable charter or organizational documents of (A) Parent or Merger Sub or (B) any of Parent’s other Subsidiaries or (ii) assuming that the Governmental Approvals and, in the case of Merger Sub, the Merger Sub Shareholder Approval are obtained, the filings referred to in Section 4.03 are made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, in each case prior to the Effective Time, (A) violate any Law applicable to Parent or Merger Sub, (B) violate or constitute a default under (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, are bound or give rise to any right to terminate, cancel, amend, modify or accelerate Parent’s or, if applicable, any of its Subsidiaries’, rights or obligations under any such Contract, (C) give rise to any right of first refusal, preemptive right, tag-along right, transfer right or other similar right of any other party to a Contract to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or (D) result in the creation of any Lien on any properties or assets of Parent or any of its

 

  
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Subsidiaries, except, in the case of clauses (i)(B), (i)(C) and (ii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)     The Merger Sub Shareholder Approval (which approval shall be provided by the written consent of Parent as contemplated by Section 5.11) is the only vote or approval of the holders of any class or series of shares of Merger Sub that is necessary to approve this Agreement and the Merger.

 

(e)     Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3.02, as of the date of the delivery of the Stockholder Consent, (i) the Specified Holders own a majority of the Class A Shares outstanding as of such time, (ii) the Specified Holders own a majority of (A) the Class B Shares outstanding as of such time and (B) the Class B Shares held by the stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement as of such time and (iii) the Specified Holders own a majority of the Common Shares outstanding as of such time.

 

Section 4.03.   Governmental Approvals. Except for the Governmental Approvals, no Consent of, or filing, declaration or registration with, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub, the performance by Parent and Merger Sub of their obligations hereunder and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Transactions, other than such other Consents, filings, declarations or registrations that, if not obtained, made or given, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. No Person that (i) is an Affiliate of Parent or Merger Sub and (ii) is not a party to the Equity Commitment Letter or this Agreement is required under applicable Law to make or obtain any Consent, filing, declaration or registration in connection with the Transactions. For purposes of the HSR Act, BDT Capital Partners Fund 3, L.P. is the “ultimate parent entity” of Parent and Merger Sub.

 

Section 4.04.   Ownership and Operations of Merger Sub. Parent owns beneficially and of record all of the issued and outstanding shares of Merger Sub, free and clear of all Liens. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Transactions, has no assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incidental to its formation and those in furtherance of the Transactions, and prior to the Effective Time, will not have engaged in any business activities other than those relating to the Transactions.

 

Section 4.05.   Financing. (a) Parent has delivered to the Company a true and complete copy of a fully executed equity commitment letter dated as of the date hereof, together with all schedules, exhibits, annexes and term sheets attached thereto (the “Equity Commitment Letter”), from BDT Capital Partners Fund 3, L.P., BDT Capital Partners Fund 3 (TE), L.P., BDT Capital Partners Fund 3 (Del), L.P. and BDT Capital Partners Fund 3 (Lux) SCSp (collectively, the “Equity Commitment Parties”) to Parent and Merger Sub providing for an equity investment in Parent, subject to the terms and conditions therein, in the aggregate amount set forth therein (the “Equity Financing”). As of the date of this Agreement, the Equity Commitment Letter in the form delivered to the Company has not been amended or modified, no such amendment or modification is contemplated and none of the obligations and commitments contained in such Equity Commitment Letter have been withdrawn, terminated or rescinded in any respect and no such withdrawal, termination or rescission is contemplated. Assuming the Equity Financing is funded in accordance with the Equity Commitment Letter and the satisfaction of the conditions set forth

 

  
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in Article VI, the net proceeds contemplated by the Equity Commitment Letter will in the aggregate be sufficient for Parent and Merger Sub to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration and any other amount required to be paid by Parent or Merger Sub in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, including any fees and expenses payable by Parent or Merger Sub pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(b)     The Equity Commitment Letter is in full force and effect and is the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Parent and each of the other parties thereto, except as enforcement may be limited by and subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. As of the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would or would reasonably be expected to constitute a default or breach on the part of any party to the Equity Commitment Letter or otherwise result in any portion of the Equity Financing contemplated hereby being unavailable or delayed. As of the date of this Agreement, and assuming the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article VI, Parent does not have any reason to believe that any party to the Equity Commitment Letter will be unable to satisfy on a timely basis any term or condition of the Equity Commitment Letter required to be satisfied by it, that the conditions to the Equity Financing in the Equity Commitment Letter will not otherwise be satisfied or that the full amount of the Equity Financing will not be available on the Closing Date. The only conditions precedent or other contingencies related to the obligations of the Equity Commitment Parties to fund the full amount of the Equity Financing are those expressly set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter as of the date hereof. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no side letters or other Contracts, arrangements or understandings (whether oral or written and whether or not legally binding) or commitments to enter into side letters or other Contracts, arrangements or understandings (whether oral or written and whether or not legally binding) to which Parent or any of its Affiliates is a party related to the Equity Financing other than as expressly contained in the Equity Commitment Letter and delivered to the Company prior to the date of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the receipt or availability of any funds or financing by or to Parent or any Affiliate of Parent be a condition to any of Parent’s or Merger Sub’s obligations hereunder. Each of the Equity Commitment Parties have uncalled capital commitments or otherwise have available funds in excess of the sum of the Subscription Commitment (as defined in the Equity Commitment Letter) of such Equity Commitment Party plus the aggregate amount of all other binding commitments and obligations such Equity Commitment Party currently has outstanding.

 

Section 4.06.   Certain Arrangements. None of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates (including any Specified Holder) has entered into any Contract, arrangement or understanding (in each case, whether oral or written), or authorized, committed or agreed to enter into any Contract, arrangement or understanding (in each case, whether oral or written), pursuant to which any holder of any Class A Shares (other than the Holdings Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time would be entitled to receive consideration of a different amount or nature than as set forth in this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no Contracts or other arrangements or understandings (whether oral or written) or commitments to enter into Contracts or other arrangements or understandings (whether oral or written) between Parent, Merger Sub, the Specified Holders, the Equity Commitment Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees or Affiliates, on the other hand, the subject of which relates to the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

  
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Section 4.07.   Solvency. After giving effect to the Merger, the Surviving Company will be able to pay its debts as they become due and will own property that has a fair saleable value greater than the amounts required to pay its debts (including a reasonable estimate of the amount of all contingent liabilities). Immediately after giving effect to the Merger, the Surviving Company will not have unreasonably small capital to carry on its businesses. No transfer of property is being made and no obligation is being incurred in connection with the Transactions with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of the Surviving Company.

 

Section 4.08.   Brokers and Other Advisors. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other similar Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission, or the reimbursement of expenses in connection therewith, in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, except for Persons, if any, whose fees and expenses will be paid by Parent.

 

Section 4.09.   No Other Representations or Warranties. (a) Parent and Merger Sub each acknowledges that it and its Representatives have received access to such books and records, facilities, equipment, Contracts and other assets of the Company which it and its Representatives have desired or requested to review, and that it and its Representatives have had full opportunity to meet with the management of the Company and to discuss the business and assets of the Company. Except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III and the certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 6.02(a), Parent and Merger Sub hereby agree and acknowledge that (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any other Person, has made or is making, and Parent and Merger Sub are not relying on, any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects, including with respect to any information made available to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates or any information developed by Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates based thereon and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any other Person, will have or be subject to any liability to Parent or Merger Sub resulting from the delivery, dissemination or any other distribution to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates, or the use by Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates, of any information made available to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates, including in any “data rooms” or management presentations, in anticipation or contemplation of any of the Transactions. Parent and Merger Sub hereby acknowledge (each for itself and on behalf of its Affiliates and Representatives) that it has conducted, to its satisfaction, its own independent investigation of the business, operations, assets and financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, in making its determination to proceed with the Transactions, each of Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Affiliates and Representatives have relied on the results of their own independent investigation and have not relied on any express or implied representations or warranties regarding the Company, its Subsidiaries other than those expressly set forth in Article III and the certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 6.02(a).

 

(b)     Except for the representations and warranties expressly made by Parent and Merger Sub in this Article IV and the certificate delivered by Parent and Merger Sub pursuant to Section 6.03(a), neither Parent, Merger Sub nor any other Person makes any other express or

 

 

  
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implied representation or warranty with respect to Parent or Merger Sub or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to the Company or any of its Representatives of any documentation, forecasts or other information with respect to any one or more of the foregoing, and the Company acknowledges the foregoing.

 

Section 4.10.   Non-Reliance on Company Estimates, Projections, Forecasts, Forward-Looking Statements and Business Plans. In connection with the due diligence investigation of the Company by Parent and Merger Sub, Parent and Merger Sub have received and may continue to receive from the Company certain estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward-looking information, as well as certain business and strategic plan information, regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses and operations. Parent and Merger Sub hereby acknowledge that (a) there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, as well as in such business and strategic plans, (b) Parent and Merger Sub are making their own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of all estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward-looking information, as well as such business plans, so furnished to them (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forward-looking information or business plans), and (c) Parent and Merger Sub have not relied on such information and will have no claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Representatives, with respect thereto or any rights hereunder with respect thereto, except in respect of the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III or the certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 6.02(a) or for intentional fraud.

 

Section 4.11.   Legal Proceedings. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, as of the date of this Agreement, there is no (a) pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent and Merger Sub, threatened in writing, legal or administrative proceeding, suit, arbitration or action or, to the Knowledge of Parent and Merger Sub, investigation against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) outstanding Judgment imposed upon Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any director or officer of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (in their capacity as such) or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any other Person for whom Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may be liable as an indemnifying party or otherwise, in each case, by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Section 4.12.   Ownership of Common Shares. Except as set forth in Section 4.12 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, as of the date of this Agreement, none of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates (other than the Specified Holders) beneficially owns (within the meaning of Section 13 of the Exchange Act) or is a party to any Contract, other arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) (other than this Agreement and between or among any of the Specified Holders or as otherwise disclosed in any Schedule 13D filing with the SEC made by any of the Specified Holders) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any Common Shares.

 

  
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ARTICLE V

 

Additional Covenants and Agreements

 

Section 5.01.   Conduct of Business. (a) Except (i) as required by applicable Law or Judgment, (ii) as expressly required by this Agreement, (iii) to the extent undertaken in connection with any COVID-19 Measures or (iv) as described in Section 5.01 of the Company Disclosure Letter, in each case, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time (or such earlier date on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 7.01), unless Parent otherwise expressly consents in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use its and their reasonable best efforts to (i) carry on its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and (ii) preserve intact in all material respects its and each of its Subsidiaries’ business organizations and existing relations with key customers, suppliers and other Persons with whom the Company or its Subsidiaries have significant business relationships and the goodwill and reputation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses; provided, however, that no action by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to the matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 5.01(b) shall be deemed a breach of this Section 5.01(a) unless such action would constitute a breach of Section 5.01(b).

 

(b)     Except (i) as required by applicable Law or Judgment, (ii) as expressly required by this Agreement, (iii) to the extent undertaken in connection with any COVID-19 Measures or (iv) as described in Section 5.01 of the Company Disclosure Letter, in each case, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time (or such earlier date on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 7.01), unless Parent otherwise expressly consents in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:

 

(i)     issue, sell, transfer, pledge, dispose of, grant or authorize the issuance, sale, transfer, pledge, disposition or grant of, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interests, or any securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interests, or any rights, warrants or options to purchase any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interests, except any issuance of Common Shares or other securities as required pursuant to (A) the vesting, settlement or exercise of Company Equity Awards or purchase rights under the Company ESPP, in each case outstanding on the date of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Equity Award or the Company ESPP, in each case in effect on the date of this Agreement, or (B) the HoldCo LLC Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any issuance of Common Shares upon a redemption of interests in HoldCo, which interests in HoldCo are issued as a result of a redemption of corresponding interests in Weber-Stephen Management Pool LLC);

 

(ii)    redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any outstanding Common Shares or other equity or voting interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any Common Shares or other equity or voting interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except (A) pursuant to the

 

  
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Company Equity Awards or purchase rights under the Company ESPP, in each case outstanding on the date of this Agreement and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Equity Award or the Company ESPP, in each case in effect on the date of this Agreement, (B) in connection with the satisfaction of Tax withholding obligations with respect to Company Equity Awards or (C) as contemplated by, and pursuant to, Section 10.05(d) of the HoldCo LLC Agreement;

 

(iii)    establish a record date for, declare, set aside for payment or pay any dividend on, or make any other distribution in respect of, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interests, or any securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interests, except dividends or distributions from wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company to other wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company or to the Company;

 

(iv)    split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any Common Shares or other equity or voting interests of the Company or any non-wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company;

 

(v)     (A) amend the Company Organizational Documents or (B) amend in any material respect the comparable organizational documents of any of the Subsidiaries of the Company in a manner that would reasonably be expected to prevent or to impede, interfere with, hinder or delay in any material respect the consummation of the Transactions;

 

(vi)    adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(vii)   except as required by the terms of any Company Plan or Collective Bargaining Agreement, in each case, as in effect on the date hereof: (A) increase the compensation or other benefits payable or provided to any current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) increase or accelerate or commit to accelerate the funding, payment or vesting of compensation or benefits provided under any Company Plan; (C) grant or announce any cash or equity or equity-based incentive awards, bonus, change of control, severance or retention award to any current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (D) establish, adopt, enter into, terminate or materially amend any Collective Bargaining Agreement or Company Plan (or any plan, program, agreement or arrangement that would be a Company Plan if in effect on the date hereof); (E) recognize or certify any labor union, labor organization, works council or group of employees as the bargaining representative of any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or (F) hire or terminate (other than for “cause”) the employment of any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whose title is “Vice President” or above (other than hiring to replace a departed employee in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);

 

  
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(viii)   sell, pledge, dispose of, transfer, lease, sublease, license, guarantee or encumber any material asset (other than Intellectual Property), except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(ix)    make or authorize capital expenditures or commitments therefor other than in the ordinary course of business not exceeding $5,000,000 million in the aggregate;

 

(x)     sell, assign, transfer, license, sublicense, abandon, cancel, terminate or dispose of, permit to lapse or fail to renew or maintain any material Company Intellectual Property, other than non-exclusive licenses in the ordinary course of business, or disclose any material Trade Secrets or other material confidential information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than pursuant to a written confidentiality and non-disclosure Contract entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xi)    other than in the ordinary course of business and in all material respects consistent with past practice, (A) enter into or become bound by, or permit any of the assets owned by or used by it to become bound by, any Material Contract or (B) materially amend, terminate or waive any material right or remedy under any Material Contract;

 

(xii)   other than transactions solely between the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or solely between its wholly owned Subsidiaries, acquire any business, assets or capital stock of any Person or division thereof, whether in whole or in part (and whether by purchase of stock, purchase of assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise), other than the acquisition of assets from vendors or suppliers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xiii)   create or incur any Lien that would be material in scope and amount to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than Permitted Liens or Liens securing indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (xiv) below;

 

(xiv)   (A) incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any indebtedness (directly, contingently or otherwise), other than borrowings under any existing credit facility (including the Shareholder Loan Facility or the Bridge Loan Facility) or borrowings from any trade creditor in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (B) enter into any Contract related to the foregoing, including any Company Financing Agreement;

 

(xv)    other than with respect to any Action commenced or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or its directors which relates to this Agreement or the Transactions, which shall be subject to Section 5.09, settle any Action for an amount in excess of $1,000,000 individually or $5,000,000 in the aggregate other than (A) any settlement or compromise where the amount paid or to be paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is fully covered by insurance coverage (subject to any applicable retentions or deductibles) or retention amounts maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (B) settlements or compromises of any Action for an amount not materially in excess of the amount, if any, reflected or specifically reserved in the balance sheet (or the notes thereto) of the Company included in the Company Financial

 

  
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Statements (with materiality measured relative to the amount so reflected or reserved, if any); provided that, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the settlement or compromise of such Action (x) does not impose any material restriction on the business or operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or Parent or any of its Subsidiaries after the Closing) and (y) does not include any non-monetary or injunctive relief, or the admission of wrongdoing, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers or directors;

 

(xvi)   make any material changes with respect to financial accounting policies or procedures, except as required by Law or by GAAP or official interpretations thereof or by any Governmental Authority or quasi-Governmental Authority (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization); or

 

(xvii)   authorize any of, or commit or agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of, the foregoing actions.

 

(c)     Except as expressly required by this Agreement, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time (or such earlier date on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 7.01), neither Parent nor its Affiliates shall acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a material portion of the assets of or equity in, any Person, if doing so would reasonably be expected to (i) prevent, materially delay or materially impair the obtaining of, or adversely affect in any material respect the ability of Parent or any of its Affiliates to procure, any Consents of any Governmental Authority necessary for the consummation of the Transactions or (ii) materially increase the risk of any Governmental Authority enacting, promulgating, issuing, entering, amending or enforcing any Judgment or Law enjoining, restraining or otherwise making illegal, preventing or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger.

 

Section 5.02.   No Solicitation by the Company; Change in Recommendation. (a) Except as permitted by this Section 5.02, the Company shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and its and their officers, employees and directors to, and shall instruct and direct its other Representatives to, (i) immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Takeover Proposal or a Financing Proposal and (ii) from the date hereof until the Effective Time (or, if earlier, the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VII), not, directly or indirectly, (A) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate the making of a Takeover Proposal or a Financing Proposal, (B) engage in or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person any non-public information or access to its properties or assets for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Takeover Proposal or a Financing Proposal or (C) enter into any Company Acquisition Agreement or Company Financing Agreement; provided that, if the Closing has not occurred on or prior to the date that is 30 days prior to the Outside Date, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries and its and their officers, employees, directors and Representatives may, with the prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of Parent, solicit, initiate and knowingly encourage and knowingly facilitate the making of a Financing Proposal and engage in or otherwise participate in any discussions and negotiations regarding, and furnish to any other Person any information and access to its properties and assets for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Financing Proposal. The Company shall promptly request that

 

  
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each Person (other than Parent, Merger Sub and their Representatives) that has, on or prior to the date hereof, executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its consideration of a Takeover Proposal (or, if requested by Parent, Financing Proposal) to promptly return or destroy all confidential information furnished to such Person by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives and shall promptly terminate access to all data rooms furnished in connection therewith. The Company agrees that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall terminate, waive, amend, release or modify any provision of any existing standstill or similar agreement to which it or one of its Subsidiaries is a party, except that prior to the delivery and effectiveness of the Stockholder Consent, if after consultation with, and taking into account the advice of, outside legal counsel, the Company Board or the Special Committee determines that the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law, the Company may waive any such standstill provision.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 5.02(a) or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if at any time prior to the delivery and effectiveness of the Stockholder Consent, the Company receives a Takeover Proposal, which Takeover Proposal did not result from a breach of this Section 5.02 in any material respect, then (i) the Company and its Representatives may contact and engage in discussions with such Person or group of Persons making the Takeover Proposal or its or their Representatives to clarify the terms and conditions thereof or to request that any Takeover Proposal made orally be made in writing and (ii) if the Company Board or the Special Committee determines in good faith after consultation with, and taking into account the advice of, its financial advisor and outside legal counsel that such Takeover Proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal, then the Company and its Representatives may (x) enter into an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement with the Person or group of Persons making the Takeover Proposal and furnish pursuant thereto information (including non-public information) with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries to the Person or group of Persons who has made such Takeover Proposal and its or their respective Representatives and financing sources; provided that the Company shall promptly provide to Parent any non-public information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided to any Person or group of Persons given such access or its or their Representatives or financing sources that was not previously provided or not otherwise available to Parent or its Representatives and (y) engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the Person or group of Persons making such Takeover Proposal and its or their Representatives and financing sources, including to solicit the making of a revised Takeover Proposal.

 

(c)     The Company shall promptly (and in any event within 24 hours) notify Parent in the event that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their Representatives receives a Takeover Proposal and shall disclose to Parent the material terms and conditions of any such Takeover Proposal and copies of any written Takeover Proposal, including proposed agreements, and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making such Takeover Proposal, and the Company shall, upon the request of Parent, keep Parent reasonably informed on a prompt basis of any material developments with respect to any such Takeover Proposal (including any material changes thereto) and promptly provide to Parent after receipt or delivery thereof copies of all material correspondence and other material written materials provided to or sent by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from or to any third party (except for the Company’s, the Company Board’s or the Special Committee’s Representatives) relating to any Takeover Proposal. The Company agrees that it and its Subsidiaries will not enter into any confidentiality agreement

 

  
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with any Person subsequent to the date of this Agreement that prohibits the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from providing any information to Parent in accordance with this Section 5.02(c). For the avoidance of doubt, all information provided to Parent pursuant to this Section 5.02 will be subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

(d)     Neither the Company Board, the Special Committee nor any other committee of the Company Board shall (i)(A) withhold or withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to Parent), or publicly propose to withhold or withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to Parent), the Company Board Recommendation, (B) recommend, approve or adopt, or publicly propose to recommend, approve or adopt, any Takeover Proposal or (C) fail to include the Company Board Recommendation in the Information Statement (any action described in this clause (i) being referred to as an “Adverse Recommendation Change”) or (ii) authorize, cause or permit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to execute or enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement relating to any Takeover Proposal, other than any Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement pursuant to Section 5.02(b) (each, a “Company Acquisition Agreement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, prior to the delivery of the Stockholder Consent, the Company Board or the Special Committee may, if the Company Board or the Special Committee has determined in good faith, after consultation with, and taking into account the advice of, its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (I) make an Adverse Recommendation Change in response to an Intervening Event or (II) if a Takeover Proposal is received by the Company that did not result from any breach of this Section 5.02 in any material respect and that the Company Board or the Special Committee has determined in good faith, after consultation with, and taking into account the advice of, its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, constitutes a Superior Proposal, make an Adverse Recommendation Change or cause the Company to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01(d)(ii) and enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal; provided that (A) the Company shall not be permitted to take any action set forth in clause (I) unless (1) the Company delivers to Parent a written notice (a “Company Notice”) advising Parent that the Company intends to take such action and reasonably specifying the reasons therefor and (2) during the period from the delivery of the Company Notice until 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on the fourth business day following the day on which the Company delivered the Company Notice (it being understood that for purposes of calculating such four business days, the first business day will be the first business day after the date of such delivery) (the “Notice Period”), if requested by Parent, the Company engages, or causes its Representatives to engage, in good faith negotiations with Parent and its Representatives regarding any changes to the terms of this Agreement so that such Intervening Event would cease to warrant an Adverse Recommendation Change and (B) the Company shall not be permitted to take any action set forth in clause (II) unless (1) the Company delivers to Parent a Company Notice, including (x) the material terms and conditions of such Takeover Proposal and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making such Takeover Proposal and (y) a copy of the then most current version of the Company Acquisition Agreement (if any) with respect to such Takeover Proposal, (2) during the Notice Period, if requested by Parent, the Company engages, or causes its Representatives to engage, in good faith negotiations with Parent and its Representatives regarding any changes to the terms of this Agreement so that such Takeover Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Proposal and (3) after the expiration of the Notice Period, the Company Board or the Special

 

  
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Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with, and taking into account the advice of, its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that such Takeover Proposal continues to constitute a Superior Proposal (it being understood and agreed that any change in the financial terms or any other material amendment to the terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal will require a new Company Notice and a new two-business-day Notice Period (it being understood that any such two-business-day period will be calculated in the same manner as the initial four-business-day period and no such new Company Notice shall reduce the initial four-business-day period)). In determining whether to make an Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01(d)(ii) and enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, the Company Board and the Special Committee will take into account any changes to the terms of this Agreement committed to in writing by Parent by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the last business day of the applicable Notice Period in response to a Company Notice.

 

(e)     Nothing contained in this Section 5.02 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company, the Company Board, the Special Committee or any other committee of the Company Board from (i) taking and disclosing to stockholders of the Company a position or communication contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act or (ii) making any disclosure or communication to stockholders of the Company that the Company Board, the Special Committee or any other committee of the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with, and taking into account the advice of, its outside legal counsel, is required by the directors’ fiduciary duties or applicable Law (provided that none of the Company, the Company Board, the Special Committee or any other committee of the Company Board may recommend a Takeover Proposal unless expressly permitted by this Section 5.02; and provided, further, that any such disclosure that has the substantive effect of withdrawing or adversely modifying the Company Board Recommendation and any such disclosure that relates to a Takeover Proposal shall in each case be deemed to be an Adverse Recommendation Change (it being understood that any “stop, look or listen” communication pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) shall not, in and of itself, be deemed to be an Adverse Recommendation Change)).

 

(f)     As used in this Agreement, “Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement” means (i) any confidentiality agreement entered into by the Company from and after the date of this Agreement that contains confidentiality provisions that are not materially less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement and which does not restrict the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from providing the access, information or data required to be provided to Parent pursuant to this Agreement, including this Section 5.02, or (ii) any confidentiality agreement entered into prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

(g)     As used in this Agreement, “Intervening Event” means any material event, change, effect, condition, development, fact or circumstance with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses that (i) becomes actually known to the Company Board or the Special Committee after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and (ii) does not relate to any Takeover Proposal; provided that none of the foregoing shall constitute an Intervening Event: (A) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries meeting or exceeding any internal or public projection, budget, forecast, estimate or prediction in respect of revenues, earnings or other financial or operating metrics for any period (it being understood that the underlying facts or

 

  
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occurrences may be considered an Intervening Event to the extent otherwise satisfying the terms of this definition) or (B) any change in and of itself in the market price or trading volume of Class A Shares on the New York Stock Exchange or any change in the credit ratings or the ratings outlook for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities or any going concern disclosure in any reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC (it being understood that the underlying facts or occurrences giving rise to such change may be considered an Intervening Event to the extent otherwise satisfying the terms of this definition).

 

(h)     As used in this Agreement, “Takeover Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer (whether or not in writing) from any Person or group of Persons (other than Parent and its Subsidiaries) relating to, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, any direct or indirect (i) acquisition that would result in any Person or group of Persons owning 15% or more of the assets (based on the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Company Board, the Special Committee or any other committee of the Company Board), revenues or net income of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) acquisition of Common Shares representing 15% or more of the outstanding Class A Shares, Class B Shares or Common Shares, (iii) tender offer or exchange offer that would result in any Person or group of Persons having beneficial ownership of Common Shares representing 15% or more of the outstanding Class A Shares, Class B Shares or Common Shares or (iv) merger, amalgamation, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company pursuant to which such Person or group of Persons (or the shareholders of any Person or group of Persons) would acquire, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the aggregate voting power of the Company or of the surviving entity in such transaction or the resulting direct or indirect parent of the Company or such surviving entity, in each case, other than the Transactions.

 

(i)     As used in this Agreement, “Superior Proposal” means any bona fide written Takeover Proposal that was not the result of a breach of this Section 5.02 in any material respect and that the Company Board or the Special Committee has determined in good faith, after consultation with, and taking into account the advice of, its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, and taking into account all relevant (in the view of the Company Board or the Special Committee) legal, regulatory, financial and other aspects, including the risk and timing of consummation of such proposal and any changes to the terms of this Agreement committed to by Parent in response to such Superior Proposal, would be more favorable to the Public Shareholders than the Merger; provided that, for purposes of this definition of “Superior Proposal”, the references to 15% in the definition of Takeover Proposal shall be deemed to be a reference to 50%.

 

(j)     As used in this Section 5.02, “group” has the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 5.03.   Delivery of Stockholder Consent. (a) Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from the Specified Holders and deliver to the Company as promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement a duly executed written consent substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Stockholder Consent”) to approve and adopt this Agreement in accordance with Section 228 and Section 251(c) of the DGCL.

 

  
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(b)     In connection with the Stockholder Consent, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall take all actions necessary or advisable to comply in all material respects, and shall comply in all material respects, with the DGCL, including Section 228 and Section 262 thereof, and the Company Organizational Documents.

 

Section 5.04.   Preparation of Schedule 13E-3. (a) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the delivery of the Stockholder Consent, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a written information statement of the type contemplated by Rule 14c-2 of the Exchange Act containing (i) the information specified in Schedule 14C under the Exchange Act concerning the Stockholder Consent and the Merger, (ii) the notice of action by written consent required by Section 228(e) of the DGCL and (iii) the notice of availability of appraisal rights and related disclosure required by Section 262 of the DGCL (including all exhibits and any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Information Statement”). The Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall cooperate to, concurrently with the preparation and filing of the Information Statement, jointly prepare and file with the SEC the Rule 13E-3 transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 with respect to the Transactions, including the Stockholder Consent and the Merger (including all exhibits and any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Schedule 13E-3”).

 

(b)     The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts so that the Information Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall use its reasonable best efforts so that the Schedule 13E-3 will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond (with the assistance of, and after consultation with, each other as provided by this Section 5.03(b)) promptly to any comments of the SEC with respect to the Information Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 and to resolve comments from the SEC. Each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall furnish all information concerning such party or its Affiliates (as applicable) to the others as may be reasonably requested in connection with the preparation, filing and distribution of the Information Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 and the resolution of comments with respect thereto from the SEC. Each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall promptly notify the other parties hereto upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff or any request from the SEC or its staff for amendments or supplements to the Information Statement or the Schedule 13E-3 and shall provide such other parties with copies of all correspondence between it and its Representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC and its staff, on the other hand. Prior to filing the Information Statement or the Schedule 13E-3 (including, in each case, any amendment or supplement thereto) or responding to any comments of the SEC with respect thereto, the Company (i) shall provide Parent and Merger Sub with a reasonable period of time to review and comment on such document or response and (ii) shall make all additions, deletions or changes reasonably proposed by Parent in good faith.

 

(c)     If any event, circumstance or information relating to Parent, Merger Sub or the Company, or their respective Affiliates, officers or directors, should be discovered that should be set forth in an amendment or a supplement to the Information Statement or the Schedule 13E-3 so that such document would not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, the party discovering such event, circumstance or information shall promptly inform the other parties and an appropriate

 

  
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amendment or supplement describing such event, circumstance or information shall be promptly filed with the SEC and disseminated to the stockholders of the Company to the extent required by Law; provided that, prior to such filing, the Company and Parent, as the case may be, shall consult with each other with respect to such amendment or supplement and shall afford the other party hereto and its Representatives a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon.

 

(d)     The Company shall cause the Information Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 to be mailed to stockholders of the Company as promptly as practicable after confirmation from the SEC that it will not review, or that it has completed its review of, the Information Statement and the Schedule 13E-3, which confirmation will be deemed to occur if the SEC has not affirmatively notified the Company prior to the 10th calendar day after making the initial filing of the preliminary Information Statement and the preliminary Schedule 13E-3 that the SEC will or will not be reviewing the Information Statement or the Schedule 13E-3.

 

(e)     Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company agrees, as to itself and its respective Affiliates or Representatives, that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by Parent, Merger Sub or the Company, as applicable, expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Information Statement, the Schedule 13E-3 or any other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Transactions, will, as of the time such documents (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are mailed to the Company’s stockholders, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that no representation, warranty, covenant or agreement is made by Parent or Merger Sub with respect to information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and no representation, warranty, covenant or agreement is made by the Company with respect to information supplied by or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates, in each case for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Information Statement, the Schedule 13E-3 or such other document, as applicable. Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company further agrees that all documents that such party is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the Merger will comply as to form and substance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any other applicable Laws and that all information supplied by such party for inclusion or incorporation by reference in such document will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(f)     Subject to Section 5.02, the Company Board shall make the Company Board Recommendation and shall include such recommendation in the Information Statement. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 5.04 shall limit or preclude the ability of the Company Board or the Special Committee to effect an Adverse Recommendation Change pursuant to and in accordance with Section 5.02.

 

Section 5.05.   Reasonable Best Efforts. (a) On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto shall cooperate with the other parties hereto and use (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to use) their respective reasonable best efforts (unless, with respect to any action, another standard of performance is expressly provided for

 

  
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herein) to promptly (i) take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, and assist and cooperate with the other parties hereto in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to cause the conditions to Closing set forth in Article VI applicable to such party to be satisfied as promptly as reasonably practicable and to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner reasonably practicable, the Transactions, including preparing and filing promptly the notification and related materials required by the HSR Act (such filing to occur no later than 10 business days following the date hereof) and any other documentation to effect all necessary filings, notices, petitions, statements, registrations, submissions of information, applications and other documents or instruments necessary to consummate the Transactions, (ii) satisfy the requirements of the HSR Act and obtain all Consents from any Governmental Authority or third party necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Transactions, including any such Consents required under any applicable Antitrust Laws, including the HSR Act, (iii) take all steps that are necessary, proper or advisable to avoid any Actions by any Governmental Authorities with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions and (iv) defend or contest in good faith any Action by any third party (excluding any Governmental Authority), whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or that otherwise would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede, interfere with, hinder or delay in any material respect the consummation of the Transactions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 5.05 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall require Parent or Merger Sub to take or agree to take any action with respect to any of its Affiliates (including any Person in which any of its Affiliates has any debt or equity investment and any affiliated or commonly advised investment fund) or any direct or indirect portfolio companies (as such term is understood in the private equity industry) thereof.

 

(b)     Without limiting the generality of Section 5.05(a), each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall: (i) give the other parties hereto prompt notice of the making or commencement of any request or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority with respect to the Transactions; (ii) keep the other parties hereto informed as to the status of any such request or proceeding; (iii) give the other parties hereto notice and an opportunity to participate in any substantive communication made to any Governmental Authority regarding the Transactions; and (iv) promptly notify the other parties hereto of any communication from any Governmental Authority regarding the Transactions. Subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, Parent and the Company shall have the right to review in advance, and each will consult with the other on and consider in good faith the views of the other in connection with, any filing made with, or substantive written materials submitted or substantive communication made to, any Governmental Authority in connection with the Transactions (other than the Information Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 which are the subject of Section 5.03). In addition, except as may be prohibited by any Governmental Authority or by any applicable Law, each party hereto will permit authorized representatives of the other parties hereto to be present at each non-ministerial meeting, conference, videoconference, or telephone call and to have access to and be consulted in connection with any presentation, letter, white paper or proposal made or submitted to any Governmental Authority in connection with any such request or proceeding. In exercising the foregoing rights, each of the Company and Parent shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. The Company, Parent and Merger Sub may, as each deems advisable and necessary, reasonably designate any competitively sensitive material provided to the other under this Section 5.05 as “outside counsel only”. Such materials and the information contained therein shall be given only to the outside legal counsel of the recipient and will not be disclosed by such outside counsel to employees, officers or directors of the recipient unless express permission is obtained

 

  
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in advance from the source of the materials (the Company, Parent or Merger Sub, as the case may be). Materials provided pursuant to this Section 5.05 may be redacted (i) to remove references concerning the valuation of the Company, (ii) as necessary to comply with contractual obligations and (iii) as necessary to address reasonable privilege concerns.

 

(c)     Subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall each use its reasonable best efforts to (i) take all action necessary to ensure that no Takeover Law is or becomes applicable to any of the Transactions or this Agreement and refrain from taking any actions that would cause the applicability of such Laws and (ii) if the restrictions of any Takeover Law become applicable to any of the Transactions, take all action necessary to ensure that the Transactions, including the Merger, may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise lawfully minimize the effect of such Takeover Law on the Transactions.

 

Section 5.06.   Public Announcements. Parent and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall consult with each other before issuing, and give each other the reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or other public statements with respect to the Transactions, and shall not (and shall not cause or permit their respective Subsidiaries or Representatives to) issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by applicable Law, Judgment, court process or the rules and regulations of any national securities exchange or national securities quotation system or to the extent related to any actual or contemplated litigation between or among the parties hereto. The parties hereto agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the Transactions following execution of this Agreement shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to each party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) Parent and the Company may make any oral or written public announcements, releases or statements without complying with the foregoing requirements if the substance of such announcements, releases or statements was publicly disclosed and previously subject to the foregoing requirements and (b) Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Affiliates may, without consultation or consent, make ordinary course disclosure and communication to existing or prospective general or limited partners, equity holders, members, managers or investors of such Person or any Affiliate of such Person, in each case who are subject to customary confidentiality restrictions.

 

Section 5.07.   Access to Information; Confidentiality. Subject to applicable Law and any applicable Judgment, between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Effective Time and the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01, upon reasonable notice, the Company shall (a) afford to Parent and Parent’s Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to the Company’s officers, employees, agents, properties, books, Contracts and records and (b) furnish to Parent and Parent’s Representatives such information concerning its business, personnel, assets, liabilities and properties as Parent may reasonably request; provided that Parent and its Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the business or operations of the Company; provided, further, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to provide such access or information if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment after consultation with Parent, that doing so would reasonably be expected to (i) violate applicable Law, (ii) waive the protection of an attorney-client privilege, attorney work product protection or other legal privilege, (iii) be adverse to the interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any pending or threatened

 

  
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Action against Parent or any of its Affiliates or (iv) involve documents or information relating to the evaluation or negotiation of this Agreement or the Transactions. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Company does not provide access or information in reliance on the immediately preceding sentence, it shall provide notice to Parent that it is withholding such access or information and the basis for such withholding and shall use its reasonable best efforts to make appropriate substitute arrangements under circumstances in which the harms described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) would not apply or, to the extent such arrangements are not feasible, to provide, to the extent feasible, the applicable access or information in a way that would not result in the harms described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv); provided that the Company shall not be required to provide such substitute arrangements or access or information to the extent the Company would incur third party fees or expenses in connection therewith. All requests for information made pursuant to this Section 5.07 shall be directed to the Person designated by the Company.

 

Section 5.08.   Equity Financing. (a) On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each of Parent and Merger Sub will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, effect or permit any amendment or modification to be made to, or any waiver of any provision or remedy pursuant to, the Equity Commitment Letter if such amendment, modification or waiver would reasonably be expected to (i) reduce the aggregate amount of the Equity Financing, (ii) impose new or additional conditions or other terms or otherwise expand, amend or modify any of the conditions to the receipt of the Equity Financing or any other terms to the Equity Financing in a manner that would reasonably be expected to (A) materially delay or prevent the Closing or (B) make the timely funding of the Equity Financing, or the satisfaction of the conditions to obtaining the Equity Financing, less likely to occur in any material respect or (iii) adversely impact the ability of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company, as applicable, to enforce its rights against the Equity Commitment Parties under the Equity Commitment Letter.

 

(b)     On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, prior to the Effective Time, Parent and Merger Sub shall each use its respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper and advisable to consummate and obtain the Equity Financing on the terms and conditions described in the Equity Commitment Letter, including using its reasonable best efforts to (i) maintain in effect the Equity Commitment Letter, (ii) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions to funding that are applicable to Parent and Merger Sub in the Equity Commitment Letter that are within its control, (iii) consummate the Equity Financing at or prior to the Closing, (iv) comply with its obligations pursuant to the Equity Commitment Letter and (v) enforce its rights pursuant to the Equity Commitment Letter. Nothing in this Agreement shall require, and in no event shall the reasonable best efforts of Parent and Merger Sub be deemed or construed to require, either Parent or Merger Sub to seek the Equity Financing from any source other than the Equity Commitment Parties, or in excess of the amount contemplated by, the Equity Commitment Letter. Parent and Merger Sub shall give the Company prompt notice of, and keep the Company informed on a reasonably current basis and in reasonable detail of, (i) any actual or potential breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Equity Commitment Letter of which Parent or Merger Sub becomes aware, including the receipt of any written notice or communication with respect thereto, and (ii) the occurrence of an event or development that would reasonably be expected to adversely impact the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to obtain all or a portion of the Equity Financing at or prior to the Closing.

 

  
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Section 5.09.   Notification of Certain Matters; Litigation. During the period from the date of this Agreement through the earlier of the Effective Time and the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01, except for any Action between the Company or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Parent, Merger Sub or its Affiliates, on the other hand, (a) the Company shall give prompt notice to Parent of any Action commenced or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or its directors which relates to this Agreement or the Transactions, and the Company shall keep Parent reasonably informed regarding any such Action and (b) the Company shall give Parent the opportunity to participate in (but not to control), at Parent’s sole cost and expense, the defense and settlement of any litigation against the Company relating to this Agreement or the Transactions, including the opportunity to review and comment on all filings related to such litigation, and no such settlement shall be proposed or agreed to without Parent’s prior written consent.

 

Section 5.10.   Merger Sub Shareholder Approval. As promptly as practicable (and in any event within 24 hours) following the execution of this Agreement, Parent shall execute and deliver, in accordance with the DGCL and in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, the Merger Sub Shareholder Approval.

 

Section 5.11.   Stock Exchange De-listing. The Surviving Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Class A Shares to be de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange and de-registered under the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Time.

 

Section 5.12.   Cooperation with Debt Financing. The Company and the Surviving Company shall use their reasonable best efforts to, and shall cause their Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives to use their reasonable best efforts to, provide such cooperation in connection with the arrangement of any debt financing for the Surviving Company or any of its Subsidiaries as may be reasonably requested by Parent, including participating in a reasonable number of meetings, presentations and sessions with prospective financing sources and investors, including direct contact between appropriate members of senior management of the Company, on the one hand, and the prospective debt financing sources and investors to the Surviving Company, their Affiliates and each of their respective Representatives, on the other hand; provided that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) the Company shall be deemed to have complied with this Section 5.12 for all purposes of this Agreement (including Article VI) unless the failure to obtain such debt financing results from the Company’s Willful Breach of its obligations under this Section 5.12) and (b) any action taken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives at the request of Parent pursuant to this Section 5.12 shall be deemed to be permitted by Section 5.01(b)(xiv) and Section 5.02(a).

 

Section 5.13.   Indemnification. (a) During the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the date on which the Effective Time occurs, Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, all past and present officers and directors (or equivalent) of the Company and each Subsidiary thereof (the “Indemnified Parties”), in each case when acting in such capacity or in serving as a director, officer, member, trustee or fiduciary of another Person, including a Company Plan, at the request or for the benefit of the Company, against any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses), amounts paid in settlement, judgments, fines,

 

  
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losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with, arising out of or otherwise related to any actual or alleged Action, in connection with, arising out of or otherwise related to matters existing or occurring or alleged to have occurred prior to or at the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, including Actions to enforce this provision or any other indemnification or advancement right of any Indemnified Party, and Parent shall also cause the Surviving Company to advance expenses as incurred in respect of the foregoing to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law. In the event of any such actual or alleged Action, Parent and the Surviving Company shall cooperate with the Indemnified Party in the defense of any such actual or alleged Action. During the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the date on which the Effective Time occurs, Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to maintain in effect exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses equivalent to the provisions of the Company Organizational Documents as in effect as of the date hereof; provided that all rights to indemnification in respect of any claim made for indemnification within such period shall continue until the disposition of the Action underlying such claim or resolution of such claim. During the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the date on which the Effective Time occurs, Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to honor all indemnification Contracts between any Indemnified Party in effect prior to the date of this Agreement and to not amend, repeal or otherwise modify any such Contracts in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of the applicable Indemnified Parties.

 

(b)     Following the Effective Time, the Surviving Company shall purchase a prepaid “tail” policy with respect to the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance tower, with an extended reporting period ending on the sixth anniversary of the date on which the Effective Time occurs, from the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance carriers or insurance carriers with the same or better credit rating as the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance carriers; provided that the maximum amount that the Surviving Company shall be required to pay to obtain any such “tail” policy shall not exceed 350% of the amount paid by the Company for coverage in the last twelve-month period ending on September 30, 2022 (the “Maximum Annual Premium”); provided, further, that, if such amount would exceed the Maximum Annual Premium, then the Surviving Company shall be obligated to obtain a “tail” policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding the Maximum Annual Premium from insurance carriers with the same or better credit rating as the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance carriers. The Surviving Company shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to) maintain such “tail” policy in full force and effect and continue to honor its obligations thereunder for so long as such “tail” policy is in full force and effect.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 5.13 shall survive the consummation of the Closing indefinitely. In the event that Parent or the Surviving Company or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person, or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any Person, then, and in each case, the successors and assigns of Parent or the Surviving Company, as the case may be, shall expressly assume and be bound by the obligations set forth in this Section 5.13.

 

  
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(d)     The obligations of Parent and the Surviving Company under this Section 5.13 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any Indemnified Party to whom this Section 5.13 applies without the written consent of such affected Indemnified Party, unless such termination or modification is required by applicable Law.

 

ARTICLE VI

 


Conditions Precedent

 

Section 6.01.   Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver by the Company and Parent, if permissible under applicable Law) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

 

(a)     Required Stockholder Approval. The Required Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained in accordance with applicable Law and the Company Organizational Documents.

 

(b)     No Restraints. No Judgment or Law enacted, promulgated, issued, entered, amended or enforced by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction (collectively, “Restraints”) shall be in effect enjoining, restraining or otherwise making illegal, preventing or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger.

 

(c)     Information Statement. At least 20 calendar days shall have elapsed since the Company mailed to the stockholders of the Company the Information Statement as contemplated by Regulation 14C of the Exchange Act (including Rule 14c-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act).

 

(d)     HSR Act. The waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, under the HSR Act shall have expired or early termination thereof shall have been granted.

 

Section 6.02.   Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver by Parent, if permissible under applicable Law) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

 

(a)     Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company (i) set forth in Sections 3.03(e), 3.06(b) and 3.19 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing as though made on and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), (ii) set forth in Section 3.02(a) and the first sentence of Section 3.02(b) shall be true and correct in all respects (except for any inaccuracies that would not adversely affect the validity or enforceability of the Stockholder Consent or increase the aggregate number of Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the time specified in such representations and warranties on a fully diluted basis by more than 150,000 Common Shares) as of the Closing as though made on and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), (iii) set forth in

 

  
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Sections 3.01, 3.02 (other than Section 3.02(a) and the first sentence of Section 3.02(b)), 3.03(a), 3.03(b), 3.03(c) and 3.20 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing as though made on and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date) and (iv) set forth in the Sections of Article III other than those Sections specifically identified in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 6.02(a) shall be true and correct (disregarding all qualifications or limitations as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” and words of similar import set forth therein) as of the Closing as though made on and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except, in the case of this clause (iv), where the failure to be true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer of the Company (in such executive officer’s capacity as such and without personal liability) to such effect.

 

(b)     Performance of Obligations and Agreements of the Company and the Rolling Shareholders. The Company shall have performed or complied with in all material respects the obligations and agreements required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer of the Company (in such executive officer’s capacity as such and without personal liability) to such effect.

 

Section 6.03.   Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver by the Company, if permissible under applicable Law) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

 

(a)     Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub (i) set forth in Sections 4.01, 4.02(a), 4.02(b), 4.02(d), 4.05 and 4.09 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing as though made on and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date) and (ii) set forth in the Sections of Article IV other than those Sections specifically identified in clause (i) of this Section 6.03(a) shall be true and correct (disregarding all qualifications or limitations as to “materiality”, “Parent Material Adverse Effect” and words of similar import set forth therein) as of the Closing as though made on and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), except, in the case of this clause (ii), where the failure to be true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. The Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent (in such executive officer’s capacity as such and without personal liability) to such effect.

 

(b)     Performance of Obligations and Agreements of Parent and Merger Sub. Each of Parent and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied with in all material respects the obligations and agreements required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and the Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent (in such executive officer’s capacity as such and without personal liability) to such effect.

 

  
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Section 6.04.   Frustration of Closing Conditions. The Company may not rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.01 or Section 6.03 to be satisfied if the failure of the Company to perform in all material respects any of its obligations under this Agreement, including to use its reasonable best efforts to consummate the Transactions, as required by and subject to the terms of this Agreement, was the primary cause of or primarily resulted in the failure of such condition to be satisfied. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.01 or Section 6.02 to be satisfied if the failure of Parent or Merger Sub to perform in all material respects any of its obligations under this Agreement, including to use its reasonable best efforts to consummate the Transactions, as required by and subject to the terms of this Agreement, was the primary cause of or primarily resulted in the failure of such condition to be satisfied.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Termination

 

Section 7.01.   Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Transactions abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time (except as otherwise expressly noted):

 

(a)     by the mutual written consent of the Company and Parent;

 

(b)     by either of the Company or Parent:

 

(i)     if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or prior to June 11, 2023 (the “Outside Date”); provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.01(b)(i) shall (A) not be available to any party if the failure of such party to perform in all material respects any of its obligations under this Agreement, including to use its reasonable best efforts to consummate the Transactions as required by and subject to the terms of this Agreement (including Section 5.05), was the primary cause of or primarily resulted in the failure of the Merger to be consummated on or prior to such date (it being understood that Parent and Merger Sub shall be deemed a single party for purposes of the foregoing proviso) and (B) be subject to the proviso set forth in Section 7.01(d)(iii); or

 

(ii)    if any Restraint having the effect set forth in Section 6.01(b) shall be in effect and shall have become final and nonappealable; provided that the party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(b)(ii) shall have performed in all material respects its obligations under this Agreement and used its reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of and to remove such Restraint in accordance with its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(c)     by Parent:

 

(i)     if the Company shall have breached any of its representations or warranties or failed to perform any of its obligations or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.02(a) or 6.02(b) and (B) is not reasonably capable of being cured prior to the

 

  
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Outside Date or, if reasonably capable of being cured prior to the Outside Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (1) 30 days following receipt by the Company of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from Parent stating Parent’s intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(c)(i) and the basis for such termination and (2) one business day prior to the Outside Date; provided that Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(c)(i) if Parent or Merger Sub is then in breach of any of its representations, warranties, obligations or agreements hereunder, which breach would give rise to a failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.03(a) or 6.03(b); or

 

(ii)    prior to the delivery of the Stockholder Consent, if an Adverse Recommendation Change shall have occurred; or

 

(d)     by the Company:

 

(i)     if Parent or Merger Sub shall have breached any of its representations or warranties or failed to perform any of its obligations or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.03(a) or 6.03(b) and (B) is not reasonably capable of being cured prior to the Outside Date or, if reasonably capable of being cured prior to the Outside Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (1) 30 days following receipt by Parent or Merger Sub of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from the Company stating the Company’s intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(d)(i) and the basis for such termination and (2) one business day prior to the Outside Date; provided that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(d)(i) if the Company is then in breach of any of its representations, warranties, obligations or agreements hereunder, which breach would give rise to a failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.02(a) or 6.02(b);

 

(ii)    prior to the delivery of the Stockholder Consent, in connection with entering into a Company Acquisition Agreement in accordance with clause (II) of the second sentence of Section 5.02(d); provided that, prior to or concurrently with such termination, the Company pays or causes to be paid the Company Termination Fee;

 

(iii)    if (A) the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing so long as such conditions would be satisfied if the Closing Date were the date of termination of this Agreement), (B) the Company has confirmed by written irrevocable notice to Parent that all conditions set forth in Section 6.03 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing so long as such conditions would be satisfied if the Closing Date were the date of such notice) or that it is willing to waive any unsatisfied conditions set forth in Section 6.03, (C) the Merger is required to be consummated pursuant to Section 1.06 and (D) Parent and Merger Sub fail to consummate the Merger within five business days after the later of (1) receipt by Parent of the notice referred to in clause (B) and (2) the date the Merger was required to be consummated pursuant to Section 1.06; provided that, notwithstanding anything in Section 7.01(b)(i) to the contrary, no party shall be permitted

 

  
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to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i) during such five-business-day period; or

 

(iv)    if the duly executed Stockholder Consent is not received by the Company or the Merger Sub Shareholder Approval is not received by the Company, in each case, within 24 hours following the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.02.   Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 7.01, written notice thereof shall be given to the other party or parties hereto, specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void (other than Sections 7.02 and 7.03, and Article VIII), and there shall be no liability on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or their respective directors, officers and Affiliates, except as liability may exist pursuant to the provisions specified in the immediately preceding parenthetical that survive such termination; provided that no such termination shall relieve any party from liability for any Willful Breach or intentional fraud.

 

Section 7.03.   Termination Fee and Expense Reimbursement. (a)In the event that this Agreement is terminated by:

 

(i)     the Company pursuant to Section 7.01(d)(ii); or

 

(ii)    Parent pursuant to Section 7.01(c)(ii);

 

then, in each case, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid the Company Termination Fee to Parent or its designee by wire transfer of same-day funds (x) in the case of any such termination by Parent, within two business days after such termination, or (y) in the case of any such termination by the Company, simultaneously with such termination; it being understood that in no event shall the Company be required to pay or cause to be paid the Company Termination Fee more than once. As used herein, “Company Termination Fee” means a cash amount equal to $5,500,000.

 

(b)     The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 7.03 are an integral part of the Transactions, and that, without these agreements, Parent and Merger Sub would not have entered into this Agreement; accordingly, if the Company fails to timely pay the Company Termination Fee to Parent and, in order to obtain the Company Termination Fee, Parent commences an Action that results in a judgment against the Company for the Company Termination Fee, then the Company shall pay to Parent the Company Termination Fee, plus interest on the Company Termination Fee from the date of termination of this Agreement at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, in effect on the date of termination of this Agreement, plus the amount of any reasonable fees, costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by Parent and its Affiliates in connection with any such Action.

 

(c)     Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the Company Termination Fee, if paid, as and when required pursuant to this Section 7.03, shall not constitute a penalty but will be liquidated damages, in a reasonable amount that will compensate Parent in the circumstances in which it is payable for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities

 

  
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foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Merger, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision. Each of Parent and Merger Sub hereto acknowledges and agrees that, if the Company Termination Fee becomes payable pursuant to Section 7.03(a), the Company Termination Fee shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for damages against the Company in connection with this Agreement except in the event of the Company’s Willful Breach or intentional fraud.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 


Miscellaneous

 

Section 8.01.   No Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Except for the representations and warranties in Sections 3.22, 4.09 and 4.10, none of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time; provided that this Section 8.01 shall not limit any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or in any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement that by its terms applies in whole or in part after the Effective Time.

 

Section 8.02.   Amendment or Supplement. Subject to compliance with applicable Law, at any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in any or all respects only by written agreement of the parties hereto; provided, however, that, following delivery of the Stockholder Consent, there shall be no amendment, modification or supplement to this Agreement which by applicable Law would require further approval by the Company’s stockholders without such approval having first been obtained. The Company shall not amend, modify or supplement this Agreement in any material respect without the recommendation of the Special Committee.

 

Section 8.03.   Extension of Time, Waiver, Etc. At any time prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company may, subject to applicable Law, (a) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party, (b) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other party or (c) subject to the requirements of applicable Law, waive compliance by the other party with any of the agreements contained herein or, except as otherwise provided herein, waive any of such party’s conditions (it being understood that Parent and Merger Sub shall be deemed a single party for purposes of the foregoing); provided, however, that following delivery of the Stockholder Consent, there shall be no waiver or extension which by applicable Law would require further approval by the Company’s stockholders without such approval having first been obtained. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such waiver or extension shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by the Company, Parent or Merger Sub in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right hereunder.

 

  
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Section 8.04.   Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise, by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto. No assignment by any party shall relieve such party of any of its obligations hereunder. Subject to the immediately preceding two sentences, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent or Merger Sub shall have the right to assign all or certain provisions of this Agreement, or any interest herein, and may delegate any duty or obligation hereunder, without the consent of the Company, to any Affiliate of Parent or Merger Sub so long as such assignment or delegation would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger; provided that no such assignment or delegation shall relieve Parent or Merger Sub of any of its obligations under this Agreement. Any purported assignment not permitted under this Section 8.04 shall be null and void.

 

Section 8.05.   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile, PDF, electronic mail or electronic signature), each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other parties hereto.

 

Section 8.06.   Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, together with the Exhibits attached hereto, the Company Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter and the Equity Commitment Letter, constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties and their Affiliates, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, except for the rights of (a) the Parent Related Parties set forth in Section 8.15, which are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Parent Related Parties; (b) the Indemnified Parties set forth in Section 5.13, which are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Indemnified Parties; and (c) from and after the Effective Time, former holders of Converted Shares or Director RSU Awards to receive Merger Consideration.

 

Section 8.07.   Governing Law; Jurisdiction. (a) This Agreement and any claim, cause of action or Action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) that may directly or indirectly be based upon, relate to or arise out of this Agreement or the Transactions, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

(b)     Each of the parties hereto (i) expressly submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court would not have subject matter jurisdiction over any such claim, cause of action or Action, the federal courts of the United States located in the State of Delaware (the “Designated Courts”), in the event any claim, cause of action or Action involving the parties hereto (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) based upon, relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Transactions, (ii) expressly waives any

 

  
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claim of lack of personal jurisdiction or improper venue and any claims that the Designated Courts are an inconvenient forum with respect to such claim, cause of action or Action and (iii) agrees that it shall not bring any claim, cause of action or Action against any other parties hereto based upon, relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Transactions in any court other than the Designated Courts. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the service of process with respect to the Designated Courts in any such claim, cause of action or Action by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail or by overnight courier service, postage prepaid, to its address set forth in Section 8.10.

 

Section 8.08.   Specific Enforcement. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage, for which monetary relief, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that any provision of this Agreement is not performed in accordance with its specific terms or is otherwise breached, including if the parties hereto fail to take any action required of them hereunder to consummate this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement. The parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the right of the parties to cause the Merger to be consummated on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement) in the Designated Courts without proof of damages or otherwise, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement and (b) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the Transactions and, without that right, neither the Company nor Parent or Merger Sub would have entered into this Agreement. The parties hereto agree that, prior to the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.01, it will not assert that a remedy of specific enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to Law or inequitable for any reason, and not assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy or that the parties otherwise have an adequate remedy at law. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 8.08 shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.

 

Section 8.09.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON, RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVER, (C) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (D) IT HAS BEEN

 

  
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INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.09.

 

Section 8.10.   Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, emailed (to the extent that no “bounce back”, “out of office” or similar message indicating non-delivery is received with respect thereto) or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses:

 

If to Parent or Merger Sub, to it at:

 

c/o BDT Capital Partners, LLC
401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3100

Chicago, Illinois 60611

Attention: General Counsel

E-mail: legal@bdtcap.com

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Worldwide Plaza
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
U.S.A.

Attention: David J. Perkins
Email: dperkins@cravath.com

Attention: Aaron M. Gruber
Email: agruber@cravath.com

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Weber-Stephen Products LLC
1415 S Roselle Road
Palatine, Illinois 60067
Attention: Bill J. Horton
Email: bhorton@weberstephen.com
Attention: Erik W. Chalut
Email: echalut@weber.com

  
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with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Marc O. Williams
Email: marc.williams@davispolk.com

and

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
125 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004
Attention: Melissa Sawyer
Email: sawyerm@sullcrom.com
Attention: Matthew B. Goodman
Email: goodmanm@sullcrom.com

or such other address or email address as such party may hereafter specify by like notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of actual receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of receipt and such day is a business day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt.

 

Section 8.11.   Severability. If any term, condition or other provision of this Agreement is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any applicable Law or public policy, all other terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party or such party waives its rights under this Section 8.11 with respect thereto; provided, however, that the parties intend that the remedies and limitations thereon set forth in Section 8.08 be construed as an integral provision of this Agreement and that such remedies and limitations shall not be severable in any manner that increases a Person’s liability or obligations. Upon such determination that any term, condition or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the extent possible.

 

Section 8.12.   Definitions. (a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings ascribed thereto below:

 

Action” means any legal or administrative proceeding, suit, investigation, arbitration or action.

 

  
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Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person. For this purpose, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (including HoldCo and its Subsidiaries), on the one hand, and Parent, Merger Sub and each of their respective other Affiliates, on the other hand, shall be deemed to not be Affiliates of each other.

 

Anti-Bribery Laws” means the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and any other applicable Law relating to anti-bribery or anti-corruption of any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts business or owns assets.

 

Antitrust Laws” means all applicable antitrust and competition Laws and all other applicable Laws issued by a Governmental Authority that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition.

 

business day” means a day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the SEC, the Secretary of State or banks in New York City are authorized or required by Law to be closed.

 

Bridge Loan Facility” means, collectively, the unsecured revolving credit facility and delayed draw term loan facility (including the loans made thereunder) pursuant to the loan agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Weber-Stephen Products LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower, and Parent, as designated lender and lender.

 

Collective Bargaining Agreement” means each collective bargaining, works council or other labor union Contract or labor arrangement covering any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, excluding any national, industry or similar generally applicable Contract or arrangement.

 

Company Bylaws” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated August 5, 2021.

 

Company Charter” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated August 5, 2021.

 

Company Equity Awards” means, collectively, each Company Option, Company RSU Award (including each Director RSU Award) and Company Profits Unit Award.

 

Company ESPP” means the Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

“Company Financing Agreement” means any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, investment agreement, credit agreement or other similar preliminary or definitive agreement relating to any Financing Proposal.

 

  
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Company Intellectual Property” means any and all Intellectual Property owned, or purported to be owned, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Company Option” means any option to purchase Class A Shares outstanding under the Company Stock Plan or otherwise.

 

Company Organizational Documents” means the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws.

 

Company Plan” means any (a) “employee benefit plan” as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether or not subject to ERISA) or (b) employment, independent contractor, consulting, pension, retirement, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, change in control, retention, equity or equity-based compensation, stock purchase, employee stock ownership, severance pay, vacation, bonus, incentive, disability, medical, vision, dental, health, life insurance, fringe benefit or other compensation or benefit plan, program, agreement, arrangement, policy, trust, fund or contract, whether written or unwritten, in each case, sponsored, maintained or contributed to, or required to be sponsored, maintained or contributed to, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may have any liability, whether actual or contingent.

 

Company Profits Unit Award” means each limited liability interest designated as a “Profits Unit” in Holdco.

 

Company Related Parties” means, collectively, the Company’s former, current or future officers, directors, stockholders or Affiliates or any of their respective successors or assigns or any of the former, current or future officers, directors, stockholders, managers, members, partners or Affiliates or successors or assigns of any of the foregoing. Each of Parent, Merger Sub and each of their respective Affiliates shall be deemed to not be a Company Related Party.

 

Company RSU Award” means any award of restricted stock units with respect to Class A Shares outstanding under the Company Stock Plan or otherwise.

 

Company Stock Plan” means the Company Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

Consent” means any consent, waiver, approval, clearance, order, license, Permit, order, non-objection, non-action, expiration of waiting period or authorization.

 

Contract” means any binding loan or credit agreement, debenture, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, lease, capital lease, sale-leaseback, sublease, license, contract or other agreement, instrument, obligation or arrangement.

 

COVID-19” means SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions or mutations thereof or related or associated epidemics, pandemics, public health emergencies or disease outbreaks.

 

COVID-19 Measures” means (a) any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or other Law, Judgment or recommendation by any Governmental Authority, including the Centers for Disease

 

  
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Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, or any applicable directive or guidance from any applicable industry group, including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or (b) any other reasonable action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) for the protection of the health and safety of its employees, customers, vendors, service providers and other business relationships, (ii) to preserve the assets utilized in connection with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (iii) otherwise substantially consistent with actions taken by comparable companies in the affected industries and geographic regions before or after the date of this Agreement, in each case, in connection with or in response to COVID-19 or any other virus, infection or infectious or transmissible disease or global or regional health event or the events surrounding such virus, infection, disease or health event.

 

Dissenting Shares” means Common Shares for which the holder thereof (a) did not consent to or vote in favor of the Merger and (b) is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal pursuant to, and in a manner that complies in all respects with, Section 262 of the DGCL.

 

Environmental Law” means any Law, Judgment, Contract or Permit issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority relating to pollution or to the protection of the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), natural resources, the climate, endangered or threatened species or human health and safety as it relates to hazardous or toxic material exposure.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

Financing Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer (whether or not in writing) from any Person or group of Persons (other than Parent and its Affiliates) relating to, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, any direct or indirect action that the Company and its Subsidiaries are prohibited from taking, without the prior written consent of Parent (not to be unreasonable conditioned, withheld or delayed), pursuant to Section 5.01(b)(i) or 5.01(b)(xiv)(A); provided, however, that no debt financing activities requested by Parent pursuant to Section 5.12 shall be deemed a “Financing Proposal.”

 

GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting practices in the United States.

 

Government Official” means any officer or employee of a Governmental Authority, custom official, political party official, candidate for political office, official of any public international organization or employee or Affiliate of an enterprise that is owned, sponsored or controlled by any Governmental Authority.

 

Governmental Authority” means any government, court, regulatory or administrative agency, arbitral body or self-regulated entity, tribunal, commission or authority or other legislative, executive or judicial governmental entity or any agency, department, division, commission or political subdivision thereof, whether local, state, federal or foreign.

 

Hazardous Materials” means any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials or wastes, polychlorinated biphenyls, per- or poly-fluoridated substances, heavy metals, hazardous or toxic substances and any other chemical, material, substance or waste that is regulated or for which liability may be imposed under any Environmental Law.

 

  
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HoldCo” means Weber HoldCo, LLC.

 

HoldCo Documents” means (a) the HoldCo LLC Agreement, (b) the Stockholders Agreement, (c) the Registration Rights Agreement and (d) the Tax Receivables Agreement, dated August 9, 2021, by and among HoldCo, the Company and the other equity holders of HoldCo set forth therein.

 

HoldCo LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of HoldCo, dated August 9, 2022, by and among HoldCo, the Company and the other members of HoldCo as set forth therein.

 

Holdings” means BDT Capital Partners I-A Holdings, LLC.

 

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

 

Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property and rights therein in any jurisdiction throughout the world, including such rights in and to: (a) patents (including all divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, renewals, reissues, reexaminations, supplemental examinations, inter partes reviews, post-grant oppositions, substitutions and extensions thereof), patent applications (including provisional and nonprovisional), patent disclosures and other patent rights, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, business names, brand names, logos, slogans and other indicia of origin and source identifiers, including registrations and applications for registration therefor, together with all goodwill associated therewith, (c) copyrights that are registered or unregistered (including copyrights in Software), works of authorship (whether or not copyrightable), design or database rights (including in all website content and Software), including registrations and applications for registration therefor, (d) URLs, social media handles and Internet domain names (including any top level domain names and global top level domain names), including registrations and applications for registration therefor, (e) trade secrets (as defined in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, state Law and the Defend Trade Secrets Act and under corresponding foreign statutory Law and common law) and nonpublic know-how, including inventions, discoveries, improvements, concepts, ideas, methods, techniques, processes, procedures, programs, codes, designs, prototypes, patterns, plans, compilations, program devices, formulas, schematics, drawings, technical data, specifications, research and development information, technology, databases, data collections, customer lists, business plans and other technical information, and other rights in confidential and proprietary business information and know-how, in each case, to the extent qualifying as a trade secret under applicable Law (collectively, “Trade Secrets”) and (f) Software.

 

IT Assets” means the Software, systems, servers, computers, hardware, firmware, middleware, networks, data communications lines, routers, hubs, switches and other information technology equipment owned, leased or licensed by and, in each case, in the possession of or controlled by, the Company.

 

Knowledge” means, (a) with respect to the Company, the knowledge of the individuals listed on Section 8.12 of the Company Disclosure Letter, and (b) with respect to Parent or Merger Sub, the knowledge of the individuals listed on Section 8.12 of the Parent Disclosure Letter.

 

  
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Leased Real Property” means the leasehold or subleasehold interests and any other rights to license, use or occupy any land, buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures or other interests in real property held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Real Property Leases.

 

Liens” means any pledges, liens, charges, mortgages, deeds of trust, conditions, covenants, restrictions, options, rights of first refusal or offer, conditional sales or other title retention agreements, adverse claims of ownership or use, easements, encroachments, third-party rights, leases, licenses, hypothecations, security interests or other encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, any fact, circumstance, effect, change, event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, with all other facts, circumstances, effects, changes, events or developments, (a) would prevent or materially delay, interfere with, hinder or impair the consummation by the Company of any of the Transactions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (b) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided that, in the case of clause (b), no fact, circumstance, effect, change, event or development to the extent resulting from or arising out of any of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur: (i) any change or condition affecting the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, including any event, change, development, circumstance or fact in or with respect to prices for commodities, raw material inputs or end products; (ii) any economic, legislative or political condition, including any government shutdown or the results of any election, or any securities, credit, financial or other capital markets condition, in each case in the United States or in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, including changes in interest or exchange rates; (iii) any failure in and of itself by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to meet any internal or public projection, budget, forecast, estimate or prediction in respect of revenues, earnings, cash flow or other financial or operating metrics for any period or any change to the liquidity profile of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (it being understood that the underlying facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failure may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would reasonably be expected to be, a Material Adverse Effect to the extent such underlying facts or occurrences are not otherwise excluded from being taken into account by clauses (i) through (xii) of this definition); (iv) the announcement, execution or delivery of this Agreement or the pendency of the Merger, except that the exceptions contained in this clause (iv) shall not apply with respect to references to Material Adverse Effect in those portions of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.03, 3.04, 3.11(e) and 3.12(b) (and in Section 6.02(a) to the extent related to such representations and warranties) the purposes of which are to address the consequences resulting from the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or consummation of the Transactions; (v) the identity of Parent or any of its Affiliates or the failure of Parent to perform its obligations under the Bridge Loan Facility; (vi) any change in and of itself in the market price or trading volume of Class A Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, any change in the credit ratings or the ratings outlook for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities or any going concern disclosure in any reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC (it being understood that the underlying facts or occurrences giving rise to or

 

  
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contributing to such failure may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would reasonably be expected to be, a Material Adverse Effect to the extent such underlying facts or occurrences are not otherwise excluded from being taken into account by clauses (i) through (xii) of this definition); (vii) any change after the date of this Agreement in applicable Law or GAAP (or authoritative interpretation thereof); (viii) riots, protests, geopolitical conditions, the outbreak or escalation of hostilities, any act of war, cyberattack, sabotage or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such act of war, cyberattack, sabotage or terrorism threatened or underway as of the date of this Agreement (except that any damage or destruction of any property or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would reasonably be expected to be, a Material Adverse Effect to the extent that losses resulting therefrom are not covered by insurance); (ix) the occurrence or worsening of any pandemic, epidemic, public health emergency or disease outbreak (including COVID-19); (x) any hurricane, ice event, fire, tornado, tsunami, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade disaster or severe weather-related event, circumstance or development; (xi) any action of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries expressly required to be taken by the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement (other than Section 5.01); or (xii) the departure or termination of any director, employee (including any officer) or independent contractors of the Company or its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any fact, circumstance, effect, change, event or development set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (vii), (viii), (ix) or (x) above may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur to the extent such fact, circumstance, effect, change, event or development has a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate (in which case, only the incremental disproportionate impact may be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would reasonably be expected to be a Material Adverse Effect).

 

Money Laundering Laws” means the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 and the applicable money laundering Laws of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts business.

 

Owned Real Property” means the land, buildings, structures, improvements or other interests in real property owned in fee by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Parent Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to Parent and Merger Sub, any fact, circumstance, effect, change, event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, with all other facts, circumstances, effects, changes, events or developments, would prevent or materially delay, interfere with, hinder or impair the consummation by Parent or Merger Sub of any of the Transactions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Parent Related Parties” means, collectively, Parent’s and Merger Sub’s respective former, current or future officers, directors, stockholders, managers, members, partners or Affiliates or any of their respective successors or assigns or any of the former, current or future officers, directors, shareholders, managers, members, partners or Affiliates or successors or assigns of any of the foregoing.

 

  
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Payments” means anything of value, including cash, gifts, travel expenses, entertainment, offers of employment, provision of free services or business meals, and also includes event sponsorships, consultant contracts, fellowship support, job offers and charitable contributions made at the request of, or for the benefit of, an individual, such individual’s family or other relations.

 

Permitted Liens” means (a) statutory Liens for Taxes, assessments or other charges by Governmental Authorities not yet due and payable, or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and, in either case, for which adequate reserves are being maintained on the most recent Company Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, (b) mechanics’, materialmen’s, carriers’, workmen’s, warehouseman’s, repairmen’s, landlords’ and similar Liens granted or which arise in the ordinary course of business and not yet due and payable, (c) Liens securing payment of the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to outstanding indebtedness so long as there is no default under such indebtedness, (d) pledges or deposits by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under workmen’s compensation Laws, unemployment insurance Laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, Contracts (other than for the payment of indebtedness) or leases to which such entity is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such entity or to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such entity is a party, or deposits as security for contested Taxes, in each case incurred or made in the ordinary course of business, (e) licenses (including nonexclusive licenses of Intellectual Property) granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (f) securities transfer restrictions imposed by applicable Law and (g) such other Liens or imperfections that are not material in amount and do not materially detract from the value of or materially impair the existing or intended use of the asset or property affected by such Lien or imperfection.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, including a Governmental Authority or any group comprised of two or more of the foregoing.

 

Personal Data” means (a) any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person or that is reasonably capable of being related to the identity of a natural person or (b) any piece of information considered “personally identifiable information”, “personal information”, “personal data” or other comparable term under applicable Information Privacy Laws.

 

Privacy Requirements” means (a) all applicable Laws relating to data privacy, data protection, security, collection, storage, use, transfer, disclosure, destruction, alteration or other processing of Personal Data (collectively, “Information Privacy Laws”), (b) all obligations under Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is party or is otherwise bound, (c) all publicly posted policies of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in the case of each of clauses (b) and (c), relating to data privacy, data protection, security, collection, storage, use, transfer, disclosure, destruction, alteration or other processing of Personal Data and (d) the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 3.2.

 

Public Shareholders” means all of the holders of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, excluding the Specified Holders and their respective Affiliates. For purposes of

 

  
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this definition only, “Specified Holder” shall also include each immediate family member (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act) of any Specified Holder and any trust or other entity (other than the Company) in which any Specified Holder or any such immediate family member thereof holds (or in which more than one of such individuals collectively hold), beneficially or otherwise, a voting, proprietary, equity or other financial interest.

 

Real Property Leases” means the leases, subleases, licenses or other agreements, including all amendments, extensions, renewals, guaranties or other agreements with respect thereto, under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries uses or occupies or has the right to use or occupy any real property.

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 9, 2021, by and among the Company, HoldCo and the other parties set forth therein.

 

Release” means any actual or threatened release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment or within any building, structure, facility or fixture.

 

Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, its officers, directors, equityholders, employees, agents, financial advisors, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants and other advisors and representatives.

 

Required Stockholder Approval” means the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Transactions, including the Merger, contemplated hereby by the affirmative vote or written consent of the holders representing a majority of the aggregate voting power of (a) the outstanding Common Shares entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class, (b) the outstanding Class A Shares entitled to vote thereon, voting as a separate class, (c) the outstanding Class B Shares entitled to vote thereon, voting as a separate class and (d) the outstanding Class B Shares entitled to vote thereon that are held by the stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement.

 

Sensitive Information” means (a) confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its Subsidiaries or of a third party in the possession or control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) Personal Data.

 

Sensitive Information Breach” means any (a) unauthorized or unlawful acquisition of, access to, loss of or misuse (by any means) of Sensitive Information, (b) unauthorized or unlawful processing, sale or rental of Sensitive Information, (c) ransomware, phishing or other cyberattack that results in a monetary loss or a business disruption to the applicable Person or (d) other act or omission that compromises the security, confidentiality, integrity or availability of Sensitive Information.

 

Shareholder Loan Facility” means the unsecured term loan facility (including the initial loans and any incremental loans thereunder) pursuant to the loan agreement, dated November 8, 2022, by and among Weber-Stephen Products LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower, and BDT Capital Partners Fund I, L.P. and BDT Capital Partners Fund I-A, L.P., as lenders.

 

  
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Software” means (a) all computer programs, applications, files, user interfaces, application programming interfaces, diagnostics, software development tools and kits, templates, menus, analytics and tracking tools, compilers, libraries, version control systems and operating systems, including all software implementations of algorithms, models and methodologies for any of the foregoing, whether in source code, object code or other form, and (b) all user documentation, including user manuals and training materials, relating to any of the foregoing.

 

Specified Holders” means Byron D. Trott, Holdings, BDT WSP Holdings, LLC and BDT Family Holdings, LLC.

 

Stockholders Agreement” means the Stockholders Agreement, dated August 9, 2021, by and among the Company, HoldCo and the other parties set forth therein.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests) are owned by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (including HoldCo and its Subsidiaries), shall be deemed to not be a Subsidiary of any of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

Tax” means all U.S. and non-U.S. federal, national, provincial, state or local taxes, charges, fees, levies or other similar assessments or liabilities, in each case, in the nature of taxes, imposed by a Governmental Authority, together with any interest, penalties, assessments or additions to tax imposed with respect to such amounts, whether or not disputed.

 

Tax Returns” means all reports, returns, declarations, claims for refunds, statements or other information supplied or required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority relating to Taxes, including any amendment thereof or schedule or attachment thereto.

 

Transactions” means, collectively, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger and the Equity Financing.

 

Willful Breach” means a material breach of, or material failure to perform the covenants contained in, this Agreement that is a consequence of an act or failure to act by the breaching or non-performing party with actual knowledge that such party’s act or failure to act would constitute a material breach of, or material failure to perform the covenants contained in, this Agreement.

 

(b)     The following terms have the respective meanings set forth in the section referenced opposite such term:

 

Term Section

 

Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement Section 5.02(f)
Adverse Recommendation Change Section 5.02(d)
Agreement Preamble

  
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Term Section

 

Balance Sheet Date Section 3.05(c)
Bankruptcy and Equity Exception Section 3.03(a)
Book-Entry Share Section 2.01(c)(ii)
Capitalization Date Section 3.02(a)
Centerview Section 3.19
Certificate Section 2.01(c)(iii)
Certificate of Merger Section 1.02
Class A Share Section 2.01(a)
Class B Share Section 2.01(b)
Closing Section 1.06
Closing Date Section 1.06
Code Section 2.02(g)
Common Shares Section 2.01(b)
Company Preamble
Company Acquisition Agreement Section 5.02(d)
Company Board Recitals
Company Board Recommendation Recitals
Company Disclosure Letter Article III
Company Financial Statements Section 3.05(b)
Company Notice Section 5.02(d)
Company SEC Documents Section 3.05(a)
Company Securities Section 3.02(b)
Company Termination Fee Section 7.03(a)(ii)
Converted Shares Section 2.01(c)(i)
Designated Courts Section 8.07(b)
DGCL Recitals
Director RSU Award Section 2.03(b)
Economic Sanctions Section 3.09(b)
Effective Time Section 1.02
Environmental Permits Section 3.13
Equity Commitment Letter Section 4.05(a)
Equity Commitment Parties Section 4.05(a)
Equity Financing Section 4.05(a)
ERISA Affiliate Section 3.11(c)
ESPP Purchase Date Section 2.03(e)
Exchange Act Section 3.04
Exchange Fund Section 2.02(a)
Existing Purchase Period Section 2.03(e)
Filed SEC Documents Article III
Governmental Approvals Section 3.04
Holdings Shares Section 2.01(a)
Indemnified Parties Section 5.13(a)
Information Statement Section 5.04(a)

 

  
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Term Section

 

Intervening Event Section 5.02(g)
Judgment Section 3.07
Laws Section 3.08(a)
Material Contract Section 3.17
Maximum Annual Premium Section 5.13(b)
Merger Recitals
Merger Consideration Section 2.01(c)(i)
Merger Sub Preamble
Merger Sub Board Recitals
Merger Sub Share Section 2.01(a)
Merger Sub Shareholder Approval Recitals
Notice Period Section 5.02(d)
Outside Date Section 7.01(b)(i)
Parent Preamble
Parent Disclosure Letter Article IV
Parent Managing Member Recitals
Paying Agent Section 2.02(a)
Permits Section 3.08(b)
Preferred Stock Section 3.02(a)
Restraints Section 6.01(b)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 3.05(d)
Schedule 13E-3 Section 5.04(a)
SEC Section 3.04
Secretary of State Section 1.02
Securities Act Section 3.02(c)
Special Committee Recitals
Special Committee Recommendation Recitals
Stockholder Consent Section 5.03(a)
Superior Proposal Section 5.02(i)
Surviving Company Section 1.01
Surviving Company Class A Share Section 2.01(a)
Surviving Company Organizational Documents Section 1.04
Takeover Law Section 3.16
Takeover Proposal Section 5.02(h)

 

Section 8.13.   Fees and Expenses. Whether or not the Transactions are consummated, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, shall be paid by the party incurring or required to incur such fees or expenses, except (a) that the fees and expenses incurred in connection with filing any notifications or documentation under the HSR Act shall be borne by Parent or (b) as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.

  
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Section 8.14.   Interpretation. (a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, a Section or an Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article of, a Section of or an Exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”. The words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The words “date hereof” when used in this Agreement shall refer to the date of this Agreement. The terms “or”, “any” and “either” are not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The words “made available to Parent”, “delivered to Parent” and words of similar import refer to documents delivered in person or electronically to Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Representatives prior to the entry into this Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings defined hereunder when used in any document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such terms. Any statute defined or referred to herein means such statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by succession of comparable successor statutes, and includes all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” or “$” shall refer to the lawful money of the United States. References to a Person are also to its permitted assigns and successors.

 

(b)     Whenever this Agreement contemplates any action or determination by the Company Board and such action or determination relates to the review, evaluation and negotiation of this Agreement or the Transactions or any other matter over which the Company Board has granted the Special Committee authority, the Company Board shall take such action or make such determination, in each case, only upon and in accordance with a recommendation to the Company Board from the Special Committee.

 

(c)     The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Section 8.15.   No Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or causes of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the Transactions, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the Transactions, may only be made against the entities that are expressly named as parties hereto, except for claims that the Company may assert in accordance with the Equity Commitment Letter. No Parent Related Party (other than Parent and Merger Sub) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim (whether in contract, in tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to, or by reason of, this Agreement or the Transactions or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection

  
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herewith, except for claims that the Company may assert in accordance with the Equity Commitment Letter. Without limiting the rights of the Company against Parent or Merger Sub hereunder, in no event shall the Company or any Company Related Party, and the Company agrees not to, and to cause the Company Related Parties not to, seek to enforce this Agreement against, make any claims for breach of this Agreement against or seek to recover monetary damages from any Parent Related Party (other than Parent and Merger Sub), except for claims that the Company may assert in accordance with the Equity Commitment Letter.

 

[Signature page follows]

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

  WEBER INC.
   
  by
  /s/ Alan Matula
  Name: Alan Matula
  Title: Interim Chief Executive Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

  

 

  Ribeye Parent, LLC
   
 
  by  
  /s/ Mary Ann Todd
  Name: Mary Ann Todd
  Title: Secretary & General Counsel

 

 

  RIBEYE MERGER SUB, INC.
   
  by
  /s/ Mary Ann Todd
  Name: Mary Ann Todd
  Title: Secretary & General Counsel

 

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

  

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

FORM OF SURVIVING COMPANY CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

of

 

WEBER INC.

 

1.             Name. The name of the Corporation is Weber Inc.

 

2.             Address; Registered Office and Agent. The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801 and the name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

3.             Purposes. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as from time to time in effect, the “General Corporation Law”).

 

4.             Number of Shares.

 

4.1.         The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 6,000,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 4,500,000,000 shares of common stock, divided into (a) 3,000,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, with the par value of $0.001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) and (b) 1,500,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, with the par value of $0.00001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”); and (ii) 1,500,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

4.2.         Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the number of authorized shares of any class of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased, in each case by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law, and no vote of the holders of any class of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock voting separately as a class will be required therefor. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the number of authorized shares of any particular class may not be decreased below the number of shares of such class then outstanding, plus:

 

(i)            in the case of Class A Common Stock, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable in connection with (x) the exchange of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, together with the corresponding LLC Units, pursuant to Article 10 of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC and (y) the exercise of outstanding options, warrants, exchange rights, conversion rights or similar rights for Class A Common Stock;

 

  
  

(ii)          in the case of Class B Common Stock, the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable in connection with the exercise of outstanding options, warrants, exchange rights, conversion rights or similar rights for Class B Common Stock.

 

5.             Classes of Shares. The designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class of stock are as follows:

 

5.1.         Common Stock.

 

(i)            Voting Rights.

 

(1)           Each holder of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote, and each holder of Class B Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote, except that, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to Section 5.1(i)(2), holders of shares of each class of Common Stock, as such, will have no voting power with respect to, and will not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate of Incorporation”) (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of any outstanding Preferred Stock if the holders of such Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a separate class thereon under this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or under General Corporation Law.

 

(2)           (a) The holders of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately upon any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event) that would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of such class of Common Stock in a manner that is disproportionately adverse as compared to the Class B Common Stock and (b) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately upon any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event) that would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of such class of Common Stock in a manner that is disproportionately adverse as compared to the Class A Common Stock, it being understood that any merger, consolidation or other business combination shall not be deemed such an amendment hereof if such merger, consolidation or other business combination constitutes a Disposition Event in which holders of Paired Interests are required to exchange such Paired Interests pursuant to Section 10.05(b) of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of the Company in such Disposition Event and receive consideration in such Disposition Event in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC as in effect prior to such Disposition Event.

 

(3)           Except as otherwise required in this Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters (or, if any holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, as a single class with the holders of Preferred Stock).

 

  
  

(4)           If at any time the ratio at which Paired Interests are redeemable or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Article 10 of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC is amended, the number of votes per share of Class B Common Stock to which holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are entitled pursuant to Section 5.1(i)(1) shall be adjusted accordingly.

 

(ii)          Dividends: Stock Splits or Combinations.

 

(1)           Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference senior to or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends of cash or property may be declared and paid on the Class A Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor, at the times and in the amounts as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in its discretion may determine.

 

(2)           Except as provided in Section 5.1(ii)(3) with respect to stock dividends, dividends of cash or property may not be declared or paid on shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

(3)           In no event will any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination of stock, reclassification or recapitalization be declared or made on any class of Common Stock (each, a “Stock Adjustment”) unless (a) a corresponding Stock Adjustment for all other classes of Common Stock not so adjusted at the time outstanding is made in the same proportion and the same manner and (b) the Stock Adjustment has been reflected in the same economically equivalent manner on all LLC Units. Stock dividends with respect to each class of Common Stock may only be paid with shares of stock of the same class of Common Stock.

 

(iii)         Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock are entitled, if any, the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to receive, pari passu, an amount per share equal to the par value thereof, and thereafter the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock. Without limiting the rights of the holders of Class B Common Stock to exchange their shares of Class B Common Stock, together with the corresponding LLC Units constituting the remainder of any Paired Interests in which such shares are included, for shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC (or for the consideration payable in respect of shares of Class A Common Stock in such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up), the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, as such, will not be entitled to receive, with respect to such shares, any assets of the Corporation in excess of the par value thereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

 

  
  

5.2.         Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series of any number of shares, provided that the aggregate number of shares issued and not retired of any and all such series shall not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock hereinabove authorized, and with such powers, including voting powers, if any, and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, all as shall hereafter be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the designation and issue of such shares of Preferred Stock from time to time adopted by the Board pursuant to authority so to do which is hereby expressly vested in the Board. The powers, including voting powers, if any, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. Each series of shares of Preferred Stock: (i) may have such voting rights or powers, full or limited, if any; (ii) may be subject to redemption at such time or times and at such prices, if any; (iii) may be entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or noncumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, if any; (iv) may have such rights upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of, upon any distribution of the assets of, or in the event of any merger, sale or consolidation of, the Corporation, if any; (v) may be made convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation (or any other securities of the Corporation or any other Person) at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments, if any; (vi) may be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of shares of such series in such amount or amounts, if any; (vii) may be entitled to the benefit of conditions and restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of the Corporation or any subsidiary, upon the issue of any additional shares (including additional shares of such series or of any other series) and upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Corporation or any subsidiary of, any outstanding shares of the Corporation, if any; (viii) may be subject to restrictions on transfer or registration of transfer, or on the amount of shares that may be owned by any Person or group of Persons; and (ix) may have such other relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any; all as shall be stated in said resolution or resolutions of the Board providing for the designation and issue of such shares of Preferred Stock.

 

6.             Class B Common Stock.

 

6.1.         Retirement of Class B Shares. No holder of Class B Common Stock may Transfer shares of Class B Common Stock to any Person unless such holder Transfers a corresponding number of LLC Units to the same Person in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof. If any outstanding share of Class B Common Stock ceases to be held by a holder of a corresponding LLC Unit, such share shall automatically and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class B Common Stock be transferred to the Corporation for no consideration and retired.

 

  
  

6.2.         Reservation of Shares of Class A Common Stock. The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of the issuance upon exchange of Paired Interests, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of all outstanding Paired Interests, pursuant to Article 10 of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC. The Corporation covenants that all the shares of Class A Common Stock that are issued upon the exchange of such Paired Interests will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

6.3.         Taxes. The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon the exercise by holders of shares of Class B Common Stock of their right under Section 10.01 of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC to exchange Paired Interests will be made without charge to the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock for any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties or other similar tax in respect of the issuance; provided, however, that if any such shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that of the then record holder of the shares of Class B Common Stock being exchanged, then such holder and/or the Person in whose name such shares are to be delivered, shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation that the tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

6.4.         Preemptive Rights. To the extent LLC Units are issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC to anyone other than the Corporation or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation (including pursuant to Section 9.03 (or any equivalent successor provision) of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC), an equivalent number of shares of Class B Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth herein) shall be issued to the same Person to which such LLC Units are issued.

 

7.             Board of Directors.

 

7.1.         Number of Directors.

 

(i)            The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. Unless and except to the extent that the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Corporation (as such By-laws may be amended from time to time, the “By-laws”) shall so require, the election of the directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) need not be by written ballot. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2 relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors, the total number of Directors constituting the entire Board shall be one, with the then authorized number of Directors constituting the entire Board being fixed from time to time by the Board.

 

(ii)          During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect additional Directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2 (“Preferred Stock Directors”), upon the commencement, and for the duration, of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then total authorized number of Directors shall automatically be increased by such specified number of Preferred Stock

 

  
  

Directors, and the holders of the related Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the Preferred Stock Directors pursuant to the provisions of the Board’s designation for the series of Preferred Stock and (ii) each such Preferred Stock Director shall serve until such Preferred Stock Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such Preferred Stock Director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to such provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect Preferred Stock Directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such Preferred Stock Directors elected by the holders of such Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such Preferred Stock Directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total and authorized number of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.

 

7.2.         Election and Removal of Directors. The Directors shall be elected by the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote in the election of Directors at each annual meeting of stockholders and shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until each of their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification. Any Director may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class.

 

7.3.         Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement (as long as such agreement is in effect), newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be nominated by the Chair and shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum of the Board. Any Director so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until his or her successor shall be duly elected and qualified or until such Director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office. In no event will a decrease in the number of Directors shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

 

8.             Meetings of Stockholders.

 

8.1.         Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class in lieu of a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders.

 

8.2.         Meetings of Stockholders. (i) An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board shall determine.

 

  
  

(ii)          Subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only (1) by or at the direction of the Board pursuant to a written resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of Directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies or (2) by or at the direction of the Chair, the Vice Chair or the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

 

8.3.         No Cumulative Voting; Election of Directors by Written Ballot. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Directors. Unless and except to the extent that the By-laws shall so require, the election of the Directors need not be by written ballot.

 

9.             Section 203 of the General Corporation Law. The Corporation will not be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law.

 

10.          Limitation of Liability.

 

10.1.      To the fullest extent permitted under the General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, no Director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director.

 

10.2.      Any amendment or repeal of Section 10.1 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment or repeal.

 

11.          Indemnification.

 

11.1.      Right to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any Person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or otherwise involved any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation or, while a Director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another entity or enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3 with respect to Proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such indemnitee, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or

 

  
  

part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized by the Board.

 

Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article 11 shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the Chair, Vice Chair, Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and any other officers of the Corporation appointed pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Corporation’s By-laws, and any reference to an officer of any other entity or other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such other entity pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or equivalent organizational documents of such other entity or enterprise.

 

11.2.      Prepayment of Expenses. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in appearing at, participating in or defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a Proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article 11 (which shall be governed by Section 11.3); provided, however, that to the extent required by applicable law or in the case of advance made in a Proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made solely upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified or entitled to advancement of expenses under this Article 11 or otherwise.

 

11.3.      Claims. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article 11 is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after a written claim therefor by the Covered Person has been received by the Corporation, the Covered Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim or to obtain an advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such claim. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law. In (i) any suit brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, such Person has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including by its Directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Covered Person is proper in the circumstances because the Covered Person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including by its Directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the Covered Person has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that such Person has not met the

 

  
  

applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Covered Person, be a defense to such suit.

 

11.4.      Nonexclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article 11 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.

 

11.5.      Other Sources. Subject to Section 11.6, the Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity or enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other entity or enterprise.

 

11.6.      Indemnitor of First Resort. In all events, (i) the Corporation hereby agrees that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligation to a Covered Person to provide advancement and/or indemnification to such Covered Person is primary and any obligation of any stockholder (including any Affiliate thereof other than the Corporation) to provide advancement or indemnification hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter), or any obligation of any insurer of any stockholder to provide insurance coverage, for the same expenses, liabilities, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such expenses, liabilities, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by such Covered Person are secondary) and (ii) if any stockholder (or any Affiliate thereof, other than the Corporation) pays or causes to be paid, for any reason, any amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement (whether pursuant to contract, bylaws or charter) with such Covered Person, then (x) such stockholder (or such Affiliate, as the case may be) shall be fully subrogated to all rights of such Covered Person with respect to such payment, (y) the Covered Person shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable such stockholder (or such Affiliate, as the case may be) effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights and (z) the Corporation shall fully indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless such stockholder (or such Affiliate, as the case may be) for all such payments actually made by such stockholder (or such Affiliate, as the case may be). Each of the stockholders (and any Affiliate thereof) shall be a third-party beneficiary with respect to this Section 11.6, entitled to enforce this Section 11.6.

 

11.7.      Amendment or Repeal. Any amendment or repeal of the foregoing provisions of this Article 11 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any Covered Person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment or repeal.

 

11.8.      Other Indemnification and Prepayment of Expenses. This Article 11 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to Persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

 

  
  

11.9.      Reliance. Covered Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain a Covered Person described in Article 11 will be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Article 11 in entering into or continuing the service. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 11 will apply to claims made against any Covered Person described in this Article 11 arising out of acts or omissions in respect of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries that occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof. The rights conferred upon Covered Persons in this Article 11 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a Director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article 11 that adversely affects any right of a Covered Person or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate or impair any such right with respect to any Proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

11.10.   Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such Person against such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law.

 

12.          Adoption, Amendment or Repeal of By-Laws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-laws subject to the power of the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote with respect thereto to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-laws.

 

13.          Adoption, Amendment and Repeal of Certificate. Subject to Article 5, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the General Corporation Law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, Directors or any other Persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended, are granted and held subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of Sections 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 of Article 7 or Articles 8, 9, 12, 13 or 14 may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision or By-laws inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by law, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class.

 

14.          Forum for Adjudication of Disputes. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for all disputes.

 

  
  

15.          Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its Directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

16.          Corporate Opportunity. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Corporation waives, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, the application of the doctrine of corporate opportunity or any other analogous doctrine, with respect to any non-employee stockholders, Directors or any of their respective Affiliates (each, a “Specified Party”) and no Specified Party will have any duty to (i) refrain from engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries from time to time is engaged or proposes to engage, (ii) present such opportunity to the Corporation before otherwise engaging in it or offering it to another entity, unless such opportunity was offered to a Specified Party that is a Director in his or her capacity as a Director or (iii) refrain from otherwise competing, directly or indirectly, with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

 

17.          Definitions. As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, unless the context otherwise requires or as set forth in another Article or Section of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term:

 

(a)           Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; provided, that (i) neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries will be deemed an Affiliate of any stockholder of the Corporation or any of such stockholders’ Affiliates and (ii) no stockholder of the Corporation will be deemed an Affiliate of any other stockholder of the Corporation, in each case, solely by reason of any investment in the Corporation or any rights conferred on such stockholder pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement (including any representatives of such stockholder serving on the Board).

 

(b)           Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2021, by and among the Corporation, the other parties thereto and the other Persons that may become parties thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified, from time to time.

 

(c)           Board” is defined in Section 5.1(ii)(1).

 

(d)           By-laws” is defined in Section 7.1.

 

  
  

(e)           Certificate of Incorporation” is defined in Section 5.1(i)(1).

 

(f)           Chair” means the Chair of the Board.

 

(g)           Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

 

(h)           Class A Common Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

(i)            Class B Common Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

(j)            Common Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

(k)           control” (including the terms “controlling” and “controlled”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

 

(l)            Corporation” is defined in Section 1.

 

(m)         Covered Person” is defined in Section 11.1.

 

(n)           Director” is defined in Section 7.1.

 

(o)           Disposition Event” means any merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Corporation, whether effectuated through one transaction or series of related transactions (including a tender offer followed by a merger in which holders of Class A Common Stock receive the same consideration per share paid in the tender offer), unless, following such transaction, all or substantially all of the holders of the voting power of all outstanding classes of Common Stock and series of Preferred Stock that are generally entitled to vote in the election of Directors prior to such transaction or series of transactions, continue to hold a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity (or its parent) resulting from such transaction or series of transactions in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions.

 

(p)           General Corporation Law” is defined in Section 3.

 

(q)           LLC Unit” means a nonvoting interest unit of Weber HoldCo LLC.

 

(r)           Paired Interest” means one LLC Unit together with one share of Class B Common Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 10 of the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Weber HoldCo LLC.

 

(s)           Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

 

  
  

(t)            Preferred Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

(u)           Preferred Stock Directors” is defined in Section 7.1.

 

(v)           Proceeding” is defined in Section 11.1.

 

(w)         Specified Party” is defined in Section 16.

 

(x)           Stock Adjustment” is defined in Section 5.1(ii)(3).

 

(y)           Stockholders Agreement” means the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2021, by and among the Corporation, the stockholders party thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified, from time to time.

 

(z)           Transfer” of a share of Class B Common Stock means, directly or indirectly, any sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, gift, bequest, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition or encumbrance of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, in whole or in part, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer”: (i) the granting of a revocable proxy pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement or to officers or Directors of the Corporation at the request of the Board in connection with actions to be taken at annual or special meetings of stockholders or in connection with any action by written consent of the stockholders solicited by the Board (at such times as action by written consent of stockholders is permitted under this Certificate of Incorporation); (ii) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with the Corporation and/or its stockholders that (x) is disclosed in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (y) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by the holder of the shares subject thereto at any time and (z) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to the holder of the shares subject thereto other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner; (iii) entering into a customary voting or support agreement (with or without granting a proxy) in connection with any merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Corporation, whether effectuated through one transaction or series of related transactions (including a tender offer followed by a merger in which holders of Class A Common Stock receive the same consideration per share paid in the tender offer); (iv) the pledge of shares of capital stock of the Corporation by a stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as such stockholder continues to exercise sole voting control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such shares or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer”; or (v) the fact that the spouse of any holder of Class B Common Stock possesses or obtains an interest in such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction, so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a “Transfer” of such shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

(aa)         Vice Chair” means the Vice Chair of the Board.

 

  
  

(bb)      Weber HoldCo LLC” means Weber HoldCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor thereto.

  

  
  

EXHIBIT B

 

 

FORM OF STOCKHOLDER CONSENT

[To be attached.]

 

  

 

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

dated as of December 11, 2022,

 

between

 

WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC,

 

as the Borrower,

 

and

 

the Lenders referred to herein,

 

as the Lenders

 

 
 
THE LOANS WILL BE ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE LOANS MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO THE BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 7.01.
 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01.   Defined Terms 1
SECTION 1.02.   Terms Generally 9
SECTION 1.03.   Timing of Payment or Performance 9
SECTION 1.04.   Payment in Kind 10

ARTICLE II

Loans

SECTION 2.01.   Commitments; Loans; Borrowing Procedure 10
SECTION 2.02.   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt 11
SECTION 2.03.   Interest 11
SECTION 2.04.   Fees 12
SECTION 2.05.   Prepayments; Termination/Reduction of Commitments 13
SECTION 2.06.   Taxes 14
SECTION 2.07.   Payments Generally 14

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

SECTION 3.01.   Organization; Powers 15
SECTION 3.02.   Authorization 15
SECTION 3.03.   Enforceability 15
SECTION 3.04.   Governmental Approvals 16
SECTION 3.05.   Use of Proceeds 16
SECTION 3.06.   Compliance with Laws 16

ARTICLE IV

Conditions of Lending

SECTION 4.01.   Agreement Effectiveness 17
SECTION 4.02.   Each Borrowing 17

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ARTICLE V

Covenants

SECTION 5.01.   Existence 18
SECTION 5.02.   Notice of Default 18
SECTION 5.03.   Compliance with Laws 18

ARTICLE VI

Events of Default

SECTION 6.01.   Events of Default 19

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

SECTION 7.01.   Notices 21
SECTION 7.02.   Survival 22
SECTION 7.03.   Successors and Assigns; No Third Party Beneficiaries; Participations 22
SECTION 7.04.   Expenses; Indemnity 24
SECTION 7.05.   Applicable Law 26
SECTION 7.06.   Waivers; Amendments 26
SECTION 7.07.   Entire Agreement 28
SECTION 7.08.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 28
SECTION 7.09.   Severability 28
SECTION 7.10.   Counterparts 28
SECTION 7.11.   Headings 29
SECTION 7.12.   Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process 29
SECTION 7.13.   Certain Acknowledgements 29
SECTION 7.14.   Right of Setoff 30

SCHEDULE

 

Schedule 1 – Lender Commitments

 

EXHIBIT

 

EXHIBIT A – Form of Borrowing Request

 

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LOAN AGREEMENT dated as of December 11, 2022, among WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), and the Lenders from time to time party hereto.

 

The Borrower has requested that the Lenders extend credit to the Borrower in the form of (a) a revolving loan facility in an aggregate committed principal amount equal to $230,000,000 and (b) a delayed draw term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to $120,000,000. The proceeds of the Loans will be used by the Borrower solely (i) to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the Transactions and (ii) for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the repayment of revolving Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement. The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement (including the preliminary statement hereto), the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified; provided that solely for purposes of this Agreement, the Group Members shall not be considered Affiliates of the Lenders, and the Lenders shall not be considered Affiliates of the Group Members.

 

Agreement” shall mean this Loan Agreement.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.06(d).

 

Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble.

 

Borrowing” shall mean Loans made on the same date.

 

Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.01(d), which shall be in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Designated Lender and the Borrower.

 

Business Day” shall mean any day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday or (b) a day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by Law to remain closed.

 

 
 

Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall mean, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, either existing on the Closing Date or created thereafter that (a) initially were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as capital lease obligations and were subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations upon such consolidation, in either case, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, or (b) did not exist on the Closing Date and were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations but would not have been required to be treated as capital lease obligations on the Closing Date had they existed at that time, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness; provided, further, that notwithstanding any changes in GAAP after December 31, 2017 or anything else herein to the contrary, any lease of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the time of its incurrence of such lease, that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP in effect on December 31, 2017 (whether such lease is entered into before or after December 31, 2017) shall not constitute Indebtedness or a Capitalized Lease Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under this Agreement as a result of such changes in GAAP.

 

Class”, when used with respect to (a) any Loan, refers to whether such Loan is a Revolving Loan or a Term Loan and (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Credit Commitment or a Term Commitment.

 

Closing Date” shall mean the first date on which all the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied.

 

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender at any time, such Lender’s Term Commitment or Revolving Credit Commitment, as applicable, in effect at such time.

 

Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Default” shall mean any event or condition that upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Designated Lender” shall mean (a) initially, Ribeye Parent, LLC and (b) thereafter, any Lender designated as the “Designated Lender” by the then-existing

 

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Designated Lender with the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

 

Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

 

EBITDA”, for any Test Period, shall have the meaning set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Events of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

 

Excluded Taxes” shall mean (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), and franchise Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of any Lender being organized under the Laws of, or resident for Tax purposes in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.06, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) any branch profits Taxes or any similar Tax imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a), (d) any Taxes attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.06(c) and (e) any U.S. withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 2020 (as amended, supplemented, restated, replaced, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time), among the Borrowers party thereto (as defined therein), the other Loan Parties party thereto (as defined therein), the lenders and issuing banks from to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent for the lenders and collateral agent for the secured parties.

 

FATCA” shall mean Section 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

 

Financial Officer” of any Person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer or an equivalent financial officer, principal accounting officer, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Controller or a director of such Person, or a duly authorized signatory of such Person who is a Financial Officer of a Subsidiary of such Person.

 

GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time.

 

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Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory or legislative body.

 

Group Members” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) shall mean (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation (the “primary obligations”) payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing any Indebtedness or other obligation (or any existing right, contingent or otherwise, of the holder of Indebtedness or other obligation to be secured by such a Lien) of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by the guarantor; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee of any guarantor shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guarantor may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guarantor may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee shall be such guarantor’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

 

Hedging Agreement” shall mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction, or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value, or credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reserve repurchase transaction, securities lending transaction, weather index transaction, spot contracts, fixed price physical delivery contracts, or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, in each case of the foregoing, whether or not exchange traded; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former

 

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directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean, if and to the extent (other than with respect to clause (i)) the same would constitute indebtedness or a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than such obligations accrued in the ordinary course), to the extent that the same would be required to be shown as a long-term liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, (e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all net payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date Indebtedness of such Person is being determined, in respect of outstanding Hedging Agreements, (g) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, (h) the principal component of all obligations of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, and (i) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (h) above (other than Indebtedness of another Group Member); provided that Indebtedness shall not include (A) trade and other ordinary-course payables, accrued expenses, and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) prepaid or deferred revenue, (C) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase prices of an asset to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset, (D) obligations under or in respect of receivables financings, (E) earn-out obligations until such obligations become a liability on the balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP, (F) obligations in respect of any segregated accounts or funds, or any portion thereof, received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as agent on behalf of third parties in accordance with a written agreement that imposes a duty upon the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries to collect and remit those funds to such third parties, (G) in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (I) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (II) intercompany liabilities in connection with the cash management, Tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (H) defined benefit liabilities. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such person is a general partner, other than to the extent that the instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness limits the liability of such person in respect thereof.

 

Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under this Agreement.

 

Indemnitee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.04(b).

 

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Interest Payment Date” means the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December (commencing on the last Business Day of December 2022) and the Maturity Date.

 

Laws” shall mean, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state, provincial and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements (other than commercial agreements) with, any Governmental Authority.

 

Legal Reservations” shall mean (a) the principle that equitable remedies are remedies which may be granted or refused at the discretion of the court, the principle of reasonableness and fairness, the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, court schemes, moratoria, administration and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors and secured creditors, (b) the time barring of claims under applicable statutes of limitation, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of stamp duty may be void and defenses of set-off or counterclaim, (c) similar principles, right and defenses under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction and (d) any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in any legal opinion delivered in connection with this Agreement.

 

Lenders” shall mean each Person listed on Schedule 1 and any other Person that shall have become a party to this Agreement as a Lender thereafter, other than any Person that ceases to be a party hereto as a Lender pursuant to Section 7.03(a).

 

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, assignment or transfer for security purposes, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Loan” shall mean any Revolving Loan or any Term Loan.

 

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, (a) a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), or (b) a material and adverse effect on the material rights and remedies (taken as a whole) of the Lenders under this Agreement.

 

Material Indebtedness” shall mean (a) Indebtedness under the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement, (b) other Indebtedness (other than the Loans) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding the greater of (x)

 

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$75,000,000 and (y) 0.33 times EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended Test Period.

 

Material Subsidiary” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Maturity Date” shall mean December 31, 2023.

 

OFAC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.06(c).

 

Other Connection Taxes” shall mean Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between any Lender and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than a connection arising from such Lender having executed, delivered, enforced, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, or engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, this Agreement, or sold or assigned an interest in this Agreement).

 

Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, except any such Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

 

Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Pro Forma Basis” shall have the meaning set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and Controlling Persons and the respective directors, partners, trustees, officers, employees, agents, representatives and advisors of each of the foregoing and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Loans, Term Loans, unused Revolving Credit Commitments and/or unused Term Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the aggregate sum of all Revolving Loans, Term Loans, unused Revolving Credit Commitments and unused Term Commitments at such time (it being understood that there shall be no limitation on Lenders that are Affiliates of the Borrower in connection with the determination of “Required Lenders”).

 

Responsible Officer” of any Person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such Person and any other officer responsible for the administration of the obligations of such Person under and in respect of this Agreement.

 

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Revolving Credit Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans hereunder as such commitment is set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.05 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 7.03. The aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments on the Closing Date is $230,000,000.

 

Revolving Loans” means the revolving loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i).

 

Sanctioned Country” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.06(c).

 

Sanctions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.06(c).

 

Sanctions Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.06(c).

 

Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, stamp taxes, withholding (including backup withholding) or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority (including additions to tax, penalties and interest with respect thereto).

 

Term Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Term Loans hereunder in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.05 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 7.03. The aggregate amount of the Term Commitments on the Closing Date is $120,000,000.

 

Term Loan Funding Date” shall mean any date on which Term Loans are borrowed by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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Term Loans” shall mean the term loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii).

 

Test Period” shall have the meaning set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Transactions” shall mean (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and (b) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean any entity designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in accordance with the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof.

 

USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to documents, agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, amendments and restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, amendments and restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are permitted by this Agreement, (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law, (c) references herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof and (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.03. Timing of Payment or Performance. When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

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SECTION 1.04. Payment in Kind. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the amount of interest or fees capitalized and added to the outstanding principal balance of the applicable Class of Loans pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.04, as applicable, while being added to and constituting a portion of the outstanding principal balance of the applicable Class of Loans pursuant to such Sections for all purposes under this Agreement, (i) shall not be deemed to constitute utilization of the applicable Class of Commitments for purposes of Section 2.01 and (ii) shall be disregarded when calculating the fees in respect of the applicable Class of Commitments as set forth in Section 2.04.

 

ARTICLE II

Loans

 

SECTION 2.01. Commitments; Loans; Borrowing Procedure. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment set forth on Schedule 1 severally and not jointly agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower, at any time and from time to time on or after the date hereof and until the Maturity Date (or earlier termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments), in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (A) the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment or (B) the aggregate principal amount of the total Revolving Loans exceeding the total Revolving Credit Commitments and (ii) each Lender with a Term Commitment set forth on Schedule 1 severally and not jointly agrees to make Term Loans to the Borrower, at any time and from time to time on or after the date hereof and until the Maturity Date (or earlier termination of the Term Commitments), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such Lender’s Term Commitment as in effect immediately prior thereto.

 

(b)       All Loans shall be denominated in Dollars. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, pay or prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans hereunder. Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of the Term Loans may not be re-borrowed.

 

(c)       At the time each Loan is made, it shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and a minimum amount of $5,000,000 (or such other multiple or minimum as may be agreed to by the Borrower and the Lenders from time to time). Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the requested date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the Borrower may designate in the applicable Borrowing Request.

 

(d)       In order to request a Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Designated Lender of such request by delivery to the Designated Lender of a written Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 4.02(a). Each Borrowing Request shall specify (i) the requested date of such Loan (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the number and location of the account to which funds are to be disbursed and (iii) the

 

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amount of such Loan (which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.01(c)) and the Class thereof.

 

SECTION 2.02. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Lenders the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date.

 

(b)       Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by the such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. The records maintained by the each Lender shall be prima facie evidence, absent a manifest error, of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Loans made by such Lender, interest and fees due or accrued hereunder; provided that the failure of any Lender to maintain such records or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to pay any amounts due hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)       Any Lender may request that Loans made by it hereunder be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender in a form reasonably satisfactory to such Lender. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event any Lender shall request and receive such a promissory note, the interests represented by such note shall at all times be represented by one or more promissory notes payable to the payee named therein.

 

SECTION 2.03. Interest. (a) Subject to Section 2.03(b), the Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 15.00%. Subject to Section 2.03(b), accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable on (i) each Interest Payment Date, (ii) on the Maturity Date and (iii) in the case of a Revolving Loan, upon the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, provided that (A) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (B) at the Borrower’s election (which election shall be deemed made in the event that the Borrower does not make such payment in cash on the applicable Interest Payment Date), interest payments payable on any Interest Payment Date after the Closing Date (but prior to the Maturity Date) may be payable by adding such interest to the outstanding principal amount of the then-outstanding applicable Class of Loans on the applicable Interest Payment Date (with such interest thereafter being deemed to form part of the principal).

 

(b)       If any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under Section 6.01(b), 6.01(c), 6.01(g) or 6.01(h), then, for so long as such Event of Default is continuing, to the extent permitted by Law, the principal amount of the Loans and, to the extent due and payable, all other amounts outstanding under this Agreement shall bear interest (after as well as before judgment), payable on demand, (i) in the case of any Loan, at the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(a) plus

 

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2.00% per annum and (ii) in the case of any other amount, at the rate applicable to Loans as provided in Section 2.03(a) plus 2.00% per annum.

 

(c)       All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

SECTION 2.04. Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay on the Closing Date to each Lender party to this Agreement with a Revolving Credit Commitment on the Closing Date, an upfront fee in an amount equal to 2.00% of the aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitments on the Closing Date (it being understood that, at the option of the Borrower such upfront fee may be paid by adding such upfront fee to the initial principal amount of any Revolving Loans borrowed on the Closing Date). Such upfront fee shall be in all respects fully earned, due and payable on the Closing Date and non-refundable and non-creditable thereafter.

 

(b)       The Borrower agrees to pay on any Term Loan Funding Date to each Lender with a Term Commitment party to this Agreement on such Term Loan Funding Date, an upfront fee in an amount equal to 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans to be made on such Term Loan Funding Date (it being understood that, at the option of the Borrower set forth in the Borrowing Request in respect of any Term Loans, (i) such Term Loans may be net funded on the applicable Term Loan Funding Date to account for such upfront fee or (ii) such upfront fee may be paid by adding such upfront fee to the initial principal amount of the Term Loans borrowed on the applicable Term Loan Funding Date). Such upfront fee shall be in all respects fully earned, due and payable on the applicable Term Loan Funding Date and non-refundable and non-creditable thereafter.

 

(c)       The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender party to this Agreement as a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, an undrawn commitment fee, which shall accrue at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum on the average daily amount of the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Closing Date to the date on which such Lender’s applicable Revolving Credit Commitment terminates. Accrued undrawn commitment fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December after the Closing Date (commencing on the last Business Day of December 2022) and on the Maturity Date; provided that, at the Borrower’s election (which election shall be deemed made in the event that the Borrower does not make such payment in cash on the date such payment is due), payments of undrawn commitment fees after the Closing Date (but prior to the Maturity Date) may be payable by adding such fees to the outstanding principal amount of the then-outstanding Revolving Loans on the date such payment is due (with such fees thereafter being deemed to form part of the principal).

 

(d)       The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender party to this Agreement as a Lender with a Term Commitment an undrawn commitment fee, which shall accrue at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum on the average daily amount of the Term

 

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Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Closing Date to the date on which such Lender’s applicable Term Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December after the Closing Date (commencing on the last Business Day of December 2022) and on the Maturity Date; provided that, at the Borrower’s election (which election shall be deemed made in the event that the Borrower does not make such payment in cash on the date such payment is due), payments of commitment fees after the Closing Date (but prior to the Maturity Date) may be payable by adding such fees to the outstanding principal amount of the then-outstanding Term Loans on the date such payment is due (with such fees thereafter being deemed to form part of the principal).

 

SECTION 2.05. Prepayments; Termination/Reduction of Commitments. (a) The Borrower shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to prepay any Loan and/or terminate or reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments or Term Commitments hereunder, in whole or in part, upon providing written notice thereof to the Designated Lender not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, two Business Day(s) before the date of prepayment, termination or reduction, as applicable (or such later time as may be agreed to by the Borrower and the Designated Lender from time to time); provided that the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of Revolving Loans, the total amount of outstanding Revolving Loans would exceed the total Revolving Credit Commitments; provided, further that each partial prepayment or partial reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments or Term Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and in a minimum amount of $2,000,000 (or such other multiple or minimum as may be agreed to by the Borrower and the Designated Lender from time to time); provided, further that a notice of prepayment, termination or reduction may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, indentures or similar agreements or other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Designated Lender on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

 

(b)       Each notice of prepayment, termination or reduction shall specify (i) the date of prepayment, termination or reduction, as applicable, (ii) the Class of Loans or Commitments to be prepaid, terminated or reduced, as applicable, and (iii) the principal amount of the Loans to be prepaid and the amount of Commitments hereunder to be terminated or reduced, as applicable. All prepayments of Loans or termination or reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments or Term Commitments under this Section 2.05 shall be without premium or penalty. Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments or Term Commitments shall be permanent.

 

(c)       All prepayments under this Section 2.05 shall be applied, first, pro rata to any accrued and unpaid interest then owing (excluding interest paid in kind pursuant to Section 2.03(a)), until all such interest has been repaid, and second, pro rata to the principal amount of each outstanding Loan.

 

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(d)       Unless previously terminated, (i) the Term Commitments of any Lender shall reduce automatically upon the funding by such Lender of a Term Loan by an amount equal to the principal amount of such Term Loan and (ii) all Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

 

(e)       If the Designated Lender notifies the Borrower at any time that the total outstanding amount of the Revolving Loans at such time exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Loans in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such outstanding amount of the Revolving Loans as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.

 

SECTION 2.06. Taxes. (a) Withholding Taxes. All payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be made without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by law. If the Borrower determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Tax, then the Borrower may so withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Tax to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)       Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)       Tax Documentation. Any Lender shall, on or prior to the date hereof and at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower a duly-completed IRS Form W-9, or W-8, as appropriate (or applicable successor form) to enable the Borrower to determine whether such Lender is subject to U.S. Federal backup withholding. Any such Lender shall, upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any such IRS Form W-9, or W-8, as appropriate, promptly deliver to the Borrower a new such IRS Form W-9, or W-8, as appropriate.

 

(d)       Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify each Lender for any Indemnified Taxes that are paid or payable by such Lender in connection with this Agreement (including amounts paid or payable under this Section 2.06(d) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto), whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The indemnity under this Section 2.06(d) shall be paid within 10 days after such Lender delivers to the Borrower a certificate stating the amount of any Indemnified Taxes so paid or payable by such Lender and describing the basis for the indemnification claim. Such certificate shall be conclusive of the amount so paid or payable absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.07. Payments Generally. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder on the date when due prior to the time expressly required hereunder for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, or such later time as may be acceptable to the Designated Lender), in immediately available funds, without any defense, set-off,

 

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recoupment or counterclaim, to such accounts as may be specified by the Lenders from time to time. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the sole discretion of the Designated Lender, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.

 

(b)       If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to any Lender to pay fully all amounts of principal and interest then due to it hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest then due hereunder and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder.

 

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. The Borrower (a) is a partnership, limited liability company, corporation, company or other entity duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation, (b) has all requisite entity level power and authority to own its material property and assets and to carry on its business in all material respects as now conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the entity level power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement to which it is or will be a party and to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder.

 

SECTION 3.02. Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the borrowings hereunder (a) have been duly authorized by all corporate, partnership, limited liability company action or similar action required to be obtained by the Borrower and (b) will not (1) violate (A) any material provision of law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Borrower, (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation or formation or other constitutive documents (including any partnership, limited liability company or operating agreements or by-laws) of the Borrower, (C) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or (D) any provision of any indenture, material agreement or other material instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound or (2) result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) under such indenture, material agreement or other material instrument, where any such conflict, violation or breach or default referred to in

 

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clause (1) or (2) of this Section 3.02(b) would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.03. Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to (a) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (c) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing and (d) the Legal Reservations.

 

SECTION 3.04. Governmental Approvals. No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, except for (a) such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect and (b) such actions, consents and approvals the failure of which to be obtained or made would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.05. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans as described in the preliminary statement to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Laws. (a) None of the Borrower, its subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets is in violation of (nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate) any law, rule or regulation (including any zoning, building, ordinance, code or approval or any building permit), or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)       Each of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with the material provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (to the extent applicable) and all material applicable laws and regulations related to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism.

 

(c)       None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is (i) currently the target of any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. State Department, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union, the United Nations Security Council or His Majesty’s Treasury (“Sanctions”) or located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the target of Sanctions broadly prohibiting dealings with such country or territory (“Sanctioned Country”). The Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or otherwise make available such proceeds or to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that is, at the time of such financing, the target of any Sanctions or for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction with or in any Sanctioned Country or in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions Laws and regulations administered by the United States, including OFAC and the U.S. State Department (collectively, the

 

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Sanctions Laws”) applicable to any party hereto. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Sanctions Laws in all material respects.

 

(d)       The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and similar laws of all jurisdictions in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct their business and to which they are lawfully subject (“Anti-Corruption Laws”), in each case, in all material respects. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder will be used in violation of any Anti-Corruption Law, including to make any unlawful bribe, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

ARTICLE IV

Conditions of Lending

 

SECTION 4.01. Agreement Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)       The Lenders shall have received from the Borrower a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of the Borrower, and the Borrower shall have received from the Lenders counterparts of this Agreement signed on behalf of the Lenders.

 

(b)       The Lenders shall have received such customary documents and certificates in connection with the effectiveness of this Agreement as the Designated Lender may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower and the authorization of the Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Designated Lender.

 

(c)       The Lenders shall have received a written opinion (addressed to the Lenders and dated the Closing Date) of each of (i) Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and (ii) Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell LLP, special Delaware counsel to the Borrower, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Designated Lender.

 

(d)       (i) The fee set forth in Section 2.04(a) and (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Lenders (limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP) incurred in connection with this Agreement shall have been paid by the Borrower.

 

SECTION 4.02. Each Borrowing. The obligation of the Lenders set forth on Schedule 1 to make any Loan is subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)       The Designated Lender shall have received a Borrowing Request therefor at no later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, five Business Days prior to the date of such Borrowing.

 

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(b)       The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in Article III shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, other than representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date; provided that where such representations and warranties are already qualified by materiality, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of such Borrowing or such earlier date, as applicable.

 

(c)       No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur from such Loan or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

(d)       In the case of any borrowing of Term Loans, the fee set forth in Section 2.04(b) shall have been paid by the Borrower.

 

Each Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(b) and 4.02(c) have been satisfied.

 

ARTICLE V

Covenants

 

The Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until all Commitments hereunder have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all expenses or other amounts payable under this Agreement (other than, to the extent no claim has been made therefor, contingent indemnification and contingent expense reimbursement obligations) have been paid in full, unless the Designated Lender shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause or permit its Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 5.01. Existence. Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except, in the case of a Subsidiary of the Borrower, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except for the liquidation or dissolution of Subsidiaries if the assets of such Subsidiaries to the extent they exceed estimated liabilities are acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower in such liquidation or dissolution.

 

SECTION 5.02. Notice of Default. Furnish to the Designated Lender written notice promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 5.03. Compliance with Laws. (a) Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (b) subject to Section 3.06(c), comply with the USA PATRIOT Act (as applicable) and all applicable laws and

 

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regulations related to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism, applicable Sanctions Laws, and Anti-Corruption Laws in all material respects.

 

ARTICLE VI

Events of Default

 

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. In case any of the following events, as applicable to the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries (each, an “Event of Default”):

 

(a)       any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary herein or any certificate or document delivered pursuant hereto shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed made and such false or misleading representation or warranty (if curable) shall remain false or misleading for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) notice thereof from the Designated Lender to the Borrower and (ii) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower having obtained knowledge thereof;

 

(b)       default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

 

(c)       default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (b) above) due under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

 

(d)       default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.01 (solely with respect to the Borrower) or 5.02;

 

(e)       default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clauses (b), (c) and (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) notice thereof from the Designated Lender to the Borrower and (ii) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower having obtained knowledge thereof;

 

(f)       the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any agreement or condition relating to any Material Indebtedness that (A) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (B) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness, as applicable, to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that (x) this clause (f) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted under the documents providing for such Indebtedness and (y) for

 

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the avoidance of doubt, no Default or Event of Default shall result hereunder as a result of any failure, breach or default that would have otherwise occurred under clauses (A) or (B) but for any notice period or grace period while such notice or grace period remains in effect; provided that the failure to observe or perform the Financial Covenant (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall not in and of itself constitute an Event of Default hereunder unless the Required Revolving Facility Lenders (under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) have terminated the revolving facility commitment thereunder and have accelerated any revolving facility loans then outstanding thereunder as a result of such breach (and such termination or acceleration shall not have been rescinded);

 

(g)       an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, judicial management, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, administrative receiver, compulsory manager, receiver and manager, administrator, judicial manager, provisional liquidator, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar officer or official for the Borrower or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for thirty (30) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(h)       the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in clause (g) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, insolvency practitioner, judicial manager, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) commence any legal proceedings or court procedure in relation to an insolvency or in relation to any restructuring by way of a scheme of arrangement (for the avoidance of doubt, this shall not include any solvent reorganization), or (vii) become unable or admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(i)       the Borrower shall fail to pay one or more final monetary judgments in an aggregate amount in excess of the greater of (x) $75,000,000 and (y) 0.33 times EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period (to the extent not covered by insurance and third party indemnities), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days; or

 

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(j)       the Agreement shall for any reason be asserted in writing by the Borrower not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower (other than in accordance with its terms);

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (g) or (h) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Designated Lender may, by notice to the Borrower, terminate all Commitments to make Loans hereunder and declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (g) or (h) above, all Commitments to make Loans hereunder shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 7.01. Notices. (a) Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, as follows:

 

  (i) if to the Borrower, to it (or c/o the Borrower) at:  
    Weber-Stephen Products LLC  
    1415 S Roselle Road Palatine, Illinois 60067  
    Attn: Bill J. Horton  
    Attn: Erik W. Chalut  
    Email: echalut@weber.com and  
      bhorton@weberstephen.com  
  with a copy to:  
     
  Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: J.W. Perry
Email: john.perry@davispolk.com;
 
     
  and  

 

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(ii)       if to any Lender, to the Designated Lender c/o BDT Capital Partners Fund I, L.P., 401 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3100 Chicago, IL 60611, Attention: General Counsel, E-Mail: mtodd@bdtcap.com.

 

(b)       All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 7.01. As agreed to among the Borrower and the Designated Lender from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable Person provided from time to time by such Person.

 

(c)       Any party hereto may change its address or e-mail for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.02. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower in this Agreement and in the certificates or other documents delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders (and regardless of whether the Borrower is an affiliate of the Lenders and whether the Lenders or any Related Party thereof may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time this Agreement is executed and delivered or any Loan is made hereunder) and shall continue in full force and effect until the latest Maturity Date or, if later, so long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding (other than, to the extent no claim has been made therefor, contingent indemnification and contingent expense reimbursement obligations). The provisions of Sections 2.07 and 7.04 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders.

 

SECTION 7.03. Successors and Assigns; No Third Party Beneficiaries; Participations. (a) Neither this Agreement nor any of the interests, rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned by the Borrower without the prior written consent of the Lenders. Any Lender may assign and delegate to one or more other Persons all or a portion of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Commitments set forth in Section 2.01 and any Loans at the time owing to it) without the consent of the Borrower; provided that, other than if an Event of Default under Section 6.01 (b), (c), (g) or (h) has occurred and is continuing, the Lenders may not assign Commitments or Loans to any Person that is, at the time of such assignment, a lender under the Existing Credit Agreement or any of such Person’s Affiliates, in each case, without the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld,

 

22

 

conditioned or delayed); provided, further, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment if it has not responded within 10 Business Days after the delivery of any request for such consent. Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto or thereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Lenders that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any other creditor of the Borrower or any other Person (other than the parties hereto or thereto, their respective permitted successors and assigns and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)       Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, sell participations to one or more other Persons (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments or the Loans at the time owning to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto or thereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrower shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and (iv) other than if an Event of Default under Section 6.01 (b), (c), (g) or (h) has occurred and is continuing, the Lenders may not sell participations to any Person that is, at the time of such participation, a lender under the Existing Credit Agreement or any of such Person’s Affiliates, in each case, without the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, further, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such participation if it has not responded within 10 Business Days after the delivery of any request for such consent. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the relevant Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that affects such Participant or requires the approval of all the Lenders. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.06 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 7.03(a); provided that such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.06, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 7.14 as though it were a Lender. Upon the sale of one or more participations, the applicable Lender shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”);

 

23

 

provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Loans or its other obligations under this Agreement) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

 

(c)       In the event of an assignment to an assignee that is not an Affiliate of the initial Designated Lender, at the option of the Designated Lender, the Borrower and the Designated Lender shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to (i) appoint an administrative agent selected by the Designated Lender who will act on behalf of the Lenders under this Agreement and to incorporate administrative agent provisions that are customary for syndicated term loan facilities in the United States, including provisions regarding dissemination of information by the administrative agent to Lenders through an electronic platform and customary administrative agent fee provisions (including customary administrative fees and customary processing and recording fees with respect to assignments) and (ii) reflect provisions that are customary for syndicated term loan facilities in the United States regarding (A) pro rata sharing, (B) “bail-in”, (C) compensation to Lenders with respect to increased costs and changes in law, (D) defaulting lenders, (E) confidentiality and (F) delivery of “know your customer” and other customary information or information required by applicable law, and any additional provisions as may be agreed by the Borrower and the Lenders acting reasonably in good faith (it being understood and agreed that the applicable provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof shall be deemed to be customary for syndicated term loan facilities in the United States).

 

SECTION 7.04. Expenses; Indemnity. (a) THE BORROWER AGREES TO PAY ALL REASONABLE AND DOCUMENTED OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES INCURRED BY ANY LENDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE FACILITY ESTABLISHED HEREUNDER AND THE PREPARATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND ADMINISTRATION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS OR WAIVERS OF THE PROVISIONS HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER OR NOT THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY SUCH AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS OR WAIVERS SHALL BE CONSUMMATED), INCLUDING REASONABLE FEES, DISBURSEMENTS AND OTHER CHARGES OF A SINGLE COUNSEL FOR ALL LENDERS, AND ALL THE ACTUAL COSTS AND REASONABLE DOCUMENTED EXPENSES INCURRED BY ANY LENDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OR PROTECTION OF ITS RIGHTS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER, INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF A SINGLE COUNSEL FOR ALL LENDERS WHICH MAY BE CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP AND, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY

 

24

 

SUCH ENFORCEMENT OR PROTECTION, THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY OTHER COUNSEL FOR ANY LENDER.

 

(b)       THE BORROWER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY EACH LENDER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “INDEMNITEE”) AGAINST, AND TO HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES (INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF A SINGLE COUNSEL WHICH MAY BE CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP) (and, in the case of an actual conflict of interest where ANY personS affected by such conflict inform the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retain A SINGLE counsel, of another firm of counsel for ALL such affected personS COLLECTIVELY) INCURRED IN RESPECT OF THE ENTERING INTO AND/OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS OF ANY LOANS HEREUNDER OR THE CONSUMMATION OF ANY TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH MATTER IS INITIATED BY A THIRD PARTY OR BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES); PROVIDED THAT ANY SUCH INDEMNITY UNDER THIS SECTION 7.04(b) SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT (X) TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE, BAD FAITH OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH INDEMNITEE OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES (IT BEING AGREED THAT FOR PURPOSES OF THIS CLAUSE (X) NO RELATED PARTY OF ANY GROUP MEMBER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A RELATED PARTY OF ANY LENDER OR OF ANY RELATED PARTIES OF ANY LENDER); OR (Y) TO HAVE RESULTED FROM A DISPUTE SOLELY BETWEEN THE INDEMNITEES AND NOT FROM AN ACT OR OMISSION BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES. THIS SECTION 7.04(b) SHALL NOT APPLY TO TAXES.

 

(c)       TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NO PARTY HERETO SHALL ASSERT, AND EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, ANY CLAIM AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED PARTIES OR AFFILIATES OF SUCH PARTY ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (AS OPPOSED TO DIRECT OR ACTUAL DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH OR AS A RESULT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT OR INSTRUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE TRANSACTIONS, ANY LOAN OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREOF.

 

(d)       THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 7.04 SHALL REMAIN OPERATIVE AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT REGARDLESS OF THE EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE CONSUMMATION OF

 

25

 

THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE REPAYMENT OF ANY OF THE LOANS, THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY TERM OR PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY INVESTIGATION MADE BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY LENDER (AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE BORROWER IS AN AFFILIATE OF SUCH LENDER AND WHETHER SUCH LENDER OR ANY RELATED PARTY THEREOF MAY HAVE HAD NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF ANY DEFAULT OR INCORRECT REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AT THE TIME THIS AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED AND DELIVERED OR ANY LOAN IS MADE HEREUNDER). ALL AMOUNTS DUE UNDER THIS SECTION 7.04 SHALL BE PAYABLE PROMPTLY FOLLOWING WRITTEN DEMAND THEREFOR.

 

SECTION 7.05. Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION, BREACH, ENFORCEMENT OR TERMINATION HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF (OTHER THAN NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1401 AND SECTION 5-1402).

 

SECTION 7.06. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that it would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 7.06(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the making of any Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether any Lender or any of its Related Parties may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)       Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified (i) except as provided in Section 7.03(c) or (ii) pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement shall:

 

26

 

(i)       decrease or forgive the principal amount of, or extend the final maturity of, or decrease the rate of interest on, any Loan, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided that no waiver or modification of any Default or Event of Default (or of any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the default rate of interest under Section 2.03(b)) shall constitute a reduction in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (i),

 

(ii)       increase or extend any Commitment of any Lender, or decrease any fees of any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification),

 

(iii)       extend any date on which payment of interest on any Loan or any fee is due, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided that no waiver or modification of any Default or Event of Default (or of any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the default rate of interest under Section 2.03(b)) shall constitute an extension of such date for purposes of this clause (iii),

 

(iv)       only in the event this Agreement is amended pursuant to Section 7.03(c), (A) amend the provisions of this Agreement in a manner that would alter the pro-rata sharing of payments required thereby as in effect on the date this Agreement is amended pursuant to Section 7.03(c) or (B) amend any other provision of this Agreement that would directly result in the matters described in clause (A) above, in each case without the written consent of each Lender,

 

(v)       amend or modify the provisions of this Section 7.06 or the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, in each case except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise provided in Section 7.06(c), or

 

(vi)       subordinate the payment priority of any Loans to the obligations under any other Indebtedness for borrowed money without the prior written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby.

 

(c)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) technical and conforming modifications to this Agreement may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Designated Lender (but without the consent of any Lender) to the extent necessary to

 

27

 

cure any ambiguity, mistake, omission, defect or inconsistency and (ii) any amendment, waiver or modification of any term or provision of this Agreement that by its terms directly affects Lenders under one Class and does not directly and adversely affect Lenders under any other Class may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite number or percentage in interest of such affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under Section 7.06(b) if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time.

 

SECTION 7.07. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire contract among the parties hereto relative to the subject matter hereof. Any other previous agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.08. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.08.

 

SECTION 7.09. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 7.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other customary means of transmission (e.g., “PDF”) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement and/or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures (as defined below), deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical

 

28

 

delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be. As used herein, “Electronic Signatures” means any electronic symbol or process attached to, or associated with, any contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

 

SECTION 7.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.12. Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined exclusively in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by Law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Borrower or any of its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction in connection with any pending bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding in such jurisdiction.

 

(b)       Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any New York State or Federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)       Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 7.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

 

SECTION 7.13. Certain Acknowledgements. The parties hereto acknowledge that each Lender, when acting under this Agreement, will be acting for its own account as principal and will be under no obligation or duty as a result of such Lender’s relationship with the Borrower and the other Group Members or otherwise to take any action or refrain from taking any action (including refraining from exercising any right or remedy that might be available to it).

 

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SECTION 7.14. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each Affiliate of any Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time held and other obligations (in any currency) at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account the Borrower against any of and all the obligations then due of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement. The rights of each Lender and each Affiliate of any Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or Affiliate may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

  WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC, as Borrower  
     
     
  By  
    /s/ William J. Horton  
    Name: William J. Horton  
    Title: Chief Financial Officer  
       
       
  Ribeye Parent, LLC, as Designated Lender and as a Lender  
     
     
  By  
    /s/ Mary Ann Todd  
    Name: Mary Ann Todd  
    Title: General Counsel & Secretary  

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Lender Revolving Credit Commitment
Ribeye Parent, LLC $230,000,000
Total $230,000,000

 

Lender Term Commitment
Ribeye Parent, LLC $120,000,000
Total $120,000,000

 

EXHIBIT A
to
Loan Agreement

 

[FORM OF]
Borrowing request

 

[_____], 20[__]

 

To: [●]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Loan Agreement dated as of December 11, 2022 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among Weber-Stephen Products LLC (the “Borrower”) and the lenders referred to therein (the “Lenders”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement.

 

The Borrower hereby requests a Borrowing of [Revolving/Term] Loans:

 

1.       On _______________, 20__ (which is a Business Day).

 

2.       In the amount of $__________.

 

The Borrower hereby directs the Lenders to wire the proceeds of the Loans made on the specified date to the following account:

 

Recipient: __________

 

Destination Bank: __________

 

ABA Number: __________

 

Account Number: __________

 

Reference: __________

 

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that, at the time of and immediately after such Borrowing:

 

(a)       the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in Article III of the Loan Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, other than representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date; provided that where such representations and warranties are already qualified by materiality, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of such Borrowing or such earlier date, as applicable.

 

(b)       No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or shall occur from such Loan or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

 

 
weber-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC, as Borrower
 
     
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO LOAN AGREEMENT,

dated as of December 11, 2022 (this “Amendment”),

among WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

(the “Borrower”), and the LENDERS party hereto.

 

WHEREAS, reference is made to that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2022 (the “Loan Agreement”), among the Borrower and the Lenders from time to time party thereto.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7.06(b) of the Loan Agreement, the Loan Agreement may be amended to extend the Maturity Date of the Initial Loans with the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition (including in the recitals hereto) shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement also apply to this Amendment, mutatis mutandis.

 

SECTION 2. Amendment. Effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below), the definition of the term “Maturity Date” set forth in Section 1.01 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

Maturity Date” shall mean (a) with respect to the Initial Loans, January 29, 2028 and (b) with respect to any Incremental Loans, January 29, 2028 or such later date as may be agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Loans.

 

SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower represents and warrants that on and as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in Article III of the Loan Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date, other than representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date; provided that where such representations and warranties are already qualified by materiality, such representations and warranties are true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date.

 

(b) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or shall occur immediately after giving effect to this Amendment.

 

SECTION 4. Effectiveness of this Amendment. This Amendment shall become effective on the first date (the “Effective Date”) on which each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

 
 

(a) The Lenders shall have received from the Borrower a counterpart of this Amendment signed on behalf of the Borrower, and the Borrower shall have received from the Lenders counterparts of this Amendment signed on behalf of the Lenders.

 

(b) The Lenders shall have received such customary documents and certificates in connection with the effectiveness of this Amendment as the Designated Lender may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower and the authorization of this Amendment, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Designated Lender.

 

(c) The Lenders shall have received a written opinion (addressed to the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of each of (i) Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower, and (ii) Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell LLP, special Delaware counsel to the Borrower, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Designated Lender.

 

(d) All reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Lenders (limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP) incurred in connection with this Amendment shall have been paid by the Borrower.

 

The Designated Lender shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

SECTION 5. Effect of this Amendment. (a) Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Designated Lender or any Lender under the Loan Agreement, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Loan Agreement, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle the Borrower to any other consent to, or any other waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Loan Agreement in similar or different circumstances.

 

(b) On and after the Effective Date, each reference in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement”, “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and words of similar import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, refer to the Loan Agreement, as modified hereby, and each reference to the Loan Agreement shall be deemed to be a reference to the Loan Agreement, as modified hereby.

 

SECTION 6. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or other customary means of transmission (e.g., “PDF”) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Amendment. The words “execution”, “signed”,

 

2

 

“signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to this Amendment and/or any document to be signed in connection with this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 7. No Novation. The Borrower has requested, and the Lenders party hereto have agreed, that the Loan Agreement be, effective from the Effective Date, amended as set forth in this Amendment. Such amendment shall not constitute a novation of any Indebtedness or other obligations owing to the Lenders under the Loan Agreement.

 

SECTION 8. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION, BREACH, ENFORCEMENT OR TERMINATION HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF (OTHER THAN NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1401 AND SECTION 5-1402).

 

SECTION 9. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 10. Headings. The headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Amendment and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Amendment.

 

SECTION 11. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Amendment should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 12. Entire Agreement. This Amendment and the Loan Agreement constitute the entire contract among the parties hereto relative to the subject matter hereof. Any other previous agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Amendment.

 

3

 

SECTION 13. Incorporation by Reference. The provisions of Sections 7.04, 7.08, 7.12 and 7.13 of the Loan Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

4

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC,

 

as the Borrower

 

 
  By  
    /s/ William J. Horton  
    Name: William J. Horton  
    Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

BDT Capital Partners Fund I, L.P.,

 

as the Designated Lender and as a Lender

 

 
  By  
    /s/ Mary Ann Todd  
    Name: Mary Ann Todd  
    Title: Secretary & General Counsel  

 

 

BDT Capital Partners Fund I-A, L.P.,

 

as a Lender

 

 
  By  
    /s/ Mary Ann Todd  
    Name: Mary Ann Todd  
    Title: Secretary & General Counsel  

 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement]

5

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

amendment NO. 1 to the TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 1 (this “Amendment”) to that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2021 (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), by and among Weber Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “PubCo”), Weber HoldCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (and a continuation of the Weber-Stephen Products, LLC partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) (“OpCo”), BDT WSP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), and the other parties identified thereto (each, excluding PubCo, a “TRA Party” and together the “TRA Parties”), is made and entered into by the Requisite Parties (as defined below) on December 11, 2022. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, PubCo and the TRA Parties entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement as of August 9, 2021;

 

WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, PubCo has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof, by and among PubCo, Ribeye Parent, LLC and Ribeye Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), whereby Merger Sub shall merge with and into PubCo;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7.6(b) of the Tax Receivable Agreement, (a) the Tax Receivable Agreement may be amended or modified by a written instrument signed by each of PubCo and the TRA Parties who would be entitled to receive at least a majority of the total amount of the Early Termination Payments payable to all TRA Parties under the Tax Receivable Agreement if PubCo had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any TRA Party pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange) (the “Requisite Parties”) and (b) PubCo, Holdings and Byron D. Trott are the Requisite Parties as of the date hereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the Requisite Parties wish to amend and modify the Tax Receivable Agreement as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Requisite Parties agree as follows:

 

1.Amendment. The following is hereby added to Article IV of the Tax Receivables Agreement as a new Section 4.4 of the Tax Receivables Agreement:

 

“Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary in this Agreement (including the first proviso in the first sentence of Section 4.1(a)), this Agreement shall automatically terminate in full without any payment (including any Tax Benefit Payment under Section 3.1 or any Early Termination Payment under Section 4.1) to or from any party hereto, upon the consummation of the merger of Ribeye Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) with and into PubCo (the “Merger”) pursuant to that certain

 

 

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 11, 2022, by and among PubCo, Merger Sub and Ribeye Parent, LLC, as may be amended from time to time pursuant to its terms (the “Merger Agreement”). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the execution of the Merger Agreement nor the consummation of the Merger shall constitute a Change of Control and no payment (including any Tax Benefit Payment under Section 3.01 or any Early Termination Payment under Section 4.01) to or from any party hereto shall be made as a result thereof.”

 

2.Effect of Amendment. Upon the execution and delivery of this Amendment by the Requisite Parties, this Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof pursuant to Section 7.6(b) of the Tax Receivable Agreement, and binding upon and enforceable against the other TRA Parties. This Amendment shall not constitute an amendment or modification of any other provision of the Tax Receivable Agreement not expressly referred to in Section 1 of this Amendment. Except as specifically modified and amended hereby, the Tax Receivable Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. References in the Tax Receivable Agreement to “this Agreement”, “herein”, “hereunder”, “hereto”, “hereof” and words of similar import shall refer to the Tax Receivable Agreement as amended hereby, and references to the date of the Tax Receivable Agreement, and references to the “date hereof”, “the date of this Agreement” or words of similar meaning in the Tax Receivable Agreement, shall continue to refer to August 9, 2021.

 

3.Miscellaneous. The provisions of Sections 7.1 (Notices), 7.2 (Counterparts), 7.3 (Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries), 7.4 (Governing Law), 7.5 (Severability), 7.6 (Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers), 7.7 (Titles and Subtitles), 7.8 (Resolution of Disputes) and 7.12 (Confidentiality) of the Tax Receivable Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis, and shall be binding upon PubCo and the TRA Parties.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  WEBER inc.
   
   
  /s/ Alan Matula
  Name:   Alan Matula  
  Title:   Interim Chief Executive Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to TRA]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

BDT WSP HOLDINGS, LLC,

   
   
  By: BDT Capital Partners, LLC, its managing member
   
   
  By: /s/ Mary Ann Todd
    Name: Mary Ann Todd
    Title: Partner and General Counsel

 

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to TRA]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  BYRON D. TROTT
     
     
  By: /s/ Byron D. Trott
   

Name: Byron D. Trott

 

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to TRA]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4 

 

FIRST AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) dated as of December 11, 2022 to the AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF WEBER HOLDCO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has been heretofore formed as a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. §18-101, et seq.) pursuant to a certificate of formation which was executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 27, 2021;

 

WHEREAS, the Company is currently governed by that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of August 9, 2021 (the “LLC Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, Weber Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Pubco”), has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Pubco, Ribeye Parent, LLC and Ribeye Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), whereby Merger Sub shall merge with and into Pubco;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 13.10(a) of the LLC Agreement, (a) the LLC Agreement may be amended or modified by a written instrument signed by each of the Members who together own a majority in interest of the Units then outstanding (the “Requisite Parties”) and (b) BDT WSP Holdings, LLC and Byron D. Trott are the Requisite Parties as of the date hereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the Requisite Parties wish to amend and modify the LLC Agreement as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Requisite Parties agree as follows:

 

A.           AMENDMENTS

 

1.     Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the LLC Agreement.

 

2.     Redemption Right of a Member. The first sentence of Section 10.01(a) of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

 

“(a) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Agreement but subject to the terms of Section 10.02, Section 10.05(d), Section 10.09, Section 10.11 and/or any other agreement between such Member and the Company, Pubco or any of their controlled Affiliates, and without the need for approval by the Managing Member or consent by any other Members, each Member (other than the Pubco Members) shall be entitled to cause the Company to redeem (a “Redemption,” and, together with a Direct Exchange, as defined below, an “Exchange”) all or any portion of its Units (the “Redemption Right”)

 

  

 

at any time following the expiration of any contractual lock-up period relating to the shares of Pubco that may be applicable to such Member; provided that the Managing Member may force a Member to exercise its Redemption Right at any time following the expiration of such contractual lock-up period if such member holds fewer than 100,000 Common Units.”

 

3.     Tender Offers and Other Events with Respect to Pubco. The following is hereby added to Section 10.05 of the LLC Agreement as a new clause (d):

 

“(d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement (including Section 10.05(a)), the merger of Ribeye Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) with and into Pubco (the “Merger”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 11, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Pubco, Ribeye Parent, LLC and Merger Sub, shall not be a Pubco Offer for any purpose under this Agreement and from and after the execution of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of (i) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms and (ii) the consummation of the Merger, no Member shall be entitled to exercise any Redemption Right under Section 10.01 (including following a Profits Unit Exchange) except as provided in this Section 10.05(d). Each holder of Common Units shall be permitted to participate in the Merger (including following a Profits Unit Exchange) in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement by delivery of a notice of participation (a “Participation Notice”) on or prior to the date that is 11 days after Pubco first files the preliminary Information Statement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) with the SEC. Each Participation Notice shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be contingent upon the consummation of the Merger and not be effective if the Merger is not consummated) and shall set forth the number of Common Units in respect of which the holder wishes to participate in the Merger. Immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, the Company shall redeem from each holder of Common Units who timely delivered a Participation Notice the number of Common Units set forth therein in exchange for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock and, upon the consummation of the Merger, such shares of Class A Common Stock will be converted into a right to receive Merger Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement) pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.”

 

B.            MISCELLANEOUS

 

1.     Binding Effect. Upon the execution and delivery of this Amendment by the Requisite Parties, this Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof. This Amendment shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable against, the Members and their respective successors and assigns.

 

2.     Counterparts. This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Until and unless each Requisite Party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other Requisite Party, this Amendment shall have no effect and no Requisite

 

  

 

Party shall have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any other oral or written agreement or other communication).

 

3.    Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Amendment is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Amendment shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the Requisite Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Amendment so as to effect the original intent of the Requisite Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

4.    Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such State that would result in the application of the laws of any other State.

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed and delivered this Amendment as of the date of this Amendment.

 

  BDT WSP Holdings, LLC
         
  By:   BDT Capital Partners, LLC, its managing member
       
       
    /s/ Mary Ann Todd
    Name: Mary Ann Todd
    Title: Partner & General Counsel

 

 

  BYRON D. TROTT
     
     
  By: /s/ Byron D. Trott
   

Name: Byron D. Trott

 

 

[Signature Page – Amendment to Weber Holdco LLCA]

 

  

 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

 

 

WEBER INC. TO BE TAKEN PRIVATE BY BDT CAPITAL PARTNERS FOR $8.05 PER SHARE 

 

Unanimously Recommended by Special Committee of the Weber Board of Directors

 

Agreed Price to Deliver 60% Premium and Certainty of Value for Minority Class A Shareholders

 

Approved $350 Million Unsecured Loan from BDT Capital Further Enhances Company’s Liquidity

 

PALATINE, Ill – December 12, 2022 – Weber Inc. (NYSE: WEBR) (“Weber” or the “Company”), the global leader in outdoor cooking innovation, technology and products, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which investment funds managed by BDT Capital Partners LLC (“BDT”) will purchase all of the outstanding Class A Shares that they do not already own, for $8.05 per share of Class A common stock of Weber (“Class A Share”), which implies a total enterprise value of $3.7 billion for Weber.

 

The purchase price represents a premium of 60% to the closing price of the Class A Shares on October 24, 2022, the last trading day before BDT submitted a non-binding acquisition proposal to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and Weber disclosed the receipt of such proposal.

 

A special committee (the “Special Committee”) of the Board, comprised solely of independent directors, advised by its own independent financial and legal advisors, determined that the proposed transaction is in the best interests of the holders of Class A Shares other than BDT and unanimously recommended that the Board approve the transaction. Acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, Weber’s Board approved the transaction.

 

“We appreciate the Special Committee’s comprehensive evaluation of BDT’s offer and are confident that this transaction provides immediate and fair value to Weber minority shareholders,” said interim Weber CEO Alan Matula. “For over a decade, BDT has been a longstanding strategic partner for Weber. With their continued support, our global team will move forward in executing our long-term strategy with consumers and customers as our top priorities. And we’ll continue to sharpen our focus on doing what we do best: delivering the outdoor cooking industry's most innovative, best-performing, highest-quality products and engaging millions worldwide who love to gather together and cook outside.”

 

“Weber is the #1 brand and global category leader in outdoor cooking, and it has demonstrated a relentless commitment to quality and innovation over its 70-year history. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the company and the founding Stephen family in its next chapter,” said Kelly Rainko, BDT Partner and Non-Executive Chair of the Board of Weber.

 

Upon completion of the transaction, Weber will become a privately held company majority owned by investment funds managed by BDT.

 

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions, including HSR clearance. The transaction has been approved by the written consent of the holders of the requisite number of shares of common stock of Weber, such that no additional stockholder approval is required.

 

In connection with the transaction, BDT managed investment funds will provide Weber with an additional unsecured loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $350 million. Weber intends to

 

 

utilize the loan for general corporate purposes including repaying existing indebtedness, continuing to make necessary investments in capital expenditures that support new product initiatives, and funding working capital for the upcoming 2023 outdoor cooking season. The previous loan agreement that Weber entered into with BDT managed investment funds on November 8, 2022, will remain outstanding.

 

ADVISORS

 

Centerview Partners LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to the Special Committee and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as the Special Committee’s outside legal advisor. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal counsel to Weber. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is acting as legal counsel to BDT.

 

ABOUT WEBER INC.

 

The Company, headquartered in Palatine, Ill., is the world’s leading barbecue brand. The Company’s founder George Stephen, Sr., established the outdoor cooking category when he invented the original kettle charcoal grill 70 years ago. The Company offers a comprehensive, innovative product portfolio, including charcoal, gas, pellet and electric grills, smokers, and accessories designed to help outdoor cooking enthusiasts discover what’s possible. The Company offers its barbecue grills and accessories, services, and experiences to a passionate community of millions across 78 countries.

 

ABOUT BDT CAPITAL PARTNERS

 

Established in 2009, BDT Capital Partners provides family- and founder-led businesses with long-term, differentiated capital through its investment funds. The firm has deployed more than $30 billion in capital, including co-investments by its global investor base. The firm’s affiliate, BDT & Company, is a merchant bank that works with family- and founder-led businesses to pursue their strategic and financial objectives, providing solutions-based advice as well as access to a world-class network of business owners and leaders. For more information, visit www.bdtcapital.com.

 

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

 

This communication is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements in this communication may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which Weber operates and beliefs of and assumptions made by Weber management, involve uncertainties that could significantly affect the financial condition, results of operations, business plans and the future performance of Weber. Words such as "approximately," "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "future," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "will" and similar terms and phrases are

 

 

intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this communication are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that Weber is expecting, including, among others:

 

·risks associated with transactions generally, such as the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, any required regulatory approvals or other consents;

 

·the failure to consummate or delay in consummating the transaction for other reasons;

 

·the risk that a condition to closing of the transaction may not be satisfied;

 

·the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement;

 

·the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted following announcement of the merger;

 

·failure to obtain the financing required to consummate the transaction;

 

·failure to retain key management and employees of Weber;

 

·unfavorable reaction to the transaction by customers, competitors, suppliers and employees;

 

·unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities or the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as Weber management's response to any of the aforementioned factors; and

 

·additional factors discussed in Weber’s filings with the SEC.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this communication are only predictions based on Weber management’s current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause Weber’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Weber’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended September 30, 2021, and in Weber’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Our future results could be affected by a variety of other factors, including: uncertainty of the magnitude, duration, geographic reach, impact on the global economy and current and potential travel restrictions of the COVID-19 outbreak; the current, and uncertain future, impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business, growth, reputation, prospects, financial condition, operating results (including components of our financial results), and cash flows and liquidity; risks relating to any unforeseen changes to or effects on liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits and synergies from business acquisitions in the amounts and at the times expected; the impact of competitive conditions; the effectiveness of pricing, advertising, and promotional programs; the success of innovation, renovation and new product introductions; the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles; the success of productivity improvements and business transitions; commodity and energy prices; transportation costs; labor costs; disruptions or inefficiencies in supply chain; the availability of and interest rates on short-term and long-term financing; the levels of spending on systems initiatives, properties, business opportunities, integration of acquired businesses, and other general and administrative costs; changes in consumer behavior and preferences; the effect of U.S. and foreign economic conditions on items such as interest rates, statutory tax rates, currency conversion and availability; legal and regulatory factors including the

 

 

impact of any product recalls; and business disruption or other losses from war, pandemic, terrorist acts or political unrest.

 

Except as required by law, Weber undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

 

Weber will prepare and file an information statement on Schedule 14C for its stockholders with respect to the approval of the transaction described herein. When completed, the information statement will be mailed to Weber's stockholders. In addition, certain participants in the transaction will prepare and file with the SEC a Schedule 13E-3 Transaction Statement, which will contain important information on Weber, BDT, the transaction and related matters, including the terms and conditions of the transaction. You may obtain copies of all documents filed by Weber with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov or from Weber's website at https://investors.weber.com/.

 

Stockholders of Weber are urged to read all relevant documents filed with the SEC, including the Schedule 14C and the Schedule 13E-3 Transaction Statement, as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, carefully when they become available because they will contain important information about the transaction.

 

CONTACTS

 

For BDT Capital Partners:

Sara Evans / Matthew Glasser

T: (312) 529-6548 / (312) 385-2883

E: communications@bdtcap.com

 

For Weber’s Special Committee:
Steve Lipin / Felipe Ucrós
Gladstone Place Partners
(212) 230-5930