UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 26, 2019

 

Jerash Holdings (US), Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 001-38474 81-4701719
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)

 

260 East Main Street, Suite 2706, Rochester, NY 14604

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 575-9085

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share JRSH The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

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

 

Emerging growth company x

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.02     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On November 26, 2019, the Board of Directors of Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Gilbert K. Lee, age 61, to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. On November 27, 2019, the Company and Mr. Lee entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Lee will be compensated at a rate of $10,000 per month. The Employment Agreement provides for an initial term of employment of 12 months and shall automatically renew unless it is earlier terminated by the Company or Mr. Lee. The Company may terminate the Employment Agreement (i) at any time for cause or (ii) with 30 days’ written notice without cause. At any time after the initial term, Mr. Lee may terminate the Employment Agreement (i) upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company or (ii) immediately if Mr. Lee is subject to materially diminished duties or responsibilities. The Employment Agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-solicitation, and mutual indemnification provisions.

 

Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, on November 27, 2019, Mr. Lee was granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Option Award Agreement”). This option is exercisable at a per share exercise price of $6.50 and fully vests on the six-month anniversary of the date of grant. The option may be exercised at any time until November 27, 2029.

 

Prior to Mr. Lee’s appointment as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Fuling Global Inc., a manufacturer of environmentally-friendly plastic and paper service ware, from August 2015 until November 2019. Previously, from August 2011 through May 2015, Mr. Lee served Tanke Biosciences Corporation, a livestock nutrition products manufacturer, first as its U.S.-based Chief Financial Officer and then as its Vice President of Business Development. There are no family relationships between Mr. Lee and any director or executive officer of the Company.

 

The foregoing summaries of the Employment Agreement and Option Award Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Employment Agreement and Option Award Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 8.01     Other Events.

 

On December 2, 2019 the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Lee as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Employment Agreement between Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. and Gilbert K. Lee dated November 27, 2019
10.2   Option Award Agreement between Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. and Gilbert K. Lee dated November 27, 2019
99.1   Press release dated December 2, 2019

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

    JERASH HOLDINGS (US), INC.
     
     
Dated:  December 2, 2019 By:   /s/ Karl Brenza
    Karl Brenza
    Head of US Operations

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

*** Text omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(6) of Regulation S-K

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of November 27, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) between Jerash Holdings (US), Inc., with an address of 260 East Main Street, Suite 2706, Rochester, New York 14604 USA (“Company”), and Gilbert Lee, with an address at *** (“Employee”) (Company and Employee are each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties”).

 

Whereas, Employee is experienced in financial management; and

 

Whereas, Company desires to retain Employee to provide general financial services and Employee agrees to provide such services, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants, terms and conditions contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.           Services. Employee shall serve as an executive officer and his title shall be Chief Financial Officer of Company. Employee will provide general financial services to Company, as further described in Attachment A - (the “Services”). Employee shall provide such services as Company may reasonably request.

 

2.           Appointment; Term. Company hereby appoints Employee and Employee hereby accepts appointment as Chief Financial Officer for Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue for twelve (12) months (the “Term”).

 

3.           Use of Company Facilities, Equipment. Employee shall not have a dedicated workspace or equipment at Company offices and shall not have set hours for the performance of the Services. Company may authorize use of certain Company facilities and services, including, but not limited to, use of temporary office space and Company equipment related to authorized projects, as long as such use does not interfere with the day-to-day operations of Company.

 

4.           Ownership of Work Product. All work product developed by Employee, in whole or in part, either alone or jointly with others, during the Term and any subsequent renewal term, which may relate in any manner to the actual or anticipated business, work, research or development of Company, or which result, to any extent, from the Services performed by Employee for Company, or use of Company’s Confidential Information (as defined below), will be the sole property of Company.

 

5.           Compensation.

 

A.          As consideration for the Services, Company shall pay Employee a base salary of USD $120,000 per annum (before tax), payable not less frequently than monthly.

 

B.          In addition, as soon as administratively practicable following the Effective Date, Company shall grant to Employee an option to purchase fifty thousand (50,000) shares of Company’s common stock (the “Option”) under the Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and an award agreement under the Plan. The Option shall have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of one share of Company’s common stock on the date of grant, as determined in accordance with the Plan, and shall have a ten-year term. The date of grant of the Option shall be the date on which Company’s compensation committee approves the grant of the Option. Subject to Employee’s continued employment with Company, the Option shall become vest and become exercisable in full on the six-month anniversary of the date of grant.

 

 

 

 

6.           Expenses. Company shall promptly reimbursement Employee for all reasonable travel related expenses incurred in the ordinary course of providing services outlined in this Agreement. Reimbursable expenses shall not be limited to but shall include reasonable costs of airfare, hotels, business meals when traveling, and mileage reimbursement. Employee shall provide a formal accounting of all expenses including receipts on a monthly basis for approval and payment.

 

7.           Termination. This Agreement shall automatically renew unless terminated by either Party. This Agreement may be terminated upon mutual written consent of the Employee and Company. At any time after the twelve (12) months hereof, Employee may terminate this Agreement (a) upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Company or (b) immediately if Employee is subject to materially diminished duties or responsibilities, provided that should a replacement Chief Financial Officer be retained by Company, such retention of the replacement shall not constitute diminished duties or responsibilities. Company may terminate this Agreement (i) without prior notice and without further obligation for reasons of just cause (e.g., fraud, theft, conviction of a felony, improper or dishonest action or significant acts of misconduct) on the part of Employee or any of Employee’s agents providing services to Company, and (ii) without just cause upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to Employee. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the death of Employee. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, Company shall pay Employee the base salary through the date of termination.

 

8.           Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, electronically, telecopied or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid, to the Parties at the following addresses or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the Parties by like notice, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, electronically, telecopied or if mailed, five (5) days after the date of mailing, as follows:

 

If to Company:

 

Jerash Holdings (US), Inc.

19/F, Ford Glory Plaza

37-39 Wing Hong Street

Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon

Hong Kong

 

Or through electronic mail at ***

 

Attn: Choi Lin Hung

 

If to Employee:

 

Gilbert Lee

***

***

 

Or through electronic mail at ***

 

  2  

 

 

9.           Confidentiality; Non-Solicitation.

 

A.          Employee shall keep secret and retain the confidential nature of all Confidential Information (as defined herein) belonging to Company and take such other precautions with respect thereto as Company, in its sole discretion, may reasonably request. Employee shall not at any time, whether before or after the termination of this Agreement, use, copy, disclose or make available any Confidential Information (as defined herein) to any corporation, governmental body, individual, partnership, trust or other entity (a “Person”); except that Employee may use, copy or disclose to any Person any Confidential Information (as defined herein) (i) to the extent required in the performance of the Services, (ii) to the extent it becomes publicly available through no fault of Employee, and (iii) to the extent Employee is required to do so pursuant to applicable law or court order.

 

B.           For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean all information pertaining to the affairs and operations of Company that is not generally available to the public and that Company desires to keep confidential, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, inventions, financial information, information as to customers, clients or patients, and suppliers, sales and marketing information, and all documents and other tangible items relating to or containing any such information. Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information is vital, sensitive, confidential and proprietary to Company.

 

C.           All Confidential Information disclosed or made available by Company to Employee shall at all times remain the personal property of Company and all documents, lists, plans, proposals, records, electronic media or devices and other tangible items supplied to Employee that constitute or contain Confidential Information shall, together with all copies thereof, and all other property of Company, be returned to Company immediately upon termination of this Agreement for whatever reason or sooner upon demand.

 

D.          Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall (i) prohibit Employee from making reports of possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or of any other whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation, or (ii) require notification or prior approval by Company of any reporting described in clause (i).

 

E.           Pursuant to The Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 USC § 1833(b)), Employee may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for disclosure of a trade secret: (i) made in confidence to a government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; and/or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, Employee, if suing Company for retaliation based on the reporting of a suspected violation of law, may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, so long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and Employee does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.

 

F.           Employee acknowledges that a breach of the provisions of this Section 9 shall cause irreparable harm to Company for which it will have no adequate remedy at law. Employee agrees that Company may, in its sole discretion, obtain from a court of competent jurisdiction an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief in favor of itself restraining Employee from committing or continuing any such violation. Any right to obtain an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief hereunder will not be deemed a waiver of any right to assert any other remedy which Company may have in law or in equity.

 

  3  

 

 

G.           Additionally, during the Term, Employee shall not induce or solicit Company’s employees, agents, Employees, contractors, clients, and customers away from Company on its behalf or on behalf of any other company or person. Employee agrees that this Section 9, the scope of the territory covered, the actions restricted thereby, and the duration of such covenant are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of Company.

 

H.           The confidentiality and non-solicit obligations set forth herein shall survive for a period of twelve (12) months after the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

10.          Indemnification. Employee and Company shall mutually indemnify, defend (with counsel chosen by Company), and hold each other harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, actions, costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable legal fees and expenses, paid or incurred by the other party and arising directly and indirectly out of: (i) any breach of this Agreement by the either party, (ii) any breach by either party of written policies or standards for Company or (iii) any other act or omission of either party.

 

11.          Miscellaneous.

 

A.          Tax Withholding. Company may withhold from Employee any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

B.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement shall be governed and controlled as to validity, enforcement, interpretation, construction, effect and in all other respects by the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States applicable therein, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction. In the event that any legal proceedings are commenced in any court with respect to any matter arising under this Agreement, Employee and Company hereto specifically consent and agree that the venue of any such action shall be in the courts of the State of New York, County of Onondaga and each of Employee and Company hereby waive any claim that such venue is an inconvenient forum for the resolution of such proceeding.

 

C.           Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding, whether oral or written, between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

D.          Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the Parties. No delay on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any Party of any right, power or privilege hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

E.           Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of a duly authorized officer of the other Party. The merger or consolidation of a Party, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or shares of a Party hereto, shall not be deemed an assignment of this Agreement.

 

F.           Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

  4  

 

 

G.           Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction of any foreign, federal, state, county or local government or any other governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against public policy for any reason, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

 

H.           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by means of facsimile or email, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

  5  

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the Parties have entered into this Employment Agreement as of the Effective Date set forth above.

 

  Jerash Holdings (US), Inc.
   
   
  By: /s/ Choi Lin Hung
  Name: Choi Lin Hung
  Title: President
   
  Employee
   
   
    /s/ Gilbert Lee
  Name: Gilbert Lee

 

  6  

 

 

Exhibit A – Services

 

Lead all SEC filing, including but not limited to filings of 10Q and 10K

Lead all US company filings including tax and US registration

Ensure that adequate controls are established and maintained over financial reporting

Investor relations matters

Work with other management team members, bankers, attorneys, and accountants in evaluation, development, and execution of company strategy

Support M&A activities

 

  7  

Exhibit 10.2

 

*** Text omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(6) of Regulation S-K

 

JERASH HOLDINGS (US), INC.

Amended and restated 2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

OPTION AWARD NOTICE

 

Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. hereby grants to the Participant named below an Option to purchase all or any part of the Number of Shares of Common Stock covered by this Option specified below, at the Exercise Price (per share) specified below, and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan and the Award Agreement attached hereto. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Award Notice shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

Name of Participant: Gilbert Lee
Grant Date: November 27, 2019
Number of Shares of Common Stock covered by this Option: 50,000
Option Type: Nonqualified Stock Option
Exercise Price (per share): $6.50
Expiration Date: November 27, 2029
Vesting Schedule: Vests in full on the six-month anniversary of the Grant Date

 

By accepting this Option, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received and read, and agrees that this Option shall be subject to, the terms of the Plan and the attached Award Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Participant. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of the Option or disposition of the underlying shares of Common Stock, and that the Participant should consult a tax advisor prior to such exercise or disposition.

 

JERASH HOLDINGS (US), INC.   PARTICIPANT
     
     
By:   /s/ Samuel Choi   /s/ Gilbert Lee
Name (print): Samuel Choi   Gilbert Lee
Title: President    
     
    Participant’s Address (complete)
    ***
    ***
    ***
     

 

Attachments: Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan

Option Award Agreement

 

 

 

 

jerash holdings (us), INC.

Amended and Restated 2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
(employee)

 

This Award Agreement applies to Options granted under the Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan that are identified as Nonqualified Stock Options and are evidenced by an action of the Committee.

 

Section 1.             Terms of Option. Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. has granted to the Participant an Option to purchase up to the Number of Shares of Common Stock, at the Exercise Price (per share) and upon the other terms set forth in the Award Notice and subject to the conditions set forth in the Award Notice, this Award Agreement and the Plan.

 

Section 2.             Non-Qualified Stock Option. The Option is not intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code and will be interpreted accordingly.

 

Section 3.             Vesting. The Option will vest in accordance with the schedule set forth in the Award Notice.

 

Section 4.             Exercise of Option.

 

(a)           Vesting and Exercisability. The Option is not exercisable as of the Grant Date. After the Grant Date, to the extent not previously exercised, and subject to termination or acceleration as provided on the Award Notice or in this Award Agreement, the Option shall vest and become exercisable to the extent it becomes vested, according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Award Notice, provided that (except as set forth in Section 5 below) the Participant remains employed with the Company or a Subsidiary or continues providing services to the Company or a Subsidiary and does not experience a termination of employment or service. The vesting period and/or exercisability of an Option may be adjusted by the Committee to reflect the decreased level of employment or service during any period in which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence.

 

(b)           Method of Exercise. To the extent the Option vests and becomes exercisable, the Option maybe exercised by the Participant in whole or in part from time to time by delivery to the Company or its designee of a written or electronic notice of exercise specifying the number of whole shares of Common Stock the Participant wishes to exercise, accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price as described in Section 4(c), and payment of any taxes required to be withheld as described in Section 8. Fractional shares may not be exercised. The Participant must provide the Company with any forms, documents or other information reasonably required by the Company. The Committee may exclude one or more methods for exercising an Option in countries outside the United States.

 

(c)           Payment of Exercise Price. The Exercise Price (per share) of the Option is set forth in the Award Notice and the Company will not issue any shares of Common Stock until the Participant pays the aggregate Exercise Price for the requested number of shares of Common Stock, together with any taxes required to be withheld, if applicable. The Exercise Price may be paid: (i) by cash, check or wire transfer in United States dollars; (ii) to the extent permitted by the Committee, by tendering (either actually or by attestation) shares of Common Stock already owned by the Participant; (iii) by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice directing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to exercise of the Option with a Fair Market Value sufficient to pay the Exercise Price; (iv) if the Common Stock is publicly traded on an established securities market, then the Exercise Price may be paid, at the discretion of the Committee, by authorizing a third party to sell, on behalf of the Participant, the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option and to remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock being acquired; or (v) by such other consideration as the Committee may permit in its sole discretion. The Committee may exclude one or more methods for paying the Exercise Price in countries outside the United States.

 

  2  

 

 

(d)           Issuance of Shares. Shares of Common Stock will be issued as soon as practical after exercise. Delivery of shares of Common Stock may be made by any permissible manner chosen by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

(e)           Compliance with Laws. Notwithstanding the above, if the Board of Directors or the Committee determines in its sole discretion that the listing, qualification or registration of the Common Stock on any securities exchange or quotation or trading system or under any applicable law (including state securities laws) or governmental regulation is necessary or desirable as a condition to the issuance of such Common Stock under the Option, the Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, qualification, consent or approval has been unconditionally obtained. In addition, legal counsel for the Company must be satisfied at the time of exercise that issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise will be in compliance with the applicable United States federal, state, local and foreign laws.

 

(f)           No Stockholder Rights until Issuance. The Participant shall not acquire or have any rights as a stockholder of the Company by virtue of the Option, this Award Agreement or the Award Notice until certificates representing shares of Common Stock are actually issued and delivered to the Participant following the exercise of the Option.

 

Section 5.             Expiration of Option. Except as provided in this Section 5, the Option shall expire and cease to be exercisable as of the Expiration Date set forth in the Award Notice.

 

(a)           Termination of Employment or Service. If the employment or service of the Participant terminates for any reason (other than by death or total and permanent disability) at any time, the vested portion of the Option shall be exercisable by the Participant at any time during the three months next succeeding the date of termination (but in no event later than the Expiration Date of the Option). The unvested portion of the Option shall terminate as of the date of such termination, and the vested portion of the Option that is unexercised during the three months next succeeding the date of termination shall terminate as of the end of such three-month period.

 

(b)           Death. Upon the death of the Participant while in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary, the vested portion of the Option shall be exercisable by his or her estate, heir, beneficiary or any person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death at any time during the 12 months next succeeding the date of death (but in no event later than the Expiration Date of the Option). The unvested portion of the Option shall terminate as of the date of death, and the vested portion of the Option that is unexercised during the 12 months next succeeding the date of death shall terminate as of the end of such 12-month period.

 

  3  

 

 

(c)           Disability. Upon termination of employment or service as a result of the total and permanent disability of the Participant (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the vested portion of the Option shall be exercisable for a period of 12 months after such termination (but in no event later than the Expiration Date of the Option). The unvested portion of the Option shall terminate effective as of the date of termination of employment or service, and the vested portion of the Option that is not exercised during the 12 months succeeding the date of termination shall terminate as of the end of such 12-month period.

 

Section 6.             Change in Control.

 

(a)           Effect of Change in Control on Awards. The Committee may provide for any one or more of the following:

 

(i)            Accelerated Vesting. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may take such actions as it deems appropriate to provide for the acceleration of the exercisability, vesting and/or settlement in connection with such Change in Control of this Award or portion thereof and shares acquired pursuant thereto upon such conditions, including termination of the Participant’s employment or service prior to, upon, or following such Change in Control, to such extent as the Committee shall determine.

 

(ii)           Assumption, Continuation or Substitution. In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “Acquiror”), may, without the consent of the Participant, either assume or continue the Company’s rights and obligations under this Award or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control or substitute for this Award or portion thereof a substantially equivalent award with respect to the Acquiror’s stock, as applicable. For purposes of this Section 6, if so determined by the Committee, in its discretion, an Award denominated in shares of Common Stock shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, this Award Agreement and the Award Notice, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Common Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled; provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Committee may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Award, to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. If any portion of such consideration may be received by holders of Common Stock pursuant to the Change in Control on a contingent or delayed basis, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine such fair market value per share as of the time of the Change in Control on the basis of the Committee’s good faith estimate of the present value of the probable future payment of such consideration. The Award or portion thereof which is neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control.

 

  4  

 

 

(iii)         Cash-Out of Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion and without the consent of the Participant, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, this Award or a portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control and not previously exercised shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested share of Common Stock (and each unvested share of Common Stock, if so determined by the Committee) subject to such canceled Award in: (A) cash, (B) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control, or (C) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a fair market value equal to the fair market value of the consideration to be paid per share of Common Stock in the Change in Control, reduced by the exercise or purchase price per share under such Award. In the case of any Option with an Exercise Price that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option without the payment of any consideration. If any portion of such consideration may be received by holders of Common Stock pursuant to the Change in Control on a contingent or delayed basis, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine such fair market value per share as of the time of the Change in Control on the basis of the Committee’s good faith estimate of the present value of the probable future payment of such consideration. In the event such determination is made by the Committee, the amount of such payment (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be paid to the Participant in respect of the vested portion of his or her canceled Award as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control and in respect of the unvested portions of his or her canceled Award in accordance with the vesting schedules applicable to such Award.

 

(b)           Definitions.

 

(i)            Change in Control” means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined with respect to this Award by the Participant’s written contract of employment or service, the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

A.           any Exchange Act Person (as defined below) becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (1) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person from the Company in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (2) solely because the level of ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

 

  5  

 

 

B.            there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, either (1) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (2) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

 

C.            the complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company;

 

D.           there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Affiliates, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Affiliates to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

 

E.            individuals who, immediately following the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board within any 24-month period; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

 

(ii)            Affiliate” means any corporation (other than the Company), limited liability company, or other business organization in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if, at the relevant time each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other entities in that chain.

 

(iii)           Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), except that “Exchange Act Person” shall not include (A) the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (D) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or (E) any natural person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

 

  6  

 

 

Section 7.             Restrictions on Resales of Option Shares. The Company may impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any shares of Common Stock issued as a result of the exercise of the Option, including without limitation (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by the Participant and other stockholders or optionholders, and (c) restrictions as to the use of a brokerage firm acceptable to the Company for such resales or other transfers.

 

Section 8.             Tax Withholding. To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, the Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of an Option exercise. The Company shall not be required to issue shares until such obligations are satisfied. Subject to applicable law, the Company may: (a) deduct from any cash payment made to a Participant under the Plan an amount that satisfies all or any portion of any withholding tax obligations; (b) require the Participant through payroll withholding, cash payment, or otherwise to satisfy all or any portion of the withholding tax obligations; (c) withhold a portion of the shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be issued to the Participant upon exercise of the Option by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates; (d) to the extent permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion, allow the Participant to tender shares previously acquired; (e) if the Common Stock is publicly traded on an established securities exchange or trading system, at the discretion of the Committee, allow the Participant to authorize a third party to sell, on behalf of the Participant, the appropriate number of shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option and to remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to satisfy the withholding tax obligations, considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates; or (f) provide for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligation through any combination of the foregoing methods. The Committee may exclude one or more methods for satisfying any tax withholding in countries outside the United States.

 

Section 9.             Non-Transferability of Option. The Option may not be sold, assigned, pledged or transferred by the Participant or made subject to attachment or similar proceedings other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall only be exercisable by the Participant during his or her lifetime. If the Participant or anyone claiming under or through the Participant attempts to violate this Section 9, such attempted violation shall be null and void and without effect.

 

Section 10.           Plan and Other Agreements. In addition to the Award Notice and this Award Agreement, the Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated into this Award Agreement by this reference. Any inconsistency between the Award Notice, this Award Agreement and the Plan shall be resolved in favor of the Plan. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein or in the Award Notice shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan. The Award Notice, this Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company regarding the Option. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the Option are superseded.

 

  7  

 

 

Section 11.           Limitation of Interest in Shares Subject to Option. Neither the Participant (individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person claiming under or through the Participant shall have any right, title, interest, or privilege in or to any shares of Common Stock allocated or reserved for the purpose of the Plan or subject to the Option subject to this Award Agreement except as to such shares of Common Stock, if any, as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of the Option or any part of it. Nothing in the Plan, this Award Agreement, the Award Notice or any other instrument executed pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Company’s employ or service nor limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time for any reason. Neither the Award of this Option nor any shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant thereto shall be considered “compensation” for purposes of any Company employee benefit plan, unless such plan expressly so provides otherwise.

 

Section 12.            Adjustments. To the extent provided by Section 13 of the Plan, the Committee shall make such adjustment in the Number of Shares of Common Stock covered by this Option, the Exercise Price (per share) or other terms of the Option as may be determined to be appropriate by the Committee, and such adjustments shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

Section 13.           Amendment. The terms of the Option, this Award Agreement and the Award Notice may be amended from time to time by the Committee. If the amendment will have a material adverse effect on the Participant’s rights, or result in a material increase in the Participant’s obligations, the Committee must obtain the Participant’s written consent to the amendment.

 

Section 14.           Clawback. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan, this Award Agreement or the Award Notice to the contrary, the Company will be entitled to the extent required by applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any regulations promulgated with respect thereto) or applicable securities exchange listing conditions, in each case as in effect from time to time, to recover from the Participant, or require the Participant to forfeit if not yet paid, the Participant’s Option and the proceeds from the exercise of the Option.

 

Section 15.            General.

 

(a)           Severability. In the event that any provision of this Award Agreement is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of this Award Agreement shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

 

  8  

 

 

(b)           Headings. The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of this Award Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

 

(c)           Successors. This Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

 

(d)           Governing Law. The Plan, this Award Agreement and the Award Notice shall be governed, construed, interpreted and administered, to the extent not otherwise governed by the laws of the United States, solely in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

(e)           Administration, Interpretations, Etc. All questions arising under the Plan, this Award Agreement or the Award Notice shall be decided by the Committee in its total and absolute discretion, and any action taken or decision made by the Company, the Board or the Committee arising out of or in connection with the construction, administration, interpretation or effect of any provision of the Plan, this Award Agreement or the Award Notice shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion, as the case may be, and shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Participant and all persons claiming under or through the Participant. By receipt of the Participant’s Option, the Participant and each person claiming under or through the Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan, this Award Agreement or the Award Notice, by the Company, the Board or the Committee.

 

(f)           Correction. The Committee may rescind, without further notice to a Participant, any Option or portion thereof issued to the Participant in duplicate or in error.

 

(g)           Section 409A. The Option is intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and the Plan, this Award Agreement and the Award Notice shall be administered and interpreted consistent with such intent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the Option or the vesting and payments provided by this Award Agreement are exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code, and in no event shall the Company or any Subsidiary be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(h)           Other Options. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company, in its sole discretion, may approve and grant stock options that are not governed by the provisions contained in this Agreement, which stock options shall be subject to the terms of such other agreement or writing specified by the Company as applicable thereto.

 

*        *        *        *        *

 

  9  

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Jerash Appoints Gilbert Lee as CFO

 

Rochester, New York – December 2, 2019 – Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. (Nasdaq: JRSH) (the “Company”), a producer of high quality textile goods for leading global brands, today announced the appointment of Gilbert K. Lee as Chief Financial Officer.

 

Mr. Lee previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Fuling Global Inc., a manufacturer of environmentally-friendly plastic and paper service ware with production facilities in the U.S., China and Mexico, from August 2015 until November 2019. Previously, from August 2011 through May 2015, Mr. Lee served Tanke Biosciences Corporation, a livestock nutrition products manufacturer, first as its U.S.-based Chief Financial Officer and then as its Vice President of Business Development. He has also served as Director of Finance at Two’s Company, a wholesale distributor of home, gift and fashion products, and as Director of Finance and Marketing at Essilor of America, a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest eyeglass lens producer. Early in his career, Mr. Lee served as a Plant Controller for an NYSE listed roofing materials manufacturer. Mr. Lee earned his MBA from University of Texas at Austin in 1995, his MPA (Master of Professional Accounting) from University of Texas at Arlington in 1987 and his BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) in Marketing from University of Texas at Arlington in 1982.

 

Sam Choi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jerash, said, “We welcome Gilbert to the team at Jerash and look forward to his contributions. Gilbert brings financial, strategic and executive leadership skills, including a wealth of experience in both manufacturing and distribution, that will be a tremendous asset to Jerash as we continue to drive our growth and expansion programs across our global operations.”

 

About Jerash Holdings (US), Inc.

Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. (Nasdaq: JRSH) is a manufacturer utilized by many well-known brands and retailers, such as Walmart, Costco, Hanes, Columbia, VF Corporation (which owns brands such as The North Face, Timberland, Jansport, etc.), and PVH Corp. (which owns brands such as Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, IZOD, Speedo, etc.). Its production facilities are currently made up of four factory units and three warehouses and currently employ approximately 3,900 people. The total annual capacity at its facilities is expected to be approximately 8.0 million pieces by the end of calendar year 2019. Additional information is available at http://www.jerashholdings.com.

 

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect Jerash’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those risks described from time to time in filings made by Jerash with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated or expected. Statements contained in this news release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Jerash does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by law.

 

Contact:

Matt Kreps, Darrow Associates Investor Relations
(214) 597-8200
mkreps@darrowir.com