MEMBER UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

among

 

A4 Construction Services, Inc.

 

Alpine 4 Technologies, Ltd.

 

and

 

Mr. Mark Bell

 

 

Dated as of ___/___/2020

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

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MEMBER UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Stock Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of February 21 2020 (the “Effective Date”) by and among A4 Construction Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Alpine 4 Technologies, Ltd. (the “Buyer”), Excel Fabrication, LLC., an Idaho Limited Liability Company (EFL) and Mark Bell ( “Seller”), The Buyer, the Seller, and the Company’s may each be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

 

The Seller owns all of the outstanding equity and units of the Company’s, herein referred to as any of the following (Equity, Units, Stock or Shares) which operate under the business names of Excel Fabrication, LLC. which is engaged in the business to industrial maintenance and other contract metal fabrication (such business operations as conducted on the Closing Date, consistent with past practice, are hereinafter referred to as the “Business”).  Pursuant to this Agreement, the Buyer hereby agrees to purchase from the Seller, and the Seller hereby agrees to sell to the Buyer, all of the outstanding capital stock and units of the Company’s for the consideration and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

“Accounts Payable” means all trade payables and other accounts payable, including accrued expenses, owed by a Company’s.

 

“Accounts Receivable” means, with respect to each Company’s, all trade accounts and other accounts receivables owed to a Company’s.

 

 “Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person.  The term “control” means (a) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to vote 50% or more of the securities or other equity interests of a Person having ordinary voting power, (b) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of a Person, by contract or otherwise, or (c) being a director, officer, executor, trustee or fiduciary (or their equivalents) of a Person or a Person that controls such Person.  With respect to a Person who is an individual, “control” by the spouse of such Person, or by any ancestor or descendant of such Person or such Person’s spouse who resides in the same house as such Person, shall be deemed control by such Person.

 “Affiliated Group” means an affiliated group as defined in Code Section 1504 (or any analogous combined, consolidated or unitary group defined under state, local or foreign income Tax law).

 

“Appurtenances” means all privileges, rights, easements, hereditaments and appurtenances belonging to or for the benefit of the Real Property, including all easements appurtenant to and for the benefit of the Real Property for, and as the primary means of access between, the Real Property and a public way, or for any other use upon which lawful use of the Real Property for the purposes for which it is presently being used is dependent, and all rights existing in and to any streets, alleys, passages and other rights-of-way included thereon or adjacent thereto (before or after vacation thereof) and vaults beneath any such streets.

“Assets” means the assets of [the Company’s].

 

“Balance Sheet” means the balance sheets of the Company’s as of June 30, 2019, all of which are attached to Schedule 4.5.

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a Federal public holiday.

 

“Buyer Material Adverse Effect” means any result, occurrence, fact, change, event or effect that would be or could reasonably be expected to be, either individually or in the aggregate (taking into account all other results, occurrences, facts, changes, events or effects), materially adverse to the business of the Buyer, capitalization, financial condition, operating results, or operations of the Buyer, taken as a whole, or to the ability to timely consummate the Transactions.

 

 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Company’s” or “Company’s” means, individually or collectively, Excel Fabrication, LLC

 

“Company’s Benefit Plan” means each Employee benefit Plan (as defined below) that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any Company’s or any of its ERISA Affiliates, or with respect to which any Company’s or any of its ERISA Affiliates has any direct or indirect obligation to make contributions or with respect to which such Company’s or any of its ERISA Affiliates has or could incur any liability.

 

“Confidential Information” means information concerning the Business or the affairs of the Company’s, including information relating to customers, clients, suppliers, distributors, investors, lenders, consultants, independent contractors or employees, customer and supplier lists, price lists and pricing policies, cost information, financial statements and information, budgets and projections, business plans, production costs, market research, marketing plans and proposals, sales and distribution strategies, processes and business methods, technical information, pending projects and proposals, new business plans and initiatives, research and development projects, inventions, discoveries, ideas, technologies, trade secrets, know-how, formulae, technical data, designs, patterns, marks, names, improvements, industrial designs, mask works, compositions, works of authorship and other Intellectual Property, devices, samples, plans, drawings and specifications, photographs and digital images, computer software and programming, all other confidential information and materials relating to the Business or affairs of any Company’s, and all notes, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries, reports, manuals, documents and other materials prepared by or for any Company’s containing or based in whole or in part on any of the foregoing, whether in verbal, written, graphic, electronic or any other form and whether or not conceived, developed or prepared in whole or in part by any Company’s.

 

“Consent” means any consent, approval, authorization, permission or waiver.

 “Contract” means any contract, obligation, understanding, commitment, lease, license, purchase order, work order, bid or other agreement, whether written or oral and whether express or implied, together with all amendments and other modifications thereto.

 

 “Customer” means any Person who is or was a customer or client of the Company’s on the date of this Agreement or during the 12-month period prior to such date.

 

“Employee benefit Plan” means, whether written or unwritten, any (a) qualified or nonqualified Employee Pension benefit Plan or deferred compensation or retirement plan or arrangement, (b) Employee Welfare benefit Plan, (c) equity-based plan or arrangement (including any stock option, stock purchase, stock ownership, stock appreciation or restricted stock plan) or material fringe benefit or other incentive plan or arrangement, or (d) employment, consulting, bonus, incentive, vacation, sick leave, severance, termination, retention, change of control, profit-sharing, disability, medical, life insurance, scholarship or tuition reimbursement, fringe benefit or other similar plan, program, agreement, payroll practice or commitment.

 

“Employee Pension benefit Plan” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 3(2), whether or not such plan is subject to ERISA.

 

“Employee Welfare benefit Plan” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 3(1), whether or not such plan is subject to ERISA.

 

“Encumbrance” means any lien, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, charge, security interest, adverse or other claim, community property interest, condition, equitable interest, option, warrant, right of first refusal, easement, profit, license, servitude, right of way, covenant, zoning or other restriction of any kind or nature.

 

“Environmental Law” means any Law relating to the environment, health or safety, including any Law relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, management, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, release, threatened release, control or cleanup of any material, substance or waste limited or regulated by any Governmental Body.

 

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

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity, trade or business that is a member of a group described in Code Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) or ERISA Section 4001(b)(l) that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a member of the same “controlled group” as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to ERISA Section 4001(a)(14), without regard to whether or not each such entity, trade or business is subject to the Code or ERISA.

 

 “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as set forth in pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (and its predecessors) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and, unless otherwise specified, as in effect on the date hereof or, with respect to any financial statements prepared prior to the date hereof, the date such financial statements were prepared.

 

“Governmental Body” means any federal, state, local or other government or quasi-governmental authority or any department, agency, subdivision, court or other tribunal of any of the foregoing.

 

“Hazardous Substance” means any existing, stored or transported material, substance or waste that is limited or regulated by any Governmental Body or, even if not so limited or regulated, could pose a hazard to the health or safety of the occupants of the Real Property or adjacent properties or any property or facility formerly owned, leased or used by EFL.  The term includes asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum products and all materials, substances and wastes regulated under any Environmental Law.

 “Improvements” means all buildings, structures, fixtures and improvements located on the Real Property or otherwise included in the Assets, including those under construction.

“Indebtedness” means as to any Person at any time: (a) obligations of such Person for borrowed money; (b) obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other similar instruments; (c) obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (including obligations under noncompete, consulting or similar arrangements), except trade accounts payable of such Person arising in the Ordinary Course of Business that are not past due by more than 90 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and for which adequate reserves have been established on the financial statements of such Person; (d) any indebtedness arising under capitalized leases, conditional sales Contracts or other similar title retention instruments; (e) indebtedness or other obligations of others directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person; (f) obligations secured by an Encumbrance existing on any property or asset owned by such Person; (g) reimbursement obligations of such Person relating to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, surety or other bonds or similar instruments; (h) Liabilities of such Person relating to unfunded, vested benefits under any Employee Benefit Plan (excluding obligations to deliver stock pursuant to stock options or stock ownership plans); (i) net payment obligations incurred by such Person pursuant to any hedging agreement; (j) all liabilities under any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement or other similar agreement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates; and (k) all interest, fees and other expenses owed with respect to indebtedness described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (j).

 

“Intellectual Property” means, with respect to the Company’s, all (a) inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), improvements thereto, and patents, patent applications, and patent disclosures, together with re-issuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions and reexaminations thereof; (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, and corporate names, together with translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations thereof and including goodwill associated therewith, and applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith; (c) copyrightable works, copyrights, and applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith; (d) mask works and applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith; (e) trade secrets and Confidential Information; (f) computer software, in object and source code format (including data and related documentation); (g) plans, drawings, architectural plans and specifications; (h) websites; (i) other proprietary rights; and (j) copies and tangible embodiments and expressions (in whatever form or medium) of any of the foregoing, including all improvements and modifications thereto and derivative works thereof.

 

“IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

“Knowledge” of any Person means (a) the actual knowledge of such Person or (b) the knowledge that a reasonable Person should have after reasonable inquiry of employees, directors and officers of such Person (in the case of a legal entity).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, references to the “Seller’ Knowledge” and “Company’s’s Knowledge” mean the actual knowledge of the Seller.

 

“Law” means any federal, state, local, or other law, statute, ordinance, regulation, rule, regulatory or administrative guidance, Order, constitution, principle of common law or other restriction of any Governmental Body.

 “Liability” means any liability, obligation or commitment of any kind or nature, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due.

 

“Long-Term Liability” means each Liability of the Company’s or a Company’s identified on Schedule 2.2(b), also referred to as Non-Permitted Encumbrances.

 

“Loss” means any loss, claim, demand, Order, damage (excluding, with respect to indemnification claims between Seller and Buyer (and not with respect to indemnification claims involving third parties), consequential damages), penalty, fine, cost, settlement payment, Liability, Tax, Encumbrance, expense, fee, court costs or reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means any result, occurrence, fact, change, event or effect that would be or could reasonably be expected to be, either individually or in the aggregate (taking into account all other results, occurrences, facts, changes, events or effects), materially adverse to the Business, assets, Liabilities, capitalization, financial condition, operating results, or operations of the Company’s, taken as a whole, or to the ability of the Company’s and the Seller to timely consummate the Transactions, except to the extent resulting from (a) changes in general local, domestic, foreign, or international economic conditions, (b) changes affecting generally the industries or markets in which the Company’s operates, (c) acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, military actions or the escalation thereof, (d) any changes in applicable laws or accounting rules or principles, including changes in GAAP, (e) changes due to compliance by Seller or the Company’s with the terms of, or the taking of any action contemplated or permitted by, this Agreement, or (f) the announcement of the Transactions.

 

“Order” means any order, award, decision, injunction, judgment, ruling, decree, charge, writ, subpoena or verdict entered, issued, made or rendered by any Governmental Body or arbitrator.

 

“Organizational Documents” means (a) the certificate or articles of incorporation and bylaws, (b) any documents comparable to those described in clause (a) as may be applicable pursuant to any Law and (c) any amendment or modification to any of the foregoing.

 

“Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary course of the conduct of the Business by the Company’s, consistent with past operating practices.

 

“Party” means the Buyer, the Company’s and the Seller.

 

“Permit” means any permitor Consent issued by any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Law.

 

“Permitted Encumbrance” means (a) any mechanic’s, materialmen’s or similar statutory lien incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business for monies not yet due, (b) any lien for Taxes not yet due, (c) any purchase money lien or lien securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements to the extent related to the assets purchased or leased or related to inventory, and (d) any lien set forth on Schedule 4.8.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability Company’s, partnership, Company’s, sole proprietorship, joint venture, trust, estate, association, organization, labor union, Governmental Body or other entity.

 

“Proceeding” means any proceeding, charge, complaint, claim, demand, notice, action, suit, litigation, hearing, audit, investigation, arbitration or mediation (in each case, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or informal) commenced, conducted, heard or pending by or before any Governmental Body, arbitrator or mediator.

 “Real Property” means collectively, (A) the real estate owned by EFL, and all the Improvements located thereon and Appurtenances thereto, located at (i) ______________________________________________

 

“Related Person” means (a) with respect to a specified individual, any member of such individual’s Family and any Affiliate of any member of such individual’s Family, and (b) with respect to a specified Person other than an individual, any Affiliate of such Person and any member of the Family of any such Affiliates that are individuals.  The “Family” of a specified individual means the individual, such individual’s spouse and former spouses, any other individual who is related to the specified individual or such individual’s spouse or former spouse within the third degree of consanguinity, and any other individual who resides with the specified individual.

 

“Representative” means, with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, employee, agent, consultant, advisor or other representative of such Person, including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Share” or “Shares” means any issued and outstanding share of common stock, unit, or equity interest, no par value, of each Company’s, as applicable.

 

“Tax” means (A) any federal, state, local, foreign or other income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, general service, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated or other tax of any kind whatsoever, however denominated, or computed, and including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not; (B) Liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (A) arising as a result of being (or ceasing to be) a member of any Affiliated Group (or being included (or required to be included) in any Tax Return relating thereto); and (C) Liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (A) or (B) as a transferee or successor, by Contract or from any express or implied obligation to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Liability of any other Person.

 

“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or other document or statement relating to Taxes, including any form, schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment or supplement thereof.

 

“Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Consulting Agreement, the Note, the Security Agreement, and all other written agreements, documents and certificates contemplated by any of the foregoing documents.

 

2.2 Purchase Price.

 

(a) The total consideration for the Shares shall be $5,500,000 (the “Purchase Price”), which is the sum of the Cash Consideration paid at Closing, by wire transfer of  immediately available funds to the accounts designated by Seller, and the Promissory Note Consideration delivered at Closing pursuant to Sections (2.2.)

 

(b) The “Cash Consideration” shall be $2,600,000, less any Long-Term Liability of Excel Fabrication, satisfied by Buyer at Closing, as set forth in Schedule 2.2(b) which shall be allocated to the Seller as follows: 100% to Mark Bell.

 

(c) “Note Consideration” A Long-Term Note will be issued in favor of Seller only, from Excel Fabrication, LLC. and shall consist of a Secured Promissory Note to Mark Bell in the amount of $2,300,000. (the “Note/s”), in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto, secured by a subordinated security interest in the assets listed in Exhibit C of the Company’s (the “Security Agreement”) in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit D hereto. The Parties agree that the terms of the Notes shall include the following: (i) the Notes shall be secured by a subordinated security interest in the Assets of the Company’s with a Subordination Agreement in Exhibit E; (ii) the principal shall bear interest at 4.25%; (iii) the Notes will be amortized over 10 years and have a balloon payment on the 36 month anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement, (iv) the Notes will be guaranteed by the Buyer.

 

(d)             “Accounts Receivables Carve Out” Buyer shall carve out $600,000 of the AR that is over 90 days as of the Balance Sheet Date of June 30^th 2019 and shall be paid to Mark Bell as it comes into the Company’s.

 

(e) “Royalty Payment”.  Company shall pay Seller a royalty payment for 5 years on any sales in excess of $7,000,000 at the following schedule:

 

(e)            “Real Estate”  The real estate located at 297 Wycoff Cir, Twin Falls, ID 83301 is considered a part of the business purchase of Company by Buyer and Seller warrants and guarantees that the real estate has been properly deeded to Company.

 

2.3 Closing.  Buyer has had until and through the Closing Date (defined below), in which to conduct due diligence (the "Due Diligence Period"). Seller provided Buyer with all documents and information concerning the Business and the Assets as Buyer requested, including without limitation all ledgers and financial statements, income documentation, sales history, sales tax records, client records, client and prospective client lists, employee salaries and benefits, and all other pertinent documents, in each case, to the extent requested throughout the Due Diligence Period by Buyer to objectively evaluate the Business.  Following such Due Diligence Period, the closing of the Transactions (the “Closing”) to be performed on the Closing Date will take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures as the Buyer and the Seller may mutually determine (the “Closing Date”).  The sale, assignment, transfer and conveyance to the Buyer of the Shares will be deemed effective as 12:01 a.m. on the Closing Date.  All actions to be taken and all documents to be executed or delivered at the Closing will be deemed to have been taken, executed, and delivered simultaneously.  The payment of the Purchase Price shall occur at the Closing as set forth in Section 2.2.

 

2.4 Non-Compete.  In connection with the purchase of the Shares by the Buyer, Seller hereby agree that for a period of five (5) years from the Closing Date, Seller shall not accept employment with or render any service to, or acquire or own, directly or indirectly, any ownership interest, any direct competitor of EFL or create or engage in creating or conducting a competing business in mechanical contracting anywhere within the geographic area in which EFL conducts Business or provides services during the time of Seller’ consulting or other business relationship with EFL; provided, however, that the Parties agree that if there occurs an Event of Default under the Notes or the Supplemental Notes, subject to all applicable cures set forth in the Notes and Supplemental Notes, the non-compete described in this Section 2.4 shall become void and of no further force or effect.

 

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER

 

Each Seller represents and warrants to the Buyer, severally and not jointly, that the following representations are true and complete as of the Closing Date:

 

3.1 Authority.  Each Seller has full power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which such Seller is a party and to perform the Seller’ obligations thereunder.  This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon the execution and delivery by each Seller of each Transaction Document to which such Seller is a party, such Transaction Document will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of Seller enforceable against Seller in accordance with the terms of such Transaction Document.

 

3.2 Share Ownership.  Each Seller owns of record and beneficially the number of Shares set forth in Section 2.1 above, free and clear of any Encumbrance or restriction on transfer (other than any restriction under any securities Law).  No Seller is a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, right of first refusal, call, put or other Contract (other than this Agreement) that could require such Seller to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Shares.  At the Closing, each Seller will have duly transferred to the Buyer all of such Seller’s Shares, free and clear of any Encumbrance, and such Shares (in the aggregate) shall constitute 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the Company’s.

 

3.3 No Conflicts.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Transactions will, directly or indirectly, with or without notice or lapse of time:  (a) violate any Law to which any Seller, or any Seller’s Shares, is subject; (b) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or give any Person the right to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, modify or exercise any remedy under, any Contract to which any Seller is a party or by which any Seller is bound or to which any of Seller’ Shares are subject or the performance of which is guaranteed by any Seller; or (c) result in the imposition of any Encumbrance on any of Seller’ Shares.  No Seller need notify, make any filing with, or obtain any Consent of, any Person in order to perform the Transactions.

 

3.4 Litigation.  There is no Proceeding pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened or anticipated against Seller relating to or affecting the Transactions.

 

3.5 Brokers’ Fees.  No Seller has engaged, and to the Seller’s Knowledge, there are no and is not aware of any brokers, finders or agents entitled to any similar fee, commission or related payments with respect to the Transactions for which the Buyer or the Company’s could be liable, other than Eclipse Consulting.

 

3.6   Asset and Liability Identification: Parties understand that all Equity (and therefore Assets and Liabilities) of the Seller shall transfer to the Buyer at close, and Buyer recognizes and agrees that [A] intellectual property shall be restricted to HVAC sheet metal manufacturing and installation only, and shall not include any intellectual property involved with any other business operations or services outside of typical HVAC sheet metal industry work. The Long-Term Liabilities of the Seller will be paid off at close by Seller and consist of:

 

LIST SCHEUDLE HERE OF ITEMS Mark is Keeping

 

2019 GMC 3500 Pick Up

 

Personal Items in his Office (not included in Asset List)

 

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY’S

 

The Seller, jointly and severally, and each Company’s, individually and with respect to itself, represent and warrant to the Buyer as follows:

 

4.1 Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power.  Schedule 4.1 sets forth the Company’s’ jurisdictions of incorporation/organization, the other jurisdictions in which each is qualified to do business, and their directors, officers and managers.  EFL is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. EFL is a Limited Liability Company Company’s are duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.  The Company’s are duly qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and the laws of each jurisdiction where such qualification is required.  Each Company’s has full corporate power and authority to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged, to own and use the properties and assets that it purports to own or use and to perform its obligations.  No Company’s currently maintains, nor has at any time in the past maintained, employees or assets of any kind in any jurisdiction outside of the United States, except as set forth on Schedule 4.1. The Company’s have delivered to the Buyer correct and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Company’s.  No Company’s is in violation of any of its Organizational Documents.  The minute books, the stock certificate books and the stock ledger of each Company’s, as applicable,  in each case as delivered or made available to the Buyer, are correct and complete.  No Company’s has, within the last five (5) years, (i) used any trade names or assumed names other than the trade names or assumed names set forth on Schedule 4.1 or (ii) operated any business other than the Business, except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.

 

4.2 Capitalization.  The entire authorized equity interests of the Company’s are as follows:

 

All such outstanding shares and capital units are owned of record and beneficially by the Seller as identified in Section 2.1 above, and there are no other owners or holders of shares of any of the Company’s.  All of the outstanding capital stock and capital units, as applicable, of each Company’s have been duly authorized and is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  There are no outstanding securities convertible or exchangeable into capital stock or capital units of any Company’s or any options, warrants, purchase rights, subscription rights, preemptive rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, calls, puts, rights of first refusal or other Contracts that could require any Company’s to issue, sell or otherwise cause to become outstanding or to acquire, repurchase or redeem capital stock or capital units, as applicable, of any Company’s.  There is no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect to any Company’s.  No Company’s has violated any securities Law in connection with the offer, sale or issuance of any of its capital stock or other equity or debt securities.  There are no voting trusts, proxies or other Contracts relating to the voting of the capital stock or capital units, as applicable, of any Company’s. The Company’s do not control or own, directly or indirectly, any equity or profits interests in any Person or have the power, directly or indirectly, to elect any Persons to the board of directors or comparable governing body of any other Person.

 

4.3 Authority.  Each Company’s has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which such Company’s is a party, and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder.  The execution, delivery and performance by the Company’s of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which each is a party have been duly authorized by the board of directors or members, as applicable, of the Company’s.  This Agreement and each Transaction Document to which a Company’s is a party constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Company’s, enforceable against such Company’s in accordance with the terms thereof.  Upon the execution and delivery by the Company’s of each Transaction Document to which a Company’s is a party, such Transaction Document will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Company’s enforceable against the Company’s in accordance with the terms of such Transaction Document.  EFL holds a number of Permits which allow it to operate in various states, including Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Washington the “State Permits”).  Such State Permits are based solely on the qualifications of certain current employees of EFL whose names are set forth on Schedule 4.3.

 

4.4 No Conflicts.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Transactions will, directly or indirectly, with or without notice or lapse of time:  (a) violate any Law to which the Company’s or any asset owned or used by the Company’s is subject; (b) violate any Permit held by a Company’s or give any Governmental Body the right to terminate, revoke, suspend or modify any Permit held by a Company’s; (c) violate any Organizational Document of the Company’s; (d) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or give any Person the right to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, modify or exercise any remedy under, any Material Contract; (e) cause the Buyer or any Company’s to have any Liability for any Tax; or (f) result in the imposition of any Encumbrance upon any asset owned or used by any Company’s.  The Company’s do not need to notify, make any filing with, or obtain any Consent of any Person in order to perform the Transactions.

 

4.5 Financial Statements.

 

(a) INTENTIONALLY DELTED

 

(b) The Company’s’ books and records maintained in the ordinary course of business (including all financial records, business records, customer lists, and records pertaining to products or services delivered to customers) (i) are complete and correct in all material respects and all transactions to which it is or has been a party are accurately reflected therein in all material respects on an accrual basis, (ii) reflect all material discounts, returns and allowances granted by it with respect to the periods covered thereby, (iii) have been maintained in accordance with reasonable business practices in its industry, (iv) form the basis for the Financial Statements with respect to the Company’s and (v) reflect in all material respects the assets, liabilities, financial position, results of operations and cash flows of it on an accrual basis.  The Company’s’ management information systems are adequate for the preservation of relevant information and the preparation of accurate reports.

 

(c) To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, there are no events of fraud, whether or not material, that involve management or other employees of the Company’s who have a significant role in the Company’s’ financial reporting and/or relate to the Business.

 

4.6 Absence of Certain Changes.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.6, since March 31, 2019 (the “Interim Date”), there has not been any Material Adverse Effect and no event has occurred or circumstance exists that reasonably could result in any such Material Adverse Effect.  Since the Interim Date, each Company’s has:

 

(a) not sold, leased, transferred or assigned any asset, or made any distributions of any assets (cash or otherwise) to any of its Affiliates other than for fair consideration in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(b) not sold, leased, transferred or assigned any of its assets, tangible or intangible, other than for fair consideration in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(c) not experienced any material damage, destruction or loss other than ordinary wear and tear (whether or not covered by insurance) to its property or assets in excess of $25,000 in the aggregate;

 

(d) other than in the ordinary course, not entered into any Contract (or series of reasonably related Contracts, each of which materially relates to the underlying transaction as a whole) involving more than $25,000 or that cannot be terminated without penalty on less than six months’ notice, with the exception of inventory purchase orders;

 

(e) not accelerated, terminated, modified or cancelled any Contract or Permit (or series of reasonably related Contracts or Permits) involving more than $25,000 annually to which any Company’s is a party or by which it or its assets is bound, and no Company’s has received notice that any other party to such a Contract or Permit (or series of reasonably related Contracts or Permits) has accelerated, terminated, modified or cancelled the same, other than as set forth in Paragraph 4.6(o);

 

(f) not had an Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances) imposed upon it or any of its assets;

 

(g) except as disclosed in Schedule 4.5(g) not (i) made any capital expenditure (or series of related capital expenditures) either involving more than $25,000 outside the Ordinary Course of Business (ii) failed to make any scheduled capital expenditures or investments when due, or (iii) made any capital investment in, any loan to, or any acquisition of the securities or assets of, any other Person (or series of related capital investments, loans or acquisitions) involving more than $25,000;

 

(h) not delayed or postponed the payment of accounts payable and other Liabilities, accelerated the collection of Accounts Receivable, in either case outside the Ordinary Course of Business, or altered any accounting method or practice;

 

(i) not issued, created, incurred or assumed any Indebtedness (or series of related Indebtedness) involving more than $25,000 in the aggregate or delayed or postponed the payment of accounts payable or other Liabilities beyond the original due date;

 

(j) not canceled, compromised, waived or released any right or claim (or series of related rights or claims) or any Indebtedness (or series of related Indebtedness) owed to it, in any case involving more than $25,000;

 

(k) not issued, sold or otherwise disposed of any of its capital stock, or granted any options, warrants or other rights to acquire (including upon conversion, exchange or exercise) any of its capital stock or declared, set aside, made or paid any dividend or distribution with respect to its capital stock (whether in cash or in kind) or redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired any of its capital stock or amended any of its Organizational Documents;

 

(l) not made any loan to, or entered into any other transaction with, any of its directors, officers or employees on terms that would not have resulted from an arms-length transaction, (ii) entered into any employment Contract or modified the terms of any existing employment Contract, (iii) granted any increase in the compensation of any of its directors, officers or employees (including, without limitation, any increase pursuant to any bonus, pension, profit-sharing or other plan or commitment), or (iv) adopted, amended, modified or terminated any Employee benefit Plan or other Contract for the benefit of any of its directors, officers or employees;

 

(m) not made, rescinded or changed any Tax election, changed any Tax accounting period, adopted or changed any accounting  method, filed any amended Tax Return, entered into any closing agreement, settled any Tax claim, assessment or Liability, surrendered any right to claim a refund of Taxes, consented to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment, or taken any other similar action relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax;

 

(n) not had any Proceeding commenced nor, to the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, threatened or anticipated relating to or affecting the Company’s, the Business or any asset owned or used by it;

 

(o) not suffered any loss of any Major Customer or material distribution channel, sales location or source of supply of raw materials, inventory, utilities or contract services or the receipt of any notice that such a loss may be pending;

 

(p) not entered into any capital or operating leases;

 

(q) not agreed or committed to any of the foregoing; and

 

(r) Schedule 4.6(r) is a work in process sheet prepared for the month of September 2018.  Said work in process sheet represents anticipated profit and loss on all pending jobs as of the date it was issued, to the knowledge of the Seller.

 

4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, no Company’s has incurred any Liability (and, to the Knowledge of each Company’s and the Seller, no basis exists for any Liability), except for (a) Liabilities to the extent reflected or reserved against on the Interim Balance Sheet, (b) current Liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the Interim Date (none of which results from, arises out of, relates to, is in the nature of, or was caused by any breach of Contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of Law) and (c) Liabilities that are not required to be reflected in the Company’s’ Financial Statements in material compliance with GAAP and are individually or in the aggregate not greater than $25,000.

 

4.8 Title to and Sufficiency of Assets

 

  The Company’s, as applicable, have good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the Assets, free and clear of any Encumbrances except for Permitted Encumbrances set forth on Schedule 4.8 and except for properties and assets disposed of in the Ordinary Course of Business since the Interim Date.  The Assets include (a) all tangible and intangible property and assets necessary for the continued conduct of the Business and the provision of services therewith as of the Closing in the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing and in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, Material Contracts and Permits as of the Closing and (b) all property and assets necessary to have generated the results of operations for the Business reflected in the Financial Statements and to perform under the Material Contracts.

 

4.9 Accounts Receivable; Accounts Payable.

 

(a) All Accounts Receivable as of the Closing Date represent or will represent valid obligations arising from goods or services actually sold by each Company’s, as applicable, in the Ordinary Course of Business.  Unless paid prior to the Closing Date, to the Knowledge of the applicable Company’s and the Seller, the Accounts Receivable are and will be as of the Closing Date collectible in accordance with their terms net of the respective reserves shown on the Balance Sheet, the Interim Balance Sheet and the accounting records of such Company’s as of the Closing Date, respectively.  The foregoing reserves are calculated consistent with past practices of each Company’s, as applicable.  To the Knowledge of the applicable Company’s and the Seller, there is no contest, claim, or right to set-off, other than warranty work in the Ordinary Course of Business, under any Contract with any obligor of an Account Receivable relating to the amount or validity of such Account Receivable.  Schedule 4.9(a) contains a list of all Accounts Receivable as of the Date of Close, which list sets forth the aging of such Accounts Receivable.

 

(b) All Accounts Payable as of the Closing Date represent or will represent valid obligations arising from purchases or commitments actually made by each Company’s, as applicable, in the Ordinary Course of Business.  Unless paid prior to the Closing Date, the Accounts Payable are and will be as of the Closing Date current and payable in accordance with their terms net of the respective reserves shown on the Balance Sheet, the Interim Balance Sheet and the accounting records of each Company’s, as applicable, as of the Closing Date, respectively.  There is no contest, claim, or right to set-off under any Contract with any obligee of an Account Payable relating to the amount or validity of such Account Payable.  Schedule 4.9(b) contains a list of all Accounts Payable as of the Date of Close, which list sets forth the aging of such Accounts Payable.

 

4.10 Relationship with Business Partners, Vendors, Suppliers.  As of the date of this Agreement, each Company’s has maintained business relationships consistent with past practices with its business partners, vendors, suppliers, and all others (collectively, the “Business Associates”) necessary for the operation of the Business of such Company’s.  Neither the Company’s nor the Seller is aware of any pending concerns with the relationships with any of their Business Associates that would constitute a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.11 Contracts.

 

(a) Each Company’s has provided to Buyer copies of, or access to, the following Contracts to which such Company’s is a party or by which such Company’s is bound or to which any asset of such Company’s is subject or under which such Company’s has any rights or the performance of which is guaranteed by such Company’s or under which such Company’s is conducting any of the Business (collectively, with the Leases, Licenses and Insurance Policies, the “Material Contracts”): (i) each Contract (or series of related Contracts) that involves delivery or receipt of products or inventory of an amount or value in excess of $50,000 or that involves expenditures or receipts in excess of $50,000; (ii) each Contract (or series of related Contracts) that involves delivery or receipt of services (other than with respect to products or inventory) of an amount or value in excess of $50,000 or that involves expenditures or receipts in excess of $50,000; (iii) each lease, rental or occupancy agreement, license, installment and conditional sale agreement, and other Contract affecting the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or other interest in, any real or personal property, including each Lease and License; (iv) each licensing agreement or other Contract with respect to intellectual property of any third party, including any agreement with any current or former employee, consultant or contractor regarding the appropriation or non-disclosure of any Intellectual Property or intellectual property of any third party; (v) each collective bargaining agreement and other Contract to or with any labor union or other employee representative of a group of employees; (vi) each joint venture, partnership or Contract involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs or Liabilities with any other Person; (vii) each Contract containing any covenant that purports to restrict the business activity of the respective Company’s or limit the freedom of the respective Company’s to engage in any line of business or to compete with any Person; (viii) each Contract providing for payments to or by any Person based on sales, purchases or profits, other than direct payments for goods; (ix) each power of attorney; (x) each Contract entered into other than in the Ordinary Course of Business that contains or provides for an express undertaking by the respective Company’s to be responsible for consequential, incidental or punitive damages; (xi) each Contract (or series of related Contracts) for capital expenditures in excess of $10,000; (xii) each written warranty, guaranty or other similar undertaking with respect to contractual performance other than in the Ordinary Course of Business; (xiii) each Contract for Indebtedness with an outstanding balance in excess of $50,000; (xiv) each employment or consulting Contract; (xv) each Contract to which the Seller or any Related Person of the Seller or of the respective Company’s is a party or otherwise has any rights, obligations or interests; and (xvi) each Contract not terminable without penalty on less than six months’ notice.

 

(b) Each Material Contract, with respect to the respective Company’s, is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, in full force and effect and will continue to be so on identical terms as of the Closing Date.  Each Material Contract, with respect to the other parties to such Material Contract, to the Knowledge of the respective Company’s and the Seller, is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, in full force and effect and will continue to be so on identical terms as of the Closing Date.  To the Knowledge of the respective Company’s and the Seller, such Company’s is not aware of any breach or default, and is not aware of any event that has occurred that with notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach or default, or permit termination, modification or acceleration, under any Material Contract.  To the Knowledge of the respective Company’s and the Seller, no other party is in breach or default, and no event has occurred that with notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach or default, or permit termination, modification or acceleration, under any Material Contract.  No party to any Material Contract has notified the respective  Company’s that it has repudiated any provision of any Material Contract.

 

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(c), to the knowledge of the Seller there is no Contract to which the any Company’s is a party and performing work as a subcontractor for a prime contractor (a “Subcontract”), which incorporates terms or conditions from the related Contract between the prime contractor and the other Person party thereto (the “Prime Contract”), where the terms and conditions incorporated into the Subcontract from the Prime Contract (i) impose material obligations on any Company’s not expressly delineated in the Subcontract (e.g., cannot incorporate by reference to the Prime Contract) or (ii) require the Company’s to perform in a manner inconsistent with, or above and beyond, the terms of Material Contracts (which are not Subcontracts) previously provided to the Buyer .

 

4.12 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12, The Company’s are the sole and exclusive legal and beneficial, and, as to registered Intellectual Property, record, owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property, and has, to the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, the valid right to use all other intellectual property of any third party used in or necessary for the conduct of the Business, in each case, free and clear of Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances. Each item of Intellectual Property or intellectual property of any third party owned, licensed or used by the Company’s immediately prior to the Closing is set forth on Schedule 4.12.  To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, each item of Intellectual Property or intellectual property of any third party owned, licensed or used by the Company’s are valid and enforceable and otherwise fully complies with all Laws applicable to the enforceability thereof.  Schedule 4.12 identifies each item of intellectual property of any third party that any Person other than the Company’s own and that the Company’s use pursuant to license, agreement or permission (a “License”).  With respect to each item of Intellectual Property or intellectual property of any third party required to be identified in Schedule 4.12:  (i) such item is not subject to any Order; (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, no action is pending or is threatened or anticipated that challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of such item; and (iii) the Company’s have not granted any sublicense or similar right with respect to the License relating to such item.

 

(b) To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, the conduct of the Business, and the products, processes and services of the Company’s, have not infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated, and do not and will not infringe, dilute, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property or other rights of any Person. To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, no Person has infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated, or is currently infringing, misappropriating, diluting or otherwise violating, any intellectual property of any third party.  The Company’s has no Knowledge of any Proceedings (including any oppositions, interferences or re-examinations) settled, pending or threatened (including in the form of offers to obtain a license): (i) alleging any infringement, misappropriation, dilution or violation of the intellectual property of any Person by the Company’s; (ii) challenging the validity, enforceability, registrability or ownership of any intellectual property or the Company’s’ rights with respect to any intellectual property of any third party; or (iii) by the Company’s or any other Person alleging any infringement, misappropriation, dilution or violation by any Person of the Intellectual Property.   the Company’s are not subject to any outstanding or prospective Order (including any motion or petition therefor) that does or would restrict or impair the use of any Intellectual Property.

 

(c) The Company’s have taken all commercially reasonable actions to maintain and protect all of the Intellectual Property as of the Closing Date so as not to adversely affect the validity or enforceability thereof.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder will not result in the loss or impairment of or payment of any additional amounts with respect to, nor require the consent of any other Person in respect of, EFL’s right to own, use or hold for use any Intellectual Property or intellectual property of any third party as owned, used or held for use in the conduct of the Business.

 

4.13 Tax.

 

(a) The Company’s have timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Body all Tax Returns that each Company’s was required to have filed.  All Tax Returns filed by the Company’s are true, correct and complete in all material respects.  All Taxes owed (or required to be remitted) by the Company’s (whether or not shown or required to be shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid to the appropriate Governmental Body.

 

(b) To the Knowledge of each Company’s and the Seller, no claim has been made by any Governmental Body in a jurisdiction where any Company’s does not file Tax Returns that such Company’s is or may be subject to the payment, collection or remittance of any Tax of that jurisdiction or is otherwise subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.  To the Knowledge of each Company’s and the Seller, there are no Encumbrances on any of the assets of any Company’s that arose in connection with, or otherwise relate to, any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.  Schedule 4.13 (i) contains a list of all states, territories and other jurisdictions (whether domestic or foreign) in which each Company’s has filed a Tax Return at any time during the six-year period ending on the date hereof, (ii) identifies those Tax Returns that have been audited, (iii) identifies those Tax Returns that currently are the subject of audit, (iv) lists all Tax rulings and similar determinations requested or received by any Company’s or Seller, (v) identifies those Tax Returns that are due to be filed within 90 days after the date hereof and (vi) contains a complete and accurate description of all material Tax elections that were made by or on behalf of any Company’s.  The Company’s have delivered or made available to the Buyer true, correct and complete copies of all Tax Returns filed by, and all examination reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by, each Company’s during the six-year period ending on the date hereof.

 

(c) The Company’s (i) have never been a member of an Affiliated Group filing a consolidated federal income tax return (other than a group the common parent of which was EFL), (ii) have never been a party to any Tax sharing, indemnification or allocation agreement, nor does any Company’s owe any amount under any such agreement, (iii) does not have any liability for Taxes of any person under Treas. Reg. § 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law, and including any arrangement for group relief within a jurisdiction or similar arrangement), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise, and (iv) has never been a party to any joint venture, partnership or other agreement or arrangement that could be treated as a partnership for Tax purposes.

 

(d) The Company’s have never constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock intended to qualify for a tax-free treatment under Code Section 355.

 

(e) Each Company’s has withheld or collected, and timely paid to the appropriate Governmental Body, all Taxes required to have been withheld or collected and remitted, and complied with all information reporting and back-up withholding requirements, and has maintained all required records with respect thereto, in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, customer, creditor, stockholder, independent contractor, or other third party.

 

(f) To the knowledge of the Seller and the Company’s, there is no reasonable basis for any Governmental Body to, and neither Seller nor any director or officer (or employee responsible for Tax matters) of any Company’s has received notice that any Governmental Body will, assess any additional Taxes for any period.  There is no dispute or claim concerning any Liability for Taxes paid, collected or remitted (or to be paid, collected or permitted) by such Company’s either (i) claimed or raised by any Governmental Body in writing or (ii) as to which any of the Seller or such Company’s has Knowledge.  No Company’s has waived any statute or period of limitations with respect to any Tax or agreed, or been requested by any Governmental Body to agree, to any extension of time with respect to any Tax.  No extension of time within which to file any Tax Return of any Company’s has been requested, granted or currently is in effect.

 

(g) Since the Interim Date, no Company’s has incurred any Liability for Taxes outside the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

(h) No Company’s has, directly or indirectly, participated in any transaction (including, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) that would constitute (i) a “reportable transaction” or “listed transaction” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4 or (ii) a “tax shelter” as defined in Code Section 6111 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

(i) The Company’s will not be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, Taxable income for any Taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date, including as a result of: (i) a “closing agreement” as described in Code Section 7121 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) change in method of accounting under Code Section 481(c); (iii) deferred intercompany gain or excess loss account under Treasury Regulations under Code Section 1502; (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; or (v) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(j) Schedule 4.13 lists each agreement, contract, plan or other arrangement (whether or not written and whether or not an Employee benefit Plan) to which each Company’s is a party that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.  Each such nonqualified deferred compensation plan (i) complies, and is operated and administered in accordance, with the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and any other IRS guidance issued thereunder and (ii) has been operated and administered in good faith compliance with Code Section 409A from the period beginning on the adoption of such nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

 

4.14 Legal Compliance.

 

(a) Since January 1, 2016, the Company’s, have been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and Permits.  To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, no Proceeding is pending, nor since has been filed or commenced, against any Company’s alleging any failure to comply with any applicable Law or Permit.  To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, no event has occurred, or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) may constitute or result in a violation by any Company’s of any Law or Permit.  No Company’s has received any notice or other communication from any Person regarding any actual, alleged or potential violation by such Company’s of any Law or Permit or any cancellation, termination or failure to renew any Permit held by such Company’s.

 

(b) Schedule 4.14 contains a complete and accurate list of each Permit held by each Company’s that is material to the Business or that otherwise is material to any asset owned or leased by each Company’s and subject to the qualifications set forth in Section 4.3 and states whether each such Permit is transferable.  Each Permit listed or required to be listed on Schedule 4.14 is valid and in full force and effect.  Each Permit listed on Schedule 4.14 is renewable for no more than a nominal fee.  The Permits listed on Schedule 4.14 constitute all of the Permits necessary to allow the Company’s to lawfully conduct and operate the Business as currently conducted and operated and to own and use its assets as currently owned and used.

 

4.15 Litigation.  There is no Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, threatened or anticipated relating to or affecting (a) any Company’s or the Business or any asset owned or used by any Company’s or (b) the Transactions.  To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, no event has occurred, or circumstance exists that would reasonably be expected to give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement of any such Proceeding in which the anticipated liability exposure would be expected to exceed $10,000.  There is no outstanding Order to which any Company’s or any asset owned or used by it is subject.  Schedule 4.15 lists all Proceedings pending at any time since January 1, 2012, in which any Company’s has been named as a defendant (whether directly, by counterclaim or as a third-party defendant) and all Proceedings pending at any time since January 1, 2012, in which any Company’s has been a plaintiff.  Schedule 4.15 lists all Orders in effect at any time since January 1, 2012, to which any of the Company’s has been subject or any asset owned or used by any Company’s is subject.

 

4.16 Service Warranties.  Each service provided by any Company’s has been in conformity with all applicable contractual commitments and all express and implied warranties.  No Company’s has had any Liability (and, to the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, there is no basis for any present or future Proceeding against any Company’s that could give rise to any Liability) for replacement or repair or other damages in connection therewith.  Schedule 4.16 lists (i) all Contracts which contain warranties extended beyond 12 months, (ii) all warranty claims made against any Company’s in excess of $10,000 since January 1, 2012 and (iii) any guaranty, warranty or indemnity provided by any Company’s not consistent with past practice or that could reasonably have a claim in excess of $10,000.  No Company’s has had any Liability (and there is no basis for any present or future Proceeding against such Company’s that could give rise to any Liability) arising out of any injury to any individual or property as a result of any service provided by such Company’s.

 

4.17 Environmental.  To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, each Company’s has complied and is in compliance with all Environmental Laws.  No Permits are required pursuant to any Environmental Law for the occupation of the facilities or operation of the Business.  No Company’s has received any written or oral notice, report or other information regarding any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, or any Liabilities or potential Liabilities, including any investigatory, remedial or corrective obligations, relating to it or its facilities arising under any Environmental Law.

 

4.18 Employees.

 

(a) With respect to each current employee and independent contractor of any Company’s, the respective Company’s has provided Buyer with complete access to such Company’s’ records of such employee and independent contractor, including records reflecting the name, job title, current rate of direct compensation, date of commencement of employment or engagement, and, as to employees, sick and vacation leave (both number of days and USD equivalent) that is accrued and unused. Each Company’s has provided to Buyer current copies of any employment agreements with any employees.

 

(b) There is no pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, threatened, Proceedings with respect to any Company’s under any Laws relating to or arising out of any employment relationship with its employees.  No Company’s is subject to any settlement or consent decree with any present or former employee, labor union or Governmental Body relating to claims of discrimination, wrongful practices or other claims in respect of employment practices and policies.

 

(c) To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, each Company’s is, and since January 1, 2012, has been, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws relating to the employment of labor, including Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours, payroll documents, equal opportunity, immigration compliance, occupational health and safety, termination or discharge, plant closing and mass layoff requirements, affirmative action, workers’ compensation, disability, unemployment compensation, whistleblower laws, collective bargaining, the payment of all applicable Taxes including the full payment of all required social security contributions and other required withholdings.

 

(d) All employees and former employees of each Company’s have been, or will have been on or before the Closing Date, paid in full for, or the respective Company’s shall have properly accrued for, all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, severance and termination pay, sick pay, and other compensation for all services performed by them or that was accrued by them up to the most recent payroll date prior to Closing, payable in accordance with the obligations of such Company’s under any employment or labor practices and policies, or any collective bargaining agreement or individual agreement to which such Company’s is a party, or by which the Company’s may be bound.

 

(e) To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, no employee, officer or director of any Company’s is a party to or bound by any agreement that (i) could adversely affect the performance of his or her duties as an employee, officer or director other than for the benefit of such Company’s, (ii) could adversely affect the ability of such Company’s to conduct its business, (iii) restricts or limits in any way the scope or type of work in which he or she may be engaged other than for the benefit of such Company’s or (iv) requires him or her to transfer, assign or disclose information concerning his or her work to anyone other than such Company’s.

 

4.19 Employee Benefits.

 

(f) Company’s employees are covered by the policies as set forth on Schedule 4=

 

(g) Except to the extent required pursuant to Code Section 4980B(f) and the corresponding provisions of ERISA, no Company’s benefit Plan provides retiree medical or retiree life insurance benefits to any Person, and no Company’s is contractually or otherwise obligated (whether or not in writing) to provide any Person with life insurance or medical benefits upon retirement or termination of employment.

 

4.20 Customers and Suppliers.

 

(a) With respect to each of the three (3) fiscal years most recently completed prior to the date hereof, Schedule 4.20 lists the five largest (by dollar volume) Customers during each such period (showing the dollar volume for each) (the “Major Customers”).  Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.20, to the Knowledge of Company’s and Seller, no event has occurred and no condition or circumstance exists that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the relations of EFL with any Major Customer or any supplier.  No Major Customer or supplier has notified EFL of plans to terminate or materially alter its business relations with the Business, either as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise, or to enter bankruptcy or liquidate.

 

(b) Except to the extent set forth on Schedule 4.20, EFL is not currently required to provide any bonding or other financial security arrangements in any amount in connection with any on-going jobs, projects or other transactions with any Major Customers or suppliers.

 

4.21 Transactions with Related Persons.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.21 or in the financial statements, for the past three (3) years, neither any shareholder, officer, director or employee of any Company’s nor any Related Person of any of the foregoing has (a) owned any interest in any asset used in the Business, (b) been involved in any business or transaction with the Company’s or (c) engaged in competition with the Company’s.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.21, neither any shareholder, officer, director or employee of any Company’s nor any Related Person of any of the foregoing (i) is a party to any Contract with, or has any claim or right against, any Company’s or (ii) has any Indebtedness owing to any Company’s.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.21, no Company’s has had (A) any claim or right against any shareholder, officer, director or employee of such Company’s or any Related Person of any of the foregoing or (B) any Indebtedness owing to any shareholder, officer, director or employee of such Company’s or any Related Person of any of the foregoing.  The vehicles listed in Schedule 4.21(A) are in the possession of each Seller and subject to the debt associated therewith. Each of said Seller shall be responsible for the return of the vehicle in his possession.

 

4.22 Indebtedness and Guaranties.  Complete and correct copies of all instruments (including all amendments, supplements, waivers and consents) relating to any Indebtedness of the Company’s has been furnished to the Buyer.  The Long-Term Debt is listed on Schedule 2.2(b) and accurately reflects all amounts necessary to discharge the amounts of non-permitted encumbrances outstanding immediately prior to the Closing.  No Company’s is a guarantor or otherwise liable for any Liability (including indebtedness) of any other Person, except as set forth on Schedule 4.22.

 

4.23 Capital Expenditures  Attached to Schedule 4.23 are each Company’s’ budgets for capital expenditures for its current fiscal year and the following fiscal year.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23, there are no capital expenditures that any Company’s currently plans to make or anticipates will need to be made during its current fiscal year or the following fiscal year in order to comply with existing Laws or to continue operating the Business following the Closing in the manner currently conducted.  No Company’s has foregone or otherwise materially altered any planned capital expenditure as a result of the Seller’ decision to enter into the Transactions or otherwise sell or dispose of the Business.

 

4.24 Insurance.  The Company’s have delivered to the Buyer true and complete copies of each Insurance Policy and each pending application of each respective Company’s for any insurance policy.  All premiums relating to the Insurance Policies have been timely paid.  The Company’s have been covered during the past four (4) years by insurance in scope and amount customary and reasonable for the businesses in which each has engaged during such period.  The Company’s are in compliance with all premium obligations and, to the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, no Company’s is in default of any of its obligations relating to insurance created by Law or any Contract to which such Company’s is a party.  The Company’s have delivered or made available to the Buyer copies of loss runs and outstanding claims as of a recent date with respect to each Insurance Policy.

 

4.25             No Acceleration of Rights and Benefits.  No Company’s has made, or is obligated to make, any payment to any Person in connection with the Transactions or any change of control.  No rights or benefits of any Person have been (or will be) accelerated, increased or modified and no Person has the right to receive any payment or remedy (including rescission or liquidated damages), in each case as a result of a change of control or the consummation of the Transactions.

 

4.26 No Brokers’ Fees.  The Company’s have not engaged, and to the Knowledge of the Company’s and Seller, there are no and are not aware of any other brokers, finders or agents entitled to any fee, commission or related payments with respect to the Transactions for which the Buyer or the Company’s could be liable, other than Eclipse Consulting.

 

4.27 Disclosure.  No representation or warranty contained in this Article IV and no statement in any Schedule related thereto contains any untrue statement of material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  To the Knowledge of the Company’s and the Seller, there is no impending change in the Business or in the EFL’s competitors, relations with employees, suppliers or customers, or in any Laws affecting the Business, that (a) has not been disclosed in the Schedules to the representations and warranties in this Article IV and (b) has resulted in or is reasonably likely to result in any breach of any representation or warranty or any Material Adverse Effect.  Buyer acknowledges and agrees that in entering into this Agreement (or any Schedule related thereto) it has not relied and is not relying on any representations, warranties, or other statements whatsoever, whether written or oral, by Seller or any Person acting on Seller’ behalf, other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement (or any Schedule related thereto) and that it will not have any right or remedy arising out of any representation, warranty or statement not set forth in this Agreement (or any Schedule related thereto).

 

ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE BUYER

 

The Buyer represents and warrants to the Seller as follows:

 

5.1 Organization and Authority.  The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.  The Buyer has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder.  The execution and delivery by the Buyer of each Transaction Document to which the Buyer is a party and the performance by the Buyer of the Transactions have been duly approved by all requisite corporate action of the Buyer.  This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon the execution and delivery by the Buyer of each Transaction Document to which the Buyer is a party, such Transaction Document will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with the terms of such Transaction Document.

 

5.2 No Conflicts.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Transactions will, directly or indirectly, with or without notice or lapse of time:  (a) violate any Law to which the Buyer is subject; (b) violate any Organizational Document of the Buyer; or (c) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or give any Person the right to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, modify or exercise any remedy under, any Contract to which the Buyer is a party or by which the Buyer is bound or the performance of which is guaranteed by the Buyer.  The Buyer is not required to notify, make any filing with, or obtain any Consent of any Person in order to perform the Transactions.

 

5.3 N/A.

 

5.4 N/A

 

5.5 No Undisclosed Liabilities.  The Buyer has not incurred any Liability (and no basis exists for any Liability), except for (a) Liabilities to the extent reflected or reserved against on Buyer's last balance sheet filed with the SEC and publicly available, and (b) current Liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the Buyer's last financial statements filed with the SEC and publicly available (none of which results from, arises out of, relates to, is in the nature of, or was caused by any breach of Contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of Law).

 

5.6 Legal Compliance.  The Buyer is, and since Buyer's last financial statements filed with the SEC and publicly available has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and Permits.  No Proceeding is pending, nor since such time of Buyer's last financial statements filed and publicly available, has been filed or commenced, against the Buyer alleging any failure to comply with any applicable Law or Permit.  No event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) may constitute or result in a violation by the Buyer of any Law or Permit.  The Buyer has not received any notice or other communication from any Person regarding any actual, alleged or potential violation by the Buyer of any Law or Permit or any cancellation, termination or failure to renew any Permit held by the Buyer.

 

5.7 Litigation.  There is no Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Buyer, threatened or anticipated against the Buyer relating to, affecting, or otherwise delaying, interfering or preventing the Transactions or materially impacting the Buyer or the Buyer's financial condition or operations.  To the Buyer's Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that would reasonably be expected to give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement of any such Proceeding in which the anticipated liability exposure would be expected to exceed $100,000.  There is no outstanding Order to which the Buyer is subject.

 

5.8 Absence of Certain Changes.  Since June 30, 2019, there has not been any Buyer Material Adverse Effect and no event has occurred or circumstance exists that reasonably could result in any such Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.9               No Brokers’ or Finders’ Fees.  The Buyer has no Liability for any fee, commission or payment to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the Transactions for which the Seller could be liable. The Buyer has not retained, employed or used any broker or finder in connection with purchase of the shares from the Seller.

 

5.10 Investment Intent.  The Buyer is acquiring the Shares purchased hereunder for its own account and not with a view to distribution of such Shares in violation of the Securities Act.

 

 

ARTICLE VI
CLOSING CONDITIONS

 

6.1 Conditions to the Buyer’s Obligations.  The Buyer’s obligation to perform the Transactions contemplated to be performed on or before the Closing Date is subject to satisfaction, or written waiver by the Buyer or by Closing, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)  (i) all of the representations and warranties of the Company’s, individually and collectively, and the Seller in this Agreement must have been accurate in all material respects as of the date hereof and must be accurate in all material respects as if made on the Closing Date, except in each case to the extent any such representation or warranty is made as of an earlier specific date, in which case such representation or warranty must have been and must be accurate in all respects as of such date, and (ii) the Company’s and the Seller must have performed and complied with all of their respective covenants and agreements in this Agreement to be performed prior to or at the Closing.

 

(b) each of the following documents must have been delivered to the Buyer and dated as of the Closing Date (unless otherwise indicated):

 

(i)	Certificates representing all of the Excel Fabrication, LLC. shares, free and clear of any Encumbrances, accompanied by duly executed stock powers, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer;

(ii)	The minute books, the stock certificate books and the stock ledger of each Company’s, as applicable;

(iii)

The Security Agreement, executed by EFL;

(iv)

A certificate of the secretary of each Company’s, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer, certifying that with respect to it (A) attached thereto are a true, correct and complete copy of (1) its articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, as applicable, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of its state of incorporation or organization and its bylaws or operating agreement, as applicable, (2) to the extent applicable, resolutions duly adopted by its board of directors, stockholders, managers, and/or members authorizing the performance of the Transactions and the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents to which each is a party, and (3) certificates of existence as of a recent date of it from its state of incorporation or organization and a certificate of existence or good standing as of a recent date of it from each state in which the failure to be duly qualified would constitute a Material Adverse Effect;

(v)	a certificate of Seller’ non-foreign status as set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b); and

(vi)

such other documents as the Buyer and Seller reasonably agree are necessary for the purpose of (A) evidencing the accuracy of Seller’ and the Company’s’ representations and warranties, (B) evidencing Seller’ and the Company’s’ performance of, and compliance with, any covenant or agreement required to be performed or complied with by Seller and the Company’s, or (C) evidencing the satisfaction of any condition referred to in this Section 6.1.

(c) there must not be any Proceeding pending or threatened against the Buyer or any of its Affiliates that (i) challenges or seeks damages or other relief in connection with any of the Transactions or (ii) may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or interfering with any of the Transactions;

 

(d) the Board of Directors of the Buyer shall have approved the Transactions;

 

(e) each Company’s and Seller shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact the Business and their relationships with the EFL’s employees, customers, agents and all other Persons reasonably related to the Business in a manner consistent with past practices or in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(f) the performance of the Transactions must not, directly or indirectly, with or without notice or lapse of time, violate any Law that has been adopted or issued, or has otherwise become effective, since the date hereof;

 

(g) all Indebtedness owed to the Company’s by Seller or any Related Person of the Seller must have been paid in full by such Person or otherwise satisfied by Buyer at Closing;

 

(h) the Working Capital of the Company’s at the Closing Date as shown in Exhibit D the True Up Cash Settlement shall be equal to or greater than the Working Capital as of March 31^th 2019 as shown in Exhibit D the True Up Cash Settlement).  Distribution of cash prior to closing shall not be a violation of any provision of this Agreement so long as the requirements of this subparagraph and 6.1(i) are complied with;

 

(i) To the extent not paid off by the Buyer under paragraph 2.2(b), Seller and/or EFL shall pay off in full each Long-Term Liability and any short term Liability associated with a Long-Term Liability and to the extent the Trade Payables as of the Closing Date do not include such short term Liabilities.

 

6.2 Conditions to the Seller’ Obligations.  The Seller’ obligations to perform the Transactions contemplated to be performed on or before the Closing Date are subject to satisfaction, or written waiver by the Seller, of the following conditions:

 

(a) all of the representations and warranties of the Buyer in this Agreement must have been accurate in all material respects as of the date hereof and must be accurate in all material respects as if made on the Closing Date, and (ii) the Buyer must have performed and complied with all of its covenants and agreements in this Agreement to be performed prior to or at the Closing.

 

(b)	each of the following must have been delivered to the Seller:

(i)	The Cash Consideration; and

(ii)	The Secured Note Consideration;

(c) the sale of the Shares by the Seller to the Buyer will not violate any Law that has been adopted or issued, or has otherwise become effective, since the date hereof;

 

(d) receipt of certified Directors minutes of the Co-Makers approving this transaction.

 

ARTICLE VII
POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

 

The Parties agree as follows with respect to the period following the Closing:

 

7.1 Litigation Support.  If any Party is evaluating, pursuing, contesting or defending against any Proceeding in connection with (a) any Transaction or (b) any fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act, or transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving any Company’s, then upon the request of such Party each other Party will cooperate with the requesting Party and its counsel in the evaluation, pursuit, contest or defense, make available its personnel, and be available for testimony and provide access to its books and records as may be necessary in connection therewith, except to the extent the other Party is adversarial to the requesting Party in that Proceeding or any related Proceeding. The requesting Party will reimburse each other Party for its out-of-pocket expenses related to such cooperation (unless the requesting Party is entitled to indemnification therefor under Section 8.1 without regard to Section 8.4).

 

7.2 Transition.  Seller will not take any affirmative action that is designed or intended to have the effect of discouraging any lessor, lessee, employee, Governmental Body, licensor, licensee, customer, supplier or other business associate of any Company’s from maintaining the same relationships with such Company’s after the Closing as it maintained prior to the Closing.

 

7.3 Confidentiality.  Until April 1^st, 2023, Seller will, and will cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information at all times, and will not, directly or indirectly, use any Confidential Information for its own benefit or for the benefit of any other Person or reveal or disclose any Confidential Information to any Person other than authorized Representatives of the Buyer and the Company’s, except in connection with this Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Buyer.  The covenants in this Section 7.3 will not apply to Confidential Information that (a) is or becomes available to the general public through no breach of this Agreement by a Seller or its Affiliates or Representatives or, to the Knowledge of Seller, breach by any other Person of a duty of confidentiality to the Buyer or (b)  Seller is required to disclose by applicable Law; provided, however, that Seller will notify the Buyer in writing of such required disclosure as much in advance as practicable in the circumstances and cooperate with the Buyer to limit the scope of such disclosure.  At any time that the Buyer may request, Seller will, and will cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, turn over or return to the Buyer all Confidential Information in any form (including all copies and reproductions thereof) in its possession or control.

 

7.4 [INTENTIONALLY DELETED]

 

7.5 Compliance with Laws.  The Buyer will remain in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and Permits, including continuing to comply with all securities laws and the SEC's reporting requirements.

 

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

8.1 Indemnification by the Seller. After the Closing and subject to the terms and conditions of this Article VIII:

 

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article VIII, the Seller will indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and EFL (collectively, “Buyer Indemnitees”) from, and pay and reimburse each Buyer Indemnitee for, all Losses directly or indirectly relating to or arising from: (i) any breach or inaccuracy, or any allegation of any third party that, if true, would be a breach or inaccuracy, of any representation or warranty made by the Seller in Article III; or (ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement, or any representation or warranty, of the Seller in this Agreement.

 

(b) The Seller will indemnify and hold harmless each Buyer Indemnitee from, and pay and reimburse each Buyer Indemnitee for, all Losses, directly or indirectly, relating to or arising from: (i) any breach or inaccuracy, or any allegation of any third party that, if true, would be a breach or inaccuracy, of any representation or warranty made by the Seller, or the Company’s in this Agreement (other than in Article III) existing at the Closing, or arising out of events or circumstances occurring prior to the Closing; (ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement, or any representation or warranty, of the Company’s in this Agreement; (iii) all Liabilities, not covered by insurance, of, or arising from the conduct of, the Company’s existing at the Closing, or arising out of events or circumstances occurring prior to the Closing which have not been disclosed in writing to the Buyer prior to Closing; or (iv)  any matter set forth on Schedule 8.1.

 

(c) The amount of indemnification to be paid by the Seller to the Buyer or the Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall not exceed the lesser of (i) Fifteen Percent (15%) of the Purchase Price or (ii) the amount of the cash paid towards the Purchase Price paid to the Seller through the date of the claim for which such indemnification is paid (the ‘Indemnification Cap”).

 

8.2 Indemnification by the Buyer.  After the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions of this Article VIII, the Buyer will indemnify and hold harmless the Seller from, and pay and reimburse the Seller for, all Losses, directly or indirectly, relating to or arising from:  (a) any breach or inaccuracy, or any allegation of any third party that, if true, would be a breach or inaccuracy, of any representation or warranty made by the Buyer in this Agreement; (b) any breach of any covenant or agreement of the Buyer in this Agreement; (c) any claim by the Buyer Indemnitees or any Person claiming through or on behalf of the Buyer Indemnitees arising out of or relating to any act or omission by the Seller or any other Person in reliance upon instructions from or notices given by the Buyer or any other Buyer Indemnitees, or (d) all Liabilities of, or arising from the conduct of, any Company’s which arise following the Closing, or which arise out of or are in connection with the operation or conduct of any Company’s occurring following the Closing.

 

8.3 Survival and Time Limitations.  All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Buyer, Company’s, individually and collectively, and the Seller in this Agreement or any other certificate or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement will survive the Closing. The Seller will have no Liability with respect to any claim for any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty in this Agreement or any other certificate or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement unless the Buyer notifies the Seller of such a claim on or before twelve (12) months following the Closing.

 

8.4 Limitations on Indemnification by the Seller.  The Seller will have no Liability with respect to the matters described in Section 8.1 until the total of all Losses with respect to such matters exceeds $50,000 (the “Basket”), at which point the Seller will be obligated to indemnify for only Losses exceeding the Basket, subject to the Indemnification Cap set forth in Section 8.1(c) above.  The Basket limitation set forth in this Section 8.4 will not apply to any fraudulent or intentional breach of any representation or warranty.

 

8.5 Claims Against the Company’s.  Following the Closing, Seller may not assert, directly or indirectly, and hereby waive, any claim, whether for indemnification, contribution, subrogation or otherwise, against any Company’s with respect to any act, omission, condition or event occurring or existing prior to or on the Closing Date or any obligation of the Seller under Section 8.1.  Seller agrees not to make, directly or indirectly, and hereby waives, any claim for indemnification against the Company’s by reason of the fact that Seller was a stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent of the Company’s or was serving at the request of the Company’s as a partner, trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another entity (whether such claim is for judgments, damages, penalties, fines, costs, amounts paid in settlement, Losses, expenses or otherwise and whether such claim is pursuant to any Law, Organizational Document, Contract or otherwise) with respect to any Proceeding brought by the Buyer or the Company’s against the Seller or any Affiliate thereof (whether such Proceeding is pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to any act, omission, condition or event occurring following the Closing Date.

 

8.6 Third-Party Claims.

 

(a) If a third party commences or threatens a Proceeding (a “Third-Party Claim”) against any Person (the “Indemnified Party”) with respect to any matter that the Indemnified Party might make a claim for indemnification against any Party (the “Indemnifying Party”) under this Article VIII, then the Indemnified Party must notify the Indemnifying Party (or the Seller, in the case of the Seller) thereof in writing of the existence of such Third-Party Claim and must deliver copies of any documents served on the Indemnified Party with respect to the Third-Party Claim; provided, however, that any failure to notify the Indemnifying Party or deliver copies will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation hereunder unless (and then solely to the extent) the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure.

 

(b) Upon receipt of the notice described in Section 8.6(a), the Indemnifying Party will have the right to defend the Indemnified Party against the Third-Party Claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party so long as (i) within ten days after receipt of such notice, the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party in writing that the Indemnifying Party will, subject to the limitations of Section 8.4, indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any Losses the Indemnified Party may incur relating to or arising out of the Third-Party Claim, (ii) the Indemnifying Party provides the Indemnified Party with evidence reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party will have the financial resources to defend against the Third-Party Claim and fulfill its indemnification obligations hereunder, (iii) the Indemnifying Party is not a party to the Proceeding or the Indemnified Party has determined in good faith that there would be no conflict of interest or other inappropriate matter associated with joint representation, (iv) the Third-Party Claim does not involve, and is not likely to involve, any claim by any Governmental Body, (v) the Third-Party Claim involves only money damages and does not seek an injunction or other equitable relief, (vi) settlement of, or an adverse judgment with respect to, the Third-Party Claim is not, in the good faith judgment of the Indemnified Party, likely to establish a precedential custom or practice adverse to the continuing business interests of the Indemnified Party, (vii) the Indemnifying Party conducts the defense of the Third-Party Claim actively and diligently and (viii) the Indemnifying Party keeps the Indemnified Party apprised of all developments, including settlement offers, with respect to the Third-Party Claim and permits the Indemnified Party to participate in the defense of the Third-Party Claim.

 

(c) So long as the Indemnifying Party is conducting the defense of the Third-Party Claim in accordance with Section 8.6(b), (i) the Indemnifying Party will not be responsible for any attorneys’ fees incurred by the Indemnified Party regarding the Third-Party Claim (other than attorneys’ fees incurred prior to the Indemnifying Party’s assumption of the defense pursuant to Section 8.6(b)) and (ii) neither the Indemnified Party nor the Indemnifying Party will consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld unreasonably.  If the Indemnified Party desires to consent to the entry of judgment with respect to or settle a Third-Party Claim but the Indemnifying Party refuses, then the Indemnifying Party will be responsible for all Losses with respect to such Third-Party Claim, without giving effect to the Basket or the Cap.

 

(d) If any condition in Section 8.6(b) is or becomes unsatisfied, (i) the Indemnified Party may defend against, and consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to, the Third-Party Claim in any manner it may deem appropriate (and the Indemnified Party need not consult with, or obtain any consent from, the Indemnifying Party in connection therewith), (ii) the Indemnifying Party will reimburse the Indemnified Party promptly and periodically (but no less often than monthly) for the costs of defending against the Third-Party Claim, including attorneys’ fees and expenses, and (iii) the Indemnifying Party will remain responsible for any Losses the Indemnified Party may incur relating to or arising out of the Third-Party Claim to the fullest extent provided in this Article VIII.

 

8.7 Other Indemnification Matters.  Any claim for indemnification under this Article VIII must be asserted by providing written notice to the Seller (or the Buyer, in the case of a claim by the Seller) specifying the factual basis of the claim in reasonable detail to the extent then known by the Person asserting the claim.  The waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any representation or warranty, or on the performance of or compliance with any covenant or agreement, will not affect the right to indemnification, payment of damages, or other remedy based on any such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement.

 

8.8 Exclusive Remedy.  After the Closing, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement and/or any Transaction Documents to the contrary, this Article VIII will provide the exclusive legal remedy for, and the totality of all remedies of Buyer (and all of its successors and assigns) against Seller and/or Company’s under this Agreement and/or any Transaction Documents with respect to the entire Transactions evidenced by this Agreement and/or any Transaction Documents, shall be limited as follows: [A] in amount of remedy that may be sought at any time, to the lessor of: (i) $1,200,000; and (ii) the then current unpaid balance of the Term Note; and [B] as to implementation of any and all remedies, to the then current unpaid balance of the Term Note. Buyer (and all of its successors and assigns) shall have no other remedies of any kind

 

ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS

 

The following provisions will govern the allocation of responsibility as between the Buyer and the Seller for certain Tax matters following the Closing Date:

 

9.1 Tax Indemnification.

 

(a) The Seller shall pay and reimburse (to the extent not already paid) and indemnify the Company’s, the Buyer and its Affiliates and hold them harmless from and against Losses resulting from or attributable to all Taxes (or the non‑payment thereof) of the Company’s for all Taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date (the “Prior Tax Period”).  The indemnification under this Section 9.1 shall be subject to the indemnification deductible and Basket limit set forth in Section 8.1(c) and Section 8.4.    The Seller shall pay the Buyer, or the Company’s at the Buyer’s instruction, for any additional Taxes that are the responsibility of the Seller pursuant to this Section 9.1 at least five (5) days prior to payment of such amounts by the Buyer or the Company’s.  To the extent it is commercially and legally reasonable to do so, the Buyer agrees that in exercising any discretionary powers under this Section 9.1 it will do so in a manner that does not materially prejudice the Seller from a tax perspective.

 

(b) Buyer and the Company’s agree to pay, reimburse, and indemnify the Seller and hold them harmless from and against Losses resulting from or attributable to all Taxes (or the non‑payment thereof) of the Company’s for all Taxable periods ending after the Closing Date.

 

9.2 Reserved.

 

9.3 Tax Periods Beginning Before and Ending After the Closing Date.  The Buyer will prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, any Tax Returns for the Company’s for tax periods beginning before and ending after the Closing Date.  If requested by Seller, the Buyer will permit the Seller to review and comment on each such Tax Return described in the preceding sentence prior to filing.  Seller shall be responsible for all Taxes relating to the Pre-Closing tax periods.  The Buyer shall be responsible for all Taxes for tax periods ending after the Closing Date.

 

9.4 Cooperation on Tax Matters.  The Buyer, the Company’s and the Seller will cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party or Parties, in connection with the filing and preparation of Tax Returns pursuant to this Article IX and any Proceeding related thereto.  Such cooperation will include the retention and (upon any other Party’s request) the provision of records and information that are reasonably relevant to any such Proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder.  The Buyer and the Seller agree that each Company’s will retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to such Company’s relating to any Taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute or period of limitations of the respective Taxable periods.

 

9.5 Certain Transfer Taxes.  All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes and fees, including any penalties and interest thereon (collectively, the “Transfer Taxes”), incurred in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions will be paid by the Seller when due, and the Seller will, at their own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such Transfer Taxes, and if required by applicable Law, the Buyer will, and will cause its Affiliates to, join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation.

 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1 No Third-Party Beneficiaries’.  This Agreement does not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person (including any employee of any Company’s) other than the Parties, their respective successors and permitted assigns and, as expressly set forth in this Agreement, any Indemnified Party.

 

10.2 Entire Agreement.  The Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter of the Transaction Documents and supersede all prior agreements (whether written or oral and whether express or implied) among any Parties to the extent related to the subject matter of the Transaction Documents (including any letter of intent or confidentiality agreement).

 

10.3 Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Seller may not assign, delegate or otherwise transfer (whether by operation of law or otherwise) any of Seller’ rights, interests or obligations in this Agreement without the prior written approval of the Buyer.  The Buyer may assign any or all of its rights or interests, or delegate any or all of its obligations, in this Agreement to (a) any successor to the Buyer, any successor to any Company’s, or any acquirer of a material portion of the businesses or assets of the Buyer or any Company’s, (b) one or more of the Buyer’s Affiliates, or (c) any lender to the Buyer or any Company’s as security for obligations to such lender.

 

10.4 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in multiple counterparts and shall be effective as of the date set forth above when each Party shall have executed and delivered a counterpart hereof, whether or not the same counterpart is executed and delivered by each Party.  When so executed and delivered, each such counterpart shall be deemed an original and all such counterparts shall be deemed one and the same document.  Transmission of images of signed signature pages by facsimile, e-mail or other electronic means shall have the same effect as the delivery of manually signed documents in person.

 

10.5 Notices.  Any notice pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed effectively given to another Party on the earliest of the date (a) three Business Days after such notice is sent by registered U.S. mail, return receipt requested, (b) one Business Day after receipt of confirmation if such notice is sent by facsimile, (c) one Business Day after delivery of such notice into the custody and control of an overnight courier service for next day delivery, (d) one Business Day after delivery of such notice in person and (e) such notice is received by that Party; in each case to the appropriate address below (or to such other address as a Party may designate by notice to the other Parties):

 

If to the Seller (or to the Company’s prior to the Closing):

Mark Bell

Alpine 4 Technologies, Ltd

2525 E Arizona Biltmore Circle, Suite C237

Phoenix, AZ 85016

Phone:  855-777-0077 ext 801

Attn:  Kent Wilson, CEO

10.6 Jurisdiction; Service of Process.  EACH PARTY (A) CONSENTS TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN TWIN FALLS COUNTY IDAHO (AND ANY CORRESPONDING APPELLATE COURT) IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT), (B) WAIVES ANY VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM DEFENSE TO ANY PROCEEDING MAINTAINED IN SUCH COURTS AND (C) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, AGREES NOT TO INITIATE ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT) IN ANY OTHER COURT OR FORUM. PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

 

10.7 Venue. ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY MAY BE INSTITUTED IN THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF TWIN FALLS IDAHO, AND EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR ANY PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE AND AGREE NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

10.8 Governing Law.  This Agreement and all other Transaction Documents (unless otherwise stated therein) will be governed by the laws of the State of Idaho without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law principles of any jurisdiction.

 

10.9 Amendments and Waivers.  No amendment of any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless the amendment is in writing and signed by the Buyer and the Seller.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless the waiver is in writing and signed by the waiving Party.  The failure of a Party at any time to require performance of any provision of this Agreement will not affect such Party’s rights at a later time to enforce such provision.  No waiver by any Party of any breach of this Agreement will be deemed to extend to any other breach hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any other breach.

 

10.10 Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that is determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof or the invalid or unenforceable provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.

 

10.11 Expenses.  The Company’s will bear all expenses incurred by the Company’s or any Representative of the Company’s in connection with the Transactions contemplated to be performed before or on the Closing Date and such expenses will have been paid or accrued by the Company’s prior to the Closing Date.  The Seller will bear all expenses incurred by the Seller or any of their Representatives in connection with the Transactions contemplated to be performed before or on the Closing Date.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Buyer will bear all expenses incurred by the Buyer or any of its Representatives in connection with the Transactions contemplated to be performed on or before the Closing Date.  In the event of termination of this Agreement, the obligation of each Party to pay its own expenses will be subject to any rights of such Party arising from a breach of this Agreement by another Party.

 

10.12 Construction.  The article and section headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and are not intended to affect the interpretation of this Agreement.  Any reference in this Agreement to any Article or Section refers to the corresponding Article or Section of this Agreement.  Any reference in this Agreement to any Schedule or Exhibit refers to the corresponding Schedule or Exhibit attached to this Agreement and all such Schedules and Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference.  The word “including” in this Agreement means “including without limitation.”  This Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision in this Agreement.  Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference to any Law will be deemed also to refer to all amendments and successor provisions thereto and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in each case as in effect as of the date hereof and the Closing Date.  All accounting terms not specifically defined in this Agreement will be construed in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the date hereof (unless another effective date is specified herein).  The word “or” in this Agreement is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive.  All words in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require.  References in this Agreement to time periods in terms of a certain number of days mean calendar days unless expressly stated herein to be Business Days.  In interpreting and enforcing this Agreement, each representation and warranty will be given independent significance of fact and will not be deemed superseded or modified by any other such representation or warranty.

 

10.13 Specific Performance.  Each Party acknowledges that the other Parties would be damaged irreparably and would have no adequate remedy of law if any provision of this Agreement is not performed in accordance with its specific terms or otherwise is breached.  Accordingly, each Party agrees that the other Parties will be entitled to an injunction to prevent any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to enforce specifically any provision of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled and without having to prove the inadequacy of any other remedy they may have at law or in equity and without being required to post bond or other security.

 

10.14 Further Assurances.  Each Party agrees to furnish upon request to any other Party such further information, to execute and deliver to any other Party such other documents, and to do such other acts and things, all as any other Party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of the Transaction Documents.

 

10.15 Public Announcement.  Because the Buyer is a publicly reporting Company’s, Seller agrees that upon closing, Buyer shall have the right to make such announcement, and provide such details about the purchase of the Shares by the Buyer from the Seller as Buyer deems appropriate, provided that Buyer show Seller such announcement prior to making such.  Seller further agrees that it shall not make any other announcement of this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby or by the Transaction Documents without the prior approval of the Buyer.

 

10.16 Attorneys’ Fees.  The prevailing party(ies) in any litigation, arbitration, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding (“Proceeding”) relating to the enforcement or interpretation of this Agreement may recover from the unsuccessful party(ies) all costs, expenses, and actual attorney's fees (including expert witness and other consultants' fees and costs) relating to or arising out of (a) the Proceeding (whether or not the Proceeding proceeds to judgment), and (b) any post-judgment or post-award proceeding including one to enforce or collect any judgment or award resulting from the Proceeding.  All such judgments and awards shall contain a specific provision for the recovery of all such subsequently incurred costs, expenses, and actual attorney's fees.

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

The Parties have executed and delivered this Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.

“Buyer”:

A4 Construction Services, Inc.

By: 
Name: Kent B. Wilson
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

ALPINE 4 TECHNOLOGIES, LTD

By: 
Name: Kent B. Wilson
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

“Seller”:

“Company’s”:

Excel Fabrication, LLC

By: 
Name:Mr. Mark Bell 
Title:  President

 

EXHIBIT B

SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

EXHIBIT C

GUARANTEE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT D

True Up Cash Settlement Statement

EXHIBIT E

SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT

This Subordination Agreement (“Agreement”) is made this _____day of February, 2020, by and between __to be determined at a future date__ (“Senior Lender”), whose address is ________________________; Excel Fabrication., an Idaho Limited Liability Company, whose address is ____________________ ("Borrower"); and Mr. Mark Bell, an individual, whose address is ________________________ ("Subordinating Creditor").

BACKGROUND:

As of the date hereof, Borrower is now indebted to Subordinating Creditor in the approximate aggregate amount of $5,000,000 and may in the future be owed additional sums (collectively, "Junior Indebtedness");

Borrower is now, or will be, indebted to Senior Lender on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of up to $5,000,000, and for the Indebtedness (which may exceed the amount herein set forth) as defined in a Loan and Security Agreement (“Loan Agreement”) executed between Senior Lender and Borrower (collectively, "Senior Indebtedness");

Subordinating Creditor is financially interested in Borrower and desires to aid Borrower in obtaining financing; and Senior Lender is willing to lend sums to Borrower provided Borrower and Subordinating Creditor comply with all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants hereinafter contained, and as an inducement to Senior Lender to advance credit and lend money to Borrower, it is jointly and severally agreed by the parties hereto as follows:

1. Subordination of the Junior Indebtedness: Except as permitted and as conditioned in Paragraph 7, the Senior Indebtedness, and all liability of Borrower to Senior Lender, now existing or hereafter created, shall be indefeasibly paid in full in cash and discharged, together with all interest, collection expenses, and reasonable attorneys' fees, and Subordinating Creditor shall receive written notice thereof from Senior Lender, before any payment shall be accepted from or required of Borrower as to any of the Junior Indebtedness.

2. Subordination of Lien: Subordinating Creditor, notwithstanding the order of attachment or perfection of its security interests, in the assets of the Borrower, subordinates to Senior Lender any and all security interests which Subordinating Creditor now has or in the future may have in the Collateral (as defined in the Loan Agreement and related Loan Documents, collectively “Loan Documents”) of the Borrower together with all products and proceeds thereof. Subordinating Creditor further agrees that it will not enforce or assert any of its rights or security interests in or in any other manner interfere with Senior Lender's security interests in the Collateral, unless and until Senior Lender has advised Subordinating Creditor, in writing, that Borrower has indefeasibly paid in full and in cash, the Senior Indebtedness owing to Senior Lender. By means of illustration, not limitation, Subordinating Creditor agrees that it will not seek to foreclose on any Collateral, demand or accelerate any indebtedness owing to Subordinating Creditor, assert any set-off or counterclaim, or notify account debtors of Subordinating Creditor's security interest in the proceeds of the Collateral, if any, unless and until Senior Lender has advised Subordinating Creditor, in writing, that Borrower has satisfied, in full, the Senior Indebtedness. Furthermore, until receipt of such notice, Subordinating Creditor (i) will not assert any claim for marshalling of Borrower's assets, (ii) consents to the collection or sale of the Collateral by Senior Lender free and clear of Subordinating Creditor's security interest, and (iii) without the necessity of demand or request by Senior Lender, Subordinating Creditor will turn or pay over to Senior Lender any money or the proceeds of any Collateral coming into Subordinating Creditor's possession, custody or control. In furtherance of the foregoing, at the request of Senior Lender, Subordinating Creditor agrees that it will take any and all such action as Senior Lender may request to facilitate the collection or sale of any Collateral by Senior Lender or Borrower, including without limitation, the termination of Subordinating Creditor's security interest in any such Collateral. Furthermore, Subordinating Creditor consents to any and all dispositions of the Collateral now or hereafter made by Senior Lender and waives any claims contesting the commercial reasonableness of any sales. Subordinating Creditor acknowledges that the intent of this paragraph is to place Senior Lender in the same position as if the Collateral was not subject to Subordinating Creditor's security interest and agrees that it will assert no claims against Senior Lender with respect to the Collateral.

3. Receipt of Payments: In the event Subordinating Creditor shall receive payment from Borrower in violation of the law or this Agreement, whether such payment be in cash or otherwise, Subordinating Creditor shall be liable and accountable to Senior Lender therefore, shall be deemed to have received such payment in trust for the use and benefit of Senior Lender, shall not commingle the same with any other funds and shall pay over and deliver such payment to Senior Lender immediately, to be applied upon the Senior Indebtedness of Borrower to Senior Lender if in cash, and if in form other than cash, then as the same is converted into cash. In the event of the failure of Subordinating Creditor to endorse any instrument received by Subordinating Creditor and made payable to Subordinating Creditor's order, Senior Lender or any officer or employee is hereby irrevocably constituted and appointed attorney in fact for Subordinating Creditor, such appointment being deemed coupled with an interest, with full power to make any such endorsement, and with full power of substitution.

4. Survival: This Agreement shall survive and remain in full force and effect in the event of any administration of the property and/or affairs of Borrower arising from any assignment for the benefit of creditors, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation or other like proceedings; and no delay, forbearance, or omission by Senior Lender in the exercise of any right or power accruing to it upon any default in the performance hereof by the other parties hereto, shall impair any such right or power of Senior Lender or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or acquiescence therein. Possession by Senior Lender of any note or other evidence of indebtedness made, endorsed or guaranteed by Borrower shall be conclusive evidence (but not the only means of establishing) that Borrower is indebted to Senior Lender and that the indebtedness is covered by this Agreement. Furthermore, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and Senior Lender may make advancements of credit to Borrower in reliance upon this Agreement, until terminated as otherwise provided herein. Thereafter, this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect with respect to the Senior Indebtedness and the Junior Indebtedness, and Senior Lender may continue to grant to Borrower renewals and/or extensions of time and may otherwise proceed in its sole discretion in the enforcement of the Senior Indebtedness.

5. Default: It shall be a Default under the Loan Documents if Borrower, in violation of this Agreement, shall make payment to Subordinating Creditor, whether such payment be in cash or otherwise.

6. Amount of Debt: The amounts set opposite the signature of Subordinating Creditor below represent all of the amounts currently owing by Borrower to said Subordinating Creditor. Subordinating Creditor is the sole owner of the Junior Indebtedness.

7. Subrogation: Until the Senior Indebtedness is indefeasibly paid in full in cash, Subordinating Creditor shall not exercise any rights of subrogation. Until the Senior Indebtedness has been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, Subordinating Creditor also transfers and assigns to Senior Lender, as collateral security for any and all obligations of Borrower to Senior Lender, the right to enforce the Junior Indebtedness and all of the claims or demands of Subordinating Creditor against Borrower, with full right on the part of Senior Lender, in its own name or in the name of Subordinating Creditor, to collect and enforce said claims, by suit, proof of debt in bankruptcy, or other liquidation proceedings, or otherwise. Any proceedings shall be at the sole discretion of Senior Lender, and Senior Lender has no obligation to Subordinating Creditor to take any steps with regard to these claims or demands, or the Junior Indebtedness, or any collateral or other security for the Junior Indebtedness.

9. Cumulative Rights: Upon any default or breach of this Agreement by Subordinating Creditor or Borrower, Senior Lender shall have all of the rights and remedies available at law or equity, including those of a secured creditor under

The State of Senior Lenders choice for Uniform Commercial Code, as amended from time to time. This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereto, are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights or remedies available to the parties.

10. Consents: This Agreement and its terms shall in no way be affected or impaired by, and Subordinating Creditor hereby irrevocably consents to, without notice: (a) any increase in the Senior Indebtedness; (b) any amendment, alteration, extension, renewal, waiver, indulgence or other modification of the Loan Documents; (c) any settlement or compromise in connection with the Loan Documents or Senior Indebtedness; (d) any substitution, exchange, release or other disposition of all or any part of the Loan Documents or the Senior Indebtedness; (e) any failure, delay, neglect, act or omission by Senior Lender to act in connection with the Loan Documents or Senior Indebtedness; (f) any advances for the purpose of performing or curing any term or covenant contained in the Loan Documents or with respect to the Senior Indebtedness to which Borrower shall be or would otherwise be in default; and (g) any other matter whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing. The obligations and agreements of Subordinating Creditor shall be unconditional, notwithstanding any defect in the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Senior Indebtedness or the Loan Documents or any other circumstances whether or not referred to herein, which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or a defense to Subordinating Creditor.

11. Insurance Proceeds: Proceeds of the Collateral include insurance proceeds, and therefore, notwithstanding anything contained in any other agreements, the priorities set forth herein shall govern the ultimate disposition of casualty insurance proceeds. Senior Lender, as the holder of a senior security interest on the Collateral, shall have the sole and exclusive right to adjust settlement of insurance claims in the event of any covered loss, theft or destruction of the Collateral. All proceeds of insurance shall inure to Senior Lender to the extent of the Senior Indebtedness, and Subordinating Creditor shall fully cooperate in effecting the payment of insurance proceeds to Senior Lender. In the event Senior Lender, in its sole discretion or pursuant to an agreement with Borrower, permits the Borrower to utilize the proceeds of insurance to replace the Collateral, the consent of Senior Lender thereto shall be deemed to include the consent of Subordinating Creditor.

12. Waivers: Subordinating Creditor hereby waives: (a) notice of any of the events set forth in Paragraph10; (b) notice of the creation of all or any portion of the Senior Indebtedness or an increase in the Senior Indebtedness; (b) presentment and demand for payment of any Senior Indebtedness of Borrower, notice of nonperformance, protest, notice of protest, and notice of dishonor or default in connection with any Senior Indebtedness; (c) all other notices to which Subordinating Creditor might otherwise be entitled; (d) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of Borrower; (e) any right to cause a marshalling of Borrower's assets; (f) any right to require Senior Lender to proceed against any person, including without limit Borrower or guarantor; (g) any right to require Senior Lender to proceed against or exhaust any of Borrower's, guarantor's or any other person's security; and (h) any right to require Senior Lender to pursue any other remedy in Senior Lender's power. Subordinating Creditor acknowledges and agrees that Senior Lender's rights under this Agreement are not conditioned upon pursuit by Senior Lender of any remedy Senior Lender may have against Borrower or guarantor or any other Person or any other security. No waiver or modification of any of Senior Lender's rights under this Agreement shall be effective unless the waiver or modification shall be in writing and signed by an authorized officer on behalf of Senior Lender, and each waiver or modification shall be a waiver or modification only with respect to the specific matter to which the waiver or modification relates and shall in no way impair the rights of Senior Lender or the obligations of Subordinating Creditor to Senior Lender in any other respect.

13. Non-Reliance: Subordinating Creditor delivers this Agreement based solely on Subordinating Creditor's independent investigation of (or decision not to investigate) the financial condition of Borrower and is not relying on any information furnished by Senior Lender. Subordinating Creditor assumes full responsibility for obtaining any further information concerning Borrower's financial condition, the status of the Senior Indebtedness or any other matter which Subordinating Creditor may deem necessary or appropriate now or later. Subordinating Creditor waives any duty on the part of Senior Lender, and agrees that Subordinating Creditor is not relying upon nor expecting Senior Lender to disclose to Subordinating Creditor any fact now or later known by Senior Lender, whether relating to the operations or condition of Borrower, the existence, liabilities or financial condition of any guarantor of the Senior Indebtedness, the occurrence of any default with respect to the Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise, notwithstanding any effect such fact may have upon Subordinating Creditor's risk or Subordinating Creditor's rights against Borrower. Subordinating Creditor knowingly accepts the full range of risk encompassed in this Agreement, which risk includes, without limit, the possibility that Senior Lender may demand repayment of the Senior Indebtedness at any time and that Borrower may incur Senior Indebtedness to Senior Lender after the financial condition of Borrower, or its ability to pay Borrower's debts as they mature, has deteriorated.

14. Joint and Several: The term "Subordinating Creditor" or "Borrower" as used in this Agreement shall, if this instrument is signed by more than one party as a Subordinating Creditor or Borrower, mean respectively Subordinating Creditor and Borrower and each of them, jointly and severally.

15. Agreement/Choice of Laws: All parties hereto have the authority to enter into this Agreement and the execution of this Agreement has been duly authorized. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. This Agreement shall be construed according to the laws of the State of Michigan (irrespective of the state's choice of law rules).

16. Notice: Subordinating Creditor agrees, covenants and acknowledges that in the event of any default of Borrower to Subordinating Creditor on the Junior Indebtedness to give prompt written notice thereof to Senior Lender at the address provided herein.

17. Survival: If after receipt of any payment of all or any part of the Senior Indebtedness, Senior Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender the payment to any person or entity, because the payment is determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, diversion of trust funds or for any other reason, then to the extent of that payment, the Senior Indebtedness shall be automatically revived and Senior Lender's rights under this Agreement shall be automatically continued in effect without reduction or discharge for that payment, and this Agreement shall automatically continue in full force notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by Senior Lender in reliance upon that payment (including, without limit, surrender or termination of this Agreement) and any contrary action so taken shall be without prejudice to Senior Lender's rights under this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been conditioned upon that payment having become final and irrevocable.

18. Indemnification: Subordinating Creditor hereby assumes responsibility and liability for, and hereby holds harmless and indemnifies Senior Lender from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred or suffered, directly or indirectly, by Senior Lender which arise in whole or in part from any breach of this Agreement by Subordinating Creditor.

19. Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is in conflict with any statute or rule of law or is otherwise unenforceable for any reason, then that provision shall be deemed null and void to the extent of the conflict or unenforceability and shall be deemed severable, but shall not invalidate any other provision of this Agreement.

20. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, and each executed counterpart shall constitute an original instrument, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

21. Binding Effect: Subordinating Creditor waives notice of acceptance by Senior Lender of this Agreement and this Agreement is immediately binding upon Subordinating Creditor. This Agreement constitutes a continuing agreement of subordination even though at times Borrower may not be indebted to Senior Lender. Subordinating Creditor acknowledges that the aforesaid Loan Documents contemplate money advances and other sums being advanced, from time to time thereunder, which may be mandatory or discretionary, and that the first, valid and prior interest of Senior Lender herein granted, subordinated to and hereinafter warranted shall remain notwithstanding the repayment, in whole or in part, of the Senior Indebtedness outstanding from time to time, until termination of the entire relationship between Borrower and Senior Lender, and receipt of notice by Subordinating Creditor as hereinabove contemplated.

22. Waiver of Jury Trial: BORROWER AND SUBORDINATING CREDITOR DO EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND INTELLIGENTLY WAIVE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM, DISPUTE, CONFLICT OR CONTENTION, IF ANY, AS MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, AND AGREE THAT ANY LITIGATION BETWEEN THE PARTIES CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE HEARD BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION SITTING WITHOUT A JURY. BORROWER AND SUBORDINATING CREDITOR HEREBY CONFIRM TO SENIOR LENDER THAT THEY HAVE REVIEWED THE EFFECT OF THIS WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL WITH COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF THEIR CHOICE, OR HAVE BEEN AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO, PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT SENIOR LENDER IS RELYING UPON THIS WAIVER IN EXTENDING THE LOAN TO BORROWER.

23. Consent to Jurisdiction: BORROWER AND SUBORDINATING CREDITOR HEREBY WAIVE ANY PLEA OF JURISDICTION OR VENUE HEREBY SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZE ANY ACTION BROUGHT TO ENFORCE BORROWER'S OR SUBORDINATING CREDITOR'S OBLIGATIONS TO SENIOR LENDER TO BE INSTITUTED AND PROSECUTED IN OR A DISTRICT COURT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF SENIOR LENDER’S CHOICE, AS APPROPRIATE, OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF SENIOR LENDERS CHOICE AT THE ELECTION OF SENIOR LENDER, AND BORROWER AND SUBORDINATING CREDITOR HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT.

_____________________________________

Mr. Mark Bell

40

SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

U.S. $2,300,000 __/__/2020

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Excel Fabrication, LLC. ( “Maker”) promise to pay to Mark Bell, an individual residing at __________________  (the “Holder”), or his order, or such other place as Holder may designate in writing, in lawful money of the United States of America, the original aggregate principal sum of  Two Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,300,000) together with interest at the rate of four and 1/4 percent (4.25%) per annum, which amounts shall be due in accordance with the following provisions of this Promissory Note (the “Note”).

This Note has been executed and delivered pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), of even or near date herewith, as well as a Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) of even or near date herewith, by and among Maker, the Holder, and Excel Fabrication, LLC. (“EFL”) and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, which are, by this reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof. The Maker has issued another Note pursuant to the Purchase Agreement to Holder, with terms similar to those of this Note. Capitalized terms used in this Note without definition shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

1. Term.  The term of this Note shall be for four (4) years, interest only at 4.25%

2. Payments.

a.

Monthly Payments. Monthly payments (each, a “Monthly Payment”) of interest, principal and penalties, if any, shall be paid monthly, commencing on that date which is ninety (90) days following the execution of the Purchase Agreement, and payable thereafter on the monthly anniversary of the Purchase Agreement.

b.	Balloon Payment.  All remaining unpaid principal and interest  will be payable in full on the date which is the 48 month anniversary of the date of this Note (the “Maturity Date”).

3. Security.  This Note is secured, with a subordinated security interest, by the obligations due pursuant to and under the Guarantee & Security Agreement dated even or near date herewith.

4. Prepayment.  Maker shall have the right to prepay the indebtedness, in full or in part and without penalty or payment of any fee or premium, at any time prior to the Maturity Date.

5. Late Charges; Refusal of Payments.  If any Monthly Payment provided for in this Note shall be received by Holder more than fifteen (15) days after the due date thereof, a “Late Charge” of one percent (1.0%) of the amount of such Monthly Payment shall be immediately due to Holder and shall accompany any such Monthly Payment when made.  Holder may refuse to accept any Monthly Payment which is not accompanied by the applicable Late Charge.  It is agreed that the amount of such Late Charge has been established to compensate Holder for additional costs and expenses which will be incurred by reason of a Monthly Payment not being made on time and which costs and expenses are difficult to predict or quantify. The parties agree that the amount of Late Charges, if any, are reasonable under the circumstances.

6. Default Interest.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under this Note, the entire unpaid principal balance hereof, together with accrued but unpaid interest and Late Charges shall, for all purposes, thereafter earn interest at the rate of six percent (6.0%) per annum (the “Default Rate”) from the date of such default until the default shall have been cured to the satisfaction of Holder in its sole discretion.  In no event shall the Default Rate exceed the highest rate of interest which may be charged upon default against the obligation of Maker evidenced by this Note in accordance with the law applicable thereto.

7. No Right of Setoff.  Except as provided in the Purchase Agreement, Maker shall have no right to set off, offset or deduct any amount otherwise due, payable or owing under or pursuant to this Note.

8. Place of Payment.  Unless until otherwise revised in writing, all Payments required to be made under this Note shall be made payable to Mark Bell with and address of, 2002 S 600 W Oakley, ID 83346.

9. Default.  The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Note:

a. Maker shall fail to pay (whether due on the date provided herein or by acceleration or otherwise), any amounts due and payable under this Note;

b. There shall occur a default under the Purchase Agreement or Security Agreement or Maker shall otherwise fail to perform its obligations under the Purchase Agreement or Security Agreement;

c. Maker become insolvent or bankrupt or are generally not paying its debts as such debts become due or if a custodian, trustee, or receiver as defined in the Bankruptcy Code is appointed over all or any portion of Maker’s property, or bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation proceedings are instituted or consented to by Maker or instituted against and not consented to by Maker and not dismissed within thirty (30) days after the institution of such proceedings;

d. A general assignment by the Maker for the benefit of creditors;

e. The attachment, levy, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of the Maker’s assets;

f. The Maker shall have concealed, removed or per-mitted to be concealed or removed, any part of its property, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors, or made or suffered a transfer of any of its property which may be fraudulent under any bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance or similar law; or shall have made any transfer of its property to or for the benefit of a creditor at a time when other creditors similarly situated have not been paid; or shall have suffered or permitted while insolvent, any creditor to obtain a lien upon any of its property through legal proceedings or distraint which is not vacated within thirty (30) days from the date thereof; or

g. the dissolution, merger, consolidation, termina-tion of existence, or other Change of Control (defined below) of EFL.

10. Acceleration Upon Default.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under this Note, then the entire principal balance and accrued interest, irrespective of the Maturity Date specified herein, shall become immediately due and payable at the option of Holder.

11. Assignment.  This Note is non-negotiable and may not be sold, assigned or transferred (by operation of law or otherwise) or pledged by Holder, without the prior written consent of Maker, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

12. Cumulative Remedies.  The rights or remedies of the Holder as provided in this Note shall be cumulative and concurrent, and may be pursued singly, successively, or together against Maker, any guarantor hereof or otherwise at the sole discretion of the Holder.  The failure to exercise any such right or remedy shall in no event be construed as a waiver or release of said rights or remedies or a waiver of the right to exercise them at any later time.

13. Waivers and Consents.  The Maker and all endorsers, guarantors, sureties, accommodation parties hereof and all other persons liable or to become liable for all or any part of this indebtedness, jointly and severally waive diligence, presentment, protest and demand, and also notice of protest, of demand, of nonpayment, of dishonor and of maturity and also recourse to suretyship defenses generally; and they also jointly and severally hereby consent to any and all renewals, extensions or modifications of the terms hereof, including time for payment, and further agree that any such renewal, extension or modification of the terms hereof or the release or substitution of any security for the indebtedness evidenced hereby or any other indulgences shall not affect the liability of said parties for the indebtedness evidenced by this Note.

14. Payment of Costs and Liability.  The Maker, guarantors, sureties, accommodation parties hereof and all other persons liable or to become liable on this Note, agree jointly and severally, to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and all costs of suit and appeal (the “Costs”), in the event that (a) there shall occur an Event of Default under this Note; (b) the Holder is made party to any litigation merely because of the existence of this Note; or (c) it becomes necessary by reason of the acts or omissions of Maker for the Holder to seek the advice of counsel with respect to this Note.  Costs shall be paid whether suit be brought or not, and whether they are incurred through courts of original jurisdiction, or through a bankruptcy court or through other legal proceedings.

15. Amendments.  This Note may not be amended, modified or changed, nor shall any waiver of any provision hereof be effective, except only by an instrument in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, amendment, change, modification or discharge is sought.

16. Joint and Several Liability.  The liability of each and every party who has signed this Note and all other parties who are or who may become liable under this Note shall be joint and several.

17. Severability.  If any term or condition of this Note shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the rest of the Note shall be enforced without the invalid or the unenforceable provision.

18. References.  Whenever used herein, the words “Maker” and “Holder” shall be deemed to include their respective heirs, devisees, personal representatives, successors and assigns.

19. Limitation of Interest.  It is the intent of Maker and Holder in the execution of this Note to contract in strict compliance with the usury laws governing this Note.  In furtherance thereof, Holder and Maker stipulate and agree that none of the terms and provisions contained in this Note shall ever be construed to create a contract for the use, forbearance or detention of money requiring payment of interest at a rate in excess of the maximum interest rate permitted to be charged by such laws.  Maker or any guarantor, endorser or other party now or hereafter becoming liable for the payment of this Note shall never be required to pay interest on this Note at a rate in excess of the maximum interest that may be lawfully charged under applicable law, and the provisions of this section shall control over all other provisions of this Note and any other instrument executed in connection herewith which may be in apparent conflict herewith.  In the event any holder of this Note shall collect monies which are deemed to constitute interest which would otherwise increase the effective interest rate on this Note to a rate in excess of that permitted to be charged, all such sums deemed to constitute interest in excess of the maximum permissible rate shall be immediately returned to the maker upon such determination.

20. Due on Sale.  It is expressly agreed and understood by Maker that this Note and the Security Agreement securing same are made for the sole and absolute benefit of Maker and that this Note and the Security Agreement are not assumable by any other person or party, and that in the event the collateral securing repayment of this Note or any portion thereof is sold, transferred or conveyed to any other party, whether by contract for deed, conveyance in trust or by operation of law or otherwise, the Holder or its successors and assigns shall have the right to immediately declare the entire unpaid balance of this Note, including all accrued but unpaid interest and Late Charges, to be immediately due and payable.

21. Governing Law.  This Note shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the Idaho

22. Change of Control.  The occurrence of any one or more of the following (each a "Change of Control"):

(a)  EFL sells, leases, assigns, transfers, conveys, or otherwise disposes of all or a substantial part of the EFL’s assets (excluding equipment financing or bank financing), or

(b)  EFL liquidates, dissolves, or substantially suspends the active business operations, or the equity of EFL is transferred, assigned, or otherwise conveyed to any person or entity, or

(c)  The consummation of any consolidation, merger or reorganization of EFL with or into any limited liability company, corporation or other entity, or any other corporate transaction in which EFL shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such transaction.

MAKER:

Excel Fabrication, LLC.

an Idaho Limited Liability Company

By: 

Name: Kent Wilson 

Title: interim Chief Executive Officer

HOLDER:

By: 

Name: Mark Bell 

---

GUARANTEE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This Guarantee and Security Agreement (this "Security Agreement") is entered into effective as of February 21, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Mr. Mark Bell, individuals residing in Oakley, Idaho (each a “Secured Party” and collectively, the “Secured Parties”), A4 Construction Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Alpine 4 CS CS”), and Excel Fabrication, LLC., an Idaho Limited Liability Company (the “Company”).  The Secured Parties, and the Company, and Alpine 4 CS are sometimes referred to hereafter individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

A.

Alpine 4 CS, the Secured Parties, and the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement of even or near date herewith (the “SPA”), pursuant to which Alpine 4 CS  purchased from the Secured Parties 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Company and related entities (the “Purchased Shares”).

B.

As partial payment for the Purchased Shares, Company made and conveyed to the Secured Parties one (1) Secured Promissory Notes (each a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”) of even or near date herewith, pursuant to which, Alpine 4 CS agreed to pay to the Secured Parties an aggregate of $2,300,000, on terms set forth in the Notes, as consideration for the Purchased Shares.

C.

In recognition of, and to provide collateral to secure Company’s obligations under the Notes, the Company agrees to enter into this Security Agreement pursuant to which the Company will grant to Secured Parties a subordinated security interest in the Collateral described below outlined in Exhibit E in the SPA with a Subordination Agreement.

D.	At the request of Alpine 4 CS, Secured Parties agree to allow Alpine 4 CS to change Senior Lenders and agree to execute new Subordination Agreements as represented in Exhibit E at Alpine 4 CS’s request.

E.	Alpine 4 CS hereby agrees to guarantee the obligations of the Company in respect of the payment obligations under the Notes.

 

AGREEMENT

 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, Secured Parties, and Alpine 4 CS hereby agree as follows:

 

 1. Definition’s and Interpretation.  When used in this Security Agreement, the following terms have the following respective meanings:

 

 “Company Collateral” shall mean the present and future assets of the Company, including, without limitation, the equipment, accounts receivable, tools, parts, inventory, and commingled goods relating to the foregoing property, customer accounts, intellectual property, and investment property all whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or whether now or hereafter subject to any rights in the foregoing property, and any and all accessions thereto, replacements or modifications thereof, and all of the products and proceeds (whether cash or non-cash proceeds) from any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, insurance payments or proceeds of any policy of insurance relating thereto from any of the assets of the Company.

 “Lien” shall mean, with respect to any property, any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, charge or other encumbrance in, of, or on such property or the income therefrom.

 

 “Obligations” shall be as defined in Section 2(a).

 

“Permitted Encumbrances” has the meaning specified therefor in the SPA.

 

 “Person” shall mean and include an individual, a partnership, a corporation (including a business trust), a joint stock company, a limited liability company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a governmental authority.

 

“Senior Lender” shall mean the bank or other financing entity of Company

 

“Senior Security Interest” shall mean the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Senior Lender which is senior to the security interest granted to the Secured Parties hereunder as in Exhibit E in the SPA.

Except as otherwise provided herein or defined in the Notes, all other terms used in this Security Agreement shall have the meanings given under Chapter 9.1 of the Indiana Uniform Commercial Code, or in any other article if not defined in Chapter 9.1.

2. Guarantee.

 

a.  Alpine 4 CS hereby guarantees to the Secured Parties (i) all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities (including, without limitation, indemnities, fees, expenses) of the Company to the Secured Parties arising out of or in connection with the Notes and this Security Agreement (collectively, the “Obligations”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default as defined herein, Alpine 4 CS and the Company, pursuant to the Notes which remains uncured pursuant to any applicable cure periods or means, Alpine 4 CS shall have the obligation to make any payment not made by the Company, until such time as the Company shall resume making such payments. Additionally, if the Company does not pay any and all amounts still owing at or before the Maturity Date of the Notes, then Alpine 4 CS shall have the obligation to pay all amounts due and payable under the Notes, pursuant to the terms of the Notes.

 

b.  If any or all payments made from time to time to Secured Parties with respect to any Obligations hereby guaranteed are recovered from, or repaid by, Secured Parties in whole or in part in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or similar proceeding instituted by or against Company, this Guaranty shall continue to be fully applicable to such Obligations to the same extent as if the recovered or repaid payment(s) had never been originally made on such Obligations.

 

c.  Each of Alpine 4 CS and the Company represents, warrants, and agrees that (i) such Party has legal capacity and full power and authority to enter into this Security Agreement; (ii) this Security Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Party; (iii) this Security Agreement constitutes such Party’s legal, valid, and binding obligations which are enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (iv) the execution of this Security Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with, or result in a breach of any term of, or constitute a default under any note, mortgage, indenture, or other agreement or instrument by which such Party is bound, or by any law, order, rule, regulation, writ, or injunction of any governmental body having jurisdiction over such Party or any of its properties, assets, or rights.

 

d.  Any and all rights of any nature of the Company to subrogation, reimbursement, or indemnity, and any rights of the Company to recourse to any assets or property of Alpine 4 CS, for any reason, shall be unconditionally subordinated to all of Secured Parties’ rights, and the Company shall not at any time exercise any of such rights unless and until all the Obligations have been unconditionally paid in full.

 

e.  The Guaranty is and shall be absolute, unconditional and continuing and shall remain in force until all amounts due to Secured Parties under the Notes are paid in-full.

 

3. Grant of Security Interest.

 

a. As security for the Obligations and continuing so long as any amount remains outstanding on the Notes, the Company hereby pledges and grants to Secured Parties collectively a subordinated continuing security interest (subject only to the Senior Security Interest granted to the Senior Lender) in and to all of the Company Collateral.

 

b.   The Company hereby authorizes Secured Parties to execute and file any financing or fixture filing statements signed only by Secured Parties as deemed advisable by Secured Parties in the appropriate state or local offices on behalf of The Company in connection herewith.

 

 4. Representations, Warranties, and Covenants.

 

a. Covenants Relating to Collateral.  As security for the Obligations, the Company hereby agrees (i) to perform all acts that may be necessary to maintain, preserve, protect and perfect the Collateral, the Subordinated Security Interest (subject only to Permitted Encumbrances) granted to Secured Parties therein and the perfection and priority of such Subordinated Security Interest (subject only to the Senior Security Interest granted to the Senior Lenders, and to Permitted Encumbrances); (ii) to pay promptly when due all taxes and other governmental charges, all Liens and all other charges now or hereafter imposed upon or affecting any Collateral; (iii) to procure, execute and deliver from time to time any endorsements, assignments, financing statements and other writings reasonably deemed necessary or appropriate by the Secured Parties to maintain and protect Secured Parties’ Subordinated Security Interest (subject only to the Senior Security Interest granted to the Senior Lender, and to Permitted Encumbrances) hereunder and the priority thereof and to deliver promptly upon the request of the Secured Parties all originals of Collateral consisting of instruments, investment property, or other Collateral for which possession of originals is necessary; (iv) to appear in and defend any action or proceeding which may affect the Company's title to or Secured Parties’ interest in the Collateral; and (v) except for in connection with sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business, not to surrender or lose possession of (other than to Secured Parties), sell, encumber, lease or otherwise dispose of or transfer any Collateral or right or interest therein, and to keep the Collateral free of all Liens (other than the Senior Security Interest granted to the Senior Lenders and Permitted Encumbrances). The Company shall provide each Secured Party with at least 30 days’ prior written notice of the Company’s desire to change the holders of the Senior Security Interests from time to time as needed to help in the financing activities of the Company, and provided that the Company is not then in default with respect to the Obligations, the holders of the Senior Security Interests may be changed.

 

b. Other Representations, Warranties, and Covenants.  Each of Alpine 4 CS and the Company represents, warrants, and covenants to each of the following:

 

i. The exact legal names of Alpine 4 CS and the Company is set forth on the signature page of this Security Agreement.

 

ii. Alpine 4 CS is duly incorporated and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware, the Company is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Indiana, and with respect to each of Alpine 4 CS and the Company, the execution, delivery, and performance of this Security Agreement is within Alpine 4 CS’s and the Company's powers, the Security Agreement has been duly authorized, and is not in conflict with the terms of its respective organizational documents, each as amended through the date of this Security Agreement, and each constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Alpine 4 CS and the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

iii. Alpine 4 CS’s chief executive office is located at 2525 E. Biltmore Cir., Suite C237, Phoenix, AZ 85016, and the Company's chief executive office is located at ________________________________.

 

iv. Not to change the Company's name, any organizational identification number, state of incorporation, organizational identity, or location of chief executive office; provided, however, that the Company may change any of these upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to Secured Parties of such change along with the Company paying all of Secured Parties’ incurred costs of filing amendments, additional financing statements, or any other necessary documents to protect, perfect, and preserve Secured Parties’ security interest in the Collateral.

 

v.  To pay all taxes and assessments of every nature which may be levied or assessed against the Collateral.

 

vi.  At the time the Company Collateral becomes subject to the lien and security interest created by this Agreement, the Company, as applicable, will be the direct, legal and beneficial owner thereof, free and clear of any lien, security interest, encumbrance, claim, option or right of others except for the Senior Security Interest and the security interest created by this Security Agreement.

 

vii.  No authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the pledge by the Company of the Company Collateral pursuant to this Security Agreement or for the execution and delivery of the Notes and this Security Agreement by the Company or the performance by Alpine 4 CS of its obligations hereunder.

 

 5.           Litigation and Other Proceedings.  The Secured Parties shall have the right but not the obligation to bring suit or institute proceedings in the name of the Company or the Secured Parties to enforce any rights in the Company Collateral, including without limitation any license thereunder, in which event the Company shall at the request of the Secured Parties do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all documents reasonably required by Secured Parties or determined to be necessary or appropriate by Secured Parties in aid of such enforcement.

 

 6. Action by Secured Parties.  All actions of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Security Agreement, including the enforcement of any rights pursuant to this Security Agreement or the Guarantee of Alpine 4 CS above, shall be determined by the Secured Parties jointly, acting together, and the Secured Parties agree that the approval of all Secured Parties shall be required for any action to be taken by the Secured Parties with respect to the enforcement of any rights pursuant to this Security Agreement or the Guarantee of Alpine 4 CS above. The Secured Parties further agree that neither the Company nor Alpine 4 CS shall be required to comply with any instructions or respond to any actions or claims by the Secured Parties unless the Secured Parties affirm that they are acting jointly.

 

7. Default and Remedies.

 

a. Default.  The Company shall be deemed in default under this Security Agreement upon (each an “Event of Default” but subject to the Subordination Agreement with the Senior Lender/s as outlined in Exhibit E.: (i) the occurrence and during the continuance of a default or breach of any of Alpine 4 CS’s  obligations arising under the terms of the Notes or a default or breach of any of the Company's obligations arising under the terms of this Security Agreement, (ii) the uninsured loss, theft, damage, or destruction to the Company Collateral, sale (other than inventory in the ordinary course of business) or encumbrance of any of the Company Collateral, or the making of any levy, seizure or attachment on the Company Collateral, or (iii) dissolution, termination of existence, insolvency, business failure, appointment of a receiver of any part of the property of, assignment for the benefit of creditors by, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws of, by or against the Company, (iv) the Company’s merger, consolidation, or transfer of a substantial part of its assets, a material decline in the value of the Collateral or any significant part thereof, (v) Alpine 4 CS’s or the Company’s concealment, removal (or permitting such concealment or removal) of any part of the Company Collateral, with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors, (vi) Secured Parties’ determination to deem themselves insecure, or (vii) any other Event of Default as defined under the Notes.

 

b. Remedies.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Secured Parties shall have the rights granted by this Security Agreement, and by law, including without limitation the right to: (i) declare the Notes, individually or collectively, at the option of the Secured Parties, (ii) require the Company to assemble the Company Collateral and make it available to the Secured Parties at a place to be designated by the Secured Parties, , (iv) prior to the disposition of the Company Collateral, require the Company to store, process, repair or recondition the Company Collateral or otherwise prepare the Company Collateral for disposition in any manner and to the extent the Secured Parties deem appropriate and in connection with such preparation and disposition, without charge to Secured Parties, and (v) may collect all reasonable costs incurred in pursuing any remedies including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

c. Application of Company Collateral Proceeds.  The proceeds and/or avails of the Company Collateral, or any part thereof, and the proceeds and the avails of any remedy hereunder (as well as any other amounts of any kind held by the Secured Parties at the time of, or received by Secured Parties after, the occurrence of an event of default) shall be paid to and applied as follows:

 

i. First, to the payment of reasonable costs and expenses of Secured Parties, including, without limitation, all amounts expended to preserve the value of the Company Collateral, of foreclosure or suit, if any, and of such sale and the exercise of any other rights or remedies, and of all proper fees, expenses, liability and advances, including reasonable legal expenses and attorneys’ fees, incurred or made hereunder by Secured Parties;

 

ii. Second, to the payment to Secured Parties of the amounts outstanding under the Notes;

 

iii. Third, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to the Company, their successors and assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.

 

 8.                Miscellaneous.

 

a. Notices.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, demands, consents, instructions or other communications to or upon Alpine 4 CS, the Company, or Secured Parties under this Security Agreement shall be in writing and faxed, mailed or delivered to each party to the facsimile number or the address set forth below, or to such other address as may be specified in writing by a Party to the other parties to this Security Agreement.

If to Secured Parties:

 

Mark Bell

 

2002 S 600 W

 

Oakley, ID 83346

 

Email: 

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

 

 

 

 

Attn: 

 

Fax: 

Phone:

 

 

 

If to the Company:

 

Excel Fabricaiton, Inc.

 

Attn:  [____________]

 

Fax: [_____________]

 

Phone: [___________]

 

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

 

Kirton McConkie PC

 

60 E. South Temple, Suite 1800

 

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

 

Fax:  (801) 212-2187

 

Phone:  (801) 328-3600

 

Attn:  C. Parkinson Lloyd, Esq.

 

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

 

Kirton McConkie PC

 

60 E. South Temple, Suite 1800

 

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

 

Fax:  (801) 212-2187

 

Phone:  (801) 328-3600

 

Attn:  C. Parkinson Lloyd, Esq.

 

b. Nonwaiver.  No failure or delay on the part of Secured Parties in exercising any of its rights hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof or of any other right nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other further exercise thereof or of any other right.

 

c. Amendments and Waivers.  This Security Agreement may not be amended or modified, nor may any of its terms be waived, except by written instruments signed by Alpine 4 CS, the Company and Secured Parties.  Each waiver or consent under any provision hereof shall be effective only in the specific instances for the purpose for which given.

 

 

d. Assignments.  This Security Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Secured Parties, Alpine 4 CS and the Company, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that neither Alpine 4 CS nor the Company may sell, assign or delegate rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Secured Parties.

 

 

e. Cumulative Rights, etc.  The rights, powers and remedies of Secured Parties under this Security Agreement shall be in addition to all rights, powers and remedies given to Secured Parties by virtue of any applicable law, rule or regulation of any governmental authority and under the Notes, all of which rights, powers, and remedies will be cumulative and may be exercised successively or concurrently without impairing the rights of the Secured Parties hereunder or thereunder.  The Company hereby waives any right to require Secured Parties to proceed against any person or entity or to exhaust any Collateral or to pursue any remedy in the Secured Parties’ power.

 

 

f. Payments Free of Taxes, Etc.  All payments made by Alpine 4 CS under the Notes will be made by Alpine 4 CS free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present and future taxes, levies, charges, deductions and withholdings.

 

 

g. Partial Invalidity.  If at any time any provision of this Security Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Security Agreement nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction shall in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

 

h. Expenses.  Each of Alpine 4 CS and the Company shall pay on demand all reasonable fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by Secured Parties in connection with the custody, preservation or sale of, or other realization on, any of the Collateral or the enforcement or attempt to enforce any of the Obligations which is not performed as and when required by this Security Agreement or the Notes.

 

 

i. Construction.  Each of this Security Agreement and the Notes is the result of negotiations among, and has been reviewed by, Alpine 4 CS, the Company and Secured Parties.  Accordingly, this Security Agreement and the Notes will be deemed to be the product of all parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against Alpine 4 CS, the Company or Secured Parties.

 

 

j. Entire Agreement.  This Security Agreement and the Notes constitute and contain the entire agreement of the Company, and Secured Parties and supersede any and all prior agreements, negotiations, correspondence, understandings and communications among the parties, whether written or oral, respecting the subject matter hereof.  In the event of any inconsistencies between the terms of this Security Agreement or the Notes and the terms of any other document related to the loans by the Company to the Secured Parties, the terms of this Security Agreement or the Notes, as applicable, shall prevail.

 

 

k. Governing Law.  This Security Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Idaho without reference to conflicts of law rules.

 

 

l. Counterparts. This Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to constitute one instrument.

 

 

m. Waiver of Right to Jury.  In order to avoid delays and minimize expense Alpine 4 CS, the Company and Secured Parties knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive any right to trial by jury in respect of any claim, demand, action or cause of action arising out of, under or in connection with this Security Agreement or any related writing or any amendment thereto, whether now existing or hereinafter arising and whether sounding in contract or tort or otherwise, and each party hereby agrees and consents that any such claim, demand, action or cause of action shall be decided by a court trial without a jury, and a copy of this Security Agreement may be filed with any court as evidence of the consent of each of the parties hereto to the waiver of its right to trial by jury.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Security Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

ALPINE 4 CS:

A4 Construction Services, Inc.

a Delaware Corporation

By: 

       Kent Wilson

       Its Chief Executive Officer

SECURED PARTIES:

 

Name:______________________ 

 

Name:______________________ 

 

COMPANY:

EXCEL FABRICATION, LLC.

By: 

       Kent Wilson

       Its: Interim CEO

AMENDMENT TO PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment (this "Amendment") is entered into effective as of February 21, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Mr. Mark Bell, individuals residing in Oakley, Idaho ( “Seller”), A4 Construction Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Alpine 4 CS CS”), and Excel Fabrication, LLC., an Idaho Limited Liability Company (the “Company”).  The Seller, and the Company, and Alpine 4 CS are sometimes referred to hereafter individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

 

RECITALS

A.	Alpine 4 CS, the Seller, and the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement of even or near date herewith (the “SPA”), pursuant to which Alpine 4 CS  purchased from the Seller 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Company and related entities (the “Purchased Shares”).

B.

As partial payment for the Purchased Shares, Company made and conveyed to the Seller one (1) Secured Promissory Notes (each a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”) of even or near date herewith, pursuant to which, Alpine 4 CS agreed to pay to the Seller an aggregate of $2,300,000, on terms set forth in the Notes, as consideration for the Purchased Shares.

C.

In recognition of, and to provide collateral to secure Company’s obligations under the Notes, the Company agrees to enter into this Security Agreement pursuant to which the Company will grant to Seller a subordinated security interest in the Collateral described below outlined in Exhibit E in the SPA with a Subordination Agreement.

D.	At the request of Alpine 4 CS, Seller agree to allow Alpine 4 CS to change Senior Lenders and agree to execute new Subordination Agreements as represented in Exhibit E at Alpine 4 CS’s request.

E.	Alpine 4 CS hereby agrees to guarantee the obligations of the Company in respect of the payment obligations under the Notes.

 

AGREEMENT

 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, Seller, and Alpine 4 CS hereby agree as follows:

 

1.	Amended the Cash Paid at Close: The Parties agree to tranche the cash paid to into two payments of $1,780,000 to be paid on 02-21-2020 and $820,000 to be paid on or before 02-28-2020:

2.	1st Position Security in Equipment:   The Parties agree to grant Seller 1st position in the equipment until the second tranche of $820,000 is paid to seller.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Security Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

ALPINE 4 CS:

A4 Construction Services, Inc.

a Delaware Corporation

By: 

       Kent Wilson

       Its Chief Executive Officer

SELLER:

 

Name:______________________ 

Name:__  ________________________ 

COMPANY:

EXCEL FABRICATION, LLC.

By: 

       Kent Wilson _______ 

       Its Interim CEO

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