|
Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
| |
3430
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
| |
98-1603252
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
|
|
James M. Fischer
Jonathan R. Zimmerman Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 S. Seventh Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 (612) 776-7000 |
| |
Stephen E. Older
Rakesh Gopalan David S. Wolpa McGuireWoods LLP 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, New York 10020 (212) 548-2100 |
|
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | | | Accelerated filer ☐ | | | Non-accelerated filer ☒ | | | Smaller reporting company ☒ | |
| | | | | | | | | | Emerging growth company ☒ | |
| | ||||||||||||||
Title of each class of securities to be registered
|
| | |
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2) |
| | |
Amount of
registration fee(2)(5) |
| ||||||
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share(3)
|
| | | | $ | 23,000,000 | | | | | | $ | 2,132.10 | | |
Representative Warrants
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
Ordinary Shares underlying Representative Warrants(3)(4)
|
| | | | $ | 460,000 | | | | | | $ | 45.65 | | |
Total
|
| | | | $ | 23,460,000 | | | | | | $ | 2,174.75 | | |
| | |
PER SHARE
|
| |
TOTAL
|
| ||||||
Initial public offering price
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | ||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | ||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | |
| | |
Page
|
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| | | | 94 | | | |
| | | | 98 | | | |
| | | | 98 | | | |
| | | | 98 | | | |
| | | | F-1 | | |
| | |
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||||||||
REVENUES
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | | | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | |
COST OF REVENUES
|
| | | | 62,360,079 | | | | | | 49,838,212 | | | | | | 106,423,061 | | | | | | 100,843,143 | | |
GROSS PROFIT
|
| | | | 16,505,968 | | | | | | 13,589,605 | | | | | | 28,404,640 | | | | | | 25,439,069 | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling and distribution
|
| | | | 8,029,209 | | | | | | 7,745,438 | | | | | | 15,487,306 | | | | | | 14,917,601 | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 2,982,939 | | | | | | 2,815,852 | | | | | | 5,820,967 | | | | | | 7,355,632 | | |
Research and development
|
| | | | 289,124 | | | | | | 385,534 | | | | | | 814,254 | | | | | | 703,779 | | |
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | 11,301,272 | | | | | | 10,946,824 | | | | | | 22,122,527 | | | | | | 22,977,012 | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
|
| | | | 5,204,696 | | | | | | 2,642,781 | | | | | | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 2,462,057 | | |
OPERATING MARGIN
|
| | | | 6.6% | | | | | | 4.2% | | | | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 1.9% | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
Interest income
|
| | | | 10,778 | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 32,244 | | | | | | 11,665 | | |
Interest expense
|
| | | | (167,295) | | | | | | (149,824) | | | | | | (418,867) | | | | | | (448,412) | | |
Other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | 1,504,947 | | | | | | (31,730) | | | | | | (390,298) | | | | | | (50,212) | | |
Total other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | 1,348,430 | | | | | | (181,552) | | | | | | (776,921) | | | | | | (486,959) | | |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
| | | | 6,553,126 | | | | | | 2,461,229 | | | | | | 5,505,192 | | | | | | 1,975,098 | | |
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT OF) INCOME
TAXES |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current
|
| | | | 833,530 | | | | | | 309,956 | | | | | | 1,074,928 | | | | | | 587,290 | | |
Deferred
|
| | | | 250,281 | | | | | | 58,403 | | | | | | (300,484) | | | | | | (183,286) | | |
Total provision for income taxes
|
| | | | 1,083,811 | | | | | | 368,359 | | | | | | 774,444 | | | | | | 404,004 | | |
NET INCOME
|
| | | | 5,469,315 | | | | | | 2,092,870 | | | | | | 4,730,748 | | | | | | 1,571,094 | | |
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | 325,23 | | | | | | (239,804) | | | | | | 298,106 | | | | | | 279,106 | | |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
| | | | 5,794,551 | | | | | | 1,853,066 | | | | | | 5,028,854 | | | | | | 1,850,200 | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES
|
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
EARNINGS PER SHARE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
| | |
For the six months
ended June 30, |
| |
For the year ended
December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
Other Data(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted income from operations
|
| | | $ | 5,320,196 | | | | | $ | 2,642,781 | | | | | $ | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 3,998,578 | | |
Adjusted operating margin
|
| | | | 6.7% | | | | | | 4.2% | | | | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 3.2% | | |
Adjusted net income
|
| | | | 4,185,687 | | | | | | 2,092,870 | | | | | | 4,730,748 | | | | | | 4,185,687 | | |
Free cash flow
|
| | | | 625,021 | | | | | | (650,653) | | | | | | 5,723,227 | | | | | | 625,021 | | |
Free cash flow conversion
|
| | | | 11% | | | | | | — | | | | | | 121% | | | | | | 67% | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | $ | 3,800,610 | | | | | | 4,018,558 | | |
Working capital (deficit)
|
| | | | (6,658,982) | | | | | | (1,691,240) | | |
Total assets
|
| | | | 50,391,679 | | | | | | 45,147,461 | | |
Total liabilities
|
| | | | 50,495,948 | | | | | | 43,615,765 | | |
Total parent’s net investment
|
| | | | (104,269) | | | | | | 1,531,696 | | |
| | |
As of June 30, 2021
|
| |||||||||
| | |
Actual
|
| |
Pro Forma(1)
|
| ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | $ | 3,800,610 | | | | | $ | | | |
Total liabilities
|
| | | $ | 50,495,948 | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; shares deemed issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted
|
| | | | 7,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Parent’s net investment
|
| | | | (104,269) | | | | | | | | |
Total parent’s net (deficit) investment
|
| | | $ | (104,269) | | | | | $ | | | |
Total capitalization
|
| | | $ | 50,391,679 | | | | | $ | | | |
|
Assumed public offering price per share
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | | | |
|
Net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of June 30, 2021
|
| | | $ | (0.03) | | | | | | | | |
|
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors
|
| | | $ | | | | | | | | | |
|
Net tangible book value per share after the offering
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | | | |
|
Dilution per share to new investors
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | | |
| | |
Shares
Purchased |
| |
Total
Consideration |
| |
Average
Price Per Share |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Number
|
| |
Percent
|
| |
Amount
|
| |
Percent
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholders before this offering
|
| | | | 7,000,000 | | | | | | % | | | | | $ | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | | | |
New Investors participating in this offering
|
| | | | | | | | | | % | | | | | | | | | | | | % | | | | | | | | |
Total
|
| | | | | | | | | | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, |
| |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||||||||
REVENUES
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | | | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | |
COST OF REVENUES
|
| | | | 62,360,079 | | | | | | 49,838,212 | | | | | | 106,423,061 | | | | | | 100,843,143 | | |
GROSS PROFIT
|
| | | | 16,505,968 | | | | | | 13,589,605 | | | | | | 28,404,640 | | | | | | 25,439,069 | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling and distribution
|
| | | | 8,029,209 | | | | | | 7,745,438 | | | | | | 15,487,306 | | | | | | 14,917,601 | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 2,982,939 | | | | | | 2,815,852 | | | | | | 5,820,967 | | | | | | 7,355,632 | | |
Research and development
|
| | | | 289,124 | | | | | | 385,534 | | | | | | 814,254 | | | | | | 703,779 | | |
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | 11,301,272 | | | | | | 10,946,824 | | | | | | 22,122,527 | | | | | | 22,977,012 | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
|
| | | | 5,204,696 | | | | | | 2,642,781 | | | | | | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 2,462,057 | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | 10,778 | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 32,244 | | | | | | 11,665 | | |
Interest expense
|
| | | | (167,295) | | | | | | (149,824) | | | | | | (418,867) | | | | | | (448,412) | | |
Other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | 1,504,947 | | | | | | (31,730) | | | | | | (390,298) | | | | | | (50,212) | | |
Total other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | 1,348,430 | | | | | | (181,552) | | | | | | (776,921) | | | | | | (486,959) | | |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
| | | | 6,553,126 | | | | | | 2,461,229 | | | | | | 5,505,192 | | | | | | 1,975,098 | | |
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT OF) INCOME TAXES
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current
|
| | | | 833,530 | | | | | | 309,956 | | | | | | 1,074,928 | | | | | | 587,290 | | |
Deferred
|
| | | | 250,281 | | | | | | 58,403 | | | | | | (300,484) | | | | | | (183,286) | | |
Total provision for income taxes
|
| | | | 1,083,811 | | | | | | 368,359 | | | | | | 774,444 | | | | | | 404,004 | | |
NET INCOME
|
| | | | 5,469,315 | | | | | | 2,092,870 | | | | | | 4,730,748 | | | | | | 1,571,094 | | |
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | 325,23 | | | | | | (239,804) | | | | | | 298,106 | | | | | | 279,106 | | |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
| | | | 5,794,551 | | | | | | 1,853,066 | | | | | | 5,028,854 | | | | | | 1,850,200 | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
EARNINGS PER SHARE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
| | |
For the six months
ended June 30, |
| |
For the year ended
December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
Other Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
Adjusted income from operations(1)
|
| | | $ | 5,320,196 | | | | | $ | 2,642,781 | | | | | $ | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 3,998,578 | | |
Adjusted operating margin(1)
|
| | | | 6.7% | | | | | | 4.2% | | | | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 3.2% | | |
Adjusted net income(1)
|
| | | | 4,185,687 | | | | | | 2,092,870 | | | | | | 4,730,748 | | | | | | 4,185,687 | | |
Free cash flow(1)
|
| | | | 625,021 | | | | | | (650,653) | | | | | | 5,723,227 | | | | | | 625,021 | | |
Free cash flow conversion(1)
|
| | | | 11% | | | | | | — | | | | | | 121% | | | | | | 67% | | |
| | |
For the Six-month period ended June 30,
|
| |
Change
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
Amount
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |||||||||
Revenues
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | | |
$15,438,230
|
| | | | 24.3 | | |
Cost of revenues
|
| | | | 62,360,079 | | | | | | 49,838,212 | | | |
12,521,867
|
| | | | 25.1 | | |
Gross profit
|
| | | | 16,505,968 | | | | | | 13,589,605 | | | |
2,916,363
|
| | | | 21.5 | | |
Selling and distribution expenses
|
| | | | 8,029,209 | | | | | | 7,745,438 | | | |
283,771
|
| | | | 3.7 | | |
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | 2,982,939 | | | | | | 2,815,852 | | | |
167,087
|
| | | | 5.9 | | |
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | 289,124 | | | | | | 385,534 | | | |
(96,410)
|
| | | | (25.0) | | |
Total other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | 1,348,430 | | | | | | (181,552) | | | |
1,529,982
|
| | | | 842.7 | | |
Provision for income taxes
|
| | | | 1,083,811 | | | | | | 368,359 | | | |
715,452
|
| | | | 194.2 | | |
Income from operations
|
| | | | 5,204,696 | | | | | | 2,642,781 | | | |
2,561,915
|
| | | | 97 | | |
Operating margin
|
| | | | 6.6% | | | | | | 4.2% | | | |
240 bps
|
| | | | — | | |
Net income
|
| | | $ | 5,469,315 | | | | | $ | 2,092,870 | | | |
$3,376,445
|
| | | | 161.3 | | |
Adjusted income from operations(1)
|
| | | $ | 5,320,196 | | | | | $ | 2,642,781 | | | |
$996,415
|
| | | | 37.7 | | |
Adjusted operating margin(1)
|
| | | | 6.7% | | | | | | 4.2% | | | |
40 bps
|
| | | | — | | |
Adjusted net income(1)
|
| | | $ | 4,185,687 | | | | | $ | 2,092,870 | | | |
$2,092,817
|
| | | | 100.0 | | |
| | |
For the Six-month period Ended June 30,
|
| |
Change
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
2020
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
%
|
| |||||||||||||||
Sanitaryware
|
| | | $ | 43,535,821 | | | | | | 55.2 | | | | | | 41,432,365 | | | | | | 65.3 | | | | | | 5.1 | | |
Bath Furniture
|
| | | | 27,439,887 | | | | | | 34.8 | | | | | | 17,924,406 | | | | | | 28.3 | | | | | | 53.1 | | |
Other | | | | | 7,890,339 | | | | | | 10.0 | | | | | | 4,071,046 | | | | | | 6.4 | | | | | | 93.8 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | | 24.3 | | |
| | |
For the Six-Month Periods Ended June 30,
|
| |
Change
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
2020
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
%
|
| |||||||||||||||
United States
|
| | | $ | 51,297,861 | | | | | | 65.0 | | | | | $ | 40,316,389 | | | | | | 63.6 | | | | | | 27.2 | | |
Canada
|
| | | | 18,518,691 | | | | | | 23.5 | | | | | | 15,880,144 | | | | | | 25.0 | | | | | | 16.6 | | |
Europe
|
| | | | 9,049,495 | | | | | | 11.5 | | | | | | 7,231,284 | | | | | | 11.4 | | | | | | 25.1 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | | 24.3 | | |
| | |
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
| |
Change
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| |
Amount
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |||||||||
Revenues
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | | |
$8,545,489
|
| | | | 6.8 | | |
Cost of revenues
|
| | | | 106,423,061 | | | | | | 100,843,143 | | | |
5,579,918
|
| | | | 5.5 | | |
Gross profit
|
| | | | 28,404,640 | | | | | | 25,439,069 | | | |
2,965,571
|
| | | | 11.7 | | |
Selling and distribution expenses
|
| | | | 15,487,306 | | | | | | 14,917,601 | | | |
569,705
|
| | | | 3.8 | | |
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | 5,820,967 | | | | | | 7,355,632 | | | |
(1,534,665)
|
| | | | (20.9) | | |
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | 814,254 | | | | | | 703,779 | | | |
110,475
|
| | | | 15.7 | | |
Other expenses, net
|
| | | | 776,921 | | | | | | 486,959 | | | |
289,962
|
| | | | 59.5 | | |
Provision for income taxes
|
| | | | 774,444 | | | | | | 404,004 | | | |
370,440
|
| | | | 91.7 | | |
Income from operations
|
| | | | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 2,462,057 | | | |
3,820,056
|
| | | | 155 | | |
Operating margin
|
| | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 1.9% | | | |
280 bps
|
| | | | — | | |
Net income
|
| | | $ | 4,730,748 | | | | | $ | 1,571,094 | | | |
$3,159,654
|
| | | | 201.1 | | |
Adjusted income from operations(1)
|
| | | | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 3,998,578 | | | |
2,283,535
|
| | | | 57.1 | | |
Adjusted operating margin(1)
|
| | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 3.2% | | | |
150 bps
|
| | | | — | | |
Adjusted net income(1)
|
| | | $ | 4,730,748 | | | | | $ | 2,831,041 | | | |
$ 1,899,707
|
| | | | 67.1 | | |
| | |
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
| |
Change
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
2019
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
%
|
| |||||||||||||||
Sanitaryware
|
| | | $ | 88,392,378 | | | | | | 65.6 | | | | | $ | 90,928,256 | | | | | | 72.0 | | | | | | (2.8) | | |
Bath Furniture
|
| | | | 38,214,235 | | | | | | 28.3 | | | | | | 28,558,130 | | | | | | 22.6 | | | | | | 33.8 | | |
Other
|
| | | | 8,221,088 | | | | | | 6.1 | | | | | | 6,795,826 | | | | | | 5.4 | | | | | | 21.0 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | | 6.8 | | |
| | |
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
| |
Change
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
2019
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
USD
|
| |
%
|
| |
%
|
| |||||||||||||||
United States
|
| | | $ | 83,700,229 | | | | | | 62.1 | | | | | $ | 76,829,764 | | | | | | 60.8 | | | | | | 8.9 | | |
Canada
|
| | | | 35,008,869 | | | | | | 26.0 | | | | | | 32,105,878 | | | | | | 25.4 | | | | | | 9.0 | | |
Europe
|
| | | | 16,118,603 | | | | | | 11.9 | | | | | | 17,346,570 | | | | | | 13.8 | | | | | | (7.1) | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | | | | | 100.0 | | | | | | 6.8 | | |
| | |
For the Six-Month period
Ended June 30, |
| |
For the Year Ended
December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
| | | $ | 629,772 | | | | | $ | (591,716) | | | | | $ | 5,799,759 | | | | | $ | 1,293,235 | | |
Net cash used in investing activities
|
| | | | (1,751) | | | | | | (43,937) | | | | | | (76,532) | | | | | | (233,861) | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
| | | | (1,072,328) | | | | | | 1,668,189 | | | | | | (4,250,298) | | | | | | (1,978,043) | | |
Effect of exchange rate change on cash
|
| | | | 226,359 | | | | | | (207,557) | | | | | | 128,750 | | | | | | 229,662 | | |
Net change in cash
|
| | | | (217,948) | | | | | | 824,979 | | | | | | 1,601,679 | | | | | | (689,007) | | |
Cash at beginning of the period
|
| | | | 4,018,558 | | | | | | 2,416,879 | | | | | | 2,416,879 | | | | | | 3,105,886 | | |
Cash at end of the period
|
| | | $ | 3,800,610 | | | | | $ | 3,241,858 | | | | | $ | 4,018,558 | | | | | $ | 2,416,879 | | |
Free cash flow
|
| | | $ | 625,021 | | | | | $ | (650,653) | | | | | $ | 5,723,227 | | | | | $ | 1,059,374 | | |
| | |
Useful Life
|
|
Leasehold Improvements | | |
Lesser of lease term or expected useful life
|
|
Machinery and equipment | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
Furniture and fixtures | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
Vehicles | | |
5 years
|
|
Molds | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
| | |
For the Six-Month Period Ended June 30,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by product line | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sanitaryware
|
| | | $ | 43,535,821 | | | | | $ | 41,432,365 | | |
Bath Furniture
|
| | | | 27,439,887 | | | | | | 17,924,406 | | |
Other
|
| | | | 7,890,339 | | | | | | 4,071,046 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | |
| | |
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by product line | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sanitaryware
|
| | | $ | 88,392,378 | | | | | $ | 90,928,256 | | |
Bath Furniture
|
| | | | 38,214,235 | | | | | | 28,558,130 | | |
Other
|
| | | | 8,221,088 | | | | | | 6,795,826 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | |
| | |
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by geographic location | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | $ | 51,297,861 | | | | | $ | 40,316,389 | | |
Canada
|
| | | | 18,518,691 | | | | | | 15,880,144 | | |
Europe
|
| | | | 9,049,495 | | | | | | 7,231,284 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | |
| | |
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by geographic location | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | $ | 83,700,229 | | | | | $ | 76,829,764 | | |
Canada
|
| | | | 35,008,869 | | | | | | 32,105,878 | | |
Europe
|
| | | | 16,118,603 | | | | | | 17,346,570 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | |
| | |
For the six months
ended June 30, |
| |
For the year
ended December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
Income from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
| | | $ | 5,204,696 | | | | | $ | 2,642,781 | | | | | $ | 6,282,113 | | | | | $ | 2,462,057 | | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COVID one-time expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
| | | | 115,500 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Anti-dumping/countervailing duty legal fees. . . . .
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,536,521 | | |
Adjusted income from operations. . . . . . . . . . . .
|
| | | | 5,320,196 | | | | | | 2,642,781 | | | | | | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 3,998,578 | | |
Revenues
|
| | | | 78,866,047 | | | | | | 63,427,817 | | | | | | 134,827,701 | | | | | | 126,282,212 | | |
Adjusted operating margin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
| | | | 4.6% | | | | | | 4.2% | | | | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 3.2% | | |
| | |
For the six months
ended June 30, |
| |
For the year
ended December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
Net income
|
| | | $ | 5,469,315 | | | | | $ | 2,092,870 | | | | | $ | 4,730,748 | | | | | $ | 1,571,094 | | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COVID one-time expenses
|
| | | | 115,500 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Anti-dumping/countervailing duty legal fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,536,521 | | |
Other income (PPP loan)
|
| | | | (1,680,900) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Total
|
| | | | 5,320,196 | | | | | | 2,092,870 | | | | | | 4,730,748 | | | | | | 3,107,615 | | |
Tax impact of adjustments at 18% effective rate
|
| | | | 281,772 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (276,574) | | |
Adjusted net income
|
| | | | 4,185,687 | | | | | | 2,092,870 | | | | | | 4,730,748 | | | | | | 2,831,041 | | |
| | |
For the six months
ended June 30, |
| |
For the year
ended December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities .
|
| | | $ | 629,772 | | | | | $ | (591,716) | | | | | $ | 5,799,759 | | | | | | 1,293,235 | | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property and equipment
|
| | | | (4,751) | | | | | | (58,937) | | | | | | (76,532) | | | | | | (233,861) | | |
Free cash flow
|
| | | | 625,021 | | | | | | (650,653) | | | | | | 5,723,227 | | | | | | 1,059,374 | | |
Free cash flow conversion
|
| | | | 11% | | | | | | — | | | | | | 121% | | | | | | 67% | | |
NAME
|
| |
AGE
|
| |
POSITION(S)
|
|
Executive Officers | | | | | | | |
David Bruce | | | 55 | | | Chief Executive Officer and President, Director | |
John Chen | | | 42 | | | Executive Chairman, Director | |
Perry Lin | | | 45 | | | Chief Financial Officer | |
Bob Kermelewicz | | | 58 | | | Executive Vice President, FGI USA | |
Jennifer Earl | | | 46 | | | Executive Vice President, FGI Canada | |
Norman Kroenke | | | 57 | | | Executive Vice President, FGI Europe | |
Non-Employee Directors | | | | | | | |
Todd Heysse(1)(2) | | | 48 | | | Director | |
Kellie Zesch Weir(1)(3) | | | 41 | | | Director | |
Jae Chung(1)(2)(3) | | | 54 | | | Director | |
Name and Principal Position
|
| |
Fiscal
Year |
| |
Salary
($) |
| |
Bonus
($) |
| |
All Other
Compensation(1) ($) |
| |
Total
($) |
| |||||||||||||||
David Bruce
Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | 2020 | | | | | | 237,835 | | | | | | 26,466 | | | | | | 10,884 | | | | | | 275,185 | | |
John Chen
Executive Chairman |
| | | | 2020 | | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 257 | | | | | | 250,257 | | |
Perry Lin
Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | 2020 | | | | | | 115,168 | | | | | | 3,000 | | | | | | 1,223 | | | | | | 119,391 | | |
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Before Offering
|
| |
After Offering
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of
Shares Beneficially Owned |
| |
Percentage of
Shares Beneficially Owned |
| |
Number of
Shares Beneficially Owned |
| |
Percentage of
Shares Beneficially Owned |
| ||||||||||||||
Greater than 5% Shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foremost Groups Ltd.(1)
|
| | | | 6,816,250 | | | | | | 97.4% | | | | | | 6,186,250 | | | | | | 71.8% | | |
Directors and Named Executive Officers: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
David Bruce
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
John Chen
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Perry Lin
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Todd Heysse
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Kellie Zesch Weir
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Jae Chung
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Directors and executive officers as (9 persons)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Approximate Number of Shares
|
| |
First Date Available for Sale on the Public Markets
|
|
shares | | | 181 days after the date of this prospectus, upon expiration of the lock-up agreements referred to below, subject in some cases to applicable volume, manner of sale and other limitations under Rule 144 and Rule 701. | |
Underwriter
|
| |
Number
of Shares |
| |||
The Benchmark Company, LLC
|
| | | | | | |
Northland Securities, Inc.
|
| | | | | | |
Total
|
| | | | | | |
| | |
Per Share
|
| |
Total with No
Over-Allotment |
| |
Total with
Over-Allotment |
| |||||||||
Public offering price
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |||
Underwriting discount to be paid by us (7%)
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |||
Non-accountable expense allowance (1%)
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |
| Audited Consolidated Financial Statements | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash
|
| | | $ | 4,018,558 | | | | | $ | 2,416,879 | | |
Accounts receivable, net
|
| | | | 17,338,279 | | | | | | 15,672,499 | | |
Inventories, net
|
| | | | 8,308,342 | | | | | | 9,293,371 | | |
Prepayments and other current assets
|
| | | | 799,724 | | | | | | 953,863 | | |
Prepayments and other receivables – related parties
|
| | | | 3,263,136 | | | | | | 14,058 | | |
Income tax receivable
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 52,697 | | |
Total current assets
|
| | | | 33,728,039 | | | | | | 28,403,367 | | |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
|
| | | | 545,697 | | | | | | 795,496 | | |
OTHER ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets
|
| | | | 128,050 | | | | | | 213,417 | | |
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | 9,311,277 | | | | | | 8,785,379 | | |
Deferred tax assets, net
|
| | | | 1,263,395 | | | | | | 941,047 | | |
Other noncurrent assets
|
| | | | 171,003 | | | | | | 379,336 | | |
Total other assets
|
| | | | 10,873,725 | | | | | | 10,319,179 | | |
Total assets
|
| | | $ | 45,147,461 | | | | | $ | 39,518,042 | | |
LIABILITIES AND PARENT’S NET INVESTMENT | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Short-term loans
|
| | | $ | 11,074,383 | | | | | $ | 8,207,165 | | |
Accounts payable
|
| | | | 19,510,272 | | | | | | 15,999,049 | | |
Accounts payable – related parties
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 697,500 | | |
Income tax payable
|
| | | | 580,036 | | | | | | — | | |
Operating lease liabilities – current
|
| | | | 1,245,629 | | | | | | 1,761,260 | | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
| | | | 3,008,959 | | | | | | 2,144,481 | | |
Total current liabilities
|
| | | | 35,419,279 | | | | | | 28,809,455 | | |
OTHER LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent
|
| | | | 8,196,486 | | | | | | 7,088,231 | | |
Total liabilities
|
| | | | 43,615,765 | | | | | | 35,897,686 | | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PARENT’S NET INVESTMENT | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary shares ($0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Parent’s net investment
|
| | | | 1,531,696 | | | | | | 3,620,356 | | |
Total parent’s net investment
|
| | | | 1,531,696 | | | | | | 3,620,356 | | |
Total liabilities and parent’s net investment
|
| | | $ | 45,147,461 | | | | | $ | 39,518,042 | | |
| | |
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
REVENUES
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | |
COST OF REVENUES
|
| | | | 106,423,061 | | | | | | 100,843,143 | | |
GROSS PROFIT
|
| | | | 28,404,640 | | | | | | 25,439,069 | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling and distribution
|
| | | | 15,487,306 | | | | | | 14,917,601 | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 5,820,967 | | | | | | 7,355,632 | | |
Research and development
|
| | | | 814,254 | | | | | | 703,779 | | |
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | 22,122,527 | | | | | | 22,977,012 | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
|
| | | | 6,282,113 | | | | | | 2,462,057 | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | 32,244 | | | | | | 11,665 | | |
Interest expense
|
| | | | (418,867) | | | | | | (448,412) | | |
Other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | (390,298) | | | | | | (50,212) | | |
Total other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | (776,921) | | | | | | (486,959) | | |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
| | | | 5,505,192 | | | | | | 1,975,098 | | |
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT OF) INCOME TAXES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current
|
| | | | 1,074,928 | | | | | | 587,290 | | |
Deferred
|
| | | | (300,484) | | | | | | (183,286) | | |
Total provision for income taxes
|
| | | | 774,444 | | | | | | 404,004 | | |
NET INCOME
|
| | | | 4,730,748 | | | | | | 1,571,094 | | |
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | 298,106 | | | | | | 279,106 | | |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
| | | | 5,028,854 | | | | | | 1,850,200 | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
EARNINGS PER SHARE | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
| | |
Parent’s net
investment |
| |||
BALANCE, January 1, 2019
|
| | | $ | 3,813,915 | | |
Net income for the year
|
| | | | 1,571,094 | | |
Net distribution to Parent
|
| | | | (2,043,759) | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | 279,106 | | |
BALANCE, December 31, 2019
|
| | | | 3,620,356 | | |
Net income for the year
|
| | | | 4,730,748 | | |
Net distribution to Parent
|
| | | | (7,117,514) | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | 298,106 | | |
BALANCE, December 31, 2020
|
| | | $ | 1,531,696 | | |
| | |
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income
|
| | | $ | 4,730,748 | | | | | $ | 1,571,094 | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization
|
| | | | 560,804 | | | | | | 525,128 | | |
Bad debt recovery
|
| | | | (10,172) | | | | | | (87,418) | | |
Provision (reversal) of defective return
|
| | | | 378,248 | | | | | | (627,028) | | |
Foreign exchange transaction loss
|
| | | | 181,599 | | | | | | 51,706 | | |
Interest expenses
|
| | | | 418,867 | | | | | | 448,412 | | |
Deferred income taxes
|
| | | | (322,349) | | | | | | (183,624) | | |
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
|
| | | | 64,125 | | | | | | 2,320 | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable
|
| | | | (2,033,856) | | | | | | 2,064,701 | | |
Inventories
|
| | | | 985,029 | | | | | | 381,763 | | |
Prepayments and other current assets
|
| | | | 154,139 | | | | | | (194,653) | | |
Prepayments and other receivables – related parties
|
| | | | (3,249,078) | | | | | | (12,880) | | |
Income taxes
|
| | | | 632,734 | | | | | | 480,732 | | |
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | (543,037) | | | | | | (8,785,379) | | |
Accounts payable
|
| | | | 3,511,223 | | | | | | (4,590) | | |
Accounts payables – related parties
|
| | | | (697,500) | | | | | | (3,056,519) | | |
Operating lease liabilities
|
| | | | 592,623 | | | | | | 8,849,492 | | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
| | | | 445,612 | | | | | | (130,022) | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
| | | | 5,799,759 | | | | | | 1,293,235 | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property and equipment
|
| | | | (76,532) | | | | | | (233,861) | | |
Net cash used in investing activities
|
| | | | (76,532) | | | | | | (233,861) | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from revolving credit facility
|
| | | | 2,867,216 | | | | | | 65,716 | | |
Net changes in parent company investment
|
| | | | (7,117,514) | | | | | | (2,043,759) | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
| | | | (4,250,298) | | | | | | (1,978,043) | | |
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATION ON CASH
|
| | | | 128,750 | | | | | | 229,662 | | |
NET CHANGE IN CASH
|
| | | | 1,601,679 | | | | | | (689,007) | | |
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
| | | | 2,416,879 | | | | | | 3,105,886 | | |
CASH, END OF YEAR
|
| | | $ | 4,018,558 | | | | | $ | 2,416,879 | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the year for interest
|
| | | | (421,393) | | | | | | (449,206) | | |
Cash received during the year for income taxes
|
| | | | 439,793 | | | | | | 99,908 | | |
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net changes in parent company investment
|
| | | | (7,117,514) | | | | | | (2,043,759) | | |
Name
|
| |
Background
|
| |
Ownership
|
|
FGI Industries, Inc. (formerly named Foremost Groups, Inc.) | | |
•
A New Jersey corporation
•
Incorporated on January 5, 1988
•
Sales and distribution in the United States
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI | |
FGI Europe Investment Limited | | |
•
A British Virgin Islands company (incorporation of this entity is currently in process)
•
Sales and distribution in Europe
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI | |
FGI International, Limited | | |
•
A Hong Kong company
•
Incorporated on June 2, 2021
•
Sales, sourcing and product development
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI | |
Foremost International Ltd. | | |
•
A Canada company
•
Incorporated on October 17, 1997
•
Sales and distribution in Canada
|
| | 100% owned by FGI Industries, Inc. | |
FGI Germany GmbH & Co. KG
|
| |
•
A German company
•
Incorporated on January 24, 2013
•
Sales and distribution in Germany
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI Europe Investment Limited | |
FGI China, Ltd. | | |
•
A PRC limited liability company (incorporation of this entity is currently in process)
•
Sourcing and product development
|
| | 100% owned by FGI International | |
| | |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues
|
| | | $ | 47,126,107 | | | | | $ | 46,172,790 | | |
Cost of revenues
|
| | | | (38,743,695) | | | | | | (38,373,659) | | |
Gross profit
|
| | | | 8,382,412 | | | | | | 7,799,131 | | |
Selling and distribution expenses
|
| | | | (4,104,345) | | | | | | (6,012,731) | | |
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (1,824,792) | | | | | | (2,124,229) | | |
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | (800,010) | | | | | | (1,245,698) | | |
Income (loss) from operations
|
| | | $ | 1,653,265 | | | | | $ | (1,583,527) | | |
| | |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues
|
| | | $ | 74,357,895 | | | | | $ | 84,723,675 | | |
Cost of revenues
|
| | | | (67,213,516) | | | | | | (78,067,249) | | |
Gross profit
|
| | | | 7,144,379 | | | | | | 6,656,426 | | |
Selling and distribution expenses
|
| | | | (1,017,317) | | | | | | (1,161,929) | | |
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (1,181,791) | | | | | | (2,676,402) | | |
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | (72,971) | | | | | | (93,426) | | |
Income from operations
|
| | | $ | 4,872,300 | | | | | $ | 2,724,669 | | |
| | |
Useful Life
|
|
Leasehold Improvements | | |
Lesser of lease term and expected useful life
|
|
Machinery and equipment | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
Furniture and fixtures | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
Vehicles | | |
5 years
|
|
Molds | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
| | |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by product line | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sanitaryware
|
| | | $ | 88,392,378 | | | | | $ | 90,928,256 | | |
Bath Furniture
|
| | | | 38,214,235 | | | | | | 28,558,130 | | |
Others
|
| | | | 8,221,088 | | | | | | 6,795,826 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | |
| | |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by geographic location | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | $ | 83,700,229 | | | | | $ | 76,829,764 | | |
Canada
|
| | | | 35,008,869 | | | | | | 32,105,878 | | |
Europe
|
| | | | 16,118,603 | | | | | | 17,346,570 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 134,827,701 | | | | | $ | 126,282,212 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Accounts receivable
|
| | | $ | 18,703,026 | | | | | $ | 16,669,170 | | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
| | | | (146,637) | | | | | | (156,809) | | |
Accrued defective return and discount
|
| | | | (1,218,110) | | | | | | (839,862) | | |
Accounts receivable, net
|
| | | $ | 17,338,279 | | | | | $ | 15,672,499 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Beginning balance
|
| | | $ | 156,809 | | | | | $ | 244,227 | | |
Reversal
|
| | | | (10,172) | | | | | | (87,418) | | |
Ending balance
|
| | | $ | 146,637 | | | | | $ | 156,809 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Beginning balance
|
| | | $ | 839,862 | | | | | $ | 1,466,890 | | |
Provision (reversal)
|
| | | | 378,248 | | | | | | (627,028) | | |
Ending balance
|
| | | $ | 1,218,110 | | | | | $ | 839,862 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Finished product
|
| | | $ | 8,903,767 | | | | | $ | 10,106,782 | | |
Reserves for slow-moving inventories
|
| | | | (595,425) | | | | | | (813,411) | | |
Inventories, net
|
| | | $ | 8,308,342 | | | | | $ | 9,293,371 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Beginning balance
|
| | | $ | 813,411 | | | | | $ | 889,741 | | |
Reversal
|
| | | | (217,986) | | | | | | (76,330) | | |
Ending balance
|
| | | $ | 595,425 | | | | | $ | 813,411 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Prepayments
|
| | | $ | 671,924 | | | | | $ | 810,255 | | |
Others
|
| | | | 127,800 | | | | | | 143,608 | | |
Total prepayments and other assets
|
| | | $ | 799,724 | | | | | $ | 953,863 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Leasehold Improvements
|
| | | $ | 1,122,092 | | | | | $ | 1,157,495 | | |
Machinery and equipment
|
| | | | 2,299,527 | | | | | | 2,486,340 | | |
Furniture and fixtures
|
| | | | 499,154 | | | | | | 492,250 | | |
Vehicles
|
| | | | 178,218 | | | | | | 176,175 | | |
Molds
|
| | | | 26,377 | | | | | | 18,251 | | |
Subtotal
|
| | | | 4,125,368 | | | | | | 4,330,511 | | |
Less: accumulated depreciation
|
| | | | (3,579,671) | | | | | | (3,535,015) | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 545,697 | | | | | $ | 795,496 | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | $ | 9,311,277 | | | | | $ | 8,785,379 | | |
Operating lease liabilities – current
|
| | | $ | 1,245,629 | | | | | $ | 1,761,260 | | |
Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent
|
| | | | 8,196,486 | | | | | | 7,088,231 | | |
Total operating lease liabilities
|
| | | $ | 9,442,115 | | | | | $ | 8,849,491 | | |
| | |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Weighted-average remaining lease term | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating leases
|
| |
7 years
|
| |
7 years
|
| ||||||
Weighted-average discount rate | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating leases
|
| | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 4.7% | | |
|
2021
|
| | | $ | 1,631,392 | | |
|
2022
|
| | | | 1,671,751 | | |
|
2023
|
| | | | 1,580,868 | | |
|
2024
|
| | | | 1,549,033 | | |
|
2025
|
| | | | 1,242,115 | | |
|
Thereafter
|
| | | | 3,478,406 | | |
|
Total lease payments
|
| | | | 11,153,565 | | |
|
Less: imputed interest
|
| | | | (1,711,450) | | |
|
Present value of lease liabilities
|
| | | $ | 9,442,115 | | |
| | |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Income components | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | $ | 80,320 | | | | | $ | (926,417) | | |
Outside United States
|
| | | | 6,424,872 | | | | | | 3,901,515 | | |
Intercompany eliminations
|
| | | | (1,000,000) | | | | | | (1,000,000) | | |
Total pre-tax income (loss)
|
| | | $ | 5,505,192 | | | | | $ | 1,975,098 | | |
Provision for (benefit of) income taxes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 30,958 | | |
State
|
| | | | 7,954 | | | | | | (56,416) | | |
Foreign
|
| | | | 1,066,974 | | | | | | 612,748 | | |
| | | | | 1,074,928 | | | | | | 587,290 | | |
Deferred
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal
|
| | | | (245,174) | | | | | | (123,043) | | |
State
|
| | | | (55,310) | | | | | | (35,948) | | |
Foreign
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (24,295) | | |
| | | | | (300,484) | | | | | | (183,286) | | |
Total provision for (benefit of) income taxes
|
| | | $ | 774,444 | | | | | $ | 404,004 | | |
| | |
For the Years Ended
December 31, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
Federal statutory rate
|
| | | | 21.0% | | | | | | 21.0% | | |
Increase (decrease) in tax rate resulting from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit
|
| | | | (1.0) | | | | | | (6.5) | | |
Foreign operations/Other
|
| | | | (12.1) | | | | | | (5.5) | | |
Permanent items
|
| | | | 0.9 | | | | | | 0.4 | | |
Deferred rate changes
|
| | | | 0.1 | | | | | | (0.5) | | |
Foreign dividends and earnings taxable in the United States
|
| | | | 5.2 | | | | | | 11.6 | | |
Effective tax rate
|
| | | | 14.1% | | | | | | 20.5% | | |
| | |
As of December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Deferred tax assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
| | | $ | 36,472 | | | | | $ | 39,303 | | |
Other reserve
|
| | | | 92,025 | | | | | | 130,713 | | |
Accrued expenses
|
| | | | 143,735 | | | | | | 90,169 | | |
Lease liability
|
| | | | 1,752,546 | | | | | | 1,766,104 | | |
Charitable contributions
|
| | | | 8,553 | | | | | | 8,586 | | |
Business interest limitation
|
| | | | 370,640 | | | | | | 289,160 | | |
Net operating loss, federal
|
| | | | 536,212 | | | | | | 385,106 | | |
Net operating loss, state
|
| | | | 103,489 | | | | | | 75,940 | | |
Other
|
| | | | 66,636 | | | | | | 44,770 | | |
Total deferred tax assets
|
| | | | 3,110,308 | | | | | | 2,829,851 | | |
Less: valuation allowance
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Net deferred tax assets
|
| | | | 3,110,308 | | | | | | 2,829,851 | | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed assets
|
| | | | 1,815,064 | | | | | | 1,835,314 | | |
Intangibles
|
| | | | 31,849 | | | | | | 53,490 | | |
Total deferred tax liabilities
|
| | | | 1,846,913 | | | | | | 1,888,804 | | |
Deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities
|
| | | $ | 1,263,395 | | | | | $ | 941,047 | | |
Name of Related Party
|
| |
Relationship
|
| |
Nature of
transactions |
| |
December 31,
2020 |
| |
December 31,
2019 |
| ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Rizhao Foremost Woodwork
Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
| |
An entity under common control
|
| |
Purchase
|
| | | $ | 1,138,316 | | | | | $ | — | | |
Focal Capital Holding Limited
|
| |
An entity under common control
|
| |
Purchase
|
| | | | 2,098,461 | | | | | | — | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,236,777 | | | | | $ | — | | |
Name of Related Party
|
| |
Relationship
|
| |
Nature of
transactions |
| |
December 31,
2020 |
| |
December 31,
2019 |
| ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Foremost Xingye Business
Consultancy (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. |
| |
An entity under common control
|
| |
Miscellaneous
expenses |
| | | | 26,359 | | | | | | 14,058 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 26,359 | | | | | $ | 14,058 | | |
Name of Related Party
|
| |
Relationship
|
| |
Nature of
transactions |
| |
December 31,
2020 |
| |
December 31,
2019 |
| ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Rizhao Foremost Woodwork
Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
| |
An entity under common control
|
| |
Purchase
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 536,533 | | |
Focal Capital Holding Limited
|
| |
An entity under common control
|
| |
Purchase
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 160,092 | | |
Sunrise Investment Limited
|
| |
An entity under common control
|
| |
Purchase
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 875 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 697,500 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash
|
| | | $ | 3,800,610 | | | | | $ | 4,018,558 | | |
Accounts receivable, net
|
| | | | 16,067,567 | | | | | | 17,338,279 | | |
Inventories, net
|
| | | | 12,674,468 | | | | | | 8,308,342 | | |
Prepayments and other current assets
|
| | | | 974,744 | | | | | | 799,724 | | |
Prepayments and other receivables – related parties
|
| | | | 2,545,987 | | | | | | 3,263,136 | | |
Total current assets
|
| | | | 36,063,376 | | | | | | 33,728,039 | | |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
|
| | | | 455,446 | | | | | | 545,697 | | |
OTHER ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets
|
| | | | 85,366 | | | | | | 128,050 | | |
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | 8,745,647 | | | | | | 9,311,277 | | |
Deferred tax assets, net
|
| | | | 1,029,549 | | | | | | 1,263,395 | | |
Other noncurrent assets
|
| | | | 4,012,295 | | | | | | 171,003 | | |
Total other assets
|
| | | | 13,872,857 | | | | | | 10,873,725 | | |
Total assets
|
| | | $ | 50,391,679 | | | | | $ | 45,147,461 | | |
LIABILITIES AND PARENT’S NET INVESTMENT | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Short-term loans
|
| | | $ | 15,751,671 | | | | | $ | 11,074,383 | | |
Accounts payable
|
| | | | 19,870,710 | | | | | | 19,510,272 | | |
Accounts payable-related parties
|
| | | | 66,502 | | | | | | — | | |
Income tax payable
|
| | | | 1,178,326 | | | | | | 580,036 | | |
Operating lease liabilities – current
|
| | | | 1,086,876 | | | | | | 1,245,629 | | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
| | | | 4,768,273 | | | | | | 3,008,959 | | |
Total current liabilities
|
| | | | 42,722,358 | | | | | | 35,419,279 | | |
OTHER LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent
|
| | | | 7,773,590 | | | | | | 8,196,486 | | |
Total liabilities
|
| | | | 50,495,948 | | | | | | 43,615,765 | | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PARENT’S NET INVESTMENT | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary shares ($0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Parent’s net (deficit) investment
|
| | | | (104,269) | | | | | | 1,531,696 | | |
Total parent’s net (deficit) investment
|
| | | | (104,269) | | | | | | 1,531,696 | | |
Total liabilities and parent’s net investment
|
| | | $ | 50,391,679 | | | | | $ | 45,147,461 | | |
| | |
For the Six-Month Period Ended
June 30, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
REVENUES
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | |
COST OF REVENUES
|
| | | | 62,360,079 | | | | | | 49,838,212 | | |
GROSS PROFIT
|
| | | | 16,505,968 | | | | | | 13,589,605 | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling and distribution
|
| | | | 8,029,209 | | | | | | 7,745,438 | | |
General and administrative
|
| | | | 2,982,939 | | | | | | 2,815,852 | | |
Research and development
|
| | | | 289,124 | | | | | | 385,534 | | |
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | 11,301,272 | | | | | | 10,946,824 | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
|
| | | | 5,204,696 | | | | | | 2,642,781 | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | 10,778 | | | | | | 2 | | |
Interest expense
|
| | | | (167,295) | | | | | | (149,824) | | |
Other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | 1,504,947 | | | | | | (31,730) | | |
Total other income (expenses), net
|
| | | | 1,348,430 | | | | | | (181,552) | | |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
| | | | 6,553,126 | | | | | | 2,461,229 | | |
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current
|
| | | | 833,530 | | | | | | 309,956 | | |
Deferred
|
| | | | 250,281 | | | | | | 58,403 | | |
Total provision for income taxes
|
| | | | 1,083,811 | | | | | | 368,359 | | |
NET INCOME
|
| | | | 5,469,315 | | | | | | 2,092,870 | | |
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | 325,236 | | | | | | (239,804) | | |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
| | | $ | 5,794,551 | | | | | $ | 1,853,066 | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
EARNINGS PER SHARE | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
| | |
Parent’s net
(deficit) investment |
| |||
BALANCE, January 1, 2021
|
| | | $ | 1,531,696 | | |
Net income for the period
|
| | | | 5,469,315 | | |
Net distribution to Parent
|
| | | | (7,430,516) | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | 325,236 | | |
BALANCE, June 30, 2021
|
| | | $ | (104,269) | | |
BALANCE, January 1, 2020
|
| | | $ | 3,620,356 | | |
Net income for the period
|
| | | | 2,092,870 | | |
Net distribution to Parent
|
| | | | (3,062,661) | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
| | | | (239,804) | | |
BALANCE, June 30, 2020
|
| | | $ | 2,410,761 | | |
| | |
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income
|
| | | $ | 5,469,315 | | | | | $ | 2,092,870 | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) used
in operating activities |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization
|
| | | | 142,248 | | | | | | 169,128 | | |
Bad debt expense
|
| | | | 14,749 | | | | | | 38,688 | | |
Provision of defective return
|
| | | | 3,108,807 | | | | | | 777,884 | | |
Foreign exchange transaction loss (gain)
|
| | | | 94,316 | | | | | | (37,589) | | |
Interest expenses
|
| | | | 167,295 | | | | | | 149,824 | | |
Forgiveness of PPP loan
|
| | | | (1,680,900) | | | | | | — | | |
Deferred income taxes
|
| | | | 233,846 | | | | | | 1,642 | | |
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment
|
| | | | (3,000) | | | | | | 46,235 | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable
|
| | | | (1,852,844) | | | | | | (888,136) | | |
Inventories
|
| | | | (4,366,126) | | | | | | 2,423,310 | | |
Prepayments and other current assets
|
| | | | (175,021) | | | | | | 198,646 | | |
Prepayments and other receivables — related parties
|
| | | | (23,294) | | | | | | (19,376) | | |
Other noncurrent assets
|
| | | | (3,841,292) | | | | | | (605,119) | | |
Income taxes
|
| | | | 598,290 | | | | | | 359,318 | | |
Accounts payable
|
| | | | 360,438 | | | | | | (2,472,458) | | |
Accounts payable-related parties
|
| | | | 807,902 | | | | | | (3,039,088) | | |
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | 565,630 | | | | | | 245,766 | | |
Operating lease liabilities
|
| | | | (581,649) | | | | | | (201,994) | | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
| | | | 1,591,062 | | | | | | 168,733 | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
| | | | 629,772 | | | | | | (591,716) | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
|
| | | | 3,000 | | | | | | 15,000 | | |
Purchase of property and equipment
|
| | | | (4,751) | | | | | | (58,937) | | |
Net cash used in investing activities
|
| | | | (1,751) | | | | | | (43,937) | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from revolving credit facility
|
| | | | 6,358,188 | | | | | | 4,730,850 | | |
Net changes in parent company investment
|
| | | | (7,430,516) | | | | | | (3,062,661) | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
| | | | (1,072,328) | | | | | | 1,668,189 | | |
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATION ON CASH
|
| | | | 226,359 | | | | | | (207,557) | | |
NET CHANGE IN CASH
|
| | | | (217,948) | | | | | | 824,979 | | |
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
| | | | 4,018,558 | | | | | | 2,416,879 | | |
CASH, END OF YEAR
|
| | | $ | 3,800,610 | | | | | $ | 3,241,858 | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the period for interest
|
| | | | (163,956) | | | | | | (151,178) | | |
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
|
| | | | (251,354) | | | | | | (4,460) | | |
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net changes in parent company investment
|
| | | | (7,430,516) | | | | | | (3,062,661) | | |
Name
|
| |
Background
|
| |
Ownership
|
|
FGI Industries, Inc.
(formerly named Foremost Groups, Inc.) |
| |
•
A New Jersey corporation
•
Incorporated on January 5, 1988
•
Sales and distribution in the United States
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI | |
FGI Europe Investment Limited | | |
•
A British Virgin Islands company (incorporation of this entity is currently in process)
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI | |
FGI International, Limited | | |
•
A Hong Kong company
•
Incorporated on June 2, 2021
•
Sales, sourcing and product development
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI | |
Foremost International Ltd. | | |
•
A Canada company
•
Incorporated on October 17, 1997
•
Sales and distribution in Canada
|
| | 100% owned by FGI Industries, Inc. | |
FGI Germany GmbH & Co. KG | | |
•
A German company
•
Incorporated on January 24, 2013
•
Sales and distribution in Germany
|
| | Expected to be 100% owned by FGI Europe Investment Limited | |
FGI China, Ltd. | | |
•
A PRC limited liability company (incorporation of this entity is currently in process)
•
Sourcing and product development
|
| | 100% owned by FGI International, Limited | |
| | |
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues
|
| | | $ | 33,580,454 | | | | | $ | 28,381,519 | | |
Cost of revenues
|
| | | | (28,739,239) | | | | | | (23,924,383) | | |
Gross profit
|
| | | | 4,841,215 | | | | | | 4,457,136 | | |
Selling and distribution expenses
|
| | | | (2,327,917) | | | | | | (2,398,651) | | |
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (769,250) | | | | | | (934,953) | | |
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | (313,947) | | | | | | (470,214) | | |
Income from operations
|
| | | $ | 1,430,101 | | | | | $ | 653,318 | | |
| | |
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues
|
| | | $ | 49,710,413 | | | | | $ | 34,147,100 | | |
Cost of revenues
|
| | | | (43,128,324) | | | | | | (31,082,167) | | |
Gross profit
|
| | | | 6,582,089 | | | | | | 3,064,933 | | |
Selling and distribution expenses
|
| | | | (974,069) | | | | | | (611,302) | | |
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (605,026) | | | | | | (572,867) | | |
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | (54,804) | | | | | | (20,186) | | |
Income from operations
|
| | | $ | 4,948,190 | | | | | $ | 1,860,578 | | |
| | |
Useful Life
|
|
Leasehold Improvements | | |
Lesser of lease term and
expected useful life |
|
Machinery and equipment | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
Furniture and fixtures | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
Vehicles | | |
5 years
|
|
Molds | | |
3 – 5 years
|
|
| | |
For the Six Months
Ended June 30, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by product line | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sanitaryware
|
| | | $ | 43,535,821 | | | | | $ | 41,432,365 | | |
Bath Furniture
|
| | | | 27,439,887 | | | | | | 17,924,406 | | |
Others
|
| | | | 7,890,339 | | | | | | 4,071,046 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | |
| | |
For the Six Months
Ended June 30, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Revenues by geographic location | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | $ | 51,297,861 | | | | | $ | 40,316,389 | | |
Canada
|
| | | | 18,518,691 | | | | | | 15,880,144 | | |
Europe
|
| | | | 9,049,495 | | | | | | 7,231,284 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 78,866,047 | | | | | $ | 63,427,817 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Accounts receivable
|
| | | $ | 20,555,870 | | | | | $ | 18,703,026 | | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
| | | | (161,386) | | | | | | (146,637) | | |
Accrued defective return and discount
|
| | | | (4,326,917) | | | | | | (1,218,110) | | |
Accounts receivable, net
|
| | | $ | 16,067,567 | | | | | $ | 17,338,279 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Beginning balance
|
| | | $ | 146,637 | | | | | $ | 156,809 | | |
Addition (reversal)
|
| | | | 14,749 | | | | | | (10,172) | | |
Ending balance
|
| | | $ | 161,386 | | | | | $ | 146,637 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Beginning balance
|
| | | $ | 1,218,110 | | | | | $ | 839,862 | | |
Provision
|
| | | | 3,108,807 | | | | | | 378,248 | | |
Ending balance
|
| | | $ | 4,326,917 | | | | | $ | 1,218,110 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Finished product
|
| | | $ | 13,217,598 | | | | | $ | 8,903,767 | | |
Reserves for slow-moving inventories
|
| | | | (543,130) | | | | | | (595,425) | | |
Inventories, net
|
| | | $ | 12,674,468 | | | | | $ | 8,308,342 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Beginning balance
|
| | | $ | 595,425 | | | | | $ | 813,411 | | |
(Reversal)
|
| | | | (52,295) | | | | | | (217,986) | | |
Ending balance
|
| | | $ | 543,130 | | | | | $ | 595,425 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Prepayments
|
| | | $ | 949,301 | | | | | $ | 671,924 | | |
Others
|
| | | | 25,443 | | | | | | 127,800 | | |
Total prepayments and other assets
|
| | | $ | 974,744 | | | | | $ | 799,724 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Leasehold Improvements
|
| | | $ | 1,128,110 | | | | | $ | 1,122,092 | | |
Machinery and equipment
|
| | | | 2,260,398 | | | | | | 2,299,527 | | |
Furniture and fixtures
|
| | | | 501,870 | | | | | | 499,154 | | |
Vehicles
|
| | | | 178,390 | | | | | | 178,218 | | |
Molds
|
| | | | 26,377 | | | | | | 26,377 | | |
Subtotal
|
| | | | 4,095,145 | | | | | | 4,125,368 | | |
Less: accumulated depreciation
|
| | | | (3,639,699) | | | | | | (3,579,671) | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 455,446 | | | | | $ | 545,697 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | $ | 8,745,647 | | | | | $ | 9,311,277 | | |
Operating lease liabilities – current
|
| | | $ | 1,086,876 | | | | | $ | 1,245,629 | | |
Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent
|
| | | | 7,773,590 | | | | | | 8,196,486 | | |
Total operating lease liabilities
|
| | | $ | 8,860,466 | | | | | $ | 9,442,115 | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Weighted-average remaining lease term | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating leases
|
| |
5.8 years
|
| |
6.1 years
|
| ||||||
Weighted-average discount rate | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating leases
|
| | | | 4.7% | | | | | | 4.7% | | |
|
2022
|
| | | $ | 1,667,949 | | |
|
2023
|
| | | | 1,683,300 | | |
|
2024
|
| | | | 1,611,960 | | |
|
2025
|
| | | | 1,466,290 | | |
|
2026
|
| | | | 1,191,935 | | |
|
Thereafter
|
| | | | 2,946,945 | | |
|
Total lease payments
|
| | | | 10,568,379 | | |
|
Less: imputed interest
|
| | | | (1,707,913) | | |
|
Present value of lease liabilities
|
| | | $ | 8,860,466 | | |
| | |
For the Six Months
Ended June 30, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Income components | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | $ | 1,036,967 | | | | | $ | 45,221 | | |
Outside United States
|
| | | | 5,516,159 | | | | | | 2,416,006 | | |
Total pre-tax income
|
| | | $ | 6,553,126 | | | | | $ | 2,461,227 | | |
Provision for income taxes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
State
|
| | | | 7,837 | | | | | | 7,214 | | |
Foreign
|
| | | | 825,693 | | | | | | 302,742 | | |
| | | | | 833,530 | | | | | | 309,956 | | |
Deferred
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal
|
| | | | 241,767 | | | | | | 24,219 | | |
State
|
| | | | 8,514 | | | | | | 33,069 | | |
Foreign
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 1,115 | | |
| | | | | 250,281 | | | | | | 58,403 | | |
Total provision for income taxes
|
| | | $ | 1,083,811 | | | | | $ | 368,359 | | |
| | |
For the Six Months
Ended June 30, |
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||
Federal statutory rate
|
| | | | 21.0% | | | | | | 21.0% | | |
Increase (decrease) in tax rate resulting from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit
|
| | | | 0.2 | | | | | | 1.1 | | |
Foreign operations
|
| | | | (5.3) | | | | | | (5.7) | | |
Permanent items
|
| | | | (4.6) | | | | | | 0.7 | | |
Deferred rate changes
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 0.1 | | |
Foreign dividends and earnings taxable in the United States
|
| | | | 1.3 | | | | | | 2.2 | | |
Others
|
| | | | 3.9 | | | | | | (4.4) | | |
Effective tax rate
|
| | | | 16.5% | | | | | | 15.0% | | |
| | |
As of
June 30, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| ||||||
| | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Deferred tax assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
| | | $ | 40,140 | | | | | $ | 48,623 | | |
Other reserve
|
| | | | 84,425 | | | | | | 84,648 | | |
Accrued expenses
|
| | | | 175,785 | | | | | | 99,078 | | |
Lease liability
|
| | | | 1,851,543 | | | | | | 1,752,546 | | |
Charitable contributions
|
| | | | 8,520 | | | | | | 8,520 | | |
Business interest limitation
|
| | | | 298,271 | | | | | | 254,291 | | |
Net operating loss – federal
|
| | | | 376,615 | | | | | | 217,017 | | |
Net operating loss – state
|
| | | | 60,124 | | | | | | 26,369 | | |
Other
|
| | | | 67,889 | | | | | | 625,028 | | |
Total deferred tax assets
|
| | | | 2,963,312 | | | | | | 3,116,120 | | |
Less: valuation allowance
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Net deferred tax assets
|
| | | | 2,963,312 | | | | | | 3,116,120 | | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed assets
|
| | | | 1,912,531 | | | | | | 1,810,260 | | |
Intangibles
|
| | | | 21,232 | | | | | | 42,465 | | |
Total deferred tax liabilities
|
| | | | 1,933,763 | | | | | | 1,852,725 | | |
Deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities
|
| | | $ | 1,029,549 | | | | | $ | 1,263,395 | | |
Name of Related Party
|
| |
Relationship
|
| |
Nature of
transactions |
| |
June 30,
2021 |
| |
December 31,
2020 |
| ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Rizhao Foremost Woodwork
Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
| |
An entity under common control
|
| | Purchase | | | | $ | 2,495,376 | | | | | $ | 1,138,316 | | |
Focal Capital Holding Limited
|
| |
An entity under
common control |
| | Purchase | | | | | — | | | | | | 2,098,461 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 2,495,376 | | | | | $ | 3,236,777 | | |
Name of Related Party
|
| |
Relationship
|
| |
Nature of
transactions |
| |
June 30,
2021 |
| |
December 31,
2020 |
| ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Foremost Xingye Business Consultancy
(Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. |
| |
An entity under
common control |
| |
Miscellaneous
expenses |
| | | | 49,653 | | | | | | 26,359 | | |
Full Leader Holding Limited
|
| |
An entity under
common control |
| |
Miscellaneous
expenses |
| | | | 229 | | | | | | — | | |
Focal Capital Holding Limited
|
| |
An entity under
common control |
| |
Miscellaneous
expenses |
| | | | 729 | | | | | | — | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 50,611 | | | | | $ | 26,359 | | |
Name of Related Party
|
| |
Relationship
|
| |
Nature of
transactions |
| |
June 30,
2021 |
| |
December 31,
2020 |
| ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
USD
|
| |
USD
|
| ||||||
Focal Capital Holding Limited
|
| |
An entity under
common control |
| | Purchase | | | | | 66,502 | | | | | | — | | |
| The Benchmark Company | | | Northland Capital Markets | |
Item
|
| |
Amount
|
| |||
SEC registration fee
|
| | | $ | 2,174.65 | | |
FINRA filing fee
|
| | | | 3,500.00 | | |
Nasdaq Capital Market listing fee
|
| | | | 5,000 | | |
Printing expenses
|
| | | | 200,000 | | |
Legal fees and expenses
|
| | | | 1,000,000 | | |
Accounting fees and expenses
|
| | | | 125,000 | | |
Underwriter Expense Reimbursement
|
| | | | 157,500 | | |
Miscellaneous expenses
|
| | | | 6,825.35 | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 1,500,000 | | |
Exhibit
Number |
| |
Exhibit Description
|
|
1.1 | | | | |
3.1 | | | | |
3.2 | | | | |
4.1 | | | | |
4.2 | | | | |
4.3 | | | | |
5.1* | | | Opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP | |
5.2* | | | Opinion of Travers Thorp Alberga | |
10.1# | | | | |
10.2 | | | | |
10.3 | | | | |
10.4 | | | | |
10.5 | | | | |
10.6+ | | | | |
10.7+ | | | FGI Industries Ltd. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan | |
10.8+ | | | |
Exhibit
Number |
| |
Exhibit Description
|
|
10.9+ | | | | |
10.10+ | | | | |
10.11+ | | | Form of Employment Agreement by and between FGI Industries Ltd. and of David Bruce | |
10.12+ | | | Form of Employment Agreement by and between FGI Industries Ltd. and of Perry Lin | |
10.13 | | | | |
21.1 | | | | |
23.1 | | | | |
23.2* | | | Consent of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
23.3* | | | Consent of Travers Thorp Alberga (included in Exhibit 5.2) | |
24.1** | | | |
|
Signature
|
| |
Title
|
| |
Date
|
|
|
*
David Bruce
|
| |
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer) |
| |
October 4, 2021
|
|
|
*
Perry Lin
|
| |
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
| |
October 4, 2021
|
|
|
/s/ John Chen
John Chen
|
| | Executive Chairman and Director | | |
October 4, 2021
|
|
|
*
Todd Heysse
|
| | Director | | |
October 4, 2021
|
|
|
*
Kellie Zesch Weir
|
| | Director | | |
October 4, 2021
|
|
|
*
Jae Chung
|
| | Director | | |
October 4, 2021
|
|
Exhibit 1.1
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
between
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD.
and
THE BENCHMARK COMPANY, LLC
as Representative of the Several Underwriters
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
New York, New York
[_________], 2021
The Benchmark Company, LLC
as Representative of the several Underwriters
named on Schedule 1 attached hereto |
150 East 58th Street,
17th Floor New York New York 10155 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, FGI Industries Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with The Benchmark Company, LLC (hereinafter referred to as “you” (including its correlatives) or the “Representative”), and with the other underwriters named on Schedule 1 hereto for which the Representative is acting as representative (the Representative and such other underwriters being collectively called the “Underwriters” or, individually, an “Underwriter”) as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Shares.
1.1 Firm Shares.
1.1.1 Nature and Purchase of Firm Shares.
(i) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of [•] ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Firm Shares”).
(ii) The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule 1 attached hereto and made a part hereof at a purchase price of $[•] per share (93% of the per Firm Share public offering price). The Firm Shares are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (as defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof).
1.1.2 Shares Payment and Delivery.
(i) Delivery and payment for the Firm Shares shall be made at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the second (2nd) Business Day following the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.1.1 below) (or the third (3rd) Business Day following the Effective Date if the Registration Statement is declared effective after 4:01 p.m., Eastern time) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, at the offices of McGuireWoods LLP, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10020 (“Representative Counsel”), or at such other place (or remotely by electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Shares is called the “Closing Date.”
(ii) Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made on the Closing Date by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds, payable to the order of the Company upon delivery of the certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Firm Shares (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the account of the Underwriters. The Firm Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Shares except upon tender of payment by the Representative for all of the Firm Shares. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York, New York.
1.2 Over-allotment Option.
1.2.1 Option Shares. For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Shares, the Company hereby grants to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to [•] additional ordinary shares, representing ordinary shares equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the number of Firm Shares sold in the offering, from the Company (the “Over-allotment Option”). Such [•] additional ordinary shares, the net proceeds of which will be deposited with the Company’s account, are hereinafter referred to as “Option Shares.” The purchase price to be paid per Option Share shall be equal to the price per Firm Share set forth in Section 1.1.1 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter referred to together as the “Public Securities.” The offering and sale of the Public Securities is hereinafter referred to as the “Offering.”
1.2.2 Exercise of Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Shares within 45 days after the Closing Date. The Underwriters shall not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Shares prior to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or electronic transmission setting forth the number of Option Shares to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Shares (the “Option Closing Date”), which shall not be later than five (5) full Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of Representative Counsel or at such other place (including remotely by electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Shares does not occur on the Closing Date, the Option Closing Date will be as set forth in the notice. Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option with respect to all or any portion of the Option Shares, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) the Company shall become obligated to sell to the Underwriters the number of Option Shares specified in such notice and (ii) each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, shall purchase that portion of the total number of Option Shares then being purchased as set forth in Schedule 1 opposite the name of such Underwriter.
2
1.2.3 Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Option Shares shall be made on the Option Closing Date by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds, payable to the order of the Company upon delivery to you of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Shares (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. The Option Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in writing at least two (2) full Business Days prior to the Option Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Option Shares except upon tender of payment by the Representative for applicable Option Shares.
1.3 Representative’s Warrant.
1.3.1 The Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Representative (and/or its designees) on the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date an option (“Representative’s Warrant”) for the purchase of an aggregate of number of the Company’s ordinary shares representing 2% of the Public Securities sold in the Offering on such Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as applicable. The Representative’s Warrant agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Representative’s Warrant Agreement”), shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on a date that is 180 days after the Effective Date and expiring on the five-year anniversary of the Effective Date at an initial exercise price per Ordinary Share equal to the initial public offering price of the Firm Shares, on a cashless basis. The Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise thereof are hereinafter referred to together as the “Representative’s Securities.” The Representative understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 against transferring the Representative’s Warrant Agreement and the underlying Ordinary Shares during the 180 days after the Effective Date and by its acceptance thereof shall agree that it will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate the Representative’s Warrant Agreement, or any portion thereof, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such securities for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the Effective Date to anyone other than (i) an Underwriter or a selected dealer in connection with the Offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of the Representative or of any such Underwriter or selected dealer; and only if any such transferee agrees to the foregoing lock-up restrictions.
1.3.2 Delivery. Delivery of the Representative’s Warrant Agreement shall be made on the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, as applicable, and shall be issued in the name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), as of the Closing Date and as of the Option Closing Date, if any, as follows:
3
2.1 Filing of Registration Statement.
2.1.1 Pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement, and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[•]), including any related prospectus or prospectuses, for the registration of the offering and sale of the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act (the “Securities Act Regulations”) and contain all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement became effective (including the Preliminary Prospectus included in the registration statement, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of the Effective Date pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations (the “Rule 430A Information”)), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement.” If the Company files any registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act Regulations, then after such filing, the term “Registration Statement” shall include such registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b). The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission prior to or on the date hereof.
From the time of the initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”). “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of, or Rule 163B under, the Securities Act.
Each prospectus used prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and each prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a “Preliminary Prospectus.” The Preliminary Prospectus, subject to completion, dated [•], 2021, that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time is hereinafter called the “Pricing Prospectus.” The final prospectus in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in the Offering is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” Any reference to the “most recent Preliminary Prospectus” shall be deemed to refer to the latest Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.
“Applicable Time” means [•] [•].m., Eastern time, on the date of this Agreement.
“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Securities Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), including without limitation any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Regulations) relating to the Public Securities that is (i) required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Public Securities or of the Offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).
4
“Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433 (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”)), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule 2-B hereto.
“Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.
“Pricing Disclosure Package” means any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications (as hereinafter defined), any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Pricing Prospectus and the information included on Schedule 2-A hereto, all considered together.
2.1.2 Pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company’s ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”) are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Ordinary Shares under the Exchange Act, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration.
2.2 Stock Exchange Listing. The Ordinary Shares have been approved for listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Exchange”), subject only to official notice of issuance, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, delisting the Ordinary Shares from the Exchange, nor has the Company received any notification that the Exchange is contemplating terminating such listing except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
2.3 No Stop Orders, etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the Company’s knowledge, has any state regulatory authority issued any order preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or has instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute, any proceedings with respect to such an order. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information.
2.4 Disclosures in Registration Statement.
2.4.1 Compliance with Securities Act and 10b-5 Representation.
(i) Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Each Preliminary Prospectus, including the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment or supplement thereto, and the Prospectus, at the time each was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Each Preliminary Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this Offering and the Prospectus was or will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (“EDGAR”), except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T promulgated under the Securities Act (“Regulation S-T”).
5
(ii) Neither the Registration Statement nor any amendment thereto, at its effective time, as of the Applicable Time, at the Closing Date or at any Option Closing Date (if any), contained, contains or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriters’ Information (as defined below).
(iii) The Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, at the Closing Date or at any Option Closing Date (if any), did not, does not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus hereto does not conflict in any material respect with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, and each such Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time, did not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The parties acknowledge and agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists solely of the following disclosure contained in the “Underwriting” section of the Prospectus: (i) the table showing the number of securities to be purchased by each Underwriter; (ii) the paragraph immediately following the table showing the number of securities to be purchased by each Underwriter; (iii) the first sentence under the subheading titled “Determination of Offering Price”; (iv) the last paragraph under the subheading “Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids”; and (v) the paragraphs under the subheadings titled “Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares” and “Other Relationships” (collectively, the “Underwriters’ Information”).
6
(iv) Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto (including any prospectus wrapper), as of its issue date, at the time of any filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), at the Closing Date or at any Option Closing Date, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to the Underwriters’ Information.
2.4.2 Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. None of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company or any Subsidiary, and none of the Company, any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in default thereunder and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder. To the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company or any Subsidiary of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental or regulatory agency, authority, body, entity or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses (each, a “Governmental Entity”), including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.
2.4.3 Prior Securities Transactions. No securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Preliminary Prospectus.
7
2.4.4 Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus concerning the effects of federal, state, local and all foreign laws, rules and regulations relating to the Offering and the Company’s business as currently conducted or contemplated are correct and complete in all material respects and no other such laws, rules or regulations are required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus which are not so disclosed.
2.4.5 No Other Distribution of Offering Materials. The Company has not, directly or indirectly, distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the Offering other than any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, the Prospectus and other materials, if any, permitted under the Securities Act and consistent with Section 3.2.
2.5 Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.
2.5.1 No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise specifically stated therein: (i) there has been no material adverse change in the financial position or results of operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, nor any change or development that, singularly or in the aggregate, would involve a material adverse change or a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, assets or prospects of the Company or its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Change”); (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) no Named Executive Officer (as defined in Item 402 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act) or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the Company.
2.5.2 Recent Securities Transactions, etc. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.
2.6 Disclosures in Commission Filings. None of the Company’s filings with, or other documents furnished to, the Commission contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company has made all filings with the Commission required under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act Regulations”).
2.7 Independent Accountants. Marcum LLP (the “Auditor”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Auditor has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
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2.8 Financial Statements, etc. The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and the results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at the dates and for the periods stated therein; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), consistently applied throughout the periods involved (provided that unaudited interim financial statements are subject to year-end audit adjustments that are not expected to be material in the aggregate and do not contain all footnotes required by GAAP); and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations. The as adjusted financial information and the related notes, if any, included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been properly compiled and prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and fairly present in all material respects the information shown therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. Each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus discloses all off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (a) neither the Company nor any of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including each entity disclosed or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being a subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Subsidiaries”), has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of business, (b) the Company has not declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock, (c) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, other than in the ordinary course of business, any grants under any stock compensation plan, and (d) there has not been any Material Adverse Change in the Company’s long-term or short-term debt. The Company represents that it has no direct or indirect subsidiaries other than those listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement.
2.9 Authorized Capital; Options, etc. The Company had, at the date or dates indicated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth therein. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date, as of the Applicable Time and on the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, there will be no stock options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued Ordinary Shares or any security convertible or exercisable into Ordinary Shares, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell Ordinary Shares or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.
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2.10 Valid Issuance of Securities, etc.
2.10.1 Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company issued prior to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no contractual rights of rescission or the ability to force the Company to repurchase such securities with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or rights of participation of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The authorized Ordinary Shares conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange such securities for Ordinary Shares were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such Ordinary Shares, exempt from such registration requirements. Except for the Ordinary Shares outstanding as of the date hereof, the Company has no other shares of any other class of capital stock outstanding. The description of the Company’s stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder, as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, accurately and fairly present, in all material respects, the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.
2.10.2 Securities Sold Pursuant to this Agreement. The Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrant have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and when paid for and issued in accordance with the Representative’s Warrant and the Representative’s Warrant Agreement, such Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
The Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
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2.11 Registration Rights of Third Parties. No holders of any securities of the Company or any options, warrants, rights or other securities exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register the resale or reoffer of any such securities of the Company under the Securities Act or to include any such securities in the Registration Statement or any other registration statement to be filed by the Company.
2.12 Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Representative’s Warrant Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and, when executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
2.13 No Conflicts, etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Representative’s Warrant Agreement and all ancillary documents, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or material conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or as to which any property of the Company is a party; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (as the same have been amended or restated from time to time, the “Charter”) or the by-laws of the Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Entity as of the date hereof.
2.14 No Defaults; Violations. No material default that cannot be cured exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its Charter or by-laws, or in violation of any franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any Governmental Entity.
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2.15 Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.
2.15.1 Conduct of Business. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries have all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, licenses, certificates, clearances, permits and orders and supplements and amendments thereto (collectively, “Authorizations”) of and from all Governmental Entities that they need as of the date hereof to conduct the business purpose of the Company as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
2.15.2 Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all Authorizations required in connection therewith have been obtained. No Authorization of, and no filing with, any Governmental Entity, the Exchange or another body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable Securities Act Regulations, state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
2.16 D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the “Questionnaires”) completed by each of the Company’s directors and Named Executive Officers immediately prior to the Offering (the “Insiders”) as supplemented by all information concerning the Insiders as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus provided to the Underwriters, is true and correct in all material respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the Questionnaires to become materially inaccurate and incorrect.
2.17 Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company, any Subsidiary or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Named Executive Officer or director of the Company which has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, which is required to be disclosed therein.
2.18 Good Standing. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as an exempted company and is in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands as of the date hereof, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify, singularly or in the aggregate, would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
2.19 Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance (including, without limitation, as to directors and officers insurance coverage), with reputable insurers, in such amounts and covering such risks which the Company believes are adequate, and all such insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Change.
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2.20 Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA.
2.20.1 Finder’s Fees. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or any Insider with respect to the sale of the Public Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its shareholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA.
2.20.2 Payments Within Twelve (12) Months. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) any FINRA member; or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve (12) months prior to the Effective Date, other than the payment to the Underwriters as provided hereunder in connection with the Offering.
2.20.3 Use of Proceeds. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein.
2.20.4 FINRA Affiliation. There is no (i) officer or director of the Company, (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of the Company’s securities or (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities who acquired any equity securities of the Company during the 180-day period immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement that is an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the Offering (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).
2.20.5 Information. All information provided by the Company in its FINRA questionnaire to Representative Counsel specifically for use by Representative Counsel in connection with its Public Offering System filings (and related disclosure) with FINRA is true, correct and complete in all material respects.
2.21 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any Governmental Entity (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding; (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a Material Adverse Change; or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to comply in all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
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2.22 Compliance with OFAC. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”), and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Offering hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
2.23 Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.
2.24 Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to you or to Representative Counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
2.25 Subsidiaries. All direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company are duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the place of organization or incorporation, and each Subsidiary is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company’s ownership and control of each Subsidiary is as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
2.26 Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus that have not been described as required.
2.27 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Company is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus captioned “Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the board comply with the Exchange Act, the Exchange Act Regulations, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) applicable to the Company and the listing rules of the Exchange. At least one member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined under Regulation S-K and the listing rules of the Exchange. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent,” as defined under the listing rules of the Exchange.
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2.28 Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance.
2.28.1 Disclosure Controls. The Company has developed and currently maintains disclosure controls and procedures that will comply with Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act Regulations, and such controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
2.28.2 Compliance. The Company is and at the Applicable Time and on the Closing Date will be, in material compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act applicable to it, and has implemented such programs and has taken reasonable steps to ensure the Company’s compliance with all of the material provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act applicable to the Company.
2.29 Accounting Controls. The Company and its Subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined under Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act Regulations) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal controls. The Auditor and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are known to the Company’s management and that have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud known to the Company’s management, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
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2.30 No Investment Company Status. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be, required to register as an “investment company,” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
2.31 No Labor Disputes. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent. The Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any Subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, which, individually or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the general affairs, business, prospects, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise. The Company is not aware that any key employee or significant group of employees of the Company plans to terminate employment with the Company.
2.32 Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses or has valid rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“Intellectual Property Rights”) necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. To the knowledge of the Company, no action or use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries necessary for the conduct of its business as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will involve or give rise to any infringement of, or license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property Rights of others. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any such infringement, fee or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change (A) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no infringement, misappropriation or violation by third parties of any of the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company; (B) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the rights of the Company in or to any such Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim, that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.32, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; (C) the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property Rights licensed to the Company have not been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.32, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; (D) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property Rights or other proprietary rights of others, the Company has not received any written notice of such claim and the Company is unaware of any other facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.32, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and (E) to the Company’s knowledge, no employee of the Company is in or has ever been in violation in any material respect of any term of any employment contract, patent disclosure agreement, invention assignment agreement, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement or any restrictive covenant to or with a former employer where the basis of such violation relates to such employee’s employment with the Company, or actions undertaken by the employee while employed with the Company and could reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change. To the Company’s knowledge, all material technical information developed by and belonging to the Company which has not been patented has been kept confidential. The Company is not a party to or bound by any options, licenses or agreements with respect to the Intellectual Property Rights of any other person or entity that are required to be set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and are not described therein. None of the technology employed by the Company has been obtained or is being used by the Company in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its officers, directors or employees, or otherwise in violation of the rights of any persons.
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2.33 Taxes. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all returns (as hereinafter defined) required to be filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof or has duly obtained extensions of time for the filing thereof. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has paid all taxes (as hereinafter defined) shown as due on such returns that were filed and has paid all taxes imposed on or assessed against the Company or such respective Subsidiary. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. Except as disclosed in writing to the Underwriters, (i) no issues have been raised (and are currently pending) by any taxing authority in connection with any of the returns or taxes asserted as due from the Company or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) no waivers of statutes of limitation with respect to the returns or collection of taxes have been given by or requested from the Company or its Subsidiaries. There are no tax liens against the assets, properties or business of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The term “taxes” means all federal, state, local, foreign and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.
2.34 ERISA Compliance. The Company and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Company or its “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “Code”) of which the Company is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA). Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any material liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and, to the knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.
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2.35 Compliance with Laws. Each of the Company and each Subsidiary: (A) is and at all times has been in compliance with all statutes, rules, or regulations applicable to the business of the Company as currently conducted (“Applicable Laws”), except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change; (B) has not received any warning letter, untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from any Governmental Entity alleging or asserting material noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any Authorizations; (C) possesses all Authorizations and such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and are not in violation of any term of any such Authorizations; (D) has not received notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any Governmental Entity or third party alleging that any activity conducted by the Company is in violation of any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and has no knowledge that any such Governmental Entity or third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (E) has not received notice that any Governmental Entity has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any Authorizations and has no knowledge that any such Governmental Entity is considering such action; and (F) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and correct on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission).
2.36 Environmental Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other entity for whose acts or omissions the Company or any Subsidiary is or may otherwise be liable) is (i) in violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of any Governmental Entity or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, storage, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws or with respect to which there has been a discharge, emission or other release of any kind of such substance onto such property or the environment surrounding such property, (iii) is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws, or (iv) is subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, in each case, which violation, contamination or release, liability or claim would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Change; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries anticipating incurring any material capital expenditures relating to compliance with Environmental Laws.
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2.37 Title to Property. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real or personal property which are material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, claims and defects that do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or its Subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.
2.38 Contracts Affecting Capital. There are no transactions, arrangements or other relationships between and/or among the Company, any of its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Regulations) and any unconsolidated entity, including, but not limited to, any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity that could reasonably be expected to materially affect the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ liquidity or the availability of or requirements for their capital resources required to be described or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus which have not been described or incorporated by reference as required.
2.39 Loans to Directors or Officers. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees or indebtedness by the Company or its Subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
2.40 Ineligible Issuer. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the Effective Date and at the time of any amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Securities Act Regulations) of the Public Securities and at the Effective Date, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405, without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.
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2.41 Filer Status.
2.41.1 Smaller Reporting Company. As of the time of filing of the Registration Statement, the Company was a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act Regulations.
2.41.2 Emerging Growth Company. The Company will promptly notify the Representative if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the end of the period when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the Securities Act Regulations, would be) required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Public Securities.
2.42 Industry Data. The statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.
2.43 Electronic Road Show. The Company has made available a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) of the Securities Act Regulations such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h) of the Securities Act Regulations) is required in connection with the Offering.
2.44 Margin Securities. The Company owns no “margin securities” as that term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), and none of the proceeds of Offering will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin security, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Ordinary Shares to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meanings of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.
2.45 Dividends and Distributions. Except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited or restricted, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, except as may otherwise be provided in current loan or mortgage-related documents.
2.46 Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
2.47 Integration. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause the Offering to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act that would require the registration of the offer and sale of any such securities under the Securities Act.
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2.48 Stabilization. Neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or shareholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under Regulation M of the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Public Securities.
3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
3.1 Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company shall deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2 Federal Securities Laws.
3.2.1 Compliance. The Company, subject to Section 3.2.2, shall comply with the requirements of Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations, and will during the period required to permit the completion of the distribution of the Public Securities as contemplated in this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, notify the Representative promptly, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus shall have been filed; (ii) of its receipt of any comments from the Commission; (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information; (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities or the Representative’s Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the Offering of the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities. The Company shall effect all filings required under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act Regulations, in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), and shall take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order, prevention or suspension and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.
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3.2.2 Continued Compliance. The Company shall comply with the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Public Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the Securities Act Regulations (“Rule 172”), would be) required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Public Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of Representative Counsel or Company Counsel, to (i) amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or (iii) amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations, the Company will promptly (A) give the Representative notice of such event; (B) prepare any amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with such requirements and, a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing or use, furnish the Representative with copies of any such amendment or supplement and (C) file with the Commission any such amendment or supplement; provided that the Company shall not file or use any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative or Representative Counsel shall reasonably object. The Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. The Company has given the Representative notice of any filings made pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Exchange Act Regulations within two (2) Business Days prior to the Applicable Time. The Company shall give the Representative notice of its intention to make any such filing from the Applicable Time until the later of the Closing Date and the exercise in full or expiration of the Over-allotment Option specified in Section 1.2 and will furnish the Representative with copies of the related document(s) a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative or Representative Counsel shall reasonably object.
3.2.3 Exchange Act Registration. Until three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the registration of the Ordinary Shares under the Exchange Act. During such three (3) year period, the Company shall not deregister the Ordinary Shares under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative.
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3.2.4 Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative, it shall not make any offer relating to the Public Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” or a portion thereof, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433; provided that the Representative shall be deemed to have consented to each Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus set forth in Schedule 2-B. The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each such free writing prospectus consented to, or deemed consented to, by the Representative as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and that it has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 with respect thereto, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representative and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.
3.2.5 Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of the Closing Date and completion of distribution of the Public Securities, will not distribute any offering materials in connection with the offering and sale of the Public Securities, other than the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus and, subject to compliance with Section 3.2.4, any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus. The Company (a) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representative with entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and (b) has not authorized anyone other than the Representative to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representative has been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications other than those listed on Schedule 2-B hereto. “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act.
3.3 Delivery to the Underwriters of Registration Statements. The Company has delivered or made available or shall deliver or make available to the Representative and Representative Counsel, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to each Underwriter, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) upon receipt of a written request therefor from such Underwriter. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
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3.4 Delivery to the Underwriters of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered or made available or will deliver or make available to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the Securities Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the Securities Act Regulations, would be) required to be delivered under the Securities Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
3.5 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus until the later of (a) the passage of nine months after the Applicable Time and (b) the date on which the Representative’s Securities have all been issued upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrant or the Representative’s Warrant shall have expired by its terms, and shall notify the Representative promptly and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in this Section 3.5 that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in (x) the Registration Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (y) in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company shall make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.
3.6 Review of Financial Statements. For a period of three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent registered public accounting firm to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the three (3) fiscal quarters immediately preceding the announcement of any quarterly financial information.
3.7 Listing. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing of the Ordinary Shares (including the Public Securities) on the Exchange for at least three (3) years from the date of this Agreement.
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3.8 Financial Public Relations. The Company has contracted with [•] for distribution of press releases, webcasts, and [•] for its investor relations website, and shall use such services, or the services of substantially similar providers, for a period of not less than two (2) years after the Effective Date.
3.9 Reports to the Representative.
3.9.1 Periodic Reports, etc. For a period of three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall furnish or make available to the Representative copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities and also promptly furnish to the Representative: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission under the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) a copy of each Current Report on Form 8-K prepared and filed by the Company; (iv) a copy of each registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act; (v) a copy of each report or other communication furnished to shareholders and (vi) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its EDGAR system shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Representative pursuant to this Section 3.9.1. Any documents not filed with the Commission pursuant to its EDGAR system shall be delivered to The Benchmark Company, LLC, with a copy to Richard Messina, President.
3.9.2 Transfer Agent; Transfer Sheets. For a period of three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall retain a transfer agent and registrar acceptable to the Representative (the “Transfer Agent”) and shall furnish to the Representative at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the Representative may reasonably request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and DTC. Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company is acceptable to the Representative to act as Transfer Agent for the Ordinary Shares.
3.9.3 Trading Reports. For a period of three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, during such time as the Public Securities are listed on the Exchange, the Company shall provide to the Representative, at the Company’s expense, such reports published by the Exchange relating to price trading of the Public Securities, as the Representative shall reasonably request.
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3.10 Payment of Expenses
3.10.1 General Expenses Related to the Offering. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses related to the Offering, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the offering and sale of the Ordinary Shares to be sold in the Offering (including the Option Shares) with the Commission; (b) all Public Filing System filing fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA; (c) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of such Public Securities on the Exchange and such other stock exchanges as the Company and the Representative together determine, including any fees charged by DTC; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of the Company’s Named Executive Officers and directors, which fees shall not exceed $7,500; (e) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the Public Securities under the securities laws of such states or foreign jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate; (f) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting documents (including, without limitation, this Agreement, any Blue Sky Surveys and, if appropriate, any Agreement Among Underwriters, Selected Dealers’ Agreement, Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Power of Attorney), Registration Statements, Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses as the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (g) the costs and expenses of a public relations firm; (h) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering certificates representing the Public Securities; (i) fees and expenses of the transfer agent for the Ordinary Shares; (j) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriters; (k) the costs associated with one set of bound volumes of the public offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones, each of which the Company or its designee shall provide within a reasonable time after the Closing Date in such quantities as the Representative may reasonably request; (l) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (m) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel, which fees and expenses shall not exceed $100,000, and other agents and representatives; (n) the fees and expenses of Representative Counsel; (o) the cost associated with the Underwriters’ use of Ipreo’s book-building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the Offering; and (p) the Underwriters’ actual accountable “road show” expenses for the Offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s obligations to reimburse the Representative for any out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred as set forth in the preceding sentence shall not exceed $125,000 in the aggregate, including, but not limited to, the legal fees and road show expenses as described therein but excluding the background check set forth in subsection (d) hereof. The Representative may deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or each Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Representative. The $50,000 advance previously paid to the Representative (the “Advance”) shall be applied towards the out-of-pocket expenses set forth in this Section 3.10 and any portion of the Advance shall be returned back to the Company to the extent not actually incurred. The Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses payable pursuant to this Section 3.10, on the Closing Date and on the Option Closing Date, as applicable, it shall pay to the Representative, by deduction from the net proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein, a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Public Securities.
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3.11 Company Lock-up. During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Ordinary Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Ordinary Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, other than (1) the Public Securities to be sold hereunder, (2) the issuance of equity awards to acquire Ordinary Shares via exercise or vesting granted pursuant to the Company’s benefit plans existing on the date hereof that are referred to in the Prospectus, as such plans may be amended, (3) the issuance of Ordinary Shares upon the exercise or vesting of any equity awards granted pursuant to the Company’s benefit plans existing on the date hereof that are referred to in the Prospectus, as such plans may be amended, or (4) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 or a successor form thereto relating to the Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to or reserved for issuance under the Company’s benefit plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (A) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (B) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Section 3.11 shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. The Company shall promptly notify the Representative of any earnings release, news or event that may give rise to an extension of the initial 180-day restricted period.
3.12 Application of Net Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application thereof described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
3.13 Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth (15th) full calendar month following the date of this Agreement, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by an independent registered public accounting firm unless required by the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning after the date of this Agreement.
3.14 Stabilization. Neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or shareholders has taken or shall take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under Regulation M of the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Public Securities.
3.15 Internal Controls. The Company shall maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance: (i) that financial reporting and the preparation of financial statement for external purposes are prepared in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that records are maintained in such reasonable detail as to accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (iii) that transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and (iv) regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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3.16 Accountants. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company has retained an independent registered public accounting firm, as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, reasonably acceptable to the Representative, and the Company shall continue to retain a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm for a period of at least three (3) years after the date of this Agreement. The Representative acknowledges that the Auditor is acceptable to the Representative.
3.17 FINRA. For a period of 90 days from the later of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, the Company shall advise the Representative (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it is or becomes aware that (i) any officer or director of the Company, (ii) any beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of the Company’s securities or (iii) any beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities which were acquired during the 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the Offering (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).
3.18 No Fiduciary Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters’ responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and that none of the Underwriters or their affiliates or any selling agent shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.19 Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, if necessary, to qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representative may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required to complete the distribution of the Public Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.
3.20 Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the Securities Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Regulations. Additionally, the Company shall report the use of proceeds from the issuance of the Public Securities as may be required under Rule 463 under the Securities Act Regulations.
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3.21 Press Releases. Prior to the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, the Company shall not issue any press release or other communication directly or indirectly or hold any press conference with respect to the Company, its condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings, business affairs or business prospects (except for routine oral marketing communications in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of the Company and of which the Representative is notified), without the prior written consent of the Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, unless in the judgment of the Company and its counsel, and after notification to the Representative, such press release or communication is required by law.
3.22 Sarbanes-Oxley. The Company shall at all times comply with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in effect from time to time.
3.23 IRS Forms. If requested by the Representative, the Company shall deliver to each Underwriter (or its agent), prior to or at the Closing Date, a properly completed and executed Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9 or an IRS Form W-8, as appropriate, together with all required attachments to such form.
4. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Public Securities, as provided herein, shall be subject to (i) the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any; (ii) the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof; (iii) the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder; and (iv) the following conditions:
4.1 Regulatory Matters.
4.1.1 Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Rule 430A Information. The Registration Statement has become effective not later than 5:30 p.m., Eastern time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the Representative, and, at each of the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto shall have been issued under the Securities Act, no order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes shall have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, contemplated by the Commission. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time frame required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act Regulations (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A under the Securities Act Regulations.
4.1.2 FINRA Clearance. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement.
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4.1.3 Exchange Clearance. On the Closing Date, the Public Securities shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.
4.2 Company Counsel Matters.
4.2.1 Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (“Company Counsel”), counsel to the Company, and Travers Thorp Alberga (“Travers”), as special Cayman Islands counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representative, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.
4.2.2 Option Closing Date Opinions of Counsel. On the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions of each of Company Counsel and Travers, dated the Option Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, confirming as of the Option Closing Date, the statements made by such counsel in its opinion delivered on the Closing Date.
4.2.3 Reliance. In rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative, familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to Representative Counsel if requested. The opinions of Company Counsel and Travers and any opinion relied upon by Company Counsel and Travers shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by Representative Counsel in its opinion delivered to the Underwriters.
4.3 Comfort Letters.
4.3.1 Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed the Representative shall have received a comfort letter from the Auditor containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ comfort letters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Representative and to Representative Counsel from the Auditor, dated as of the date of this Agreement.
4.3.2 Bring-down Comfort Letter. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received from the Auditor a letter, dated as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, to the effect that the Auditor reaffirms the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to Section 4.3.1, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable.
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4.4 Officers’ Certificates.
4.4.1 Officers’ Certificate. The Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate, dated the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date (if such date is other than the Closing Date), of its Chief Executive Officer or Executive Chairman and its Chief Financial Officer stating on behalf of the Company and not in an individual capacity that (i) such officers have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and, in their opinion, the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date) did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as of its date and as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of the respective date thereof and as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, (ii) since the Effective Date, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (iii) as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), and (iv) there has not been, subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, a Material Adverse Change.
4.4.2 Secretary’s Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, respectively, certifying on behalf of the Company and not in an individual capacity: (i) that each of the Charter and Bylaws is true and complete, has not been modified and is in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the Offering are in full force and effect and have not been modified; and (iii) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.
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4.5 No Material Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no Material Adverse Change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (ii) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Insider before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, and none of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
4.6 Delivery of Agreements.
4.6.1 Lock-Up Agreements. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Lock-Up Agreements in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B from each of the persons listed in Schedule 3 hereto.
4.6.2 Representative’s Warrant Agreement. On the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, as applicable, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Representative’s Warrant Agreement.
4.7 Additional Documents. At the Closing Date and at each Option Closing Date (if any) Representative Counsel shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling Representative Counsel to deliver an opinion to the Underwriters, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and Representative Counsel.
5. Indemnification.
5.1 Indemnification of the Underwriters.
5.1.1 General. Subject to the terms and conditions below, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates and each of its and their respective directors, officers, members, employees, representatives, partners, shareholders, affiliates, counsel and agents and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Underwriter Indemnified Parties,” and each an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”), against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties and the Company or between any of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties and any third party, or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the Offering, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, the Exchange or any other national securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, the Underwriters’ Information.
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5.1.2 Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter Indemnified Party) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter Indemnified Party unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter Indemnified Parties who are party to such action (in addition to local counsel) shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Underwriter Indemnified Party shall assume the defense of such action due to the failure of the Company to do so as required by this Section 5.1.2, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5.2 Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and persons who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (or actions in respect thereof) which arise out of or are based upon untrue statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, the Underwriters’ Information. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Representative of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or any person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Public Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.
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5.3 Contribution.
5.3.1 Contribution Rights. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 5.1 or 5.2 in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and each of the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the Offering, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to such Offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the Offering purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discount and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement, omission, act or failure to act; provided that the parties hereto agree that the written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, consists solely of the Underwriters’ Information. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 5.3.1 were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding referred to above in this Section 5.3.1, shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 5.3.1, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1 no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the total discount and commission received by such Underwriter in connection with the Offering less the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise paid or becomes liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission, act or alleged act or failure to act or alleged failure to act. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
5.3.2 Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen (15) days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 5.3.2 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 5.3 are several and in proportion to their respective underwriting obligation, and not joint.
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6. Default by an Underwriter
6.1 Default Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Shares or Option Shares. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, if the Over-allotment Option is exercised hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Shares or Option Shares with respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the number of Firm Shares or Option Shares that all Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, then such Firm Shares or Option Shares to which the default relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder.
6.2 Default Exceeding 10% of Firm Shares or Option Shares. In the event that the default addressed in Section 6.1 relates to more than 10% of the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, the Representative may in its discretion arrange for itself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Shares or such Option Shares to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If, within one (1) Business Day after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, the Representative does not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Shares or the Option Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one (1) Business Day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to the Representative to purchase said Firm Shares or said Option Shares on such terms. In the event that neither the Representative nor the Company arrange for the purchase of the Firm Shares or the Option Shares to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement will automatically be terminated without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided in Sections 3.10 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5); provided, however, that if such default occurs with respect to the Option Shares, this Agreement will not terminate as to the Firm Shares; and provided, further, that nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.
6.3 Postponement of Closing Date. In the event that the Firm Shares or the Option Shares to which the default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid, you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but not in any event exceeding five (5) Business Days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that in the opinion of Representative Counsel may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Firm Shares or such Option Shares.
7. Right of First Refusal. Provided that the Firm Shares are sold in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (i) the Representative shall have an irrevocable right of first refusal, for a period of 12 months after the date the Offering is completed, to act as lead or joint-lead investment banker, lead or joint book-runner and/or lead or joint placement agent, at the Representative’s sole and exclusive discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity-linked financings (each, a “Subject Transaction”), during such 12-month period, of the Company, or any successor to or subsidiary of the Company, on terms and conditions customary to the Representative for such Subject Transactions; and (ii) Northland Securities, Inc. (“Northland”) shall have an irrevocable right of first refusal, for a period of 12 months after the date the Offering is completed, to act as co-manager or co-placement agent, at Northland’s sole and exclusive discretion, for each and every future Subject Transaction. The rights of first refusal described in clauses (i) and (ii) are each referred to herein as a “Right of First Refusal.” For the avoidance of any doubt, the Company shall not retain, engage or solicit any additional investment banker, book-runner, financial advisor, underwriter and/or placement agent in a Subject Transaction without the express written consent of the Representative.
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The Company shall notify the Representative and Northland of its intention to pursue a Subject Transaction, including the material terms thereof, by providing written notice thereof to the Representative. If the Representative and Northland each fail to exercise its Right of First Refusal with respect to any Subject Transaction within 10 Business Days after the giving of such written notice, then neither the Representative nor Northland shall have any further claim or right with respect to the Subject Transaction. Each of the Representative and/or Northland may elect, in its sole and absolute discretion, not to exercise its Right of First Refusal with respect to any Subject Transaction; provided that any such election by the Representative or Northland shall not adversely affect the Right of First Refusal of such person with respect to any other Subject Transaction during the 12-month period agreed to above.
8. Effective Date of this Agreement and Termination Thereof.
8.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective when both the Company and the Representative have executed the same and delivered counterparts of such signatures to the other party.
8.2 Termination. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in the Representative’s opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; (ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction; (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities; (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority; (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets; (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Representative’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Firm Shares or Option Shares; (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder; or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of a Material Adverse Change, or an adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Representative’s reasonable judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Public Securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Public Securities.
8.3 Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be in any way affected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.
8.4 Representations, Warranties, Agreements to Survive. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company or (ii) delivery of and payment for the Public Securities.
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9. Miscellaneous.
9.1 Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed (registered or certified mail, return receipt requested), personally delivered or sent by electronic mail (email) and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or sent via email and confirmed or if mailed, two (2) days after such mailing.
If to the Representative:
The Benchmark Company, LLC
150 East 58th Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10155
Attn: Richard Messina, President
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
McGuireWoods LLP
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Attn: Stephen E. Older, Esq.
David S. Wolpa, Esq.
Email: solder@mcguirewoods.com
dwolpa@mcguirewoods.com
If to the Company:
FGI Industries Ltd.
906 Murray Road
East Hanover, NJ 07869
Attn: John Chen, Executive Chairman
Email: JohnC@foremostgroups.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 S. Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attn: James M. Fischer
Jonathan R. Zimmerman
Email: james.fischer@faegredrinker.com
jon.zimmerman@faegredrinker.com
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9.2 Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
9.3 Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.
9.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
9.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Representative, the Underwriters, Northland (solely with respect to Section 7), the Company and the controlling persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5, and their respective successors, legal representatives, heirs and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained. The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser, in its capacity as such, of securities from any of the Underwriters.
9.6 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Trial by Jury. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 9.1. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor. The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its shareholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
9.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by email/pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.
9.8 Waiver, etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
[Signature Page Follows]
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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.
Very truly yours, | ||
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Confirmed as of the date first written above mentioned, on behalf of itself and as Representative of the several Underwriters named on Schedule 1 hereto: | ||
THE BENCHMARK COMPANY, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | John J. Borer III | |
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
[SIGNATURE PAGE]
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD. - UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE 1
Underwriter |
Total Number of Firm
Shares to be Purchased |
Number of Additional
Option Shares to be Purchased if the Over- Allotment Option is Fully Exercised |
The Benchmark Company, LLC | [•] | [•] |
Northland Securities, Inc. | [•] | [•] |
TOTAL | [•] | [•] |
Schedule 1
SCHEDULE 2-A
Pricing Information
Number of Firm Shares: [•]
Number of Option Shares: [•]
Public Offering Price per Share: $ [•]
Underwriting Discount per Share: $ [•]
Proceeds to Company per Share (before expenses): $[•]
Schedule 2 - A
SCHEDULE 2-B
Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses and Written Testing-the-Waters Communications
[•]
Schedule 2 - B
SCHEDULE 3
Lock-up Parties
1. | David Bruce |
2. | John Chen |
3. | Perry Lin |
4. | Bob Kermelewicz |
5. | Jennifer Earl |
6. | Norman Kroenke |
7. | Todd Heysse |
8. | Kellie Zesch Weir |
9. | Jae Chung |
10. | Foremost Groups Ltd. |
Schedule 2 - B
EXHIBIT A
Form of Representative’s Warrant Agreement
A-5
EXHIBIT B
Form of Lock-Up Agreement
B-1
Exhibit 3.1
THE COMPANIES ACT (REVISED)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
FGI Industries Ltd.
Registered Office:
c/o International Corporation Services Ltd.
P.O. Box 472
Harbour Place, 2nd Floor
103 South Church Street
George Town
Grand Cayman KY1-1106
Cayman Islands
THE COMPANIES ACT (REVISED)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
FGI Industries Ltd.
1 | The name of the Company is FGI Industries Ltd.. |
2 | The registered office of the Company shall be at the offices of International Corporation Services Ltd., P.O. Box 472, Harbour Place, 2nd Floor, 103 South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands, or at such other place as the Directors may from time to time decide. |
3 | The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Act (Revised) as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands. |
4 | The liability of each Member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such Member's shares. |
5 | The share capital of the Company is US$50,000 divided into 50,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.001 each. |
6 | The Company has power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands. |
7 | Capitalised terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the same meaning as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company. |
WE, the subscriber to this Memorandum of Association, wish to be formed into a company pursuant to this Memorandum of Association, and we agree to take the number of shares shown opposite our name.
Dated this 26th day of May 2021.
Name |
Address and Description of
Subscriber |
Number of Shares taken by
Subscriber |
International Corporation Services Ltd. | Harbour Place, 2nd Floor, 103 South Church Street, PO Box 472, Grand Cayman KY1-1106 | One share |
Per: | ||
Authorised Signatory |
WITNESS to the above signature
THE COMPANIES ACT (REVISED)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
FGI Industries Ltd.
1 | Interpretation |
1.1 | In these Articles Table A in the First Schedule to the Statute does not apply and, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent therewith: |
"Articles" | means these articles of association of the Company. | |
"Auditor" | means the person for the time being performing the duties of auditor of the Company (if any). | |
"Company" | means the above named company. | |
"Directors" | means the directors for the time being of the Company. | |
"Dividend" | includes an interim dividend. | |
"Electronic Record" | has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands, as may be amended from time to time. | |
"Member" | has the same meaning as in the Statute. | |
"Memorandum" | means the memorandum of association of the Company. | |
"Ordinary Resolution" | means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting, and includes a unanimous written resolution. In computing the majority when a poll is demanded regard shall be had to the number of votes to which each Member is entitled by the Articles. | |
"Register of Members" | means the register maintained in accordance with the Statute and includes (except where otherwise stated) any duplicate Register of Members. | |
"Registered Office" | means the registered office for the time being of the Company. |
1.2 | In the Articles: |
(a) | words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice versa; |
(b) | words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender; |
(c) | words importing persons include corporations; |
(d) | "written" and "in writing" include all modes of representing or reproducing words in visible form, including in the form of an Electronic Record; |
(e) | references to provisions of any law or regulation shall be construed as references to those provisions as amended, modified, re-enacted or replaced from time to time; |
(f) | any phrase introduced by the terms "including", "include", "in particular" or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms; |
(g) | headings are inserted for reference only and shall be ignored in construing these Articles; and |
(h) | in these Articles Section 8 of the Electronic Transactions Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands shall not apply. |
2 | Commencement of Business |
2.1 | The business of the Company may be commenced as soon after incorporation as the Directors shall see fit. |
2.2 | The Directors may pay, out of the capital or any other monies of the Company, all expenses incurred in or about the formation and establishment of the Company, including the expenses of registration. |
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3 | Issue of Shares |
3.1 | Subject to the provisions, if any, in the Memorandum (and to any direction that may be given by the Company in general meeting) and without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares, the Directors may allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares (including fractions of a Share) with or without preferred, deferred or other rights or restrictions, whether in regard to Dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise and to such persons, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper. |
3.2 | The Company shall not issue shares to bearer. The Company may hold Treasury Shares. |
4 | Register of Members |
The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained the Register of Members in accordance with the Statute.
5 | Closing Register of Members or Fixing Record Date |
5.1 | For the purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment thereof, or Members entitled to receive payment of any Dividend, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register of Members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not in any case exceed forty days. If the Register of Members shall be closed for the purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of Members the Register of Members shall be closed for at least ten days immediately preceding the meeting. |
5.2 | In lieu of, or apart from, closing the Register of Members, the Directors may fix in advance or arrears a date as the record date for any such determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of the Members or any adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining the Members entitled to receive payment of any Dividend or in order to make a determination of Members for any other purpose. |
5.3 | If the Register of Members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of Members or Members entitled to receive payment of a Dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is sent or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such Dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Members. When a determination of Members entitled to vote at any meeting of Members has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. |
6 | Certificates for Shares |
6.1 | A Member shall only be entitled to a share certificate if the Directors resolve that share certificates shall be issued. Share certificates representing Shares, if any, shall be in such form as the Directors may determine. Share certificates shall be signed by one or more Directors or other person authorised by the Directors. The Directors may authorise certificates to be issued with the authorised signature(s) affixed by mechanical process. All certificates for Shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified and shall specify the Shares to which they relate. All certificates surrendered to the Company for transfer shall be cancelled and subject to these Articles no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate representing a like number of relevant Shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled. |
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6.2 | The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for Shares held jointly by more than one person and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be a sufficient delivery to all of them. |
6.3 | If a share certificate is defaced, worn out, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and on the payment of such expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in investigating evidence, as the Directors may prescribe, and (in the case of defacement or wearing out) upon delivery of the old certificate. |
7 | Transfer of Shares |
7.1 | Shares are transferable subject to the consent of the Directors who may, in their absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of Shares without giving any reason. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer they shall notify the transferee within two months of such refusal. |
7.2 | The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing and shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor (and if the Directors so require, signed by the transferee). The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of a Share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members. |
8 | Redemption and Repurchase of Shares |
8.1 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute the Company may issue Shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Member or the Company. |
8.2 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Company may redeem its own Shares or purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) provided that the Members shall have approved the manner and terms of the redemption or purchase by Ordinary Resolution or as determined by a resolution of the Directors. |
8.3 | The Company may make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Statute, including out of capital. |
9 | Treasury Shares |
9.1 | The Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, determine that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share. |
9.2 | The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration). |
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10 | Variation of Rights of Shares |
10.1 | If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes of Shares, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class) may, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of three-quarters of the issued Shares of that class, or with the sanction of a Special Resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the Shares of that class. |
10.2 | The provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings shall apply to every class meeting of the holders of one class of Shares except that the necessary quorum shall be one person holding or representing by proxy at least one third of the issued Shares of the class and that any holder of Shares of the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll. |
10.3 | The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu therewith. |
11 | Commission on Sale of Shares |
The Company may, in so far as the Statute permits, pay a commission to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares of the Company. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash and/or the issue of fully or partly paid-up Shares. The Company may also on any issue of Shares pay such brokerage as may be lawful.
12 | Non Recognition of Trusts |
The Company shall not be bound by or compelled to recognise in any way (even when notified) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share, or (except only as is otherwise provided by these Articles or the Statute) any other rights in respect of any Share other than an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.
13 | Lien on Shares |
13.1 | The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on all Shares (whether fully paid-up or not) registered in the name of a Member (whether solely or jointly with others) for all debts, liabilities or engagements to or with the Company (whether presently payable or not) by such Member or his estate, either alone or jointly with any other person, whether a Member or not, but the Directors may at any time declare any Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The registration of a transfer of any such Share shall operate as a waiver of the Company's lien thereon. The Company's lien on a Share shall also extend to any amount payable in respect of that Share. |
13.2 | The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think fit, any Shares on which the Company has a lien, if a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, and is not paid within fourteen clear days after notice has been given to the holder of the Shares, or to the person entitled to it in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder, demanding payment and stating that if the notice is not complied with the Shares may be sold. |
13.3 | To give effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Shares sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the purchaser. The purchaser or his nominee shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer, and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the sale or the exercise of the Company's power of sale under these Articles. |
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13.4 | The net proceeds of such sale after payment of costs, shall be applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable and any residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares before the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the Shares at the date of the sale. |
14 | Call on Shares |
14.1 | Subject to the terms of the allotment the Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Members in respect of any monies unpaid on their Shares (whether in respect of par value or premium), and each Member shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen days notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on the Shares. A call may be revoked or postponed as the Directors may determine. A call may be required to be paid by instalments. A person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the Shares in respect of which the call was made. |
14.2 | A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising such call was passed. |
14.3 | The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof. |
14.4 | If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable, the person from whom it is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid at such rate as the Directors may determine, but the Directors may waive payment of the interest wholly or in part. |
14.5 | An amount payable in respect of a Share on allotment or at any fixed date, whether on account of the par value of the Share or premium or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a call and if it is not paid all the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call. |
14.6 | The Directors may issue Shares with different terms as to the amount and times of payment of calls, or the interest to be paid. |
14.7 | The Directors may, if they think fit, receive an amount from any Member willing to advance all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid upon any Shares held by him, and may (until the amount would otherwise become payable) pay interest at such rate as may be agreed upon between the Directors and the Member paying such amount in advance. |
14.8 | No such amount paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such amount to any portion of a Dividend declared in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such amount would, but for such payment, become payable. |
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15 | Forfeiture of Shares |
15.1 | If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the Directors may give to the person from whom it is due not less than fourteen clear days notice requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest, which may have accrued. The notice shall specify where payment is to be made and shall state that if the notice is not complied with the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
15.2 | If the notice is not complied with any Share in respect of which it was given may, before the payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors. Such forfeiture shall include all Dividends or other monies declared payable in respect of the forfeited Share and not paid before the forfeiture. |
15.3 | A forfeited Share may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited Share is to be transferred to any person the Directors may authorise some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Share in favour of that person. |
15.4 | A person any of whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of them and shall surrender to the Company for cancellation the certificate for the Shares forfeited and shall remain liable to pay to the Company all monies which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of those Shares together with interest, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company shall have received payment in full of all monies due and payable by him in respect of those Shares. |
15.5 | A certificate in writing under the hand of one Director or officer of the Company that a Share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the fact as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. The certificate shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer) constitute a good title to the Share and the person to whom the Share is disposed of shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the Share. |
15.6 | The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the par value of the Share or by way of premium as if it had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
16 | Transmission of Shares |
16.1 | If a Member dies the survivor or survivors where he was a joint holder or his legal personal representatives where he was a sole holder, shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his interest. The estate of a deceased Member is not thereby released from any liability in respect of any Share, which had been jointly held by him. |
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16.2 | Any person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other way than by transfer) may, upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, elect, by a notice in writing sent by him, either to become the holder of such Share or to have some person nominated by him become the holder of such Share but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant Member before his death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution, as the case may be. |
16.3 | A person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other case than by transfer) shall be entitled to the same Dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of such Share. However, he shall not, before becoming a Member in respect of a Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company and the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to have some person nominated by him become the holder of the Share (but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant Member before his death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution or any other case than by transfer, as the case may be). If the notice is not complied with within ninety days the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all Dividends, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with. |
17 | Amendments of Memorandum and Articles of Association and Alteration of Capital |
17.1 | The Company may by Ordinary Resolution: |
(a) | increase the share capital by such sum as the resolution shall prescribe and with such rights, priorities and privileges annexed thereto, as the Company in general meeting may determine; |
(b) | consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of larger amount than its existing Shares; |
(c) | by subdivision of its existing Shares or any of them divide the whole or any part of its Share capital into Shares of smaller amount than is fixed by the Memorandum or into Shares without par value; and |
(d) | cancel any Shares that at the date of the passing of the resolution have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person. |
17.2 | All new Shares created in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Article shall be subject to the same provisions of the Articles with reference to the payment of calls, liens, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the Shares in the original share capital. |
17.3 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute and the provisions of these Articles as regards the matters to be dealt with by Ordinary Resolution, the Company may by Special Resolution: |
(a) | change its name; |
(b) | alter or add to these Articles; |
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(c) | alter or add to the Memorandum with respect to any objects, powers or other matters specified therein; and |
(d) | reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve fund. |
18 | Registered Office |
Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Company may by resolution of the Directors change the location of its Registered Office.
19 | General Meetings |
19.1 | All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings. |
19.2 | The Company shall, if required by the Statute, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Directors shall appoint and if no other time and place is prescribed by them, it shall be held at the Registered Office on the second Wednesday in December of each year at ten o'clock in the morning. At these meetings the report of the Directors (if any) shall be presented. |
19.3 | The Company may hold an annual general meeting, but shall not (unless required by Statute) be obliged to hold an annual general meeting. |
19.4 | The Directors may call general meetings, and they shall on a Members requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company. |
19.5 | A Members requisition is a requisition of Members of the Company holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than ten per cent. in par value of the capital of the Company as at that date carries the right of voting at general meetings of the Company. |
19.6 | The requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists. |
19.7 | If the Directors do not within twenty-one days from the date of the deposit of the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three months after the expiration of the said twenty-one days. |
19.8 | A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors. |
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20 | Notice of General Meetings |
20.1 | At least five days' notice shall be given of any general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given or deemed to be given and of the day for which it is given and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this regulation has been given and whether or not the provisions of the Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed: |
(a) | in the case of an annual general meeting, by all the Members (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and |
(b) | in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by a majority in number of the Members (or their proxies) having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than ninety five per cent in par value of the Shares giving that right. |
20.2 | The accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting to, or the non receipt of notice of a meeting by, any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of that meeting. |
21 | Proceedings at General Meetings |
21.1 | No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. Two Members being individuals present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy shall be a quorum unless the Company has only one Member entitled to vote at such general meeting in which case the quorum shall be that one Member present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person) by a duly authorised representative or proxy. |
21.2 | A person may participate at a general meeting by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. |
21.3 | A resolution (including a Special Resolution) in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by all Members for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations, signed by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held. |
21.4 | If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting or if during such a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved and in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place or to such other day, time or such other place as the Directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the Members present shall be a quorum. |
21.5 | The chairman, if any, of the board of Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company, or if there is no such chairman, or if he shall not be present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting, or is unwilling to act, the Directors present shall elect one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
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21.6 | If no Director is willing to act as chairman or if no Director is present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Members present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
21.7 | The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present, (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a general meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any such notice. |
21.8 | A resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless before, or on the declaration of the result of, the show of hands, the chairman demands a poll, or any other Member or Members collectively present in person or by proxy and holding at least ten per cent. in par value of the Shares giving a right to attend and vote at the meeting demand a poll. |
21.9 | Unless a poll is duly demanded a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost or not carried by a particular majority, an entry to that effect in the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting shall be conclusive evidence of that fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution. |
21.10 | The demand for a poll may be withdrawn. |
21.11 | Except on a poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment, a poll shall be taken as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the general meeting at which the poll was demanded. |
21.12 | A poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the general meeting directs, and any business other than that upon which a poll has been demanded or is contingent thereon may proceed pending the taking of the poll. |
21.13 | In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
22 | Votes of Members |
22.1 | Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any Shares, on a show of hands every Member who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person is present by its duly authorised representative or proxy, shall have one vote and on a poll every Member shall have one vote for every Share of which he is the holder. |
22.2 | In the case of joint holders of record the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the Register of Members. |
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22.3 | A Member of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court, having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, receiver, curator bonis, or other person on such Member's behalf appointed by that court, and any such committee, receiver, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy. |
22.4 | No person shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting or at any separate meeting of the holders of a class of Shares unless he is registered as a Member on the record date for such meeting nor unless all calls or other monies then payable by him in respect of Shares have been paid. |
22.5 | No objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter except at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time shall be referred to the chairman whose decision shall be final and conclusive. |
22.6 | On a poll or on a show of hands votes may be cast either personally or by proxy. A Member may appoint more than one proxy or the same proxy under one or more instruments to attend and vote at a meeting. Where a Member appoints more than one proxy the instrument of proxy shall state which proxy is entitled to vote on a show of hands. |
22.7 | A Member holding more than one Share need not cast the votes in respect of his Shares in the same way on any resolution and therefore may vote a Share or some or all such Shares either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares and, subject to the terms of the instrument appointing him, a proxy appointed under one or more instruments may vote a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which he is appointed either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting. |
23 | Proxies |
23.1 | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing, be executed under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing, or, if the appointor is a corporation under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised for that purpose. A proxy need not be a Member of the Company. |
23.2 | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company: |
(a) | not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or |
(b) | in the case of a poll taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, be deposited as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; or |
(c) | where the poll is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded be delivered at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chairman or to the secretary or to any director; |
provided that the Directors may in the notice convening the meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, direct that the instrument appointing a proxy may be deposited (no later than the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting) at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company. The chairman may in any event at his discretion direct that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted shall be invalid.
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23.3 | The instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form and may be expressed to be for a particular meeting or any adjournment thereof or generally until revoked. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to include the power to demand or join or concur in demanding a poll. |
23.4 | Votes given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the Share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Company at the Registered Office before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy. |
24 | Corporate Members |
Any corporation or other non-natural person which is a Member may in accordance with its constitutional documents, or in the absence of such provision by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any class of Members, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member.
25 | Shares that May Not be Voted |
Shares in the Company that are beneficially owned by the Company shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding Shares at any given time.
26 | Directors |
There shall be a board of Directors consisting of not less than one person (exclusive of alternate Directors) provided however that the Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase or reduce the limits in the number of Directors. The first Directors of the Company shall be determined in writing by, or appointed by a resolution of, the subscriber(s) to the Memorandum.
27 | Powers of Directors |
27.1 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Memorandum and the Articles and to any directions given by Special Resolution, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors who may exercise all the powers of the Company. No alteration of the Memorandum or Articles and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. A duly convened meeting of Directors at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers exercisable by the Directors. |
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27.2 | All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments and all receipts for monies paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed as the case may be in such manner as the Directors shall determine by resolution. |
27.3 | The Directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any Director who has held any other salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his widow or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance. |
27.4 | The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof and to issue debentures, debenture stock, mortgages, bonds and other such securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. |
28 | Appointment and Removal of Directors |
28.1 | The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director or may by Ordinary Resolution remove any Director. |
28.2 | The Directors may appoint any person to be a Director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director provided that the appointment does not cause the number of Directors to exceed any number fixed by or in accordance with the Articles as the maximum number of Directors. |
29 | Vacation of Office of Director |
The office of a Director shall be vacated if:
(a) | he gives notice in writing to the Company that he resigns the office of Director; or |
(b) | if he absents himself (without being represented by proxy or an alternate Director appointed by him) from three consecutive meetings of the board of Directors without special leave of absence from the Directors, and they pass a resolution that he has by reason of such absence vacated office; or |
(c) | if he dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally; or |
(d) | if he is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; or |
(e) | if all the other Directors of the Company (being not less than two in number) resolve that he should be removed as a Director. |
30 | Proceedings of Directors |
30.1 | The quorum for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed shall be two if there are two or more Directors, and shall be one if there is only one Director. A person who holds office as an alternate Director shall, if his appointor is not present, be counted in the quorum. A Director who also acts as an alternate Director shall, if his appointor is not present, count twice towards the quorum. |
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30.2 | Subject to the provisions of the Articles, the Directors may regulate their proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. A Director who is also an alternate Director shall be entitled in the absence of his appointor to a separate vote on behalf of his appointor in addition to his own vote. |
30.3 | A person may participate in a meeting of the Directors or committee of Directors by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other at the same time. Participation by a person in a meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the Directors the meeting shall be deemed to be held at the place where the chairman is at the start of the meeting. |
30.4 | A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors (an alternate Director being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointor) shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors, or committee of Directors as the case may be, duly convened and held. |
30.5 | A Director or alternate Director may, or other officer of the Company on the requisition of a Director or alternate Director shall, call a meeting of the Directors by at least two days' notice in writing to every Director and alternate Director which notice shall set forth the general nature of the business to be considered unless notice is waived by all the Directors (or their alternates) either at, before or after the meeting is held. |
30.6 | The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors the continuing Directors or Director may act for the purpose of increasing the number of Directors to that number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose. |
30.7 | The Directors may elect a chairman of their board and determine the period for which he is to hold office; but if no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
30.8 | All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors (including any person acting as an alternate Director) shall, notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any Director or alternate Director, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and qualified to be a Director or alternate Director as the case may be. |
30.9 | A Director but not an alternate Director may be represented at any meetings of the board of Directors by a proxy appointed in writing by him. The proxy shall count towards the quorum and the vote of the proxy shall for all purposes be deemed to be that of the appointing Director. |
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31 | Presumption of Assent |
A Director of the Company who is present at a meeting of the board of Directors at which action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairman or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favour of such action.
32 | Directors' Interests |
32.1 | A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Directors may determine. |
32.2 | A Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director or alternate Director. |
32.3 | A Director or alternate Director of the Company may be or become a director or other officer of or otherwise interested in any company promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as shareholder or otherwise, and no such Director or alternate Director shall be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him as a director or officer of, or from his interest in, such other company. |
32.4 | No person shall be disqualified from the office of Director or alternate Director or prevented by such office from contracting with the Company, either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or any contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director or alternate Director shall be in any way interested be or be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director or alternate Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or transaction by reason of such Director holding office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director (or his alternate Director in his absence) shall be at liberty to vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he is interested provided that the nature of the interest of any Director or alternate Director in any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon. |
32.5 | A general notice that a Director or alternate Director is a shareholder, director, officer or employee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be sufficient disclosure for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect of a contract or transaction in which he has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. |
33 | Minutes |
The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books kept for the purpose of all appointments of officers made by the Directors, all proceedings at meetings of the Company or the holders of any class of Shares and of the Directors, and of committees of Directors including the names of the Directors or alternate Directors present at each meeting.
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34 | Delegation of Directors' Powers |
34.1 | The Directors may delegate any of their powers to any committee consisting of one or more Directors. They may also delegate to any managing director or any Director holding any other executive office such of their powers as they consider desirable to be exercised by him provided that an alternate Director may not act as managing director and the appointment of a managing director shall be revoked forthwith if he ceases to be a Director. Any such delegation may be made subject to any conditions the Directors may impose, and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of their own powers and may be revoked or altered. Subject to any such conditions, the proceedings of a committee of Directors shall be governed by the Articles regulating the proceedings of Directors, so far as they are capable of applying. |
34.2 | The Directors may establish any committees, local boards or agencies or appoint any person to be a manager or agent for managing the affairs of the Company and may appoint any person to be a member of such committees or local boards. Any such appointment may be made subject to any conditions the Directors may impose, and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of their own powers and may be revoked or altered. Subject to any such conditions, the proceedings of a committee of Directors shall be governed by the Articles regulating the proceedings of Directors, so far as they are capable of applying. |
34.3 | The Directors may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any person to be the agent of the Company on such conditions as the Directors may determine, provided that the delegation is not to the exclusion of their own powers and may be revoked by the Directors at any time. |
34.4 | The Directors may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any company, firm, person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or authorised signatory of the Company for such purpose and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such powers of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorneys or authorised signatories as the Directors may think fit and may also authorise any such attorney or authorised signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him. |
34.5 | The Directors may appoint such officers as they consider necessary on such terms, at such remuneration and to perform such duties, and subject to such provisions as to disqualification and removal as the Directors may think fit. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of his appointment an officer may be removed by resolution of the Directors or Members. |
35 | Alternate Directors |
35.1 | Any Director (other than an alternate Director) may by writing appoint any other Director, or any other person willing to act, to be an alternate Director and by writing may remove from office an alternate Director so appointed by him. |
35.2 | An alternate Director shall be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of Directors and of all meetings of committees of Directors of which his appointor is a member, to attend and vote at every such meeting at which the Director appointing him is not personally present, and generally to perform all the functions of his appointor as a Director in his absence. |
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35.3 | An alternate Director shall cease to be an alternate Director if his appointor ceases to be a Director. |
35.4 | Any appointment or removal of an alternate Director shall be by notice to the Company signed by the Director making or revoking the appointment or in any other manner approved by the Directors. |
35.5 | An alternate Director shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director and shall alone be responsible for his own acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him. |
36 | No Minimum Shareholding |
The Company in general meeting may fix a minimum shareholding required to be held by a Director, but unless and until such a shareholding qualification is fixed a Director is not required to hold Shares.
37 | Remuneration of Directors |
37.1 | The remuneration to be paid to the Directors, if any, shall be such remuneration as the Directors shall determine. The Directors shall also be entitled to be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of Directors or committees of Directors, or general meetings of the Company, or separate meetings of the holders of any class of Shares or debentures of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company, or to receive a fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other. |
37.2 | The Directors may by resolution approve additional remuneration to any Director for any services other than his ordinary routine work as a Director. Any fees paid to a Director who is also counsel or solicitor to the Company, or otherwise serves it in a professional capacity shall be in addition to his remuneration as a Director. |
38 | Seal |
38.1 | The Company may, if the Directors so determine, have a Seal. The Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors authorised by the Directors. Every instrument to which the Seal has been affixed shall be signed by at least one person who shall be either a Director or some officer or other person appointed by the Directors for the purpose. |
38.2 | The Company may have for use in any place or places outside the Cayman Islands a duplicate Seal or Seals each of which shall be a facsimile of the common Seal of the Company and, if the Directors so determine, with the addition on its face of the name of every place where it is to be used. |
38.3 | A Director or officer, representative or attorney of the Company may without further authority of the Directors affix the Seal over his signature alone to any document of the Company required to be authenticated by him under seal or to be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere wheresoever. |
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39 | Dividends, Distributions and Reserve |
39.1 | Subject to the Statute and this Article, the Directors may declare Dividends and distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the Dividends or distributions out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. No Dividend or distribution shall be paid except out of the realised or unrealised profits of the Company or out of the share premium account or as otherwise permitted by the Statute. |
39.2 | Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to Shares, all Dividends shall be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares that a Member holds. If any Share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for Dividend as from a particular date, that Share shall rank for Dividend accordingly. |
39.3 | The Directors may deduct from any Dividend or distribution payable to any Member all sums of money (if any) then payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise. |
39.4 | The Directors may declare that any Dividend or distribution be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets and in particular of shares, debentures, or securities of any other company or in any one or more of such ways and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient and in particular may issue fractional Shares and fix the value for distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all Members and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Directors. |
39.5 | Any Dividend, distribution, interest or other monies payable in cash in respect of Shares may be paid by wire transfer to the holder or by cheque or warrant sent through the post directed to the registered address of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the registered address of the holder who is first named on the Register of Members or to such person and to such address as such holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any Dividends, bonuses, or other monies payable in respect of the Share held by them as joint holders. |
39.6 | No Dividend or distribution shall bear interest against the Company. |
39.7 | Any Dividend which cannot be paid to a Member and/or which remains unclaimed after six months from the date of the declaration of such Dividend may, in the discretion of the Directors, be paid into a separate account in the Company’s name, provided that the Company shall not be constituted as a trustee in respect of that account and the Dividend shall remain as a debt due to the Member. Any Dividend which remains unclaimed after a period of six years from the date of the declaration of such dividend shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. |
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40 | Capitalisation |
The Directors may capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company's reserve accounts (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve fund) or any sum standing to the credit of profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution and to appropriate such sum to Members in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst them had the same been a distribution of profits by way of Dividend and to apply such sum on their behalf in paying up in full unissued Shares for allotment and distribution credited as fully paid-up to and amongst them in the proportion aforesaid. In such event the Directors shall do all acts and things required to give effect to such capitalisation, with full power to the Directors to make such provisions as they think fit for the case of Shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrue to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Directors may authorise any person to enter on behalf of all of the Members interested into an agreement with the Company providing for such capitalisation and matters incidental thereto and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all concerned.
41 | Books of Account |
41.1 | The Directors shall cause proper books of account to be kept with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the receipt or expenditure takes place, all sales and purchases of goods by the Company and the assets and liabilities of the Company. Proper books shall not be deemed to be kept if there are not kept such books of account as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions. The Company shall cause all books of account to be maintained for a minimum period of five years from the date on which they were prepared. |
41.2 | The Directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by Statute or authorised by the Directors or by the Company in general meeting. |
41.3 | The Directors may from time to time cause to be prepared and to be laid before the Company in general meeting profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, group accounts (if any) and such other reports and accounts as may be required by law. |
42 | Audit |
42.1 | The Directors may appoint an Auditor of the Company who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors, and may fix his or their remuneration. |
42.2 | Every Auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Auditor. |
42.3 | Auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an ordinary company, and at the next extraordinary general meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an exempted company, and at any other time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members. |
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43 | Notices |
43.1 | Notices shall be in writing and may be given by the Company to any Member either personally or by sending it by courier, post, cable, telex, fax or e-mail to him or to his address as shown in the Register of Members (or where the notice is given by e-mail by sending it to the e-mail address provided by such Member). Any notice, if posted from one country to another, is to be sent airmail. |
43.2 | Where a notice is sent by courier, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by delivery of the notice to a courier company, and shall be deemed to have been received on the third day (not including Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays) following the day on which the notice was delivered to the courier. Where a notice is sent by post, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre paying and posting a letter containing the notice, and shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth day (not including Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays) following the day on which the notice was posted. Where a notice is sent by cable, telex or fax, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing and sending such notice and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was transmitted. Where a notice is given by e-mail service shall be deemed to be effected by transmitting the e-mail to the e-mail address provided by the intended recipient and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was sent, and it shall not be necessary for the receipt of the e-mail to be acknowledged by the recipient. |
43.3 | A notice may be given by the Company to the person or persons which the Company has been advised are entitled to a Share or Shares in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member in the same manner as other notices which are required to be given under these Articles and shall be addressed to them by name, or by the title of representatives of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description at the address supplied for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled, or at the option of the Company by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death or bankruptcy had not occurred. |
43.4 | Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner hereinbefore authorised to every person shown as a Member in the Register of Members on the record date for such meeting except that in the case of joint holders the notice shall be sufficient if given to the joint holder first named in the Register of Members and every person upon whom the ownership of a Share devolves by reason of his being a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy of a Member of record where the Member of record but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting, and no other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings. |
44 | Winding Up |
44.1 | If the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be insufficient to pay the whole of the share capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them. |
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44.2 | If in a winding up the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them at the commencements of the winding up subject to a deduction from those Shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise. This Article is without prejudice to the rights of the holders of Shares issued upon special terms and conditions. |
44.3 | If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Statute, divide in kind amongst the Members the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability. |
45 | Indemnity |
Subject in the Statute, every Director or officer of the Company shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability incurred by him as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out his functions other than such liability (if any) that he may incur by his own actual fraud or wilful default. No such Director or officer shall be liable to the Company for any loss or damage in carrying out his functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or wilful default of such Director or officer. References in this Article to actual fraud or wilful default mean a finding to such effect by a competent court in relation to the conduct of the relevant party.
46 | Financial Year |
Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on 31st December in each year and, following the year of incorporation, shall begin on 1st January in each year.
47 | Transfer by way of Continuation |
If the Company is exempted as defined in the Statute, it shall, subject to the provisions of the Statute and with the approval of a Special Resolution, have the power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands.
48 | Mergers and Consolidations |
The Company shall have the power to merge or consolidate with one or more other constituent companies (as defined in the Statute) upon such terms as the Directors may determine and (to the extent required by the Statute) with the approval of a Special Resolution.
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Dated this 26th day of May 2021.
International Corporation Services Ltd.
Per: | ||
Authorised Signatory |
WITNESS to the above signature
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Exhibit 3.2
THE COMPANIES ACT (REVISED)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM
OF ASSOCIATION
OF
FGI Industries Ltd.
(adopted by a Special Resolution
passed on [ ] and
effective immediately upon completion of the Company's initial public offering of shares)
1. | The name of the Company is FGI Industries Ltd.. |
2. | The registered office of the Company shall be at the offices of International Corporation Services Ltd., Harbour Place 2nd Floor, 103 South Church Street, P.O. Box 472, George Town, Grand Cayman KYI-1106, Cayman Islands, British West Indies or at such other place as the Directors may from time to time decide. |
3. | The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Act (Revised) or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands. |
4. | The liability of each Member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such Member's shares. |
5. | The authorized share capital of the Company is US$21,000 divided into (i) 200,000,000 Ordinary Shares of par value of US$0.0001 each, and (ii) 10,000,000 Preference Shares of par value of US$0.0001 each. The Company has the power to redeem or purchase any of its shares and to increase or reduce the said capital subject to the provisions of the Companies Act (Revised) and the Articles of Association and to issue any part of its capital, whether original, redeemed or increased with or without any preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly declare every issue of shares whether declared to be preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers hereinbefore contained. |
6. | The Company has the power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands. |
7. | Capitalized terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the same meaning as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company. |
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THE COMPANIES ACT (REVISEDN)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
OF
FGI Industries Ltd.
(adopted by a Special Resolution
passed on [ ] and
effective immediately upon completion of the Company's initial public offering of shares)
INTERPRETATION
1. | In these Articles, Table A in the Schedule in the Companies Act does not apply and unless otherwise defined, the defined terms shall have the meanings assigned to them as follows: |
"Articles" | these Articles of Association of the Company as altered or added to, from time to time; |
"Board" or "Board of Directors" | the board of Directors for the time being of the Company; |
"Business Day" | a day (excluding Saturdays or Sundays), on which banks in Hong Kong, Beijing and New York are open for general banking business throughout their normal business hours; |
"Chairman" | the Chairman appointed pursuant to Article 83; |
"Commission" | Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act; |
"Companies Act" | the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof. Where any provision of the Companies Act is referred to, the reference is to that provision as amended by any law for the time being in force; |
"Company" | FGI Industries Ltd., a Cayman Islands company limited by shares; |
"Company’s Website" | the website of the Company, the address or domain name of which has been notified to Members; |
"Designated Stock Exchange" | the Global Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, The New York Stock Exchange or any other internationally recognized stock exchange where the Company’s securities are traded; |
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2. |
In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise: |
(a) | words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa; |
(b) | words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender; |
(c) | words importing persons only shall include companies or associations or bodies of persons, whether corporate or not; |
(d) | "written" and "in writing" include all modes of representing or reproducing words in visible form, including in the form of an Electronic Record; |
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(e) | "may" shall be construed as permissive and "shall" shall be construed as imperative; |
(f) | a reference to a dollar or dollars (or $) is a reference to dollars of the United States; |
(g) | references to provisions of any law or regulation shall be construed as references to those provisions as amended, modified, re-enacted or replaced; |
(h) | any phrase introduced by the terms "including", "include", "in particular" or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms; |
(i) | the term "and/or" is used herein to mean both "and" as well as "or." The use of "and/or" in certain contexts in no respects qualifies or modifies the use of the terms "and" or "or" in others. The term "or" shall not be interpreted to be exclusive and the term "and" shall not be interpreted to require the conjunctive (in each case, unless the context otherwise requires); |
(j) | headings are inserted for reference only and shall be ignored in construing the Articles; |
(k) | any requirements as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an Electronic Record; |
(l) | any requirements as to execution or signature under the Articles including the execution of the Articles themselves can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Transactions Act; |
(m) | Section 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Act shall not reply; |
(n) | the term "clear days" in relation to the period of a notice means that period excluding the day when the notice is received or deemed to be received and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect; |
(o) | the term "holder" in relation to a Share means a person whose name is entered in the Register of Members as the holder of such Share. |
3. | Subject to the last two preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Act shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles. |
PRELIMINARY
4. | The business of the Company may be conducted as the Directors see fit. |
5. | The registered office of the Company shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors shall from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
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ISSUE OF SHARES
6. | Subject to the provisions, if any, in the Memorandum of Association, these Articles and to any direction that may be given by the Company in a general meeting, the Directors may, in their absolute discretion and without approval of the existing Members, issue shares, grant rights over existing shares or issue other securities in one or more series as they deem necessary and appropriate and determine designations, powers, preferences, privileges and other rights, including dividend rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the powers and rights associated with the shares held by existing Members, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper. The Company shall not issue shares in bearer form. |
7. | The Directors may provide, out of the unissued shares, for series of preferred shares. Before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, the Directors shall fix, by resolution or resolutions, the following provisions of the preferred shares thereof: |
(a) | the designation of such series, the number of preferred shares to constitute such series and the subscription price thereof if different from the par value thereof; |
(b) | whether the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights, which may be general or limited; |
(c) | the dividends, if any, payable on such series, whether any such dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from what dates, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of any other class or any other series of preferred shares; |
(d) | whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by the Company, and, if so, the times, prices and other conditions of such redemption; |
(e) | the amount or amounts payable upon preferred shares of such series upon, and the rights of the holders of such series in, a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or upon any distribution of the assets, of the Company; |
(f) | whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the extent to and manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the preferred shares of such series for retirement or other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof; |
(g) | whether the preferred shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or any other series of preferred shares or any other securities and, if so, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same, and any other terms and conditions of conversion or exchange; |
(h) | the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any preferred shares of such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of, the existing shares or shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares; |
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(i) | the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the Company or upon the issue of any additional shares, including additional shares of such series or of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares; and |
(j) | any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. |
Without limiting the foregoing and subject to Article 83, the voting powers of any series of preferred shares may include the right, in the circumstances specified in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such preferred shares, to elect one or more Directors who shall serve for such term and have such voting powers as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such preferred shares. The term of office and voting powers of any Director elected in the manner provided in the immediately preceding sentence of this Article 7 may be greater than or less than those of any other Director or class of Directors.
8. | The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of preferred shares, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. All shares of any one series of preferred shares shall be identical in all respects with all other shares of such series, except that shares of any one series issued at different times may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall be cumulative. |
REGISTER OF MEMBERS AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
9. | The Company shall maintain a Register of its Members and a Member shall only be entitled to a share certificate if the Directors resolve that share certificates shall be issued. Share certificates (if any) shall specify the share or shares held by that person and the amount paid up thereon, provided that in respect of a share or shares held jointly by several persons the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for a share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. All certificates for shares shall be delivered personally or sent through the post addressed to the Member entitled thereto at the Member's registered address as appearing in the register. |
10. | All share certificates shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act. |
11. | Any two or more certificates representing shares of any one class held by any Member may at the Member's request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such shares issued in lieu on payment (if the Directors shall so require) of US$1.00 or such smaller sum as the Directors shall determine. |
12. | If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request subject to delivery up of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Directors may think fit. |
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13. | In the event that shares are held jointly by several persons, any request may be made by any one of the joint holders and if so made shall be binding on all of the joint holders. |
TRANSFER OF SHARES
14. | (a) | Shares are transferable subject to the approval of the Board or the written consent of a Director authorized by the Board in writing to approve share transfers and the Board may, in its sole discretion, decline to register any transfer of any share which is not fully paid up or on which the Company has a lien. |
(b) | The Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any share unless: |
(i) | the instrument of transfer is lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; |
(ii) | the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares; |
(iii) | the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; |
(iv) | in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the share is to be transferred does not exceed four; |
(v) | the shares conceded are free of any lien in favor of us; or |
(vi) | a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as the Board may from time to time require, is paid to the Company in respect thereof. |
(c) | If the Directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal. |
15. | The registration of transfers may, on 14 days' notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers or by electronic means, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as the Board may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year. |
16. | The instrument of transfer of any share shall be in writing and executed by or on behalf of the transferor (and if the Directors so require, signed by the transferee). The transferor shall be deemed to remain a holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members. |
17. | All instruments of transfer that shall be registered shall be retained by the Company. |
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REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES
18. | Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act the Company may issue Shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Member or the Company. The redemption of such Shares shall be effected in such manner and upon such other terms as the Company may, by Special Resolution, determine before the issue of the Shares. |
19. | Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Company may purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) in such manner and on such other terms as the Directors may agree with the relevant Member. |
20. | The Company may make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Companies Act, including out of capital. |
21. | The Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share. |
TREASURY SHARES
22. | The Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, determine that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share. |
23. | The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration). |
VARIATION OF RIGHTS ATTACHING TO SHARES
24. | If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes of Shares, all or any of the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class) may, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued Shares of that class where such variation is considered by the Directors not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two thirds of the issued Shares of that class, or with the approval of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of that class. For the avoidance of doubt, the Directors reserve the right, notwithstanding that any such variation may not have a material adverse effect, to obtain consent from the holders of Shares of the relevant class. |
25. | The provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings shall apply to every such general meeting of the holders of one class or series of shares except the following: |
(a) | separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares may be called only by (i) the Chairman of the Board, or (ii) a majority of the entire Board of Directors (unless otherwise specifically provided by the terms of issue of the shares of such class or series). Nothing in this Article 25 or Article 24 shall be deemed to give any Member or Members the right to call a class or series meeting. |
(b) | the necessary quorum shall be one or more persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third of the issued shares of the class or series and that any holder of shares of the class or series present in person or by proxy may demand a poll. |
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26. | The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class or series shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class or series, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking in priority thereto or pari passu therewith. |
COMMISSION ON SALE OF SHARES
27. | The Company may in so far as the Statutes from time to time permit pay a commission to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any shares of the Company. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also on any issue of shares pay such brokerage as may be lawful. |
NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS
28. | No person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future, or partial interest in any share, or any interest in any fractional part of a share, or (except only as is otherwise provided by these Articles or the Statutes) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder. |
LIEN ON SHARES
29. | The Company shall have a first and paramount lien and charge on all shares (whether fully paid-up or not) registered in the name of a Member (whether solely or jointly with others) for all debts, liabilities or engagements to or with the Company (whether presently payable or not) by such Member or his estate, either alone or jointly with any other person, whether a Member or not, but the Directors may at any time declare any share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The registration of a transfer of any such share shall operate as a waiver of the Company's lien (if any) thereon. The Company's lien (if any) on a share shall extend to all dividends or other monies payable in respect thereof. |
30. | The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think fit, any shares on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless some sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of 14 calendar days after a notice in writing, stating and demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the share, or the persons entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy. |
31. | For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise some person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the shares comprised in any such transfer and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale. |
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32. | The proceeds of the sale shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the shares prior to the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the shares at the date of the sale. |
CALLS ON SHARES
33. | Subject to the terms of allotment, the Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Members in respect of any money unpaid on their shares, and each Member shall (subject to receiving at least 14 calendar days notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on his shares. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising such call was passed. |
34. | The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof. |
35. | If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part. |
36. | The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
37. | The Directors may make arrangements on the issue of shares for a difference between the Members, or the particular shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment. |
38. | The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid upon any shares held by him, and upon all or any of the monies so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Member paying the sum in advance and the Directors. No such sum paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such sum to any portion of a dividend declared in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such sum would, but for such payment, become presently payable. |
FORFEITURE OF SHARES
39. | If a Member fails to pay any call or instalment of a call on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him requiring payment of such much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued. |
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40. | The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of 14 calendar days from the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed the shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
41. | If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect. |
42. | A forfeited share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. |
43. | A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of the forfeited shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all monies which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the fully paid up amount of the shares. |
44. | A certificate in writing under the hand of a Director of the Company, which certifies that a share has been forfeited on a date stated in the certificate, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share. The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for the share or any sale or disposition thereof and may execute a transfer of the share in favour of the person to whom the share is sold or disposed of and he shall thereupon be registered as the holder of the share, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the share. |
45. | The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which by the terms of issue of a share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
REGISTRATION OF EMPOWERING INSTRUMENTS
46. | The Company shall be entitled to charge a fee not exceeding one dollar (US$1.00) on the registration of every probate, letters of administration, certificate of death or marriage, power of attorney, notice in lieu of distringas, or other instrument. |
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
47. | The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a share shall be the only person recognised by the Company as having any title to the share. In the case of a share registered in the name of two or more holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased survivor, shall be the only person recognised by the Company as having any title to the share. |
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48. | Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member shall upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be properly required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered as a Member in respect of the share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the share as the deceased or bankrupt person could have made. If the person so becoming entitled shall elect to be registered himself as holder he shall deliver or send to the Company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects. |
49. | A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of the holder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share, except that he shall not, before being registered as a Member in respect of the share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company, provided however, that the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the share, and if the notice is not complied with within 90 calendar days, the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with. |
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL
50. | The Company may by Ordinary Resolution: |
(a) | increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe; |
(b) | consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger amount than its existing shares; |
(c) | sub-divide its existing shares or any of them into shares of a smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; |
(d) | cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled. |
51. | Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and these Articles as regards to the matters to be dealt with by Ordinary Resolution, the Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorized by law. |
52. | All new shares created hereunder shall be subject to the same provisions with reference to the payment of calls, liens, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the shares in the original share capital. |
CLOSING REGISTER OF MEMBERS OR FIXING RECORD DATE
53. | For the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment thereof, or those Members that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Member for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register of Members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period but not to exceed in any case 30 calendar days. If the Register of Members shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members such register shall be so closed for at least 10 calendar days immediately preceding such meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the date of the closure of the Register of Members. |
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54. | In lieu of or apart from closing the Register of Members, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Members and for the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, the Directors may, at or within 90 calendar days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend fix a subsequent date as the record date of such determination. |
55. | If the Register of Members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Members entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members or those Members that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Members. When a determination of those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. |
GENERAL MEETINGS
56. | All general meetings of the Company other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings. |
57. | (a) | The Company may hold an annual general meeting and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Directors shall determine. |
(b) | At these meetings the report of the Directors (if any) shall be presented. |
58. | (a) | The Directors may call general meetings, and they shall on a Members requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company. |
(b) | A Members requisition is a requisition of Members of the Company holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than one-third of the share capital of the Company as at that date carries the right of voting at general meetings of the Company. |
(c) | The requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the principal place of business of the Company (with a copy forwarded to the registered office), and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists. |
(d) | If the Directors do not within 21 calendar days from the date of the deposit of the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further 21 calendar days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three months after the expiration of the second said 21 calendar days. |
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(e) | A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors. |
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
59. | At least seven calendar days' notice shall be given for any general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given or deemed to be given and of the day for which it is given and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this regulation has been given and whether or not the provisions of these Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed: |
(a) | in the case of an annual general meeting by all the Members (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and |
(b) | in the case of an extraordinary general meeting by a majority in number of the Members (or their proxies) having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than ninety five percent in par value of the shares giving that right. |
60. | The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Member shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting. |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
61. | No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. One or more Members holding not less than an aggregate of one-third of all voting share capital of the Company in issue present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes. |
62. | If provided for by the Company, a person may participate at a general meeting by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. |
63. | If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved. |
64. | The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company. |
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65. | If at any meeting the Chairman of the Board of Directors is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman, the Directors present shall elect one of their members to be chairman of the meeting, or, if no Director is so elected and willing to be chairman of the meeting, the Members present shall choose a chairman of the meeting. |
66. | The chairman may with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for 10 calendar days or more, not less than 7 Business Days' notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting. |
67. | At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by one or more Members present in person or by proxy entitled to vote and who together hold not less than 10 percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution. |
68. | If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. The demand for a poll may be withdrawn. |
69. | In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
70. | A poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs. |
VOTES OF MEMBERS
71. | Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares, every Member present in person and every person representing a Member by proxy at a general meeting of the Company shall have one vote for each share registered in his name in the Register of Members. |
72. | In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register of Members. |
73. | A Member of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, or other person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other person, may on a poll, vote by proxy. |
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74. | No Member shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company have been paid. |
75. | On a poll, votes may be given either personally or by proxy. |
76. | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorized. A proxy need not be a Member of the Company. |
77. | An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll. |
78. | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the registered office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company: |
(a) | not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or |
(b) | in the case of a poll taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, be deposited as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; or |
(c) | where the poll is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded, be delivered at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chairman or to the secretary or to any Director; |
provided that the Directors may in the notice convening the meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, direct that the instrument appointing a proxy may be deposited (no later than the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting) at the registered office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company. The chairman may in any event at his discretion direct that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted shall be invalid.
79. | Votes given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Company before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy. |
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CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETING
80. | Any corporation or other non-natural person which is a Member may in accordance with its constitutional documents, or in the absence of such provision by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any class of Members, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member. |
DEPOSITARY AND CLEARING HOUSES
81. | If a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) is a Member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such Person(s) as it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any general meeting of the Company or of any Class of Shareholders of the Company provided that, if more than one Person is so authorised, the authorisation shall specify the number and Class of Shares in respect of which each such Person is so authorised. A Person so authorised pursuant to this Article shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) which he represents as that recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorisation, including the right to vote individually on a show of hands. |
SHARES THAT MAY NOT BE VOTED
82. | Shares in the Company that are beneficially owned by the Company shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding Shares at any given time. |
DIRECTORS
83. | (a) Unless otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not be less than one or more than ten Directors. The Directors shall be elected or appointed in the first place by the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association or by a majority of them and thereafter by the Members at general meeting. |
(b) | Each Director shall hold office until the expiration of his term or removed from office pursuant to Articles 84 and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. |
(c) | The Board of Directors shall have a Chairman (the "Chairman") elected and appointed by a majority of the Directors then in office. The Directors may also elect a Co-Chairman or a Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors (the "Co-Chairman"). The Chairman shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board of Directors. To the extent the Chairman is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, the Co-Chairman, or in his absence, the attending Directors may choose one Director to be the chairman of the meeting. The Chairman's voting right as to the matters to be decided by the Board of Directors shall be the same as other Directors. |
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(d) | The Company may by Ordinary Resolution elect any person to be a Director either to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board. |
(e) | The Directors by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, or the sole remaining Director, shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board, subject to the Company's compliance with director nomination procedures required under applicable corporate governance rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, as long as the Company's securities are traded on the Designated Stock Exchange. |
84. | Subject to Article 83, a Director may be removed from office by Ordinary Resolution or by the Board at any time before the expiration of his term. |
85. | A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the provisions of Article 83 above may be filled by the election or appointment by Ordinary Resolution at the meeting at which such Director is removed or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting. |
86. | The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable law or the listing rules of the Designated Stock Exchange where the Company's securities are traded, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives, which shall be intended to set forth the policies of the Company and the Board on various corporate governance related matters as the Board shall determine by resolution from time to time. |
87. | A Director shall not be required to hold any shares in the Company by way of qualification. A Director who is not a Member of the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak at general meetings of the Company and all classes of shares of the Company. |
DIRECTORS' FEES AND EXPENSES
88. | The Directors may receive such remuneration as the Board may from time to time determine. The Directors may be entitled to be repaid all travelling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a Director. |
89. | Any Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to or in substitution for any ordinary remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article. |
ALTERNATE DIRECTOR
90. | Any Director may in writing appoint another person to be his alternate to act in his place at any meeting of the Directors at which he is unable to be present. Every such alternate shall be entitled to notice of meetings of the Directors and to attend and vote thereat as a Director when the person appointing him is not personally present and, where he is a Director, to have a separate vote on behalf of the Director he is representing in addition to his own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. Such alternate shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him. An alternate Director shall cease to be an alternate Director if his appointor ceases to be a Director. |
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91. | Any Director may appoint any person, whether or not a Director, to be the proxy of that Director to attend and vote on his behalf, in accordance with instructions given by that Director, or in the absence of such instructions at the discretion of the proxy, at a meeting or meetings of the Directors which that Director is unable to attend personally. The instrument appointing the proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointing Director and shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve, and must be lodged with the chairman of the meeting at which such proxy is to be used, or first used, prior to the commencement of the meeting. |
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
92. | Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, these Articles and to any resolutions made in a general meeting, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution made by the Company in a general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been made. |
93. | Subject to these Articles, the Directors may from time to time appoint any person, whether or not a Director of the Company, to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including without prejudice to the foregoing generality, the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, Manager or Controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their body (but not an alternate Director) to the office of Managing Director upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto determine if any Managing Director ceases from any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated. |
94. | The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors. |
95. | The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him. |
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96. | The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the following paragraphs shall be without prejudice to the general powers conferred by this paragraph. |
97. | The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any persons to be members of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any of the aforesaid. |
98. | The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill up any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any person so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby. |
99. | Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretions for the time being vested to them. |
100. | The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. |
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
101. | Notwithstanding anything in these Articles, the office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director: |
(a) | dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; |
(b) | is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; |
(c) | resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company; or |
(d) | shall be removed from office pursuant to Articles 83 or 84 or the Statutes. |
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
102. | The Directors may meet together (whether within or outside the Cayman Islands) for the dispatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. |
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103. | A Board meeting may be called by a Director by giving notice in writing to the Board specifying a date, time and agenda for such meeting. The Board shall upon receipt of such notice give a copy of such notice of such meeting to all Directors and their respective alternates (if any). |
104. | (a) | At least one (1) Business Day notice shall be given to all Directors and their respective alternates (if any) for a Board meeting, provided that such notice period may be reduced or waived with the consent of all the Directors or their respective alternates (if any). |
(b) | An agenda identifying in reasonable detail the issues to be considered by the Directors at any such meeting and copies (in printed or electronic form) of any relevant papers to be discussed at the meeting together with all relevant information shall be provided to and received by all Directors and their alternates (if any) at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date for such meeting. The agenda for each meeting shall include any matter submitted to the Company by any Director at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date for such meeting. |
(c) | Unless approved by all Directors (whether or not present or represented at such meeting), matters not set out in the agenda need not be considered at a Board meeting. |
105. | A Director or Directors may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors of which such Director or Directors are members, by means of conference telephone, video conference or similar communication equipment by way of which all persons participating in such meeting can hear each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting. |
106. | The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the Directors then in office, provided that a Director and his appointed alternate Director shall be considered only one person for this purpose. |
107. | If a quorum is not present at a Board meeting within thirty (30) minutes following the time appointed for such Board meeting, the relevant meeting shall be adjourned for a period of at least three (3) Business Days and the presence of any three (3) Directors shall constitute a quorum at such adjourned meeting. A meeting of the Directors at which a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business shall be competent to exercise all powers and discretions for the time being exercisable by the Directors. |
108. | Questions arising at any meeting of the Directors shall be decided by a majority of votes and each Director shall be entitled to one (1) vote in deciding matters deliberated at any meeting of the Directors. |
109. | In case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. |
110. | A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration. |
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111. | A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested, be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement. |
112. | Any Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company. |
113. | The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books or loose-leaf folders provided for the purpose of recording: |
(a) | all appointments of officers made by the Directors; |
(b) | the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and |
(c) | all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors. |
114. | When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting, the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings. |
115. | A resolution signed by all the Directors shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors duly called and constituted and when signed, a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors. |
116. | The continuing Directors may act, notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if their number is reduced below the number fixed pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, then the continuing Directors may act only to increase the number or to summon a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose. |
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117. | A committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
118. | A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. |
119. | All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director. |
PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT
120. | A Director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairman or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favour of such action. |
DIRECTORS' INTERESTS
121. | (a) | A Director or alternate Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Directors may determine. |
(b) | A Director or alternate Director may act by himself or by, through or on behalf of his firm in a professional capacity for the Company and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director or alternate Director. |
(c) | A Director or alternate Director may be or become a director or other officer of or otherwise interested in any company promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder, a contracting party or otherwise, and no such Director or alternate Director shall be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him as a director or officer of, or from his interest in, such other company. |
(d) | No person shall be disqualified from the office of Director or alternate Director or prevented by such office from contracting with the Company, either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or any contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director or alternate Director shall be in any way interested be or be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director or alternate Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by or arising in connection with any such contract or transaction by reason of such Director or alternate Director holding office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established. A Director (or his alternate Director in his absence) shall be at liberty to vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he is interested provided that the nature of the interest of any Director or alternate Director in any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon. |
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(e) | A general notice that a Director or alternate Director is a shareholder, director, officer or employee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be sufficient disclosure for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect of a contract or transaction in which he has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. |
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESERVE
122. | Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares and these Articles, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. |
123. | Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares and these Articles, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors. |
124. | The Directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied and pending such application may, at the like discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments (other than shares of the Company) as the Directors may from time to time think fit. |
125. | Any dividend may be paid by cheque or wire transfer to the registered address of the Member or person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint holders, to any one of such joint holders at his registered address or to such person and such address as the Member or person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such cheque shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other person as the Member or person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. |
126. | The Directors when paying dividends to the Members in accordance with the foregoing provisions may make such payment either in cash or in specie. |
127. | No dividend shall be paid otherwise than out of profits or, subject to the restrictions of the Companies Act, the share premium account. |
128. | Subject to the rights of persons, if any, entitled to shares with special rights as to dividends, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid or credited as fully paid on the shares, but if and so long as nothing is paid up on any of the shares in the Company dividends may be declared and paid according to the amounts of the shares. No amount paid on a share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid on the share. |
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129. | If several persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other monies payable on or in respect of the share. |
130. | No dividend shall bear interest against the Company. |
131. | Any Dividend or other distribution which cannot be paid to a Member and/or which remains unclaimed after six months from the date on which such Dividend or other distribution becomes payable may, in the discretion of the Directors, be paid into a separate account in the Company’s name, provided that the Company shall not be constituted as a trustee in respect of that account and the Dividend or other distribution shall remain as a debt due to the Member. Any Dividend or other distribution which remains unclaimed after a period of six years from the date on which such Dividend or other distribution becomes payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. |
CAPITALISATION
132. | The Directors may at any time capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts or funds (including the share premium account and capital redemption reserve fund) or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution; appropriate such sum to Members in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst such Members had the same been a distribution of profits by way of Dividend or other distribution; and apply such sum on their behalf in paying up in full unissued Shares for allotment and distribution credited as fully paid-up to and amongst them in the proportion aforesaid. In such event the Directors shall do all acts and things required to give effect to such capitalisation, with full power given to the Directors to make such provisions as they think fit in the case of Shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrue to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Directors may authorise any person to enter on behalf of all of the Members interested into an agreement with the Company providing for such capitalisation and matters incidental or relating thereto and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all such Members and the Company. |
BOOK OF ACCOUNTS
133. | The Directors shall cause proper books of account (including, where applicable, material underlying documentation including contracts and invoices) to be kept with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the receipt or expenditure takes place, all sales and purchases of goods by the Company and the assets and liabilities of the Company. Such books of account must be retained for a minimum period of five years from the date on which they are prepared. Proper books shall not be deemed to be kept if there are not kept such books of account as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions. |
134. | The Directors shall determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by Statutes or authorised by the Directors or by the Company in general meeting. |
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135. | The Directors may cause to be prepared and to be laid before the Company in general meeting profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, group accounts (if any) and such other reports and accounts as may be required by law. |
136. | Subject to the requirements of applicable law and the listing rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, the accounts relating to the Company's affairs shall be audited in such manner and with such financial year end as may be determined from time to time by the Company by Ordinary Resolution or failing any such determination by the Directors or failing any determination as aforesaid shall not be audited. |
ANNUAL RETURNS AND FILINGS
137. | The Board shall make the requisite annual returns and any other requisite filings in accordance with the Companies Act. |
AUDIT
138. | The Directors may appoint an Auditor of the Company who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors and may fix his or their remuneration. |
139. | Every Auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors. |
140. | Auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an ordinary company, and at the next special meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an exempted company, and at any time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors at any general meeting of the Members. |
THE SEAL
141. | The Seal of the Company shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Board of Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of any one or more persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal of the Company is so affixed in their presence. |
142. | The Company may maintain a facsimile of its Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Board of Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such person or persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint, and such person or persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal of the Company is so affixed in their presence . |
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143. | Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Director shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company. |
OFFICERS
144. | Subject to Article 90, the Company may have Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, Manager or Controller, appointed by the Directors. The Directors may also from time to time appoint such other officers as they consider necessary, all for such terms, at such remuneration and to perform such duties, and subject to such provisions as to disqualification and removal as the Directors from time to time subscribe. |
CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS
145. | Subject to the Companies Act and these Articles, the Board may, with the authority of an Ordinary Resolution: |
(a) | resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution; |
(b) | appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Members in proportion to the nominal amount of shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards: |
(i) | paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on shares held by them respectively; or |
(ii) | paying up in full unissued shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum, |
and allot the shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Members (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the share premium account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued shares to be allotted to Members credited as fully paid;
(c) | make any arrangements it thinks fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Board may deal with the fractions as it thinks fit; |
(d) | authorise a person to enter (on behalf of all the Members concerned) an agreement with the Company providing for either: |
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(i) | the allotment to the Members respectively, credited as fully paid, of shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or |
(ii) | the payment by the Company on behalf of the Members (by the application of their respective operations of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing shares, |
an agreement made under the authority being effective and binding on all those Members; and
(e) | generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the resolution. |
NOTICES
146. | Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the person entitled to give notice to any Member either personally, by facsimile or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter or via a recognised courier service, fees prepaid, addressed to the Member at his address as appearing in the Register of Members or, to the extent permitted by all applicable laws and regulations, by electronic means by transmitting it to any electronic number or address or website supplied by the Member to the Company or by placing it on the Company's Website. In the case of joint holders of a share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register of Members in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders. |
147. | Notices posted to addresses outside the Cayman Islands shall be forwarded by prepaid airmail. |
148. | Any Member present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened. |
149. | Any notice or other document, if served by: |
(a) | post, service of the notice shall be deemed to have been served five calendar days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted (in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or document was properly addressed and duly posted); |
(b) | cable, telex or fax, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing and sending such notice and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was transmitted; |
(c) | recognised courier service, service of the notice shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly delivered to the courier; or |
29
(d) | e-mail, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by transmitting the e-mail to the e-mail address provided by the intended recipient and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was sent, and it shall not be necessary for the receipt of the e-mail to be acknowledged by the recipient. |
150. | Any notice or document delivered or sent to any Member in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Member be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any share registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder, unless his name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register of Members as the holder of the share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the share. |
151. | Notice of every general meeting shall be given to: |
(a) | all Members who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; |
(b) | every person entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting; and |
(c) | each Director and Alternate Director. |
No other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
INFORMATION
152. | No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of any information in respect of any detail of the Company's trading or any information which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Board would not be in the interests of the Members of the Company to communicate to the public. |
153. | The Board shall be entitled to release or disclose any information in its possession, custody or control regarding the Company or its affairs to any of its members including, without limitation, information contained in the Register of Members and transfer books of the Company. |
INDEMNITY
154. | Every Director and officer of the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include auditors of the Company), together with every former Director and former officer of the Company (each an "Indemnified Person") shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability, action, proceeding, claim, demand, costs, damages or expenses, including legal expenses, whatsoever which they or any of them may incur as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out their functions other than such liability (if any) that they may incur by reason of their own actual fraud or wilful default. No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company for any loss or damage incurred by the Company as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or wilful default of such Indemnified Person. No person shall be found to have committed actual fraud or wilful default under this Article unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect. |
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155. | The Company shall advance to each Indemnified Person reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the defence of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving such Indemnified Person for which indemnity will or could be sought. In connection with any advance of any expenses hereunder, the Indemnified Person shall execute an undertaking to repay the advanced amount to the Company if it shall be determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such Indemnified Person was not entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that such Indemnified Person was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such judgment, costs or expenses, then such party shall not be indemnified with respect to such judgment, costs or expenses and any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnified Person. |
156. | The Directors, on behalf of the Company, may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any Director or other officer of the Company against any liability which, by virtue of any rule of law, would otherwise attach to such person in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which such person may be guilty in relation to the Company. |
FINANCIAL YEAR
157. | Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on December 31st in each year and shall begin on January 1st in each year. |
WINDING UP
158. | If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in satisfaction of creditors’ claims in such manner and order as such liquidator thinks fit. Subject to the rights attaching to any Shares, in a winding up: |
(a) | if the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the Company’s issued share capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them; or |
(b) | if the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the Company’s issued share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up subject to a deduction from those Shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise. |
159. | If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, subject to the rights attaching to any Shares and with the approval of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other approval required by the Statutes, divide amongst the Members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like approval, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like approval, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability. |
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AMENDMENT OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF
ASSOCIATION AND
NAME OF COMPANY
160. | The Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles or the Memorandum of Association of the Company, in whole or in part, or change the name of the Company. |
REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION
161. | The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company. |
Mergers and Consolidations
162. | The Company shall have the power to merge or consolidate with one or more other constituent companies (as defined in the Companies Act) upon such terms as the Directors may determine and (to the extent required by the Companies Act) with the approval of a Special Resolution. |
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Exhibit 4.1
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD.Number Ordinary Shares [certificate cumber] -[shares in numbers]-Incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands Share capital is US$20,000 divided into divided into 200,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 eachTHIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT [full name of shareholder] is the registered holder of [number of shares] Ordinary Shares in the above-named Company subject to the [] Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association thereof.EXECUTED on behalf of the said Company on the [] day of [] 20[] by: DIRECTOR
Exhibit 4.2
Form of Representative’s Warrant Agreement
THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS WARRANT BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT THIS WARRANT SHALL NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED, OR BE THE SUBJECT OF ANY HEDGING, SHORT SALE, DERIVATIVE, PUT, OR CALL TRANSACTION THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180 DAYS) IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE, AS HEREAFTER DEFINED. THIS WARRANT IS NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER [•], 2026.
WARRANT
FOR THE PURCHASE OF
[•] ORDINARY SHARES OF
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD.
[•], 2021
Purchase Option.
THIS CERTIFIES THAT, The Benchmark Company, LLC (“Holder”), as registered owner of this Warrant, is entitled, at any time or from time to time commencing six months from the date hereof, and at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City local time, [•], 2026 (“Expiration Date”), but not thereafter, to subscribe for, purchase and receive, in whole or in part, up to [•] ordinary shares (“Shares”) of the $0.0001 par value Ordinary Shares (“Ordinary Shares”) of FGI Industries Ltd. (“Company”). If the Expiration Date is a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law to close, then this Warrant may be exercised on the next succeeding day which is not such a day in accordance with the terms herein. During the period ending on the Expiration Date, the Company agrees not to take any action that would terminate this Warrant. This Warrant is initially exercisable at $[•] per Ordinary Share so purchased; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 6 hereof, the rights granted by this Warrant, including the exercise price per Share and the number of Shares to be received upon such exercise, shall be adjusted as therein specified. The term “Exercise Price” shall mean $[__]1 or the adjusted exercise price, depending on the context.
Exercise.
Exercise Form. In order to exercise this Warrant, the exercise form (the “Exercise Form”) attached hereto must be duly executed and completed and delivered to the Company, together with this Warrant and payment of the Exercise Price for the Shares being purchased payable in cash or by certified check or official bank check or wire transfer. If the subscription rights represented hereby shall not be exercised at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City local time, on the Expiration Date this Warrant shall become and be void without further force or effect, and all rights represented hereby shall cease and expire.
1 The initial public offering price per share to the public.
A-1
Cashless Exercise.
Determination of Amount. In lieu of the payment of the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable (and in lieu of being entitled to receive Shares) in the manner required by Section 2.1, the Holder shall have the right (but not the obligation) to convert any exercisable but unexercised portion of this Warrant into a number of Shares (“Cashless Exercise Right”) equal to the product of (i) X and (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing [A-B] by (A):
(A) | = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Exercise Form if such Exercise Form is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(68) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Exercise Form or (z) the Bid Price of the Ordinary Shares on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Exercise Form if such Exercise Form is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2.1, which Bid Price shall be shown on supporting documents provided by the Holder to the Company within two Trading Days of delivery of the Exercise Form, or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Exercise Form if the date of such exercise form is a Trading Day and such Exercise Form is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; |
(B) | = the Exercise Price, as adjusted hereunder; and |
(X) | = the number of Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant to the extent being exercised in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Ordinary Shares for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Ordinary Shares are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Ordinary Shares so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of an Ordinary Share as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Ordinary Shares then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
A-2
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Ordinary Shares are traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Ordinary Shares are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per Ordinary Share so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of an Ordinary Share as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Ordinary Shares then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
Mechanics of Cashless Exercise. The Cashless Exercise Right may be exercised by the Holder on any business day on or after the Commencement Date and not later than the Expiration Date by delivering the Warrant with the duly executed exercise form attached hereto with the cashless exercise section completed to the Company, exercising the Cashless Exercise Right and specifying the total number of Shares the Holder will purchase pursuant to such Cashless Exercise Right.
No Obligation to Net Cash Settle. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Warrant, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the exercise of the Warrant. The holder of the Warrant will not be entitled to exercise the Warrant unless a registration or offering statement is effective or qualified, or an exemption from the registration or offering requirements is available at such time and, if the holder is not able to exercise the Warrant, the Warrant will expire worthless.
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Transfer.
General Restrictions. The registered Holder of this Warrant, by its acceptance hereof, agrees that it will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate this Warrant for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days from effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (file number 333- [•]) to anyone other than (i) a sales agent or selected dealer in connection with the public offering (“Offering”), or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of such sales agent or selected dealer. Additionally, pursuant to Rule 5110(g), the Warrant (and the Shares underlying this Warrant) will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the Effective Date. On and after the 181 day anniversary of the Effective Date, transfers to others may be made subject to compliance with or exemptions from applicable securities laws. In order to make any permitted assignment, the Holder must deliver to the Company the assignment form attached hereto duly executed and completed, together with the Warrant and payment of all transfer taxes, if any, payable in connection therewith. The Company shall within five business days transfer this Warrant on the books of the Company and shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrant s of like tenor to the appropriate assignee(s) expressly evidencing the right to purchase the aggregate number of Shares purchasable hereunder or such portion of such number as shall be contemplated by any such assignment.
Restrictions Imposed by the Act. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
New Warrants to be Issued.
Partial Exercise or Transfer. Subject to the restrictions in Section 3, this Warrant may be exercised or assigned in whole or in part. In the event of the exercise or assignment hereof in part only, upon surrender of this Warrant for cancellation, together with the duly executed exercise or assignment form and funds sufficient to pay any Exercise Price and/or transfer tax, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Holder without charge a new Warrant of like tenor to this Warrant in the name of the Holder evidencing the right of the Holder to purchase the number of Shares purchasable hereunder as to which this Warrant has not been exercised or assigned.
Lost Certificate. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and of reasonably satisfactory indemnification or the posting of a bond, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and date. Any such new Warrant executed and delivered as a result of such loss, theft, mutilation or destruction shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation on the part of the Company.
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Adjustments.
Adjustments to Exercise Price and Number of Securities. The Exercise Price and the number of Shares underlying the Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as hereinafter set forth:
Stock Dividends - Split-Ups. If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 below, the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares is increased by a stock dividend payable in Ordinary Shares or by a split-up of Ordinary Shares or other similar event, then the number of Ordinary Shares underlying each of the Shares purchasable hereunder shall be increased in proportion to such increase in outstanding shares. In such event the Exercise Price shall be proportionately decreased.
Aggregation of Shares. If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 5.2, the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination or reclassification of Ordinary Shares or other similar event, then the number of Ordinary Shares underlying each of the Shares purchasable hereunder shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares. In such event the Exercise Price shall be proportionately increased.
Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Ordinary Shares other than a change covered by Section 5.1.1 or 5.1.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value of such Ordinary Shares, or in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Ordinary Shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the Holder of this Warrant shall have the right thereafter (until the expiration of the right of exercise of this Warrant) to receive upon the exercise hereof, for the same aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder immediately prior to such event, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, by a Holder of the number of Ordinary Shares of the Company obtainable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification also results in a change in Ordinary Shares covered by Section 5.1.1 or 5.1.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 5.1.1, 5.1.2 and this Section 5.1.3. The provisions of this Section 5.1.3 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers.
Changes in Form of Warrant. This form of Warrant need not be changed because of any change pursuant to this Section, and Warrants issued after such change may state the same Exercise Price and the same number of Shares as are stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Agreement. The acceptance by any Holder of the issuance of new Warrants reflecting a required or permissive change shall not be deemed to waive any rights to an adjustment occurring after the Commencement Date or the computation thereof.
A-5
Substitute Warrant. In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger which does not result in any reclassification or change of the outstanding Ordinary Shares), the corporation formed by such consolidation or merger shall execute and deliver to the Holder a supplemental Warrant providing that the holder of each Warrant then outstanding or to be outstanding shall have the right thereafter (until the stated expiration of such Warrant) to receive, upon exercise of such Warrant, the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such consolidation or merger, by a holder of the number of Ordinary Shares of the Company for which such Warrant might have been exercised immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer. Such supplemental Warrant shall provide for adjustments which shall be identical to the adjustments provided in Section 5. The above provision of this Section shall similarly apply to successive consolidations or mergers.
Elimination of Fractional Interests. The Company shall not be required to issue certificates representing fractions of Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of the Warrant, nor shall it be required to issue scrip or pay cash in lieu of any fractional interests, it being the intent of the parties that all fractional interests shall be eliminated by rounding any fraction up to the nearest whole number of Ordinary Shares or other securities, properties or rights.
Reservation and Listing. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized Ordinary Shares, solely for the purpose of issuance upon exercise of this Warrant, such number of Ordinary Shares or other securities, properties or rights as shall be issuable upon the exercise thereof. The Company covenants and agrees that, upon exercise of this Warrant and payment of the Exercise Price therefor, all Ordinary Shares shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of any shareholder. As long as this Warrant shall be outstanding, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause all Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant to be listed (subject to official notice of issuance) on all securities exchanges (or, if applicable on the OTC Market or any successor trading market) on which the Shares issued to the public in connection the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (file number 333-[•]) may then be listed and/or quoted.
Certain Notice Requirements.
Holder’s Right to Receive Notice. Nothing herein shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders the right to vote or consent as a shareholder for the election of directors or any other matter, or as having any rights whatsoever as a shareholder of the Company. If, however, at any time prior to the expiration of this Warrant and its exercise, any of the events described in Section 7.2 shall occur, then, in one or more of said events, the Company shall give written notice of such event at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date fixed as a record date or the date of closing the transfer books for the determination of the shareholders entitled to such dividend, distribution, conversion or exchange of securities or subscription rights, or entitled to vote on such proposed dissolution, liquidation, winding up or sale. Such notice shall specify such record date or the date of the closing of the transfer books, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall deliver to each Holder a copy of each notice given to the other shareholders of the Company at the same time and in the same manner that such notice is given to the shareholders.
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Events Requiring Notice. The Company shall be required to give the notice described in this Section 7 upon one or more of the following events: (i) if the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Ordinary Shares for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or distribution payable otherwise than in cash, or a cash dividend or distribution payable otherwise than out of retained earnings, as indicated by the accounting treatment of such dividend or distribution on the books of the Company, or (ii) the Company shall offer to all the holders of its Ordinary Shares any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, or any option, right or warrant to subscribe therefor, (iii) a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company (other than in connection with a consolidation or merger) or a sale of all or substantially all of its property, assets and business shall be proposed, or (iv) if the Company shall deliver a notice to the Holder pursuant to Section 5.
Notice of Change in Exercise Price. The Company shall, promptly after an event requiring a change in the number of Shares and Exercise Price pursuant to Section 5, send notice to the Holders of such event and change (“Price Notice”). The Price Notice shall describe the event causing the change and the method of calculating same and shall be certified as being true and accurate by the Company’s President or Chief Financial Officer.
Transmittal of Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications under this Warrant shall be in writing and shall be mailed (registered or certified mail, return receipt requested), personally delivered or sent by electronic mail (email) and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or sent via email and confirmed or if mailed, two (2) days after such mailing:
(i) if to the registered Holder of this Warrant, to the address of such Holder as shown on the books of the Company, with a copy to:
McGuireWoods LLP | |
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor | |
New York, NY 10020 |
Attn: | Stephen E. Older, Esq. | |
David S. Wolpa, Esq. | ||
Email: | solder@mcguirewoods.com | |
dwolpa@mcguirewoods.com |
or (ii) if to the Company, to the following address or to such other address as the Company may designate by notice to the Holders:
FGI Industries Ltd. | |
906 Murray Road | |
East Hanover, NJ 07869 |
Attn: | John Chen, Executive Chairman | |
Email: | JohnC@foremostgroups.com |
A-7
With a copy to:
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP | |
2200 Wells Fargo Center | |
90 S. Seventh Street | |
Minneapolis, MN 55402 |
Attn: | James M. Fischer | |
Jonathan R. Zimmerman | ||
Email: | james.fischer@faegredrinker.com | |
jon.zimmerman@faegredrinker.com |
Miscellaneous.
Amendments. The Company and the Holder may from time to time supplement or amend this Warrant without the approval of any of the Holders in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder that the Company and the Holder may deem necessary or desirable and that the Company and the Holder deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders. All other modifications or amendments shall require the written consent of and be signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or amendment is sought.
Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Warrant.
Entire Agreement. This Warrant (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Warrant) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Binding Effect. This Warrant shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon, the Holder and the Company and their permitted assignees, respective successors, legal representative and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Warrant or any provisions herein contained.
Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Warrant shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 8. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company and the Holder agree that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.
Waiver, Etc. The failure of the Company or the Holder to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Warrant shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way affect the validity of this Warrant or any provision hereof or the right of the Company or any Holder to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Warrant. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Warrant shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach or non-compliance.
[Signature Page Follows]
A-8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
FGI Industries Ltd. |
By: |
Name: | |
Title: |
A-9
Form to be used to exercise Warrant:
FGI Industries Ltd.
906 Murray Road
East Hanover, NJ 07869
Attn: John Chen, Executive Chairman
Date: __________, 202__
The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to exercise all or a portion of the within Warrant and to purchase _______Ordinary Shares of FGI Industries Ltd. and hereby makes payment of $ ______ (at the rate of $ ________ per Share) in payment of the Exercise Price pursuant thereto. Please issue the Ordinary Shares as to which this Warrant is exercised in accordance with the instructions given below.
or
The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to convert its right to purchase ____________ Shares purchasable under the within Warrant by surrender of the unexercised portion of the attached Warrant (with a “Value” based of $ ____________ based on a “Market Price” of $__________). Please issue the Shares as to which this Warrant is exercised in accordance with the instructions given below.
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
Signature(s) Guaranteed:
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).
A-10
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Name
(Print in Block Letters)
Address
Form to be used to assign Warrant:
ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered Holder to effect a transfer of the within Warrant):
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________________does hereby sell, assign and transfer unto ____________ the right to purchase ____________ Ordinary Shares of FGI Industries Ltd. (“Company”) evidenced by the within Warrant and does hereby authorize the Company to transfer such right on the books of the Company.
Dated: ________, 202_
Signature
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Warrant in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
Signature(s) Guaranteed:
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).
A-11
Exhibit 4.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made as of [●], 2021, by and among (i) FGI Industries Ltd. (the “Company”), and (iii) Foremost Groups Ltd. (a “Holder” and collectively with other subsequent parties to the Agreement, “Holders”).
Recitals
WHEREAS, the Holder owns Registrable Securities;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, payment has been made by certain underwriters for the initial public offering of Ordinary Shares (“IPO”); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the parties desire to set forth certain registration rights applicable to the Registrable Securities.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and obligations hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Company nor any Person controlled by the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any Holder.
“Agreement” means this Registration Rights Agreement, as this agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time after the date hereof.
“Beneficial Ownership” shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, the ownership of securities as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect from time to time. The terms “Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Owner” shall have a correlative meaning.
“Block Trade” means an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by one or more of the Holders on a block trade or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction.
“Business Day” shall mean a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Claims” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.7(a).
“Demand Exercise Notice” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Demand Registration” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Demand Registration Request” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued under such Act, as they may from time to time be in effect.
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“Expenses” means any and all fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with Article 2, including, without limitation: (i) SEC, stock exchange or FINRA, and all other registration and filing fees and all listing fees and fees with respect to the inclusion of securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange or on any other securities market on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws of any state or jurisdiction of the United States or compliance with the securities laws of foreign jurisdictions and in connection with the preparation of a “blue sky” survey, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of outside “blue sky” counsel and securities counsel in foreign jurisdictions, (iii) word processing, printing and copying expenses, (iv) messenger and delivery expenses, (v) expenses incurred in connection with any road show, (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (vii) with respect to each registration or underwritten offering, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Participating Holder(s) (selected by the Majority Participating Holders), (viii) fees and disbursements of all independent public accountants (including the expenses of any audit and/or comfort letter and updates thereof) and fees and expenses of other Persons, including special experts, retained by the Company, (ix) fees and expenses payable to any Qualified Independent Underwriter, (x) any other fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the underwriters in connection with any filing with or review by FINRA (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any underwriting discount, commissions, or spread), (xi) fees and expenses of any transfer agent or custodian and (xii) expenses for securities law liability insurance and any rating agency fees.
“Family Member” means, with respect to any Person who is an individual, any spouse, parent, siblings or lineal descendants of such Person (including adoptive relationships) and any trust or other estate planning vehicle over which such Person has Control established for the benefit of such Person and/or such Person’s spouse and/or such Person’s descendants (by birth or adoption), parents, siblings or dependents.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
“Holder(s)” means (1) any Person who is a signatory to this Agreement, or (2) any Permitted Transferee to whom any Person who is a signatory to this Agreement shall assign or transfer any rights hereunder; provided that in the case of clause (2), such Person or such transferee, as applicable, has executed and delivered to the Company a joinder agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and has thereby agreed in writing to be bound by this Agreement in respect of such Registrable Securities.
“Incidental Registration Notice” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).
“Initiating Holder(s)” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“IPO” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Law” means any law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance rule or regulation of any governmental entity.
“Litigation” means any action, proceeding or investigation in any court or before any governmental authority.
“Lock-Up Agreement” means any agreement entered into by a Holder that provides for restrictions on the transfer of Registrable Securities held by such Holder.
“Long Form Registrations” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Majority Participating Holders” means Participating Holders holding more than 50% of the Registrable Securities proposed to be included in any offering of Registrable Securities by such Participating Holders pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2.
“Market Standoff Period” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3.
“Opt-Out Request” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.13(c).
“Ordinary Shares” shall mean the ordinary shares of the Company, and any and all securities of any kind whatsoever which may be issued after the date hereof in respect of, or in exchange for, such ordinary shares of the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.
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“Ordinary Share Equivalents” means all options, warrants and other securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for (at any time or upon the occurrence of any event or contingency and without regard to any vesting or other conditions to which such securities may be subject) shares of capital stock or other equity securities of such Person (including, without limitation, any note or debt security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities of such Person).
“Participating Holders” means all Holders of Registrable Securities which are proposed to be included in any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2.
“Permitted Transferee” (a) in the case of a Holder who is an individual, (i) any executor, administrator or testamentary trustee of such Holder’s estate if such Holder dies, (ii) any Person receiving Registerable Securities of such Holder by will, intestacy laws or the laws of descent or survivorship, or (iii) any trustee of a trust (including an inter vivos trust) of which there are no principal beneficiaries other than such Holder or one or more Family Members of such Limited Partner over which such Limited Partner has Control and (b) in the case of a Holder that is not an individual, its Affiliates, its shareholders, its limited partners, its other equity owners and its limited liability company members.
“Person” means any individual, corporation (including not for profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization, governmental entity or agency or other entity of any kind or nature.
“Piggyback Registration” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).
“Policies” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.13(b).
“Qualified Independent Underwriter” means a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121.
“Registrable Securities” means (a) any Ordinary Shares held by the Holders at any time (including those held as a result of, or issuable upon, the conversion or exercise of Ordinary Share Equivalents), whether now owned or acquired by the Holders at a later time, (b) any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or with respect to the Ordinary Shares referenced in clause (a) above by way of stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares in connection with a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or other reorganization and (c) any securities issued in replacement of or exchange for any securities described in clause (a) or (b) above. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (A) a registration statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration statement, (B) such securities are able to be immediately sold pursuant to Rule 144 without restrictions as to volume limitations and (C) such securities are otherwise transferred or sold, the Company has delivered a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for such securities not bearing a legend and such securities may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144” and “Rule 144A” have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or such other federal agency which at such time administers the Securities Act.
“Section 3.13 Representatives” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.13(b).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued under such Act, as they may from time to time be in effect.
“Shelf Offering” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(c)(ii).
“Shelf Registration Statement” means a shelf registration statement filed under Rule 415 of the Securities Act.
“Short Form Registrations” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Sponsor Shareholders” means the entities set forth on Schedule I hereto and any of their respective Affiliates or employees and any of their respective Permitted Transferees (in each case, who own, from time to time, Ordinary Shares).
“Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company on the date hereof and any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company organized or acquired after the date hereof.
“Take-Down Notice” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(c)(ii).
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Section 2. Registration Rights.
2.1. Demand Registrations.
(a) Demand Registrations Generally. This Section 2.1 sets forth the terms pursuant to which a Sponsor Shareholder may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of the Registrable Securities held by such Sponsor Shareholder on Form S-1 or any similar long form registration (“Long Form Registration”), and on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration (“Short Form Registration”), if available. All registrations requested pursuant to this Section 2.1 are referred to herein as “Demand Registrations.” If the Company shall receive from (i) a Sponsor Shareholder at any time after the closing of the IPO or (ii) any other Holder or group of Holders holding Registrable Securities at any time beginning on the six month anniversary of the closing of the IPO, a written request that the Company file a registration statement with respect to all or a portion of the Registrable Securities (a “Demand Registration Request,”) and the sender(s) of such request pursuant to this Agreement shall be known as the “Initiating Holder(s)”), then the Company shall, within ten Business Days of the receipt thereof, give written notice (the “Demand Exercise Notice”) of such request to all other Holders, and, subject to the limitations of this Section 2.1, use its reasonable best efforts to effect, as soon as practicable, the registration under the Securities Act (including, without limitation, by means of a Shelf Registration Statement thereunder if so requested and if the Company is then eligible to use such a registration) of all Registrable Securities that the Holders request to be registered. Each request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered.
(b) Long Form Registrations. At any time that the Company is not legally eligible to file a registration statement with the SEC on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement, each Sponsor Shareholder or a group of Sponsor Shareholders shall be entitled to request an unlimited amount of Long Form Registrations subject to Section 2.1(e), the Company shall effect such Long Form Registrations pursuant to Section 2.4 and the Company shall pay all Expenses in connection with such Long Form Registrations.
(c) Short Form Registrations.
(i) In addition to the Long Form Registrations provided pursuant to Section 2.1(b), each Sponsor Shareholder or a group of Sponsor Shareholders shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Short Form Registrations, the Company shall effect such Short Form Registrations pursuant to Section 2.4 and the Company shall pay all Expenses in connection with any such Short Form Registration that covers Registrable Securities with a value of at least $3,000,000. The Company shall use its best efforts to make Short Form Registrations on Form S-3 available for the sale of Registrable Securities and if Short Form Registrations on Form S-3 are available for the sale of Registerable Securities, each Sponsor Shareholder may only request registration on Form S-3.
(ii) At any time that any Short Form Registration is effective, if any Holder or group of Holders holding Registrable Securities delivers a notice to the Company (a “Take-Down Notice”) stating that it intends to effect an underwritten offering or distribution of all or part of its Registrable Securities included by it on any Short Form Registration (a “Shelf Offering”) and stating the number of the Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf Offering, then the Company shall amend or supplement the Short Form Registration as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed pursuant to the Shelf Offering (taking into account the inclusion of Registrable Securities by any other Holders thereof pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(ii)). In connection with any Shelf Offering, the Company shall, promptly after receipt of a Take-Down Notice, deliver such notice to all other Holders of Registrable Securities included in any Short Form Registration and permit each Holder to include its Registrable Securities included on a Short Form Registration in the Shelf Offering if such Holder notifies the proposing Holders and the Company within two Business Days after delivery of the Take-Down Notice to such Holder, and in the event that the managing underwriter advises the Holders of such securities in writing that in its or their view the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such offering is such as to adversely affect the success of such offering (including, without limitation, securities proposed to be included by other Holders of securities entitled to include securities in such offering pursuant to piggyback registration rights described in Section 2.2 hereof), the managing underwriter may limit the number of shares which would otherwise be included in such Shelf Offering in the same manner as is described in Section 2.1(d).
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(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Sponsor Shareholder wishes to engage in a Block Trade off of a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (either through filing an automatic shelf registration statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement), then notwithstanding the foregoing time periods, the Initiating Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade on the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall notify the other Holders that did not initiate the Block Trade. The Holders must elect whether or not to participate in such Block Trade on the day such offering is to commence, and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its reasonable best efforts (including co-operating with such Holders with respect to the provision of necessary information) to facilitate such Block Trade (which may close as early as two Business Days after the date it commences), provided, that in the case of such Block Trade, only Sponsor Shareholders shall have a right to notice and to participate, and provided, further, that the Sponsor Shareholder requesting such Block Trade shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and the underwriters prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of offering documents related to the Block Trade. For the avoidance of doubt, Holders other than the Sponsor Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive notice of, or to elect to participate in, a Block Trade or any Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus to be used in connection with such Block Trade.
(d) Demand Registration Priority. The Company shall not include in any Demand Registration any securities which are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the Majority Participating Holders included in such registration. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that, in their opinion, the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Majority Participating Holders to be included in such registration therein, without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include in such registration prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not Registrable Securities (i) first, the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold in an orderly manner within the price range of such offering, pro rata among the respective Holders thereof on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder, and (ii) second, any other securities with respect to which the Company has granted registration rights in accordance with Section 2.1(g) hereof requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the respective Holders thereof on the basis of the amount of such securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder. Without the consent of the Company and the Majority Participating Holders included in such registration, any Persons other than Holders of Registrable Securities who participate in Demand Registrations which are not at the Company’s expense must pay their share of the Expenses as provided in Section 2.5 hereof.
(e) Restrictions on Demand Registrations. The Company shall not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration (i) within 30 days after a Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 that has been declared or ordered effective, (ii) during the period any applicable restrictions are still in effect pursuant to any Lock-Up Agreement that has not been waived (or is not reasonably expected to be waived) by the underwriters party thereto, (iii) if the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board (after consultation with external legal counsel), any registration of Registrable Securities should not be made or continued (or sales under a Shelf Registration Statement should be suspended) because (i) such registration (or continued sales under a Shelf Registration Statement) would materially and adversely interfere with any existing or potential material financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization or merger or other material transaction or event involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) the Company is in possession of material non-public information, the premature disclosure of which has been determined by the Board to not be in the Company’s best interests (in either case, a “Valid Business Reason”) then (x) the Company may postpone filing a registration statement relating to a Demand Registration Request or suspend sales under an existing Shelf Registration Statement until five Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than 60 days after the date the Board determines a Valid Business Reason exists and (y) in the case a registration statement has been filed relating to a Demand Registration Request, if the Valid Business Reason has not resulted from actions taken by the Company, the Company may cause such registration statement to be withdrawn and its effectiveness terminated or may postpone amending or supplementing such registration statement until five Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than 60 days after the date the Board determines a Valid Business Reason exists; and the Company shall give written notice to the Participating Holders of its determination to postpone or withdraw a registration statement or suspend sales under a Shelf Registration Statement and of the fact that the Valid Business Reason for such postponement, withdrawal or suspension no longer exists, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner for more than (A) 60 days in any 90 day period or (B) for periods exceeding, in the aggregate, 90 days in any 12 month period, or (z) in the case of a Demand Registration, consisting of a Long Form Registration, within 180 days after the effective date of a previous Long Form Registration or a previous registration in which the Holders of Registrable Securities were given piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2 and in which at least 75% of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included by the Holders were included in such registration. In the event the Company gives written notice of a Valid Business Reason, the Holders of Registrable Securities initially requesting such Demand Registration shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration shall not be treated as one of the permitted Demand Registrations hereunder and the Company shall pay all Expenses in connection with such registration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may postpone a Demand Registration hereunder only twice in any twelve-month period.
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If the Company shall give any notice of postponement, withdrawal or suspension of any registration statement pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(e), the Company shall not, during the period of postponement, withdrawal or suspension, register any Ordinary Shares, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or an equivalent registration form then in effect). Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company that the Company has determined to withdraw any registration statement pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(e), such Holder will discontinue its disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall have withdrawn or prematurely terminated a registration statement filed pursuant to a Demand Registration (whether pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(e) or as a result of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court), the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement until the Company shall have filed a new registration statement covering the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn registration statement and such registration statement shall have been declared effective and shall not have been withdrawn. If the Company shall give any notice of withdrawal or postponement of a registration statement, the Company shall, not later than five Business Days after the Valid Business Reason that caused such withdrawal or postponement no longer exists (but in no event later than 60 days after the date of the postponement or withdrawal), use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn or postponed registration statement in accordance with Section 2.1 (unless the Initiating Holders shall have withdrawn such request, in which case the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement), and such registration shall not be withdrawn or postponed pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(c).
(f) Selection of Underwriters. The Initiating Holder(s) shall have the right to select the investment banker(s), manager(s) and legal counsel to administer the offering.
(g) Other Registration Rights. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Holders that hold or Beneficially Own more than 50% of the Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company giving such holder or prospective holder any registration rights the terms of which are more favorable taken as a whole than the registration rights granted to the Holders hereunder unless the Company shall also give such rights to such Holders.
2.2. Piggyback Registrations.
(a) Piggyback Rights. If the Company at any time proposes to file a registration statement with respect to any offering of its securities for its own account or for the account of any Person who holds its securities (other than (i) a registration on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form to such forms, (ii) a registration of securities solely relating to an offering and sale to employees, directors or consultants of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement, (iii) a registration of non-convertible debt securities, or (iv) any Demand Registration made pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or Section 2.1(b) herein) (a “Piggyback Registration”) then, as expeditiously as reasonably possible (but in no event less than ten days following the date of filing such registration statement), the Company shall give written notice (the “Incidental Registration Notice”) of such proposed filing to all Holders of Registrable Securities, and such notice shall offer the Holder the opportunity to register such number of Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request in writing. Subject to Section 2.2(c) and Section 2.2(d), the Company shall include in such registration statement all such Registrable Securities which are requested to be included therein within 15 days after the Incidental Registration Notice is given to such Holders.
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(b) Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall include, after including all of the primary securities the Company desires to include in such registration, (i) first, the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold in an orderly manner within the price range of such offering, pro rata among the respective Holders thereof on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder, and (ii) second, other securities with respect to which the Company has granted registration rights in accordance with Section 2.1(g) hereof requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the respective Holders thereof on the basis of the amount of such securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder.
(c) Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of Holders of the Company’s securities, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the consent of the Majority Participating Holders to be included in such registration, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the Holders requesting such registration and the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the Holders of such securities and such Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of shares requested to be included therein by each such Holder, and (ii) second, other securities with respect to which the Company has granted registration rights in accordance with Section 2.1(g) hereof requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the respective Holders thereof on the basis of the amount of such securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder.
(d) Selection of Underwriters. If any Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary offering on behalf of the Holders of the Company’s securities, the selection of investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the offering must be approved in writing by the Sponsor Shareholders.
(e) Other Registrations. If the Company has previously filed a registration statement with respect to Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 or pursuant to this Section 2.2, and if such previous registration has not been withdrawn or abandoned or all shares offered thereunder have been sold, the Company shall not file or cause to be effected any other registration of any of its equity securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for its equity securities under the Securities Act (except on Form S-8 or any successor form), whether on its own behalf or at the request of any Holder or Holders of such securities, until a period of at least 180 days has elapsed from the effective date of such previous registration.
2.3. Holdback Agreement. Each Holder agrees not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, enter into a transaction which would have the same effect or would otherwise effect a public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144), or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such securities, whether any such aforementioned transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, in each case during the period beginning seven days before and ending 90 days after the effective date of any underwritten public offering of any equity securities of the Company pursuant to which securities are registered pursuant to this Agreement (including Demand and Piggyback Registrations) (the “Market Standoff Period”), except as part of such underwritten registration if otherwise permitted, unless the underwriters managing the underwritten public offering otherwise agree and such agreement permits all Holders of Registrable Securities to sell such securities on a pro rata basis. In addition, each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees to execute any further letters, agreements and/or other documents reasonably requested by the Company or its underwriters which are consistent with the terms of this Section 2.3. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period.
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2.4. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to effect or cause the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the widely disseminated sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC and FINRA all filings required for the consummation of the offering, including preparing and filing with the SEC a registration statement on than appropriate form of the SEC for the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, which registration form (i) shall be selected by the Company and (ii) shall, in the case of a shelf registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and such registration statement shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable registration form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain continuously effective from the date such registration statement is declared effective until the earliest to occur (A) the first date as of which all of the Registrable Securities included in the registration statement have been sold or (B) a period of 90 days in the case of an underwritten offering effected pursuant to a registration statement other than a Shelf Registration Statement and a period of three years in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement (provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall furnish to the counsel selected by the Majority Participating Holders covered by such registration statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review and comment of such counsel);
(b) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities of the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder and prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith and such free writing prospectuses and Exchange Act reports as may be necessary to keep such registration statement continuously effective for the period set forth in Section 2.4(a) and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement (and, in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement, file one or more prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act covering Registrable Securities upon the request of one or more Holders wishing to offer or sell Registrable Securities whether in an underwritten offering or otherwise);
(c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;
(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph, (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction);
(e) promptly notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any such seller, the Company shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
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(f) promptly notify each Participating Holder and each managing underwriter, if any: (i) when the registration statement, any pre-effective amendment, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto, any post-effective amendment to the registration statement or any free writing prospectus has been filed and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the SEC or state securities authority for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus related thereto or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or state “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the existence of any fact of which the Company becomes aware which results in the registration statement or any amendment thereto, the prospectus related thereto or any supplement thereto, any document incorporated therein by reference, any free writing prospectus or the information conveyed to any purchaser at the time of sale to such purchaser containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading; and (vi) if at any time the representations and warranties contemplated by any underwriting agreement, securities sale agreement, or other similar agreement, relating to the offering shall cease to be true and correct in all material respects; and, if the notification relates to an event described in clause (v), the Company shall promptly prepare and furnish to each such seller and each underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading;
(g) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if not so listed, cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market makers to register as such with respect to such Registrable Securities with FINRA;
(h) cause its senior management, officers and employees to participate in, and to otherwise facilitate and cooperate with the preparation of the registration statement and prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (including participating in meetings, drafting sessions, due diligence sessions and rating agency presentations) taking into account the Company’s reasonable business needs;
(i) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;
(j) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the Majority Participating Holders being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including effecting a stock split or a combination of shares);
(k) in any transaction involving the use of an underwriter or underwriters, use its reasonable best efforts (i) to obtain an opinion from the Company’s counsel, including local and/or regulatory counsel, and a comfort letter and updates thereof from the Company’s independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference in such registration statement, in each case, in customary form and covering such matters as are customarily covered by such opinions and comfort letters (including, in the case of such comfort letter, events subsequent to the date of such financial statements) delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings, which opinion and letter shall be dated the dates such opinions and comfort letters are customarily dated and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the underwriters, if any, and (ii) furnish to each Holder participating in the offering and to each underwriter, if any, a copy of such opinion and letter addressed to such underwriter;
(l) make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;
(m) deliver promptly to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the SEC and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all memoranda relating to discussions with the SEC or its staff with respect to the registration statement, and, upon receipt of such confidentiality agreements as the Company may reasonably request, make reasonably available for inspection by counsel for each Participating Holder, by counsel for any underwriter, participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any accountant or other agent retained by any Participating Holder or any such underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such counsel for a Participating Holder, counsel for an underwriter, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;
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(n) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement, or the prompt lifting of any suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable;
(o) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not later than the effective date of the registration statement;
(p) use its best efforts to make available its senior management, employees and personnel for participation in “road shows” and other marketing efforts and otherwise provide reasonable assistance to the underwriters (taking into account the needs of the Company’s businesses and the requirements of the marketing process) in marketing the Registrable Securities in any underwritten offering;
(q) promptly prior to the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement or the prospectus (after the initial filing of such registration statement), and prior to the filing of any free writing prospectus, provide copies of such document to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, if any, and make the Company’s representatives reasonably available for discussion of such document and make such changes in such document concerning the Participating Holders prior to the filing thereof as counsel for the Participating Holders or underwriters may reasonably request;
(r) furnish to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, without charge, at least one signed copy of the registration statement and any post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, the prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference) and any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith;
(s) cooperate with the Participating Holders and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates not bearing any restrictive legends representing the Registrable Securities to be sold, and cause such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names in accordance with the underwriting agreement at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters or, if not an underwritten offering, in accordance with the instructions of the Participating Holders at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of Registrable Securities to release any stop transfer orders in respect thereof;
(t) cooperate with any due diligence investigation by any manager, underwriter or Participating Holder and make available such documents and records of
(u) the Company and its Subsidiaries that they reasonably request (which, in the case of the Participating Holder, may be subject to the execution by the Participating Holder of a customary confidentiality agreement in a form which is reasonably satisfactory to the Company);
(v) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act;
(w) use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security Holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
(x) permit any Holder of Registrable Securities which Holder, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of material, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the reasonable judgment of such Holder and its counsel should be included;
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(y) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any of the Company’s equity securities included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, the Company shall use its best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order;
(z) use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(aa) obtain a cold comfort letter from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters as the Majority Participating Holders reasonably request; provided, that such Registrable Securities constitute at least 5% of the securities covered by such registration statement; and
(bb) take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(cc) take all reasonable action to ensure that any free writing prospectus utilized in connection with any registration covered by Section 2.1 or 2.2 complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
(dd) in connection with any underwritten offering, if at any time the information conveyed to a purchaser at the time of sale includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, promptly file with the SEC such amendments or supplements to such information as may be necessary so that the statements as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances, be misleading.
2.5. Registration Expenses. All Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing, qualification or compliance pursuant to Article 2 shall be borne by the Company, whether or not a registration statement becomes effective. All underwriting discounts and all selling commissions relating to securities registered by the Holders shall be borne by the holders of such securities pro rata in accordance with the number of shares sold in the offering by such Participating Holder.
2.6. No Required Sale. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create an independent obligation on the part of any Holder to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to any effective registration statement.
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2.7. Indemnification.
(a) In the event of any registration and/or offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Article 2, the Company will, and hereby agrees to, and hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder, its directors, officers, fiduciaries, trustees, employees, shareholders, members or general and limited partners (and the directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, shareholders, members, beneficiaries or general and limited partners thereof), any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened) and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel and any amounts paid in any settlement effected with the Company’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise in respect thereof (collectively, “Claims”), insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary or final prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, together with the documents incorporated by reference therein, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the information conveyed by the Company to any purchaser at the time of the sale to such purchaser, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or (iv) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company and relating to action required of or inaction by the Company in connection with any such registration, and the Company will reimburse any such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any such indemnified party in any such case to the extent such Claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made in such registration statement or amendment thereof or supplement thereto or in any such prospectus or any preliminary or final prospectus or free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such indemnified party specifically for use therein. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such seller.
(b) Each Participating Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.7) to the extent permitted by law the Company, its officers and directors, each Person controlling the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, each underwriter (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Company’s securities covered by such a registration statement, any Person who controls such underwriter, and any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement and each of its directors, officers, partners or agents or any Person who controls such Holder with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact in, or omission or alleged omission of any material fact from, such registration statement, any preliminary or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, if such statement or alleged statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or its representatives by or on behalf of such Participating Holder, specifically for use therein and reimburse such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the aggregate amount which any such Participating Holder shall be required to pay pursuant to this Section 2.7(b) and 2.7(d) shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds actually received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim. The Company and each Participating Holder hereby acknowledge and agree that, unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing by such Participating Holders to the contrary, for all purposes of this Agreement, the only information furnished or to be furnished to the Company for use in any such registration statement, preliminary or final prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or any free writing prospectus are statements specifically relating to (a) the Beneficial Ownership of Ordinary Shares by such Participating Holder and its Affiliates and (b) the name and address of such Participating Holder. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.
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(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement shall notify promptly the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Section 2.9, but the failure of any indemnified party to provide such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 2.9, except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially and actually prejudiced thereby and shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Article 2. In case any action or proceeding is brought against an indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to (x) participate in such action or proceeding and (y) unless, in the reasonable opinion of outside counsel to the indemnified party, a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, assume the defense thereof jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party. The indemnifying party shall promptly notify the indemnified party of its decision to assume the defense of such action or proceeding. If, and after, the indemnified party has received such notice from the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action or proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that (i) if the indemnifying party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within 10 days after receiving notice from such indemnified party that the indemnified party believes it has failed to do so; or (ii) if such indemnified party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding which is also brought against the indemnifying party reasonably shall have concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party which are not available to the indemnifying party or which may conflict with those available to another indemnified party with respect to such Claim; or (iii) if representation of both parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct, then, in any such case, the indemnified party shall have the right to assume or continue its own defense as set forth above (but with no more than one firm of counsel for all indemnified parties in each jurisdiction, except to the extent any indemnified party or parties reasonably shall have made a conclusion described in clause (ii) or (iii) above) and the indemnifying party shall be liable for any expenses therefor. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim), unless such settlement or compromise (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an indemnified party. The indemnity obligations contained in Sections 2.7(a) and 2.7(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the indemnified party which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(d) If for any reason the foregoing indemnity is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 2.7(a) or (b), then each applicable indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable to such indemnified party as a result of any Claim in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other hand, with respect to such Claim as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. If, however, the allocation provided in the second preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative faults but also the relative benefits of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if any contribution pursuant to this Section 2.7(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the preceding sentences of this Section 2.7(d). The amount paid or payable in respect of any Claim shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(d) to the contrary, no indemnifying party (other than the Company) shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.7(d) to contribute any amount greater than the amount of the net proceeds actually received by such indemnifying party upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim, less the amount of any indemnification payment made by such indemnifying party pursuant to Section 2.7(b).
(e) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract (except as set forth in subsection (f) below) and shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made or omitted by or on behalf of any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by any such party and the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration statement.
(f) If a customary underwriting agreement shall be entered into in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2 and certain indemnity, contribution and related provisions between the Company and the Participating Holder, the indemnity, contribution and related provisions set forth therein shall supersede the indemnification and contribution provisions set forth in this Section 2.7.
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2.8. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided, that no Holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding such Holder and such Holder’s intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations, or provide any information, to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.8 hereof.
2.9. No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.
2.10. Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Company shall not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities which would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or which would adversely affect the marketability of such Registrable Securities in any such registration (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of shares).
Section 3. General
3.1. Rule 144 and Rule 144A. If the Company shall have filed a registration statement pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act or a registration statement pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act in respect of the Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents, the Company covenants that (i) so long as it remains subject to the reporting provisions of the Exchange Act, it will timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (including, but not limited to, the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1)(i) of Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (“Rule 144”)) or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales by such Holder under Rule 144, Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (“Rule 144A”), or any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC, and (ii) it will take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (A) Rule 144, (B) Rule 144A or (C) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
3.2. Nominees for Beneficial Owners. If Registrable Securities are held by a nominee for the Beneficial Owner thereof the Beneficial Owner thereof may, at its option, be treated as the Holder of such Registrable Securities for purposes of any request or other action by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement (or any determination of any number or percentage of shares constituting Registrable Securities held by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities contemplated by this Agreement), provided that the Company shall have received assurances reasonably satisfactory to it of such Beneficial Ownership.
3.3. Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or any Holder unless such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in writing by (i) the Company and (ii) the Holders holding or Beneficially Owning more than 50% of the Registrable Securities then held by all Holders; provided that any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement which disproportionately and materially adversely affects any Holder shall not be effective without the written approval of such Holder. For purposes of the foregoing proviso, each Sponsor Shareholder shall be deemed to be disproportionately materially adversely affected if any material right specifically granted to any such Person herein (even if such right is granted to one or more other Sponsor Shareholder), is amended, modified, supplemented or waived. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar). No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other or future exercise of any such right, power or privilege.
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3.4. Notices.
(a) All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) when delivered personally by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) when sent by e-mail, (iii) when received or rejected by the addressee if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (iv) one Business Day following the day sent by reputable overnight courier (with written confirmation of receipt), in each case at the following addresses (or to such other address as a party may have specified by notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):
(i) | if to the Company, to: |
FGI Industries Ltd.
906 Murray Road
East Hanover, NJ 07869
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: [***]
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 S. 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3901
Attention: Jonathan Zimmerman and James Fischer
Email: jon.zimmerman@faegredrinker.com; james.fischer@faegredrinker.com
(ii) | if to the Holders, to the address indicated in the records of the Company. |
(b) Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
3.5. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and the respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the parties hereto, whether so expressed or not. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of the Sponsor Shareholders. Each Holder shall have the right to assign all or part of its or his rights and obligations under this Agreement only in accordance with transfers of Registrable Securities to such Holder’s Permitted Transferees. Upon any such assignment, such assignee shall have and be able to exercise and enforce all rights of the assigning Holder which are assigned to it and, to the extent such rights are assigned, any reference to the assigning Holder shall be treated as a reference to the assignee. If any Holder shall acquire additional Registrable Securities, such Registrable Securities shall be subject to all of the terms, and entitled to all the benefits, of this Agreement.
3.6. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other documents referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto which form part hereof constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
3.7. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS EXECUTED AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
(b) Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (i) the courts of the State of New Jersey and (ii) the United States District Court located in the State of New Jersey for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in (I) the courts of the State of New Jersey or (II) the United States District Court located in the State of New Jersey and waives any claim that such suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final and unappealable judgment in any action or proceeding so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment in any jurisdiction within or outside the United States or in any other manner provided in law or in equity
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(c) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVER, (III) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS 3.7.
3.8. Interpretation; Construction.
(a) The table of contents and headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(b) The parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
3.9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
3.10. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.
3.11. Remedies. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each party hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, without the posting of any bond, and, if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
3.12. Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
3.13. Confidentiality.
(a) Each Holder acknowledges that the provisions of this Agreement that require communications by the Company or other Holders to such Holder may result in such Holder and its Section 3.13 Representatives acquiring material non-public information (which may include, solely by way of illustration, the fact that an offering of the Company’s securities is pending or the number of Company securities or the identity of the selling Holders).
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(b) Each Holder agrees that it will maintain the confidentiality of such material non-public information and, to the extent such Holder is not a natural person, such confidential treatment shall be in accordance with procedures adopted by it in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Holder (“Policies”); provided that a Holder may deliver or disclose material non-public information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, affiliates and financial and other advisors, in each case, who reasonably need to know such information (collectively, the “Section 3.13 Representatives”), (ii) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Holder, (iii) any Person if necessary to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Holder, (iv) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, or (v) in connection with any litigation to which such Holder is a party and such Holder is advised by counsel that such information reasonably needs to be disclosed in connection with such litigation; provided further, that in the case of clause (i), the recipients of such material non-public information are subject to the Policies or are directed to hold confidential the material non-public information in a manner substantially consistent with the terms of this Section 3.13.
(c) Each Holder shall have the right, at any time and from time to time (including after receiving information regarding any potential sale or distribution to the public of Ordinary Shares of the Company pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act, whether by the Company, by Holders and/or by any other Holders of the Company’s Ordinary Shares), to elect to not receive any notice that the Company or any other Holders otherwise are required to deliver pursuant to this Agreement by delivering to the Company a written statement signed by such Holder that it does not want to receive any notices hereunder (an “Opt-Out Request”); in which case and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement the Company and other Holders shall not be required to, and shall not, deliver any notice or other information required to be provided to Holders hereunder to the extent that the Company or such other Holders reasonably expect would result in a Holder acquiring material non-public information. An Opt-Out Request may state a date on which it expires or, if no such date is specified, shall remain in effect indefinitely. A Holder who previously has given the Company an Opt-Out Request may revoke such request at any time, and there shall be no limit on the ability of a Holder to issue and revoke subsequent Opt-Out Requests; provided that each Holder shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the administrative burden on the Company arising in connection with any such Opt-Out Requests.
3.14. Termination and Effect of Termination. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to each Holder when such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities and will terminate in full when no Holder holds any Registrable Securities, except for the provisions of Sections 2.9, which shall survive any such termination. No termination under this Agreement shall relieve any Person of liability for breach or Expenses incurred prior to termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated, each Person entitled to indemnification rights pursuant to Section 2.9 shall retain such indemnification rights with respect to any matter that (i) may be an indemnified liability thereunder and (ii) occurred prior to such termination.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: |
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD. |
David Bruce | |
Chief Executive Officer |
HOLDERS: |
FOREMOST GROUPS LTD. |
Name: |
Title: |
[Signature page to registration rights agreement]
Schedule I
SPONSOR SHAREHOLDERS
Foremost Groups Ltd.
[Signature page to registration rights agreement]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Joinder”) is made and entered into as of [●] by the undersigned (the “New Holder”) in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Registration Rights Agreement by and among FGI Industries Ltd. (including any successor, the “Company”), and the Holders party thereto, dated as of [●], 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), for the benefit of, and for reliance upon by, the Company and the Holders party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Registration Rights Agreement.
WHEREAS, the New Holder desires to exercise certain rights granted to it under the Registration Rights Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the execution and delivery to the Company of this Joinder by the New Holder is a condition precedent to the New Holder’s exercise of any of its rights under the Registration Rights Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants herein, and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the New Holder hereby agrees as follows:
1. Joinder. By the execution and delivery of this Joinder, the New Holder hereby agrees to become, and to be deemed to be, and shall become and be deemed to be, for all purposes under the Registration Rights Agreement, a Holder, with the same force and effect as if the New Holder had been an original signatory thereto, and the New Holder agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of, and to assume all of the obligations of, a Holder under, the Registration Rights Agreement. All of the terms, provisions, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to a Holder are incorporated by reference herein and shall be legally binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the New Holder.
2 Further Assurances. The New Holder agrees to perform any further acts and execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments that may be necessary or reasonably requested by the Company to carry out the provisions of this Joinder or the Registration Rights Agreement.
3 Binding Effect. This Joinder and the Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the New Holder and its successors and permitted assigns, subject to the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement. It shall not be necessary in connection with the New Holder’s status as a Holder to make reference to this Joinder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Holder has executed this Joinder as of the date first above written.
NEW HOLDER: |
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
Address: |
Accepted and agreed:
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD.
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
Exhibit 10.1
[***] Certain information in this document has been omitted from this exhibit because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.
October 20, 2000
Foremost International Trading Co., Inc
(Party A)
TANGSHAN HUIDA CERAMIC GROUP CO. LTD.
(Party B)
· Agreement for Co-operations
This agreement is set forth by and between the following parties at the Economical Specific Zone of Shenzhen, Guandong Province, Peoples' Republic of China on October 20, 2000.
(1) | Foremost International Trading Co., Inc. (Party A) |
An incorporation registered and established and legally existing in the State of New Jersey, United States of America
Legal Representative: Joe Chen
Address: 906 Murray Road, East Hanover, New Jersey, 07936, USA
(2) | TANGSHAN HUIDA CERAMIC GROUP CO., LTD (Party B) |
An incorporation registered and established and legally existing at Fongnang City of Hebei Province, the Peoples' Republic of China.
Legal Representative; Wang, Hui-wen
Address; Huangezhuang Town, Fongnang City, Hebei Province
Forewords
(A) | That Party A is a distributor has successfully developed the markets for bathroom/sanitary porcelain products in the USA and Canada areas; |
(B) | That Party B is a professional manufacturer and distributor for bathroom/sanitary porcelain products; |
(C) | That for gaining higher commercial profits by manufacturing and vending the products suitable for the American and Canadian markets, both parties shall perform long term full scale co-operations to develop such markets. |
Thus in accordance with the negotiation on the equal basis, Party A and Party B have established the following agreement as mutual abidance.
1. | Definitions |
1.1 | In the Content, Forewords and Attachments of this agreement, unless indicated expressively, the following terms shall be defined as: |
'Product code' | Indicating the codes representing the size and specification for different products that regulated and agreed by both Party A and Party B thus for the convenience of communication between both parties, providing design drawings and amended drawings, samples, orders, productions and marketing. |
'Major amendment' | Indicating that the current module is unable to be amended to fit the appearance, form and size specification according to the product design thus necessary to reproduce new modules. |
2. | The catalogues and titles of the articles are only added for the convenience, they are not legally effective, shall neither influence any explanation of each article in this agreement |
3. | Module, Sample |
3.1 | Expenses to develop module: According to the requirements of the design drawing/amended drawing, when there is a need of expense to reproduce a new module or fo·r major amendment, both Party A and Party B shall confirm such expenses according to the cost of module and Party A shall pay for the expenses as required by Party B |
3.2 | Subtraction of the expenses for module: If no more major amendment by Party A during the sample commissioning and after the delivery of samples by Party B, further the purchase by Party A to such product achieves 3000 sets (including 3000 ets), Party A shall not pay for the expenses for module; if already paid, Party B shall refund or subtract such amount from the payable order, if insufficient purchase to 3000 sets by Party A, Party B shall not refund such expenses for module. |
3.3 | Delivery of samples: Party B shall deliver the samples to Party A before the agreed timing in accordance with the practical manufacturing requirements. |
4. | Protection for industrial propriety and business secrets |
4.1 | The industrial propriety formed by design, sample commissioning and manufacturing as well as the commercial secrets regarding specific technology of Type A and Type B products belong to Party A; Party B shall never apply nor authorize others to apply nor expose to others without the authorization by Party A; |
4.2 | The industrial propriety formed as well as the commercial secrets regarding specific technology of Type C products belong to Party B, Party A shall never apply nor authorize others to apply nor expose to others without the authorization by Party B; |
4.3 | When violating the regulations in article 4.1 and 4.2 by either Parties, the violating party shall be in full legal responsibilities and shall be claimed to pay for all loses might be caused to the other party. |
4.4 | The industrial propriety and commercial secrets for specific products shall be negotiated by Party A and Party B under other conditions. |
5. | Trade Marks |
According to the marketing requirements, Party A shall assign Party B to apply certain trade mark for related products with expressing descriptions in practical purchase order and contract; the. ordering amount of each single product with assigned trade mark shall reach 5000 pieces within a year, any disputation and legal responsibilities shall be claimed to Party A
6. | Certifications |
In order to meet the requirements on American and Canadian markets as well as to reach the best development of marketing, various certifications for the production of products and the products themselves shall be obtained within the timing as agreed by both Party A and Party B, when failed to do so thus to cause the sales of the product not reaching the expected scale, the responsibilities shall be claimed to the failure.party.
7. | Manufacturing and sales |
7.1 | According to the market requirements, Party A shall give order to Party B on Type A and Type B products as to purchase the assigned production; without the prior authorization from Party A, Party B shall not manufacture such products, neither to sell or to assign any third party to sell nor to accept the production order for such products from any third party. |
7.2 | According to the market requirements, Party A shall give order to Party B on Type C products. In American and Canadian markets, Party A is the exclusive distributor for Type C products, Party B shall not authorize any third party or by itself the sale in the American and Canadian markets. |
8. | Specific regulations |
8.1 | Since the effectiveness of this agreement, Party B shall not sign agreement with any third party regarding to authorize it to distribute those Type A, Type Band Type C products mentioned in this agreement in American and Canadian markets; |
8.2 | Party A guarantees that since the effectiveness of this agreement, the purchase amount from Party A to Party B shall achieve [***] within one year started since the first delivery of Party /\s order, the exclusive distributorship in American and Canadian markets of the next year shall be prolonged automatically when the purchase achieves to the guaranteed amount, the purchase amount for the coming year shall be discussed on other negotiation; if the purchase does not achieve the guaranteed amount, Party A and Party B shall initiate new discussion according to the market situations. |
8.3 | If Party A can not execute any purchase in 8 months, this agreement shall be annulled. |
9. | Purchase |
9.1 | Product price and payment |
Party A shall inquire the price according to the product codes, after quoted by Party B, Party A and Party B shall negotiate to confirm the final price. The payment conditions shall be listed in the order or purchase contract made between Party A and Party B.
9.2 | Product quality |
The products manufactured by Party B shall meet the requirements t? the ANSI of USA or CSA of Canada, such details shall be listed in the purchase order or contract by Party A.
If the product quality provided by Party B fails to meet the requirements of ANSI and/or CSA, based on the quantity unavailable to meet the requirements certified by the organization entrusted by both parties, the condemnation shall be demanded according to the practical situation.
Party A shall propose objection to Party B when discovering quality failure, Party B shall reply within 30 days, otherwise shall be deemed as agree with the quality failure, the necessary proof shall be negotiated between both parties.
9.3 | Product quantity and consumption |
Party B shall pack the products with suitable materials and loading the products into container thus to reduce the damage during the shipment. When damage happens, both parties shall discuss a resolution for the 5% damage uncovered by the insurance, Party A shall claim to the insurance agency for the damage beyond 5%; regarding the loading shortage, unless agreed by Party A with a prior notice, under the effective evidence provided by Party A, Party B shall be responsible to fully compensate the shortage and shall be claimed for the lost caused by shipment, taxes and other related procedures to Party A and/or Party /\s clients.
9.4 | Term of delivery |
Party A shall give the purchase orders or purchase contracts according to the manufacturing status of Party B, the date of delivery shall be confirmed by both parties, Party B guarantees to deliver on time. When expired for 14 days, Party A is authorized to fine Party B for 5%o of the total orde·r amount per day as the violation penalty, when expired for 21 days, except the violation penalty paid by Party B, Party A is also authorized to terminate the purchase order or contract. To the condition of force majeure to cause the late delivery, Party B shall notify Party A in 3 days since the condition initiated and negotiate with Party A for the postpone of delivery.
9.5 | Purchase orders and contracts |
Party A shall release the purchase order according to the American and Canadian market status for Party B to confirm, or to sign a purchase contract by both parties and Party B shall be responsible for the production of the purchase order or contract.
10. | Documents, delivery, liaison |
10.1 | It is agreed that during the execution of this agreement, all documents shall be provided in written including letters, fax and e-mail. |
10.2 | It is agreed that during the execution of this agreement, all documents shall be sent to the following destinations; |
Party A: Foremost International Trading Co. Inc
Address: No. 39-2, Changan E. Road, sec. 1, Taipei City Tel.: 886-2-25371374
Fax; 886-2-2568 3874
E-mail; michaele@mailfittpo.com.tw
Party B: TANGSHAN HUIDA CERAMIC GROUP CO. LTD
Address: Huangezhuang Town, Fongnang City, Hebei Province Tel.: +86-315 8522541; 8523618
Fax: +86-315 852817
E-mail: huida@public.tsptt.he.en
10.3 | It is agreed that during the execution of this agreement, the assigned liaison are Mr./Ms. CHEN, Ping/ HE, Kelan for Party A and Mr./Ms. WANG Yenching/XING jinrong for Party B. |
11. | Integrity |
This agreement and the documents including design drawings, amended drawings, and purchase order etc. formed during the execution of this agreement are parts of this agreement with the same legal effects.
12. | Jurisdiction |
The set up, explanation, effectiveness execution and resolution for disputations of this agreement shall be judged by the law of the Peoples' Republic of China.
13. | Resolution for disputations |
If any disputation aroused during the execution of this agreement shall be solved by negotiation, if in vain, both Party A and Party B agree to be arbitrated by the Shenzhen Branch of China Trade Arbitrating Committee for International Economic and Trading.
14. | Change, Annulations |
Unless agreed by both Party A and Party B for the legal change or annulations, this agreement shall not be changed or annulled by either party.
15. | Effectiveness |
This agreement shall become effective since signed by both parties.
16. | Legal effects |
This agreement is made in quadruple that either Party A and Party B shall held 2 copies, each copy are of the same legal effects.
Foremost International Trading Co., Inc
Representative: (Signature), October, 20, 2000
TANGSHAN HUIDA CERAMIC GROUP CO. LTD.
Representative: (Signature), October 20, 2000
Exhibit 10.2
SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT
[●], 2021
This SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) effective as of the date first written above (the “Effective Date”), is by and between FGI Industries, Inc. (“Service Provider”) and Foremost Home Industries, Inc. (“Service Recipient”).
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, Service Recipient desires to contract with Service Provider for the provision of the Services, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual and dependent covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
Effective Date AGREEMENT
1. | Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following definitions: |
“Headcount Ratio” shall mean the total full-time and part-time employees of Service Recipient divided by the total full-time and part-time employees of Service Provider.
“Services” shall mean the service or services set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Service Fee” shall mean, except as identified on the attached Exhibit A, the Total Service Cost multiplied by the Headcount Ratio,payable by the Service Recipient to Service Provider for the provision of the Services.
“Territory” shall mean theUnited States of America.
“Total Service Cost” shall mean the total financial expenses incurred by Service Provider for the provision of Services both to its own full-time and part-time employees in addition to those of Service Recipient, as assessed by Service Provider on a fiscal quarterly basisin accordance with all applicable U.S. GAAP accounting standards.
2. | Description of the Services. Service Provider will provide to Service Recipient all of the Services set forth on Exhibit A (as such exhibit may be amended or supplemented from time to time) as mutually agreed. Notwithstanding the contents of Exhibit A, Service Provider agrees to respond in good faith to any reasonable request by Service Recipient for access to any additional services that are necessary for the operation of the business of Service Recipient and which are not currently contemplated by Exhibit A, at a price to be agreed upon after good faith negotiations between the parties. Any additional services provided shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Service Provider shall have the right to utilize affiliated or third-party subcontractors to provide all or part of any Service hereunder. |
3. | Obligations of Service Provider; Disclaimer. Service Provider will provide qualified personnel who are experienced in rendering the Services and maintain adequate staffing levels to provide Service Recipient with the continual prompt delivery of the Services. Service Provider will carry out the Services in a professional, competent and timely manner. Service Recipient acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement does not create a fiduciary relationship, partnership, joint venture or relationships of trust or agency between the parties and that all Services are provided by Service Provider as an independent contractor. For such time as any employees or independent contractors of Service Provider are providing the Services to Service Recipient under this Agreement, (a) such employees will remain employees of Service Provider and shall not be deemed to be employees or independent contractors of Service Recipient for any purpose, and (b) Service Provider shall be solely responsible for the payment and provision of all wages, fees, bonuses and commissions, employee benefits, including severance and worker's compensation, and the withholding and payment of applicable taxes relating to such employment or provision of contractor services. |
4. | Obligations of Service Recipient; Access. Service Recipient shall provide Service Provider with access to its facilities, books, records and related documents and instructions required by Service Provider to perform the Services. Service Recipient shall pay the Service Fee to Service Provider in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Service Provider agrees that all of its employees and subcontractors, when on the property of Service Recipient or when given access to any equipment, computer, software, network or files owned or controlled by Service Recipient, shall conform to the policies and procedures of Service Recipient concerning health, safety confidentiality and security which are made known to Service Provider in advance in writing. |
5. | Ownership of Intangible Property. As between the parties, all right, title, and interest in the intangibles used in the provision of the Services shall at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of Service Provider. |
6. | Term and Termination of Agreement. |
(a) | This Agreement shall have an initial term of one year from the Effective Date and shall be renewed automatically thereafter for successive one-year periods, unless either party elects not to renew this Agreement upon not less than 60 days written notice prior to the end of any such term or otherwise terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement. |
(b) | Either party may terminate any Service or terminate this Agreement in its entirety at any time for any reason by sending written notice to the other party at least 120 days in advance of the intended date of termination. |
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7. | Payment Terms. |
(a) | Service Fee: As consideration for provision of the Services, Service Recipient shall pay to Service Provider the Service Fee for each Service as specified on the attached Exhibit A. In addition to such amount, in the event that Service Provider incurs reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses in the provision of any Service on behalf of Service Recipient, excluding payments made to employees, independent contractors, officers or directors of Service Provider, Service Recipient shall reimburse Service Provider for all such out-of-pocket expenses. Service Fees include but are not limited to: direct labor costs such as salaries and benefits; indirect overhead such as indirect labor, facilities, depreciation, travel, and other costs incurred in regard to the provision of the Services, as mutually agreed by the parties. Service Fees shall exclude income taxes, interest expense and other related financing charges, government subsidies and other similar amounts. Any costs for which Service Provider seeks reimbursement are subject to production of appropriate receipts by Service Provider and/or verification by Service Recipient. |
(b) | Timing of payments: Service Provider will invoice Service Recipient the actual Service Fee up to 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter. Payment is due 60 days after the invoice date. |
(c) | Provider’s records: Service Provider is committed to keeping good records of services or work performed relating to the Services, as well as cost and expenses incurred, and will provide them to Service Recipient upon request. |
(d) | Price adjustment clause: |
If any taxing authority that has jurisdiction makes or proposes to make any assessment or reassessment to one of the parties to the Agreement with respect to income tax or any other tax based on the fact that the intercompany service charge is greater or less than an arm’s length charge, then the intercompany service charge should be augmented retroactively, in respect of the period assessed.
If the Services performed by Service Provider change significantly in the future, Service Provider and Service Recipient may agree to adjust the Services Fee.
(e) | Taxes: Service Recipient shall be responsible for all sales or use taxes imposed or assessed as a result of the provision of Services by Service Provider. |
(f) | Right of Offset: Service Provider shall have the right to offset any amounts owed (or to become due and owing) to Service Provider by Service Recipient under this Agreement, against any amounts owed (or to become due and owing) by Service Provider to the Service Recipient, whether under this Agreement or otherwise. |
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8. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) | Accounting. The budgeted intercompany service charge allocated to Service Recipient based on the pricing set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto will be recorded in the internal books and records of Service Provider and Service Recipient on a monthly basis. The budgeted intercompany service charge will be adjusted to actual within 30 days of each calendar year end. |
(b) | Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Delaware. Any action or dispute arising out of, based upon or related to this Agreement may only be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the State of Delaware or, if such courts lack jurisdiction, in the courts of the State of Delaware located in the City of Wilmington and County of New Castle, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or dispute. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any action or dispute brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action or dispute in such courts and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or dispute brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION OR DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. |
(c) | Confidentiality. Any information obtained by either party in the course of this Agreement is confidential and proprietary of the disclosing party and shall not be disclosed by the receiving party, except as required by law. No parties to this Agreement shall disclose the terms of this Agreement to any third party without the consent of the other parties, except as required by law or the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any stock exchange or national market system upon which a party’s securities are listed. |
(d) | Indemnities. Service Recipient shall defend, indemnify and hold Service Provider harmless from and against any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of the Services provided by Service Provider. |
(e) | Assignability. No party shall assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. |
(f) | Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term or other provision. |
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(g) | Notice. All notices, reports, invoices and other communications between the parties shall be in writing and sent to the respective parties at the address indicated by each such party to the other parties to this Agreement. |
(h) | Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. |
(i) | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by electronic signature and in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. |
(j) | No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement are intended exclusively for the benefit of Service Provider and Service Recipient. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as giving any other person or entity any right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision hereof. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
FOREMOST HOME INDUSTRIES, INC. | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
FGI INDUSTRIES, INC. | |
Name: | |
Title: |
[Signature Page to Shared Services Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
SERVICES
Description of Service | Service Fees | Location | ||||
1. | Warehouse Space Services | Fixed annual fee of $500,000.00 plus a variable fee of 4% of gross product sales for products stored by Service Recipient in the U.S. Warehouse Space. | Warehouse located at 906 Murray Road, East Hanover, N.J. 07936 | |||
2. | IT System Services | See Section 1, Definitions. | All applicable locations where Service Recipient full-time and part-time employees are located. | |||
3. | HR Services (including, but not limited to the provision of payroll, retirement benefits and insurance administration services) | See Section 1, Definitions. | All applicable locations where Service Recipient full-time and part-time employees are located. | |||
4. | Office Administration Services (including, but not limited to, the provision of space, utilities, and general administrative services) | See Section 1, Definitions. | Office located at 906 Murray Road, East Hanover, N.J. 07936 | |||
5. | Supply Chain Services (including, but not limited to, the provision of inventory management and order processing services) | See Section 1, Definitions. | All applicable locations where Service Recipient full-time and part-time employees are located. |
Exhibit 10.3
SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT
[●], 2021
This SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) effective as of the date first written above (the “Effective Date”), is by and between Foremost Worldwide Co., Ltd. (“Service Provider”) and FGI Industries, Ltd. (“Service Recipient”).
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, Service Recipient desires to contract with Service Provider for the provision of the Services, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual and dependent covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
Effective Date AGREEMENT
1. | Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following definitions: |
“Headcount Ratio” shall mean the total full-time and part-time employees of Service Recipient in the Taipei Office divided by the total full-time and part-time employees of Service Provider in the Taipei Office. |
“Service” shall mean the service or services set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto. |
“Service Fee” shall mean the Total Service Cost multiplied by the Headcount Ratio, payable by the Service Recipient to Service Provider for the provision of such Service. |
“Taipei Office” shall mean the principal office of Service Provider located at Int’l Commerce Bldg. 9F-4, Chang An East Road, Sec. 1, Taipei, Taiwan 10441. |
“Total Service Cost” shall mean the total financial expenses incurred by the Service Provider for the provision of Services in the Taipei Office both to its own full-time and part-time employees in addition to those of Service Recipient, as accounted for by Service Provider on a fiscal quarterly basis in accordance with all applicable International Financial Reporting Standards. |
2. | Description of the Services. Service Provider will provide to Service Recipient all of the Services set forth on Exhibit A (as such exhibit may be amended or supplemented from time to time) as mutually agreed. Notwithstanding the contents of Exhibit A, Service Provider agrees to respond in good faith to any reasonable request by Service Recipient for access to any additional services that are necessary for the operation of the business of Service Recipient and which are not currently contemplated by Exhibit A, at a price to be agreed upon after good faith negotiations between the parties. Any additional services provided shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Service Provider shall have the right to utilize affiliated or third-party subcontractors to provide all or part of any Service hereunder. |
3. | Obligations of Service Provider; Disclaimer. Service Provider will provide qualified personnel who are experienced in rendering the Services and maintain adequate staffing levels to provide Service Recipient with the continual prompt delivery of the Services. Service Provider will carry out the Services in a professional, competent and timely manner. Service Recipient acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement does not create a fiduciary relationship, partnership, joint venture or relationships of trust or agency between the parties and that all Services are provided by Service Provider as an independent contractor. For such time as any employees or independent contractors of Service Provider are providing the Services to Service Recipient under this Agreement, (a) such employees will remain employees of Service Provider and shall not be deemed to be employees or independent contractors of Service Recipient for any purpose, and (b) Service Provider shall be solely responsible for the payment and provision of all wages, fees, bonuses and commissions, employee benefits, including severance and worker's compensation, and the withholding and payment of applicable taxes relating to such employment or provision of contractor services. |
4. | Obligations of Service Recipient; Access. Service Recipient shall provide Service Provider with access to its facilities, books, records and related documents and instructions required by Service Provider to perform the Services. Service Recipient shall pay the Service Fee to Service Provider in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Service Provider agrees that all of its employees and subcontractors, when on the property of Service Recipient or when given access to any equipment, computer, software, network or files owned or controlled by Service Recipient, shall conform to the policies and procedures of Service Recipient concerning health, safety confidentiality and security which are made known to Service Provider in advance in writing. |
5. | Ownership of Intangible Property. As between the parties, all right, title, and interest in the intangibles used in the provision of the Services shall at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of Service Provider. |
6. | Term and Termination of Agreement. |
(a) | This Agreement shall have an initial term of one year from the Effective Date and shall be renewed automatically thereafter for successive one-year periods, unless either party elects not to renew this Agreement upon not less than 60 days written notice prior to the end of any such term or otherwise terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement. |
(b) | Either party may terminate any Service or terminate this Agreement in its entirety at any time for any reason by sending written notice to the other party at least 120 days in advance of the intended date of termination. |
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7. | Payment Terms. |
(a) | Service Fee: As consideration for provision of the Services, Service Recipient shall pay to Service Provider the Service Fee for each Service as specified on the attached Exhibit A. In addition to such amount, in the event that Service Provider incurs reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses in the provision of any Service on behalf of Service Recipient, excluding payments made to employees, independent contractors, officers or directors of Service Provider, Service Recipient shall reimburse Service Provider for all such out-of-pocket expenses. Service Fees include but are not limited to: direct labor costs such as salaries and benefits; indirect overhead such as indirect labor, facilities, depreciation, travel, and other costs incurred in regard to the provision of the Services, as mutually agreed by the parties. Service Fees shall exclude income taxes, interest expense and other related financing charges, government subsidies and other similar amounts. Any costs for which Service Provider seeks reimbursement are subject to production of appropriate receipts by Service Provider and/or verification by Service Recipient. |
(b) | Timing of payments: Service Provider will invoice Service Recipient the actual Service Fee up to 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter. Payment is due 60 days after the invoice date. |
(c) | Provider’s records: Service Provider is committed to keeping good records of services or work performed relating to the Services, as well as cost and expenses incurred, and will provide them to Service Recipient upon request. |
(d) | Price adjustment clause: |
If any taxing authority that has jurisdiction makes or proposes to make any assessment or reassessment to one of the parties to the Agreement with respect to income tax or any other tax based on the fact that the intercompany service charge is greater or less than an arm’s length charge, then the intercompany service charge should be augmented retroactively, in respect of the period assessed. |
If the Services performed by Service Provider change significantly in the future, Service Provider and Service Recipient may agree to adjust the Services Fee. |
(e) | Taxes: Service Recipient shall be responsible for all sales or use taxes imposed or assessed as a result of the provision of Services by Service Provider. |
(f) | Right of Offset: Service Provider shall have the right to offset any amounts owed (or to become due and owing) to Service Provider by Service Recipient under this Agreement, against any amounts owed (or to become due and owing) by Service Provider to the Service Recipient, whether under this Agreement or otherwise. |
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8. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) | Accounting. The budgeted intercompany service charge allocated to Service Recipient based on the pricing set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto will be recorded in the internal books and records of Service Provider and Service Recipient on a monthly basis. The budgeted intercompany service charge will be adjusted to actual within 30 days of each calendar year end. |
(b) | Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Delaware. Any action or dispute arising out of, based upon or related to this Agreement may only be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the State of Delaware or, if such courts lack jurisdiction, in the courts of the State of Delaware located in the City of Wilmington and County of New Castle, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or dispute. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any action or dispute brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action or dispute in such courts and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or dispute brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION OR DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. |
(c) | Confidentiality. Any information obtained by either party in the course of this Agreement is confidential and proprietary of the disclosing party and shall not be disclosed by the receiving party, except as required by law. No parties to this Agreement shall disclose the terms of this Agreement to any third party without the consent of the other parties, except as required by law or the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any stock exchange or national market system upon which a party’s securities are listed. |
(d) | Indemnities. Service Recipient shall defend, indemnify and hold Service Provider harmless from and against any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of the Services provided by Service Provider. |
(e) | Assignability. No party shall assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. |
(f) | Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term or other provision. |
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(g) | Notice. All notices, reports, invoices and other communications between the parties shall be in writing and sent to the respective parties at the address indicated by each such party to the other parties to this Agreement. |
(h) | Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. |
(i) | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by electronic signature and in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. |
(j) | No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement are intended exclusively for the benefit of Service Provider and Service Recipient. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as giving any other person or entity any right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision hereof. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
FOREMOST WORLDWIDE CO., LTD. | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
FGI INDUSTRIES, LTD. | |
Name: | |
Title: |
[Signature Page to Shared Services Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
SERVICES
Description of Service | Service Fees | Location | |
1. | |||
2. | IT System Services | See Section 1, Definitions. | Taipei Office |
3. | HR Services (including, but not limited to the provision of payroll, retirement benefits and insurance administration services) | See Section 1, Definitions. | Taipei Office |
4. | Office Administration Services (including, but not limited to, the provision of space, utilities, and general administrative services) | See Section 1, Definitions. | Taipei Office |
Exhibit 10.4
GLOBAL SOURCING AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This GLOBAL SOURCING AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made this [ ] day of [ ] 2021, by and between Foremost Worldwide Co. Ltd. ("FWW") and FGI Industries, Ltd. ("FGI").
WHEREAS, FWW is engaged in the manufacture, distribution and export of products including, but not limited to, wooden furniture, cabinetry and shower systems for the bath and kitchen markets (hereinafter referred to as "Products");
WHEREAS, FGI is engaged in the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of products including, but not limited to, wooden furniture, cabinetry and shower systems for the bath and kitchen markets and would like to engage FWW as a sourcing agent for its Products; and
WHEREAS, FWW agrees to source and sell Products to FGI on the conditions and terms set out in this agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and releases contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. | Services: |
FGI hereby appoints and FWW agrees to act as FGI’s sourcing agent for the Products on a worldwide basis (hereinafter “Territories”). FWW shall provide FGI with the following services:
a) | FWW shall find, source and/or provide factories/manufacturers for the production of Products specified and requested by FGI, as highlighted under Exhibit A; |
b) | FWW shall negotiate on behalf of FGI the cost of production, prepayments, shipping and any other elements as necessary for the production and delivery of Products specified by FGI either directly to FGI or to FGI’s customers. For the avoidance of doubt, FWW and FGI agree that the terms negotiated by FWW on behalf of FGI are not binding upon FGI unless and until FGI enters into any binding written agreement with the third party; |
c) | FWW shall inspect the merchandise before it is shipped to FGI or destinations required by FGI to ensure the quality, performance, specifications, and quantity of products meet the requirements and standards of FGI which will not be less than industry standard (hereinafter “Quality Control” or “QC”); and |
d) | FWW shall prepare relevant shipping documentation and shipping information to FGI as it pertains to Products that have been approved and ordered by FGI. |
e) | All pricing associated with any manner of services described in this Section shall be invoiced, ordered, or otherwise in the form of United States Dollars (“USD”). |
2. | Representations: |
FWW represents and warrants to FGI that FWW:
a) | is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Hong Kong SAR; |
b) | has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted; |
c) | has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and the execution and consummation of this Agreement shall not violate the charter documents of FWW, or any other commitment or agreement to which FWW is a party; and |
d) | to the best of its knowledge, entry in this Agreement, and its performance hereunder, does not and shall not violate any law, statute or regulation or any contractual obligation of FWW; and (iv) FWW has the requisite skill, competence and resources to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. |
e) | shall not commit any act or do anything which might reasonably be considered: (i) to be immoral, deceptive, scandalous or obscene; or (ii) to injure, tarnish, damage or otherwise negatively affect the reputation and goodwill associated with FGI and any of its affiliates. |
FGI represents and warrants to FWW that FGI:
a) | has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement; |
b) | has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement in accordance with its operating agreement and bylaws; and |
c) | to the best of its knowledge, entry in this Agreement, and its performance hereunder, does not and shall not violate any law, statute or regulation or any contractual obligation of FGI. |
3. | Limitation of Liability and Indemnification: |
FWW agrees to indemnify and hold harmless FGI and its directors, officers, employees and representatives from and against all losses, penalties, damages (but not any punitive damages), liabilities, suits, claims and expenses (including without limitation reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) arising out of or in connection with third party claims against FWW for any breach by FWW of any of its representations, warranties or covenants in this Agreement, provided that FGI gives FWW prompt written notice of all claims and/or suits to which this indemnification applies. Upon notice to FGI that FWW is responsible for the entire third party claim or suit, FWW shall have the option to undertake and solely control the defense and/or settlement of any such third party claim or suit at FWW’S cost and expense. FGI shall cooperate with FWW in the defense of any such claims and/or suits, and both parties shall act to mitigate any damage arising out of or related to such claims and/or suits.
4. | Payment and Commissions: |
a) | FGI agrees to pay FWW a commission for services rendered under this Agreement. The commission rate shall be set forth in Exhibit B for the Products which FWW services for FGI as specified in the Section 1 of this Agreement. This rate will be reviewed and/or revised by FGI and FWW annually. |
b) | All commissions shall be computed on the basis of the "FOB" of the sales (“FOB Sales”) in USD, defined as the quantity sold at the accepted order price, including charges for freight, shipping, taxes, insurance, and minus the application of any prompt payment discounts, other discounts, returns, cost of display, store set up, return freight, and other allowances or bad debts. |
c) | FGI shall not be liable to FWW for any commission upon FOB sales that are lost or delayed for any cause. |
d) | It is agreed by the Parties that FWW shall provide the Product pricing and once confirmed by FGI, that price will be fixed and agreed between FGI and FWW unless a price revision is recognized and confirmed by FGI in writing. FGI shall remit payment to FWW for commission earned within fourteen (14) calendar days after FGI receives the Products. |
e) | FWW shall agree that FGI may deduct payment from its service commission to FWW for any quantity shortage, shipment delay, or incorrect packaging of merchandise until any dispute is resolved. |
f) | In the event that FGI disputes the amount of any commission owed to FWW, FGI shall remit payment to FWW for the undisputed portion of the commission owed to FWW and provide written notice to FWW that it disputes the amount of the commission owed to FWW and the reason for such dispute ("Commission Dispute Notice"). The Parties agree that upon FWW’s receipt of a Commission Dispute Notice, that both Parties shall negotiate in good faith regarding the disputed commission and that FGI shall not be obligated to pay the disputed portion of any commission, or any interest thereon, unless and until FGI and FWW mutually agree to the proper amount of the commission owed by FGI to FWW subject to any agreed-upon adjustments. |
g) | With respect to any special/custom products which may demand more work for FWW in the ordinary course of business (“Specialty Products”), FWW and FGI agree to a negotiate a different commission rate which shall be applied to the Specialty Products without affecting any Products specified under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, written approval by FWW and FGI shall be required to such effectuate any change in commission for Specialty Product orders. |
5. | Term of the Agreement: |
a) | The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of one year commencing on the date of execution of this Agreement (the "Term"). |
b) | Unless terminated within sixty (60) days, this Agreement shall be automatically renewed for an additional Term upon every anniversary day of this Agreement. |
6. | Termination of the Agreement: |
a) | This Agreement may be terminated by either FWW or FGI by giving a written notice to the other party 60 (sixty) days prior to the proposed termination date. |
b) | If FWW enters into a similar Agreement with another party whom FGI deems to be a competitor, FGI retains the right to terminate this Agreement immediately and without notice. |
c) | FGI retains the right to enter into a similar Agreement with another party whom FWW deems to be a competitor. In such an event, FWW maintains the right to the terminate this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of 6a. |
7. | Governing Law: |
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America.
8. | Miscellaneous: |
a) | Exclusive jurisdiction: For the purpose of any action that may be brought in connection with this Agreement, FWW and FGI hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and waive the right to contest the jurisdiction and venue of said court on the ground of inconvenience or otherwise and, further, waive any right to bring any action or proceeding in connection with this agreement in any court other than the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. |
b) | Counterparties: This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and facsimile copies shall be deemed originals for all purposes. |
c) | Notices: All notices that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered by hand or national overnight courier service, sent by facsimile transmission, sent via electronic-mail to a respective Party’s address, or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses designated by either Party hereto. A notice shall be deemed to have been given (i) upon personal delivery, if delivered by hand or courier, (ii) three business days after the date of deposit in the mails, postage prepaid, if mailed by certified or registered mail, or (iii) the next business day if sent by facsimile transmission or electronic mail (if receipt is electronically confirmed). |
d) | Entirety: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. No representation, warranty, promise, inducement or statement of intention has been made by any party that is not embodied in this Agreement or such other documents, and none of the parties shall be bound by, or be liable for, any alleged representation, warranty, promise, inducement or statement of intention not embodied herein or therein. |
e) | Assignments and Successors: This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any person or entity other than the parties hereto or their respective permitted successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party. |
f) | Independent Contractor: FWW is and shall be construed as an independent contractor. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a joint venture, partnership, employee/employer relationship, association or formal or informal business organization by and between the parties. |
g) | Confidentiality: FWW shall maintain strict confidentiality with respect to any and all information, whether in writing, oral or otherwise, concerning FGI or Products developed specifically for FGI or ordered by FGI, with respect to the nature and extent of the mutual business relationship as well as with respect to the commercial and manufacturing secrets of FGI, and shall not make any such information available to third parties, including this Agreement and any of its terms. FWW shall take measures to ensure that its employees also adhere to this confidentiality obligation. FWW hereby acknowledges that any breach or attempted breach of this Section by FWW or its owners, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives shall result in irreparable harm to FGI for which a remedy at law shall be inadequate. In case of any breach or attempted breach of this Section by FWW or its owners, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives, FGI shall be entitled to, in addition to any other remedies to which FGI may be entitled, specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief without the necessity of proof of irreparable harm or posting of bond. |
i) | Amendments: This Agreement may only be amended, varied or supplemented by an instrument in writing, signed by the parties hereto. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these presents have been executed by authorized signatories for and
on behalf of the parties hereto on the day and year first before written.
FOREMOST WORLDWIDE CO. LTD |
FGI INDUSTRIES, LTD. |
Exhibit A
Products sourced by FWW and sold to FGI include:
· | Bath Furnishings: this includes, but is not limited to, vanities, mirrors, cabinetry, shelving and storage products typically produced for the bathroom space. |
· | Kitchen Furnishings: this includes, but is not limited to, cabinetry, shelving and storage products typically produced for the kitchen space. |
Exhibit B
Product Category | Commission Rate |
Bath Furnishings | 2.5% of FOB Sales |
Kitchen Furnishings | 2.5% of FOB Sales |
Exhibit 10.5
SALES & PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This is an AGREEMENT made this [ ] day of [ ] 2021, by and between FGL International, Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "FGII") and Foremost Groups Ltd. (including its various subsidiaries, hereinafter referred to as "FGL").
WHEREAS FGII is engaged in the export of bathroom sanitaryware, home furnishings and other products (hereinafter referred to as "Products" as detailed in Appendix A) and FGL is engaged in the sale of such Products;
WHEREAS FGII desires to sell its Products to FGL and FGL desires to purchase such Products from FGII in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. | Orders |
1.1 | Orders for Products (“Product Orders”) shall be binding once these have been placed by FGL and confirmed by FGII. |
1.2 | Product Orders should only be passed on to subcontractors with the approval of FGL. In such an event FGII shall be liable for the deliveries of its subcontractors in the same manner as if the deliveries were made by itself. FGII shall also be liable for adherence to the provisions of Section 4 - 6. |
2. | Prices and Payment Terms |
2.1 | The prices for Products sold by FGII to FGL are based on an agreed mark-up percentage over and above FGII’s purchase cost of the Products (herein referred to as a “Mark-Up”) as detailed in Appendix A. |
2.2 | In instances where the Mark-Up may not be appropriate, FGL and FGII may negotiate to mutually-acceptable terms. |
2.3 | The payment of the invoices by FGL shall be performed within the payment term(s) specified in the Product Orders or as agreed to between the respective parties. Other terms and conditions of payment, in particular down payments and advance payments, shall be subject to express written agreement. |
3. | Delivery |
3.1 | The agreed delivery deadlines of FGII Products to FGL shall be binding. Should FGII anticipate that delivery within the set deadline is not possible, FGII must notify FGL of the situation without delay, specifying the reasons and the likely duration of the delay (such notification henceforth referred to as “Notification”). |
3.2 | FGL shall be entitled to respond to this Notification by withdrawing from the individual order and reserving the rights to claim damages in the event that the delay is not caused by FGL. Should FGL not respond to the Notification made by FGII, such silence shall not be taken as implicit approval of the postponement of the delivery deadline and/or the waiving of the rights specified under Section 3.2. Should FGII fail to adhere to the agreed delivery deadlines, FGL shall be entitled either to refuse the delayed delivery or to insist upon the delivery being made. |
3.3 | Partial or advance deliveries as well as over or under deliveries shall only be permitted with the express approval of FGL. The deliveries must be performed in the packaging and format required by FGL. |
4. | Guarantees and Defectives |
4.1 | FGII shall guarantee the following to FGL: |
a) | That the delivered Products do not contain any material defects which diminish their value or their suitability for the intended purpose; |
b) | That the delivered Products possess the warranted qualities and the contractually-agreed upon specifications; and |
c) | Furthermore that the delivered Products comply with all relevant regulatory and legal requirements within the relevant jurisdictions within which such Products are sold. |
4.2 | FGL shall generally examine the delivered Products within fourteen (14) days of the delivery (“Inspection Period”) in order to ascertain that Products conform to the expectations of the Product Order. In the event of there being a public holiday, this deadline shall be extended accordingly. Should FGL ascertain defects to the delivered Products (“Defective Products”) during the Inspection Period, FGL shall notify FGII of such fact without delay and shall assert such rights as it is entitled to under this Section. In the case of deliveries made direct to its customers, FGL shall be entitled to cause these checks to be performed prior to dispatch or to delegate these to the customers concerned. |
4.3 | In the event of there being Defective Products, and the quantity of the Defective Products is more than the percentage of defective allowance granted by FGII to FGL, FGL shall be entitled to, within a reasonable amount of time (such time to be determined by both parties and to be referred to as a “Cure Period”): |
A) | request that such Defective Products be replaced by goods of contractual quality within a Cure Period; |
B) | request that the defects be rectified within a Cure Period; or |
C) | demand that the original Product Order be cancelled should FGII be unable to rectify the defects within a Cure Period. |
4.4 | Should FGII fail to render the performances specified under Section 4.3 subsection A or B, FGL shall be entitled, at the expense of FGII, to procure replacement goods from a third-party source or to cause the defects to be rectified by itself or a third party. |
4.5 | In all the cases mentioned under Section 4.3 the right to enforce claims for damages shall remain reserved by FGL. |
4.6 | The conditions of this Section apply to Defective Products which are not discovered during the Inspection Period for up to one (1) year starting from date when the Products were delivered to FGL. |
4.7 | FGII's guarantees under this Section shall extend to cover any and all Products produced and/or delivered by its subcontractors. |
4.8 | Any rejected Products returned to FGII by FGL must be destroyed by FGII. |
5. | Intellectual Property Rights |
5.1 | All intellectual property rights relating to the Products solely developed by FGL or developed in collaboration with FGII exclusively for FGL shall be the exclusive property of FGL. FGII shall not develop, offer or sell any Products that make use of the intellectual property rights belonging to FGL. |
5.2 | FGL shall decide whether its intellectual property rights are to be registered with the responsible authorities. In the event of registration, this shall be performed by FGL, whereby FGII shall, if necessary and through mutual agreement of the parties, provide support. |
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6. | Confidentiality |
FGII shall commit to maintaining confidentiality with respect to Products developed specifically for FGL or ordered by FGL, and shall not make any confidential information available to any third parties. FGII shall take measures to ensure that its employees also adhere to this confidentiality obligation.
7. | Termination of this Agreement |
7.1 | Both parties shall reserve the right to terminate the Agreement upon 90 days of notice to the respective counterparty for any reason whatsoever provided that such notice be provided in the form of either electronic mail or general post; |
7.2 | Cessation of payment by FGL, or the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings against the assets of FGL shall entitle FGII to terminate the business relationship with immediate effect; |
7.3 | FGL shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect should FGII violate terms of Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement |
7.4 | In the event of this Agreement between FGL and FGII being terminated for any reason whatsoever, FGII shall be obliged: |
a) | not in any manner or form to use the brand names or trademarks owned by FGL;· | |
b) | to surrender to FGL all products and intermediary materials still available which have been marked with the brand names or trademarks owned by FGL; or |
c) | at the discretion of FGL to surrender or to destroy the tools, patterns etc. required for the application of FGL’s intellectual property as it relates to the Products covered under this Agreement. |
8. | Term of this Agreement |
The duration of this Agreement shall be one (1) year from the date of signature by both FGL and FGII. This Agreement would however be automatically renewed every year upon the anniversary date of this Agreement if this Agreement is not terminated in accordance with Section 7 of this agreement. The obligations arising out of this Agreement, in particular Section 5 – 7, shall continue to remain in force even after the termination of this Agreement.
9. | Governing Law |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without reference to its conflict of law rules. The parties hereby consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts within New Jersey.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these presents have been executed by authorized signatories for and on behalf of the parties hereto on the day and year first before written.
Foremost Groups, Ltd. | |
FGI International, Ltd. |
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Appendix A
Products | Percentage* | |||
Vitreous China products (toilets, sinks, ceramics, etc) | 2.5 | % |
*Percentage based on a mark-up above and beyond the purchase costs of FGII for the relevant Product to be sold to FGL.
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Exhibit 10.6
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of this FGI Industries Ltd. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide the employees of FGI Industries Ltd. (the “Company”) and its participating subsidiaries with a convenient means of purchasing the Company’s ordinary shares from time to time at a discount to market prices through the use of payroll deductions. The Company intends that the Plan shall qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code.
2. Definitions. The terms defined in this section are used (and capitalized) elsewhere in this Plan.
2.1 “Affiliate” means each domestic or foreign entity that is a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Code Sections 424(e) and 424(f) or any successor provisions.
2.2 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.3 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. For purposes of the Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar statutory provisions.
2.4 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee of non-employee directors appointed by the Board to administer the Plan as provided in Section 13.
2.5 “Company” means FGI Industries Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempt company.
2.6 “Corporate Transaction” means (i) a merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company with or into another corporation, or (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
2.7 “Designated Affiliate” means any Affiliate which has been expressly designated by the Board or Committee as a corporation whose Eligible Employees may participate in the Plan.
2.8 “Eligible Compensation” means the total cash compensation (including wages, salary, commission, bonus, and overtime earnings) paid by the Company or any Affiliate to a Participant in accordance with the Participant’s terms of employment, but shall not include any employer contributions to a 401(k) or other retirement plan, any expense reimbursements or allowances, or any income (whether paid in Shares or cash) realized by the Participant as a result of participation in any equity-based compensation plan of the Company or any Affiliate.
2.9 “Eligible Employee” means any employee of the Company or a Designated Affiliate, except for any employee who, immediately after a right to purchase is granted under the Plan, would be deemed, for purposes of Code Section 423(b)(3), to own stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Offering, the Committee may provide for the exclusion of certain employees within the limitations described in Treasury Regulations §1.423-2(e)(1), (2) and (3).
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2.10 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.11 “Fair Market Value” of an Ordinary Share as of any date means (i) if the Company’s Ordinary Shares are then listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sale price for a Share on such exchange on said date, or, if no sale has been made on such exchange on said date, on the last preceding day on which any sale shall have been made; (ii) if the Company’s Ordinary Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, such value as the Committee in its discretion may in good faith determine. The determination of Fair Market Value shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.1.
2.12 “Offering” means the right provided to Participants to purchase Shares under the Plan with respect to a Purchase Period.
2.13 “Offering Date” means the first Trading Day of a Purchase Period.
2.14 “Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
2.15 “Participant” means an Eligible Employee who has elected to participate in the Plan in the manner set forth in Section 4 and whose participation has not ended pursuant to Section 8.1 or Section 9.
2.16 “Plan” means this FGI Industries Ltd. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
2.17 “Purchase Date” means the last Trading Day of a Purchase Period.
2.18 “Purchase Period” means a period of time (but not to exceed 27 months or such longer period as may be permitted under Code Section 423) commencing on such date as may be established by the Committee under the Plan.
2.19 “Recordkeeping Account” means the account maintained in the books and records of the Company recording the amount contributed to the Plan by each Participant through payroll deductions.
2.20 “Shares” means Ordinary Shares.
2.21 “Trading Day” means a day on which the national stock exchanges in the United States are open for trading.
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3. Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.1, the maximum number of Shares that may be sold by the Company to Eligible Employees under the Plan shall be 500,000 Shares, plus an automatic annual increase in such amount on January 1 of each year beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2031 equal to the lesser of: (i) 1% of the total number of Shares outstanding as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) 300,000 Shares, provided, however, that the Board may determine that any annual increase shall be for a number of Shares that is less than the number of Shares determined by the application of clauses (i) and (ii). If the purchases by all Participants in an Offering would otherwise cause the aggregate number of Shares to be sold under the Plan to exceed the number specified in this Section 3, each Participant in that Offering shall be allocated a ratable portion of the remaining number of Shares which may be sold under the Plan.
4. Eligibility and Participation. To be eligible to participate in the Plan for a given Purchase Period, an employee must be an Eligible Employee on the first day of such Purchase Period. An Eligible Employee may elect to participate in the Plan by filing an election form with the Company before the Offering Date for a Purchase Period that authorizes regular payroll deductions from Eligible Compensation beginning with the first payday in such Purchase Period and continuing until the Plan is terminated or the Eligible Employee withdraws from the Plan, modifies his or her authorization, or ceases to be an Eligible Employee, as hereinafter provided.
5. Amount of Ordinary Shares Each Eligible Employee May Purchase.
5.1 Purchase Amounts and Limitations. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, each Participant shall be offered the right to purchase on the Purchase Date the maximum number of whole Shares that can be purchased with the balance in the Participant’s Recordkeeping Account at the per Share price specified in Section 5.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Participant shall be entitled to:
(a) the right to purchase Shares under this Plan and all other employee stock purchase plans (within the meaning of Code Section 423(b)), if any, of the Company and its Affiliates that accrues at a rate which in the aggregate exceeds $25,000 of Fair Market Value (determined on the Offering Date of a Purchase Period when the right is granted) for each calendar year in which such right is outstanding at any time; or
(b) purchase more than 10,000 Shares in any Offering under this Plan, such limit subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 14.1.
5.2 Purchase Price. Unless a greater purchase price is established by the Committee for an Offering prior to the commencement of the applicable Purchase Period, the purchase price of each Share sold pursuant to this Plan will be the lesser of (i) 85% of the Fair Market Value of such Share on the Offering Date of the applicable Purchase Period, or (ii) 85% of the Fair Market Value of such Share on the Purchase Date.
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6. Method of Participation.
6.1 Notice and Date of Grant. The Company shall give notice to each Eligible Employee of the opportunity to purchase Shares pursuant to this Plan and the terms and conditions of such Offering. The Company contemplates that for tax purposes the Offering Date for a Purchase Period will be considered the date of the grant of the right to purchase such Shares.
6.2 Contribution Elections. Each Eligible Employee who desires to participate in the Plan for a Purchase Period shall signify his or her election to do so by signing and filing with the Company an election form approved by the Committee. An Eligible Employee may elect to have any whole percent of Eligible Compensation (that is, 1%, 2%, 3%, etc.) withheld as a payroll deduction, but not exceeding 15% per pay period (or such other maximum percentage as the Committee may establish from time to time prior to the commencement of an Offering). An election to participate in the Plan and to authorize payroll deductions as described herein must be made before the Offering Date of a Purchase Period, and shall be effective beginning with the first payday in the Purchase Period immediately following the filing of such election form. Any election form submitted shall remain in effect until the Plan is terminated or such Participant withdraws from the Plan, modifies his or her authorization, or ceases to be an Eligible Employee, as hereinafter provided.
6.3 Additional Contributions. If specifically provided by the Committee in connection with an Offering (including for purposes of complying with applicable local law), in addition to or instead of making contributions by payroll deductions, a Participant may make additional contributions to his or her Recordkeeping Account through the payment by cash or check prior to a Purchase Date. A Participant may make such additional contributions into his or her Recordkeeping Account only if the Participant has not already had the maximum permitted amount withheld during the Offering through payroll deductions, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.1.
6.4 Offering Terms and Conditions. Each Offering shall consist of a single Purchase Period and shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate, consistent with the terms of the Plan. The Committee may provide for separate Offerings for different Designated Affiliates, and the terms and conditions of the separate Offerings, including the applicable Purchase Period, need not be consistent. Any Offering shall comply with the requirement of Code Section 423 that all Participants shall have the same rights and privileges for such Offering. The terms and conditions of any Offering shall be incorporated by reference into the Plan and treated as part of the Plan.
7. Recordkeeping Accounts.
7.1 Crediting Payroll Deduction Contributions. The Company shall maintain a Recordkeeping Account for each Participant. Payroll deductions pursuant to Section 6 will be credited to such Recordkeeping Accounts on each payday.
7.2 No Interest Payable. No interest will be credited to a Participant’s Recordkeeping Account (unless required under local law).
7.3 No Segregation of Accounts. The Recordkeeping Account is established solely for accounting purposes, and all amounts credited to the Recordkeeping Account will remain part of the general assets of the Company and need not be segregated from other corporate funds (unless required under local law).
7.4 Additional Contributions. A Participant may not make any separate cash payment into a Recordkeeping Account, except as may be permitted in accordance with Section 6.3, and any such additional contributions will be credited to the Recordkeeping Accounts when received by the Company.
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8. Right to Adjust Participation; Withdrawals from Recordkeeping Account.
8.1 Withdrawal from Plan. A Participant may at any time withdraw from the Plan. If a Participant withdraws from the Plan, the Company will pay to the Participant in cash the entire balance in such Participant’s Recordkeeping Account and no further deductions will be made from the Participant’s Eligible Compensation during such Purchase Period. A Participant who withdraws from the Plan will not be eligible to reenter the Plan until the next succeeding Purchase Period, and any such reentry shall be through the enrollment process described in Section 6.2.
8.2 Adjusting Level of Participation. A Participant may adjust his or her rate of payroll deduction contributions to the Plan as follows:
(a) A Participant may, by written notice, direct the Company to increase or decrease his or her rate of payroll deduction contributions, with such change to be effective as of the first day of the next Purchase Period.
(b) A Participant may, by written notice, direct the Company to decrease his or her rate of payroll deduction contributions for a Purchase Period (including a decrease to 0%) one time during the applicable Purchase Period, with such change to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable. Any Participant who has decreased his or her rate of payroll deductions to 0% and does not increase such rate of payroll deductions from 0% to at least 1% in accordance with Section 8.2(a) prior to the start of the next Purchase Period will be withdrawn from the Plan effective as of the first day of that next Purchase Period.
8.3 Submission of Notices. Notification of a Participant’s election to withdraw from the Plan as provided in Section 8.1 or to change his or her rate of payroll deductions as provided in Section 8.2 shall be made by signing and submitting to the Company an appropriate form for that purpose approved by the Committee. The Committee may promulgate rules regarding the time and manner for submitting any such written notice, which may include a requirement that the notice be on file with the Company’s designated office for a reasonable period before it will be effective.
8.4 Adjustments by Company. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code or Section 5.1 of the Plan, a Participant’s payroll deduction contributions to the Plan may be decreased by the Company to 0% at any time during a Purchase Period.
9. Termination of Employment. If the employment of a Participant is terminated for any reason, including death, disability, or retirement, the entire balance in the Participant’s Recordkeeping Account will be refunded in cash to the Participant within 30 days after the date of termination of employment. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant will not be deemed to have terminated employment while the Participant is on sick leave, military leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days and the Participant’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the ninety-first day of such leave.
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10. Purchase of Shares.
10.1 Number of Shares Purchased. As of each Purchase Date, the balance in each Participant’s Recordkeeping Account will be used to purchase the maximum number of whole Shares (subject to the limitations of Section 5.1) at the purchase price determined in accordance with Section 5.2, unless the Participant has filed an appropriate form with the Company in advance of that date to withdraw from the Plan in accordance with Section 8.1. Any amount remaining in a Participant’s Recordkeeping Account that represents the purchase price for any fractional share will be carried over in the Participant’s Recordkeeping Account to the next Purchase Period. Any amount remaining in a Participant’s Recordkeeping Account that represents the purchase price for any whole Shares that could not be purchased by reason of the limitations of Section 5.1 or under the circumstances described in Section 3 will be refunded to the Participant.
10.2 Conversion of Foreign Currency. In circumstances where payroll deductions have been taken from a Participant’s Eligible Compensation in a currency other than United States dollars, Shares shall be purchased by converting the balance in the Participant’s Recordkeeping Account to United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the fifth Trading Day preceding the Purchase Date, as published by Bloomberg.com if available or otherwise as determined with respect to a particular jurisdiction by the Committee or its delegate for this purpose, and such dollar amount shall be used to purchase Shares as of the Purchase Date.
10.3 Crediting of Shares. Promptly after the end of each Purchase Period, the number of Shares purchased by all Participants as of the applicable Purchase Date shall be issued and delivered to an agent selected by the Company. Delivery of the shares to the agent shall be effected by an appropriate book-entry in the stock register maintained by the Company’s transfer agent or delivery of a certificate. The agent will hold the Shares for the benefit of all Participants who have purchased Shares and will maintain a Share subaccount for each Participant reflecting the number of Shares credited to each Participant. Each Participant will be entitled to direct the voting by the agent of all Shares credited to such Participant’s Share subaccount, and the agent may reinvest any dividends paid on Shares credited to a Participant’s Share subaccount in additional Shares in accordance with such rules as the Committee may prescribe. Each Participant may also direct the agent to sell any or all of the Shares credited to the Participant’s Share subaccount and distribute the net proceeds of such sale to the Participant.
10.4 Withdrawal of Shares from Share Subaccount. Except for sales through the agent as provided in Section 10.3, a Participant may not withdraw Shares from the Participant’s Share subaccount until after the Participant has satisfied the minimum holding period requirements established by Code Section 423(a)(1). Once these holding period requirements have been satisfied with respect to Shares credited to a Participant’s Share subaccount, the Participant may request that the agent transfer any or all of those Shares directly to the Participant or to a brokerage account maintained by the Participant. The agent shall deliver the requested number of whole Shares by the issuance of a stock certificate, the electronic delivery of the Shares to a brokerage account designated by the Participant, or an appropriate book-entry in the stock register maintained by the Company’s transfer agent with a notice of issuance provided to the Participant, and will pay the Participant a cash amount representing the Fair Market Value of any applicable fractional Share withdrawn.
11. Rights as a Shareholder. A Participant shall not be entitled to any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Company with respect to Shares, including the right to vote or direct the voting or to receive any dividends that may be declared by the Company, until (i) the Participant actually has paid the purchase price for such Shares and (ii) certificates for such Shares have been issued either to the agent or to the Participant, as provided in Section 10.3.
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12. Rights Not Transferable. A Participant’s rights under this Plan are exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime, and may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred or disposed of in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to sell, pledge, assign, transfer or dispose of the same shall be void and without effect. The amounts credited to a Recordkeeping Account may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred or disposed of in any way, and any attempted sale, pledge, assignment, transfer or other disposition of such amounts will be void and without effect.
13. Administration of the Plan.
13.1 Authority of the Committee. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to:
(a) Determine when each Purchase Period under this Plan shall occur, and the terms and conditions of each related Offering (which need not be identical);
(b) Designate from time to time which Affiliates of the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan;
(c) Construe and interpret the Plan and establish, amend and revoke rules, regulations and procedures for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may, in the exercise of this power, correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in such manner and to the extent it may deem necessary, desirable or appropriate to make the Plan fully effective;
(d) Exercise such powers and perform such acts as the Committee may deem necessary, desirable or appropriate to promote the best interests of the Company and its Designated Affiliates and to carry out the intent that the Offerings made under the Plan are treated as qualifying under Code Section 423(b);
(e) As more fully described in Section 18, to adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans as may be necessary, desirable or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States by a non-U.S. Designated Affiliate, and to achieve tax, securities law and other compliance objectives in particular locations outside the United States; and
(f) Adopt and amend as the Committee deems appropriate a Plan rule specifying that Shares purchased by a Participant during a Purchase Period may not be sold by the Participant for a specified period of time after the Purchase Date on which the Shares were purchased by the Participant, and establish such procedures as the Committee may deem necessary to implement such rule.
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13.2 Interpretations and Decisions by the Committee. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant and any Eligible Employee.
13.3 Delegation by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee may delegate ministerial duties associated with the administration of the Plan to such of the Company’s officers, employees or agents as the Committee may determine.
13.4 Indemnification. No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or officers or employees of the Company or a Designated Affiliate, members of the Board and Committee and any officers or employees of the Company or Designated Affiliate to whom authority to act for the Committee is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company from and against any and all liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by such persons as a result of any act or omission to act in connection with the performance of such person’s duties, responsibilities and obligations under the Plan if such person has acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believes to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.
14. Changes in Capitalization and Corporate Transactions.
14.1 Adjustments. In the event of any change in the Ordinary Shares of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, corporate separation, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares and the like, the Committee shall make such equitable adjustments as it deems appropriate in the aggregate number and class of Shares or other securities available under this Plan, the Share limitation expressed in Section 5.1(b) of the Plan, and the number, class and purchase price of Shares or other securities subject to purchase under any pending Offering.
14.2 Corporate Transactions. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, each right to acquire Shares on any Purchase Date that is scheduled to occur after the date of the consummation of the Corporate Transaction may be continued or assumed or an equivalent right may be substituted by the surviving or successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation. If such surviving or successor corporation or parent or subsidiary thereof refuses to continue, assume or substitute for such outstanding rights, then the Board may, in its discretion, either terminate the Plan or shorten the Purchase Period then in progress by setting a new Purchase Date for a specified date before the date of the consummation of the Corporate Transaction. Each Participant shall be notified in writing, prior to any new Purchase Date, that the Purchase Date for the existing Offering has been changed to the new Purchase Date and that the Participant’s right to acquire Shares will be exercised automatically on the new Purchase Date unless prior to such date the Participant’s employment has been terminated or the Participant has withdrawn from the Plan. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any Offering and Purchase Period then in progress will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such action, unless otherwise provided by the Board.
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15. Amendment or Suspension of Plan. The Board may at any time suspend this Plan or amend it in any respect, but no such amendment may, without shareholder approval, increase the number of shares reserved under this Plan, increase the rate of automatic annual increase in the number of shares reserved as provided in Section 3, or effect any other change in the Plan that would require shareholder approval under applicable law or regulations or the rules of any securities exchange on which the Shares may then be listed, or to maintain compliance with Code Section 423. No such amendment or suspension shall adversely affect the rights of Participants pursuant to Shares previously acquired under the Plan. During any suspension of the Plan, no new Offering or Purchase Period shall begin and no Eligible Employee shall be offered any new right to purchase Shares under the Plan or any opportunity to elect to participate in the Plan, and any existing payroll deduction authorizations shall be suspended, but any such right to purchase Shares previously granted for a Purchase Period that began prior to the Plan suspension shall remain subject to the other provisions of this Plan and the discretion of the Board and the Committee with respect thereto.
16. Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on [•], 2021, and approved by the shareholders of the Company on [•], 2021. The Plan will become effective on the effective date of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 for the initial public offering of the Ordinary Shares. The Plan and all rights of Participants hereunder shall terminate (i) at any time, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, or (ii) upon the completion of any Offering under which the limitation on the total number of shares to be issued during the entire term of the Plan, as determined in accordance with Section 3 and including the annual increased provided thereby, has been reached. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, upon termination of this Plan, the Company shall pay to each Participant cash in an amount equal to the entire remaining balance in such Participant’s Recordkeeping Account.
17. Governmental Regulations and Listing. All rights granted or to be granted to Eligible Employees under this Plan are expressly subject to all applicable laws and regulations and to the approval of all governmental authorities required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale or transfer of the Shares reserved for this Plan, including, without limitation, there being a current registration statement of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the Shares purchasable on the Purchase Date applicable to such Shares, and if such a registration statement shall not then be effective, the term of such Purchase Period shall be extended until the first Trading Day after the effective date of such a registration statement, or post-effective amendment thereto. If applicable, all such rights hereunder are also similarly subject to effectiveness of an appropriate listing application to a national securities exchange covering the Shares issuable under the Plan upon official notice of issuance.
18. Rules for Foreign Jurisdictions. The Committee may adopt rules, procedures or subplans relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of payroll deductions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, payroll tax, the definition of Eligible Compensation, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates that vary with local requirements.
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19. Miscellaneous.
19.1 Effect on Employment Status. This Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the Company and any Participant, nor shall it interfere with the right of the Company to terminate the employment of any Participant and treat him or her without regard to the effect that such treatment might have upon him or her under this Plan.
19.2 Governing Law. This Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands.
19.3 Electronic Documentation and Signatures. Any reference in the Plan to election or enrollment forms, notices, authorizations or any other document to be provided in writing shall include the provision of any such form, notice, authorization or document by electronic means, including through the Company’s intranet, and any reference in the Plan to the signing of any document shall include the authentication of any such document provided in electronic form, in each case in accordance with procedures established by the Committee.
19.4 Book-Entry and Electronic Transfer of Shares. Any reference in this Plan to the issuance or transfer of a stock certificate evidencing Shares shall be deemed to include, in the Committee’s discretion, the issuance or transfer of such Shares in book-entry or electronic form. Uncertificated Shares shall be deemed delivered for all purposes of this Plan when the Company or its agent shall have provided to the recipient of the Shares a notice of issuance or transfer by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, and have recorded the issuance or transfer in its records.
19.5 Registration of Share Accounts and Certificates. Any Share account contemplated by Section 10.3 and certificate to be issued to a Participant shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or jointly in the name of the Participant and another person, as the Participant may direct on an appropriate form filed with the Company or the agent.
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Exhibit 10.7
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company in attracting, retaining, motivating and rewarding certain key employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates, promoting the creation of long-term value for shareholders of the Company by closely aligning the interests of such individuals with those of such shareholders. The Plan authorizes the award of stock based incentives to selected Service Providers to encourage such persons to expend the maximum effort in the creation of shareholder value.
2. Definitions. In this Plan, the following definitions will apply.
(a) “Affiliate” means any entity that is a Subsidiary of the Company, or any other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least 20% of combined voting power of the entity’s Voting Securities and which is designated by the Committee as covered by the Plan.
(b) “Award” means a grant made under the Plan in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, or an Other Stock-Based Award.
(c) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement, notice or other document containing the terms and conditions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan, including all amendments thereto. An Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) “Cause” means, unless otherwise defined in a then-effective written agreement (including an Award Agreement) between a Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, (i) the Participant’s failure or refusal to perform satisfactorily the duties reasonably required of the Participant by the Company (other than by reason of Disability) in any material respect; (ii) the Participant’s material violation of any law, rule, regulation, or court order, including any commission of or indictment for any crime (whether or not involving the Company or any of its Affiliates); (iii) conduct of the Participant, in connection with their employment or service, that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in material injury to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (iv) a material violation of the policies of the Company or any of its Affiliates applicable to the Participant, including but not limited to, those relating to sexual harassment, the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals or policy statements of the Company or any of its Affiliates or any breach of any fiduciary duty or non-solicitation, non-competition or similar obligation owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates; (v) the Participant’s act(s) of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of their employment or service with the Company and its Affiliates; (vi) misappropriation by the Participant of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (vii) embezzlement or fraud committed by the Participant, at the Participant’s direction or with the Participant’s prior actual knowledge; or (viii) willful neglect in the performance of the Participant’s duties for the Company or any of its Affiliates or willful or repeated failure to perform such duties. If, subsequent to the Participant’s termination of Services for any reason other than Cause it is discovered that the Participant’s Services could have been terminated for Cause, such Participant’s Services shall, at the discretion of the Committee, be deemed to have been terminated for Cause for all purposes under this Plan, and the Participant shall be required to repay to the Company all amounts they received in connection with Awards following such termination of Services that would have been forfeited under the Plan had such termination of Services been by the Company or its Affiliates for Cause. In the event that there is an Award Agreement or other then-effective written agreement between the Company or an Affiliate and a Participant otherwise defining Cause, “Cause” shall have the meaning provided in such agreement, and a termination of Services for Cause hereunder shall not be deemed to have occurred unless all applicable notice and cure periods in such other agreement are complied with.
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(f) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of one of the following:
(i) An Exchange Act Person becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, except that the following will not constitute a Change in Control:
(A) any acquisition of securities of the Company by an Exchange Act Person from the Company for the purpose of providing financing to the Company;
(B) any formation of a Group consisting solely of beneficial owners of the Company’s Voting Securities as of the effective date of this Plan;
(C) any repurchase or other acquisition by the Company of its Voting Securities that causes any Exchange Act Person to become the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the Company’s Voting Securities; or
(D) with respect to any particular Participant, any acquisition of securities of the Company by the Participant, any Group including the Participant, or any entity controlled by the Participant or a Group including the Participant.
If, however, an Exchange Act Person or Group referenced in clause (A), (B) or (C) above acquires beneficial ownership of additional Company Voting Securities after initially becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s Voting Securities by one of the means described in those clauses, then a Change in Control will be deemed to have occurred. Furthermore, a Change in Control will occur if a Person becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the Company’s Voting Securities as the result of a Corporate Transaction only if the Corporate Transaction is itself a Change in Control pursuant to subsection 2(f)(3).
(ii) Individuals who are Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board.
(iii) A Corporate Transaction is consummated, unless, immediately following such Corporate Transaction, all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving or acquiring entity resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including beneficial ownership through any Parent of such entity) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Company’s Voting Securities.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Award constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A, and if that Award provides for a change in the time or form of payment upon a Change in Control, then no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon an event described in this Section 2(f) unless the event would also constitute a change in ownership or effective control of, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of, the Company under Code Section 409A.
(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. For purposes of the Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar statutory provisions.
(h) “Committee” means two or more Non-Employee Directors designated by the Board to administer the Plan under Section 3, each member of which shall be (i) an independent director within the meaning of applicable stock exchange rules and regulations and (ii) a non-employee director within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 16b-3.
(i) “Company” means FGI Industries Ltd, a Cayman Islands exempted company, and any successor thereto.
(j) “Continuing Director” means an individual (i) who is, as of the effective date of the Plan, a director of the Company, or (ii) who becomes a director of the Company after the effective date hereof and whose initial election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors, but excluding, for purposes of this clause (ii), an individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as the result of an actual or threatened proxy contest involving the solicitation of proxies or consents by a person or Group other than the Board, or by reason of an agreement intended to avoid or settle an actual or threatened proxy contest.
(k) “Corporate Transaction” means (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (ii) a merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar transaction involving the Company, regardless of whether the Company is the surviving entity.
(l) “Disability” means (A) any permanent and total disability under any long-term disability plan or policy of the Company or its Affiliates that covers the Participant, or (B) if there is no such long-term disability plan or policy, “total and permanent disability” within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3).
(m) “Employee” means an employee of the Company or an Affiliate.
(n) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time.
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(o) “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of a Share determined as follows:
(i) If the Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market (as determined under Code Section 409A), then Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for a Share on the principal securities market on which it trades on the date for which it is being determined, or if no sale of Shares occurred on that date, on the next preceding date on which a sale of Shares occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or
(ii) If the Shares are not then readily tradable on an established securities market (as determined under Code Section 409A), then Fair Market Value will be determined by the Committee as the result of a reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method that satisfies the requirements of Code Section 409A.
(p) “Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee approves the grant of an Award under the Plan, or such later date as may be specified by the Committee on the date the Committee approves the Award.
(q) “Group” means two or more persons who act, or agree to act together, as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities of the Company.
(r) “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
(s) “Option” means a right granted under the Plan to purchase a specified number of Shares at a specified price. An “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means any Option designated as such and granted in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 422. A “Non-Qualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.
(t) “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award described in Section 11 of this Plan.
(u) “Participant” means a Service Provider to whom a then-outstanding Award has been granted under the Plan.
(v) “Plan” means this FGI Industries Ltd. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and in effect from time to time.
(w) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued to a Participant that are subject to such restrictions on transfer, vesting conditions and other restrictions or limitations as may be set forth in this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
(x) “Service” means the provision of services by a Participant to the Company or any Affiliate in any Service Provider capacity. A Service Provider’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual cessation of providing services to the Company or any Affiliate or upon the entity to which the Service Provider provides services ceasing to be an Affiliate. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that a Subsidiary to whom the Participant provides Services ceases for any reason to be an Affiliate of the Company, the Participant shall be deemed to have had a termination of Services for purposes of the Plan effective as of the date of such cessation. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan or any Award Agreement, Service shall not be deemed terminated in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence; (ii) transfers among the Company and any Affiliates in any Service Provider capacity; or (iii) any change in status so long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or any Affiliate in any Service Provider capacity.
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(y) “Service Provider” means an Employee, a Non-Employee Director, or any natural person who is a consultant or advisor, or is employed by a consultant or advisor retained by the Company or any Affiliate, and who provides services to the Company or any Affiliate.
(z) “Share” means a share of Stock.
(aa) “Stock” means the ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per Share, of the Company.
(bb) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means the right to receive, in cash and/or Shares as determined by the Committee, an amount equal to the appreciation in value of a specified number of Shares between the Grant Date of the SAR and its exercise date.
(cc) “Stock Unit” means a right to receive, in cash and/or Shares as determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of a Share, subject to such restrictions on transfer, vesting conditions and other restrictions or limitations as may be set forth in this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
(dd) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” as defined in Code Section 424(f), of the Company.
(ee) “Substitute Award” means an Award granted upon the assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, outstanding awards granted by a company or other entity acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines. The terms and conditions of a Substitute Award may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan to the extent that the Committee at the time of the grant may deem appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the award in substitution for which it has been granted.
3. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Administration. The authority to control and manage the operations and administration of the Plan shall be vested in the Committee in accordance with this Section 3.
(b) Scope of Authority. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority, in its discretion, to take such actions as it deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan, including:
(1) determining the Service Providers to whom Awards will be granted, the timing of each such Award, the type of and the number of Shares covered by each Award, the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions and other provisions of Awards, and the manner in which Awards are paid or settled;
(2) cancelling or suspending an Award, accelerating the vesting or extending the exercise period of an Award, or otherwise amending the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award, subject to the requirements of Sections 15(d) and 15(e);
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(3) adopting sub-plans or special provisions applicable to Awards, establishing, amending or rescinding rules to administer the Plan, interpreting the Plan and any Award or Award Agreement, reconciling any inconsistency, correcting any defect or supplying an omission in the Plan or any Award Agreement, and making all other determinations necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan;
(4) granting Substitute Awards under the Plan;
(5) taking such actions as are provided in Section 3(c) with respect to Awards to foreign Service Providers; and
(6) requiring or permitting the deferral of the settlement of an Award, and establishing the terms and conditions of any such deferral.
(c) Awards to Foreign Service Providers. The Committee may grant Awards to Service Providers who are located outside of the United States, who are not United States citizens, who are not compensated from a payroll maintained in the United States, or who are otherwise subject to (or could cause the Company to be subject to) legal or regulatory requirements of countries outside of the United States, on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to comply with applicable foreign laws and regulatory requirements and to promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan. In connection therewith, the Committee may establish such subplans and modify exercise procedures and other Plan rules and procedures to the extent such actions are deemed necessary or desirable, and may take any other action that it deems advisable to obtain local regulatory approvals or to comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions.
(d) Acts of the Committee; Delegation. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Committee, and any act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or any act unanimously approved in writing by all members of the Committee shall be the act of the Committee. Any such action of the Committee shall be valid and effective even if one or more members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied all of the criteria for membership in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 2(h). To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law or stock exchange rules, the Committee may delegate all or any portion of its authority under the Plan to any one or more of its members or, as to Awards to Participants who are not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to one or more directors or executive officers of the Company or to a committee of the Board comprised of one or more directors of the Company. The Committee may also delegate non-discretionary administrative responsibilities in connection with the Plan to such other persons as it deems advisable.
(e) Finality of Decisions. The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan and of any Award or Award Agreement made under the Plan and all related decisions or resolutions of the Board or Committee shall be final and binding on all parties with an interest therein.
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(f) Indemnification. Each person who is or has been a member of the Committee or of the Board, and any other person to whom the Committee delegates authority under the Plan, shall be indemnified by the Company, to the maximum extent permitted by law, against liabilities and expenses imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claims against such person by reason of the performance of the individual’s duties under the Plan. This right to indemnification is conditioned upon such person providing the Company an opportunity, at the Company’s expense, to handle and defend the claims before such person undertakes to handle and defend them on such person’s own behalf. The Company will not be required to indemnify any person for any amount paid in settlement of a claim unless the Company has first consented in writing to the settlement. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person or persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise.
4. Shares Available Under the Plan.
(a) Maximum Shares Available. Subject to Sections 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) and to adjustment as provided in Section 12(a), the number of Shares that may be the subject of Awards and issued under the Plan shall be 1,500,000. Shares issued under the Plan may come from authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. In determining the number of Shares to be counted against this share reserve in connection with any Award, the following rules shall apply:
(1) Where the number of Shares subject to an Award is variable on the Grant Date, the number of Shares to be counted against the share reserve shall be the maximum number of Shares that could be received under that particular Award, until such time as it can be determined that only a lesser number of shares could be received.
(2) Shares subject to Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the share reserve, nor shall they reduce the Shares authorized for grant to a Participant in any calendar year.
(3) Awards that may be settled solely in cash shall not be counted against the share reserve, nor shall they reduce the Shares authorized for grant to a Participant in any calendar year.
(b) Effect of Forfeitures and Other Actions. Any Shares subject to an Award that expires, is cancelled or forfeited, is settled for cash or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all of the Shares subject to such Award (including as a result of the settlement in Shares of the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right) shall, to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, cash settlement or non-issuance, again become available for Awards under this Plan, and the share reserve under Section 4(a) shall be correspondingly replenished as provided in Section 4(c) below. In addition, if (i) payment of the exercise price of any Award is made through the tendering (either actually or by attestation) of Shares by the Participant or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, (ii) satisfaction of any tax withholding obligations arising from any Award occurs through the tendering (either actually or by attestation) of Shares by the Participant or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, or (iii) any Shares are repurchased by the Company with proceeds received from the exercise of a stock option issued under this Plan, then the Shares so tendered, withheld or repurchased shall become available for Awards under this Plan and the share reserve under Section 4(a) shall be correspondingly replenished as provided in Section 4(c) below.
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(c) Counting Shares Again Available. Each Share that again becomes available for Awards as provided in Section 4(b) shall correspondingly increase the share reserve under Section 4(a).
(d) Automatic Share Reserve Increase. The share reserve specified in Section 4(a) will be increased on January 1 of each year, for a period of not more than ten years from the date the Plan is approved by the holders of the voting stock of the Company, commencing on January 1, 2022 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2031 in an amount equal to the least of: (i) 4.5% of the total number of Shares outstanding as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year; (ii) 600,000 Shares; or (iii) such number of Shares determined by the Board.
(e) Effect of Plans Operated by Acquired Companies. If a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of ordinary shares of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall supplement the Share reserve under Section 4(a). Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees or Non-Employee Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.
(f) No Fractional Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the number of Shares subject to an Award shall always be a whole number. No fractional Shares may be issued under the Plan, but the Committee may, in its discretion, adopt any rounding convention it deems suitable or pay cash in lieu of any fractional Share in settlement of an Award.
(g) Limits on Awards to Non-Employee Directors. (i) The aggregate value of Awards granted under the Plan to any Participant who is a Non-Employee Director in any calendar year, solely with respect to his or her service as a Non-Employee Director on the Board, may not exceed $500,000, determined based on the aggregate Fair Market Value of such Awards as of the Grant Date; and (ii) the aggregate value of Awards granted under the Plan to any Non-Employee Director in connection with their initial appointment as a Non-Employee Director on the Board may not exceed $500,000, determined based on the aggregate Fair Market Value of such Awards as of the Grant Date, which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be in addition to any Awards granted to such Participant under Sections 4(g)(i).
5. Eligibility. Participation in the Plan is limited to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Employees.
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6. General Terms of Awards.
(a) Award Agreement. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the amount of the Award together with such other terms and conditions applicable to the Award (and not inconsistent with the Plan) as determined by the Committee. If an Award Agreement calls for acceptance by the Participant, the Award evidenced by the Award Agreement will not become effective unless acceptance of the Award Agreement in a manner permitted by the Committee is received by the Company within thirty (30) days of the date the Award Agreement is delivered to the Participant. An Award to a Participant may be made singly or in combination with any form of Award. Two types of Awards may be made in tandem with each other such that the exercise of one type of Award with respect to a number of Shares reduces the number of Shares subject to the related Award by at least an equal amount.
(b) Vesting and Term. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the period until the applicable Award is scheduled to vest and, if applicable, expire (which shall not be more than ten years from the Grant Date), and, consistent with the requirements of this Section 6(b), the applicable vesting conditions and any applicable performance period. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement for such vesting conditions and timing as it may determine.
(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 6(c), (i) during the lifetime of a Participant, only the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative may exercise an Option or SAR, or receive payment with respect to any other Award; and (ii) no Award may be sold, assigned, transferred, exchanged or encumbered, voluntarily or involuntarily, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempted transfer in violation of this Section 6(c) shall be of no effect. The Committee may, however, provide in an Award Agreement or otherwise that an Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option) may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order or may be transferable by gift to any “family member” (as defined in General Instruction A.1(a)(5) to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933) of the Participant. Any Award held by a transferee shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to that Award immediately before the transfer thereof. For purposes of any provision of the Plan relating to notice to a Participant or to acceleration or termination of an Award upon the death or termination of Service of a Participant, the references to “Participant” shall mean the original grantee of an Award and not any transferee.
(d) Designation of Beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Committee, a Participant may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive a payment under any Award that is exercisable or payable on or after the Participant’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form approved by the Company and shall be effective upon its receipt by the Company.
(e) Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement or another then-effective written agreement between a Participant and the Company, and subject to Section 12 of this Plan, if a Participant’s Service with the Company and all of its Affiliates terminates, the following provisions shall apply (in all cases subject to the scheduled expiration of an Option or SAR Award, as applicable):
(1) Upon termination of Service for Cause, or upon conduct during a post-termination exercise period that would constitute Cause, all unexercised Option and SAR Awards and all unvested portions of any other outstanding Awards shall be immediately forfeited without consideration.
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(2) Upon termination of Service for any other reason, all unvested and unexercisable portions of any outstanding Awards shall be immediately forfeited without consideration.
(3) Upon termination of Service for any reason other than Cause, death or Disability, the currently vested and exercisable portions of Option and SAR Awards may be exercised for a period of three months after the date of such termination. However, if a Participant thereafter dies during such three-month period, the vested and exercisable portions of the Option and SAR Awards may be exercised for a period of one year after the date of such termination.
(4) Upon termination of Service due to death or Disability, the currently vested and exercisable portions of Option and SAR Awards may be exercised for a period of one year after the date of such termination.
(f) Rights as Shareholder. No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by an Award unless and until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of the Shares, if any, to which the Award relates.
(g) Performance-Based Awards. Any Award may be granted as a performance-based Award if the Committee establishes one or more measures of corporate, business unit or individual performance which must be attained, and the performance period over which the specified performance is to be attained, as a condition to the grant, vesting, exercisability, lapse of restrictions and/or settlement in cash or Shares of such Award. In connection with any such Award, the Committee shall determine the extent to which performance measures have been attained and other applicable terms and conditions have been satisfied, and the degree to which the grant, vesting, exercisability, lapse of restrictions and/or settlement of such Award has been earned. The Committee shall also have the authority to provide, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, for the modification of a performance period and/or adjustments to or waivers of the achievement of performance goals under specified circumstances such as (i) the occurrence of events that are unusual in nature or infrequently occurring, such as a Change in Control, an equity restructuring (as described in Section 12(a)), acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring activities, recapitalizations, or asset write-downs, (ii) a change in applicable tax laws or accounting principles, or (iii) the Participant’s death or Disability.
(h) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Any dividends or distributions payable with respect to Shares that are subject to the unvested portion of a Restricted Stock Award will be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Shares to which such dividends or distributions relate. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in an Award Agreement for a Stock Unit Award or an Other Stock-Based Award that the Participant will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, based on dividends actually declared and paid on outstanding Shares, on the units or other Share equivalents subject to the Stock Unit Award or Other Stock-Based Award, and such dividend equivalents will be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the units or other Share equivalents to which such dividend equivalents relate. The additional terms of any such dividend equivalents will be as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, including the time and form of payment and whether such dividend equivalents will be credited with interest or deemed to be reinvested in additional units or Share equivalents. Any Shares issued or issuable during the term of this Plan as the result of the reinvestment of dividends or the deemed reinvestment of dividend equivalents in connection with an Award shall be counted against, and replenish upon any subsequent forfeiture, the Plan’s share reserve as provided in Section 4.
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(i) Deferrals of Full Value Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, permit or require the deferral by a Participant of the issuance of Shares or payment of cash in settlement of any Award, subject to such terms, conditions, rules and procedures as it may establish or prescribe for such purpose and with the intention of complying with the applicable requirements of Code Section 409A. The terms, conditions, rules and procedures for any such deferral shall be set forth in writing in the relevant Award Agreement or in such other agreement, plan or document as the Committee may determine. The terms, conditions, rules and procedures for any such deferral shall address, to the extent relevant, matters such as: (i) the amount of compensation that may or must be deferred (or the method for calculating the amount); (ii) the permissible time(s) and form(s) of payment of deferred amounts; (iii) the terms and conditions of any deferral elections by a Participant or of any deferral required by the Company; and (iv) the crediting of interest or dividend equivalents on deferred amounts. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, to the extent that any such deferral is effected in accordance with a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, the Share equivalents credited to any such plan account of a Participant shall be deemed Stock Units for purposes of this Plan, and, if settled in Shares, such Shares shall be drawn from and charged against this Plan’s share reserve.
7. Stock Option Awards.
(a) Type and Exercise Price. The Award Agreement pursuant to which an Option Award is granted shall specify whether the Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. The exercise price at which each Share subject to an Option Award may be purchased shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date, except in the case of Substitute Awards (to the extent consistent with Code Section 409A and, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, Code Section 424).
(b) Payment of Exercise Price. The purchase price of the Shares with respect to which an Option Award is exercised shall be payable in full at the time of exercise. The purchase price may be paid in cash or in such other manner as the Committee may permit, including by payment under a broker-assisted sale and remittance program, by withholding Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon exercise of the Option or by delivery to the Company of Shares (by actual delivery or attestation) already owned by the Participant (in either case, such Shares having a Fair Market Value as of the date the Option is exercised equal to the purchase price of the Shares being purchased).
(c) Exercisability and Expiration. Each Option Award shall be exercisable in whole or in part on the terms provided in the Award Agreement. No Option Award shall be exercisable at any time after its scheduled expiration. When an Option Award is no longer exercisable, it shall be deemed to have terminated.
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(d) Incentive Stock Options.
(1) An Option Award will constitute an Incentive Stock Option Award only if the Participant receiving the Option Award is an Employee, and only to the extent that (i) it is so designated in the applicable Award Agreement and (ii) the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Option Award’s Grant Date) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Option Awards held by the Participant first become exercisable in any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and its Affiliates) does not exceed $100,000 or such other amount specified by the Code. To the extent an Option Award granted to a Participant exceeds this limit, the Option Award shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option Award. The maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Option Awards under the Plan shall be 1,000,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12(a).
(2) No Participant may receive an Incentive Stock Option Award under the Plan if, immediately after the grant of such Award, the Participant would own (after application of the rules contained in Code Section 424(d)) Shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined Voting Power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, unless (i) the per Share exercise price for such Award is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date and (ii) such Award will expire no later than five years after its Grant Date.
(3) For purposes of continued Service by a Participant who has been granted an Incentive Stock Option Award, no approved leave of absence may exceed three months unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is provided by statute or contract. If reemployment is not so provided, then on the date six months following the first day of such leave, any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(4) If an Incentive Stock Option Award is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods that apply for purposes of Code Section 422, such Option shall thereafter be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(5) The Award Agreement covering an Incentive Stock Option Award shall contain such other terms and provisions that the Committee determines necessary to qualify the Option Award as an Incentive Stock Option Award.
8. Stock Appreciation Right Awards.
(a) Nature of Award. An Award of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as are determined by the Committee, and shall provide a Participant the right to receive upon exercise of the SAR Award all or a portion of the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise of the SAR Award of the number of Shares as to which the SAR Award is being exercised, over (ii) the aggregate exercise price for such number of Shares. The per Share exercise price for any SAR Award shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date, except in the case of Substitute Awards (to the extent consistent with Code Section 409A).
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(b) Exercise of SAR. Each SAR Award may be exercisable in whole or in part at the times, on the terms and in the manner provided in the Award Agreement. No SAR Award shall be exercisable at any time after its scheduled expiration. When a SAR Award is no longer exercisable, it shall be deemed to have terminated. Upon exercise of a SAR Award, payment to the Participant shall be made at such time or times as shall be provided in the Award Agreement in the form of cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement may provide for a limitation upon the amount or percentage of the total appreciation on which payment (whether in cash and/or Shares) may be made in the event of the exercise of a SAR Award.
9. Restricted Stock Awards.
(a) Vesting and Consideration. Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to vesting and the lapse of applicable restrictions based on such conditions or factors and occurring over such period of time as the Committee may determine in its discretion. The Committee may provide whether any consideration other than Services must be received by the Company or any Affiliate as a condition precedent to the grant of a Restricted Stock Award, and may correspondingly provide for Company reacquisition or repurchase rights if such additional consideration has been required and some or all of a Restricted Stock Award does not vest.
(b) Shares Subject to Restricted Stock Awards. Unvested Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by a book-entry in the name of the Participant with the Company’s transfer agent or by one or more Stock certificates issued in the name of the Participant. Any such Stock certificate shall be deposited with the Company or its designee, together with an assignment separate from the certificate, in blank, signed by the Participant, and bear an appropriate legend referring to the restricted nature of the Restricted Stock evidenced thereby. Any book-entry shall be subject to comparable restrictions and corresponding stop transfer instructions. Upon the vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock, and the Company’s determination that any necessary conditions precedent to the release of vested Shares (such as satisfaction of tax withholding obligations and compliance with applicable legal requirements) have been satisfied, such vested Shares shall be made available to the Participant in such manner as may be prescribed or permitted by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or an applicable Award Agreement, a Participant with a Restricted Stock Award shall have all the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the Shares of Restricted Stock.
10. Stock Unit Awards.
(a) Vesting and Consideration. A Stock Unit Award shall be subject to vesting and the lapse of applicable restrictions based on such conditions or factors and occurring over such period of time as the Committee may determine in its discretion. If vesting of a Stock Unit Award is conditioned on the achievement of specified performance goals, the extent to which they are achieved over the specified performance period shall determine the number of Stock Units that will be earned and eligible to vest, which may be greater or less than the target number of Stock Units stated in the Award Agreement. The Committee may provide whether any consideration other than Services must be received by the Company or any Affiliate as a condition precedent to the settlement of a Stock Unit Award.
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(b) Settlement of Award. Following the vesting of a Stock Unit Award, and the Company’s determination that any necessary conditions precedent to the settlement of the Award (such as satisfaction of tax withholding obligations and compliance with applicable legal requirements) have been satisfied, settlement of the Award and payment to the Participant shall be made at such time or times in the form of cash, Shares (which may themselves be considered Restricted Stock under the Plan) or a combination of cash and Shares as determined by the Committee.
11. Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may from time to time grant Shares and other Awards that are valued by reference to and/or payable in whole or in part in Shares under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards, which shall be consistent with the terms and purposes of the Plan. The Committee may direct the Company to issue Shares subject to restrictive legends and/or stop transfer instructions that are consistent with the terms and conditions of the Award to which the Shares relate.
12. Changes in Capitalization, Corporate Transactions, Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of FASB ASC Topic 718) that causes the per share value of Shares to change, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, rights offering or recapitalization through an extraordinary dividend, the Committee shall make such adjustments as it deems equitable and appropriate to (i) the aggregate number and kind of Shares or other securities issued or reserved for issuance under the Plan, (ii) the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards, (iii) the exercise price of outstanding Options and SARs, and (iv) any maximum limitations prescribed by the Plan with respect to certain types of Awards or the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, including a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or partial or complete liquidation of the Company, such equitable adjustments described in the foregoing sentence may be made as determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights of Participants. In either case, any such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of the Plan. No adjustment shall be made pursuant to this Section 12(a) in connection with the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company, or in a manner that would cause Incentive Stock Options to violate Section 422(b) of the Code or cause an Award to be subject to adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code.
(b) Corporate Transactions. Unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement or another written agreement between a Participant and the Company, the following provisions shall apply to outstanding Awards in the event of a Change in Control that involves a Corporate Transaction.
(1) Continuation, Assumption or Replacement of Awards. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then the surviving or successor entity (or its Parent) may continue, assume or replace Awards outstanding as of the date of the Corporate Transaction (with such adjustments as may be required or permitted by Section 12(a)), and such Awards or replacements therefor shall remain outstanding and be governed by their respective terms, subject to Section 12(b)(4) below. A surviving or successor entity may elect to continue, assume or replace only some Awards or portions of Awards. For purposes of this Section 12(b)(1), an Award shall be considered assumed or replaced if, in connection with the Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A (and Code Section 424 if the Award is an ISO), either (i) the contractual obligations represented by the Award are expressly assumed by the surviving or successor entity (or its Parent) with appropriate adjustments to the number and type of securities subject to the Award and the exercise price thereof that preserves the intrinsic value of the Award existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction, or (ii) the Participant has received a comparable award that preserves the intrinsic value of the Award existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction and contains terms and conditions that are substantially similar to those of the Award.
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(2) Acceleration. If and to the extent that outstanding Awards under the Plan are not continued, assumed or replaced in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then (i) all outstanding Option and SAR Awards shall become fully vested and exercisable for such period of time prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction as is deemed fair and equitable by the Committee, and shall terminate at the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and (ii) all outstanding Awards (other than Options and SAR Awards) shall fully vest immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and (iii) to the extent vesting of any Award is subject to satisfaction of specified performance goals, such Award shall be deemed “fully vested” for purposes of this Section 12(b)(2) if the performance goals are deemed to have been satisfied at the target level of performance and the vested portion of the Award at that level of performance is proportionate to the portion of the performance period that has elapsed as of the effective time of the Corporate Transaction. The Committee shall provide written notice of the period of accelerated exercisability of Option and SAR Awards to all affected Participants. The exercise of any Option or SAR Award whose exercisability is accelerated as provided in this Section 12(b)(2) shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Corporate Transaction and shall be effective only immediately before such consummation.
(3) Payment for Awards. If and to the extent that outstanding Awards under the Plan are not continued, assumed or replaced in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then the Committee may provide that some or all of such outstanding Awards shall be canceled at or immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction in exchange for payments to the holders as provided in this Section 12(b)(3). The Committee will not be required to treat all Awards similarly for purposes of this Section 12(b)(3). The payment for any Award canceled shall be in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Committee) of the consideration that would otherwise be received in the Corporate Transaction for the number of Shares subject to the Award, and (ii) the aggregate exercise price (if any) for the Shares subject to such Award. If the amount determined pursuant to the preceding sentence is not a positive number with respect to any Award, such Award may be canceled pursuant to this Section 12(b)(3) without payment of any kind to the affected Participant. With respect to an Award whose vesting is subject to the satisfaction of specified performance goals, the number of Shares subject to such an Award for purposes of this Section 12(b)(3) shall be the number of Shares as to which the Award would have been deemed “fully vested” for purposes of Section 12(b)(2). Payment of any amount under this Section 12(b)(3) shall be made in such form, on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Committee determines in its discretion, which may or may not be the same as the form, terms and conditions applicable to payments to the Company’s shareholders in connection with the Corporate Transaction, and may, in the Committee’s discretion, include subjecting such payments to vesting conditions comparable to those of the Award canceled, subjecting such payments to escrow or holdback terms comparable to those imposed upon the Company’s shareholders under the Corporate Transaction, or calculating and paying the present value of payments that would otherwise be subject to escrow or holdback terms.
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(4) Termination after a Corporate Transaction. If and to the extent that Awards are continued, assumed or replaced under the circumstances described in Section 12(b)(1), and if within twenty-four months after the Corporate Transaction a Participant experiences an involuntary termination of Service for reasons other than Cause, then (i) outstanding Option and SAR Awards issued to the Participant that are not yet fully exercisable shall immediately become exercisable in full and shall remain exercisable for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment, and (ii) any equity-based awards other than Options and SAR Awards that are not yet fully vested shall immediately vest in full (with vesting in full for a performance-based award determined as provided in Section 12(b)(2), except that the proportionate vesting amount will be determined with respect to the portion of the performance period during which the Participant was a Service Provider).
(c) Other Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control that does not involve a Corporate Transaction, the Committee may, in its discretion, take such action as it deems appropriate with respect to outstanding Awards, which may include: (i) providing for the cancellation of any Award in exchange for payments in a manner similar to that provided in Section 12(b)(3) or (ii) making such adjustments to the Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control, which may include the acceleration of vesting in full or in part. The Committee will not be required to treat all Awards similarly in such circumstances, and may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award Agreement as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company.
(d) Dissolution or Liquidation. Unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(e) Parachute Payment Limitation.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any other plan, arrangement or agreement to the contrary, if any of the payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or its Affiliates to a Participant or for the Participant’s benefit pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise (“Covered Payments”) constitute parachute payments (“Parachute Payments”) within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and would, but for this Section 12(e) be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law and any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (collectively, the “Excise Tax”), then the Covered Payments shall be payable either (i) in full or (ii) reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) results in the Participant’s receipt on an after-tax basis of the greatest amount of payments and benefits after taking into account the applicable federal, state, local and foreign income, employment and excise taxes (including the Excise Tax).
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(2) Any such reduction shall be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the following: (i) the Covered Payments which do not constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be reduced first, and (ii) Covered Payments that are cash payments shall be reduced before non-cash payments, and Covered Payments to be made on a later payment date shall be reduced before payments to be made on an earlier payment date.
(3) If, notwithstanding the initial application of this Section 12(e), the Internal Revenue Service determines that any Covered Payment constitutes an “excess parachute payment” (as defined by Section 280G(b) of the Code), this Section 12(e) will be reapplied based on the Internal Revenue Service’s determination, and the Participant will be required to promptly repay the portion of the Covered Payments required to avoid imposition of the Excise Tax together with interest at the applicable federal rate (as defined in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code) from the date of the Participant’s receipt of the excess payments until the date of repayment).
(4) Any determination required under this Section 12(e) shall be made in writing in good faith by the accounting firm which was the Company’s independent auditor immediately before the Change in Control (the “Accountants”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the Company and the Participant as requested by the Company or the Participant. The Company and the Participant shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 12(e). The Company shall be responsible for all fees and expenses of the Accountants.
13. Plan Participation and Service Provider Status. Status as a Service Provider shall not be construed as a commitment that any Award will be made under the Plan to that Service Provider or to eligible Service Providers generally. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award Agreement or related documents shall confer upon any Service Provider or Participant any right to continued Service with the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall it interfere with or limit in any way any right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the person’s Service at any time with or without Cause or change such person’s compensation, other benefits, job responsibilities or title.
14. Tax Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate, as applicable, shall have the right to (i) withhold from any cash payment under the Plan or any other compensation owed to a Participant an amount sufficient to cover any required withholding taxes related to the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of an Award, and (ii) require a Participant or other person receiving Shares under the Plan to pay a cash amount sufficient to cover any required withholding taxes before actual receipt of those Shares. In lieu of all or any part of a cash payment from a person receiving Shares under the Plan, the Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy all or any part of the required tax withholding obligations (but not to exceed the maximum individual statutory tax rate in each applicable jurisdiction) by authorizing the Company to withhold a number of the Shares that would otherwise be delivered to the Participant pursuant to the Award, or by transferring to the Company Shares already owned by the Participant, with the Shares so withheld or delivered having a Fair Market Value on the date the taxes are required to be withheld equal to the amount of taxes to be withheld.
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15. Effective Date, Duration, Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Effective Date. The Plan was adopted by the Board on September 28, 2021 and approved by the Company’s shareholders on September 28, 2021 (the “Effective Date”).
(b) Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall remain in effect until all Shares subject to it are distributed, all Awards have expired or terminated, the Plan is terminated pursuant to Section 15(c), or the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date of the Plan, whichever occurs first (the “Termination Date”). Awards made before the Termination Date shall continue to be outstanding in accordance with their terms and the terms of the Plan unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreements.
(c) Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may at any time terminate, suspend or amend the Plan. The Company shall submit any amendment of the Plan to its shareholders for approval only to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or the rules of any securities exchange on which the Shares may then be listed. No termination, suspension, or amendment of the Plan may materially impair the rights of any Participant under a previously granted Award without the Participant’s consent, unless such action is necessary to comply with applicable law or stock exchange rules.
(d) Amendment of Awards. Subject to Section 15(e), the Committee may unilaterally amend the terms of any Award Agreement evidencing an Award previously granted, except that no such amendment may materially impair the rights of any Participant under the applicable Award without the Participant’s consent, unless such amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law or stock exchange rules or any compensation recovery policy as provided in Section 16(i).
(e) No Option or SAR Repricing. Except as provided in Section 12(a), no Option or Stock Appreciation Right Award granted under the Plan may be (i) amended to decrease the exercise price thereof, (ii) cancelled in conjunction with the grant of any new Option or Stock Appreciation Right Award with a lower exercise price, (iii) cancelled in exchange for cash, other property or the grant of any Full Value Award at a time when the per share exercise price of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right Award is greater than the current Fair Market Value of a Share, or (iv) otherwise subject to any action that would be treated under accounting rules as a “repricing” of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right Award, unless such action is first approved by the Company’s shareholders.
16. Other Provisions.
(a) Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under the Plan. Neither the Company, its Affiliates, the Committee, nor the Board shall be deemed to be a trustee of any amounts to be paid under the Plan nor shall anything contained in the Plan or any action taken pursuant to its provisions create or be construed to create a fiduciary relationship between the Company and/or its Affiliates, and a Participant. To the extent any person has or acquires a right to receive a payment in connection with an Award under the Plan, this right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.
(b) Limits of Liability. Except as may be required by law, neither the Company nor any member of the Board or of the Committee, nor any other person participating (including participation pursuant to a delegation of authority under Section 3(c) of the Plan) in any determination of any question under the Plan, or in the interpretation, administration or application of the Plan, shall have any liability to any party for any action taken, or not taken, in good faith under the Plan.
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(c) Compliance with Applicable Legal Requirements and Company Policies. No Shares distributable pursuant to the Plan shall be issued and delivered unless and until the issuance of the Shares complies with all applicable legal requirements, including compliance with the provisions of applicable state and federal securities laws, and the requirements of any securities exchanges on which the Company’s Shares may, at the time, be listed. During any period in which the offering and issuance of Shares under the Plan is not registered under federal or state securities laws, Participants shall acknowledge that they are acquiring Shares under the Plan for investment purposes and not for resale, and that Shares may not be transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement under, or an exemption from the registration requirements of, such securities laws. Any stock certificate or book-entry evidencing Shares issued under the Plan that are subject to securities law restrictions shall bear or be accompanied by an appropriate restrictive legend or stop transfer instruction. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the acquisition, holding or disposition of Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan shall in all events be subject to compliance with applicable Company policies, including those relating to insider trading, pledging or hedging transactions, minimum post-vesting holding periods and stock ownership guidelines, and to forfeiture or recovery of compensation as provided in Section 16(i).
(d) Other Benefit and Compensation Programs. Payments and other benefits received by a Participant under an Award made pursuant to the Plan shall not be deemed a part of a Participant’s regular, recurring compensation for purposes of the termination, indemnity or severance pay laws of any country and shall not be included in, nor have any effect on, the determination of benefits under any other employee benefit plan, contract or similar arrangement provided by the Company or an Affiliate unless expressly so provided by such other plan, contract or arrangement, or unless the Committee expressly determines that an Award or portion of an Award should be included to accurately reflect competitive compensation practices or to recognize that an Award has been made in lieu of a portion of competitive cash compensation.
(e) Governing Law. To the extent that federal laws do not otherwise control, the Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant to the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands without regard to its conflicts-of-law principles and shall be construed accordingly.
(f) Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
(g) Code Section 409A. It is intended that (i) all Awards of Options, SARs and Restricted Stock under the Plan will not provide for the deferral of compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A and thereby be exempt from Code Section 409A, and (ii) all other Awards under the Plan will either not provide for the deferral of compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A, or will comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and Awards shall be structured and the Plan administered and interpreted in accordance with this intent. The Plan and any Award Agreement may be unilaterally amended by the Company in any manner deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee or Board in order to maintain such exemption from or compliance with Code Section 409A, and any such amendment shall conclusively be presumed to be necessary to comply with applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award agreement, with respect to any Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A:
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(1) If any amount is payable under such Award upon a termination of Service, a termination of Service will be deemed to have occurred only at such time as the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” as such term is defined for purposes of Code Section 409A;
(2) If any amount shall be payable with respect to any such Award as a result of a Participant’s “separation from service” at such time as the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then no payment shall be made, except as permitted under Code Section 409A, prior to the first business day after the earlier of (i) the date that is six months after the Participant’s separation from service or (ii) the Participant’s death. Unless the Committee has adopted a specified employee identification policy as contemplated by Code Section 409A, specified employees will be identified in accordance with the default provisions specified under Code Section 409A.
None of the Company, the Board, the Committee nor any other person involved with the administration of this Plan shall (i) in any way be responsible for ensuring the exemption of any Award from, or compliance by any Award with, the requirements of Code Section 409A, (ii) have any obligation to design or administer the Plan or Awards granted thereunder in a manner that minimizes a Participant’s tax liabilities, including the avoidance of any additional tax liabilities under Code Section 409A, and (iii) shall have any liability to any Participant for any such tax liabilities.
(h) Rule 16b-3. It is intended that the Plan and all Awards granted pursuant to it shall be administered by the Committee so as to permit the Plan and Awards to comply with Exchange Act Rule 16b-3. If any provision of the Plan or of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 16(h), that provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and deemed amended in the manner determined by the Committee so as to avoid the conflict. To the extent of any remaining irreconcilable conflict with this intent, the provision shall be deemed void as applied to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent permitted by law and in the manner deemed advisable by the Committee.
(i) Forfeiture and Compensation Recovery. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or provided in an Award Agreement, all Awards granted under the Plan shall be and remain subject to any incentive compensation or clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect, as may be adopted by the Board or as may be required by applicable law, and, in each case, as may be amended from time to time. No such policy, adoption or amendment shall in any event required the prior consent of any Participant, and any Award Agreement may be unilaterally amended by the Committee to comply with any such compensation, clawback or recoupment policy. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
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(j) Data Privacy. As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this subsection by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company and its Subsidiaries held by such Participant, and details of all Awards (the “Data”). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of a Participant’s participation in the Plan, the Company and each of its Affiliates may transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participant’s country or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country and any given recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and such Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participant’s eligibility to participate in the Plan, and, in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
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Exhibit 10.8
FGI Industries, Ltd.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
FGI Industries, Ltd. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants an award of Restricted Stock Units to you, the Participant named below. The terms and conditions of this Award are set forth in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), consisting of this cover page and the Terms and Conditions on the following pages, and in the Plan document, a copy of which has been provided to you. Any capitalized term that is used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Plan as it currently exists or as it is amended in the future.
By signing below or otherwise evidencing your acceptance of this Agreement in a manner approved by the Company, you agree to all of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the Plan document. You acknowledge that you have received and reviewed these documents and that they set forth the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding this Award of Restricted Stock Units. If you fail to sign or accept this Agreement by ____________, 20__, this Award shall be void and of no further force or effect.
PARTICIPANT: | FGI Industries, Ltd. | |
By: | ||
Title: |
FGI Industries, Ltd.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
Terms and Conditions
1. Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby confirms the grant to you, as of the Grant Date and subject to the terms and conditions in this Agreement and the Plan, of the number of Restricted Stock Units specified on the cover page of this Agreement (the “Units”). Each Unit represents the right to receive one Share of the Company’s ordinary shares. Prior to their settlement or forfeiture in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Units granted to you will be credited to an account in your name maintained by the Company. This account shall be unfunded and maintained for book-keeping purposes only, with the Units simply representing an unfunded and unsecured contingent obligation of the Company.
2. Restrictions Applicable to Units. Neither this Award nor the Units subject to this Award may be sold, assigned, transferred, exchanged or encumbered, voluntarily or involuntarily, other than a transfer upon your death in accordance with your will, by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a beneficiary designation submitted in accordance with Section 6(d) of the Plan. Following any such transfer, this Award shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to this Award immediately prior to its transfer. Any attempted transfer in violation of this Section 2 shall be void and without effect. The Units and your right to receive Shares in settlement of the Units under this Agreement shall be subject to forfeiture as provided in Section 5 until satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth in Section 4.
3. No Shareholder Rights. The Units subject to this Award do not entitle you to any rights of a holder of the Company’s ordinary shares. You will not have any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company (including without limitation any rights to dividends or dividend equivalents) in connection with the grant or holding of Units subject to this Agreement unless and until Shares are issued to you upon settlement of the Units as provided in Section 6.
4. Vesting of Units. For purposes of this Agreement, “Vesting Date” means any date, including the Scheduled Vesting Dates specified in the Vesting Schedule on the cover page of this Agreement, on which Units subject to this Agreement vest as provided in this Section 4.
(a) Scheduled Vesting. If you remain a Service Provider continuously from the Grant Date specified on the cover page of this Agreement, then the Units will vest in the amounts and on the Scheduled Vesting Date specified in the Vesting Schedule.
(b) Accelerated or Continued Vesting. The vesting of your outstanding Units will be accelerated in full upon a Change in Control in which you cease to be a Service Provider. In addition, the vesting of your outstanding Units will be accelerated in full immediately prior to the effective time of a Corporate Transaction that constitutes a Change in Control if this Award is not continued, assumed or replaced in connection with such Change in Control. For purposes of this Section 4(b)(3), this Award will be considered assumed or replaced under the circumstances specified in Section 12(b)(1) of the Plan.
5. Effect of Termination of Service. Except as otherwise provided in accordance with Section 4(b) above, if you cease to be a Service Provider, you will forfeit all unvested Units.
6. Settlement of Units. After any Units vest pursuant to Section 4, the Company shall, as soon as practicable (but no later than the 15th day of the third calendar month following the Vesting Date), cause to be issued and delivered to you (or to your personal representative or your designated beneficiary or estate in the event of your death, as applicable) one Share in payment and settlement of each vested Unit. Delivery of the Shares shall be effected by the issuance of a stock certificate to you, by an appropriate entry in the stock register maintained by the Company’s transfer agent with a notice of issuance provided to you, or by the electronic delivery of the Shares to a brokerage account you designate, and shall be subject to the tax withholding provisions of Section 8 and compliance with all applicable legal requirements as provided in Section 17(c) of the Plan, and shall be in complete satisfaction and settlement of such vested Units. The Company will pay any original issue or transfer taxes with respect to the issue and transfer of Shares to you pursuant to this Agreement, and all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection therewith. If the Units that vest include a fractional Unit, the Company shall round the number of vested Units to the nearest whole Unit prior to issuance of Shares as provided herein.
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7. Tax Consequences and Withholding. In the event that the Company is required to withhold for federal, state or local taxes in connection with the settlement of the Units, no Shares will be delivered to you in settlement of vested Units unless you have made arrangements acceptable to the Company for payment of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the delivery of the Shares. You hereby authorize the Company (or any Affiliate) to withhold from payroll or other amounts payable to you any sums required to satisfy such withholding tax obligations, and otherwise agree to satisfy such obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, you may elect to satisfy such withholding tax obligations by having the Company withhold a number of Shares that would otherwise be issued to you in settlement of the Units and that have a fair market value equal to the amount of such withholding tax obligations by notifying the Company of such election prior to the Vesting Date.
8. Notices. Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed to or delivered (including electronically) to the party for whom it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided. Unless and until some other address is so designated, all notices or communications by you to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the Company, to the attention of its Chief Financial Officer, at the Company’s headquarters, and all notices or communications by the Company to you may be given to you personally or may be mailed or, if you are still a Service Provider, emailed to you at the address indicated in the Company's records as your most recent mailing or email address.
9. Additional Provisions.
(a) Governing Plan Document. This Agreement and the Award are subject to all the provisions of the Plan, and to all interpretations, rules and regulations which may, from time to time, be adopted and promulgated by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern.
(b) Governing Law. This Agreement, the parties’ performance hereunder, and the relationship between them shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.
(c) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable and if any provision of this Agreement is found by any court to be unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remainder of this Agreement shall nevertheless be enforceable and binding on the parties. You also agree that any trier of fact may modify any invalid, overbroad or unenforceable provision of this Agreement so that such provision, as modified, is valid and enforceable under applicable law.
(d) Binding Effect. This Agreement will be binding in all respects on your heirs, representatives, successors and assigns, and on the successors and assigns of the Company.
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(e) Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may deliver any documents related to this Restricted Stock Unit Award by electronic means and request your acceptance of this Agreement by electronic means. You hereby consent to receive all applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and maintained by the Company or the Company’s third-party stock plan administrator.
By signing the cover page of this Agreement or otherwise accepting this Agreement in a manner approved by the Company, you agree to all the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan document.
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Exhibit 10.9
FGI Industries, Ltd.
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement
Under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
FGI Industries, Ltd. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants an Option to purchase shares of the Company’s ordinary shares to you, the Participant named below. The terms and conditions of the Option Award are set forth in this Agreement, consisting of this cover page and the Option Terms and Conditions on the following pages, and in the Plan document, a copy of which has been provided to you. Any capitalized term that is not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan as it currently exists or as it is amended in the future.
Name of Participant: | |
No. of Shares Covered: | Grant Date: |
Exercise Price Per Share: $ | Expiration Date: |
Vesting and Exercise Schedule: | |
Dates
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Portion of Shares as to Which Option Becomes Vested and Exercisable
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By signing below or otherwise evidencing your acceptance of this Agreement in a manner approved by the Company, you agree to all of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the Plan document. You acknowledge that you have received and reviewed these documents and that they set forth the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding your right to purchase shares of the Company’s ordinary shares pursuant to this Option.
PARTICIPANT: | FGI Industries, Ltd.: | ||
By: | |||
Brian Niebur | Name: | ||
Title: | |||
FGI Industries, Ltd.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement
Option Terms and Conditions
1. | Non-Qualified Stock Option. This Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and will be interpreted accordingly. |
2. | Vesting and Exercisability of Option. |
(a) Scheduled Vesting. This Option will vest and become exercisable as to the number of Shares and on the dates specified in the Vesting and Exercise Schedule on the cover page to this Agreement, so long as your Service to the Company does not end. The Vesting and Exercise Schedule is cumulative, meaning that to the extent the Option has not already been exercised and has not expired or been terminated or cancelled, you or the person otherwise entitled to exercise the Option as provided in this Agreement may at any time purchase all or any portion of the Shares subject to the vested portion of the Option.
(b) Accelerated Vesting. Notwithstanding Section 2(a), if and to the extent this Option is continued, assumed or replaced in connection with a Change in Control, and if during the twenty-four months after such Change in Control your Service is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, then this Option (or any replacement award) shall immediately vest and become exercisable in full and shall remain exercisable for one year following your termination of Service. In addition, vesting and exercisability of this Option may be accelerated during the term of the Option under the circumstances described in Sections 12(b) and 12(c) of the Plan, and at the discretion of the Committee in accordance with Section 3(b)(2) of the Plan.
3. | Expiration. This Option will expire and will no longer be exercisable at 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the earliest of: |
(a) | The expiration date specified on the cover page of this Agreement; |
(b) | Upon your termination of Service for Cause; |
(c) | Upon the expiration of any applicable period specified in Section 6(e) of the Plan or Section 2 of this Agreement during which this Option may be exercised after your termination of Service; or |
(d) | The date (if any) fixed for termination or cancellation of this Option pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan. |
4. | Service Requirement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6(e) of the Plan or Section 2 of this Agreement, this Option may be exercised only while you continue to provide Service to the Company or any Affiliate, and only if you have continuously provided such Service since the Grant Date of this Option. |
5. | Exercise of Option. Subject to Section 4, the vested and exercisable portion of this Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term by delivering a written or electronic notice of exercise to the Chief Financial Officer or to such other party as may be designated by such officer, and by providing for payment of the exercise price of the Shares being acquired and any related withholding taxes. The notice of exercise must be in a form approved by the Company and state the number of Shares to be purchased, the method of payment of the aggregate exercise price and the directions for the delivery of the Shares to be acquired, and must be signed or otherwise authenticated by the person exercising the Option. If you are not the person exercising the Option, the person submitting the notice also must submit appropriate proof of his/her right to exercise the Option. |
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6. | Payment of Exercise Price. When you submit your notice of exercise, you must include payment of the exercise price of the Shares being purchased through one or a combination of the following methods: |
(a) | Cash (including personal check, cashier’s check or money order); |
(b) | By means of a broker-assisted cashless exercise in which you irrevocably instruct your broker to deliver proceeds of a sale of all or a portion of the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise to the Company in payment of the exercise price of such Shares; or |
(c) | By delivery to the Company of Shares (by actual delivery or attestation of ownership in a form approved by the Company) already owned by you that are not subject to any security interest and that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price of the Shares being purchased; or |
(d) | By authorizing the Company to retain, from the total number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price for the total number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised. |
However, if the Committee determines, in any given circumstance, that payment of the exercise price with Shares or by authorizing the Company to retain Shares is undesirable for any reason, you will not be permitted to pay any portion of the exercise price in that manner.
7. | Withholding Taxes. You may not exercise this Option in whole or in part unless you make arrangements acceptable to the Company for payment of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the exercise of this Option. You hereby authorize the Company (or any Affiliate) to withhold from payroll or other amounts payable to you any sums required to satisfy such withholding tax obligations, and otherwise agree to satisfy such obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, you may satisfy such withholding tax obligations by delivering Shares you already own or by having the Company retain a portion of the Shares being acquired upon exercise of the Option, provided you notify the Company in advance of any exercise of your desire to pay withholding taxes in this manner. Delivery of Shares upon exercise of this Option is subject to the satisfaction of applicable withholding tax obligations. |
8. | Delivery of Shares. As soon as practicable after the Company receives the notice of exercise and payment of the exercise price as provided above, and has determined that all other conditions to exercise, including satisfaction of withholding tax obligations and compliance with applicable laws as provided in Section 16(c) of the Plan, have been satisfied, it shall deliver to the person exercising the Option, in the name of such person, the Shares being purchased, as evidenced by issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, electronic delivery of such Shares to a brokerage account designated by such person, or book-entry registration of such Shares with the Company’s transfer agent. The Company shall pay any original issue or transfer taxes with respect to the issue or transfer of the Shares and all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection therewith. All Shares so issued shall be fully paid and nonassessable. |
9. | Transfer of Option. During your lifetime, only you (or your guardian or legal representative in the event of legal incapacity) may exercise this Option except in the case of a transfer described below. You may not assign or transfer this Option except (i) for a transfer upon your death in accordance with your will, by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a beneficiary designation submitted in accordance with Section 6(d) of the Plan, (ii) pursuant to a domestic relations order, or (iii) with the prior written approval of the Company, by gift to a ”family member” as the term is defined under General Instruction A(5) to Form S-8 under the Securities Act. The Option held by any such transferee will continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the Option immediately prior to its transfer and may be exercised by such transferee as and to the extent that the Option has become exercisable and has not terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. |
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10. | No Stockholder Rights Before Exercise. Neither you nor any permitted transferee of this Option will have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares subject to this Option until a certificate evidencing such Shares has been issued, electronic delivery of such Shares has been made to your designated brokerage account, or an appropriate book entry in the Company's stock register has been made. No adjustments shall be made for dividends or other rights if the applicable record date occurs before your stock certificate has been issued, electronic delivery of your Shares has been made to your designated brokerage account, or an appropriate book entry in the Company's stock register has been made, except as otherwise described in the Plan. |
11. | Governing Plan Document. This Agreement and Option are subject to all the provisions of the Plan, and to all interpretations, rules and regulations which may, from time to time, be adopted and promulgated by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. |
12. | Choice of Law. This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the state of Delaware (without regard to its conflicts or choice of law principles). |
13. | Binding Effect. This Agreement will be binding in all respects on your heirs, representatives, successors and assigns, and on the successors and assigns of the Company. |
14. | Other Agreements. You agree that in connection with the exercise of this Option, you will execute such documents as may be necessary to become a party to any stockholder, voting or similar agreements as the Company may require. |
15. | Restrictive Legends. The Company may place a legend or legends on any certificate representing Shares issued upon the exercise of this Option summarizing transfer and other restrictions to which the Shares may be subject under applicable securities laws, other provisions of this Agreement, or other agreements contemplated by Section 14 of this Agreement. You agree that in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to in this Agreement, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent. |
16. | Compensation Recovery Policy. To the extent that any compensation paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement is considered “incentive-based compensation” within the meaning and subject to the requirements of Section 10D of the Exchange Act, such compensation shall be subject to potential forfeiture or recovery by the Company in accordance with any compensation recovery policy adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof in response to the requirements of Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any implementing rules and regulations thereunder adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange on which the Company’s ordinary shares is then listed. This Agreement may be unilaterally amended by the Company to comply with any such compensation recovery policy. |
17. | Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may deliver any documents related to this Option Award by electronic means and request your acceptance of this Agreement by electronic means. You hereby consent to receive all applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and maintained by the Company or the Company’s third-party stock plan administrator. |
By signing the cover page of this Agreement or otherwise accepting this Agreement in a manner approved by the Company, you agree to all the terms and conditions described above and in the Plan document.
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Exhibit 10.10
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AGREEMENT
THIS INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of [ ], 2021 (the “Effective Date”), between FGI Industries Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and [ ] (the “Director”).
WHEREAS, the Director has not been employed by, and has not performed executive services for, the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Director wish to memorialize the terms and conditions of the Director’s service as an independent director on the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants and promises contained herein, the Company and the Director agree as follows:
1. Director. On behalf of the Company, the Board offers to retain the Director, and the Director agrees to serve in the capacity of an independent director on the Board, in accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, commencing on the Effective Date and terminating on the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Scheduled Termination Date”), unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 6 below, in which case the provisions of paragraph 6 shall control. The Director affirms that no obligation exists between the Director and any other entity which would prevent or impede the Director’s immediate and full performance of every obligation under this Agreement.
2. Position and Duties. During the Director’s term, the Director may continue to serve in other non-Company related positions, and assume duties and responsibilities consistent with, the position of an independent non-executive director, provided, however, that under no circumstances may the Director engage in or undertake any other positions, duties, responsibilities or assignments that materially interfere with his duties to the Company. The Director agrees to devote the necessary working time, skill, energy and best business efforts and exercise his independent business judgment during the term of his service on the Board of the Company. The Director fully understands (i) his fiduciary and non-fiduciary duties as a director of the Company owed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, including but not limited to the duties of loyalty, skill and care, to act with a proper purpose and to avoid conflicts in the performance of his service as a Director, and (ii) his obligations under all relevant securities, company and other laws of the United States and any other jurisdictions in personal and corporate conduct.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Director may hold officer and non-executive director positions (or the equivalent position) in or at other entities that are not affiliated with the Company.
3. No Conflicts. The Director covenants and agrees that for so long as he is retained by the Company, he shall govern himself in such a way as to avoid any conflict with his duties in protecting the Company.
4. Compensation.
a. Base Remuneration. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay, and the Director agrees to accept, in consideration for the Director’s services hereunder, a total annual cash retainer of U.S. $40,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll policies then in effect (no less frequently than monthly). In addition, for each Committee on which Director serves, Director will receive additional compensation in the amount(s) specified below depending on whether Director serves as Chair or non-Chair member of such committee:
Committee | Chair | Other Members | |||||
Audit Committee | $ | 15,000 per year | $ | 3,000 per year | |||
Compensation Committee | $ | 10,000 per year | $ | 3,000 per year | |||
Nominating/Governance | $ | 10,000 per year | $ | 3,000 per year |
The Board, acting without the Director, shall review the Director’s retainer as well as additional committee compensation annually to determine whether it should be increased. The decision to increase the Director’s retainer and the amount of any such increase shall be within the Board’s sole discretion.
b. Annual Stock Grant. During the term of this Agreement, the Director shall be eligible to receive an annual restricted stock unit (RSU) grant pursuant to the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan on the Effective Date and on each anniversary thereof, the number of RSUs calculated by dividing such dollar amount as shall be determined by the Board by the closing sale price for one ordinary share of the Company on the Company’s principal share exchange on the date of grant. Each grant will vest in full on the earlier of one year after the date of grant or the date of the next year’s annual meeting of shareowners or on such other schedule as shall be determined by the Board at the time of grant, provided the director remains a member of the Board as of the vesting date. RSUs will settle in shares no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the date of vesting.
5. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Director shall be entitled to payment or reimbursement of any reasonable expenses paid or incurred in connection with and related to the performance of the Director’s duties and responsibilities hereunder for the Company. All requests by the Director for payment of reimbursement of such expenses shall be supported by appropriate invoices, vouchers, receipts or such other supporting documentation in such form and containing such information as the Company may require according to its existing policies, evidencing that the Director, in fact, incurred or paid said expenses. The Company shall make such reimbursements as soon as administratively practicable (and within 30 days) after the Director submits appropriate substantiation of such expenses but not later, in any event, than the last day of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Director incurs such reimbursable expense.
6. Nondisclosure of Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. Director shall not, during the term or after the termination of this Agreement, divulge, furnish, make accessible to, or use for the benefit of Director, independently, or any third party, any information, trade secrets, technical data or know-how relating to the business, business practices, methods, marketing strategies, financial information, pricing policies, customers, customer information, customer lists, products, processes, equipment or other confidential or proprietary aspect of the business of Company and/or any subsidiary or affiliate, and including all proprietary and confidential information of any customer or other party received by Company, except as may be required in good faith in the course of Director’s engagement with Company or by law, without the prior written consent of Company, unless such information is already known by Director prior to the date of engagement or shall become public knowledge (other than by reason of Director’s breach of this provision). Director acknowledges and agrees that all policies and operating procedures of the Company (whether developed by Director or other employees or contractors of the Company) constitute the confidential information of the Company.
7. Termination of Service. The Company or the Director may terminate this Agreement with an advance notice of at least 60 days. Upon termination of the Director, the Company shall only pay the Director any accrued but unpaid base remuneration and stock for service as a director prior to termination as soon as administratively practicable (and within 30 days) after the date of termination of service.
8. Indemnification and Insurance. The Company agrees to indemnify the Director per Clause 45 of the Company’s Articles of Association as below:
“Subject in the Statute of the Cayman Islands, every Director or officer of the Company shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability incurred by him as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out his functions other than such liability (if any) that he may incur by his own actual fraud or wilful default. No such Director or officer shall be liable to the Company for any loss or damage in carrying out his functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or wilful default of such Director or officer. References in this Article to actual fraud or wilful default mean a finding to such effect by a competent court in relation to the conduct of the relevant party.”
9. Miscellaneous.
a. Notices. All notices permitted or required by this Agreement shall be deemed to have been delivered and received (a) when personally delivered, (b) on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, (c) on the date on which transmitted by facsimile, email, or other electronic means producing a tangible receipt evidencing a successful transmission , or (d) on the next business day after the day on which deposited with a regulated public carrier (e.g., Federal Express), freight prepaid, addressed to the party for whom intended at the address, facsimile number, or email set forth on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address, notice of which has been delivered in a manner permitted by this paragraph, as follows:
If to the Company:
FGI Industries, Ltd.
906 Murray Road
East Hanover, New Jersey 07936
Attn: Executive Chairman
Email: johnc@foremostgroups.com
If to the Director:
b. Notices. Telephone, stationery, postage, e-mail, the internet and other resources made available to the Director by the Company, are solely for the furtherance of the Company’s business.
c. Governing Law; Venue. All issues and disputes concerning, relating to or arising out of this Agreement and from the Director’s service to the Company, including, without limitation, the construction and interpretation of this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to the State of New Jersey’s principles of conflicts of law, and each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of New Jersey for purposes of all actions commenced to construe or enforce this Agreement.
d. Notices. The Director and the Company agree that any provision of this Agreement deemed unenforceable or invalid may be reformed to permit enforcement of the objectionable provision to the fullest permissible extent. Any provision of this Agreement deemed unenforceable after modification shall be deemed stricken from this Agreement, with the remainder of the Agreement being given its full force and effect.
e. Complete Agreement; Amendments. This instrument constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties regarding its subject matter. When signed by all parties, this Agreement supersedes and nullifies all prior or contemporaneous conversations, negotiations, or agreements, oral and written, regarding the subject matter of this Agreement. In any future construction of this Agreement, this Agreement should be given its plain meaning. This Agreement may be amended only by a writing signed by the Company and the Director.
f. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures; Further Assurances; Headings. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. A counterpart transmitted via facsimile or e-mail, and all executed counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute sufficient proof of the parties’ entry into this Agreement. The parties agree to execute any further or future documents which may be necessary to allow the full performance of this Agreement. This Agreement contains headings for ease of reference. The headings have no independent meaning.
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THE INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAS FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD EACH AND EVERY PROVISION HEREOF.
[DIRECTOR] | FGI INDUSTRIES, LTD. | ||
By: |
/s/ |
||
Name: | JOHN S CHEN | ||
Title: | EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN |
Exhibit 10.11
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Executive Initial: ____
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the ___ day of _______________ 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between FGI Industries Ltd. (“FGI” or the “Company”) and David Bruce (“Executive”).
The Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the separate Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, which is a condition of the Company agreeing to employ Executive. This Agreement is intended to supersede any and all prior understandings and agreements between Executive, the Company and the Company’s parents, subsidiaries and affiliates relating to the provision of services by Executive, with respect to the subject matter herein.
In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth below, and in the separate Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which the parties acknowledge, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1.0 | POSITION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES. Executive will be employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and will have such duties and responsibilities as are consistent with such position and as may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the Company or the Company’s Board of Directors or functional equivalent (the “Board”). |
1.1 | Executive shall perform all duties and exercise all authority in accordance with and otherwise comply with all Company policies, procedures, practices, and directions. |
1.2 | Executive shall refrain from any act or omission adverse to the Company’s best interests, including but not limited to any act or omission that could harm the Company’s existing or potential relationships with any existing or potential client, customer, supplier, employee, executive, contractor or other business partner or affiliate. |
1.3 | Executive shall devote all of his business time and best efforts to successfully perform his duties and advance Company’s interests. During his employment, Executive shall not render services of any nature whatsoever (including board memberships) for which he receives compensation without the Company’s prior written consent; provided, however this provision does not prohibit him from personally owning and trading in stocks, bonds, securities, real estate, commodities or other investment properties for his own benefit which do not create actual or potential conflicts of interest with Company, nor does this provision prohibit Executive from serving as a director of any educational institution attended by one of his children, or of the church or religious organization of his choice. |
1.4 | Executive represents that he is free to accept employment with the Company, and that Executive has no prior or other commitments, restrictions, covenants or obligations of any kind to anyone else or any entity that would hinder, preclude or interfere with Executive’s acceptance of his obligations under this Agreement or the exercise of Executive’s best efforts in the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder. |
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Executive Initial: ____
2.0 | COMPENSATION. In consideration for the agreements made by Executive herein and the performance by Executive of his obligations hereunder and in the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, the Company agrees to pay Executive, |
2.1 | A base salary equivalent to $300,000 per annum (“Base Salary.”) The Base Salary shall be subject to annual review, although any determination to decrease or increase the Base Salary shall be within the Company’s sole discretion. |
2.2 | In addition to the Base Salary, Executive may receive a discretionary performance bonus; however, the payment of any such bonus shall be subject to Executive’s employment with the Company at the time such bonus is scheduled to be paid by the Company. Executive will participate in any Company Bonus and Incentive Program at the Executive’s title level; provided, however, that Executive’s participation is subject to the applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of the program, as they may exist from time to time. The Executive may be eligible to receive a discretionary cash bonus based on meeting performance metrics. In addition, Executive may be eligible to receive stock options in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESOP”) as well as certain equity awards in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (“EIP”). |
2.3 | Executive may participate in all medical, dental, disability insurance, 401(k) pension, vacation and other executive benefit plans and programs which may be made available from time to time to Company employees at Executive’s level; provided, however, that Executive participation is subject to the applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of these plans and programs, some of which are within the plan administrator’s discretion, as they may exist from time to time. The Company will pay 100% of the cost of the applicable premiums for Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance coverage during Executive’s employment. |
During Executive’s employment, the Company shall maintain a life insurance policy in an amount no less than $100,000 for Executive subject to applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of such policy.
Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation in accordance with Company policies and procedures and flexible Paid Time Off, as needed.
2.4 | The Company will pay or reimburse Executive for automobile use of up to $900 per month, subject to Executive providing acceptable documentation of such automobile expense. Executive acknowledges that as a result of this benefit, Executive may be imputed income for tax purposes. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s applicable expense reimbursement policies and procedures. |
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Executive Initial: ____
2.5 | The Company will pay for the reasonable costs of relocation of the Executive if relocation for continued employment is mandated by the Company. |
2.6 | Nothing in this Agreement shall require Company to create, continue or refrain from amending, modifying, revising or revoking any of the plans, programs or benefits set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3. Executive acknowledges that Company, in its sole discretion, may amend, modify, revise, or revoke any such plans, programs, benefits. Any amendments, modifications, revisions, and revocations of these plans, programs, and benefits shall apply to Executive. Nothing in the Agreement shall afford Executive any greater rights or benefits with regard to these plans, programs and benefits than are afforded to him under their applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements, some of which are within the plan administrator’s discretion, as they may exist from time to time. |
3.0 | TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective and continue “at-will” until terminated pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement. |
3.1 | Either party may terminate the employment relationship without Cause at any time upon giving the other party ninety (90) days of written notice. |
3.2 | The Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately without notice at any time for any of the following reasons, which shall constitute “Cause”: (i) any act or omission of Executive, including, but not limited to misconduct, negligence, unlawfulness, dishonesty, inattention to the business, conflict of interest or competitive business activities, which, as determined by the Company or the Board, in its sole discretion, may be detrimental to the Company’s interests; (ii) Executive’s failure to comply with Company policies, procedures, practices or directions, as determined by the Company or the Board in its sole discretion; (iii) any other reason recognized as “Cause” under applicable law; (iv) Executive’s commission of fraud, embezzlement, theft or misappropriation of any monies, assets or properties of the Company or any of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates or employees; (v) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony; or (vi) Executive’s breach of this Agreement. |
3.3 | Executive understands that the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment and/or termination of this Agreement regardless of the reasons for such termination. |
4.0 | COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION, CHANGE OF CONTROL THROUGH ACQUISITION, MERGER OR SALE OF THE COMPANY |
4.1 | If the Company terminates Executive’s employment for “Cause,” the employment relationship shall terminate immediately, and the Company shall owe no further compensation to Executive under this Agreement except for any Base Salary earned by Executive through the date of termination, any unreimbursed business expenses that are submitted to the Company within 10 days after the date of termination, and benefits, if any, due to Executive, as determined in accordance with the applicable benefit plans of the Company. |
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Executive Initial: ____
4.2 | If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without “Cause,” the Company will pay Executive: |
(i) | An amount equal to fifty-two weeks of Executive’s Base Salary less applicable withholding for taxes and any other items as to which a withholding obligation may exist. If Executive has been employed by the Company for less than one year, the Company will pay a pro-rated portion of the Severance Proceeds (the payments set forth in this Section 4.2 are hereinafter referred to as the “Severance Proceeds”)). The Severance Proceeds will be paid in approximately equal installments on or about regular payroll dates over a period of time equal to the number of weeks of Executive’s Base Salary that make up the Severance Proceeds (the “Severance Period”); |
(ii) | No more than twelve (12) months of the Executive’s cost for exercising the COBRA option for extended health coverage for the plan in effect at the time of termination; and |
(iii) | A pro-rated portion of any annual bonus that Executive would have been entitled to receive with respect to the fiscal year of termination had his employment had not been terminated, based upon the percentage of the fiscal year that shall have elapsed through the date of Executive’s termination of employment. Such bonus shall be paid at the same time it would have been paid had the Executive's employment not been terminated. |
4.3 | Company’s obligation to provide the Severance Proceeds under Section 4.2 is conditioned upon: |
(i) | Executive’s agreement to and compliance with all of the obligations set forth in the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement; and |
(ii) | Executive’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims and covenant not to sue against the Company in the form provided by the Company (the “Release”) and the expiration of any revocation period provided for in the Release. |
(iii) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (i) Executive breaches any of the restrictions set forth in the Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement or any similar restrictions set forth in any written agreement between Executive and the Company, or (ii) at any time following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company determines that Executive engaged in an act or omission that, if discovered during Executive’s employment, would have entitled the Company to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, Executive will forfeit his entitlement to the Severance Proceeds, to the extent not yet paid. Following any such forfeiture, Executive will remain subject to the restrictions set forth in the Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. |
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Executive Initial: ____
(iv) | On termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive will immediately resign from any and all other positions or committees that Executive holds or is a member of with any member of the Company, including as an officer or director. |
4.4 | If there is a Change of Control (defined below) and subject to the terms of any Change of Control agreement, a termination resulting from a Change of Control will result in the Executive being treated as having been terminated without “Cause” and Company’s obligations to Executive shall be construed according to the terms of Sections 4.2 and 4.3 above. |
“Change of Control” is defined as (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of shares representing more than 25% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; or (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group.
4.5 | If Executive accepts employment with another person or entity and becomes eligible for non-restrictive Medical Insurance during the period in which he is receiving COBRA reimbursement payments pursuant to Section 4.2, then the payments made by the Company for COBRA reimbursement pursuant to Section 4.2 will cease. |
4.6 | Executive is not entitled to receive any compensation or benefits upon his termination except as is: (i) set forth in this Agreement; (ii) otherwise required by law; or (iii) otherwise required by an executive benefit plan in which he participates; provided, however that the terms and conditions afforded Executive under this Agreement are in lieu of any severance benefits to which he otherwise might be entitled pursuant to any severance plan, policy or practice. |
4.7 | Nothing in this Agreement is intended to waive or supplant any death, disability, retirement, 401(k) or pension benefits in which Executive participates. In the event of Executive’s death or disability, the terms of Section 4.2 do not apply. For purpose of this Section 4, “disability” means that Executive has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for 180 days in any one year period and has qualified to receive long-term disability payment under the Company’s long-term disability policy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if as a result of absence because of mental or physical incapability the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of such term under Section 409A, the Executive shall on such date automatically be terminated from employment as a disability termination. |
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Executive Initial: ____
5.0 | SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE. This Agreement is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder, with respect to amounts subject thereto and will be interpreted and construed consistent with that intent. If any provision of this Agreement would subject Executive to any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, then the Company and Executive agree to negotiate in good faith and jointly execute an amendment to modify this Agreement to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A; provided that no such amendment will increase the total compensation expense of the Company under this Agreement. |
5.1 (i) If, at the time of termination of Executive’s employment hereunder Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A, then (x) only to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, any payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement in connection with such termination that are subject to Section 409A (and not otherwise exempt from its application) will be withheld until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of such termination (the “Delayed Payment Date”), (y) on the Delayed Payment Date, Executive will receive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of such payments that otherwise would have been made to Executive prior to the Delayed Payment Date and (z) following the Delayed Payment Date, Executive will receive the payments otherwise due to Executive in accordance with the payment terms and schedule set forth herein; (ii) with respect to a payment of “deferred compensation” (as defined in Section 409A) triggered by a termination of employment, a termination of employment will be deemed not to have occurred until such time as Executive insures a “separation of service” with the Company in accordance with Section 409A; (iii) for purposes of Section 409A, each payment in a series of installment payments provided under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment; and (iv) no expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, to Executive under this Agreement under any calendar year will affect the amounts of eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, to the extent subject to the requirements of Section 409A, and no such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits will be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefits.
6.0 | RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. Upon the termination of his employment for any reason, Executive shall (i) deliver to Company all records, memoranda, data, documents and other property of any description which refer or relate in any way to the Company’s trade secrets or confidential information, including all copies thereof, which are in his possession, custody or control; (ii) deliver to the Company all Company property (including, but not limited to keys, credit cards, customer files, contracts, proposals, work in process, manuals, forms, computer stored work in process and other computer data, research materials, other items of business information concerning any Company clients, or business methods, including all copies thereof) which is in Executive’s possession, custody or control; (iii) being such records, files and other materials up to date before returning them; and (iv) fully cooperate with Company, in winding up Executive’s work and transferring that work to other individuals designated by Company. |
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Executive Initial: ____
7.0. | COOPERATION; ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS. Following the termination of Executive’s employment, the Executive shall execute any and all documents reasonably requested by the Company to secure the Company’s right to any work product, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, or other intellectual property associated with any ideas, concepts, techniques, inventions, processes, works of authorship developed for or created by the Executive solely or jointly with others, during the course of performing work for or on behalf of the Company or any affiliate of the Company or that Executive conceived, developed, discovered or made in whole or in part during Executive’s employment by the Company that were made through the use of any trade secrets or other confidential information of the Company or that result from any work the Executive performed for the Company or any affiliate of the Company, and the Executive agrees to make himself available as reasonably requested by the Company with respect to, and to use reasonable efforts to cooperate in conjunction with, any litigation or investigation arising from events that occurred during the Executive’s employment with the Company. To the extent possible, all software, compilations and other original works of authorship that Executive conceived, developed, discovered or made in whole or in part during Executive’s employment by the Company that were made through the use of any trade secrets or other confidential information of the Company or that result from any work the Executive performed for the Company or any affiliate of the Company will be considered a “work made for hire” under Title 17 of the United States Code. Upon request of the Company at any during or after Executive’s employment, Executive will take such further actions, including execution and delivery of instruments of conveyance, as may be appropriate to evidence, perfect, record or otherwise give full and proper effect to any assignments of rights under or pursuant to this Agreement. |
8.0 | ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, and the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous statements, term sheets, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties with respect to such subject matter. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement signed by Executive and an expressly authorized representative of the Company. |
9.0 | SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction holds that any provision or sub-part thereof contained in this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision in this Agreement. Additionally, if any of the provisions, clauses or phrases in the Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement are held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the parties desire that they be “blue-penciled” or rewritten by the court to the extent necessary to render them enforceable. |
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Executive Initial: ____
10.0. | PARTIES BOUND. The terms, provisions, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company’s successors and assigns, and the Company at its discretion, may assign this Agreement. Executive may not assign this Agreement without Company’s prior written consent. |
11.0 | REMEDIES. Executive acknowledges that his breach of this Agreement would cause Company, irreparable harm for which damages would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain and legal remedies would be inadequate. Therefore, in addition to any legal or other relief to which Company may be entitled by virtue of the Executive’s breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, Company may seek equitable relief, including but not limited to preliminary and injunctive relief, and such other available remedies. |
12.0 | GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement, and the employment relationship established herein, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America, without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any and all disputes arising from or relating to this Agreement or to the Executive’s employment with the Company shall be submitted to arbitration in New Jersey in accordance with the Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) and the arbitration determination resulting from any such submission will be final and binding on the parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or an injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; including the enforcement of post-termination restrictive covenants. |
13.0 | NOTICES. Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by Unite States registered mail, return receipt requested,, addressed to the respective address set forth on the execution page of this Agreement or Executive’s current address on record at the Company. |
14.0 | WITHOLDING TAXES. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state. Local and other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. |
15.0 | COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which will be original, with the same effect as if the signature thereof and hereto were on the same instrument. |
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Executive Initial: ____
16.0 | CONSTRUCTION; KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY. Executive acknowledges that he has had adequate time to consult with legal counsel of his choosing concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Executive warrants that he has carefully read this Agreement, understands its terms and accepts them. No ambiguity in any provision shall be construed against either party on account of that party being considered the drafter of that provision of the Agreement. The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of this Agreement. |
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Executive Initial: ____
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
David Bruce | Date | |
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD. | ||
NAME: | Date | |
TITLE: |
10
Exhibit 10.12
Executive Initial: ____
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the ___ day of _______________ 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between FGI Industries Ltd. (“FGI” or the “Company”) and San Lung “Perry” Lin (“Executive”).
The Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the separate Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, which is a condition of the Company agreeing to employ Executive. This Agreement is intended to supersede any and all prior understandings and agreements between Executive, the Company and the Company’s parents, subsidiaries and affiliates relating to the provision of services by Executive, with respect to the subject matter herein.
In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth below, and in the separate Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which the parties acknowledge, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1.0 | POSITION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES. Executive will be employed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and will have such duties and responsibilities as are consistent with such position and as may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the Company or the Company’s Board of Directors or functional equivalent (the “Board”). |
1.1 | Executive shall perform all duties and exercise all authority in accordance with and otherwise comply with all Company policies, procedures, practices, and directions. |
1.2 | Executive shall refrain from any act or omission adverse to the Company’s best interests, including but not limited to any act or omission that could harm the Company’s existing or potential relationships with any existing or potential client, customer, supplier, employee, executive, contractor or other business partner or affiliate. |
1.3 | Executive shall devote all of his business time and best efforts to successfully perform his duties and advance Company’s interests. During his employment, Executive shall not render services of any nature whatsoever (including board memberships) for which he receives compensation without the Company’s prior written consent; provided, however this provision does not prohibit him from personally owning and trading in stocks, bonds, securities, real estate, commodities or other investment properties for his own benefit which do not create actual or potential conflicts of interest with Company, nor does this provision prohibit Executive from serving as a director of any educational institution attended by one of his children, or of the church or religious organization of his choice. |
1.4 | Executive represents that he is free to accept employment with the Company, and that Executive has no prior or other commitments, restrictions, covenants or obligations of any kind to anyone else or any entity that would hinder, preclude or interfere with Executive’s acceptance of his obligations under this Agreement or the exercise of Executive’s best efforts in the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder. |
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2.0 | COMPENSATION. In consideration for the agreements made by Executive herein and the performance by Executive of his obligations hereunder and in the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, the Company agrees to pay Executive, |
2.1 | A base salary equivalent to $160,000 per annum (“Base Salary.”) The Base Salary shall be subject to annual review, although any determination to decrease or increase the Base Salary shall be within the Company’s sole discretion. |
2.2 | In addition to the Base Salary, Executive may receive a discretionary performance bonus; however, the payment of any such bonus shall be subject to Executive’s employment with the Company at the time such bonus is scheduled to be paid by the Company. Executive will participate in any Company Bonus and Incentive Program at the Executive’s title level; provided, however, that Executive’s participation is subject to the applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of the program, as they may exist from time to time. The Executive may be eligible to receive a discretionary cash bonus based on meeting performance metrics. In addition, Executive may be eligible to receive stock options in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESOP”) as well as certain equity awards in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (“EIP”). |
2.3 | Executive may participate in all medical, dental, disability insurance, 401(k) pension, vacation and other executive benefit plans and programs which may be made available from time to time to Company employees at Executive’s level; provided, however, that Executive participation is subject to the applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of these plans and programs, some of which are within the plan administrator’s discretion, as they may exist from time to time. The Company will pay 100% of the cost of the applicable premiums for Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance coverage during Executive’s employment. |
During Executive’s employment, the Company shall maintain a life insurance policy in an amount no less than $100,000 for Executive subject to applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of such policy.
Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation in accordance with Company policies and procedures and flexible Paid Time Off, as needed.
2.4 | The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s applicable expense reimbursement policies and procedures. |
2.5 | The Company will pay for the reasonable costs of relocation of the Executive if relocation for continued employment is mandated by the Company. |
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Executive Initial: ____
2.6 | Nothing in this Agreement shall require Company to create, continue or refrain from amending, modifying, revising or revoking any of the plans, programs or benefits set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3. Executive acknowledges that Company, in its sole discretion, may amend, modify, revise, or revoke any such plans, programs, benefits. Any amendments, modifications, revisions, and revocations of these plans, programs, and benefits shall apply to Executive. Nothing in the Agreement shall afford Executive any greater rights or benefits with regard to these plans, programs and benefits than are afforded to him under their applicable terms, conditions and eligibility requirements, some of which are within the plan administrator’s discretion, as they may exist from time to time. |
3.0 | TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective and continue “at-will” until terminated pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement. |
3.1 | Either party may terminate the employment relationship without Cause at any time upon giving the other party ninety (90) days of written notice. |
3.2 | The Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately without notice at any time for any of the following reasons, which shall constitute “Cause”: (i) any act or omission of Executive, including, but not limited to misconduct, negligence, unlawfulness, dishonesty, inattention to the business, conflict of interest or competitive business activities, which, as determined by the Company or the Board, in its sole discretion, may be detrimental to the Company’s interests; (ii) Executive’s failure to comply with Company policies, procedures, practices or directions, as determined by the Company or the Board in its sole discretion; (iii) any other reason recognized as “Cause” under applicable law; (iv) Executive’s commission of fraud, embezzlement, theft or misappropriation of any monies, assets or properties of the Company or any of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates or employees; (v) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony; or (vi) Executive’s breach of this Agreement. |
3.3 | Executive understands that the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment and/or termination of this Agreement regardless of the reasons for such termination. |
4.0 | COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION, CHANGE OF CONTROL THROUGH ACQUISITION, MERGER OR SALE OF THE COMPANY |
4.1 | If the Company terminates Executive’s employment for “Cause,” the employment relationship shall terminate immediately, and the Company shall owe no further compensation to Executive under this Agreement except for any Base Salary earned by Executive through the date of termination, any unreimbursed business expenses that are submitted to the Company within 10 days after the date of termination, and benefits, if any, due to Executive, as determined in accordance with the applicable benefit plans of the Company. |
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Executive Initial: ____
4.2 | If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without “Cause,” the Company will pay Executive: |
(i) | An amount equal to fifty-two weeks of Executive’s Base Salary less applicable withholding for taxes and any other items as to which a withholding obligation may exist. If Executive has been employed by the Company for less than one year, the Company will pay a pro-rated portion of the Severance Proceeds (the payments set forth in this Section 4.2 are hereinafter referred to as the “Severance Proceeds”)). The Severance Proceeds will be paid in approximately equal installments on or about regular payroll dates over a period of time equal to the number of weeks of Executive’s Base Salary that make up the Severance Proceeds (the “Severance Period”); |
(ii) | No more than twelve (12) months of the Executive’s cost for exercising the COBRA option for extended health coverage for the plan in effect at the time of termination; and |
(iii) | A pro-rated portion of any annual bonus that Executive would have been entitled to receive with respect to the fiscal year of termination had his employment had not been terminated, based upon the percentage of the fiscal year that shall have elapsed through the date of Executive’s termination of employment. Such bonus shall be paid at the same time it would have been paid had the Executive's employment not been terminated. |
4.3 | Company’s obligation to provide the Severance Proceeds under Section 4.2 is conditioned upon: |
(i) | Executive’s agreement to and compliance with all of the obligations set forth in the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement; and |
(ii) | Executive’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims and covenant not to sue against the Company in the form provided by the Company (the “Release”) and the expiration of any revocation period provided for in the Release. |
(iii) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (i) Executive breaches any of the restrictions set forth in the Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement or any similar restrictions set forth in any written agreement between Executive and the Company, or (ii) at any time following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company determines that Executive engaged in an act or omission that, if discovered during Executive’s employment, would have entitled the Company to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, Executive will forfeit his entitlement to the Severance Proceeds, to the extent not yet paid. Following any such forfeiture, Executive will remain subject to the restrictions set forth in the Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. |
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Executive Initial: ____
(iv) | On termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive will immediately resign from any and all other positions or committees that Executive holds or is a member of with any member of the Company, including as an officer or director. |
4.4 | If there is a Change of Control (defined below) and subject to the terms of any Change of Control agreement, a termination resulting from a Change of Control will result in the Executive being treated as having been terminated without “Cause” and Company’s obligations to Executive shall be construed according to the terms of Sections 4.2 and 4.3 above. |
“Change of Control” is defined as (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of shares representing more than 25% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; or (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group.
4.5 | If Executive accepts employment with another person or entity and becomes eligible for non-restrictive Medical Insurance during the period in which he is receiving COBRA reimbursement payments pursuant to Section 4.2, then the payments made by the Company for COBRA reimbursement pursuant to Section 4.2 will cease. |
4.6 | Executive is not entitled to receive any compensation or benefits upon his termination except as is: (i) set forth in this Agreement; (ii) otherwise required by law; or (iii) otherwise required by an executive benefit plan in which he participates; provided, however that the terms and conditions afforded Executive under this Agreement are in lieu of any severance benefits to which he otherwise might be entitled pursuant to any severance plan, policy or practice. |
4.7 | Nothing in this Agreement is intended to waive or supplant any death, disability, retirement, 401(k) or pension benefits in which Executive participates. In the event of Executive’s death or disability, the terms of Section 4.2 do not apply. For purpose of this Section 4, “disability” means that Executive has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for 180 days in any one year period and has qualified to receive long-term disability payment under the Company’s long-term disability policy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if as a result of absence because of mental or physical incapability the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of such term under Section 409A, the Executive shall on such date automatically be terminated from employment as a disability termination. |
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Executive Initial: ____
5.0 | SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE. This Agreement is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder, with respect to amounts subject thereto and will be interpreted and construed consistent with that intent. If any provision of this Agreement would subject Executive to any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, then the Company and Executive agree to negotiate in good faith and jointly execute an amendment to modify this Agreement to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A; provided that no such amendment will increase the total compensation expense of the Company under this Agreement. |
5.1 (i) If, at the time of termination of Executive’s employment hereunder Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A, then (x) only to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, any payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement in connection with such termination that are subject to Section 409A (and not otherwise exempt from its application) will be withheld until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of such termination (the “Delayed Payment Date”), (y) on the Delayed Payment Date, Executive will receive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of such payments that otherwise would have been made to Executive prior to the Delayed Payment Date and (z) following the Delayed Payment Date, Executive will receive the payments otherwise due to Executive in accordance with the payment terms and schedule set forth herein; (ii) with respect to a payment of “deferred compensation” (as defined in Section 409A) triggered by a termination of employment, a termination of employment will be deemed not to have occurred until such time as Executive insures a “separation of service” with the Company in accordance with Section 409A; (iii) for purposes of Section 409A, each payment in a series of installment payments provided under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment; and (iv) no expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, to Executive under this Agreement under any calendar year will affect the amounts of eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, to the extent subject to the requirements of Section 409A, and no such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits will be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefits.
6.0 | RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. Upon the termination of his employment for any reason, Executive shall (i) deliver to Company all records, memoranda, data, documents and other property of any description which refer or relate in any way to the Company’s trade secrets or confidential information, including all copies thereof, which are in his possession, custody or control; (ii) deliver to the Company all Company property (including, but not limited to keys, credit cards, customer files, contracts, proposals, work in process, manuals, forms, computer stored work in process and other computer data, research materials, other items of business information concerning any Company clients, or business methods, including all copies thereof) which is in Executive’s possession, custody or control; (iii) being such records, files and other materials up to date before returning them; and (iv) fully cooperate with Company, in winding up Executive’s work and transferring that work to other individuals designated by Company. |
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Executive Initial: ____
7.0. | COOPERATION; ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS. Following the termination of Executive’s employment, the Executive shall execute any and all documents reasonably requested by the Company to secure the Company’s right to any work product, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, or other intellectual property associated with any ideas, concepts, techniques, inventions, processes, works of authorship developed for or created by the Executive solely or jointly with others, during the course of performing work for or on behalf of the Company or any affiliate of the Company or that Executive conceived, developed, discovered or made in whole or in part during Executive’s employment by the Company that were made through the use of any trade secrets or other confidential information of the Company or that result from any work the Executive performed for the Company or any affiliate of the Company, and the Executive agrees to make himself available as reasonably requested by the Company with respect to, and to use reasonable efforts to cooperate in conjunction with, any litigation or investigation arising from events that occurred during the Executive’s employment with the Company. To the extent possible, all software, compilations and other original works of authorship that Executive conceived, developed, discovered or made in whole or in part during Executive’s employment by the Company that were made through the use of any trade secrets or other confidential information of the Company or that result from any work the Executive performed for the Company or any affiliate of the Company will be considered a “work made for hire” under Title 17 of the United States Code. Upon request of the Company at any during or after Executive’s employment, Executive will take such further actions, including execution and delivery of instruments of conveyance, as may be appropriate to evidence, perfect, record or otherwise give full and proper effect to any assignments of rights under or pursuant to this Agreement. |
8.0 | ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, and the separately executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous statements, term sheets, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties with respect to such subject matter. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement signed by Executive and an expressly authorized representative of the Company. |
9.0 | SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction holds that any provision or sub-part thereof contained in this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision in this Agreement. Additionally, if any of the provisions, clauses or phrases in the Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement are held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the parties desire that they be “blue-penciled” or rewritten by the court to the extent necessary to render them enforceable. |
10.0. | PARTIES BOUND. The terms, provisions, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company’s successors and assigns, and the Company at its discretion, may assign this Agreement. Executive may not assign this Agreement without Company’s prior written consent. |
11.0 | REMEDIES. Executive acknowledges that his breach of this Agreement would cause Company, irreparable harm for which damages would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain and legal remedies would be inadequate. Therefore, in addition to any legal or other relief to which Company may be entitled by virtue of the Executive’s breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, Company may seek equitable relief, including but not limited to preliminary and injunctive relief, and such other available remedies. |
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Executive Initial: ____
12.0 | GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement, and the employment relationship established herein, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America, without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any and all disputes arising from or relating to this Agreement or to the Executive’s employment with the Company shall be submitted to arbitration in New Jersey in accordance with the Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) and the arbitration determination resulting from any such submission will be final and binding on the parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or an injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; including the enforcement of post-termination restrictive covenants. |
13.0 | NOTICES. Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by Unite States registered mail, return receipt requested,, addressed to the respective address set forth on the execution page of this Agreement or Executive’s current address on record at the Company. |
14.0 | WITHOLDING TAXES. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state. Local and other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. |
15.0 | COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which will be original, with the same effect as if the signature thereof and hereto were on the same instrument. |
16.0 | CONSTRUCTION; KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY. Executive acknowledges that he has had adequate time to consult with legal counsel of his choosing concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Executive warrants that he has carefully read this Agreement, understands its terms and accepts them. No ambiguity in any provision shall be construed against either party on account of that party being considered the drafter of that provision of the Agreement. The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of this Agreement. |
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Executive Initial: ____
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
San Lung “Perry” Lin | Date | |
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD. | ||
NAME: | Date | |
TITLE: |
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Exhibit 10.13
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD.
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [ ], 20[_] between FGI Industries Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and [Director] (“Indemnitee”).
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s Articles and Certificate of Incorporation and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as an officer without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as an officer from and after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof.
(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section l(a) if, by reason of his Corporate Status (as hereinafter defined), the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him, or on his behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of his Corporate Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(b), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee, or on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided, however, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that such indemnification may be made.
(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.
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3. Contribution.
(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors, or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
(d) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness, or is made (or asked) to respond to discovery requests, in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
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5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free.
6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under applicable Cayman Islands Law. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any failure of Indemnitee to provide such a request to the Company, or to provide such a request in a timely fashion, shall not relieve the Company of any liability that it may have to Indemnitee unless, and to the extent that, such failure actually and materially prejudices the interests of the Company.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following four methods, which shall be at the election of the Board (1) by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of disinterested directors designated by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no disinterested directors or if the disinterested directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, or (4) if so directed by the Board, by the shareholders of the Company. For purposes hereof, disinterested directors are those members of the Board who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
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(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise (as hereinafter defined), including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(f) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such sixty (60) day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the shareholders pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination, the Board or the Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the shareholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of shareholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat.
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(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board or shareholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(h) The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(i) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
7. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in a other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under Section 6(b).
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
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(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, the Company shall pay on his behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance recovery.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefore) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.
8. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Primacy of Indemnification; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders, a resolution of directors of the Company, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable Caymand Islands law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
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(c) Intentionally omitted.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee (other than against the Indemnitors), who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(e) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
(f) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.
9. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, provided, that the foregoing shall not affect the rights of Indemnitee; or
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.
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11. Security. To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
12. Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The Company shall not seek from a court, or agree to, a “bar order” which would have the effect of prohibiting or limiting the Indemnitee’s rights to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement.
13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company.
(b) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(d) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding, or responding to, or objecting to, a request to provide discovery in any Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(e) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
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(f) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting in his or her Corporate Status; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
14. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Further, the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof as to Indemnitee shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any provision hereof as to the other. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.
15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
16. Notice By Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.
17. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent:
(a) To Indemnitee, at the address set forth below Indemnitee’s signature hereto or as otherwise provided by Indemnitee to the Company.
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(b) To the Company, at:
906 Murray Road
East Hanover, NJ 07869
Attention: John Chen
Email: johnc@foremostgroups.com
with copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Attention: Jonathan Zimmerman
Email: jon.zimmerman@faegredrinker.com
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
20. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Indemnification Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY: | ||
FGI INDUSTRIES LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
INDEMNITEE: | ||
[Director] | ||
(Signature) |
Exhibit 21.1
List of Subsidiaries
Subsidiary | Jurisdiction of Formation |
FGI Industries Inc. | New Jersey |
FGI Europe Investment Limited | British Virgin Islands |
FGI International, Limited | Hong Kong |
Foremost International Ltd. | Canada |
FGI Germany GmbH | Germany |
FGI Germany GmbH & Co. KG | Germany |
FGI China, Ltd. | China |
Exhibit 23.1
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of FGI Industries Ltd. on Form S-1 Amendment # 1 of our report dated June 06, 2021, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of FGI Industries Ltd as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020 which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Melville, NY
October 4, 2021