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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2012

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form F-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

State of Israel   3281   Not Applicable
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

Kibbutz Sdot Yam

MP Menashe, 37804

Israel

+972 (4) 636-4555

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Caesarstone USA, Inc.

6840 Hayvenhurst Ave. Suite 100

Van Nuys, California 91406

(818) 779-0999

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Colin J. Diamond, Esq.

Joshua G. Kiernan, Esq.

White & Case LLP

1155 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Tel: (212) 819-8200

Fax: (212) 354-8113

 

Amir Halevy, Adv.

Perry Wildes, Adv.

Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co.

One Azrieli Center

Tel Aviv 67021, Israel

Tel: +972 (3) 607-4444

Fax: +972 (3) 607-4470

 

Phyllis G. Korff, Esq.

Yossi Vebman, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

4 Times Square

New York, New York 10036

Tel: (212) 735-3000

Fax: (212) 735-2000

   Avraham Well, Adv.

Ronald Lehmann, Adv.

Fischer Behar Chen
Well Orion & Co.

3 Daniel Frisch Street

Tel Aviv 64731, Israel

Tel: +972 (3) 694-4111

Fax: +972 (3) 609-1116

   Guy Hadar, Adv.

Eitan Mehulal & Sadot

10 Abba Eban Blvd.

PO Box 2081

Herzlia 46120, Israel

Tel: +972 (9) 972-6000

Fax: +972 (9) 972-6001

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after effectiveness of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.   ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)(2)
  Amount of
Registration Fee

Ordinary shares, par value NIS 1

  U.S.$115,000,000   U.S.$13,179

 

 

(1)   Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

(2)   Includes shares granted pursuant to the underwriters’ over allotment option.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We and the selling shareholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and neither we nor the selling shareholders are soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated February 16, 2012

Preliminary Prospectus

                shares

 

LOGO

Ordinary shares

This is an initial public offering of ordinary shares by Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. Caesarstone is selling                  ordinary shares and the selling shareholders identified in this prospectus are selling                  ordinary shares. The selling shareholders are our two shareholders, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene Investment Funds, or their respective affiliates. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders. The estimated initial public offering price is between $         and $         per share.

We have applied to list our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CSTE”.

 

         Per share        Total  

Initial public offering price

     $                      $                

Underwriting discounts and commissions

     $           $     

Proceeds to Caesarstone, before expenses

     $           $     

Proceeds to selling shareholders, before expenses

     $           $     

The selling shareholders have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to                  additional ordinary shares at the initial public offering price.

Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk factors ” beginning on page 15.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the ordinary shares to purchasers on                     , 2012.

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan   Barclays Capital   Credit Suisse
Baird     Stifel Nicolaus Weisel

                    , 2012


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LOGO

We all know that a home is more than just a space; it’s a place to make your own. At Caesarstone, we’re here to make that possible. We do that by getting creative with our quartz. We’ve created more colors, more styles and more combinations. So however you want to express yourself, With Caesarstone- you can. back front wing caesarstone


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Table of contents

 

    Page  

Prospectus summary

    1   

Risk factors

    15   

Special note regarding forward-looking statements

    44   

Functional currency and exchange rate information

    45   

Use of proceeds

    46   

Dividend policy

    47   

Capitalization

    48   

Dilution

    50   

Selected consolidated financial and other data

    52   

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

    58   

Business

    93   

Management

    114   

Principal and selling shareholders

    139   

Certain relationships and related party transactions

    141   

Description of share capital

    151   

Shares eligible for future sale

    158   

Taxation and government programs

    160   

Underwriting

    173   

Legal matters

    180   

Experts

    180   

Enforceability of civil liabilities

    181   

Where you can find additional information

    183   

Index to consolidated financial statements

    F-1   

 

 

Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained in this prospectus, any amendment or supplement to this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our ordinary shares, you should not rely upon any information other than the information in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor the sale of our ordinary shares means that information contained in this prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy these ordinary shares in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful.

Our functional currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS); however, our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Our consolidated financial statements have been translated into U.S. dollars using the current rate method as follows: assets and liabilities are reflected using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date; revenues and expenses are reflected at the average exchange rate for the

 

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relevant period; and equity accounts are reflected using the exchange rate at the relevant transaction date. All other balance sheet accounts are reflected using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Translation gains and losses are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity. Other financial data appearing in this prospectus that are not included in our consolidated financial statements and that relate to transactions that occurred prior to December 31, 2011 are reflected using the exchange rate on the relevant transaction date. With respect to all future transactions, U.S. dollar translations of New Israeli Shekel amounts presented in this prospectus are translated at the rate of $1.00 = NIS 3.821, the representative exchange rate last published by the Bank of Israel as of December 30, 2011.

Market and industry data and forecasts

This prospectus includes data, forecasts and information obtained from industry publications and surveys and other information available to us. Some data is also based on our good faith estimates, which are derived from management’s knowledge of the industry and independent sources. Forecasts and other metrics included in this prospectus to describe the countertop industry are inherently uncertain and speculative in nature and actual results for any period may materially differ. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon therein. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented herein, estimates and forecasts involve uncertainties and risks and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the headings “Special note regarding forward-looking statements” and “Risk factors” in this prospectus. We believe our internal research is reliable, even though such research has not been verified by any independent sources. Unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, Freedonia Custom Research, Inc. (“Freedonia”) is the source for third-party industry data and forecasts. The Freedonia Report, dated June 29, 2011, that we commissioned for this offering, represents data, research opinion or viewpoints developed on our behalf and does not constitute a specific guide to action. In preparing the Freedonia Report, Freedonia used various sources, including publicly available third-party financial statements; government statistical reports; press releases; industry magazines; and interviews with manufacturers of related products (including us), manufacturers of competitive products, distributors of related products, and government and trade associations. The Freedonia Report speaks as of its final publication date and not as of the date of this prospectus, and the opinions and forecasts expressed in the Freedonia Report are subject to change by Freedonia without notice. We have inquired of Freedonia, and been informed by Freedonia that as of the date of this prospectus, there has been no change in the Freedonia Report.

 

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Prospectus summary

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including “Risk factors” and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements, before making an investment decision.

Caesarstone overview

We are a leading manufacturer of high quality engineered quartz surfaces sold under our premium Caesarstone brand. Although the use of quartz is relatively new, it is the fastest growing material in the countertop industry and continues to take market share from other materials, such as granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate. Between 1999 and 2010, global engineered quartz sales to end-consumers grew at a compound annual growth rate of 16.4% compared to a 4.4% compound annual growth rate in total global countertop sales to end-consumers during the same period. We believe that our strong brand awareness, leading market position, broad and innovative product offering and comprehensive market support provide us with substantial competitive advantages.

Founded in 1987, Caesarstone is a pioneer in the engineered quartz surfaces industry. Our products consist of engineered quartz slabs that are currently sold in 42 countries through a combination of direct sales in certain markets and indirectly through a network of independent distributors in other markets. In 2011, we acquired our former U.S. distributor and now generate the substantial majority of our revenues in the United States from direct distribution of our products. Our products are primarily used as kitchen countertops in the renovation and remodeling end markets. Other applications include vanity tops, wall panels, back splashes, floor tiles, stairs and other interior surfaces that are used in a variety of residential and non-residential applications. Our products’ hardness, as well as their non-porous characteristics, offer superior scratch, stain and heat resistance, making them extremely durable and ideal for kitchen and other applications relative to competing products such as granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate. Through our innovative design and manufacturing processes we are able to offer a wide variety of colors, styles, designs and textures.

From 2005 to 2007, our revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate of 37.9%, and during the more challenging global economic environment from 2007 to 2011, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%. In 2011, we generated revenue of $259.7 million, net income attributable to controlling interest of $29.1 million, adjusted EBITDA of $58.8 million and adjusted net income of $34.8 million. See “—Summary consolidated financial and other data” for a description of how we define adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income and reconciliations of net income to adjusted EBITDA and net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income. In 2011, our three largest markets, Australia, the United States and IsraeI, accounted for 34.0%, 23.0% and 14.9% of our total revenue, respectively.

 

 

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Industry overview

The global countertop industry generated $68.0 billion in sales to end-consumers in 2010 based on average installed price, which includes installation and other related costs. Sales to end-consumers include sales to the end-consumers of countertops as opposed to sales at the wholesale level from manufacturers to fabricators and/or distributors. The largest countertop markets by sales are Asia Pacific, Western Europe and North America, each with sales to end-consumers of between $16.2 billion and $17.6 billion in 2010. Laminate accounted for the largest portion of global countertop sales by volume in 2010, followed by manufactured solid surfaces and granite. Countertops have both residential and non-residential applications. We believe they are primarily installed in residential kitchens and bathrooms in new construction and home renovation and remodeling projects. In 2010, the majority of countertops were used in residential applications.

The strength, durability and appearance of engineered quartz, as well as the low maintenance it requires, make it ideal for kitchen and bathroom applications, as well as for other applications such as floors, sinks, stairs and walls. In July 2011, quartz received the highest overall score among countertop materials from Consumer Reports Magazine, a leading provider of third-party consumer product reviews, based on performance in several tests, including resistance to staining, heat, cutting and abrasions, as well as price. Between 1999 and 2010, global engineered quartz sales to end-consumers grew at a compound annual growth rate of 16.4%. In comparison, global countertop sales to end-consumers grew at a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% during the same period. As of 2010, engineered quartz had penetrated only 4.3% of the global countertop market by volume and is in the early stages of penetration in most markets compared to other countertop materials, such as granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate. We believe that growth in the engineered quartz surfaces market is being driven by increasing awareness of the material’s superior quality and characteristics.

Current penetration of engineered quartz surfaces by geographic region varies considerably. For example, in the United States, which accounted for 20% of global countertop sales to end-consumers in 2010, engineered quartz surfaces have penetrated approximately 5% of the countertop market by volume. In certain markets, including Australia and Israel, engineered quartz surfaces have already significantly penetrated the market and represented 32% and 82% of the total countertop market by volume in these countries in 2010, respectively. These levels highlight the penetration opportunity available to engineered quartz.

The engineered quartz surface manufacturing industry is highly fragmented. Engineered quartz surface manufacturers usually sell quartz slabs to a network of distributors that resell primarily to fabricators. Typically, fabricators are hired by contractors, developers and end-consumers to install the slabs at a project site. The engineered quartz surfaces manufacturing industry is characterized by limited vertical integration with few manufacturers controlling their own distribution or pursuing a global brand strategy.

Demand for countertops is primarily driven by the renovation and remodeling of existing homes and the construction of new homes, which are affected by changes in national and local economic conditions, demographics and unemployment levels. Despite the recent economic downturn, we believe that the home building and renovation and remodeling market will

 

 

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recover and drive long-term demand for countertops. We also believe that rising incomes in developing areas such as China and Latin America will contribute to growing long-term demand for countertops.

Competitive strengths

Our competitive strengths include:

 

 

Global market leader in the high growth engineered quartz surfaces market.     In 1987, we introduced the first engineered quartz surface to the countertop marketplace. We have grown to become the largest provider of engineered quartz surfaces for countertops in Australia, Canada, Israel, France and South Africa, and have significant market share in the United States and Singapore. Our products accounted for approximately 13% of global engineered quartz sales by volume in 2010. As a leading global manufacturer, we believe that we are well positioned to benefit from attractive growth and substantial penetration opportunities in the engineered quartz countertop segment.

 

 

Premium global brand with superior product characteristics.     We have invested considerable resources to position Caesarstone as a premium brand and our products as the “ultimate surface” within the global countertop market. We developed our premium brand through our product’s innovative designs, aesthetics, quality and strength. By regularly offering new designs and frequently being the first to introduce them to the marketplace, we have fostered our brand image as a leading design innovator in the global engineered quartz surfaces industry. The installation of a Caesarstone surface is often viewed as a statement about the quality of an entire kitchen or home, thereby adding value beyond the Caesarstone surface itself.

 

 

Proven ability to enter, develop and lead markets.     We have a proven track-record of achieving leading positions in our key markets, Australia, the United States, Israel and Canada, and entering new markets. We have accelerated the penetration and growth of Caesarstone products by specifically targeting markets with an existing demand for stone products with stone installation capabilities. We are implementing our business model in key growth markets, including the United States and Canada. We have a successful track record of penetrating our markets. For example, when we entered the Australian market in 1998 engineered quartz surfaces represented a de minimis share of the overall countertop market. We have helped increase engineered quartz surfaces to approximately 32% of the Australian countertop market by volume and achieved a 59% share by volume of the Australian engineered quartz market in 2010.

 

 

Strong global distribution platform.     We have developed a strong global distribution platform in 42 countries worldwide. Our sales strategy is tailored to the dynamics of each market in which we operate. In select markets, we have pursued a third-party distribution strategy to accelerate our entry into, and penetration of, multiple markets more rapidly. As a result of our investments in our distribution platform and our success in penetrating markets, we have a significant number of product displays globally, including displays at over 8,000 locations in the United States. We believe that our market infrastructure and significant experience are difficult for competitors to replicate.

 

 

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Superior manufacturing capabilities .    With 25 years of manufacturing experience, we have established our position as a leading manufacturer recognized for quality, innovation and design. We have customized our manufacturing processes in order to maximize the consistency, durability, flexibility and crack resistance of our products, while increasing the efficiency of our production lines. Together with our research and development capabilities, our manufacturing expertise has enabled us to develop a number of aesthetically distinct product collections.

 

 

Attractive financial profile .    We have enjoyed strong growth metrics, margins and free cash flow as a result of our proven business model, the success of our Caesarstone branded products, attractive market dynamics for quartz surfaces, our diverse geographic presence and our efficient manufacturing facilities. Despite the challenging global economic conditions, our revenues grew at a compound annual growth rate of 18.7% from 2007 to 2011. According to Freedonia, the global countertop market remained flat from 2007 to 2010. From 2007 to 2011, our gross profit margins grew from 27.4% to 40.2%, adjusted EBITDA margins grew from 18.4% to 22.6% and adjusted net income margins grew from 9.2% to 13.4%. We attribute this sales and margin growth to the acquisition of the business of our former Australian and U.S. distributors, and our transition to direct distribution in Canada, our penetration of new markets, increasing operational efficiencies and a change in our product mix. While our margins are subject to short-term pressure due to recent raw material price increases, we believe we have an attractive long-term financial profile.

 

 

Experienced management team .     Our senior management has extensive experience in manufacturing and global product branding and has an average of 18 years of executive management experience. In addition to substantial operational, marketing and research and development experience, many of our senior executives, including our Chief Executive Officer, Yosef Shiran, have significant experience leading public companies with a global presence.

Our strategy

We intend to pursue the following strategies in order to enhance our product brand and market share, build economies of scale in our business, and grow our revenues and net income:

 

 

Expand awareness of our premium brand.     We intend to continue to strengthen our brand primarily through continued investment in product innovation supported by strong research and development initiatives, marketing activities and the establishment of long-term relationships with distribution partners around the world. Since 2003, we have launched multiple new product collections, including Concetto, Motivo and Supremo, in order to further enhance the profile of our brand and expand our product line within the high end consumer segment. We intend to continue developing engineered quartz surfaces with new and innovative characteristics related to color, design, texture and thickness as well as promoting other applications for our products, such as high-end flooring and bathroom wall cladding.

 

 

Focus on key markets .    We believe that a significant portion of our future growth will come from continued penetration in our key growth markets, particularly the United States and Canada, which together accounted for 34.4% of our total sales in 2011 and which we have prioritized as key growth markets. We are considering expanding our direct distribution coverage to the remaining regions of the United States. We also intend to continue focusing on Australia, our largest market, which accounted for 34.0% of our total sales in 2011. In 2010,

 

 

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engineered quartz countertops represented 32%, 9% and 5% of the overall countertop market by volume in Australia, the United States and Canada, respectively. We believe that we are a leader in these markets with approximately 59%, 29% and 14% market share based on volume in 2010, respectively. We believe the penetration rates of engineered quartz in these key growth markets and our market share in the United States and Canada can reach considerably higher levels in the future.

 

 

Expand our global presence.     We currently distribute our products in 42 countries worldwide. In addition to our key existing markets of Australia, the United States, Israel and Canada we plan to continue to further penetrate existing markets where we have already developed a presence. We have also identified new markets for future growth that meet our criteria, which may include an existing demand for stone products supported by stone installation capabilities, strong economic growth rates and a high gross domestic product per capita. We intend to continue to invest in educating end-consumers on the benefits of engineered quartz surfaces and strengthening the Caesarstone brand to support our growth.

 

 

Pursue selective acquisitions .    Given the highly fragmented nature of the global engineered quartz surfaces market, we intend to continue to evaluate strategic acquisitions. For example, we may seek to acquire manufacturers, raw material suppliers or third-party distributors. As demonstrated by the acquisition of the business of our former Australian distributor in 2008, the business combination with our Eastern Canada distributor in 2010, the acquisition of the business of our former Western Canada distributor, the acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest in our U.S. distributor and the acquisition of the business of our former Singaporean distributor in 2011, there may be an advantage to us obtaining control over the distribution of our products in existing markets. Acquiring a distributor gives us a higher degree of control over sales operations, which may enable us to accelerate penetration of our products and increase our growth and margin profile. These acquisitions could also extend our existing sales channels, help us accelerate our global expansion, increase our market share or give us access to new products or technologies as a platform for growth.

Risk factors

Investing in our ordinary shares involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described in “Risk factors” before making a decision to invest in our ordinary shares. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely be materially adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our ordinary shares would likely decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The following is a summary of some of the principal risks we face:

 

 

Downturns in the home renovation and remodeling and new residential construction sectors or the economy generally and a lack of availability of consumer credit could adversely impact end-consumers and lower demand for our products, which in turn could cause our revenues and net income to decrease.

 

 

Our revenues are subject to significant geographic concentration and any disruption to sales within one of our key existing markets could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and prospects.

 

 

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We face intense competition and competitive pressures, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

Changes in the prices of our raw materials, particularly polyester and other polymer resins and pigments, have increased our costs and decreased our margins and net income in the past and may do so again in the future.

 

 

We have experienced quarterly fluctuations in revenues and net income as a result of seasonal factors and building construction cycles which are hard to predict with certainty. We expect that such quarterly fluctuations will increase in the future as we shift to selling through direct channels, which may increase the volatility of our share price and cause declines in our share price.

 

 

Silicosis claims and other legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

 

Our results of operations may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates and we may not have adequately hedged against them.

 

 

We may encounter delays in manufacturing if we are required to change the suppliers for the quartz used in the production of our products.

Our principal shareholders

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is a communal society located in Israel that was established in 1940 and founded our company in 1987. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam beneficially owns 70.1% of our outstanding shares. Affiliates of Tene Investment Funds, an Israeli private equity firm (“Tene”), invested in our company in 2006 and beneficially own 29.9% of our outstanding shares.

Following the completion of this offering, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will beneficially own approximately     % of our outstanding ordinary shares, or     % if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, and Tene will beneficially own approximately     % of our outstanding ordinary shares, or % if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full.

Corporate information

Our principal executive offices are located at Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, MP Menashe, Israel and our telephone number is +972 (4) 636-4555. Our website address is www.caesarstone.com. The information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

Throughout this prospectus, we refer to various trademarks, service marks and trade names that we use in our business. Caesarstone ® is one of our registered trademarks. Supremo™ is one of our trademarks. We also have several other registered trademarks, service marks and pending applications relating to our products. Other trademarks and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders.

In this prospectus, the terms “Caesarstone,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the company” refer to Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

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The offering

 

Ordinary shares offered by us

                shares

 

Ordinary shares offered by the selling shareholders

                shares

 

Total ordinary shares offered

                shares

 

Ordinary shares to be outstanding after this offering

                shares

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, of approximately $         million from the sale by us of ordinary shares in this offering, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

  We intend to use $25.6 million of the net proceeds of this offering to pay a special dividend to our existing shareholders immediately following the closing of this offering. See “Dividend policy.”

 

  We intend to use $6.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering to pay the balance of the acquisition price for the remaining 75% equity interest in our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, in which we acquired a 25% interest in January 2007. We acquired the remaining interest in May 2011 and the balance of the purchase price is payable following the closing of this offering.

 

  We may use a portion of the net proceeds to expand our production capacity during the next one to two years. We estimate that an additional production line would require an investment of approximately $30 million. We may choose to expand our production capacity by several means, including an acquisition, and the funds required may be greater or less.

 

  We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds of this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use all or a portion of the remaining net proceeds to acquire or invest in complementary companies, products or technologies. We are not currently a party to, or involved with, discussions regarding any other material acquisition that is probable, although we routinely engage in discussions with distributors and suppliers regarding potential acquisitions.

 

 

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We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.

 

Dividend policy

We do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares until at least one year following this offering. After that time, payments of dividends may be made from time to time, based on the recommendation of our board of directors, after taking into account legal limitations and contractual limitations under our credit agreements, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

  In addition to the special dividend described above, we also intend to pay to our preferred shareholders an additional dividend of $0.8 million prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not receive any portion of the foregoing dividends to our existing shareholders.

 

  See “Dividend policy.”

 

Risk factors

See “Risk factors” and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares.

 

Proposed Nasdaq Global Select Market symbol

“CSTE”

The number of ordinary shares to be outstanding after this offering excludes 9,500 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plan. This amount includes options to purchase                  of our ordinary shares that we intend to grant to our key employees, including our executive officers, immediately following the pricing of this offering with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. This amount is subject to adjustment so that it represents     % of the number of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the closing of this offering.

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus:

 

 

reflects the conversion of all outstanding preferred shares into                  ordinary shares, which will occur automatically immediately prior to the closing of this offering;

 

 

assumes an initial public offering price of $         per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, set forth on the cover page of this prospectus;

 

 

assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional                  ordinary shares from the selling shareholders to cover over-allotments; and

 

 

gives effect to a                 -for-                  share split effected on                     , 2012.

 

 

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Summary consolidated financial and other data

The following tables set forth our summary consolidated financial and other data. You should read the following summary consolidated financial and other data in conjunction with “Selected consolidated financial and other data,” “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Historical results are not indicative of the results to be expected in the future.

The summary consolidated statements of income data for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

Our functional currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS); however, our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. As a result, our financial statements have been translated into U.S. dollars using the current rate method. Under the current rate method, assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year or other applicable period. Equity accounts are translated using the historical exchange rate at the relevant transaction date. All other balance sheet accounts are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses resulting from the translation of financial statements are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity.

 

 

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(in thousands of dollars, except
dividends declared and per share data)

   Year Ended December 31,  
   2009     2010     2011  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Income Statement Data:

      

Revenues

   $ 162,634      $ 198,791      $ 259,671   

Cost of revenues

     108,853        120,503        155,377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     53,781        78,288        104,294   

Operating expenses:

      

Research and development, net(1)

     1,964        2,273        2,487   

Marketing and selling

     12,960        16,048        34,043   

General and administrative

     18,729        20,896        30,018   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     33,653        39,217        66,548   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     20,128        39,071        37,746   

Finance expenses, net

     8,693        2,370        4,775   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before taxes on income

     11,435        36,701        32,971   

Taxes on income

     3,752        7,399        3,600   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income after taxes on income

     7,683        29,302        29,371   

Equity in losses of affiliate(2)

     293        296        67   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 7,390      $ 29,006      $ 29,304   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

            348        252   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to controlling interest

     7,390        28,658        29,052   

Dividend attributable to preferred shareholders

   $ (2,337   $ (8,312   $ (8,376
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders

   $ 5,053      $ 20,346      $ 20,676   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share

   $ 0.06      $ 0.26      $ 0.26   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted income per ordinary share

     78,260        78,260        78,260   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net income per ordinary share(3)

       $     
      

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted pro forma net income per share

      
      

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share:

      

Shekels

     NIS 355.00        NIS 579.24        NIS 125.86   

Dollars

   $ 94.30      $ 161.77      $ 33.84   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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       As of December 31, 2011
(in thousands)    Actual      Pro
Forma(4)
     Pro Forma As
Adjusted(5)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,950       $      

Working capital(6)

     28,592         2,192      

Total assets

     246,317         234,367      

Total debt

     23,632         38,082      

Total liabilities

     103,661         118,111      

Redeemable non-controlling interest

     6,205         6,205      

Shareholders’ equity

     136,451         110,051      

 

 

       Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2009     2010     2011  

 

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

      

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 42,066      $ 46,649      $ 28,224   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     635        (5,920     (27,367

Net cash (used in) financing activities

     (26,970     (20,969     (31,833

Other Financial Data:

      

Adjusted EBITDA(7)

   $ 34,397      $ 50,489      $ 58,774   

Adjusted net income(7)

     16,013        29,763        34,765   

Capital expenditures

     4,765        5,486        8,785   

Depreciation and amortization

     9,497        10,034        14,615   

 

 

 

(1)   Research and development expenses are presented net of grants that we receive from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the State of Israel.

 

(2)   Reflects our proportionate share of the net loss of our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, in which we acquired a 25% equity interest on January 29, 2007. We accounted for our investment using the equity method. In 2011, the amount represents a loss through May 18, 2011, the date on which we acquired the remaining 75% equity interest in Caesarstone USA and began to consolidate its results of operations.

 

 

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(3)   Pro forma basic and diluted net income per share and pro forma weighted number of average shares assumes (i) the conversion of our preferred shares into ordinary shares, which will occur immediately prior to the closing of this offering, and (ii) the issuance of                      ordinary shares, representing the number of shares which, when multiplied by the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the initial public offering price range on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions), would be sufficient to replace the amount of dividends paid in 2012 in excess of net income attributable to controlling interest of $29.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The following table sets forth the components of the pro forma net income per ordinary share calculation:

 

(in thousands)   Year Ended December 31, 2011  

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to controlling interest

       $ 29,052   

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted net income per ordinary share

         78,260   

Adjustments to reflect the effect of the assumed conversion of the preferred shares from the beginning of the period

         28,565   

Number of shares issued to fund the dividend in excess of earnings

      

Pro forma weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted income per ordinary share

      
      

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net income per ordinary share

       $     

 

 
  (4)   Pro forma gives effect to the payment of a special dividend to our existing shareholders of $25.6 million immediately following the closing of this offering and an additional dividend to our preferred shareholders of $0.8 million that we intend to pay prior to the closing of this offering.

 

  (5)   Pro forma as adjusted additionally gives effect to (i) our receipt of net proceeds of $         million from the sale by us of ordinary shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the mid-point of the initial public offering price range on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of such proceeds as described in “Use of proceeds,” (ii) the payment of $         million to our Chief Executive Officer in connection with the automatic exercise upon the closing of this offering of his right to receive payment with respect to the increase in value of 700 of our shares granted to him in January 2009 based on the increase in value of our company at the date of this offering (see “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Equity incentive plan—Grant of stock options to chief executive officer”) and (iii) the payment of $1.7 million to certain of our employees and $0.25 million to our Chairman for their contribution to our success. Pro forma as adjusted does not reflect the receipt of $11.4 million from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in connection with the anticipated sale and leaseback of our facilities in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park, which we expect to occur following the closing of this offering subject to receipt of approvals from certain Israeli governmental authorities (see “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Relationship and agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam— Land purchase agreement and leaseback”).

 

  (6)   Working capital is defined as total current assets minus total current liabilities.

 

 

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  (7)   The following tables reconcile net income to adjusted EBITDA and net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income for the periods presented and is unaudited:

 

      Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)   2009     2010     2011  

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

     

Net income

  $ 7,390      $ 29,006      $ 29,304   

Finance expenses, net

    8,693        2,370        4,775   

Taxes on income

    3,752        7,399        3,600   

Depreciation and amortization

    9,497        10,034        14,615   

Equity in losses of affiliate, net(a).

    293        296        67   

Excess cost of acquired inventory(b) .

                  4,021   

Litigation gain(c).

                  (1,783

Microgil loan and inventory write down(d) .

                  2,916   

Share-based compensation expense(e).

    4,772        1,384        1,259   
 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 34,397      $ 50,489      $ 58,774   

 

 
  (a)   Consists of our portion of the results of operations of Caesarstone USA prior to its acquisition by us in May 2011.

 

  (b)   Consists of the difference between the higher carrying cost of Caesarstone USA’s inventory at the time of acquisition and the standard cost of our inventory, which adversely impacts our gross margins until such inventory is sold. The majority of the acquired inventory was sold in 2011.

 

  (c)   Consists of a mediation award in our favor pursuant to two trademark infringement cases brought by Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

  (d)   Relates to our writing down to zero the cost of inventory provided to Microgil Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. (“Microgil”), our former third-party quartz processor in Israel, in 2011 in the amount of $1.8 million and our writing down to zero our $1.1 million loan to Microgil, in each case, in connection with a dispute. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

 

  (e)   Share-based compensation consists primarily of changes in the value of share-based rights granted in January 2009 to our Chief Executive Officer, as well as changes in the value of share-based rights granted in March 2008 to the former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

       Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interest to Adjusted Net Income:

        

Net income attributable to controlling interest

   $ 7,390       $ 28,658       $ 29,052   

Tene option revaluation(a) .

     8,062                   

Excess cost of acquired inventory(b) .

                     4,021   

Litigation gain(c).

                     (1,783

Microgil loan and inventory write down(d) .

                     2,916   

Share-based compensation expense(e).

     4,772         1,384         1,259   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total adjustments before tax

     12,834         1,384         6,413   

Less tax on above adjustments(f)

     4,211         279         700   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total adjustments after tax

     8,623         1,105         5,713   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 16,013       $ 29,763       $ 34,765   

 

 

 

  (a)   Represents the change in the fair value of an option to purchase preferred shares representing 5% of our share capital that we granted to Tene in December 2006. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Application of critical accounting policies and estimates—Fair value measurements.”

 

 

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  (b)   Consists of the difference between the higher carrying cost of Caesarstone USA’s inventory at the time of acquisition and the standard cost of our inventory, which adversely impacts our gross margins until such inventory is sold. The majority of the acquired inventory was sold in 2011.

 

  (c)   Consists of a mediation award in our favor pursuant to two trademark infringement cases brought by Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

  (d)   Relates to our writing down to zero the cost of inventory provided to Microgil, our former third-party quartz processor in Israel, in 2011 in the amount of $1.8 million and our writing down to zero our $1.1 million loan to Microgil, in each case, in connection with a dispute. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

 

  (e)   Share-based compensation consists primarily of changes in the value of share-based rights granted in January 2009 to our Chief Executive Officer, as well as changes in the value of share-based rights granted in March 2008 to the former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

  (f)   Tax adjustments reflect the increase in taxes on income that would have been reflected in our consolidated income statement for the applicable period if the adjustments set forth in the table were not applied in computing net income. The tax effect is based on effective tax rate for each relevant year.

 

       Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are metrics used by management to measure operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income excluding finance expenses, net, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization, equity in losses of affiliate, net, share-based compensation expenses and other unusual income or expenses. Adjusted net income represents net income attributable to controlling interest excluding share-based compensation expenses and other unusual income or expenses, plus adjustment for the related tax impact. We present adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expenses, net), changes in foreign exchange rates that impact financial asset and liabilities denominated in currencies other than our functional currency (affecting finance expenses, net), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates) and the age and book depreciation of fixed assets (affecting relative depreciation expense). Adjusted EBITDA also excludes equity in losses of affiliate, net, because we believe it is helpful to view the performance of our business excluding the impact of our U.S. distributor, which we did not control, and because our share of the net income (loss) of the U.S. distributor includes items that have other been excluded from adjusted EBITDA (such as finance expenses, net, tax on income and depreciation and amortization). In addition, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income exclude the non-cash impact of share-based compensation and a number of unusual items that we do not believe reflect the underlying performance of our business. Because adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income facilitate internal comparisons of operating performance on a more consistent basis, we also use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income in measuring our performance relative to that of our competitors. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net Income are not measures of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as measures of our profitability or liquidity. We understand that although adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are frequently used by securities analysts, lenders and others in their evaluation of companies, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income do not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

although depreciation is a non-cash charge, the assets being depreciated will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and

 

   

other companies in our industry may calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

 

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Risk factors

This offering and an investment in our ordinary shares involve a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks described below and all other information contained in this prospectus, before you decide to buy our ordinary shares. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our ordinary shares would likely decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.

Risks related to our business and our industry

Downturns in the home renovation and remodeling and new residential construction sectors or the economy generally and a lack of availability of consumer credit could adversely impact end-consumers and lower demand for our products, which in turn could cause our revenues and net income to decrease.

Our products are primarily used as countertops in residential kitchens and are mostly sold into the home renovation and remodeling end markets. As a result, our sales depend significantly on home renovation and remodeling spending, as well as new residential construction spending, and to a lesser degree, on non-residential construction spending. Spending in each of these sectors declined significantly in 2009 compared to 2008 in most of the markets in which we operate and, in 2010 and 2011, many of these markets, including the United States and Europe, did not recover or recovered only to a small degree. Spending on home renovation and remodeling and new residential construction depends significantly on the availability of consumer credit, as well as other factors such as interest rates, consumer confidence, government programs and unemployment. Any of these factors could result in a tightening of lending standards by financial institutions and reduce the ability of consumers to finance renovation and remodeling expenditures or home purchases. Consumers’ ability to access financing varies across our operating markets. Declining home values, increased home foreclosures and tightening of credit standards by lending institutions in certain markets have negatively impacted the home renovation and remodeling and the new residential construction sectors in several of our key existing markets since 2008. The European and the U.S. economies continue to be significantly impacted today. If these trends continue, we may be unable to grow our business and our revenues and net income may be adversely affected.

Our revenues are subject to significant geographic concentration and any disruption to sales within one of our key existing markets could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and prospects.

Our sales are currently subject to significant geographic concentration. In 2011, sales in Australia accounted for 34.0% of our revenues, sales in the United States accounted for 23.0% of our revenues and sales in Israel accounted for 14.9% of our revenues. Our operations depend significantly upon general economic and other conditions in these countries. Each country has different characteristics and our results of operations could be adversely impacted by a range of factors, including local competitive changes, changes in consumers’ quartz surface or countertop preferences, and regulatory changes that specifically impact these markets. A downturn in levels of home renovation and remodeling or new residential construction spending in Australia, the United States or Israel, in particular, could adversely affect our revenues and net income. In Australia, our largest market, the renovation and remodeling market accounted for

 

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approximately 48% of our total sales in this country in 2010. General economic conditions and our sales in Australia could be adversely impacted by an increase in imports from Asian manufacturers into Australia, future increases in interest rates placing pressure on the affordability of home renovation and remodeling and new residential construction projects, and the strength of the Australian dollar making lower priced and lower quality imported goods more competitive than our products, which may not be offset by any increased profitability we may experience from a stronger Australian dollar. In the United States, our second largest market, consumers are continuing to experience difficulty in securing financing for home renovation and remodeling projects and the purchase of new homes. According to CoreLogic, a provider of consumer, financial and property information, it is estimated that as of the end of the third quarter of 2011, 22.1% of all U.S. residential properties with mortgages were underwater, meaning that the home is worth less than the amount owed by the homeowner on the mortgage. This could result in a disincentive to invest in renovation and remodeling projects in such homes. Although we face different challenges and risks in each of these markets, due to the existence of a high level of geographic concentration, should an adverse event occur in any of these jurisdictions, our results of operations and prospects could be impacted disproportionately.

We face intense competition and competitive pressures, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our quartz surface products compete with a number of other surface materials such as granite, laminate, marble, manufactured solid surface, concrete, stainless steel and wood. We compete with these surface materials and other quartz surfaces on a range of factors, including brand awareness, product quality, new product development and time to market, pricing, customer service and breadth of product offerings. Since we seek to position our products as a premium alternative to other surface materials and other quartz surfaces, the perception among end-consumers of the quality of our products is a key competitive differentiator. Our revenues and net income may be adversely affected if manufacturers of other surface materials or other quartz manufacturers successfully brand their products as premium products or consumers place less value on premium branded quartz surfaces. In addition, changes in any of these competitive factors may be sufficient to cause a distributor to change manufacturers, which would harm our sales in that jurisdiction.

The manufacturers of other surface products consist of a number of regional and global competitors. The quartz surface market is highly fragmented and is also comprised of a number of regional and global competitors. Large multinational companies have also invested in quartz surface production capabilities. We believe that we are likely to encounter strong competition from these multinational companies and other larger manufacturers as a result of consolidation in the industry in the future. Such consolidation is likely to occur as a result of the economies of scale associated with quartz manufacturing that are becoming important to remain competitive in an increasingly global quartz surface market and will be increasingly important as the quartz market matures in the future.

The number of our direct competitors and the intensity of competition may increase as we expand into other markets or applications, or as other companies expand into our operating markets or applications. Some of our competitors may be able to adapt to changes in consumer preferences and demand more quickly, devote greater resources to design innovation and establishing brand recognition, manufacture more versatile slab sizes, implement processes to

 

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lower costs, acquire complementary businesses, such as raw material suppliers, and expand more rapidly or adopt more aggressive pricing policies than we can. Competitors may have incorporated or may in the future incorporate more advanced technology in their manufacturing processes, including more advanced automation techniques. A number of our competitors have greater financial and capital resources than we do and continue to invest heavily to achieve increased production efficiencies and brand recognition. Competitors may also be in a better position to access emerging sales channels in various markets. Our inability to meet these challenges could result in a loss of distributors, customers, end-consumers and/or market share, and pricing pressures caused by such competition could reduce the sales of our products, our revenues and margins thereby adversely affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We face competition from providers of quartz surfaces that set prices considerably lower than the prices of our premium products, which could adversely impact our sales and margins.

We have invested considerable resources to position our quartz surface products as premium branded products. Due to our products’ high quality and positioning, we generally set our prices at a higher level than alternate surfaces and quartz surfaces provided by other manufacturers. We face competition in several markets, particularly in Australia and the United States, primarily from manufacturers located in the Asia-Pacific region that market quartz surface products at lower price points. Manufacturers in China, Vietnam and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region frequently benefit from labor and energy costs that are significantly lower than our costs and enable them to price their products lower than our products. Under these circumstances, we can face direct competition that significantly undercuts the prices that we are able to charge and that we seek to charge our distributors, as well as the prices that our distributors and stonemasons are able to charge consumers. Even if we seek to lower the prices that we charge for our products in certain markets, we may be unable to achieve the same labor and energy costs in order to maintain current margins on our products. Some of these competitors have developed know-how and technical capabilities to manufacture products similar to our products and other competitors may do so in the future. We have also experienced instances, particularly in Australia, of our competitors marketing products with similar appearances and similar model names to some of our products. Competition of this nature may increase in the markets in which we operate and may develop in new markets. Even if these competitors are unable to compete with us in all markets in which we sell, the introduction of similar products may result in lowering or eliminating the value that distributors and end-consumers place on our premium brand and products. Such competition or change in perception could result in significantly lower sales and reduced profit margins.

Changes in the prices of our raw materials, particularly polyester and other polymer resins and pigments, have increased our costs and decreased our margins and net income in the past and may increase our costs and decrease our margins in the future.

Polyester and other polymer resins, which act as a binding agent in our products, accounted for approximately 42% of our raw material costs in 2011. Accordingly, our cost of sales and overall results of operations are impacted significantly by fluctuations in resin prices. For example, if the price of polyester and other polymer resins was to rise by 10%, and we were not able to pass along any of such increase to our customers or achieve other offsetting savings, we would experience a decrease of approximately 1.3% in our gross profit margin. The cost of polyester and other polymer resins is a function of, among other things, manufacturing capacity, demand

 

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and the price of crude oil. The cost of polyester and other polymer resins has fluctuated significantly over the past two years. We do not have long-term supply contracts with our suppliers of polyester and other polymer resins. We generally purchase polyester and other polymer resins on a quarterly basis and have found that increases in their prices are difficult to pass on to our customers. The cost of these resins has risen significantly since December 2009. During 2010, polyester prices increased by 33%, and, even though prices decreased overall by 1.3% in 2011, our average cost of polyester in 2011 increased by approximately 18%. In the past, we managed to offset a portion of these cost increases through advance purchase orders up to one quarter ahead. However, manufacturers are currently unwilling to agree to preset prices for periods longer than one or two months. These increases adversely impacted our margins in 2011. Any such further increases in polyester prices may adversely impact our margins and net income.

Pigments are also used to manufacture our quartz surface products. Although pigments account for a significantly lower percentage of our raw material costs than polyester and other polymer resins, fluctuations in pigments prices may also adversely impact our margins and net income. For example, the price of titanium dioxide, our principal white pigmentation agent increased by 38% during 2010. Such increases began to impact our margins in 2011. In 2011, titanium dioxide prices increased by an additional 42%, and currently, we anticipate further increases in the future due to an ongoing supply shortage, which may impact our margins. If the price of titanium dioxide were to increase by 10% and we were unable to pass along such increase to our customers or achieve other offsetting savings, we estimate that we would experience a decrease of approximately 0.3% in our margins.

We have experienced quarterly fluctuations in revenues and net income as a result of seasonal factors and building construction cycles which are hard to predict with certainty. We expect that such quarterly fluctuations will increase in the future as we shift to selling through direct channels, which may increase the volatility of our share price and cause declines in our share price.

Our results of operations are impacted by seasonal factors, including construction and renovation cycles. We believe that the third quarter of the year exhibits higher sales volumes than other quarters because demand for quartz surface products is generally higher during the summer months in the northern hemisphere when the weather is more favorable for new construction and renovation projects, as well as the impact of efforts to complete such projects before the beginning of the new school year. Conversely, the first quarter is impacted by a slowdown in new construction and renovation projects during the winter months as a result of adverse weather conditions in the northern hemisphere, and, depending on the date of the spring holiday in Israel in a particular year, the first or second quarter is impacted by a reduction in sales in Israel due to such holiday. Similarly, sales during the first quarter in Australia are negatively impacted by fewer construction and renovation projects due to public holidays. In the third quarter of 2010, we generated 10.3% more revenues than the average revenue generated in the first and second quarters of 2010. In the third quarter of 2011, we generated 22.2% more revenue than in the first quarter of 2011, excluding the impact of the Caesarstone USA acquisition. Our adjusted EBITDA was 29.8% higher in the third quarter of 2011 than in the first quarter of 2011, excluding the impact of the Caesarstone USA acquisition.

We expect that seasonal factors will have a greater impact on our revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income in the future due to our recent shift to direct distribution in the United States and Canada, and as we continue to increase direct distribution as a percentage of our total revenues in the future. This is because we generate higher average selling prices in the markets

 

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in which we have direct distribution channels and, therefore, our revenues are more greatly impacted by changes in demand in these markets. Direct sales accounted for 74.9% of our total sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 86.8% of our total sales in the second half 2011, after our shift to direct distribution in the United States and Western Canada. At the same time, our fixed costs have also increased as a result of our shift to direct distribution and, therefore, the impact of seasonal fluctuations in our revenues on our profit margins, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income will likely be magnified in future periods. In addition, adverse weather in a particular quarter or a prolonged winter period could further impact our quarterly results. Our future results of operations may experience substantial fluctuations from period to period as a consequence of these factors. Increased or unexpected quarterly fluctuations in our results of operations may increase the volatility of our share price and cause declines in our share price even if they do not reflect a change in the overall performance of our business.

We recently acquired our U.S. distributor and formed a joint venture in Canada to distribute our products, and may face challenges as we integrate these entities and implement our sales strategies in these markets. In addition, as a result of these changes, our historical results may not be indicative of our future results.

Our direct markets historically included Australia and Israel, while our indirect markets included, among others, Canada and the United States. In October 2010, we began to distribute our products exclusively in Eastern Canada through a joint venture in which we own a 55% interest. In May 2011, we acquired our U.S. distributor and expanded our Canadian joint venture to exclusively distribute our products throughout Canada. We must successfully integrate and manage both of these operations in order to successfully implement our growth strategies. For example, in Canada under a joint venture arrangement with our former third-party distributor in Eastern Canada, we share certain rights and benefits, including board nomination rights. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to integrate our recent acquisitions in the United States and Canada.

The results of operations of our U.S. subsidiary and Canadian joint venture are fully consolidated in our results of operations for a portion of 2011. While this impacted our revenue and gross margins favorably, it also increased our operating expenses significantly as we added each entity’s cost of operations to our costs. Prior to May 2011 and, in the case of Eastern Canada, October 2010, our historical financial information reflects our results of operations prior to the establishment of these direct distribution channels. Consequently, it may also be difficult for investors to compare our future results to our historical results or to evaluate our relative performance or trends in our business.

Consolidation in our industry may increase the competitive pressures to which we are subject and may enhance our competitors’ manufacturing, sales and marketing capabilities.

Due to the highly fragmented nature of the quartz surface market, we believe that consolidation is likely and a smaller number of large companies may take leading market positions. We believe we would encounter strong competition from any such larger companies following their consolidation. Larger companies are likely to benefit from economies of scale associated with quartz manufacturing that are becoming important to remain competitive in an increasingly global quartz surface market. Such economies of scale will be increasingly important as the quartz market matures in the future. In addition, larger companies may have significantly greater resources than we do to penetrate markets, in particular, by investing significant sums in raising awareness for their brand among end-consumers in order to drive sales of their products, as well as by operating manufacturing facilities closer to customers

 

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and end-consumers in various regions worldwide. If we are unable to grow our business organically or undertake our own acquisitions, we may lose market share, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Silicosis and related claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Since 2008, fourteen lawsuits have been filed against us or named us as third party defendants in Israel and we have received a number of additional letters threatening lawsuits on behalf of certain fabricators of our products in Israel or their employees in Israel alleging that they contracted illnesses, including silicosis, through exposure to fine silica particles when cutting, polishing, sawing, grinding, breaking, crushing, drilling, sanding or sculpting our products. Each of the lawsuits which has been filed names defendants in addition to us, including, in certain cases, fabricators that employed the plaintiff, the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment, distributors of our products and insurance companies. Silicosis is an occupational lung disease that is progressive and sometimes fatal, and is characterized by scarring of the lungs and damage to the breathing function. Inhalation of dust containing fine silica particles as a result of not well protected and not well controlled, or unprotected and uncontrolled, exposure while processing quartz, granite, marble and other materials can cause silicosis. Various types of claims are raised in these lawsuits and in the letters submitted to us, including product liability claims such as claims related to failure to provide warnings regarding the risks associated with silica dust. We believe that we have valid defenses to the lawsuits pending against us and to potential claims and intend to contest them vigorously. Damages totaling $6.1 million are specified in the lawsuits currently filed; however, the amount of general damages, which includes items such as pain and suffering and loss of future earnings, has not yet been specified in most of the lawsuits. As a result, there is uncertainty regarding the total amount of damages that may ultimately be sought. At present, we do not believe that it is reasonably possible that the lawsuits filed against us to date will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, in part due to the current availability of insurance coverage. Nevertheless, all but one of the lawsuits are at a preliminary stage and no material determinations, including those relating to attribution of fault or amount of damages, have been made. There can also be no assurance that our insurance coverage will be adequate or that we will prevail in these cases. We are party to a settlement agreement that is pending court approval with respect to one of the lawsuits filed. In that instance, the total settlement is for NIS 275,000 ($71,970) of which we have agreed to pay NIS 10,000 ($2,617) without admitting liability. Substantially all of the balance is payable by the fabricator that employed the individual in question and insurance companies. We can provide no assurance that other lawsuits will be settled in this manner or at all.

Our current liability insurance provider renewed our product liability insurance policy in October 2011 through November 2012. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain product liability insurance in the future on the same terms, including with the premium under our current policy, or at all. If our current insurance provider does not renew our product liability insurance policy in the future, it is uncertain at this time whether we will be able to obtain insurance coverage from other insurance providers in the future. We are not currently subject to any claims from our employees related to silicosis; however, we may be subject to such claims in the future. Our employer liability insurance policy excludes silicosis claims by our employees and, to the extent we become subject to any such claims, we may be liable for claims in excess of the portion covered by the National Insurance Institute of Israel. If our insurance providers refuse to

 

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renew our insurance, we are unable to obtain coverage from other providers, our policy is terminated early or we become subject to silicosis claims excluded by our employer liability insurance policy, we may incur significant legal expenses and become liable for damages, in each case, that are not covered by insurance, and our management could expend significant time addressing such claims. These events could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Consistent with the experience of other companies involved in silica-related litigation, there may be an increase in the number of asserted claims against us. Such claims could be asserted by claimants in jurisdictions other than Israel, including the United States where we recently acquired our former U.S. third-party distributor, Canada where we recently established a joint venture for the distribution of products there and Australia and could result in significant legal expenses and damages. Existing or future claimants against us, in Israel or elsewhere, may seek to have their claims certified as class actions on behalf of a defined group. We believe that claimants in future silica-related claims involving us, if any, should be limited to persons involved in the fabrication of our products, including, but not limited to, cutting, polishing, sawing, grinding, breaking, crushing, drilling, sanding or sculpting, and those in the immediate vicinity of fabrication activities, but may potentially include our employees. Any pending or future litigation, including any future litigation in the United States, where in May 2011 we acquired our former third-party distributor, Caesarstone USA, formerly known as U.S. Quartz Products, Inc., is subject to significant uncertainty. We cannot determine the amount of potential damages, if any, in the event of an adverse development in a pending or future case, in part because the defendants in these types of lawsuits are often numerous, the claims generally do not specify the amount of damages sought, our product’s involvement may be speculative, and the degree to which our product may have caused the alleged illness may be unclear. In addition, punitive damages may be awarded in certain jurisdictions.

Furthermore, we may face future engineering and compliance costs to enhance our compliance with existing standards relating to silica, or to meet new standards if such standards are heightened. Such costs may adversely impact our profitability.

Our results of operations may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates and we may not have adequately hedged against them.

We conduct business in multiple countries, which exposes us to risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the NIS (our functional currency), the U.S. dollar (our reporting currency) and the other currencies in which we conduct business. In 2011, 34.0% of our revenues were denominated in Australian dollars, 24.7% in U.S. dollars, 15.0% in Euros, 14.8% in NIS and 11.4% in Canadian dollars. Conversely, in 2011, the majority of our expenses were denominated in NIS, U.S. dollars and Euros, and a smaller proportion in Australian and Canadian dollars. As a result, fluctuations of the Australian, U.S. and Canadian dollar against the NIS present the most significant risk to us if these currencies weaken relative to the NIS. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact our business significantly; for example, the Australian dollar appreciated 7.6% against the NIS in 2011 compared to 2010, which resulted in our operating profit increasing by $4.6 million, or 1.8% of our revenues, compared to 2010. Although we currently engage in derivatives transactions such as forward contracts to minimize our currency risk, future currency exchange rate fluctuations that we have not adequately hedged could adversely affect our profitability. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk.”

 

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We may encounter delays in manufacturing if we are required to change the suppliers for the quartz used in the production of our products.

Our principal raw materials are quartz, polyester and other polymer resins and pigments. We acquire quartz from quartz manufacturers, primarily in Turkey, India, Portugal and Israel. We typically transact business with our quartz suppliers on a purchase order basis. We cannot be certain that any of our current suppliers will continue to provide us with the quantities of quartz that we require or satisfy our anticipated specifications and quality requirements. We may also experience a shortage of quartz if, for example, demand for our products increases. Approximately two-thirds of our quartz is imported from suppliers in Turkey. There have recently been significant tensions between Turkey and the State of Israel that have raised questions as to whether commercial arrangements between companies in these countries would be adversely impacted. If tensions between Turkey and Israel continue or worsen, our Turkish suppliers may not provide us with quartz shipments. In addition, our products incorporate a number of types of quartz, including quartzite. One supplier in Turkey, Mikroman Madencilik San ve TIC.LTD.STI (“Mikroman”), supplies approximately 76% of our quartzite. Mikroman has committed to supply us at agreed upon prices through the end of 2012 and, thereafter, at prices that will be agreed upon based on then effective market prices through the end of 2014. If Mikroman ceases supplying us with quartzite or if our supply of quartz generally from Turkey is adversely impacted, we would need to locate and qualify alternate suppliers, which could take time, increase costs and require adjustments to the appearance of our products. As a result, we may experience a delay in manufacturing, which could materially and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations.

We are subject to litigation, disputes or other proceedings, which could result in unexpected expense of time and resources that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operation, profit margins, financial condition and liquidity.

In the past, claims have arisen from our relationships with distributors, service providers and employees. We are currently involved in the following material disputes:

 

 

In November 2011, Kfar Giladi Quarries Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd., or Kfar Giladi, and Microgil Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd., or Microgil, an entity we believe is controlled by Kfar Giladi, initiated arbitration proceedings against us that are scheduled to commence in April 2012. We refer to Kfar Giladi and Microgil as the claimants. The arbitration arises out of a dispute related to a quartz processing agreement (the “Processing Agreement”) pursuant to which Kfar Giladi committed to establish a production facility at its own expense within 21 months of the date of the agreement. Pursuant to the Processing Agreement, we committed to pay fixed prices for quartz processing services related to agreed upon quantities of quartz over a period of ten years from the date set for the claimants to commence operating the production facility. We estimate that the total amount of such payments would have been approximately $55 million. It is our position that the production facility established by the claimants was not operational until approximately two years after the date required by the Processing Agreement, and as a result, we were unable to purchase minimum quantities set forth in the Processing Agreement. It is also our position that the Processing Agreement was terminated by us following its breach by the claimants. In addition, we contend that once production began, the claimants failed to consistently deliver the required quantity and quality of ground quartz as agreed by the parties following the termination of the Processing

 

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Agreement. Our positions are disputed by the claimants. To date, the claimants have not specified the amount of their claim against us; however, we expect that they may seek significant damages that may amount to tens of millions of dollars that, in their view, represent the entire cost of the production facility and the profits that they would have realized but for our alleged breach. The claimants could also seek damages for other losses. The claimants previously informed us that the amount they had invested in establishing their production facility was more than NIS 40 million ($10.5 million). We cannot currently estimate the profits, if any, that the claimants would have made based on the purchase commitment contemplated by the Processing Agreement.

 

 

In July 2010, the former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia (“CSA”) commenced legal proceedings against us in the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia regarding an agreement to grant him restricted shares of CSA. The former executive claims that the conduct of the business of CSA was oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against, him as a minority shareholder. As of September 30, 2009, the last date on which we performed a valuation analysis prior to termination of the former executive, for financial reporting purposes, we determined that the fair value of the restricted stock that would have been granted to him under the agreement was $1.9 million. The former chief executive officer has not specified the amount that he is claiming.

 

 

In December 2007, we terminated our agency agreement with our former South African agent, World of Marble and Granite (“WOMAG”) on the basis that it had breached the agreement. In the same month, we filed a claim for NIS 1.0 million ($0.3 million) in the Israeli District Court in Haifa based on such breach. WOMAG has contested jurisdiction of the Israeli District Court, but subsequent appellate courts have dismissed WOMAG’s contest. In January 2008, WOMAG filed suit in South Africa seeking 15.7 million ($22.3 million), but the South African Court determined that it would not hear WOMAG’s claim until the Israeli court ruled on WOMAG’s objection to its jurisdiction.

An adverse ruling in these proceedings could have a material adverse effect on us. If we are unsuccessful in defending a claim or elect to settle a claim, we could incur material costs that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

A key element of our strategy is to expand our sales in certain markets, such as the United States and Canada, which will require a substantial effort to build awareness and develop the quartz surface market, and our failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on our future growth and prospects.

A key element of our strategy is to grow our business by expanding sales of our products in certain existing markets that we believe have high growth potential, but in which we have a limited presence, as well as in select new markets. In particular, we intend to focus our growth efforts on the United States and Canada. Our success will depend, in large part, upon consumer acceptance and adoption of our products in these markets. Consumer tastes and preferences differ in the markets into which we are expanding as compared to those in which we already have substantial sales. In particular, quartz surfaces in Australia and Israel account for a significantly larger percentage of total countertops sold in these markets than in the United States or Canada. In 2010, we estimate that engineered quartz surfaces represented only 5% of the total countertops by volume installed in the United States. We may also seek to expand into additional markets in the future. We will face several challenges in achieving consumer acceptance and adoption of our products in the United States, Canada or other markets, including consumers’ desire to use quartz

 

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surfaces for their kitchen countertops and other interior settings. If the market for quartz surfaces does not develop as we expect or develops more slowly than we expect, our future growth, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be harmed.

We face risks of litigation and liability claims on environmental, product liability and other matters, the extent of such exposure can be difficult or impossible to estimate and which can negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Our manufacturing facilities and operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations of the State of Israel relating to pollution and the protection of the environment, including those governing emissions to air, discharges to water, soil and water contamination, import, purchase, use, storage and transport of hazardous materials, storage, treatment and disposal of waste and protection of worker health and safety. Liability under these laws involves inherent uncertainties. Violations of environmental, health and safety laws are subject to civil, and, in some cases, criminal sanctions. We may not have been, or may not be, at all times, in complete compliance with all requirements, and we may incur material costs or liabilities in connection with such requirements, or in connection with remediation at sites we own, or third-party sites where it has been alleged that we have liability, in excess of the amounts we have accrued. We may also incur unexpected interruptions to our operations, administrative injunctions requiring operation stoppages, fines and other penalties. From time to time, we face environmental compliance issues related to our two manufacturing facilities in Israel. At present, we are reviewing plans to address environmental regulatory issues related to the emission of styrene gas, disposal of waste, waste water treatment and discharge and fire protection measures. Continued government and public emphasis on environmental issues can be expected to result in increased future investments for environmental controls at ongoing operations, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

From time to time, we are involved in other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business related to a range of matters, including environmental, contract, employment claims, product liability and warranty claims, and claims related to modification and adjustment or replacement of product surfaces sold. We use various substances in our products and manufacturing operations which have been or may be deemed to be hazardous or dangerous. We cannot predict whether we may become liable under environmental and product liability statutes, rules, regulations and case law of the countries in which we operate. The amount of any such liability in the future could be significant and may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from the distribution of our products by third-party distributors, and our distributors’ actions may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Sales to third-party distributors accounted for 13.2% of our revenues in the second half of 2011 after our transition to direct distribution in the United States and Western Canada. In indirect markets where we rely on third-party distributors, we depend on the success of their selling and marketing efforts and we may be unable to devote adequate resources to selling, marketing and servicing our products through our distributors. In addition, we have less control in markets where we sell through distributors than in markets where we distribute directly. The actions of our distributors could also harm our brand and company reputation in the marketplace. Any disruption in our distribution network could have a negative effect on our ability to sell our products or market our brand, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

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Some of our initial engagements with our distributors are pursuant to a memorandum of understanding granting such distributor one year of exclusivity in consideration for meeting minimum sales targets. After the initial one-year period, we may enter into a distribution agreement for a three- to five-year period. However, in the majority of cases, we continue to operate on the basis of the memorandum of understanding, with or without its extension in writing, or without an operative agreement. We supply our products to distributors upon the receipt of a purchase order. Some of our distributors operate on nonexclusive terms of sale agreements or without any written agreements. The lack of a written agreement with many of our distributors may lead to ambiguities, costs and challenges in enforcing our rights. Our distribution agreements generally include annual sales targets, and if any distributor fails to meet its sales targets, we may attempt to terminate our distribution agreement with that distributor. Unless otherwise indicated in a specific agreement, if we terminate a distribution engagement without cause, we may be required to provide reasonable prior notice, although the exact period may not be specified. We have experienced difficulties, including litigation, in connection with the termination of certain of our distributors due to disputes regarding their terms of engagement. See “Business—Legal proceedings.” We may be unable to distribute our products through another distributor within the territory during the notice period, which may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations, our relationships with our customers and end-consumers, and our brand reputation. This may also result in our loss of market share to competitors. Upon termination, we may experience difficulties in identifying and retaining new distributors. Distributors may generally terminate a distribution agreement with us upon reasonable notice (although our written agreements and memorandums of understanding with distributors, where applicable, provide for termination without cause only after the initial period). As a result, distributors may distribute a competitor’s quartz surfaces or other surface materials, which may cause us to lose market share. We may be unable to develop an alternative distribution network in a region. The termination of distribution arrangements may result in litigation. We may have to incur significant legal fees and management may have to devote significant effort, time and resources to defending litigation-related issues, which may detract from their ability to run our business.

We depend on our third-party distributors for the timely and accurate reporting of information related to the distribution of our products.

Generally, our distributors disclose to us sales volumes and other information on a monthly or quarterly basis. Among other things, the purpose of these disclosures is to enable us to monitor the level of sales to end-consumers and ensure that our distributors are not accumulating excessive quantities of our products in their inventory. We do not have audit rights with respect to these reports by our third-party distributors and, therefore, cannot verify their accuracy. An inaccurate report as to sales volumes could result in a significant and unexpected decline in sales to a distributor during a particular quarter. Even if the reports are accurate, a distributor may make subsequent revisions to the information it has provided or we may fail to understand the future sales prospects of a distributor. Either of these events could result in the accumulation of excess inventory by that distributor and unexpected fluctuations in our sales. Any of these events could adversely affect or cause unexpected fluctuations in our results of operations.

We sell our products through subsidiaries and distributors in 42 countries. Our operating results may suffer if we are unable to manage our international operations effectively.

We sell products in 42 countries throughout the world, and we therefore are subject to risks associated with having international operations. In 2011, 71.8% of our revenues were derived

 

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from sales in Australia, the United States and Israel. We anticipate that sales from operations outside of Israel will continue to represent a significant portion of our total sales. Our sales and operations outside of Israel are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:

 

 

fluctuations in exchange rates;

 

fluctuations in transportation costs and transportation and time-to-market delays;

 

unpredictability of foreign currency exchange controls;

 

compliance with unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

 

compliance with a variety of local regulations and laws;

 

difficulties in collecting accounts receivable and longer collection periods;

 

changes in tax laws and the interpretation of those laws; and

 

difficulties enforcing intellectual property and contractual rights in certain jurisdictions.

In addition, certain jurisdictions could impose tariffs, quotas, custom duties, trade barriers and other similar restrictions on our sales. Moreover, our business operations could be interrupted and negatively affected by economic changes, geopolitical regional conflicts, terrorist activity, political unrest, civil strife, acts of war, and other economic or political uncertainties. All of these risks could also result in increased costs or decreased revenues, either of which could adversely affect our profitability. Our business is also expected to subject us and our representatives, agents and distributors to laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we operate or our products are sold. We may depend on distributors and agents outside of Israel for compliance and adherence to local laws and regulations. As we continue to expand our business globally, we may have difficulty anticipating and effectively managing these and other risks that our global operations may face, which may adversely affect our business outside of Israel and our financial condition and results of operations.

We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.

We have entered into transfer pricing arrangements that establish transfer prices for our inter-company operations. However, our transfer pricing procedures are not binding on the applicable taxing authorities. No official authority in any country has made a determination as to whether or not we are operating in compliance with its transfer pricing laws. The amount of income tax that we pay could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in jurisdictions where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in jurisdictions where we have higher statutory rates. Our facilities in Israel receive different tax benefits as “Approved Enterprises,” “Beneficiary Enterprises” or “Preferred Enterprise” under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, referred to as the Investment Law, with our production lines qualifying to receive different grants and/or reduced company tax rates and/or tax exemption periods. Therefore, some of our production lines also receive tax benefits based on our revenues and the allocation of those revenues between the two facilities in Israel. As a result, the Israeli taxing authorities could challenge our allocation of income between these two facilities and contend that a larger portion of our income is subject to higher tax rates. Taxing authorities outside of Israel, particularly in Australia, could challenge our allocation of income between us and our subsidiaries and contend that a larger portion of our income is subject to tax in their jurisdictions, which may have higher tax rates than the rates applicable to such income in Israel. Any change to the allocation of our income as a result of review by such taxing authorities could have a negative effect on our operating results and financial condition.

The determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment and there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We have applied the guidance in ASC 740, “Income Taxes”

 

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(previously reported as FIN 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”) in determining our accrued liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which totaled $0.8 million as of December 31, 2011. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made.

Our business may be affected by changes in consumer preferences or the development of alternative surface products.

The majority of our end-consumers are those refacing or replacing kitchen countertops, and to a lesser extent, bathroom countertops and surfaces and other applications. Factors that strongly affect consumer purchasing decisions include popular home interior design trends, product quality, price, slab width, product line breadth, design leadership, time to market, customer service and distribution coverage. If we are unable to anticipate or react quickly to changes in consumer preferences in these areas, we may lose market share and our results of operations may suffer. In the future, consumers may not place as much value on branded quartz surfaces, which could reduce our market share or require us to lower our prices. End-consumers’ preferences may change in response to poor installations of our products by third parties, including fabricators and installers, which we do not control. Widespread or publicized inferior installations of our products could have a material adverse impact on our brand. End-consumers’ demand for our products could change if a serial manufacturing defect is identified in our products, which could harm our reputation in the marketplace. The development of a new surface material that decreases consumers’ demand for quartz products may also result in a loss of market share and our results of operations may suffer. If we are unsuccessful in competing against a new surface material, we could lose future sales and market share, which would have an adverse impact on our revenues, profitability and cash flows.

The steps that we have taken to protect our brand and other intellectual property may not be adequate and we may not succeed in preventing others from appropriating our intellectual property.

We have obtained trademark registrations that we consider material to the marketing of our products, all of which are marketed under the trade name Caesarstone, including CAESARSTONE ® , CONCETTO ® , and our Caesarstone logo. We have filed trademark applications for additional marks related to our product collections, including SUPREMO™ and MOTIVO™. We believe that our trademarks are important to our brand, success and competitive position. In the past, some of our trademark applications for certain classes of applications of our products have been rejected or opposed in certain markets and may be rejected for certain application classes in the future. This may result in our inability to use our brand for certain applications of products, which could harm our competitive position and adversely impact our results of operations. We anticipate that, as the quartz surface market becomes increasingly competitive, maintaining and enhancing our brand may become more difficult and expensive. If we are unsuccessful in challenging a party’s products on the basis of trademark infringement, continued sales of these products could adversely affect our sales and our brand and result in the shift of consumer preference away from our products. We are currently subject to opposition proceedings with respect to applications for registration of our trademarks in certain jurisdictions with respect to certain trademark classifications. We have also in the past been, and may in the future be, subject to opposition proceedings with respect to applications for registration of our intellectual property, including but not limited to our trademarks. Barriers to registering our brand names and trademarks in various countries may restrict our ability to promote and maintain a cohesive brand throughout our key markets.

 

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We have recently started to seek patent protection for some of our technologies. We have obtained a patent for certain of our technologies and have several pending patent applications that were filed in various jurisdictions, including the United States, Europe, Australia and Israel, which relate to our manufacturing technology and certain products. There can be no assurance that pending applications will be approved in a timely manner or at all, or that such patents will effectively protect our intellectual property. There can be no assurance that we will develop patentable intellectual property in the future, and we may choose not to pursue patents or other protection for innovations that subsequently become material to our business.

To protect our know-how and trade secrets, we customarily require our senior management and certain key employees to execute confidentiality agreements or otherwise agree to keep our proprietary information confidential when their relationship with us begins. Typically, our employment contracts also include clauses requiring these employees to assign to us all inventions and intellectual property rights they develop in the course of their employment and agree not to disclose our confidential information. Despite our efforts, our know-how and trade secrets could be disclosed to third parties, which could cause us to lose any competitive advantage resulting from such know-how or trade secrets, as well as related intellectual property protections in certain cases.

The actions we take to establish and protect trademarks may not be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products as violations of proprietary rights. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. For example, historically, China has not protected intellectual property rights to the same extent as the United States and infringement of intellectual property rights continues to pose a serious risk to doing business in China. We may face significant expenses and liability in connection with the protection of our intellectual property rights outside the United States. Any litigation could be unsuccessful, may result in substantial cost and require significant attention by our management and technical personnel. If we are unable to successfully protect our rights or resolve intellectual property conflicts with others, our business or financial condition may be adversely affected.

Third parties have claimed and may from time to time claim that our current or future products infringe their patent or other intellectual property rights. Under such circumstances, we may be required to expend significant resources in order to contest such claims and, in the event that we do not prevail, we may be required to seek a license for certain technologies, develop non-infringing technologies or stop the sale of some of our products. In addition, any future intellectual property litigation, regardless of its outcome, may be expensive, divert the efforts of our personnel, and disrupt or damage relationships with our customers.

We depend on our senior management team and other skilled and experienced personnel to operate our business effectively, and the loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business and our future financial condition or results of operations.

We are dependent on the skills and experience of our senior management team and other skilled and experienced personnel. These individuals possess managerial, sales, marketing, manufacturing, logistical, financial and administrative skills that are important to the operation of our business. The loss of any of these individuals or an inability to attract, retain and maintain additional personnel could prevent us from implementing our business strategy and could adversely affect our business and our future financial condition or results of operations. We do not carry key man insurance with respect to any of our executive officers or other employees. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain all of our existing senior management personnel or to attract additional qualified personnel when needed.

 

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Our limited resources and significant competition for business combination or acquisition opportunities may make it difficult for us to complete a combination or acquisition, and any combination or acquisition that we complete may disrupt our business and fail to achieve our intended objectives.

We expect to encounter intense competition from other participants in our industry, including quartz surface manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, for business combination or acquisition opportunities in the highly fragmented global quartz surfaces market. Many of these participants are well-established and have significant experience identifying and effecting acquisitions of companies. These participants may possess greater technical, human and other resources, or more local industry knowledge than we do, and our financial resources may be relatively limited compared to many of them. In addition, while we believe there are a number of target businesses we might consider acquiring, including, in certain instances, our distributors, we may be unable to persuade those targets of the benefits of a combination or acquisition. Our ability to compete with respect to a combination with or acquisition of certain larger target businesses will be determined by, among other factors, our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation may give others an advantage in pursuing such combinations or acquisitions.

Any combination or acquisition that we effect, such as our recent acquisition of Caesarstone USA, formerly known as U.S. Quartz Products, Inc., will be accompanied by a number of risks, including the difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired business, the potential disruption of our ongoing business, the potential distraction of management, expenses related to the acquisition and potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired businesses. For example, in connection with our recent acquisition of Caesarstone USA, we may encounter liabilities in the future associated with its business that we did not experience prior to the acquisition or that were unknown at the time of acquisition that could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Any inability to integrate completed combinations or acquisitions in an efficient and timely manner could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, we may not recognize the expected synergies or benefits in connection with a future combination or acquisition. If we are not successful in completing combinations or acquisitions that we pursue in the future, we may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and resources without a successful result. In addition, future combinations or acquisitions could require use of substantial portions of our available cash or result in dilutive issuances of securities.

Any difficulties with, or interruptions of, our manufacturing could delay our output of products and harm our relationships with our customers. If we are unable to continue to manufacture our existing products, our results of operations and future prospects will suffer.

Any difficulties with or interruptions of our manufacturing operations could delay our output of products and harm our relationships with our customers. We manufacture all of our products at our two facilities in Israel. Due to the specialized nature of our manufacturing equipment and the quartz surface industry, we have limited ability to outsource any part of our manufacturing to third parties. Our manufacturing production lines are comprised almost entirely of machinery from Breton S.p.A., the largest supplier of a limited number of companies that sell engineered stone manufacturing equipment. We depend on Breton S.p.A. for certain spare parts for our production line equipment and anticipate we will continue to do so in the future. Delays in obtaining machinery or specialty machine components from Breton S.p.A. could delay our output of products and any future production line expansion plans.

 

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Damage to our manufacturing facilities caused by human error, software or hardware failures, physical or electronic security breaches, power loss or other failures or circumstances beyond our control, including acts of God, fire, explosion, flood, war, insurrection or civil disorder, acts of, or authorized by, any government, terrorism, accident, labor trouble or shortage, or inability to obtain material, equipment or transportation could interrupt or delay our manufacturing or other operations. We may also encounter difficulties or interruption as a result of the application of enhanced manufacturing technologies or changes to production lines to improve our throughput, or to upgrade or repair our production lines. Labor disputes could result in a work stoppage or strikes by employees that could delay or interrupt our output of products. Our insurance policies have limited coverage in case of significant damage to our manufacturing facilities and may not fully compensate us for the cost of replacement and any loss from business interruption. As a result, we may not be adequately insured to cover losses in the case of significant damage to our manufacturing facilities. Any damage to our facilities or interruption in manufacturing, whether due to limitations in manufacturing capacity or arising from factors outside our control, could result in delays in meeting contractual obligations and could have a material adverse effect on our relationships with our distributors and on our revenues.

We have not yet determined whether our existing internal controls over financial reporting systems are compliant with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We will be required to comply with the internal control, evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2013. We have not yet commenced the process of determining whether our existing internal controls over financial reporting systems are compliant with Section 404. This process will require the investment of substantial time and resources, including by our Chief Financial Officer and other members of our senior management. As a result, this process may divert internal resources and take a significant amount of time and effort to complete. In addition, we cannot predict the outcome of this determination and whether we will need to implement remedial actions in order to implement effective control over financial reporting. The determination and any remedial actions required could result in us incurring additional costs that we did not anticipate. Irrespective of compliance with Section 404, any failure of our internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our stated results of operations and harm our reputation. As a result, we may experience higher than anticipated operating expenses, as well as higher independent auditor fees during and after the implementation of these changes. If we are unable to implement any of the required changes to our internal control over financial reporting effectively or efficiently, it could adversely affect our operations, financial reporting and/or results of operations and could result in an adverse opinion on internal controls from our independent auditors.

Risks related to our relationship with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

Our headquarters and principal manufacturing facility are located on lands leased by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam from the Israel Lands Administration and the Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Caesarea Development Corporation Ltd. If we are unable to continue to use such lands, our results of operations and future prospects will suffer.

Following the completion of this offering, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will beneficially own approximately    % of our ordinary shares (    % if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). One of our two manufacturing facilities (as well as our headquarters and our research and development facilities) are located on lands leased by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam pursuant

 

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to two lease agreements between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Israel Lands Administration, or ILA, and additional lease agreements between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Caesarea Development Corporation Ltd. (“Caesarea Development Corporation”). Pursuant to underlying lease agreements with the ILA and with the Caesarea Development Corporation, the ILA and the Caesarea Development Corporation may terminate their leases in certain circumstances, including if Kibbutz Sdot-Yam commences proceedings to disband or liquidate. If the leases were terminated, we may be unable to use the land where our headquarters and one of our manufacturing facilities are located, which would adversely affect our operations.

The second agreement between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the ILA was extended on several occasions for three- to five-year periods and most recently expired in late 2009. This agreement permits Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to use the property only for agriculture, residential and other internal community purposes, and previous agreements between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the ILA with respect to this property contained similar restrictions. In addition, this agreement required Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to receive the ILA’s approval before entering into the land use agreement with us permitting us to use the land and facilities, and no such approval was obtained. Our current use of the property and the rights granted to us by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to use the land pursuant to the land use agreement may give the ILA the right to terminate the rights of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to the property. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is currently negotiating a long-term lease agreement with the ILA to replace the second lease agreement, which, among other things, would formally permit us to use the property in accordance with its present use and would permit Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to transfer its rights in the property to a third party.

The agreements between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Caesarea Development Corporation permit Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to use the property for the community needs of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. In addition, at least one of the agreements requires Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to receive Caesarea Development Corporation’s approval before entering into the land use agreement with us permitting us to use the land and facilities, and no such approval was obtained. Our current use of the property and the rights granted to us by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to use the land pursuant to the land use agreement may give the Caesarea Development Corporation the right to terminate the rights of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to the property. If the rights of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to use the property were terminated, we may be unable to maintain our operations on these lands, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. However, Caesarea Development Corporation charges Kibbutz Sdot-Yam based on the use of the relevant portion of the property for industrial purposes, and thus, has provided recognition to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s use of such portion of the property for industrial purposes.

Pursuant to new agreements between us and Kibbutz Sdot-Yam that will be effective immediately following this offering, we will depend on Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in the future with respect to acquiring new land as well as building additional facilities should we need them.

Pursuant to the new land use agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to be effective immediately following the closing of this offering, we may not terminate the operation of either of the two production lines at our plant in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam as long as we continue to operate production lines elsewhere in Israel, and our headquarters must remain at Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. As a result of these restrictions, our ability to reorganize our manufacturing operations and headquarters in Israel is limited. In addition, pursuant to the new land use agreement, subject to certain exceptions, if we need additional facilities on the land that we are permitted to use, subject to obtaining the permits required by law, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will build such facilities for us by using the proceeds of

 

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a loan that we will make to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which loan shall be repaid to us by off-setting the additional monthly payment that we would pay for such new facilities and, if not fully repaid during the lease term, upon termination thereof. As a result, in the future we may depend on Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to build such facilities in a timely manner. While Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is responsible under the agreement for obtaining various licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations necessary for use of the property, we have waived any monetary recourse against Kibbutz Sdot-Yam for failure to receive such licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations.

Pursuant to a new agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to be effective immediately following the closing of this offering through October 2017, if we wish to acquire or lease any additional lands, whether on the grounds of our Bar-Lev facility, or elsewhere in Israel, for the purpose of establishing new plants or production lines: (i) Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will purchase the land and build the required facilities on such land at its own expense in accordance with our needs; (ii) we will perform any necessary building adjustments at our expense; and (iii) Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will lease the land and the facility to us under a long-term lease agreement with terms to be negotiated in accordance with the then prevailing market price. As a result, in the future we may depend on Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to act in connection with the expansion of our facilities. We may also incur greater costs associated with the purchase of additional land or the construction of additional facilities than we could obtain from a third-party due to our arrangement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. For more information with respect to these agreements, see “Principal and selling shareholders” and “Certain relationships and related party transactions.”

Regulators and other third parties may challenge the conclusion that our agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam are no less favorable to us than if they had been negotiated with unaffiliated third parties.

Our headquarters, research and development facilities and one of our two manufacturing facilities are located on lands leased by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which beneficially owns a majority of our shares. We have entered into certain agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam pursuant to which Kibbutz Sdot-Yam provides us with, among other things, a portion of our labor force, electricity, maintenance, security and other services as well as management services, including strategic, operational, and technical advisory services, and the use of our land. We believe that they represent terms no less favorable than those that would have been obtained from an unaffiliated third party. Nevertheless, regulators and other third parties may challenge these conclusions. Such conclusions require subjective judgments regarding valuations, and others may consider the terms of these agreements to be less favorable than the terms that would have been included had these agreements been negotiated with unaffiliated third parties. As a result, the accounting and tax treatment for these transactions may be called into question. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions.”

Our directors and executive officers who are members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam may have conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving the company.

Three members of our board of directors, including our Chairman, one of our executive officers and a number of our key employees are members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which beneficially owns a majority of our shares. Some of these individuals are also members of the management board of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. These persons will have fiduciary duties to both us and Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. As a result, they may have real or apparent conflicts of interest on matters affecting both us and Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and in some circumstances may have interests adverse to ours. See “Management.”

 

 

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Recent changes in Israeli law may require our board, audit committee and shareholders to reapprove certain of our agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene every three years, and their failure to do so may expose us to liability and cause significant disruption to our business.

The Israeli Companies Law was recently amended to require the authorized corporate organs of a public company approve every three years any extraordinary transaction in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest and that has a term of more than three years unless a company’s audit committee, constituted in accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, determines, solely with respect to agreements that do not involve compensation to a controlling shareholder or his or her relatives, in connection with services rendered by any of them to the company or their employment with the company, that a longer term is reasonable under the circumstances. This requirement is new and there is uncertainty regarding its implementation. Accordingly, it may also be necessary to obtain the approval of our board and shareholders of any such determination by the audit committee. Our audit committee to be formed upon the pricing of this offering will not be constituted in accordance with the Israeli Companies Law until our external directors are appointed by our general meeting of shareholders no later than three months following the completion of this offering. As a result, we cannot be sure that our audit committee, once constituted, and our board and shareholders, if required, will determine that the terms of our agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, our controlling shareholder, which are longer than three years, are reasonable under the circumstances. These agreements include our land use agreement (20-year term from the day of the first month following this offering), land purchase agreement and leaseback (10-year term from the date of the closing of this offering), manpower agreement (10-year term from January 1, 2011), services agreement (eight-year term from the date of the closing of this offering) and registration rights agreement between us, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene (seven-year term from the date of the closing of this offering). Absent such a determination, then our board, audit committee and shareholders will be required to reapprove these agreements every three years. The approval of our shareholders must fulfill one of the following requirements:

 

 

a majority of the shares held by shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction and are voting at the meeting must be voted in favor of approving the transaction, excluding abstentions; or

 

 

the shares voted by shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction who vote against the transaction represent no more than 2.0% of the voting rights in the company.

 

If our board, audit committee and shareholders do not reapprove the agreements, we will be required to terminate them, which may be considered a breach under the terms of the agreements, and could expose us to damage claims and legal fees, and cause significant disruption to our business since the agreements relate to core aspects of our manufacturing activities and to the uninterrupted operation of our business. In addition, we would be required to find suitable replacements for the services provided to us by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which may take time and we can provide no assurance that we will achieve the same or better terms than those we have agreed with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.

 

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Risks related to our ordinary shares and the offering

Our share price may be volatile, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

The initial public offering price for the ordinary shares sold in this offering will be determined by negotiation among us, the selling shareholders and representatives of the underwriters. This price may not reflect the market price of our ordinary shares following this offering and the price of our ordinary shares may decline. In addition, the market price of our ordinary shares could be highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially as a result of many factors, including:

 

 

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations;

 

 

variance in our financial performance from the expectations of market analysts;

 

 

announcements by us or our competitors of significant business developments, changes in distributor relationships, acquisitions or expansion plans;

 

 

changes in the prices of our raw materials or the products we sell;

 

 

our involvement in litigation;

 

 

our sale of ordinary shares or other securities in the future;

 

 

market conditions in our industry;

 

 

changes in key personnel;

 

 

the trading volume of our ordinary shares;

 

 

changes in the estimation of the future size and growth rate of our markets; and

 

 

general economic and market conditions.

In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our ordinary shares, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against that company. If we were involved in any similar litigation we could incur substantial costs and our management’s attention and resources could be diverted.

There has been no prior public market for our ordinary shares, and an active trading market may not develop.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. An active trading market may not develop following completion of this offering or, if developed, may not be sustained. The lack of an active market may impair your ability to sell your shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable. The lack of an active market may also reduce the fair market value of your shares. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling shares of capital stock and may impair our ability to acquire other companies by using our shares as consideration.

 

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If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade our ordinary shares, the price of our ordinary shares could decline.

The trading market for our ordinary shares will rely in part on the research and reports that equity research analysts publish about us and our business. The price of our ordinary shares could decline if one or more securities analysts downgrade our ordinary shares or if those analysts issue other unfavorable commentary or cease publishing reports about us or our business.

The controlling share ownership position of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the significant share ownership position of Tene will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.

Following the completion of this offering, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will beneficially own approximately     % of our ordinary shares and Tene will beneficially own     % of our ordinary shares. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, these percentages will decrease to     % and     %, respectively. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene have entered into an agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to vote for each other’s nominees for our board of directors. Pursuant to the voting agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will vote together for six of the 10 members of our board of directors with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam nominating six nominees, and, for as long as Tene holds more than 8.25% of our outstanding share capital, for a seventh nominee selected by Tene. In addition, Tene will vote for such nominees as nominated by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam for the other four positions, provided these nominees are qualified in accordance with applicable law. The voting agreement will terminate if Tene’s holdings in our company decrease below 8.25%. As a result, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will together beneficially own     % of our ordinary shares (and     % if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). As a result of this concentration of share ownership, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam acting on its own has, and in the future, should Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s beneficial ownership of our shares be reduced, acting together with Tene, will have, sufficient voting power to effectively control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval that do not require a special majority, including:

 

 

the composition of our board of directors (other than external directors);

 

approving or rejecting a merger, consolidation or other business combination; and

 

amending our articles of association, which govern the rights attached to our ordinary shares.

This concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares could delay or prevent proxy contests, mergers, tender offers, open-market purchase programs or other purchases of shares of our ordinary shares that might otherwise give you the opportunity to realize a premium over then-prevailing market price of our ordinary shares. The interests of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene may not always coincide with the interests of our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may also adversely affect our share price.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq listing standards and, as a result, will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

As a result of the number of shares beneficially owned by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, after the completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” under the Nasdaq corporate governance rules. A “controlled company” is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company. Pursuant to the “controlled company” exemption, we are not required to comply with the requirements that: (1) a majority

 

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of our board of directors consist of independent directors, and (2) we have a compensation committee and a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing each committee’s purpose and responsibilities. See “Management—Corporate governance practices.” Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we may in the future follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain Nasdaq requirements.

As a foreign private issuer whose shares will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of the rules of Nasdaq. This will be the case even if we cease to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards. As permitted under the Israeli Companies Law, our articles of association to be effective following the closing of this offering will provide that the quorum for any ordinary meeting of shareholders shall be the presence of at least two shareholders present in person, by proxy or by a voting instrument, who hold at least 25% of the voting power of our shares instead of 33  1 / 3 % of the issued share capital required under Nasdaq requirements. For an adjourned meeting at which a quorum is not present, the meeting may generally proceed irrespective of the number of shareholders present at the end of half an hour following the time fixed for the meeting. We also intend to approve the adoption of, and material changes to, equity incentive plans in accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, which does not impose a requirement of shareholder approval for such actions. In the future, we may also choose to follow Israeli corporate governance practices instead of Nasdaq requirements with regard to, among other things, the composition of our board of directors, compensation of officers, director nomination procedures and quorum requirements at shareholders’ meetings. In addition, we may also choose to follow Israeli corporate governance practice instead of Nasdaq requirements to obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events (such as for the establishment or amendment of certain equity-based compensation plans, issuances that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company). Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under Nasdaq corporate governance rules. Following our home country governance practices as opposed to the requirements that would otherwise apply to a United States company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market may provide less protection than is accorded to investors of domestic issuers. See “Management—Corporate governance practices.”

In addition, as a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from the rules and regulations under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, related to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors, and principal shareholders will be exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file annual, quarterly and current reports and financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission as frequently or as promptly as domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

 

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Our United States shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company.

Generally, if for any taxable year 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or at least 50% of our assets are held for the production of, or produce, passive income, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurance that we will not be considered a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year. If we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company, our United States shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences, including having gains realized on the sale of our ordinary shares treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, the loss of the preferential rate applicable to dividends received on our ordinary shares by individuals who are United States holders, and having interest charges apply to distributions by us and the proceeds of share sales. See “Taxation and government programs—United States federal income taxation—Passive foreign investment company considerations.”

The market price of our ordinary shares could be negatively affected by future sales of our ordinary shares.

After this offering, there will be                  ordinary shares outstanding. Sales by us or our shareholders of a substantial number of our ordinary shares in the public market following this offering, or the perception that these sales might occur, could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline or could impair our ability to raise capital through a future sale of, or pay for acquisitions using, our equity securities. Of our issued and outstanding shares, all the ordinary shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable, except for any shares held by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. Following completion of this offering, approximately     % of our outstanding ordinary shares (or     % if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) will be beneficially owned by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene, and can be resold into the public markets in the future in accordance with the requirements of Rule 144, including volume. See “Shares eligible for future sale.”

We and our executive officers, directors, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene, holding collectively 100% of our outstanding ordinary shares, have agreed with the underwriters that, subject to limited exceptions, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, we and they will not directly or indirectly offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase or otherwise dispose of any ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares, or in any manner transfer all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of ordinary shares, or cause a registration statement covering any ordinary shares to be filed, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc., may, in their sole discretion and at any time without notice, release all or any portion of the shares subject to these lock-up agreements.

Starting six months after the closing of this offering, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene are entitled to require that we register their                  shares under the Securities Act of 1933 for resale into the public markets. All shares sold pursuant to an offering covered by such registration statement will be freely transferable. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Registration rights agreement.”

In addition to their registration rights,                  of our ordinary shares are issuable under currently outstanding stock options granted to employees. Following this offering, we intend to

 

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file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act registering                  shares under our stock incentive plans. Shares included in such registration statement will be available for sale in the public market immediately after such filing except for shares held by affiliates who will have certain restrictions on their ability to sell.

We cannot provide assurances regarding the amount or timing of dividend payments and may decide not to pay dividends in the future.

We do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares until at least one year following this offering. After that time, payments of dividends will be made from time to time, based on the recommendation of our board of directors, after taking into account legal limitations and contractual limitations under our credit agreements, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurances regarding the amount or timing of dividend payments and may decide not to pay dividends in the future. As a result, you should not rely on an investment in our ordinary shares to provide dividend income.

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the ordinary shares you purchase in this offering.

The initial public offering price of our ordinary shares substantially exceeds the net tangible book value per share of our ordinary shares immediately after this offering. Therefore, based on an assumed public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, if you purchase our ordinary shares in this offering, you will suffer, as of December 31, 2011, immediate dilution of $        , per share or $         if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ordinary shares, in net tangible book value after giving effect to (1) the sale of                  ordinary shares in this offering at an initial public offering price of $         per share less underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated expenses payable by us, and the application of the net proceeds as described in “Use of proceeds” and (2) the payment of a special dividend of $25.6 million that we intend to pay immediately following the closing of this offering to our existing shareholders prior to this offering and an additional dividend of $0.8 million that we intend to pay to our preferred shareholders prior to the closing of this offering. As a result of this dilution, as of December 31, 2011, investors purchasing ordinary shares from us in this offering will have contributed     % of the total amount of our total gross funding to date but will own only     % of our equity. If outstanding options to purchase our ordinary shares are exercised in the future, you will experience additional dilution. See “Dilution.”

We have broad discretion in the use of the significant majority of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

We intend to use $25.6 million of the net proceeds of this offering to pay a special dividend to our existing shareholders immediately following the closing of this offering and to use $6.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering to pay the balance of the acquisition price for the remaining 75% equity interest in our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, formerly known as U.S. Quartz Products, Inc. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to expand our production capacity during the next one to two years. We estimate that an additional production line would require an investment of approximately $30 million. See “Use of proceeds” and “Dividend policy.” Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the balance of the net proceeds from this offering, including any amounts not applied to expand our production capacity, and you will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application

 

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of these proceeds. Our management may not apply the net proceeds in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. In addition, we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in complementary companies, products or technologies. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance shareholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline.

Risks relating to our incorporation and location in Israel

Conditions in Israel could adversely affect our business.

We are incorporated under Israeli law and our principal offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect our business. Since the State of Israel was established in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Although Israel has entered into various agreements with Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, there has been an increase in unrest and terrorist activity, which began in September 2000 and has continued with varying levels of severity into 2012. In mid-2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in thousands of rockets being fired from Lebanon and disrupting most day-to-day civilian activity in northern Israel. Starting in December 2008, for approximately three weeks, Israel engaged in an armed conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which involved missile strikes against civilian targets in various parts of Israel and negatively affected business conditions in Israel. Our facilities in the Bar- Lev Industrial Park are located in northern Israel and are in range of rockets that were fired during 2006 from Lebanon into Israel. In the event that our facilities are damaged as a result of hostile action or hostilities otherwise disrupt the ongoing operation of our facilities, our ability to deliver products to customers could be materially adversely affected.

Several countries, principally in the Middle East, still restrict doing business with Israel and Israeli companies, and additional countries may impose restrictions on doing business with Israel and Israeli companies if hostilities in Israel or political instability in the region continues or increases. These restrictions may limit materially our ability to obtain raw materials from these countries or sell our products to companies in these countries. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners, or significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel, could adversely affect our operations and product development, cause our revenues to decrease and adversely affect the share price of publicly traded companies having operations in Israel, such as us.

Our operations may be disrupted by the obligations of personnel to perform military service.

As of December 31, 2011, we had 838 employees of whom 533 were based in Israel, including 72 kibbutz members, with whom we do not have a direct employment relationship and who are engaged under a Manpower Agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. Our employees in Israel, generally males, including executive officers, may be called upon to perform up to 36 days (in some cases more) of annual military reserve duty until they reach the age of 45 (and in some cases, up to 49) and, in emergency circumstances, could be called to active duty. In response to increased tension and hostilities, there have been since September 2000 occasional call-ups of military reservists, including in connection with the mid-2006 war in Lebanon and the December 2008 conflict with Hamas, and it is possible that there will be additional call-ups in the future. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence of a significant number of our male employees

 

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related to military service or the absence for extended periods of one or more of our key employees for military service. Such disruption could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, the absence of a significant number of the employees of our Israeli suppliers and contract manufacturers related to military service or the absence for extended periods of one or more of their key employees for military service may disrupt their operations, in which event our ability to deliver products to customers may be materially adversely affected.

Our operations may be affected by negative economic conditions or labor unrest in Israel.

General strikes or work stoppages, including at Israeli sea ports, have occurred periodically or have been threatened in the past by Israeli trade unions due to labor disputes. These general strikes or work stoppages may have an adverse effect on the Israeli economy and on our business, including our ability to deliver products to our customers and to receive raw materials from our suppliers in a timely manner. These general strikes or work stoppages may prevent us from shipping our products by sea or otherwise to our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

The tax benefits that are available to us require us to continue to meet various conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which could increase our costs and taxes.

Some of our Israeli facilities have been granted “Approved Enterprise” status by the Investment Center in the Israeli Ministry of Industry Trade and Labor or have the status of a “Beneficiary Enterprise” or “Preferred Enterprise,” which provided us with investment grants (in respect of certain Approved Enterprise programs) and made us eligible for tax benefits under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, referred to as the Investment Law.

In order to remain eligible for the tax benefits of an “Approved Enterprise,” a “Beneficiary Enterprise” and/or a “Preferred Enterprise,” we must continue to meet certain conditions stipulated in the Investment Law and its regulations, as amended, which may include, among other things, making specified investments in fixed assets and equipment, financing a percentage of those investments with our capital contributions, filing certain reports with the Investment Center, complying with provisions regarding intellectual property and the criteria set forth in the specific certificate of approval issued by the Investment Center or the Israel Tax Authority. If we do not meet these requirements, the tax benefits would be canceled and we could be required to refund any tax benefits and investment grants that we received in the past. Further, in the future these tax benefits may be reduced or discontinued. If these tax benefits are cancelled, our Israeli taxable income would be subject to regular Israeli corporate tax rates. The standard corporate tax rate for Israeli companies in 2010 was 25% of their taxable income and was reduced to 24% in 2011. It was scheduled to fall to 23% in 2012 and ultimately to 18% by 2016. However, this scheduled gradual reduction in corporate tax rates was repealed with the enactment of the Law for Changing the Tax Burden in Israel in late 2011 and instead the corporate tax rate will increase to 25% in 2012 and thereafter.

Effective January 1, 2011, the Investment Law was amended. Under the amended Investment Law, the criteria for receiving tax benefits were revised. In the future, we may not be eligible to receive additional tax benefits under this law. The termination or reduction of these tax benefits would increase our tax liability, which would reduce our profits. Additionally, if we increase our activities outside of Israel through acquisitions, for example, our expanded activities might not be eligible for inclusion in future Israeli tax benefit programs. Finally, in the event of a

 

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distribution of a dividend from the abovementioned tax-exempt income, in addition to withholding tax at a rate of 15% (or a reduced rate under an applicable double tax treaty), we will be subject to tax at the corporate tax rate applicable to our Approved Enterprise’s and Beneficiary Enterprise’s income on the amount distributed in accordance with the effective corporate tax rate which would have been applied had we not enjoyed the exemption. See “Taxation and government programs—Israeli tax considerations and government programs—Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959.”

It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors and the Israeli experts named in this prospectus in Israel or the United States, or to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel or serve process on our officers and directors and these experts.

We are incorporated in Israel. None of our directors nor our independent registered public accounting firm, are residents of the United States. None of our executive officers other than one executive officer is resident in the United States. The majority of our assets and the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to enforce a U.S. court judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or any of these persons in a U.S. or Israeli court, or to effect service of process upon these persons in the United States. Additionally, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws on the grounds that Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. Even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing the matters described above. See “Enforceability of civil liabilities.”

Your rights and responsibilities as our shareholder will be governed by Israeli law which may differ in some respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders of United States corporations.

Since we are incorporated under Israeli law, the rights and responsibilities of our shareholders are governed by our articles of association and Israeli law. These rights and responsibilities differ in some respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in United States-based corporations. In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli company has a duty to act in good faith and in a customary manner in exercising its rights and performing its obligations towards the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing its power in the company, including, among other things, in voting at the general meeting of shareholders on certain matters, such as an amendment to the company’s articles of association, an increase of the company’s authorized share capital, a merger of the company and approval of related party transactions that require shareholder approval. A shareholder also has a general duty to refrain from discriminating against other shareholders. In addition, a controlling shareholder or a shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholders’ vote or to appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder in the company or has another power with respect to the company, has a duty to act in fairness towards the company. However, Israeli law does not define the substance of this duty of fairness. See “Management—Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law—Duties of shareholders.” Because Israeli corporate law underwent extensive revisions approximately ten years ago, the parameters and

 

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implications of the provisions that govern shareholder behavior have not been clearly determined. These provisions may be interpreted to impose additional obligations and liabilities on our shareholders that are not typically imposed on shareholders of United States corporations.

Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent or make undesirable an acquisition of all or a significant portion of our shares or assets.

Israeli corporate law regulates mergers and requires that a tender offer be effected when more than a specified percentage of shares in a company are purchased. Further, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions undesirable to us or to some of our shareholders whose country of residence does not have a tax treaty with Israel granting tax relief to such shareholders from Israeli tax. With respect to mergers, Israeli tax law allows for tax deferral in certain circumstances but makes the deferral contingent on the fulfillment of numerous conditions, including a holding period of two years from the date of the transaction during which certain sales and dispositions of shares of the participating companies are restricted. Moreover, with respect to certain share swap transactions, the tax deferral is limited in time, and when such time expires, the tax becomes payable even if no actual disposition of the shares has occurred. See “Description of share capital—Acquisitions under Israeli law.”

Under Israeli law, our two external directors have terms of office of three years. In addition, our board of directors is entitled pursuant to our articles of association to designate two of our independent directors in office at the time of this offering (in addition to our external directors) to have an initial term of three years in office. As a result, four of the 10 members of our board of directors following the IPO will be subject to election after three years (with the two external directors continuing in the future to be subject to election every three years).

These provisions of Israeli law and our articles of association could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or our shareholders to elect different individuals to our board of directors, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders, and may limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares.

Under Israeli law, we could be considered a “monopoly” and therefore subject to certain restrictions that may limit our ability to freely conduct our business to which our competitors may not be subject.

Sales in Israel accounted for 14.9% of our revenues in 2011. Our products account for a significant portion of kitchen countertop sales in Israel, but a relatively minor share of sales of all countertops and surface covers in Israel. Under the Israeli Restrictive Trade Practices Law, 1988, (the “Israeli Anti-Trust Law”), a company that supplies more than 50% of any product or service in Israel or in a specific area in Israel is deemed to be a monopoly. The determination of monopoly status depends on an analysis of the relevant product or service market.

Depending on the analysis and the definition of the relevant product market in which we operate, we may be deemed to be a “monopoly” under Israeli law. Under the Israeli Anti-Trust Law, a monopoly is prohibited from participating in certain business practices, including discriminating between customers or charging what are considered to be unfair prices, and from engaging in certain other practices in order to protect against unfair competition. The General Director of the Israeli Antitrust Authority has the right to determine that a company is a monopoly (including a determination that it is a monopoly that has abused its position in the

 

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market) and has the right to intervene by ordering such a company to change its conduct in matters that may adversely affect the public, including imposing business restrictions on a company determined to be a monopoly and giving instructions with respect to the prices charged by the monopoly. If the General Director determines that we are a monopoly and also finds that we have abused our position in the market by taking anti-competitive actions, such as those described above, it would serve as prima facie evidence in private actions against the company alleging that we have engaged in anti-competitive behavior. Furthermore, the General Director may order us to take or refrain from taking certain actions, which could limit our ability to freely conduct our business. To date, the General Director has not made a determination that we are a monopoly. We do not believe that our operations constitute a violation of the provisions of the Israeli Anti-Trust Law even if we were found to be a monopoly under the Israeli Anti-Trust Law, but we cannot guarantee this to be the case.

We have a significant market position in certain other jurisdictions and cannot assure you that we are not, or will not become, subject to the laws relating to the use of dominant product positions in particular countries, which laws could limit our business practices and our ability to consummate acquisitions.

 

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Special note regarding forward-looking statements

We make forward-looking statements in this prospectus that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The statements we make regarding the following subject matters are forward-looking by their nature:

 

 

our ability to respond to new market developments;

 

our intent to penetrate further our existing markets and penetrate new markets;

 

our belief in the sufficiency of our cash flows to meet our needs for the next year;

 

our plans to invest in developing future product families;

 

our plans to establish an additional production line;

 

our plans to invest in research and development for the development of new quartz products;

 

our ability to increase quartz’s penetration in our existing markets and new markets;

 

our ability to acquire third-party distributors, manufacturers and raw material suppliers;

 

our plans to continue to expand our international presence;

 

our expectations regarding future prices of polyester and other polymer resins;

 

our expectations regarding our future product mix; and

 

our intended use of proceeds of this offering.

The preceding list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of future performance, taking into account the information currently available to us. These statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, you should consider the numerous risks provided under “Risk factors” in this prospectus.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

 

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Functional currency and exchange rate information

Our functional currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS); however, our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. As a result, our financial statements have been translated into U.S. dollars using the current rate method. Under the current rate method, assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year or other applicable period. Equity accounts are translated using the historical exchange rate at the relevant transaction date. All other balance sheet accounts are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses resulting from the translation of financial statements are presented as part of shareholders’ equity.

The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, the low and high exchange rates for New Israeli Shekels expressed in U.S. Dollars, the exchange rate at the end of such period and the average of such exchange rates on the last day of each month during such period, based upon the representative rate of exchange as published by the Bank of Israel. The exchange rates set forth below demonstrate trends in exchange rates, but the actual exchange rates used throughout this prospectus may vary.

 

       Year Ended December 31,  
     2007      2008      2009      2010      2011  

 

 

High

     0.261         0.310         0.271         0.282         0.297   

Low

     0.230         0.249         0.235         0.257         0.262   

Period end

     0.260         0.263         0.264         0.282         0.262   

Average rate

     0.244         0.280         0.255         0.268         0.279   

 

 

The following table sets forth, for each of the last six months, the low and high exchange rates for New Israeli Shekels expressed in U.S. Dollars, the exchange rate at the end of the month and the average of such exchange rates, based on the daily representative rate of exchange as published by the Bank of Israel.

 

       Last Six Months  
     August     

September

    

October

    

November

    

December

     January  
  

 

 

 
                                 2011      2012  

 

 

High

     0.293         0.280         0.278         0.274         0.268         0.268   

Low

     0.276         0.268         0.266         0.263         0.262         0.259   

End of month

     0.281         0.269         0.277         0.264         0.262         0.268   

Average rate

     0.282         0.272         0.273         0.268         0.265         0.263   

 

 

As of December 30, 2011, the representative exchange rate last published by the Bank of Israel was $1.00 = NIS 3.821.

 

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Use of proceeds

We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $        million, or approximately $        million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional ordinary shares, based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $        per share (the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price would increase (decrease) the net proceeds we receive from this offering by $        million.

We intend to use $25.6 million of the net proceeds of this offering to pay a special dividend to our existing shareholders immediately following the closing of this offering. See “Dividend policy.”

We intend to use $6.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering to pay the balance of the acquisition price for the remaining 75% equity interest in our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, in which we acquired a 25% interest in January 2007. We acquired the remaining interest in May 2011 and the balance of the purchase price is payable following the closing of this offering.

We may use a portion of the net proceeds to expand our production capacity during the next one to two years. We estimate that an additional production line would require an investment of approximately $30 million. We may choose to expand our production capacity by several means, including an acquisition, and the funds required may be greater or less.

We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds of this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use all or a portion of the remaining net proceeds to acquire or invest in complementary companies, products or technologies. We are not currently a party to, or involved with, discussions regarding any other material acquisition that is probable, although we routinely engage in discussions with distributors and suppliers regarding potential acquisitions.

We will have broad discretion in the way that we use the balance of the net proceeds of this offering. Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing, investment-grade instruments or deposit the net proceeds in bank accounts.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of ordinary shares by the selling shareholders.

 

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Dividend policy

We have declared a special dividend of $25.6 million that we intend to pay immediately following the closing of this offering to our existing shareholders prior this offering, and we also intend to pay to our preferred shareholders an additional dividend of $0.8 million prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not receive any portion of the foregoing dividends to our existing shareholders. See “Use of proceeds.”

We did not pay any dividends in fiscal years 2006 and 2008. We paid dividends equating to $2.6 million in fiscal year 2007, $9.9 million in fiscal year 2009, $14.0 million in fiscal year 2010 and $6.9 million in fiscal year 2011. Our dividends were denominated in NIS and have been translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate prevailing on the date each dividend was distributed.

We do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares until at least one year following this offering. After that time, payments of dividends may be made from time to time, based on the recommendation of our board of directors, after taking into account legal limitations and contractual limitations under our credit agreements, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We may only pay dividends if we are in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the agreements for our loans and credit lines both before and after payment of any dividend. We are currently in compliance with all such covenants. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Liquidity and capital resources—Credit facilities.”

Under Israeli law, we may declare and pay dividends only if, upon the determination of our board of directors, there is no reasonable concern that the distribution will prevent us from being able to meet the terms of our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. The distribution of dividends is further limited by Israeli law to the greater of retained earnings and earnings generated over the two most recent years. In the event that we do not have retained earnings or earnings generated over the two most recent years legally available for distribution, we may seek the approval of the court to distribute a dividend. The court may approve our request if it is convinced that there is no reasonable concern that a payment of a dividend will prevent us from satisfying our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. See “Description of share capital—Dividend and liquidation rights.”

To the extent we declare a dividend, we do not intend to distribute dividends from earnings related to our Approved/Beneficiary Enterprise programs. The taxable income exemption provided under the Approved/Beneficiary Enterprise program is valid exclusively for undistributed earnings, and as a result, a distribution of earnings related to our Approved/Beneficiary Enterprise programs would subject us to additional tax payments upon a distribution of these earnings as dividends.

The payment of dividends may be subject to Israeli withholding taxes. See “Taxation and government programs—Israeli tax consideration and government programs—Taxation of our shareholders—Dividends.”

 

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our total capitalization as of December 31, 2011, as follows:

 

 

on an actual basis;

 

 

on a pro forma basis to reflect (1) the automatic conversion of all outstanding preferred shares into ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering, and (2) the payment of a special dividend of $25.6 million that we intend to pay immediately following the closing of this offering to our existing shareholders and an additional dividend of $0.8 million that we intend to pay to our preferred shareholders prior to the closing of this offering; and

 

 

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give additional effect to (1) our issuance and sale of ordinary shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $        per share, the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of such proceeds as described in “Use of proceeds,” (2) the payment of $        million to our Chief Executive Officer in connection with the automatic exercise upon the closing of this offering of his right to receive payment with respect to the increase in value of 700 of our shares granted to him in January 2009 based on the increase in value of our company at the date of this offering (see “Management—Equity incentive plan—Grant of stock options to chief executive officer”), (3) the payment of $1.7 million to certain of our employees and $0.25 million to our Chairman for their contribution to our success, and (4) the amendment and restatement of our articles of association as of the closing date of this offering.

 

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You should read this information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus, the “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” section and other financial information contained in this prospectus.

 

       As of December 31, 2011  
(in thousands)    Actual      Pro Forma     

Pro Forma

As Adjusted(1)

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            (unaudited)  

Total debt

   $ 23,632       $ 38,082       $                

Redeemable non-controlling interest(2)

   $ 6,205       $ 6,205       $     

Ordinary shares, par value NIS 1 per share; 5,292,000 shares authorized, 78,260 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 5,292,000 shares authorized, 106,825 issued and outstanding, pro forma;                  shares authorized,                  shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

     18         26      

Preferred shares, par value NIS 1 per share; 40,000 shares authorized; 28,565 shares issued and outstanding, actual; shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     8              

Additional paid-in capital

     55,590         55,590      

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     6,306         6,306      

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     7,376         7,376      

Retained earnings

   $ 67,153       $ 40,753       $     
  

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 136,451       $ 110,051       $     
  

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 166,288       $ 154,338       $     

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   Pro forma as adjusted does not reflect the receipt of $11.4 million from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in connection with the anticipated sale and leaseback of our facilities in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park, which we expect to occur following the closing of this offering subject to receipt of approvals from certain Israeli governmental authorities (see “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Relationship and agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam—Land purchase agreement and leaseback”).

 

(2)   Redeemable non-controlling interest consists of 45% of the common stock of our Canadian joint venture, Caesarstone Canada Inc., in which we own a 55% interest. The 45% interest that we do not own is subject to a put option exercisable by the holder to us. Following the formation of our joint venture in October 2010, we measured all of the assets contributed to Caesarstone Canada Inc. by our former distributor in Eastern Canada, Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc., at their fair value to determine the redeemable non-controlling interest due to the put option granted to Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc. to sell its 45% ownership interest in Caesarstone Canada Inc. to us.

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $        per share (the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $        million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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Dilution

If you invest in our ordinary shares in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share and the net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering. Our pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 2011 was $        million, corresponding to a net tangible book value of $        per ordinary share. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets reduced by the amount of our total liabilities, divided by the total number of ordinary shares outstanding after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding preferred shares upon the closing of this offering.

After giving effect to (1) the sale of ordinary shares that we are offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $        per share (the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of such proceeds as described in “Use of proceeds” and (2) the payment of a special dividend of $25.6 million that we intend to pay immediately following the closing of this offering to our existing shareholders and an additional dividend of $0.8 million that we intend to pay to our preferred shareholders prior to the closing of this offering, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2011 would have been approximately $        per ordinary share. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $        , per ordinary share to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of approximately $        per ordinary share to new investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering. We determine dilution by subtracting the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering from the amount of cash that a new investor paid for an ordinary share.

The following table illustrates this dilution:

 

 

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

     $                

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2011

   $                  

Increase per share attributable to this offering

    
  

 

 

   

Decrease in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to the special dividend discussed above

    
  

 

 

   

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

    
    

 

 

 

Dilution per share to new investors

     $     

 

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $        per share, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $        million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ordinary shares in full in this offering, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after the offering would be

 

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$         per share, the increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share to existing shareholders would be $         and the dilution per share to new investors would be $         per share, in each case assuming an initial public offering price of $         per share, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2011, the differences between the number of shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us in cash and the average price per share that existing shareholders and new investors paid. The calculation below is based on an assumed initial public offering price of $        per share (the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

       Shares purchased      Total consideration      Average price  
     Number    Percent      Amount      Percent      per share  

 

 

Existing shareholders

        %       $                          %       $                    

New investors

              
  

 

    

Total

        100%            100%      

 

 

The foregoing tables and calculations exclude                 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plans, of which options to purchase                 shares have been granted at a weighted-average exercise price of $         per share.

To the extent any of these outstanding options is exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. To the extent all of such outstanding options had been exercised as of December 31, 2011, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $        , and total dilution per share to new investors would be $        .

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full:

 

 

the percentage of ordinary shares held by existing shareholders will decrease to approximately     % of the total number of our ordinary shares outstanding after this offering; and

 

 

the number of shares held by new investors will increase to                 , or approximately     % of the total number of our ordinary shares outstanding after this offering.

 

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Selected consolidated financial and other data

The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial and other data. You should read the following selected consolidated financial and other data in conjunction with “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Historical results are not indicative of the results to be expected in the future. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or U.S. GAAP.

The consolidated statements of income data for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this prospectus.

Our functional currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS); however, our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. As a result, our financial statements have been translated into U.S. dollars using the current rate method. Under the current rate method, assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year or other applicable period. Equity accounts are translated using the historical exchange rate at the relevant transaction date. All other balance sheet accounts are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses resulting from the translation of financial statements are presented as part of shareholders’ equity.

 

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      Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands of dollars, except
dividends declared and per share data)
  2007     2008     2009     2010     2011  

 

 

Consolidated Income Statement Data:

         

Revenues

  $ 130,816      $ 169,203      $ 162,634      $ 198,791      $ 259,671   

Cost of revenues

    94,998        121,325        108,853        120,503        155,377   
 

 

 

 

Gross profit

    35,818        47,878        53,781        78,288        104,294   

Operating expenses:

         

Research and development, net(1)

    956        2,147        1,964        2,273        2,487   

Marketing and selling

    7,279        12,934        12,960        16,048        34,043   

General and administrative

    8,267        14,816        18,729        20,896        30,018   
 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    16,502        29,897        33,653        39,217        66,548   
 

 

 

 

Operating income

    19,316        17,981        20,128        39,071        37,746   

Finance expenses, net

    2,710        6,206        8,693        2,370        4,775   
 

 

 

 

Income before taxes on income

    16,606        11,775        11,435        36,701        32,971   

Taxes on income

    1,948        453        3,752        7,399        3,600   
 

 

 

 

Income after taxes on income

    14,658        11,322        7,683        29,302        29,371   

Equity in losses of affiliate, net(2)

    1,739        3,554        293        296        67   
 

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 12,919      $ 7,768      $ 7,390      $ 29,006      $ 29,304   
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to
non-controlling interest

                         348        252   
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to controlling interest

  $ 12,919      $ 7,768      $ 7,390      $ 28,658      $ 29,052   

Dividend attributable to preferred shareholders

    (3,073     (1,837     (2,337     (8,312     (8,376
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders

  $ 9,846      $ 5,931      $ 5,053      $ 20,346      $ 20,676   
 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share

  $ 0.13      $ 0.08      $ 0.06      $ 0.26      $ 0.26   
 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted income per ordinary share

    78,260        78,260        78,260        78,260        78,260   
 

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net income per ordinary share(3)

          $     
         

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted pro forma net income per share

         
         

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share:

         

Shekels

  NIS 102.00      NIS      NIS 355.00      NIS 579.24      NIS 125.86   

Dollars

  $ 25.62      $      $ 94.30      $ 161.77      $ 33.84   

 

 

 

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    Actual     Pro
Forma
(4)
    Pro
Forma As
Adjusted
(5)

 

      As of December 31,
    2007     2008     2009     2010           2011

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 535      $ 2,990      $ 20,527      $ 43,737      $ 11,950      $     

Working capital(6)

    (1,416     22,411        35,885        40,201        28,592        2,192     

Total assets

    150,282        187,426        193,444        236,403        246,317        234,367     

Total debt

    42,698        64,923        44,330        40,049        23,632        38,082     

Total liabilities

    82,420        110,099        99,025        115,450        103,661        118,111     

Redeemable
non-controlling interest

                         5,662        6,205        6,205     

Shareholders’ equity

    67,862        77,327        94,419        115,291        136,451        110,051     

 

 

       Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2007     2008     2009     2010     2011  

 

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

          

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 9,346      $ 27,221      $ 42,066      $ 46,649      $ 28,224   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (40,530     (52,845     635        (5,920     (27,367

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     22,103        27,007        (26,970     (20,969     (31,833

Other Financial Data:

          

Adjusted EBITDA(7)

   $ 24,053      $ 27,353      $ 34,397      $ 50,489      $ 58,774   

Adjusted net income(7)

     12,006        6,760        16,013        29,763        34,765   

Capital expenditures

     33,024        10,079        4,765        5,486        8,785   

Depreciation and amortization

     4,737        9,235        9,497        10,034        14,615   

 

 

 

(1)   Research and development expenses are presented net of grants that we receive from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the State of Israel.

 

(2)   Reflects our proportionate share of the net loss of our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, in which we acquired a 25% equity interest on January 29, 2007. We accounted for our investment using the equity method. In 2008, we recorded an impairment loss of $3.7 million with respect to this investment. In 2011, the amount represents a loss through May 18, 2011, the date on which we acquired the remaining 75% equity interest in Caesarstone USA and began to consolidate its results of operations.

 

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(3)   Pro forma basic and diluted net income per share and pro forma weighted average shares assumes (i) the conversion of preferred shares into ordinary shares, which will occur immediately prior to the closing of this offering, and (ii) the issuance of ordinary shares, representing the number of shares which, when multiplied by the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (the mid-point of the initial public offering price range on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions), would be sufficient to replace the amount of dividends paid in 2012 in excess of net income attributable to controlling interest of $29.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The following table sets forth the components of the pro forma net income per ordinary share calculation:

 

(in thousands)

Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Net income attributable to controlling interest

   $ 29,052   

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted net income per ordinary share

     78,260   

Adjustments to reflect the effect of the assumed conversion of the preferred shares from the beginning of the period

     28,565   

Number of shares issued to fund the dividend in excess of earnings

  

Pro forma weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted income per ordinary share

  
  

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net income per ordinary share

   $     

 

 

 

(4)   Pro forma gives effect to the payment of a special dividend to our existing shareholders of $25.6 million immediately following the closing of this offering and an additional dividend to our preferred shareholders of $0.8 million that we intend to pay prior to the closing of this offering.

 

(5)   Pro forma as adjusted additionally gives effect to (i) our receipt of net proceeds of $         million from the sale by us of                 ordinary shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the mid-point of the initial public offering price range on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of such proceeds as described in “Use of proceeds,” (ii) the payment of $         million to our Chief Executive Officer in connection with the automatic exercise upon the closing of this offering of his right to receive payment with respect to the increase in value of 700 of our shares granted to him in January 2009 based on the increase in value of our company at the date of this offering (see “Management—Equity incentive plan—Grant of stock options to chief executive officer”) and (iii) the payment of $1.7 million to certain of our employees and $0.25 million to our Chairman for their contribution to our success. Pro forma as adjusted does not reflect the receipt of $11.4 million from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in connection with the anticipated sale and leaseback of our facilities in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park, which we expect to occur following the closing of this offering subject to receipt of approvals from certain Israeli governmental authorities (see “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Relationship and agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam—Land purchase agreement and leaseback”).

 

(6)   Working capital is defined as total current assets minus total current liabilities.

 

(7)   The following tables reconcile net income to adjusted EBITDA and net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income for the periods presented and is unaudited:

 

      Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)   2007      2008      2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

             

Net income

  $ 12,919       $ 7,768       $ 7,390       $ 29,006       $ 29,304   

Finance expenses, net

    2,710         6,206         8,693         2,370         4,775   

Taxes on income

    1,948         453         3,752         7,399         3,600   

Depreciation and amortization

    4,737         9,235         9,497         10,034         14,615   

Equity in losses of affiliate, net(a).

    1,739         3,554         293         296         67   

Excess cost of acquired inventory(b) .

                                    4,021   

Litigation gain(c).

                                    (1,783

Microgil loan and inventory write down(d)

                                    2,916   

Share-based compensation expense(e).

            137         4,772         1,384         1,259   
 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 24,053       $ 27,353       $ 34,397       $ 50,489       $ 58,774   

 

 

 

  (a)   Consists of our portion of the results of operations of Caesarstone USA prior to its acquisition by us in May 2011.

 

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  (b)   Consists of the difference between the higher carrying cost of Caesarstone USA’s inventory at the time of acquisition and the standard cost of our inventory, which adversely impacts our gross margins until such inventory is sold. The majority of the acquired inventory was sold in 2011.

 

  (c)   Consists of a mediation award in our favor pursuant to two trademark infringement cases brought by Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

  (d)   Relates to our writing down to zero the cost of inventory provided to Microgil, our former third-party quartz processor in Israel, in 2011 in the amount of $1.8 million and our writing down to zero our $1.1 million loan to Microgil, in each case, in connection with a dispute. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

 

  (e)   Share-based compensation consists primarily of changes in the value of share-based rights granted in January 2009 to our Chief Executive Officer, as well as changes in the value of share-based rights granted in March 2008 to the former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

       Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2007     2008     2009      2010      2011  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interest to Adjusted Net Income:

            

Net income attributable to controlling interest

   $ 12,919      $ 7,768      $ 7,390       $ 28,658       $ 29,052   

Tene option revaluation(a)

     (1,034     (1,185     8,062                   

Excess cost of acquired inventory(b)

                                   4,021   

Litigation gain(c).

                                   (1,783

Microgil loan and inventory write
down(d)

                                   2,916   

Share-based compensation expense(e)

            137        4,772         1,384         1,259   
  

 

 

 

Total adjustments before tax

     (1,034     (1,048     12,834         1,384         6,413   

Less tax on above adjustments(f)

     (121     (40     4,211         279         700   
  

 

 

 

Total adjustments after tax

     (913     (1,008     8,623         1,105         5,713   
  

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income

   $ 12,006      $ 6,760      $ 16,013       $ 29,763       $ 34,765   

 

 

 

  (a)   Represents the change in the fair value of an option to purchase preferred shares representing 5% of our share capital that we granted to Tene in December 2006. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Application of critical accounting policies and estimates—Fair value measurements.”

 

  (b)   Consists of the difference between the higher carrying cost of Caesarstone USA’s inventory at the time of acquisition and the standard cost of our inventory, which adversely impacts our gross margins until such inventory is sold. The majority of the acquired inventory was sold in 2011.

 

  (c)   Consists of a mediation award in our favor pursuant to two trademark infringement cases brought by Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

  (d)   Relates to our writing down to zero the cost of inventory provided to Microgil, our former third-party quartz processor in Israel, in 2011 in the amount of $1.8 million and our writing down to zero our $1.1 million loan to Microgil, in each case, in connection with a dispute. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

 

  (e)   Share-based compensation consists primarily of changes in the value of share-based rights granted in January 2009 to our Chief Executive Officer, as well as changes in the value of share-based rights granted in March 2008 to the former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

  (f)   Tax adjustments reflect the increase in taxes on income that would have been reflected in our consolidated income statement for the applicable period if the adjustments set forth in the table were not applied in computing net income. The tax effect is based on effective tax rate for each relevant year.

 

        

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are metrics used by management to measure operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income excluding finance expenses, net, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization, equity in losses of affiliate, net, share-based compensation expenses and other unusual income or expenses. Adjusted net income represents net income attributable to controlling interest excluding share-based compensation expenses and other unusual income or expenses, plus adjustment for the related tax impact. We present adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expenses, net), changes in foreign exchange rates that impact financial asset and liabilities denominated in currencies other than our functional currency (affecting finance expenses, net), non-cash impairment charges related to our investment in our U.S. distributor, tax positions (such as the impact on periods or

 

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companies of changes in effective tax rates) and the age and book depreciation of fixed assets (affecting relative depreciation expense). Adjusted EBITDA also excludes equity in losses of affiliate, net, because we believe it is helpful to view the performance of our business excluding the impact of our U.S. distributor, which we did not control, and because our share of the net income (loss) of the U.S. distributor includes items that have other been excluded from adjusted EBITDA (such as finance expenses, net, tax on income and depreciation and amortization). In addition, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income exclude the non-cash impact of share-based compensation and a number of unusual items that we do not believe reflect the underlying performance of our business. Because adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income facilitate internal comparisons of operating performance on a more consistent basis, we also use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income in measuring our performance relative to that of our competitors. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net Income are not measures of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as measures of our profitability or liquidity. We understand that although adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are frequently used by securities analysts, lenders and others in their evaluation of companies, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income do not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

although depreciation is a non-cash charge, the assets being depreciated will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and

 

   

other companies in our industry may calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

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Management’s discussion and analysis of

financial condition and results of operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the section entitled “Risk factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with “Special note regarding forward-looking statements” and “Risk factors.”

Company overview

We are a leading manufacturer of high quality engineered quartz surfaces sold under our premium Caesarstone brand. The substantial majority of our quartz surfaces are used as countertops in residential kitchens and sold primarily into the renovation and remodeling end markets. Other applications for our products include vanity tops, wall panels, back splashes, floor tiles, stairs and other interior surfaces that are used in a variety of residential and commercial applications.

Founded in 1987, Caesarstone is a pioneer in the engineered quartz surface industry. We have grown to become the largest provider of quartz surfaces in Australia, Canada, Israel, France and South Africa, and have significant market share in the United States and Singapore. Our products accounted for approximately 13% of global engineered quartz by volume in 2010. Our sales in Australia, the United States and Israel, our three largest markets, accounted for 34.0%, 23.0% and 14.9% of our revenues in 2011, respectively. We believe that our revenues will continue to be highly concentrated among a relatively small number of geographic regions for the foreseeable future.

We have direct sales channels in Australia, the United States Israel, Canada and Singapore. In Australia, we distribute directly to stonemasons and fabricators, and in January 2012, we expanded our direct distribution to Southern and Western Australia thereby expanding our direct distribution to all of Australia. Since acquiring our U.S. distributor in May 2011, we now generate the substantial majority of our revenues in the United States from direct distribution of our products, including in the Mid-Atlantic where we commenced direct distribution in January 2012. In Israel, we distribute our products directly to several local distributors who in turn sell to fabricators. In October 2010, we began selling our products in Eastern Canada through a joint venture in which we hold a 55% interest. We commenced selling our products through the joint venture in Western Canada in May 2011. In October 2011, following the acquisition of our former Singaporean distributor’s business, we began selling our products directly in Singapore. In our remaining markets, we distribute our products through third-party distributors. In each of these indirect markets, fabricators typically sell our products to end consumers, contractors, developers and builders who are generally advised by architects and designers regarding the use of our products. Our strategy is to generate demand from all groups in our product supply chain.

Despite the global economic downturn that began in 2008 and continues to impact European and U.S. economies today, we experienced annual compound revenue growth of 11.5% from 2007 to 2009 and 26.2% from 2009 to 2011. From 2007 to 2011, our gross profit margins improved from 27.4% to 40.2%, adjusted EBITDA margins increased from 18.4% to 22.6%, and adjusted net income increased from 9.2% to 13.4% over the same period. We attribute this sales

 

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and margin growth to the acquisition of the business of our former Australian and U.S. distributors, our transition to direct distribution in Canada our penetration of new markets, increased operational efficiencies and a change in product mix.

Our strategy is to continue to be a global market leader in quartz surface products. We continue to invest in developing our premium brand worldwide. We intend to continue to expand our sales network by further penetrating our existing markets as well as entering new markets. We believe that a significant portion of our future growth will come from continued penetration of our U.S., Australian and Canadian markets. We believe our expansion into new markets that exhibit an existing demand for stone products and stone installation capabilities will contribute to our future growth in the long term. We believe there will be consolidation in the quartz surface industry in the future and to remain competitive in the long term, we will need to grow our business both organically and through the acquisition of third-party distributors, manufacturers and/or raw material suppliers.

Our functional currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS); however, our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The financial data presented in the following discussion has been translated into U.S. dollars using the method of conversion used to translate our financial statements, the current rate method, see “Selected consolidated financial and other data” and “Prospectus summary—Summary consolidated financial and other data.”

Factors impacting our results of operations

We consider the following factors to be important in analyzing our results of operations:

 

 

Our sales are impacted by home renovation and remodeling and new residential, and to a lesser extent, commercial and construction spending trends. Spending in each of these sectors declined significantly in 2009 compared to 2008 in most of the markets in which we operate and, in 2010 and 2011, many of these markets, including the United States and Europe, did not recover or recovered only to a small degree. Spending in our three largest markets, Australia, the United States and Israel, depends significantly on consumer credit availability, as well as other factors such as general economic conditions. Despite prevailing weak economic conditions, we experienced compound annual revenue growth of 18.7% between 2007 and 2011 through increased penetration of quartz in kitchen countertop applications, market share gains in some of our key markets and an increase in average selling prices associated with our establishment of new direct distribution channels. Direct sales accounted for 74.9% of our total sales in 2010 and 86.8% of total sales in the second half of 2011, after our shift to direct distribution in the United States and Western Canada. In 2010, our revenue increased in all regions, except the United States, and sales in Australia increased by 31% from 2009 largely as a result of the Australian government housing stimulus packages. In 2011, our revenue increased in all regions, except Europe due to ongoing macroeconomic challenges in this region, with significant growth in sales in the United States and Canada where we increased the volume and average selling prices of our products due to our transition to direct distribution in these countries.

 

 

Our gross profit margins have improved significantly over recent years, increasing from 33.1% in 2009 to 40.2% in 2011. The primary reason for these gross profit margin improvements is our transition to direct distribution in Canada in October 2010 and in the United States in May 2011, which enabled us to retain the full margin on our sales in these markets. Product quality

 

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improvements, resulting in higher average selling prices for our products, general operational cost reduction strategies and favorable volume impact, which lowered costs per unit on fixed and semi-variable costs of goods sold, also contributed to the improvement.

Our gross profit margins have recently experienced pressure due to significant increases in raw material costs, particularly polyester and polymer resin and pigment costs. During 2010, our average cost of polyester increased by 11% compared to 2009, and in 2011, our average cost of polyester increased by 18% compared to 2010. In addition, the price of titanium dioxide, our principal white pigmentation agent, increased by 38% during 2010. Such increases began to impact our margins in 2011. In 2011, titanium dioxide prices increased an additional 42%.

 

 

Our operating income margins were 14.8% in 2007, 10.6% in 2008, 12.4% in 2009, 19.7% in 2010 and 14.5% in 2011. Lower operating income margins in 2008 and 2009 compared to 2007 resulted from increased initial operating costs incurred in 2008 and 2009 in connection with the acquisition of our Australian distributor. The significant improvement in our operating income margins in 2010 compared to 2009 is primarily attributable to improved gross profit margins during this period combined with positive volume impact relative to operating costs. Lower operating income margin in 2011 compared to in 2010 resulted primarily from an increase in operating expenses related to our direct distribution in the United States and Canada, increased marketing expenses associated with brand-building investments, raw material cost increases and higher inventory carrying costs in the amount of $4.0 million in connection with our acquisition of Caesarstone USA. In 2012, we anticipate that our operating expenses will increase due to our direct distribution in the United States. If raw material prices remain at current price levels, we expect that our direct distribution in the United States and volume increases, if any, will improve gross profit margins and may reduce the impact of increased operating expenses. In the long-term, revenue growth, stable raw material costs, additional cost reduction measures and improved manufacturing efficiencies should result in improved operating income margins.

 

 

In 2005, we commenced operations with a third manufacturing line at a new manufacturing facility in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park in northern Israel. We subsequently established a fourth production line in 2007 with the addition of a second line at our Bar-Lev plant. Based on our current projections, we expect that we will need additional production lines in the future to meet growing customer demand. We anticipate that we will invest in an additional production line in approximately one or two years, which will require an investment of approximately $30 million. Alternatively, we may choose to expand our production capacity by other means, including an acquisition, in which case the funds required may be greater or less.

 

 

Commencing in 2010, and to a greater extent in 2011, as an increasing portion of our revenues began to be sold through direct channels, our revenues and results of operations have started to exhibit some quarterly fluctuations as a result of seasonal influences which impact construction and renovation cycles. Due to the fact that certain of our operating costs are fixed, the impact on our adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and net income of a change in revenues is magnified. We believe that the third quarter tends to exhibit higher sales volumes than other quarters because demand for quartz surface products is generally higher during the summer months in the northern hemisphere with the effort to complete new construction and renovation projects before the new school year. Conversely, the first quarter is impacted by the winter slowdown in the northern hemisphere in the construction industry and depending on the date of the spring holiday in Israel in a particular year, the first or second quarter is

 

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impacted by a reduction in sales in Israel due to such holiday. Similarly, sales in Australia during the first quarter are negatively impacted by fewer construction and renovation projects. The fourth quarter is susceptible to being impacted from the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere.

 

 

We conduct business in multiple countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Australia and the Middle East and as a result, we are exposed to risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the NIS, the U.S. dollar and certain other currencies in which we conduct business. A significant portion of our revenues is generated in Australian dollars and U.S. dollars with the balance denominated in Euros, NIS and Canadian dollars. In 2011, 34.0% of our revenues were denominated in Australian dollars , 24.7% in U.S. dollars, 15.0% in Euros, 14.8% in NIS and 11.4% in Canadian dollars. As a result, devaluations of the Australian dollar and U.S. dollar relative to the NIS may impact our profitability. Our expenses are largely denominated in NIS, U.S. dollars and Euros, with a smaller portion in the Australian dollars and Canadian dollars. We attempt to limit our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations through forward contracts, which are not designated as hedging accounting instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (originally issued as SFAS 133). As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding contracts with a notional amount of $86.6 million. These transactions were for a period of up to 12 months. The fair value of these foreign currency derivative contracts was ($3.2) million, which is included in current liabilities, at December 31, 2011.

Impact of acquisition of Caesarstone USA

In May 2011, we acquired the remaining 75% equity interest in our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, formerly known as U.S. Quartz Products, Inc., in which we had acquired a 25% equity interest in January 2007. Since our acquisition of that interest in January 2007, we have accounted for our interest in Caesarstone USA on an equity basis. See”—Components of statements of income—Equity in losses of affiliate, net.” The following table sets forth summary historical results of operations of Caesarstone USA on a standalone basis:

 

       Year ended December 31,      Three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2008      2009      2010              2010(2)              2011(2)  

 

 

Revenues

   $ 72,225       $ 58,217       $ 65,331       $ 14,635       $ 15,361   

Gross profit(1)

     29,973         25,589         29,508         6,667         7,159   

Net income

     2,103         859         1,493         187         190   

 

 

 

(1)   Gross profit does not include the costs associated with Caesarstone USA’s warehouse operations which were classified in operating costs by Caesarstone USA. Beginning May 18, 2011, Caesarstone USA was fully consolidated into our financial statements and such costs were reclassified as a cost of revenues. Giving effect to such reclassification for Caesarstone USA’s historical results of operations, gross profit would have been reduced by $3.4 million, $2.9 million, $3.6 million, $0.8 million and $1.0 million in 2008, 2009, 2010 and the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The reclassification has no impact on net income.

 

(2)   We completed the acquisition of Caesarstone USA on May 18, 2011. As a result, the last completed quarter for Caesarstone USA for which separate financial data is available is the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Caesarstone USA’s results are impacted significantly by changes in sales volumes due to a high level of fixed operating costs. As a result, its historical results of operations have fluctuated significantly. In 2008, increased penetration of quartz surfaces generally in the United States and of our products within that market resulted in higher sales volumes and positive net income. In 2009, the global economic downturn impacted sales significantly resulting in a decrease in revenues and in net income. In 2010, revenue grew by 12% with volume growing by 5% during

 

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the same period as Caesarstone USA increased its average selling prices and expanded its direct distribution, with sub-distributors accounting for 20% of total Caesarstone USA revenue in 2010. Despite these fluctuations in annual results, Caesarstone USA, prior to the May 2011 acquisition, increased its gross profit margins each year as it has expanded its U.S. presence and shifted most of its sales from distributors to direct channels. That strategy also helped to increase Caesarstone USA’s market share.

We believe that the acquisition of Caesarstone USA and the shift to direct sales in the United States will increase our average selling prices significantly and favorably impact our revenue and gross margins as we retain the full margin on our sales in this market. The acquisition will also increase our operating expenses significantly as we add the cost of Caesarstone USA’s operations to our cost structure. In the future, we believe that the acquisition will positively impact our operating profit and net income although our operating profit margins may decrease slightly due to higher revenue. In 2011, however, the acquisition of Caesarstone USA’s impact on our operating profit and net income was less favorable mainly due to Caesarstone USA’s inventory held upon its acquisition having a higher carrying cost than our inventory. As a result, we recognized lower gross margins relative to future sales by Caesarstone USA during 2011 when the majority of this inventory was sold.

Components of statements of income

Revenues

We derive our revenues from sales of quartz surfaces to fabricators in our direct markets and third-party distributors in our indirect markets. In Australia, Eastern Canada (as of October 2010), Western Canada (as of May 2011), the United States (as of May 2011) and Singapore (as of October 2011) the initial purchasers of our products are stonemasons and fabricators. Direct sales accounted for 74.9% of our total sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 86.8% of our total sales in the second half of 2011, after our shift to direct distribution in the United States and Western Canada. In Israel, the initial purchasers are local distributors who in turn sell to fabricators. In Australia and the United States, we also sell our products to a small number of sub-distributors. We consider Israel to be a direct market due to the warranty we provide to end-consumers, our local fabricator technical instruction programs and our robust local sales and marketing activities. The initial purchasers of our products in our other markets are our third-party distributors who in turn sell to sub-distributors and fabricators.

We recognize revenues upon sales to an initial purchaser when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery of the product has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collection is probable. Delivery occurs when title is transferred under the applicable international commerce terms, or Incoterms, to the purchaser. In general, we do not grant rights of return, except for customers in Australia to whom we grant a right of return for a limited period of time. We do not maintain a provision for such product returns, as historical returns have been immaterial, and we do not anticipate any material returns in the future.

The warranties that we provide vary by market. In our indirect markets, we provide all of our distributors with a limited direct manufacturing defect warranty. In all of our indirect markets, distributors are responsible for providing warranty coverage to end-customers. In Australia, Canada, the United States and Singapore, we provide end-consumers with a limited warranty on our products for interior countertop applications. In Israel, we typically provide end-consumers

 

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with a direct limited manufacturing defect warranty on our products. Based on historical experience, warranty issues are generally identified within one and a half years after the shipment of the product and a significant portion of defects are identified before installation. We record a reserve on account of possible warranty claims, which increases our cost of revenues. Historically, warranty claims have been low, accounting for approximately 0.5% of our total goods sold in 2010.

The following table sets forth the geographic breakdown of our revenues during the periods indicated:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 
                      

Australia

     38.7%         41.4%         34.0%   

United States

     19.3         15.6         23.0   

Israel

     17.3         15.9         14.9   

Europe

     11.9         12.1         8.8   

Canada

     7.0         6.9         11.4   

Rest of World

     5.9         8.1         7.9   
  

 

 

 

Total

     100.0%         100.0%         100.0%   

 

 

We were able to increase our revenue from Australia between 2009 and 2011 by 40.3% as a result of general growth in the demand for quartz countertops and increased market share. Revenues in the United States remained stable at $31.0 million in 2009 and 2010 when we sold our products to our now former U.S. third-party distributor. Revenues in the United States increased by 93.2% in 2011 due to our transition to direct distribution in May 2011, which resulted in an increase of 9.8% in sales volume and a significant increase in average selling prices. In Canada, from 2009 to 2011, the housing market remained relatively strong and quartz’s penetration of the countertop industry grew. We increased our revenue by 20.6% from 2009 to 2010 and by 117.3% from 2010 to 2011 in Canada after our transition to direct distribution in this market. Our shift to direct distribution in Canada resulted in an increase in sales volume of 25.3% from 2010 to 2011 and an increase in average selling prices. Our revenues in Europe in 2010 and 2011 have declined significantly compared to 2007 and 2008 and have not recovered due to challenging macroeconomic conditions in Europe. The European markets, in particular, and the U.S. markets to a lesser extent, continued to face challenging conditions through 2011. The rate of revenue growth in Israel is less than other regions due to the significant penetration of quartz in Israel and our large market share. Rest of world revenues increased period over period due to our expansion into new markets between 2008 and 2011. As we expand our operations, part of our strategy is to increase the percentage of revenue contributed by the United States and Canada and reduce our historical dependence on the Australian and Israeli markets.

We do not have any customers that account for more than 5% of our revenues after the acquisition of now former U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, which accounted for 100% of our sales in the United States and 15.6% of our overall sales in 2010. We acquired the remaining 75% ownership interest in our U.S. distributor in May 2011. Sales to our former U.S. distributor, prior to its acquisition in May 2011, accounted for 5.0% of our revenue in 2011.

Some of our initial engagements with distributors are pursuant to a memorandum of understanding granting that distributor one year of exclusivity in consideration for meeting

 

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minimum sales targets. After the initial one-year period, we may enter into a distribution agreement for a three- to five-year period. However, in the majority of cases, we continue to operate on the basis of the memorandum of understanding or without an operative agreement. Some distributors operate on nonexclusive terms of sale agreements or entirely without agreements. In all cases, we only supply our products to distributors upon the receipt of a purchase order from the distributor.

Cost of revenues and gross profit margin

Approximately 50% of our cost of revenues is raw material costs. Our principal raw materials are quartz, polyester and other polymer resins and pigments. In 2011, quartz and polyester and polymer resins jointly accounted for approximately 75% of our total raw material cost, with quartz accounting for approximately one-third of our total raw material cost. The balance of our cost of revenues consists primarily of manufacturing costs and related overhead. Cost of revenues in our direct distribution channels also includes the cost of delivery from our manufacturing facilities to our warehouses, warehouse operational costs, as well as additional delivery costs associated with the shipment of our products to customer sites in certain markets. In the case of our indirect distribution channels, our distributors bear the cost of delivery from our manufacturing facilities to their warehouses.

One of our principal raw materials, quartz, is acquired from quartz manufacturers primarily in Turkey, India, Portugal and Israel. We typically transact business with our quartz suppliers on a purchase order basis. Our products incorporate a number of types of quartz, including quartzite. One supplier in Turkey, Mikroman, supplies approximately 76% of our quartzite. Mikroman has committed to supply us at agreed upon prices through the end of 2012 and, thereafter, at prices that will be agreed upon based on then effective market prices through the end of 2014. We typically transact business with our other suppliers also on a purchase order basis. Prior to the manufacturing process, boulder quartz and processed crushed quartz must be processed into finer grades of fractions, granules and powder. Until January 2012, we received quartz processing services from our quartz suppliers and from Microgil, a third-party processor in Israel, although our quartz suppliers now exclusively perform this service for us.

We purchase polyester and other polymer resins based on monthly and up to quarterly purchase orders with several suppliers outside of Israel. Given the significance of polyester and other polymer resins costs relative to our total raw material expenditures, our cost of sales and overall results of operations are impacted significantly by fluctuations in their price, which generally correlates with oil prices and has fluctuated significantly over the past two years. If the price of polyester and other polymer resins was to rise by 10%, and we were not able to pass along any of such increase to our customers or achieve other offsetting savings, we would realize a decrease of approximately 1.3% in our gross profit margins. We have found that increases in prices are difficult to pass on to our customers. The price of these resins has risen significantly from December 2009 through April 2011, although prices have subsequently declined moderately.

The gross profit margins on sales in our direct markets are generally higher than in our indirect markets in which we use third-party distributors, due to the elimination of the third-party distributor’s margin. In many markets, our expansion strategy is to work with third-party distributors who we believe will be able to increase sales more rapidly in their market than if we distributed our products directly. However, in several markets we distribute directly, including Australia, the United States and Canada. In the future, we intend to evaluate other potential markets to distribute directly.

 

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Research and development, net

Our research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, as well as costs for subcontractor services and costs of materials consumed in connection with the design and development of our products. We expense all of our research and development costs as incurred. Our research and development expenses are partially offset by financing through grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the State of Israel (the “OCS”). We recognize such participation grants at the time at which we are entitled to such grants on the basis of the costs incurred and include these grants as a deduction from research and development expenses.

The Israeli law under which OCS grants are made requires royalty payments and limits our ability to manufacture products, or transfer technologies developed using these grants outside of Israel. Based on statements by the OCS, we believe that our development project operated under the OCS funding will be exempted from any royalty payment obligation. If we were to seek approval to manufacture products, or transfer technologies developed using these grants, outside of Israel, we could be subject to additional royalty requirements or be required to pay certain redemption fees. If we were to violate these restrictions, we could be required to refund any grants previously received, together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges. Our development project operated under the OCS funding arrangement began in August 2009. We recognized OCS funding of $0.1 million in 2009 and $0.2 million in each of 2010 and 2011.

Marketing and selling

Marketing and selling expenses consist primarily of compensation and associated costs for personnel engaged in sales, marketing, distribution, customer service and advertising and promotional expenses. As we intend to invest in increasing our penetration of our existing and new markets, particularly our existing U.S. and Canadian markets, we expect marketing and selling expenses in general, and advertising expenses in particular, to increase in both absolute and percentage terms in the short term as we increase the number of sales and marketing professionals and expand our marketing activities, but to remain constant or decrease as a percentage of revenues in the long term.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and associated costs for personnel engaged in finance, human resources and administrative activities, as well as legal and accounting fees. General and administrative expenses also include management fees paid to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in the amount of $1.8 million in 2009, $3.4 million in 2010 and $3.1 million in 2011 and to Tene Investment Funds in the amount of $0.4 million in 2009 and $0.9 million in each of 2010 and 2011. The management service agreement with Tene and the Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will expire upon closing of this offering. As described below, effective upon the closing of this offering, certain of our other agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will be terminated and a new set of agreements will become effective. See “—Other factors impacting our results of operations—Agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam” and “Certain relationships and related party transactions.”

We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we establish new subsidiaries in additional markets, hire additional personnel, adopt an employee stock option plan and incur additional costs related to the growth of our business, as well as the costs associated with being a public company, including compliance under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market and director and officer liability insurance.

 

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Finance expenses, net

Finance expenses, net, consist primarily of borrowing costs, losses on derivative instruments and exchange rate differences arising from changes in the value of monetary assets and monetary liabilities stated in currencies other than the functional currency of each entity. These expenses are partially offset by interest income on our cash balances and gains on derivative instruments. We expect financial income to increase as we invest the proceeds of this offering in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities pending their application to grow our business assuming limited exchange rate fluctuations. During 2007 through the end of 2009, we recorded finance income and expenses associated with fluctuations of the fair market value of Tene’s call option granted pursuant to an investment agreement between Tene and us executed in December 2006. The finance income recorded was $1.0 million and $1.2 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively, followed by a charge of $8.1 million in 2009. The option was exercised on December 25, 2009 and will not have an impact on our financial results in the future. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions.”

Corporate taxes

As we operate in a number of countries, our income is subject to taxation in different jurisdictions with a range of tax rates. Our effective tax rate was 32.8% in 2009, 20.2% in 2010 and 10.9% in 2011. Our tax rate in 2009 was significantly higher than other periods due to the exercise by Tene of a call option, which was not deductible under local reporting rules, and an associated $8.1 million finance expense, which resulted in our recognition of a tax charge of $2.1 million.

The standard corporate tax rate for Israeli companies in 2010 was 25% of their taxable income and was reduced to 24% in 2011. It was scheduled to fall to 23% in 2012 and ultimately to 18% by 2016. However, this scheduled gradual reduction in corporate tax rates was repealed with the enactment of the Law for Changing the Tax Burden in Israel in late 2011 and instead the corporate tax rate will increase to 25% in 2012 and thereafter. Our non-Israeli subsidiaries are taxed according to the tax laws in their respective country of organization. Until the end of the 2010 tax year, we operated under two “Approved Enterprise” programs and one “Beneficiary Enterprise” program. Until the end of the 2010 tax year, we were in the operational stage of a program under the alternative track as part of the “Approved Enterprise” program for the facility in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which was defined in the Investment Law. This program provided seven consecutive years of tax benefits, of which the first two years are at a zero percent tax rate on taxable income produced by the approved assets, and the remaining five years are at a tax rate of not more than 25% on such taxable income. Given the 2010 standard corporate tax rate of 25%, this program did not provide any tax benefit during the 2010 tax year.

Until the end of the 2010 tax year, we were in the operational stage of another “Approved Enterprise” program under the grants track, as defined in the Investment Law, related to the establishment of our third production line, the first one established at Bar-Lev Industrial Park. This program provided grants of 24% of the investment value in approved assets and seven consecutive years of tax benefits, of which the first two years are at a 0% tax rate on undistributed taxable income produced by the approved assets and the remaining five years are at a tax rate of not more than 25% on such taxable income. Under this and other Israeli legislation, we are entitled to accelerated depreciation and amortization rates for tax purposes on certain of our assets. We have already utilized the grants and tax exemption benefits, and given the new amendment to the Investment Law (“Amendment No. 68”), this program is no longer effective.

 

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Both of our Israeli facilities were under a consolidated “Beneficiary Enterprise” status under the Investment Law prior to Amendment No. 68. This program provided the portion related to the Bar-Lev facility with an exemption from taxable income generated from assets, which were approved under this program for a ten-year period beginning with the first year in which taxable income was generated by these assets. For the portion related to the Kibbutz Sdot-Yam facility, the active program provided two years of tax exemption and five additional years of no more than a 25% tax rate. The exempt income is calculated based on the increase in the Beneficiary Enterprise’s revenues during each benefit year compared with base revenue for each respective program. This tax benefit period expired in 2010 due to Amendment No. 68, which went into effect on January 1, 2011. This exemption is valid only for undistributed earnings and we are subject to additional tax payments upon their distribution as dividends. To the extent we declare a dividend, we do not intend to distribute dividends from earnings related to our Approved/Beneficiary Enterprise programs.

Effective January 1, 2011, both of our Israeli facilities are under a consolidated “Preferred Enterprise” status under the Investment Law as formulated after Amendment No. 68 went into effect. The “Preferred Enterprise” status provides the portion related to the Bar-Lev facility with the potential to be eligible for grants of up to 24% of the investment value in approved assets and a reduced flat corporate tax rate, which applies to the industrial enterprise’s entire preferred income, which will be gradually reduced over a five-year period as follows: 2011-2012—10%, 2013-2014—7%, and 2015 and thereafter—6%. For the portion related to the Kibbutz Sdot-Yam facility, this status provides us with a reduced flat corporate tax rate, which applies to the industrial enterprise’s entire preferred income, which will be gradually reduced over a five-year period as follows: 2011-2012—15%, 2013-2014—12.5%, and 2015 and onwards—12%.

For more information about the tax benefits available to us as an Approved Enterprise or as a Beneficiary Enterprise, see “Taxation and government programs.”

We have entered into a transfer pricing arrangement that establishes transfer prices for our inter-company operations.

Because of our multi-jurisdictional operations, we apply significant judgment to determine our consolidated income tax position. We estimate our effective tax rate for the coming years based on our planned future financial results in existing and new markets and the key factors affecting our tax liability, particularly our transfer pricing policy. Accordingly, we estimate that our effective tax rate will range between 17% and 21% of our income before income tax through 2012, reducing by two to three percent in 2013. In the long-term, we anticipate that our effective tax rate will increase as the portion of our income attributed to subsidiaries grows; however, this will be offset by a reduction in our effective corporate tax rate in Israel as a result of our “Preferred Enterprise” status under the Investment Law described above. We cannot provide any assurance that our plans will be realized and that our assumptions with regard to the key elements affecting tax rates will be accepted by the tax authorities. Therefore, our actual effective tax rate may be higher than our estimate.

Equity in losses of affiliate, net

In January 2007, we acquired a 25% equity interest in our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA. We accounted for this investment using the equity method. Consequently, the results of operations of the distributor directly impacted our net income during the period we accounted for this investment using the equity method. In 2008, we recorded an impairment loss of $3.7 million with respect to our investment, which was also reflected in our statements of operations and

 

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adversely impacted our net income for that period. The impairment resulted from the credit crisis and other negative indicators that affected the U.S. market in which the U.S. distributor operates and was based in part on a valuation report that we received from a third-party valuation firm. We did not record any equity income or losses beginning May 18, 2011 as a result of our acquisition of Caesarstone USA on such date. The results of operations and financial position of Caesarstone USA have been fully consolidated in our financial statements since May 18, 2011.

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

In October 2010, we closed a transaction for the establishment of a joint venture with our former third-party distributor in Eastern Canada, Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc. (“Ciot”). Ciot acquired a 45% ownership interest in the new subsidiary, Caesarstone Canada Inc., and 45% of Caesarstone Canada Inc.’s net income is attributed to Ciot.

Other factors impacting our results of operations

Payment of compensation and grant of options upon the pricing of this offering

We intend to pay the following amounts: (1) $        million to our Chief Executive Officer in connection with the automatic exercise upon the closing of this offering of his right to receive payment with respect to the increase in value of 700 of our shares granted to him in January 2009 based on the increase in value of our company at the date of this offering (see “Management—Equity incentive plan—Grant of stock options to chief executive officer”), and (2) $1.7 million to certain of our employees and $0.25 million to our Chairman for their contribution to our success. These amounts will be recorded as an expense in the quarter during which this offering closes.

In addition, immediately following the pricing of this offering, we intend to grant certain of our key employees, including our executive officers, options to purchase             ordinary shares with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. As a result of this event, we will record share-based compensation expenses related to this grant of $         in the quarter in which the offering occurs and a further $         in each of the following four years.

Agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

We are party to a series of agreements with our largest shareholder, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, that govern different aspects of our relationship. Pursuant to these agreements, in consideration for using facilities licensed to us or for services provided by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, we paid to the Kibbutz an aggregate of $8.9 million in 2009, $11.9 million in 2010 and $12.6 million in 2011.

Effective upon the closing of this offering, certain of our current agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will be terminated and, other than with respect to the current management services agreement, which will not be renewed, a new set of agreements will become effective. The new agreements provide for similar services to those that are currently provided to us by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, except that following the closing of this offering and subject to the receipt of approvals from certain Israeli governmental authorities as disclosed in “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Relationships and agreements with a Kibbutz Sdot-Yam—Land purchase agreement and leaseback,” we have agreed that Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will acquire from us our rights in the lands and facilities of the Bar-Lev Industrial Center, (the “Bar-Lev Grounds”) in consideration for NIS 43.7 million ($11.4 million). Assuming the completion of such transfer, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam has agreed to permit us to use the Bar-Lev Grounds for a period of ten years commencing on the closing date of this offering that will be automatically renewed unless we

 

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give two years prior notice, for a ten-year term in consideration for an annual fee of NIS 4.1 million ($1.1 million) to be linked to increases in the Israeli consumer price index. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions.”

We expect that the new agreements will result overall in a reduction of approximately $3.1 million in payments to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene in 2012 compared to 2011 primarily as a result of the elimination of the management fee. We expect operating expenses will be reduced by an additional approximately $1.1 million due to the Bar-Lev sale-leaseback arrangement that will be accounted for as a financing arrangement generating approximately $0.7 million in annual interest expense.

In addition, we have committed to fund the cost of the construction, up to a maximum of NIS 3.3 million ($0.9 million) plus value added tax (VAT), required to change the access road leading to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and our facilities, such that the entrance to our facilities will be separated from the entrance into Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. The current rate of VAT in Israel is 16%.

Comparison of period to period results of operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

 

      Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2010           2011  
 

 

 

 
(in thousands, except percentages)   Amount     % of
Revenue
    Amount     % of
Revenue
    Amount     % of
Revenue
 

 

 

Revenues

  $ 162,634        100.0%      $ 198,791        100.0%      $ 259,671        100.0%   

Cost of revenues

    108,853        66.9        120,503        60.6        155,377        59.8   

Gross profit

    53,781        33.1        78,288        39.4        104,294        40.2   

Operating expenses:

           

Research and development, net

    1,964        1.2        2,273        1.1        2,487        1.0   

Marketing and selling

    12,960        8.0        16,048        8.1        34,043        13.1   

General and administrative

    18,729        11.5        20,896        10.5        30,018        11.6   
 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    33,653        20.7        39,217        19.7        66,548        25.6   
 

 

 

 

Operating income

    20,128        12.4        39,071        19.7        37,746        14.5   

Finance expenses, net

    8,693        5.3        2,370        1.2        4,775        1.8   
 

 

 

 

Income before taxes on income

    11,435        7.0        36,701        18.5        32,971        12.7   

Taxes on income

    3,752        2.3        7,399        3.7        3,600        1.4   
 

 

 

 

Income after taxes on income

    7,683        4.7        29,302        14.7        29,371        11.3   

Equity in losses of affiliate, net

    293          296          67     
 

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 7,390        4.5      $ 29,006        14.6      $ 29,304        11.3   
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

                  348        0.2        252        0.1   

Net income attributable to controlling interest

  $ 7,390        4.5      $ 28,658        14.4      $ 29,052        11.2   

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2011 compared to year ended December 31, 2010

Revenues

Revenues increased by $60.9 million, or 30.6%, to $259.7 million in 2011 from $198.8 million in 2010. The increase in revenues primarily resulted from a 6% increase in volumes and a 23.3% increase in average selling prices primarily due to the shift to direct distribution in the United States and Canada. The Caesarstone USA acquisition contributed $23.7 million in revenues (for the seven and a half month period following the acquisition). Favorable exchange rates also

 

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contributed to the increase in average selling prices. The increase in volume resulted primarily from sales in the United States, Israel, Canada and rest of world while sales in Europe experienced a 16% decline compared to 2010 due to the weak home renovation and remodeling and new residential construction end markets in Europe.

Cost of revenues and gross profit margins

Cost of revenues increased by $34.9 million, or 28.9%, to $155.4 million in 2011 from $120.5 million in 2010. Cost of revenues increased primarily due to an increase in volume, an increase in raw material costs, and in particular, polyester and other polymer resin costs, which increased by 18% in 2011. In addition, the increase in cost of revenues was due to the direct distribution in Canada and the United States (for the seven and a half month period following the acquisition in the case of the United States). From May 18, 2011 through December 31, 2011, we recorded a $4.0 million increase in cost of revenues related to Caesarstone USA’s inventory held at the time of its acquisition, which had a higher carrying cost than our inventory. We also recorded a charge of $1.8 million related to our write down to zero of the cost of the quartz inventory provided to Microgil, our former third-party quartz processor. However, despite this write down, gross profit margins increased from 39.4% in 2010 to 40.2% in 2011. The increase in raw material cost decreased margins by 3.2% while the increase in volume decreased our costs per unit on fixed and semi-variable costs of goods sold, which resulted in an increase in our margins of 0.4%. Our direct distribution channel in Canada improved our margins by 2.2% while the Caesarstone USA acquisition contributed 2.0% to our margins due in part to the high carrying costs of its inventory held at the time of acquisition.

Operating expenses

Research and development, net .    Research and development expenses, net of grants received, increased by $0.2 million, or 9.4%, to $2.5 million in 2011 from $2.3 million in 2010. The increase was mainly due to foreign currency translations of NIS to the U.S. dollar, which were offset by OCS grants that increased $0.04 million in 2011 compared to 2010. OCS grants recorded amounted to $0.21 million in 2011 compared to $0.17 million recorded in 2010.

Marketing and selling.     Marketing and selling expenses increased by $18.0 million, or 112%, to $34.0 million in 2011 from $16.0 million in 2010. This increase resulted primarily from the establishment of a direct distribution channel in the United States, which was consolidated into our results of operations for the last four and a half months of the period, and added $7.8 million to expenses, and our direct distribution in Canada, which increased expenses by $5.1 million. In addition, the increase in marketing and selling expenses was due to significant investment in advertising and the expansion of our corporate marketing department that we began in the beginning of 2010, including its separation from our corporate sales department.

General and administrative .    General and administrative expenses increased by $9.1 million, or 43.7%, to $30.0 million in 2011 from $20.9 million in 2010. This increase was primarily the result of the introduction of a new cost structure to operate our subsidiaries in the United States (for the last seven and a half months of the period), which increased expenses by $6.2 million, and Canada, which increased expenses by $2.6 million, as well as an increase in corporate professional services and labor costs. Non-recurring items incurred in 2011 include a credit of $1.8 million in connection with the settlement of two trademark infringement lawsuits with two competitors in Australia that was partially offset by an expense of $1.1 million related to the write down to zero of a loan made to Microgil the recoverability of which we determined to be not probable.

 

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Finance expenses, net

Finance expenses, net increased by 101.5% to $4.8 million in 2011 from $2.4 million in 2010. This increase resulted primarily from an increase of $2.0 million in finance expenses, net, related mainly to losses on our Australian dollar derivatives as a result of the appreciation of the Australian dollar during 2011. Our interest expenses and bank charges, net increased by $0.4 million due primarily to finance charges from Caesarstone USA and our new Canadian joint venture, as well as a reduction in cash and deposit balances as a result of funding of the Caesarstone USA acquisition.

Taxes on income

Taxes on income decreased by $3.8 million to $3.6 million in 2011 from a $7.4 million tax expense in 2010, primarily as a result of a new tax benefit regulation in Israel that went into effect in the beginning of 2011, which reduced our local effective tax rate to 15% on income attributable to our Sdot-Yam facility and 10% on income attributable to our Bar-Lev facility. As a result, in the first quarter of 2011, we recorded a non-recurring credit of $1.8 million from adjusting our deferred taxes to the newly enacted tax rate that will be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse. In addition, we recorded $3.7 million reduced tax on our ongoing pre-tax profit as a result of the newly lowered tax rates. An audit of our 2007 through 2009 tax assessments by the Israeli tax authorities resulted in a tax charge of $0.8 million. Excluding the impact of these three factors, our effective tax rate for 2011 would have been 25.2%, similar to current Israeli corporate tax rate of 24%. In 2010, we recognized a significant approved enterprise tax benefit in connection with the operation of our Bar-Lev production lines with no taxes incurred on its attributed income, which resulted in a tax benefit of $2.0 million. Without the Approved Enterprise tax benefit, our effective tax rate for that period would have been 25.7%, similar to the statutory tax rate of 25% that year.

Equity in losses of affiliate, net

Equity in losses of affiliate, net decreased by $0.2 million from $0.3 million in 2010 to $0.1 million in 2011, primarily as a result of the discontinuance of equity accounting upon the acquisition of Caesarstone USA on May 18, 2011. We will not record any equity income or losses in connection with Caesarstone USA following May 18, 2011. Beginning in May 2011, financial information related to Caesarstone USA was fully consolidated into our financial statements.

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest decreased by $0.1 million from $0.4 million in 2010 to $0.3 million in 2011. This decrease was due to higher net income generated by Caesarstone Canada Inc. during its two and a half months of operations in 2010 compared to 2011. Caesarstone Canada Inc.’s net income was higher during this two-and-a-half-month-period in 2010 than 2011 because the entity generated revenue temporarily without any significant costs during this period. Since such time, the newly-created entity has built its structure to permit it to expand its distribution capabilities and operations in the long term.

Year ended December 31, 2010 compared to year ended December 31, 2009

Revenues

Revenues increased by $36.2 million, or 22.2%, to $198.8 million in 2010 from $162.6 million in 2009. This increase was primarily due to a volume increase of 12.7% and an 8.4% increase in

 

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average selling prices due to increased direct distribution sales in Australia and Eastern Canada, favorable exchange rates, particularly as a result of the Australian dollar which averaged 10.6% above 2009 rates against the NIS, and an increase in sales of high-grade slabs. Revenues from Australia increased by 31% from 2009 largely as a result of the Australian government housing stimulus package, as well as the appreciation of the Australian dollar. Revenues from Europe increased by 24% mainly as a result of greater market share in some countries after improved sales performance due to distributor replacements and enhanced relationships with certain other distributors in this region. We were also able to grow revenues to a lesser extent in Israel, due to increases in volume, and in Canada due to our shift to direct distribution in Eastern Canada. Rest of the world revenue, excluding Canada, increased by 70% reflecting penetration of new markets.

Cost of revenues and gross profit margins

Cost of revenues increased by $11.6 million, or 10.7%, to $120.5 million in 2010 from $108.9 million in 2009. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in revenues. Gross profit margins increased to 39.4% in 2010 from 33.1% in 2009. Approximately 35% of this increase resulted from increases in the Australian dollar exchange rate compared to the NIS and approximately 28% resulted from an increase in direct distribution sales resulting in higher average selling prices. Gross profit margins also benefited from higher volumes, which lowered costs per unit on fixed and semi-variable cost of goods sold, and operational improvements, such as a reduction in slab thickness and improved slab quality. An offsetting factor was an increase in cost of raw materials, primarily polyester and other resins that reduced gross profit by $4.2 million.

Operating expenses

Research and development, net.     Research and development expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 15.7%, to $2.3 million in 2010 from $2.0 million in 2009 despite an increase of OCS grants from $0.08 in 2009 to $0.17 million in 2010. Gross expenses increased by $0.4 million primarily from increased labor costs, a 5% increase in headcount and the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the NIS.

Marketing and selling.     Marketing and selling expenses increased by $3.1 million, or 23.8%, to $16.0 million in 2010 from $13.0 million in 2009. This increase resulted from $2.2 million in increased advertising and marketing costs associated with the expansion of our global distribution platform, $0.5 million associated with the establishment of a direct distribution channel in Eastern Canada, and $0.4 million related to the expansion of our corporate marketing infrastructure.

General and administrative.     General and administrative expenses increased by $2.2 million, or 11.6%, to $20.9 million in 2010 from $18.7 million in 2009 despite a reduction of $3.4 million in total share-based compensation as a result of our Chief Executive Officer notifying us of his decision to exercise his right to receive an award bonus with respect to 1,340 vested shares as well as the employment termination of our former Australian subsidiary’s CEO. This increase was primarily the result of an increase of $2.4 million in management fees payable to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene, an increase in professional services costs, the introduction of our new subsidiary in Canada, an increase in the Australian dollar exchange rate against the NIS and a weakened U.S. dollar against expenses denominated in NIS.

 

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Finance expenses, net

Finance expenses, net decreased to $2.4 million in 2010 compared to finance expenses, net of $8.7 million in 2009. The decrease in financial and other income in 2010 resulted primarily from an $8.1 million expense recorded during 2009 associated with the mark-to-market accounting of Tene’s call option granted pursuant to an investment agreement between us and Tene, which was exercised in December 2009. Excluding this non-recurring cost, 2010 finance expenses, net were $1.7 million above 2009. The increase is primarily a result of $1.2 million in losses on certain derivative instruments following significant declines in the Euro exchange rate compared with a foreign exchange transaction gain of $1.2 million in 2009. This increase was offset by a reduction in interest expenses, net of $0.7 million due to our reduced debt balance, and significant increased cash balance in 2010.

Taxes on income

Taxes on income expense increased to $7.4 million in 2010 from $3.8 million in 2009 primarily as a result of improved profitability. Our effective tax rate decreased from 32.8% in 2009 to 20.2% in 2010. During this period, the Israeli statutory tax rate decreased from 26% in 2009 to 25% in 2010. In 2010, we recognized a $2.0 million tax exemption related to our Approved Enterprise program with a zero percent tax rate. Without this credit, our 2010 effective tax rate would have been 25.7%, similar to the statutory tax rate. In 2009, in connection with the exercise by Tene of a call option, which was not deductible under local tax rules, and had an associated $8.1 million finance expense, we recognized a tax charge of $2.1 million. This tax impact was offset primarily by a $1.7 million tax credit related to differences in the basis of measurement for tax purposes, principally related to our Approved Enterprise program. Additionally, we benefitted from a $0.3 million tax exemption related to our Approved Enterprise program with a zero percent tax rate. Excluding these three factors, our effective tax rate in 2009 would have been 25.5%, similar to the statutory tax rate of 26%.

Equity in losses of affiliate, net

Equity in losses of affiliate, net was $0.3 million in both 2009 and 2010 primarily as a result of a $0.3 million amortization expense related to intangible assets associated with the investment in our U.S. distributor. We recognized $0.4 million and $0.2 million of net income associated with our 25% interest in Caesarstone USA in 2010 and 2009, respectively; however, those amounts were offset by similar amounts of unrealized gains in inter-company transactions.

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

In 2010, Caesarstone Canada Inc. generated net income of $0.7 million with $0.3 million attributable to Ciot. Caesarstone Canada Inc. began operations in October 2010.

 

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Quarterly results of operations and seasonality

The following table presents our unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly results of operations for the eight quarters in the period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011. We also present reconciliations of net income to adjusted EBITDA and net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income for the same periods. This information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly financial information for the quarters presented below on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. The historical quarterly results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future quarters or periods.

 

      Three Months Ended  
(in thousands, except
percentages)
  Mar. 31,
2010
    Jun. 30,
2010
    Sept. 30,
2010
    Dec. 31,
2010
    Mar. 31,
2011
    Jun. 30,
2011
    Sept. 30,
2011
    Dec. 31,
2011
 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Income Statement Data:

               

Revenues

  $ 48,990      $ 44,439      $ 51,503      $ 53,859      $ 52,394      $ 66,045      $ 74,151      $ 67,081   

Revenues as a percentage of annual revenue

    24.6%        22.4%        25.9%        27.1%        20.2%        25.4%        28.6%        25.8%   

Gross profit

  $ 19,623      $ 17,628      $ 20,069      $ 20,968      $ 20,036      $ 26,630      $ 31,446      $ 26,182   

Operating income

    11,130        7,760        11,979        8,202        8,082        9,901        13,601        6,162   

Net income

    8,635        4,205        9,902        6,264        7,904        7,600        10,151        3,649   

Other Financial Data:

               

Adjusted EBITDA

    14,143        11,463        12,934        11,949        11,510        15,793        18,025        13,446   

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of annual adjusted EBITDA

    28.0%        22.7%        25.6%        23.7%        19.6%        26.9%        30.7%        22.8%   

Adjusted net income

    9,022        5,248        8,751        6,742        8,475        9,265        10,438        6,587   

Adjusted net income as a percentage of annual adjusted net income

    30.3%        17.6%        29.4%        22.7%        24.4%        26.7%        30.0%        19.0%   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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      Three Months Ended  
(as a % of revenues)   Mar. 31,
2010
    Jun. 30,
2010
    Sept. 30,
2010
    Dec. 31,
2010
    Mar. 31,
2011
    Jun. 30,
2011
    Sept. 30,
2011
    Dec. 31,
2011
 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Income Statement Data:

               

Revenues

    100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%   

Gross profit

    40.1        39.7        39.0        38.9        38.2        40.3        42.4        39.0   

Operating income

    22.7        17.5        23.3        15.2        15.4        15.0        18.3        9.2   

Net income

    17.6        9.5        19.2        11.6        15.1        11.5        13.7        5.4   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

      Three Months Ended  
(in thousands)   Mar. 31,
2010
    Jun. 30,
2010
    Sept. 30,
2010
    Dec. 31,
2010
    Mar. 31,
2011
    Jun. 30,
2011
    Sept. 30,
2011
    Dec. 31,
2011
 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

               

Net income

  $ 8,635      $ 4,205      $ 9,902      $ 6,264      $ 7,904      $ 7,600      $ 10,151      $ 3,649   

Finance expenses, net

    305        2,392        (747     420        263        659        834        3,019   

Taxes on income

    1,894        985        3,021        1,499        (168     1,658        2,616        (506

Depreciation and amortization

    2,528        2,397        2,397        2,712        2,857        3,702        4,008        4,048   

Equity in losses of affiliate, net(a)

    296        178        (197     19        83        (16              

Excess cost of acquired inventory(b)

                                       1,822        1,979        220   

Litigation gain(c)

                                              (1,783       

Microgil loan and inventory write
down(d)

                                                     2,916   

Share-based compensation expense(e)

    485        1,306        (1,442     1,035        571        368        220        100   

Adjusted EBITDA(a)

  $ 14,143      $ 11,463      $ 12,934      $ 11,949      $ 11,510      $ 15,793      $ 18,025      $ 13,446   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Consists of our portion of the results of operations of Caesarstone USA prior to its acquisition by us in May 2011.

 

(b)   Consists of the difference between the higher carrying cost of Caesarstone USA’s inventory at the time of acquisition and the standard cost of our inventory, which adversely impacts our gross margins until such inventory is sold. The majority of the acquired inventory was sold in 2011.

 

(c)   Consists of a mediation award in our favor pursuant to two trademark infringement cases brought by Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

(d)   Relates to our writing down to zero the cost of inventory provided to Microgil, our former third-party quartz processor in Israel, in 2011 in the amount of $1.8 million and our writing down to zero our $1.1 million loan to Microgil, in each case, in connection with a dispute. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

 

(e)   Share-based compensation consists primarily of changes in the value of share-based rights granted in January 2009 to our Chief Executive Officer, as well as changes in the value of share-based rights granted in March 2008 to our former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

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       Three Months Ended  
(in thousands)    Mar. 31,
2010
     Jun. 30,
2010
     Sept. 30,
2010
    Dec. 31,
2010
     Mar. 31,
2011
     Jun. 30,
2011
     Sept. 30,
2011
    Dec. 31,
2011
 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interest to Adjusted Net Income:

                     

Net income attributable to controlling interest

   $ 8,635       $ 4,205       $ 9,902      $ 5,916       $ 7,966       $ 7,314       $ 10,067      $ 3,705   

Excess cost of acquired inventory(a)

                                            1,822         1,979        220   

Litigation gain(b)

                                                    (1,783       

Microgil loan and inventory write down(c)

                                                           2,916   

Share-based compensation expense(d)

     485         1,306         (1,442     1,035         571         368         220        100   
  

 

 

 

Total adjustments before tax

     485         1,306         (1,442     1,035         571         2,190         416        3,236   

Less tax on above adjustment(e)

     98         263         (291     209         62         239         45        354   
  

 

 

 

Total adjustments after tax

     387         1,043         (1,151     826         509         1,951         371        2,882   
  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 9,022       $ 5,248       $ 8,751      $ 6,742       $ 8,475       $ 9,265       $ 10,438      $ 6,587   

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Consists of the difference between the higher carrying cost of Caesarstone USA’s inventory at the time of acquisition and the standard cost of our inventory, which adversely impacts our gross margins until such inventory is sold. The majority of the acquired inventory was sold in 2011.

 

(b)   Consists of a mediation award in our favor pursuant to two trademark infringement cases brought by Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

(c)   Relates to our writing down to zero the cost of inventory provided to Microgil, our former third-party quartz processor in Israel, in 2011 in the amount of $1.8 million and our writing down to zero our $1.1 million loan to Microgil, in each case, in connection with a dispute. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

 

(d)   Share-based compensation consists primarily of changes in the value of share-based rights granted in January 2009 to our Chief Executive Officer, as well as changes in the value of share-based rights granted in March 2008 to the former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

 

(e)   Tax adjustments reflect the increase in taxes on income that would have been reflected in our consolidated income statement for the applicable period if the adjustments set forth in the table were not applied in computing net income. The tax effect is based on effective tax rate for each relevant period.

Our results of operations are impacted by seasonal factors, including construction and renovation cycles. We believe that the third quarter of the year exhibits higher sales volumes than other quarters because demand for quartz surface products is generally higher during the summer months in the northern hemisphere, when the weather is more favorable for new construction and renovation projects, as well as the impact of efforts to complete such projects before the beginning of the new school

 

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year. Conversely, the first quarter is impacted by a slowdown in new construction and renovation projects during the winter months as a result of adverse weather conditions in the northern hemisphere and, depending on the date of the spring holiday in Israel in a particular year, the first or second quarter is impacted by a reduction in sales in Israel due to such holiday. Similarly, sales in Australia during the first quarter are negatively impacted due to fewer construction and renovation projects.

We expect that seasonal factors will have a greater impact on our revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income in the future due to our recent shift to direct distribution in the United States and Canada, and as we continue to increase direct distribution as a percentage of our total revenues in the future. This is because we generate higher average selling prices in the markets in which we have direct distribution channels and, therefore, our revenues are more greatly impacted by changes in demand in these markets. At the same time, our fixed costs have also increased as a result of our shift to direct distribution and, therefore, the impact of seasonal fluctuations in our revenues on our profit margins, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income will likely be magnified in future periods.

The first quarter of 2010 does not reflect typical seasonal impacts due to increased sales to third-party distributors to maintain their inventories. Third-party distributor revenue currently accounts for a lower portion of our revenues and is expected to decrease further in the future as we shift to direct distribution in additional markets. Consistent with our expectations, sales volume was highest in 2010 during the third quarter, with sales volume 7% higher in the third quarter than the fourth quarter. However, revenue was highest in the fourth quarter and increased from the third quarter primarily due to the commencement of direct distribution in Eastern Canada (which contributed an additional $2.0 million to revenues). In 2011, sales volume increased by 9% from the first quarter to the second quarter and by 6% from the second quarter to the third quarter. The increase in revenue in 2011 was higher due to our acquisition of Caesarstone USA in the middle of the second quarter. We expect in the future that our adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income will correlate with sales volume and will be highest in the third quarter, as indicated by the quarterly results for 2010 and 2011 shown above, and lowest in the first quarter, as indicated by the quarterly results for 2011 shown above.

Liquidity and capital resources

Our primary capital requirements have been to fund production capacity expansions, as well as investments in and acquisitions of third-party distributors, such as our acquisition of the business of our former Australian distributor and our investment in and acquisition of Caesarstone USA, formerly known as U.S. Quartz Products, Inc. Our other capital requirements have been to fund our working capital needs, operating costs, meet required debt payments and to pay dividends on our capital stock.

Capital resources have primarily consisted of cash flows from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities, shareholder loans, equity investments by Tene, and cash and cash equivalents on hand. Our working capital requirements are affected by several factors, including demand for our products, raw material costs and shipping costs.

Our inventory strategy is to maintain sufficient inventory levels to meet anticipated customer demand for our products. Our inventory is significantly impacted by sales in Australia, our largest market, due to the 60 days required to ship our products to this location. In addition, our establishment of direct distribution channels has and will impact our inventory. In September

 

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2010, we signed an agreement to establish a joint venture, Caesarstone Canada Inc., with our third-party distributor in Eastern Canada, Ciot. In May 2011, we executed an agreement to purchase the remaining 75% equity interest in Caesarstone USA. Our inventory level increased by $3.0 million due to the purchase of Ciot’s inventory by Caesarstone Canada Inc. with proceeds from shareholder loans. Our inventory level increased by $10.7 million as a result of our purchase of Caesarstone USA’s inventory and Caesarstone Canada Inc.’s purchase of the inventory of our former third-party distributor in Western Canada. This increase in inventory, due to the establishment of direct distribution operations in these markets, will continue in the future due to the need to maintain available inventory for our direct distribution activities in those markets and the time required to ship between Israel and the United States or Canada by sea. We continue to focus on meeting market demand for our products while improving our inventory efficiency over the long term by implementing procedures to improve our production planning process.

We minimize working capital requirements through our distribution network that allows sales and marketing activities to be provided by third-party distributors. Giving effect to the transactions occurring upon the closing of this offering, and in particular the payment of a special dividend to our existing shareholders prior to this offering of $25.6 million immediately following the closing of this offering and an additional dividend of $0.8 million to our preferred shareholders that we intend to pay prior to the closing of this offering, we believe that, based on our current business plan, the proceeds of this offering, our cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash from operations and borrowings available to us under our revolving credit, short-term and long-term debt facilities, we will be able to meet our capital expenditure and working capital requirements, and liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. We may require additional capital to meet our longer term liquidity and future growth requirements. Continued instability in the capital markets could adversely affect our ability to obtain additional capital to grow our business and would affect the cost and terms of such capital.

Cash flows

The following table presents the major components of net cash flows used in and provided by operating, investing and financing activities for the periods presented:

 

       Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2009     2010     2011  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 42,066      $ 46,649      $ 28,224   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     635        (5,920     (27,367

Net cash (used in) financing activities

     (26,970     (20,969     (31,833

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

Operating activities consist primarily of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items. Adjustments to net income for non-cash items include depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation and deferred taxes. In addition, operating cash flows are impacted by changes in operating assets and liabilities, principally inventories, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Cash provided by operating activities grew by $4.6 million from 2009 to 2010 but decreased by $18.4 million from 2010 to 2011. In 2009, we generated cash flow from operations of $42.0 million despite significantly lower net income of $7.4 million primarily due to a $9.7 million

 

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reduction in inventory levels as a result of an operational focus on inventory reduction given our relative flat revenue levels and the non-cash impact of the Tene option valuation and share-based compensation. In 2010, we generated $46.6 million in cash from operations, or 60% greater than net income, primarily as a result of $10.0 million in depreciation and amortization and an increase in accrued expenses. Despite net income for 2011 remaining flat relative to 2010, cash provided by operating activities decreased by $18.4 million in 2011 compared to 2010. This decrease was mainly the result of an increase of $10.5 million in trade and other account receivables in 2011 compared to an increase of $1.5 million in trade and other account receivables in 2010 and a decrease of $4.5 million in accrued expenses and other liabilities in 2011 compared to an increase of $16.6 million in accrued expenses and other liabilities in 2010, primarily associated with management fees and dividends declared to related parties that were both accrued at December 31, 2010 and paid during 2011. The increase in trade and other account receivables during 2011 resulted from increased revenues in the fourth quarter of this period compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. Inventory decreased by $4.1 million in 2011 compared to an increase of $4.8 million in 2010, which partially offset the decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2011. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $4.6 million, or 45.7%, from 2010 to 2011 due to our increased amortization expenses related to the intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisitions of our U.S. and Singapore distributors, our establishment of a joint venture in Eastern Canada and the acquisition of the business of our former Western Canadian distributor.

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

We decreased our capital expenditures related to the purchase of property, plant and equipment year over year from 2007 to 2009 following the establishment of our fourth production line. Capital expenditures totaled $33.0 million, $10.1 million and $4.8 million in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. We have resumed moderate capital expenditure growth since 2009 due to our increased sales growth and our expansion of our direct distribution channels. In 2010 and 2011, our capital expenditures totaled $5.5 million and $8.8 million, respectively. Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were $0.6 million, $(5.9) million and $(27.4) million, respectively. Our 2009 investing activities consisted primarily of a payment we received in the amount of $7.5 million as repayment of a shareholder loan given in the previous period to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. In 2011, our cash used in investing activities was $(27.4) million including cash for acquisitions totaling $18.7 million consisting of $16.2 million invested in connection with the Caesarstone USA acquisition, $1.9 million invested in connection with the acquisition of the business of Whitewood, our former distributor in Western Canada, and $0.6 million related to the acquisition of our Singapore distributor.

The majority of our investment activities have historically been related to the purchase of manufacturing equipment and components for our production lines, as well as the acquisition of the business of our former Australian distributor and our investment in Caesarstone USA. In order to support our overall business expansion, we will continue to invest in manufacturing equipment and components for our production lines. Moreover, we may spend additional amounts of cash on acquisitions from time to time, if and when such opportunities arise.

On October 15, 2010, we closed an agreement to establish a joint venture, Caesarstone Canada Inc., with our former distributor in Eastern Canada. In connection with the formation of the joint venture, we granted Ciot a put option and Ciot granted us a call option for its interest, each exercisable any time between July 1, 2012 and July 1, 2023. Exercise of the put option requires six

 

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months prior notice. Exercise of the call option does not require prior notice. The purchase price following such an exercise is to be determined in accordance with the call and put formulas, which are based on multiples that are subject to change based on the number of slabs sold and adjustments related to changes in price per slab for Caesarstone Canada Inc. The put option may only be exercised for at least $5 million plus an additional amount equal to interest at a yearly rate of 3.75%. The exercise of the put or call option would result in an increase in our ownership interest from 55% to 100%.

Cash used in financing activities

Beginning in the second half of 2009 through April 2010, as a result of an improvement in our financial results and cash provided by operating activities, we repaid all of our revolving credit line balances and repaid $4.6 million in loans prior to maturity. This, along with scheduled loan repayments, reduced our debt balance from $64.9 million in 2008 to $23.6 million in 2011, during which period we funded several acquisitions with cash on hand and limited short-term borrowings that were repaid during the year, including our acquisition of Caesarstone USA. The exercise by Tene in December 2009 of their call option pursuant to an investment agreement between us and Tene generated $7.8 million in cash proceeds to us. At the end of 2010, we used our revolving credit line to pay an $8.4 million dividend to our shareholders. During 2011, we repaid $7.4 million of the revolving credit line. Net cash used in financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 was $27.0 million, $21.0 million and $31.8 million, respectively, which included loan repayments, net of $25.2 million, $7.0 million and $27.2 million in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and dividend payments of $9.9 million in 2009, $14.0 million in 2010 and $6.9 million in 2011.

Credit facilities

Our long term debt is comprised largely of long-term secured loans from Israeli banks. The loans provide for terms of between five to six years and are denominated in various currencies. The remaining terms on our existing debt range between approximately six to 18 months. Our long-term debt, net of the current portion, was $5.4 million as of December 31, 2011. Additionally, on January 17, 2011, a loan in the amount of CAD$4.0 million ($4.1 million) was made to Caesarstone Canada Inc. by its shareholders, Ciot and ourselves, on a pro rata basis. The loan bears an interest rate until repayment at a per annum rate equal to the Bank of Canada’s prime business rate plus 0.25%, with the interest accrued on the loan paid on a quarterly basis. The loan must be repaid two years following the date of its granting. The loan balance as of December 31, 2011 was $1.8 million.

As of December 31, 2011, we had short-term loans (including current maturities of long-term debt) of $16.4 million and short-term credit lines of $21.3 million, consisting of $15.4 million from Israeli banks and $5.9 million from Canadian banks.

Of our long-term debt and short-term loans (including current maturities of long-term debt) as of December 31, 2011, $8.4 million was denominated in Australian dollars with interest rates of between LIBOR plus 1.1% to LIBOR plus 1.25%, $7.1 million was denominated in U.S. dollars with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.75% to LIBOR plus 1.4%, $1.8 million was denominated in NIS with interest rates of between prime plus 0.2% to prime plus 0.25% and $0.7 million was denominated in Canadian dollars with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.1%. Our revolving and short-term credit lines are primarily denominated in NIS, with the majority bearing annual interest at prime less 0.25%.

 

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The loans and credit lines are secured with general floating and fixed charges on our assets. The agreements governing the loans and credit lines contain a number of covenants, including the following:

 

 

a commitment not to repay loans to our shareholders;

 

limitations on mergers, acquisitions and dispositions not in the ordinary course of business; and

 

restrictions on changes in control or ownership and dividends.

In addition, we are required to satisfy the following financial covenants:

 

 

a maximum ratio of total financial indebtedness to EBITDA (defined in the governing agreements as operating income plus depreciation and amortization);

 

 

a minimum ratio of EBITDA (defined in the governing agreements as operating income plus depreciation and amortization) to debt service (defined as the aggregate amount of principal and interest for long-term and short-term loans); and

 

 

a minimum ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity (defined as outstanding share capital, undistributed surpluses and subordinated shareholders’ loans less any deferred charges, amounts owed to the company by related parties and, in the case of one loan agreement, intangible assets) to total assets.

Furthermore, we are not permitted to incur a net loss for five consecutive quarters or two consecutive calendar years.

As of December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of the foregoing covenants and would have been in compliance with such covenants after giving effect to this offering and the related transactions occurring upon its completion.

Capital expenditures

Our capital expenditures have included the expansion of our manufacturing capacity and capabilities, and investment and improvements in our information technology systems. In 2009, 2010 and 2011, our capital expenditures were $4.8 million, $5.5 million and $8.8 million, respectively. We anticipate that our next major capital expenditure will be in 2013 for the establishment of an additional production line that we anticipate will be operational within one year of the project’s commencement. We also expect to incur $1.8 million of capital expenditures over the next two years in connection with implementing a new global enterprise resource planning system.

Land purchase agreement and leaseback

Pursuant to a land purchase agreement entered into on March 31, 2011, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will acquire from us, subject to the closing of this offering and the receipt of certain third-party consents described below, our rights in the lands and facilities of the Bar-Lev Industrial Park in consideration for NIS 43.7 million (approximately $11.4 million). The expected carrying value of the Bar-Lev Grounds at the time of closing this transaction is NIS 40.3 million (approximately $10.5 million). Pursuant to the land purchase agreement, we are required to obtain certain third-party consents, among others, from the Israeli Tax Authorities, within 120 days following the closing of this offering (or a longer period in certain circumstances). In addition, both parties are required to cooperate to obtain the consent from the Israeli Investment Center. The land purchase agreement was executed simultaneously with the execution of a land use agreement.

 

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Pursuant to the land use agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will permit us to use the Bar-Lev Grounds for a period of ten years commencing on the date of this offering that will be automatically renewed, unless we give two years’ prior notice, for a ten-year term in consideration for an annual fee of NIS 4,146,000 (approximately $1.1 million) to be linked to increases in the Israeli consumer price index. The fee is subject to adjustment following January 1, 2021 and every three years thereafter at the option of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam if Kibbutz Sdot-Yam chooses to obtain an appraisal that supports such an increase. The appraiser would be mutually agreed upon or, in the absence of agreement, will be chosen by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam from a list of assessors recommended at that time by Bank Leumi.

Our equipment that resides within the premises is considered integral equipment (as defined in ASC 360-20-15-4) due to the significant costs involved in relocating such equipment. Since we did not sell this equipment to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam as part of the transaction, the transaction is considered a partial sale and leaseback of real estate. As a result, the transaction does not qualify for “sale lease-back” accounting as defined under the relevant provisions of ASC 360-20, and we will record the entire amount to be received as consideration as a liability while the land and building will remain on our balance sheet until the end of the lease term under the provisions of ASC 840-40. As the amount to be paid under the sale lease back agreement using our incremental borrowing rate would not cover the anticipated depreciated cost of the building and land at the end of the lease the entire amount paid will be accreted to the anticipated book value of the land and building at the end of the lease term using the effective interest method.

Off-balance sheet items

We do not currently engage in off-balance sheet financing arrangements. In addition, we do not have any interest in entities referred to as variable interest entities, which includes special purposes entities and other structured finance entities.

Contractual commitments and contingencies

Our significant contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2011 are summarized in the following table:

 

       Payments Due by Period  
(in thousands)    2012      2013      2014      2015      2016      2017 and
thereafter
     Other      Total  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (unaudited)  

Long-term debt

   $ 12,541       $ 7,225       $       $       $       $       $       $ 19,766   

Interest

     515         81                                                 596   

Operating lease obligations

     7,398         5,758         2,054         1,462         742         540                 17,954   

Purchase obligations(1)

     8,364                                                         8,364   

Accrued severance pay, net(2)

                                                     642         642   

Uncertain tax positions(3)

                                                     755         755   

Other long-term liabilities(4)

                                                     11,137         11,137   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 28,818       $ 13,064       $ 2,054       $ 1,462       $ 742       $ 540       $ 12,534       $ 59,214   

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(1)   Consists of purchase obligations to suppliers. Does not include purchase obligations to Microgil, our former third-party quartz processor in Israel, based on a quartz processing agreement entered into between us and Kfar Giladi that was subsequently assigned to Microgil, an entity that we believe is controlled by Kfar Giladi. It is our position that the production facility established by Kfar Giladi and Microgil was not operational until approximately two years after the date required by the Processing Agreement, and as a result, we were unable to purchase minimum quantities set forth in the Processing Agreement. It is also our position, which is disputed by Kfar Giladi and Microgil, that the Processing Agreement was terminated by us following its breach by Kfar Giladi and Microgil. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

 

(2)   Severance pay relates to accrued severance obligations to our Israeli employees as required under Israeli labor law. These obligations are payable only upon termination, retirement or death of the relevant employee and there is no obligation if the employee voluntarily resigns. See also Note 2 to our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further information regarding accrued severance pay.

 

(3)   Uncertain income tax positions under ASC 740 (formerly FIN 48) guidelines for accounting for uncertain tax positions are due upon settlement and we are unable to reasonably estimate the ultimate amounts or timing of settlement. See note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further information regarding our liability under ASC 740.

 

(4)   Includes other long-term balance sheet liabilities.

Application of critical accounting policies and estimates

Our accounting policies affecting our financial condition and results of operations are more fully described in our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, included elsewhere in this prospectus. The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates upon various factors, including past experience, where applicable, external sources and on other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and could have a material adverse effect on our reported results.

In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction, event or activity is specifically dictated by accounting principles and does not require management’s judgment in its application, while in other cases, management’s judgment is required in the selection of the most appropriate alternative among the available accounting principles, that allow different accounting treatment for similar transactions.

We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to our financial results and to the understanding of our past and future performance as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s estimates and assumptions. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) it requires us to make assumptions because information was not available at the time or it included matters that were highly uncertain at the time we were making our estimate; and (2) changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected may have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Our trade receivables are derived from sales to customers located mainly in Australia, the United States, Israel and Europe. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and to date have not experienced any material losses. In certain circumstances, we may require letters of credit or prepayments. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the inability of our customers to make required payments that we have determined to be doubtful of collection. We determine the adequacy of this allowance by regularly reviewing our accounts receivable and evaluating individual customers’ receivables, considering customers’ financial condition, credit history and other current economic conditions. If a customer’s financial

 

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condition were to deteriorate which might impact its ability to make payment, then additional allowances may be required. Provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded in general and administrative expenses. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.7 million as of December 31, 2009, $0.3 million as of December 31, 2010 and $0.7 million as of December 31, 2011.

Inventory valuation

The majority of our inventory consists of finished goods and substantially all of the balance consists of raw materials. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost of finished goods determined on the basis of direct manufacturing costs plus allocable indirect costs representing allocable operating overhead expenses and manufacturing costs and cost of raw materials determined using the “standard cost” method. Raw material is valued using the “weighted average” method. We assess the valuation of our inventory on a quarterly basis and periodically write down the value for different finished goods and raw material categories based on their quality classes and aging. If we consider specific inventory to be obsolete, we write such inventory down to zero. Inventory write-offs are provided to cover risks arising from slow-moving items, discontinued products, excess inventories and market prices lower than cost. The process for evaluating these write-offs often requires us to make subjective judgments and estimates concerning prices at which such inventory will be able to be sold in the normal course of business. Accelerating the disposal process or incorrect estimates of future sales potential may cause actual results to differ from the estimates at the time such inventory is disposed of or sold. Inventory provision was $2.1 million, $3.1 million and $4.9 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and 2011, respectively. The increase in inventory provision in 2011 results primarily from the write down to zero of inventory held at the facilities of Microgil, our former third party quartz processor. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

Goodwill and other long-lived assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair value of the net assets in the acquisition. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” we do not amortize goodwill, but test for goodwill impairment by comparing the fair values and carrying values of our reporting units during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise). We estimate fair value using the discounted cash flows method. This valuation approach considers a number of factors that include, but are not limited to, expected future cash flows, growth rates, discount rates, and comparable multiples from publicly traded companies in our industry, and require us to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding industry economic factors and future profitability of our business. It is our policy to conduct impairment testing based on our most current business plans, projected future revenues and cash flows, which reflect changes we anticipate in the economy and the industry. The cash flow projections are based on financial forecasts developed internally by management and are discounted to a present value using discount rates that properly account for the risk and nature of our business’s cash flows and the rates of return market participants would require to invest their capital in such a business. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, we would then calculate the implied fair value of goodwill as compared to its carrying value to determine the appropriate impairment charge.

We operate in one operating segment that has five reporting components: Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. (the Israeli parent company), our subsidiary in Australia, our subsidiary in the United States, our subsidiary in Canada (a joint venture in which we have a 55% interest) and

 

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Singapore. Each component of the single operating segment is engaged in selling and marketing our products. The goodwill that we have recorded with respect to our reporting units relates to the acquisition of the business of our former Australian distributor in March 2008, the joint venture with Ciot, our former Eastern Canada third-party distributor, in October 2010 the acquisitions of our former Western Canada distributor’s business and Caesarstone USA in May 2011, and the acquisition of the business of our former Singapore distributor in October 2011. The goodwill assigned to Caesarstone Canada Inc. was generated from our Canadian business combination with the former distributor in Eastern Canada during the fourth quarter of 2010 and the acquisition of the business of our former distributor in Western Canada in May 2011. Each component could be considered to be a reporting unit, however, we have concluded that all of our components should be deemed a single reporting unit for the purpose of performing the goodwill impairment test in accordance with ASC 350-20-35-35 because they have similar economic characteristic. There was no impairment of goodwill during any period presented.

We also evaluate the carrying value of all long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangibles, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, in accordance with ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” We will record an impairment loss when the carrying value of the underlying asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. In determining whether long-lived assets are recoverable, our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows over the estimated life of an asset is based upon our experience, historical operations of the asset, an estimate of future asset profitability and economic conditions. The future estimates of asset profitability and economic conditions require estimating such factors as sales growth, inflation and the overall economics of the countertop industry. Our estimates are subject to variability as future results can be difficult to predict. If a long-lived asset is found to be non-recoverable, we record an impairment charge equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying value and fair value. During all periods presented no impairment losses were identified.

Fair value measurements

The performance of fair value measurements is an integral part of the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell or transfer such an asset or liability. Selection of the appropriate valuation techniques, as well as determination of assumptions, risks and estimates used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability requires significant judgment. Although we believe that the inputs used in our evaluations techniques are reasonable, a change in one or more of the inputs could result in an increase or decrease in the fair value for example, of certain assets and certain liabilities and could have an impact on both our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income.

 

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In December 2006, we granted Tene Investment Funds an option to purchase preferred shares representing 5% of our share capital. In determining the fair value of the option, our board of directors engaged an independent valuation firm, Laor Consulting and Investments Ltd. (“Laor”), to determine the fair value of the option. The fair value was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing methodology. The fair value of a preferred share was determined using the comparable multiples method based on eight other public companies. The following table sets forth the key assumptions used in the valuation:

 

       As of
September 30,
2009
     As of
December 25,
2009(1)
 

 

 

Volatility(2)

     52.79%         56.42%   

Risk-free interest rate(3)

     0.14%         0.20%   

Expected option life (years)

     0.25         n/a   

Liquidity and small company discount

     32.5%         30%   

Aggregate fair value of options (thousands)

   $ 2,017       $ 8,367   

 

 

 

(1)   Exercise date of the option.

 

(2)   Based on a comparison to comparable companies.

 

(3)   Based on U.S. government bonds with a similar term to the remaining term of the awards on the valuation date.

The differences in value from period to period primarily resulted from significant changes in the comparable companies’ market capitalizations during 2009 due to instability in the global markets, which caused significant declines in these companies’ market capitalization.

Business Combinations

In accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations,” we are required to allocate the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values. In allocating the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we developed the required assumptions underlying the valuation work. Critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets include but are not limited to future expected cash flows from customer relationships and distribution agreements, and discount rates. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Assumptions may be incomplete or inaccurate, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur. We engaged an independent third-party valuation firm to estimate fair value in connection with our acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest in Caesarstone USA, our acquisition of the business of our former Western Canada distributor and our acquisition of the business of our former Singapore distributor. See Note 1 to our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further information regarding the purchase price allocation for these acquisitions.

Accounting for contingencies

We are subject to contingencies, including legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business that cover a wide range of matters, including, in particular product liability. We are required to provide accruals for direct costs associated with the estimated resolution of such contingencies at the earliest date at which it is deemed probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated. Future results of operations for any particular future period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or strategies related to these contingencies or changes out of our control.

 

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Income taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We have recorded a valuation allowance to reduce our subsidiaries’ deferred tax assets to the amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. Our assumptions regarding future realization may change due to future operating performance and other factors.

In June 2006, the FASB issued an amendment to ASC 740 (formerly FIN 48) , which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The amendment guidance requires that companies recognize in their consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position if that position is not more likely than not of being sustained on audit based on the technical merits of the position. ASC 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of ASC 740 were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our tax expenses.

We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are in accordance with applicable tax laws. As part of the determination of our tax liability, management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating tax positions taken by us in determining the income tax provision and establishes reserves for tax contingencies in accordance with ASC 740 guidelines. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, new tax legislation, or the change of an estimate based on new information. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The provision for income taxes includes the effect of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties.

We file income tax returns in Australia, Canada, Israel, Singapore and the United States. The Israeli tax authorities audited our income tax returns for fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009. We may therefore only be subject to examination by the Israel tax authorities for income tax returns filed for fiscal year 2010 and any subsequent years. Management’s judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The provision for income tax is calculated based on our assumptions as to our entitlement to various benefits under the applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The entitlement to such benefits depends upon our compliance with the terms and conditions set out in these laws. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable and that we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax strategies in estimating our tax outcome, there is no assurance that the final tax outcome will not be different than those which are reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Such differences could have a material effect on our income tax provision, net income and cash balances in the period in which such determination is made.

 

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As of December 31, 2011, we recognized approximately $0.8 million of liability for unrecognized tax benefits.

Share-based compensation

We have made share-based awards in the past that are considered liability awards and have required the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on estimates of fair values in accordance with ASC 718 (formerly: SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment”). We determined the fair value of each award at the end of each fiscal quarter and recognized any change in value in our income statement. The determination of the fair value of these awards requires the use of highly subjective assumptions.

In January 2009, we granted our current Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) the right to a bonus payment based on the increase in our company’s value pursuant to which the CEO is entitled to receive in cash the difference between $1,150 per share, subject to adjustment for dividend distributions before payment of the bonus, and the value of 2,740, of our outstanding shares with such bonus right vesting over a three-year period in increments of 1/12 on a quarterly basis. However, upon the occurrence of an “exercise event,” the entire award, or any part thereof that was not previously exercised, fully vests immediately and the CEO is required to exercise his right to receive the cash value of the award. There are four defined “exercise events” under the award, including an initial public offering. The value of the rights upon an exercise event depends on the value ascribed to us in such transaction. If the right to the bonus is exercised upon an initial public offering, the bonus will be calculated based on the difference between $1,150 per share, subject to adjustment for dividend distributions declared before this offering, and the initial public offering price. In the absence of an exercise event, the terms of the rights themselves state that our value is to be based on a 6.5 multiple of our EBITDA (defined as operating income plus depreciation and amortization) less net debt (the “SBC EBITDA”) over four consecutive quarters, two preceding the exercise notice and two following it, minus net debt as of the end of the last quarter.

In September 2010, our CEO notified us of his decision to exercise his right to receive an award bonus with respect to 1,340 vested shares calculated based on our SBC EBITDA. The award bonus amount relating to the 1,340 shares exercised was calculated based on our SBC EBITDA for 2010 and totaled $2.8 million, which we paid in June 2011. In October 2011, our CEO notified us of his decision to exercise his right to receive an award bonus with respect to a further 700 vested shares. The calculation of the award bonus amount was based on SBC EBITDA for 2011 and is estimated to total $1.7 million. The award bonus is expected to be paid 30 days after the approval of the 2011 audited financial statements by the board of directors.

 

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Pursuant to ASC 718, we account for this share-based compensation as a liability award. We engaged Laor to determine the fair value of the award as of December 31, 2009 and 2010. Laor determined the fair value of the award based upon the sum of the “exercise event” and the “non-exercise event” multiplied by the probability of occurrence. The “exercise event” valuation estimated our value as of the exercise event at the exercise price based on our management’s internal assessment of the probability of an “exercise event” (e.g., an initial public offering) and our estimated value at the “exercise event.” Upon a “non-exercise event,” the fair value of the liability award with respect to the 1,400 unexercised shares was measured by Laor using the binomial model. In each case, the binomial model used the following assumptions:

 

       As of
December 31,
 
    
2009
    
2010
 

 

 

Volatility(1)

     53.82%         57.69%   

Risk-free interest rate(2)

     2.2%         0.8%   

Dividend yield

     0%         0%   

Probability of an IPO

     50%         85%   

Expected life (years)

     4         3   

 

 

 

(1)   Based on a comparison to comparable companies.

 

(2)   Based on U.S. government bonds with a similar term to the remaining term of the awards on the valuation date.

Based on the foregoing valuation by Laor, we determined the fair value of the award and we recorded a liability balance for the award of $3.8 million at December 31, 2009 and $5.2 million at December 31, 2010.

In order to determine the fair value of the unexercised award at December 31, 2011, we determined that the probability of an IPO remained at 85% and estimated our enterprise value using multiplies of EBITDA and an IPO discount based on discussions regarding market conditions that we had with the underwriters. The fair value of the award upon a non-exercise event (e.g., remaining private) was determined using the SBC EBITDA multiple set forth in the award agreement. Based on these considerations, we determined that the fair value of the award for the unexercised 700 shares was approximately $1.9 million and, when added to the amount accrued for the 700 exercised shares, the total accrual was $3.7 million at December 31, 2011.

Since the award will be exercised in connection with this offering, we will cease to recognize expenses in connection with the award following this offering.

In March 2008, we granted the former chief executive officer of our Australian subsidiary, Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited (“CSA”), share-based rights in CSA, including restricted shares subject to a five-year vesting period, subject to our or CSA’s right to repurchase all of the unvested shares upon termination of his employment, and put and call options for such shares that are vested at the time of the termination of his employment.

 

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The fair value of the share-based payment was determined by Variance Economic Consulting Ltd. (“Variance”), an independent third party valuation firm we engaged. Variance used the Monte Carlo Simulation option pricing model based on a determination of CSA’s EBITDA using with the following assumptions:

 

       As of
December 31,
2008
     As of
September 30,
2009
 

 

 

Liquidity and small company discount(1)

     44%         44%   

Risk-free interest rate(2)

     3.36%         4.97%   

Dividend yield

     0%         0%   

Expected life (years)

     4         3.25   

 

 

 

(1)   The discount was applied because the nearest comparable companies used to determine CSA’s fair value were large, public companies.

 

(2)   Based on Australian government bonds with a similar term to the remaining term of the awards on the valuation date.

The last valuation obtained by us from Variance for the vested and unvested portions of the award was $1.9 million as of September 30, 2009. See “Business—Legal proceedings.”

Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk

We conduct business in a large number of countries and, as a result, we are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations. The significant majority of our revenues are generated in Australian dollars, U.S. dollars, NIS and Euros. Sales in Australian dollars accounted for 41.4% and 34.0% of our revenues in 2010 and 2011, respectively. As a result, a devaluation of the Australian dollar relative to the NIS could reduce our profitability significantly. Our expenses are largely denominated in NIS, U.S. dollars and Euros. Since a significant portion of our expenses (primarily personnel costs) are incurred and will continue to be incurred in NIS, our NIS related costs, as expressed in U.S. dollars, are influenced by the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar, our reporting currency, and the NIS.

The following table presents information about the changes in the exchange rates of the principal currencies that impact our results of operations:

 

Changes in average exchange during period    Australian dollar
against NIS
    

U.S. dollar

against NIS

 

 

 

2009

     1.9         9.6   

2010

     10.7         (5.1

2011

     7.6         (4.1

 

 

As indicated above, the Australian dollar appreciated by approximately 1.9%, 10.7% and 7.6% against the NIS in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. In 2009, the Israeli consumer price index increased at a rate of 3.9%, thereby further escalating the increase in the U.S. dollar cost of our Israeli operations. The NIS appreciated 5.1% and 4.1% against the U.S. dollar in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Assuming a 10% decrease in the Australian dollar relative to the NIS and assuming no other change, our operating income would have decreased by $6.4 million in 2010 and by $6.5 million in 2011. Since our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, there is no further impact on our operating income as reported in U.S. dollars.

 

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Given that our functional currency is the NIS but our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, the impact on our operating income of a change in the exchange rate between these currencies impacts our operating income denominated in NIS and there is a further impact on our operating income as reported in U.S. dollars. A decrease of the U.S. dollar relative to the NIS, assuming no other change, would decrease our revenues in NIS due to the customer base to which we sell in U.S. dollars. However, our expenses generated in U.S. dollars would decrease as well, such that there would be a minor impact on our results of operations. A decrease of the U.S. dollar relative to the NIS, assuming no other change, would increase our revenues reported in U.S. dollars due to revenues generated in NIS. However, our operating costs denominated in U.S. dollars would increase to a greater extent resulting in lower operating income. As a result, assuming a 10% decrease in the U.S. dollar relative to the NIS and assuming no other change, our operating income, as reported in U.S. dollars, would decrease by $4.2 million in 2010 and $3.7 million in 2011.

Our exposure related to exchange rate changes on our net asset position denominated in currencies other than the NIS varies with changes in our net asset position. Net asset position refers to financial assets, such as trade receivables and cash, less financial liabilities, such as loans and accounts payable. The impact of any such transaction gains or losses is reflected in finance expenses, net. Our exposure was reduced when we obtained new loans in 2009 in Australian, U.S. and Canadian dollars, however, as the loan balances have been reduced the exposure has increased. Our most significant exposure relates to a potential change in the exchange rates of the Australian dollar, the U.S. dollar and the Euro. Assuming a 10% decrease in the Australian dollar relative to the NIS, and assuming no other change, our finance expenses would have increased by $0.3 million in 2010 and by $0.8 million in 2011 due to our current positive net asset position denominated in Australian dollars. Assuming a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the NIS, and assuming no other change, our finance expenses would have increased by $0.4 million in 2010 and by $0.1 million in 2011 due to our current negative net asset position denominated in U.S. dollars. Assuming a 10% increase in the Euro relative to the NIS, and assuming no other change, our finance expenses would have increased by $0.4 million in 2010 and by $0.3 million in 2011 due to our current negative net asset position denominated in Euros.

We use forward contracts to manage currency risk with respect to those currencies in which we generate revenues or incur expenses. Beginning in December 2010, we have used Australian dollar/NIS, EUR/NIS and Canadian dollar/NIS forward contracts, and prior to December 2010, we used U.S. dollar/other currency options combined with U.S. dollar/NIS forward contracts. The derivatives instruments partially offset the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Therefore, we are less exposed to the risk that the NIS may appreciate relative to these currencies. We may in the future use derivative instruments to a greater extent or engage in other transactions or invest in market risk sensitive instruments if we determine that it is necessary to offset these risks. Currency options are not designated as hedging accounting instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (originally issued as SFAS 133). Therefore, we have been incurring financial loss or income as a result of these derivatives.

 

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As of December 31, 2011, we had the following foreign currency hedge portfolio:

 

(in thousands except average rates)     

AUD/

NIS

      

CAD/

NIS

      

EUR/

NIS

       TOTAL  

 

 
              
 

Notional

Average rate

Notional

       65,264           10,259                75,523   

Forward sell

         3.6341           3.6545             
         5,074                4,523           9,597   

Forward buy

 

Average rate

         3.7250                4.9239        
  Notional             715                715   

Buy put option

 

Average strike

            3.6000             
  Notional             715                715   

Sell call option

 

Average strike

              3.7443             

Total notional value

                        86,551   
                     

 

 

 

Fair value

       $ (2,968      $ (221      $       26         $   (3,163

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, net embedded losses on our foreign currency open derivative transactions were $0.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net embedded loss on our foreign currency derivatives transactions totaled $2.9 million for open derivative transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our financial expenses generated from derivatives and foreign exchange rate transactions totaled $1.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our finance expenses generated from derivatives and foreign exchange rate transactions were $3.3 million.

Interest rates

In 2006, we entered into credit agreements with three lenders for NIS-denominated loans in an aggregate amount of $11.6 million. In 2008, we raised our foreign currency-denominated loans from the same commercial banks in an aggregate amount of $49.4 million. Our NIS loans are generally indexed to the prime interest rate and our foreign-denominated loans are primarily indexed to LIBOR. We had cash and cash equivalents totaling $11.95 million at December 31, 2011. Our cash and cash equivalents are held for working capital and other purposes. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Due to the short-term nature of the investments in cash equivalents and our relatively low debt balances, we do not believe that changes in interest rates will have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations and, therefore, we believe that a sensitivity analysis would not be material to investors. However, declines in interest rates will reduce future investment income.

Inflation

Inflationary factors such as increases in the cost of our labor may adversely affect our operating results. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain current levels of gross profit margins and operating expenses as a percentage of revenues if the selling prices of our products do not increase in line with increases in costs.

 

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Business

We are a leading manufacturer of high quality engineered quartz surfaces sold under our premium Caesarstone brand. Although the use of quartz is relatively new, it is the fastest growing material in the countertop industry and continues to take market share from other materials, such as granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate. Between 1999 and 2010, global engineered quartz sales to end-consumers grew at a compound annual growth rate of 16.4% compared to a 4.4% compound annual growth rate in total global countertop sales to end-consumers during the same period. We believe that our strong brand awareness, leading market position, broad and innovative product offering and comprehensive market support provide us with substantial competitive advantages.

Founded in 1987, Caesarstone is a pioneer in the engineered quartz surfaces industry. Our products consist of engineered quartz slabs that are currently sold in 42 countries through a combination of direct sales in certain markets and indirectly through a network of independent distributors in other markets. In 2011, we acquired our former U.S. distributor and now generate the substantial majority of our revenues in the United States from direct distribution of our products. Our products are primarily used as kitchen countertops in the renovation and remodeling end markets. Other applications include vanity tops, wall panels, back splashes, floor tiles, stairs and other interior surfaces that are used in a variety of residential and non-residential applications. Our products’ hardness, as well as their non-porous characteristics, offer superior scratch, stain and heat resistance, making them extremely durable and ideal for kitchen and other applications relative to competing products such as granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate. Through our innovative design and manufacturing processes we are able to offer a wide variety of colors, styles, designs and textures.

From 2005 to 2007, our revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate of 37.9%, and during the more challenging global economic environment from 2007 to 2011, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%. In 2011, we generated revenue of $259.7 million, net income attributable to controlling interest of $29.1 million, adjusted EBITDA of $58.8 million and adjusted net income of $34.8 million. See “Prospectus summary—Summary consolidated financial and other data” for a description of how we define adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income and reconciliations of net income to adjusted EBITDA and net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income. In 2011, our three largest markets, Australia, the United States and Israel, accounted for 34.0%, 23.0% and 14.9% of our total revenue, respectively.

Industry overview

The global countertop industry

The global countertop industry generated $68.0 billion in sales to end-consumers in 2010 based on average installed price, which includes installation and other related costs. Sales to end-consumers include sales to the end-consumers of countertops as opposed to sales at the wholesale level from manufacturers to fabricators and/or distributors. The largest countertop markets by sales are Asia Pacific, Western Europe and North America, each with sales to end-consumers totaling between $16.2 billion and $17.6 billion in 2010. Laminate accounted for the largest portion of global countertop sales by volume in 2010, followed by manufactured solid

 

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surfaces and granite. The following charts show the largest countertop markets by end-user sales in 2010 and global demand for laminates, solid surface, engineered quartz, granite, marble and other materials by end-user sales in 2010.

 

LOGO   LOGO

Countertops have both residential and non-residential applications. We believe they are primarily installed in residential kitchens and bathrooms in new construction and home renovation and remodeling projects. In 2010, the majority of countertops were used in residential applications.

The quartz countertop industry

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth and one of the hardest naturally occurring materials. The strength, durability and appearance of engineered quartz, as well as the low maintenance it requires, make it ideal for kitchen and bathroom applications, as well as for other applications such as floors, sinks, stairs and walls. In July 2011, quartz received the highest overall score among countertop materials from Consumer Reports Magazine, a leading provider of third-party consumer product reviews, based on performance in several tests, including resistance to staining, heat, cutting and abrasions, as well as price. Engineered quartz surfaces are relatively easy to fabricate and install, and current manufacturing techniques allow for the addition of colors and patterns to pure quartz, which is naturally colorless. This innovation has enabled manufacturers to offer end-consumers engineered quartz surfaces with a wide variety of colors, styles, designs and textures. As a result of the superior qualities of engineered quartz surfaces, they are typically priced in most of our markets at a premium to granite, manufactured solid surfaces, laminate and other countertop materials.

Between 1999 and 2010, global engineered quartz sales to end-consumers grew at a compound annual growth rate of 16.4%. In comparison, global countertop sales to end-consumers grew at a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% during the same period. As of 2010, engineered quartz had penetrated only 4.3% of the global countertop market by volume and is in the early stages of penetration in most markets compared to other countertop materials, such as granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate. We believe that growth in the engineered quartz surfaces market is being driven by increasing awareness of the material’s superior quality and characteristics.

Current penetration of engineered quartz surfaces by geographic region varies considerably. For example, in the United States, which accounted for approximately 20% of the global countertop sales to end-consumers in 2010, engineered quartz surfaces have penetrated approximately 5% of the countertop market by

 

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volume. In certain markets, including Australia and Israel, engineered quartz surfaces have already significantly penetrated the market and represented 32% and 82% of the total countertop market by volume in these countries in 2010, respectively. These levels highlight the penetration opportunity available to engineered quartz.

The engineered quartz surface manufacturing industry is highly fragmented. Engineered quartz surface manufacturers usually sell quartz slabs to a network of distributors that resell primarily to fabricators. Typically, fabricators are hired by contractors, developers and end-consumers to install the slabs at a project site. The engineered quartz surfaces manufacturing industry is characterized by limited vertical integration with few manufacturers controlling their own distribution or pursuing a global brand strategy.

Demand for countertops is primarily driven by the renovation and remodeling of existing homes and the construction of new homes, which are affected by changes in national and local economic conditions, demographics and unemployment levels. Notably, the renovation and remodeling industry has remained significantly more stable than the home building industry over the last several years. Despite the recent economic downturn, we believe that the home building and renovation and remodeling will recover and drive long-term demand for countertops. We also believe that rising incomes in developing areas such as China, the Middle East and Latin America will contribute to growing long-term demand for countertops.

Competitive strengths

Our competitive strengths include:

 

 

Global market leader in the high growth engineered quartz surfaces market .     In 1987, we introduced the first engineered quartz surface to the countertop marketplace. We have grown to become the largest provider of engineered quartz surfaces for countertops in Australia, Canada, Israel, France and South Africa, and have significant market share in the United States and Singapore. Our products accounted for approximately 13% of global engineered quartz sales by volume in 2010. We have achieved this success through continuous investment in our premium brand, a strong understanding of consumer preferences that helps us recognize and address local trends in the markets we serve and through superior customer service and support. As a leading global manufacturer, we believe that we are well positioned to benefit from attractive growth and substantial penetration opportunities in the engineered quartz countertop segment. From 1999 to 2010, global sales of engineered quartz to end-consumers grew from $900 million to $4.8 billion, representing a 16.4% compound annual growth rate over the same time period. We believe that the continued growth of the global engineered quartz countertop market represents a significant future growth opportunity for our branded products, as we continue to increase end-consumers’ awareness of Caesarstone and penetrate new and existing markets.

 

 

Premium global brand with superior product characteristics .     We have invested considerable resources to position Caesarstone as a premium brand and our products as the “ultimate surface” within the global countertop market. We developed our premium brand through our product’s innovative designs, aesthetics, quality and strength. We sell a comprehensive range of products targeting multiple price points consisting of our original Classico collection and our specialty collections, Concetto, Motivo and Supremo. We believe our specialty product collections increase our brand’s exposure to the entire product supply chain and, through

 

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unique aesthetics, raise the profile of all of our products among end-consumers. By regularly offering new designs and frequently being the first to introduce them to the marketplace, we have fostered our brand image as a leading design innovator in the global engineered quartz surfaces industry. We have also developed advanced eco-friendly products, and our products are certified by the International Certification Network and the Standards Institution of Israel as complying with ISO 14001 for environmental preservation regulations. Our products have won prestigious industry awards, including the “Top 12 most recognized brands” by Interior Design Magazine in April 2010 and the “Product Design Award—Internal Surface Finishes” for our Motivo collection at the 2010 Designex Exhibition, one of the largest interior design and architecture exhibitions in Australia. The installation of a Caesarstone surface is often viewed as a statement about the quality of an entire kitchen or home, thereby adding value beyond the Caesarstone surface itself.

 

 

Proven ability to enter, develop and lead markets.     We have a proven track-record of achieving leading positions in our key markets, Australia, the United States, Israel and Canada, and entering new markets. We have accelerated the penetration and growth of Caesarstone products by specifically targeting markets with an existing demand for stone products with stone installation capabilities. We believe that in our home market of Israel, we have helped drive adoption of engineered quartz surfaces from 0% in 1987 to approximately 82% of the countertop market by volume in 2010 and have captured approximately 89% market share. We are implementing our business model in key growth markets, including the United States and Canada. We have a successful track record of penetrating our markets. For example, when we entered the Australian market in 1998 engineered quartz surfaces represented a de minimis share of the overall countertop market. We have helped increase engineered quartz surfaces to reach approximately 32% of the Australian countertop market by volume and have achieved a market share of approximately 59%. We accomplished this by educating the Australian market about engineered quartz’s superior product characteristics and building awareness and demand for our branded products through multiple marketing channels. In addition, we increased our market share by customizing our designs and colors to address the market’s preferences. We believe that our approach will enable us to capture additional market share from competitors, further penetrate and convert existing key markets, and help us enter new markets.

 

 

Strong global distribution platform.      We have developed a strong global distribution platform with distribution in 42 countries worldwide. Our sales strategy is tailored to the dynamics of each market in which we operate. In select markets, we have pursued a third-party distribution strategy to accelerate our entry into, and penetration of, multiple markets more rapidly. We differentiate ourselves from other engineered quartz surfaces manufacturers by the level of education and customer service that we provide to our distributors and fabricators, including marketing materials, robust warranties and technical support. For example, we educate our distributors through programs at our “Caesarstone University,” which provides distributors and fabricators with a comprehensive understanding of our engineered quartz products, their applications and installation techniques. As a result of our investments in our distribution platform and our success in penetrating markets, we have a significant number of product displays globally, including displays at over 8,000 locations in the United States. We believe that our market infrastructure and significant experience are difficult for competitors to replicate.

 

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Superior manufacturing capabilities.     With 25 years of manufacturing experience, we have established our position as a leading manufacturer recognized for quality, innovation and design. We have customized our manufacturing processes in order to maximize the consistency, durability, flexibility and crack resistance of our products, while increasing the efficiency of our production lines. Together with our research and development capabilities, our manufacturing expertise has enabled us to develop a number of aesthetically distinct product collections. We continually work to ensure that we acquire high quality raw materials for our engineered quartz slabs and ensure that our high standards are met by conducting ongoing quality control checks at raw material supplier sites and at our manufacturing facilities.

 

 

Attractive financial profile.      We have enjoyed strong growth metrics, margins and free cash flow as a result of our proven business model, the success of our Caesarstone branded products, attractive market dynamics for engineered quartz surfaces, our diverse geographic presence and our efficient manufacturing facilities. For example, despite the challenging global economic conditions, our revenues grew at a compound annual growth rate of 18.7% from 2007 to 2011. According to Freedonia, the global countertop market remained flat from 2007 to 2010. From 2007 to 2011, our gross profit margins grew from 27.4% to 40.2%, adjusted EBITDA margins grew from 18.4% to 22.6%, and adjusted net income margins grew from 9.2% to 13.4%. We attribute this sales and margin growth to the acquisition of the business of our former Australian and U.S. distributors, and our transition to direct distribution in Canada, our penetration of new markets, increasing operational efficiencies and a change in our product mix. Our existing manufacturing capacity, modest maintenance capital expenditures, favorable tax rates and capital structure have allowed us to invest in our business and generate strong, consistent free cash flow while significantly growing our business. While our margins are subject to short-term pressure due to recent raw material price increases, we believe we have an attractive long-term financial profile that will support our ability to increase our sales growth and pursue both organic growth and selective acquisition opportunities to further expand our global presence.

 

 

Experienced management team.      Our senior management has extensive experience in manufacturing and global product branding and has an average of 18 years of executive management experience. In addition to substantial operational, marketing and research and development experience, many of our senior executives, including our Chief Executive Officer, Yosef Shiran, have significant experience leading public companies with a global presence.

Our strategy

We intend to pursue the following strategies in order to enhance our product brand and market share, build economies of scale in our business and grow our revenues and net income:

 

 

Expand awareness of our premium brand.     We intend to continue to strengthen our brand primarily through continued investment in product innovation supported by strong research and development initiatives, marketing activities and the establishment of long-term relationships with distribution partners around the world. In the face of increased competition, we believe that it is critical that we maintain the advantages that our products and brands offer over our competitors. We regularly introduce new colors and designs to our Classico product collection, which included in 2009 11 new colors and five new products containing recycled materials. Since 2003, we have launched multiple new product collections, including Concetto, Motivo and Supremo, in order to further enhance the profile of our brand and

 

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expand our product line within the high end consumer segment. In addition, we actively support our brand through online and print advertising and home design exhibitions. We intend to continue developing engineered quartz surfaces with new and innovative characteristics related to color, design, texture and thickness as well as promoting other applications for our products, such as high-end flooring and bathroom wall cladding, to ensure that end-consumers continue to recognize Caesarstone as a premium brand and a leading provider of high quality engineered quartz surfaces.

 

 

Focus on key markets . We believe that a significant portion of our future growth will come from continued penetration in our key growth markets, particularly the United States and Canada, which together accounted for 34.4% of our total sales in 2011 and which we have prioritized as key growth markets due to their size, growth potential and the existing demand for stone products supported by stone installation capabilities in these markets. We are considering expanding our direct distribution coverage to the remaining regions of the United States. We expect the U.S. and Canadian markets to strengthen in the future as the global downturn starts to recede. We also intend to continue focusing on Australia, our largest market, which accounted for 34.0% of our total sales in 2011. In 2010, engineered quartz countertops represented 32%, 9% and 5% of the overall countertop market by volume in Australia, the United States and Canada, respectively. We believe that we are a leader in these markets with approximately 59%, 29% and 14% market share based on volume in 2010, respectively. We believe the penetration rates of engineered quartz in these key growth markets and our market share in the United States and Canada can reach considerably higher levels in the future.

 

 

Expand our global presence.     We currently distribute our products in 42 countries worldwide. In addition to our key existing markets of Australia, the United States, Israel and Canada, we plan to continue to further penetrate existing markets where we have already developed a presence. We have also identified new markets for future growth that meet our criteria, which may include an existing demand for stone products supported by stone installation capabilities, strong economic growth rates and a high gross domestic product per capita. We intend to continue to invest in educating end-consumers on the benefits of engineered quartz surfaces and strengthening the Caesarstone brand to support our growth.

 

 

Pursue selective acquisitions .    Given the highly fragmented nature of the global engineered quartz surfaces market, we intend to continue to evaluate strategic acquisitions. For example, we may seek to acquire manufacturers, raw material suppliers or third-party distributors, such as the acquisition of Caesarstone USA in May 2011. As demonstrated by the acquisition of the business of our former Australian distributor in 2008, the business combination with our Eastern Canada distributor in 2010 and the acquisition of the business of our former Western Canada distributor, the acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest in our U.S. distributor and the acquisition of the business of our former Singaporean distributor in 2011, there may be an advantage to us obtaining control over the distribution of our products in existing markets. Acquiring a distributor gives us a higher degree of control over sales operations, which may enable us to accelerate penetration of our products and increase our growth and margin profile. These acquisitions could also extend our existing sales channels, help us accelerate our global expansion, increase our market share or give us access to new products or technologies as a platform for growth.

 

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Our products

Our products are generally marketed under the Caesarstone brand. The substantial majority of our products are installed as countertops in residential kitchens. Other applications of our products include vanity tops, wall panels, back splashes, floor tiles, stairs and other interior surfaces. Our engineered quartz slabs generally measure 120 inches long by 56  1 / 2 inches wide with a thickness of  1 / 2 of an inch,  3 / 4 of an inch or 1  1 / 4 inches. Engineered quartz surfaces are typically comprised of approximately 90% natural crushed quartz and approximately 10% polyester and other polymer resin and pigments. Our products’ quartz composition gives them superior strength and resistance to heat, scratches, cracks and chips. Polyester and other polymer resins, which act as a binding agent in our products, make our products non-porous and highly resistant to stains. Pigments act as a dyeing agent to vary our products’ colors and patterns.

We engineer our products with a wide range of colors, finishes, textures, thicknesses and physical properties, which help us meet the different functional and aesthetic demands of end-consumers. We offer a wide spectrum of design options in the engineered quartz surface industry with different colors, textures and finishes designed to appeal to end-consumers’ preferences. Our designs range from fine-grained patterns to coarse-grained color blends with a variegated visual texture. Through offering new designs, we capitalize on Caesarstone’s brand name and foster our image as a leading innovator in the engineered quartz surface industry.

Our product offerings include four collections, each of which is designed to have a distinct aesthetic appeal. We use a multi-tiered pricing model across our products and within each product collection ranging from highly granulated color and pattern varieties at lower price points to specialty, finely granulated or high demand varieties at higher price points. Each product collection is designed, branded and marketed with the goal of reinforcing our products’ premium quality.

We introduced our original product collection, Classico, in 1987, and today, this collection accounts for the substantial majority of our sales. Within this product collection, we offer over 70 different colors, with three textures and three thicknesses generally available for each of the collection’s colors. We regularly introduce new colors and designs to our Classico product collection based on consumer trends. Out of over 70 color options, we currently offer 10 colors featuring recycled materials. In 2009, we introduced 11 new colors and five new products containing recycled materials, including post-consumer recycled glass and recycled remnants from fabricators’ production of our materials. Our recycled product offerings, composed of up to 42% recycled materials, have allowed us to meet consumers’ demands for premium quality eco-friendly products.

In recent years, we introduced three additional product collections, Concetto, Motivo and Supremo, which are marketed as specialty high-end product collections. The Concetto product collection, launched in 2003, features engineered quartz surfaces with hand-incorporated semi-precious stones. We launched our Motivo product collection in 2009, which features a range of patterned textures that can be customized. In July 2010, we launched our Supremo product collection that is characterized by unique designs inspired by semi-precious stones. We believe our specialty product families increase our brand’s exposure to the entire product supply chain and, through eye-catching aesthetics, raise the profile of all of our products among end-consumers.

 

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A key focus of our product development is a commitment to substantiating our claim of our products’ superior quality, strength and durability. Our products undergo regular tests for durability and strength internally by our laboratory operations group and by external accreditation organizations. Many of our products are accredited by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), a U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organization overseeing standards development and product safety certifications. Our NSF Standard 51 certification certifies our products as safe for use in food preparation and easy to clean and sanitize. In addition, our products are certified as a low volatile organic compound product by GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality, an independent, non-profit accreditation organization. Our products have been consistently highly ranked by the United States Green Building Council for their compliance with environmental standards, which allows contractors to receive Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) points for projects incorporating our products.

Distribution

Our three largest markets based on sales are currently Australia, the United States and Israel. In 2011, sales of our products in Australia, the United States and Israel accounted for 34.0%, 23.0% and 14.9% of our revenues, respectively. Sales in these markets accounted for 71.9% of our revenues in 2011. Other markets with significant sales include Canada, South Africa, France and the United Kingdom.

Direct markets

We currently have direct sales channels in Australia, our largest market, Israel, Canada, the United States and Singapore. Our direct sales channels allow us to maintain greater control over our entire sales channel within a market. As a result, we gain greater insight into market trends, receive feedback more readily from end-consumers regarding new developments in tastes and preferences, and have greater control over inventory management. Through our former distributor and now subsidiary in Australia, we have established a distribution network with locations in major urban centers complemented by mutually exclusive sub-distributor arrangements in less populated areas. Our warehouses maintain inventories of our products throughout the country and are connected to our Australian subsidiary’s sales department. We and our sub-distributors supply our products to stonemasons and we also supply our products to sub-distributors, who in turn resell them to contractors, developers and builders, who are generally advised by architects and designers to use Caesarstone products for a project. In the Australian market, we sell our products directly or through sub-distributors to approximately 750 fabricators.

In Israel, where our headquarters and manufacturing operations are located, we distribute our products directly to several local distributors who in turn sell to fabricators. This arrangement minimizes our financial exposure to end-consumers and provides us with significant depth of coverage in the Israeli market. Although we sell our products to distributors in this market, we consider this a direct market due to the warranty we provide to end-consumers in this market, as well as due to our fabricator technical instruction programs and our robust local sales and marketing activities.

In Canada, the United States and Singapore, we recently established a direct distribution channel in each country with locations in major urban centers complemented by mutually exclusive sub-distributor arrangements in certain areas of the United States. Our warehouses maintain inventories of our products throughout each country and serve Caesarstone Canada Inc.’s and Caesarstone USA’s distribution channels. Similar to Australia, in each of these markets, we and

 

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our sub-distributors supply our products generally to stonemasons who in turn resell them to contractors, developers, and builders, who are generally advised by architects and designers to use Caesarstone products for a project.

Indirect markets

We distribute our products in other territories in which we do not have a direct sales channel through third-party distributors, who generally distribute our products on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis in a specific country or region to fabricators. Fabricators sell our products to contractors, developers and builders. In most cases, we engage one distributor to serve a country or region. Today, we sell our products in over 35 countries through third-party distributors. Sales to third-party distributors accounted for 13.2% of our revenues in the second half of 2011, after our shift to direct distribution in the United States and Canada. This strategy often allows us to accelerate our penetration into multiple new markets. In general, our distributors have prior stone surface experience and close relationships with fabricators, stonemasons, builders and contractors within their respective territory.

We work closely with our distributors to assist them in preparing and executing a marketing strategy and comprehensive business plan. Our distributors are responsible for the sales and marketing of our products and providing technical support to their customers within their respective territories. To assist distributors in the promotion of our brand in these markets, we provide our distributors with marketing materials and in certain cases, monetary participation in marketing activities. Our distributors devote significant effort and resources to generating and maintaining demand for our products along all levels of the product supply chain in their territory. To this end, distributors use our marketing products and strategies to develop relationships with local builders, contractors, developers, architects and designers.

Sales and marketing

Sales

In our direct markets, we primarily sell directly to fabricators and sub-distributors (with limited sales to sub-distributors in the United States and Australia), such as in Australia where we sell our products through our Australian subsidiary, in Canada, where we sell our products through our joint venture, in the United States where we sell our products through our U.S. subsidiary and in Singapore, where we sell our products through our Singaporean subsidiary. Similar to our indirect markets, in Israel, we sell to a limited number of distributors who sell our products to fabricators; however, we consider this a direct market due to our warranty program, our fabricator technical instruction program and our sales and marketing operations in this country. In our indirect markets we sell to third-party distributors who in turn sell our products to fabricators for sizing, fabricating and installation at a project site. In both cases, we manufacture engineered quartz slabs on a purchase order basis and ship our products from our two manufacturing facilities in Israel.

In our indirect sales markets, we sell our products to distributors who are responsible for selling our products to fabricators. In some cases, our distributors sell to sub-distributors located within the territory who in turn sell to fabricators. Unlike distributors, sub-distributors do not engage in brand promotion activities and their activities are limited to sales promotion, warehousing and distributing to fabricators or other customers. We do not control the pricing terms of our distributors’ or sub-distributors’ sales to fabricators. As a result, prices for our products for fabricators vary among markets.

 

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In recent years, our sales department, which is based in Israel, has focused on penetrating new markets, as well as further developing our key growth markets. We have developed a comprehensive methodology for evaluating and entering new markets. In particular, we analyze several factors within a market, including existing demand for stone products supported by stone installation capabilities, gross domestic product per capita, the competitive landscape and the economic growth rate. We focus our efforts on those markets that we believe offer significant growth opportunity for our products. Potential distributors are evaluated based on their experience in the surface products industry, logistics and distribution capabilities and suitability to market our products. During the past two years, we significantly increased the number of countries where our distributors operate by appointing distributors in several new countries on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis, including Brazil, Russia and Turkey. We intend to continue to penetrate new markets in collaboration with distributors.

During the past six years, we have also significantly increased our revenues within our key existing markets, Australia, the United States, Canada and Israel. We believe our products still have significant growth opportunities in Australia, Canada and the United States. We intend to continue to invest resources to further strengthen and increase our penetration in each of these markets.

Marketing

We position our engineered quartz surfaces as premium branded products in terms of their designs, quality and pricing. Through our marketing, we seek to convey our products’ ability to elevate the overall quality of an entire kitchen or other interior setting. Our marketing strategy is to deliver this message every time our customers or end-consumers come in contact with our brand. We also aim to communicate our position as a global leader in engineered quartz surface innovation and technology.

The goal of our marketing activities is to drive marketing and sales efforts through our distributors while creating demand for our products from fabricators and end-consumers, which we refer to as a “push-and-pull demand strategy.” We believe that the combination of both pushing our products through all levels of the product supply chain while generating demand from end-consumers differentiates us from our competitors in the engineered quartz and surface material industries.

We believe that by localizing our marketing activities at the distributor level, we increase the global exposure of our brand while tailoring marketing activities to the individual needs, tastes and preferences of a particular country. As such, marketing activities across our markets differ as we aim to promote sales among those who have the greatest influence on public perception in each market.

We and our distributors implement a multi-channel marketing strategy in each of our territories and market not only to our direct customers, but to the entire product supply chain, including fabricators, developers, contractors, kitchen retailers, builders, architects and designers. We use multiple marketing channels, including advertisements in home interior magazines and websites, the placement of our display stands and sample books in kitchen retails stores and our company website. Through our Caesarstone University program we educate fabricators and stonemasons about our products, their capabilities and installation methods through manuals and seminars. As a result, our markets benefit from highly trained fabricators and stonemasons with a comprehensive understanding of our products and the ability to install our products in a variety of applications.

 

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Our marketing materials are developed by our central marketing department in Israel and the substantial majority of our distributors use these materials in their respective local market, which helps ensure the consistency of the Caesarstone brand globally. We offer our distributors a refund of a small percentage of their total purchases from us to buy our marketing materials, such as product brochures, promotional packages, print and online advertising materials, sample books, exhibition infrastructure, signage and stationary and display stands. This provides our distributors with significant flexibility to choose the best marketing strategy to implement in their particular territory. Local marketing departments in Australia and in the United States develop their own marketing materials, in addition to using our marketing materials, due to the size and particular characteristics of these territories. In 2011, we spent $13.5 million on advertising.

Our websites are a key part of our marketing strategy. We operate a global company website that serves as the website for all of our distributors. Certain of our third-party distributors and subsidiaries maintain their own websites, which are in accordance with our brand guidelines and link to our website. Our websites enable fabricators and end-consumers to view currently available designs, photo galleries of installations of our products in a wide range of settings and read product success stories, which feature high profile individuals’ and designers’ use of our products. We also seek to attract positive attention to our brand and products through a range of other methods, such as home design shows, design competitions and through our products’ use in high profile projects and iconic buildings.

Research and development

Our research and development department is located in Israel and is comprised of 19 employees with extensive experience in engineered quartz surface manufacturing, polymer science, engineering, product design and engineered quartz surface applications. A small portion of our research and development efforts has benefited from grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist in the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. In 2011, research and development costs, net of participation by the OCS, accounted for approximately 1.0% of our total revenues.

The strategic mission of our research and development team is to develop and maintain innovative and leading technologies and top quality designs, develop new and innovative products according to our marketing department’s roadmap, increase the cost-effectiveness of our manufacturing processes and raw materials, and generate and protect company intellectual property in order to enhance our position in the engineered quartz surface industry. We also study and evaluate consumer trends by attending key exhibitions and hosting international design workshops in-house with market and design specialists from around the world. For example, in March 2010, our research and development team developed our “Pure White” product in response to the increasing demand for white surfaces in residential and non-residential applications. In addition, the recent introduction of our Supremo collection in July 2010 was the result of a new proprietary technology developed by our research and development department, which allows for the creation of unique designs inspired by semi-precious natural stones.

Customer service

We believe that our ability to provide outstanding customer service is a strong competitive differentiator. Our relationships with our customers are established and maintained through the

 

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coordinated efforts of our sales, marketing, production and customer service personnel. In our indirect markets, we provide all of our distributors a limited direct manufacturing defect warranty. In all of our indirect markets, distributors are responsible for providing warranty coverage to end-customers. The warranties provided by our distributors vary in length with a three-year warranty provided in Europe, a lifetime warranty provided in the United States and, in most cases, a ten-year warranty provided in our other territories. For end-consumers, warranty issues on our products sold abroad are addressed by our local distributor. In Israel, we provide end-consumers with a direct warranty on our products for three years. Generally, following an end-consumer call, technicians are sent to the product site within 24 hours. In Australia, our largest market, we provide end-consumers with a limited ten-year warranty on our products for interior countertop applications. We provide our distributors with training and knowledge for handling local warranty issues, and our personnel in Israel are available to our distributors to address warranty issues on an as-needed basis. We believe our comprehensive global customer service capabilities differentiate our company from our competitors.

We also differentiate ourselves from our competitors through our Caesarstone University program by providing important services to fabricators, stonemasons and distributors, including readily accessible resources and tools regarding the installation and fabrication of our products. The education of fabricators and stonemasons minimizes defects and improves the installed finished product at the end consumers’ project site. We believe this program contributes to the low number of warranty claims on our products.

Raw materials and service provider relationships

Quartz, pigment and polyester and other polymer resins are the primary raw materials used in the production of our products. We acquire our raw materials from third-party suppliers. Suppliers ship our raw materials to our manufacturing facilities in Israel primarily by sea and all of our raw materials are inspected at the suppliers’ facilities and upon arrival at our manufacturing facilities in Israel. We believe our strict raw material quality control procedures differentiate our products from our competitors because they contribute to our products’ limited number of product defects and the superior quality and appearance of our products.

Our principal raw material, quartz, is acquired from manufacturers generally in Turkey, India, Israel and Portugal. We require supplies of particular grades of quartz, including quartzite, for our products. Approximately 76% of our quartzite, which accounts for the largest portion of quartz we use, is imported from one supplier in Turkey, Mikroman, which has committed to supply us at agreed upon prices through the end of 2012 and, thereafter, at prices that will be agreed upon based on then effective market prices through the end of 2014. If Mikroman ceases supplying us with quartzite or if our supply of quartz generally from Turkey is adversely impacted, we would need to locate and qualify alternate suppliers, which could take time, increase costs and require adjustments to the appearance of our products. We typically transact business with our suppliers on a purchase order basis. Other than with respect to the quartzite that we obtain from our Turkish supplier, we believe that the raw materials we use are available from additional sources within a relatively short period of time.

Raw quartz must be processed into finer grades of sand and powder before we use it in our manufacturing process. We purchase quartz in two forms: quartz already processed by quartz suppliers and quartz boulders from quartz suppliers, which are then processed by a processor prior to their use in the manufacturing process.

 

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Prior to January 2012, we received quartz processing services from an Israeli third-party processor for quartz. We no longer receive such processing services and currently obtain such services exclusively from our quartz suppliers. See “—Legal proceedings.”

In most cases, we purchase polyester and other polymer resins based on monthly and up to quarterly purchase orders with several suppliers outside of Israel. However, currently, suppliers are unwilling to agree to preset prices for periods longer than one or two months. The cost of polyester and other polymer resins, which generally correlates with oil prices, has fluctuated significantly over the past two years. In the past, we have minimized the impact of these fluctuations on our results of operations through advance purchases of inventory whenever possible and through implementing cost control measures and programs to enhance the efficiency of other elements of our manufacturing operations. From December 2010 to April 2011, there were significant cost increases for future purchases of polyester and other polymer resins although prices have subsequently declined moderately.

Our pigments are purchased in Israel and from suppliers abroad. We are exposed, although to a lesser extent than with resins, to fluctuations in the prices of pigments.

Our strategy is to maintain, whenever practicable, multiple sources for the purchase of our raw materials to achieve competitive pricing, provide flexibility and protect against supply disruption.

Manufacturing and facilities

Our products are manufactured at our two manufacturing facilities located in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in central Israel and Bar-Lev Industrial Park in northern Israel. We completed our Bar-Lev facility in 2005, which included our third production line, and we established our fourth production line at this facility in 2007, which doubled our production capacity. Finished slabs are shipped from our facilities to distributors and customers worldwide. We maintain two fully automated production lines at each facility, and believe this provides us with adequate manufacturing capacity sufficient to support our anticipated sales growth for the next two years. We anticipate that in 2013 we will begin to establish an additional production line that we expect will be operational within one year of the project’s commencement. Ongoing capital investments will focus upon new product introductions, equipment maintenance and cost reductions.

The manufacturing process for our products involves blending approximately 90% natural crushed quartz with approximately 10% polyester and other polymer resins and pigments. Using machinery from Breton S.p.A., the largest supplier of engineered stone manufacturing equipment, together with our proprietary manufacturing enhancements, this mixture is compacted into slabs by a vacuum and vibration process. The slabs are then moved to a curing kiln where the cross-linking of the resin is completed. Lastly, the slabs are gauged, calibrated and polished to enhance shine.

We maintain strict quality control and safety standards for our products and manufacturing process. As a result, we believe that utilizing in-house manufacturing facilities are the most effective way to ensure that our end-consumers receive high quality products. Our manufacturing facilities have several safety certifications from third-party organizations, including an OHSAS 18001 safety certification from the International Quality Network for superior manufacturing safety operations.

 

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Seasonality

Our results of operations are impacted by seasonal factors, including construction and renovation cycles. We believe that the third quarter of the year exhibits higher sales volumes than other quarters because demand for quartz surface products is generally higher during the summer months in the northern hemisphere when the weather is more favorable for new construction and renovation projects, as well as the impact of efforts to complete such projects before the beginning of the new school year. Conversely, the first quarter is impacted by a slowdown in new construction and renovation projects during the winter months as a result of adverse weather conditions in the northern hemisphere and, depending on the date of the spring holiday in Israel in a particular year, the first or second quarter is impacted by a reduction in sales in Israel due to such holiday. Similarly, sales during the first quarter in Australia are negatively impacted by fewer construction and renovation projects due to public holidays. We expect that seasonal factors will have a greater impact on our revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income in the future due to our recent shift to direct distribution in the United States and Canada, and as we continue to increase direct distribution as a percentage of our total revenues in the future.

See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Quarterly results of operations and seasonality.”

Competition

We believe that we compete principally based upon product quality, new product development, brand awareness, pricing, customer service and breadth of product offerings. We believe that we differentiate ourselves from competitors on the basis of our signature product designs, our ability to offer our products in major markets globally, our focus on the quality of our product offerings, our customer service oriented culture, our high involvement in the product supply chain and our leading distribution partners.

The dominant surface materials used by end-consumers in each market vary. Our engineered quartz surface products compete with a number of other surface materials such as granite, laminate, marble, manufactured solid surface, concrete, stainless steel and wood. The manufacturers of these products consist of a number of regional and global competitors. Some of our competitors may have greater resources than we have, and as a result, may adapt to changes in consumer preferences and demand more quickly, devote greater resources to design innovation and establishing brand recognition, manufacture more versatile slab sizes and implement processes to lower costs.

The engineered quartz surface market is highly fragmented and is also served by a number of regional and global competitors. We also face competition from low-cost manufacturers in Asia, particularly in Australia, and the United States. Large multinational companies have also invested in their engineered quartz surface production capabilities. We believe that we are likely to encounter strong competition from these competitors as a result of consolidation in the industry in the future. Such consolidation is likely to occur as a result of the economies of scale associated with engineered quartz manufacturing that are becoming important to remain competitive in an increasingly global engineered quartz surface market and will be increasingly important as the engineered quartz market matures in the future.

 

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Information technology systems

We believe that an appropriate information technology infrastructure is important in order to support the growth of our business. Our CAV enterprise resources planning (“ERP”) software allows us to accurately enter, price and configure valid products in a made-to-order, demand-driven manufacturing environment. Configuration assistance is critical, given that our products can be built in a number of combinations of sizes, colors, textures and finishes, and our production control software enables us to carefully monitor the quality of our slabs. Given our recent global expansion and the fact that CAV ERP is a local Israeli system, we have decided to implement a global ERP based on an Oracle platform. We intend to commence implementation in Israel and Canada in March 2012 and subsequently expand implementation in Australia and the United States. The project is expected to take two years and require capital expenditures of approximately $1.8 million.

Properties

Our manufacturing facilities are located on the following properties in Israel:

 

Properties   Leased   Location   Purpose   Size

 

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam(1)   Short-Term Renewing Lease   Caesarea,
Central
Israel
  Headquarters, manufacturing facility, research and development   23,032 square meter manufacturing facility, 3,851 square meter covered yard, 53,972 square meter yard
Bar-Lev Industrial Park(2)   98-Year Lease   Carmiel,
Northern
Israel
  Manufacturing facility  

19,178 square meter manufacturing facility,

63,680 square meter yard

 

 

(1)   Leased pursuant to a land use agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam permitting us to use the land and facilities until December 31, 2013. The lands on which these facilities are located are held by the Israel Lands Administration (“ILA”) and leased or subleased by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam pursuant to the following agreements: (i) a lease from the ILA signed in July 1978 that commenced in 1962 and expired in 2011 for which Kibbutz Sdot-Yam has requested an extension pursuant to an option in the lease agreement for an additional 49 years, (ii) a lease from the ILA to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam that expired in 2009, and (iii) a long-term lease that expires in 2037 to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam by the Caesarea Development Corporation of lands, title to which is held by the ILA. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is currently negotiating a long-term lease agreement with the ILA to replace the second lease agreement referred to above. The current land use agreement will be terminated upon the closing of this offering and replaced by a new land use agreement with a term of 20 years commencing on the closing of this offering. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Relationships and agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam—Land use agreement.”

 

(2)   Leased pursuant to a long-term lease agreement with the ILA entered into on June 6, 2007 to use the premises for an initial period of 49 years as of February 6, 2005, with an option to renew for an additional term of 49 years as of the end of the initial period. Pursuant to the land purchase and leaseback agreement signed on March 31, 2011 between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and us, following the closing of this offering and subject to the receipt of approvals from certain Israeli governmental authorities, we have agreed that Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will acquire from us our rights in the lands and facilities of the Bar-Lev Grounds in consideration for NIS 43.7 million ($11.4 million). The land purchase agreement was simultaneously executed with a land use agreement pursuant to which Kibbutz Sdot-Yam permits us to use the Bar-Lev Grounds for a period of ten years with an automatic renewal for an additional ten years unless we notify Kibbutz Sdot-Yam that we do not wish to renew at least two years before the termination of the initial ten-year period. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Relationships and agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam—Land purchase agreement and leaseback.”

We also lease a number of warehouses and office space in Australia, Singapore, Canada and the United States.

 

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Intellectual property

Our Caesarstone brand is central to our business strategy, and we believe that maintaining and enhancing the Caesarstone brand is critical to expanding our business.

We have obtained trademark registrations in certain jurisdictions that we consider material to the marketing of our products, all of which are used under the trade name Caesarstone, including CAESARSTONE ® , CONCETTO ® , and our Caesarstone logo. We have trademark applications for additional marks that we use to identify certain product collections, including SUPREMO™ and MOTIVO™, as well as other marks used for certain of our products. While we expect our applications to mature into registrations, we cannot be certain that we will obtain such registrations.

To protect our know-how and trade secrets, we customarily require our employees and managers to execute confidentiality agreements or otherwise agree to keep our proprietary information confidential when their relationship with us begins. Typically, our employment contracts also include clauses requiring these employees to assign to us all inventions and intellectual property rights they develop in the course of their employment and agree not to disclose our confidential information.

We recently began to pursue a strategy of seeking patent protection for some of our latest technologies. We have obtained a patent for certain of our technologies and have pending patent applications that were filed in various jurisdictions, including the United States, Europe, Australia and Israel, which relate to our manufacturing technology and certain products. No patent application is material to the overall conduct of our business.

Environmental and other regulatory matters

Our manufacturing operations are subject to the requirements of environmental laws and regulations in Israel, as well as specific conditions set forth in the business licenses and permits related to the use, storage and discharge of hazardous materials granted by national and municipal authorities in Israel for the operation of our Sdot-Yam and Bar-Lev facilities. Our business licenses for our facilities each contain conditions related to a number of requirements, including with respect to disposal of effluent, air quality, process sludge, the handling of waste and chemicals.

From time to time, we face environmental compliance issues related to our two manufacturing facilities in Israel. At present, we are considering remedial steps to address issues related to the following:

 

 

In January 2010, the Israel Ministry of the Environment ordered us to remove sludge waste that was disposed of in 2009 in a number of locations in northern Israel claiming that such disposal was unlawful. We are currently in discussions with the Israel Ministry of the Environment with respect to which sites will require waste removal. In 2009, we reserved $0.7 million, which we believe will be adequate for anticipated future clean-up expenditures associated with such disposals and do not expect that it is reasonably possible that significant additional costs in excess of the amount reserved would be required.

 

 

We are currently seeking to further reduce the amount of styrene gas emitted by our facilities in order to become compliant with applicable requirements under Israeli laws and regulations and have received recent correspondence from the Israeli Ministry of the Environment indicating our obligation to comply with such regulations.

 

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We currently dispose of waste water at our Bar-Lev facility pursuant to a one-year temporary approval obtained from the Israel Ministry of the Environment. The temporary approval was effective through February 1, 2012, and we expect to receive an extension. In addition, we currently dispose of waste water at our Sdot-Yam facility pursuant to a temporary approval obtained from the environmental unit of the local municipal authority; however, we have not received approval from the Israel Ministry of the Environment for this waste water disposal. We are developing plans to upgrade the facilities’ water drainage systems and water quality to comply with applicable requirements under Israeli environmental laws.

 

 

In May 2011, we received a letter from the Israeli fire regulation authorities detailing fire protection measures required at our facility in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to obtain the necessary fire regulatory approval for such facility.

We have not yet assessed the likely capital expenditures that will be required in connection with the remedial measures necessary for the environmental matters described above other than with respect to the $0.7 million that we have reserved. As a result, with the exception of that amount, we have not accrued any reserves for these potential expenditures.

Other than as described above, we believe that we operate our facilities in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental requirements. However, there can be no guarantee that these or newly discovered matters will not result in material costs.

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, we had 838 employees, of whom 533 were based in Israel, including 72 individuals who provide services to us through our manpower agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and with whom we do not have employment relationships (see “Certain relationships and related party transactions”), 161 employees in the United States, 72 employees in Australia, 45 in Canada and 27 in Asia. The following table shows the breakdown of our global workforce by category of activity as of December 31 for the past three years and as of December 31, 2011:

 

       As of December 31,  
Department    2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Manufacturing and operations

     421         426         515   

Research and development

     18         19         18   

Sales, marketing, service and support

     84         100         218   

Management and administration

     46         56         87   
  

 

 

 

Total

     569         601         838   

 

 

The growth in our global workforce of 237 employees 2011 is largely due to the addition of 161 employees as a result of the Caesarstone USA acquisition, and the expansion of our direct distribution operations in Canada and Singapore, which added 32 and 19 employees, respectively, to our workforce during this period.

Israeli labor laws govern the length of the workday, minimum wages for employees, procedures for hiring and dismissing employees, determination of severance pay, annual leave, sick days, advance notice of termination of employment, equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws and other conditions of employment. Subject to certain exceptions, Israeli law generally requires severance pay upon the retirement, death or dismissal of an employee, and requires us and our

 

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employees to make payments to the National Insurance Institute, which is similar to the U.S. Social Security Administration. Our employees have pension plans in accordance with the applicable Israeli legal requirements.

None of our employees work under any collective bargaining agreements. Extension orders issued by the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor apply to us and affect matters such as cost of living adjustments to salaries, length of working hours and week, recuperation pay, travel expenses, and pension rights. Employees work in three separate shifts, seven days a week. We are subject to the Israeli Hours of Work and Rest Law, 1951; however, we do not have a permit to employ Jewish employees on the Jewish day of rest.

We have never experienced labor-related work stoppages or strikes and believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory.

Legal proceedings

Arbitration proceeding with Microgil Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd.

In November 2011, Kfar Giladi Quarries Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd., or Kfar Giladi, and Microgil Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd., or Microgil, an entity we believe is controlled by Kfar Giladi, initiated arbitration proceedings against us that are scheduled to commence in April 2012. We refer to Kfar Giladi and Microgil as the claimants. The claimants have not yet specified the remedies sought. Kfar Giladi’s and Microgil’s statement of claim may be filed before or following the commencement of the arbitration.

The arbitration arises out of a dispute related to a quartz processing agreement (the “Processing Agreement”) that we entered into with Kfar Giladi (which subsequently purportedly assigned it to Microgil) in June 2006 pursuant to which Kfar Giladi committed to establish a production facility at its own expense within 21 months of the date of the Processing Agreement to process quartz for us and for other potential customers. Pursuant to the Processing Agreement, we committed to pay fixed prices for quartz processing services related to agreed upon quantities of quartz over a period of ten years from the date set for the claimants to commence operating the production facility. We estimate that the total amount of such payments would have been approximately $55 million. It is our position that the production facility established by the claimants was not operational until approximately two years after the date required by the Processing Agreement. As a result, we were unable to purchase the minimum quantities set forth in the Processing Agreement and we therefore acquired the quantities of ground quartz that we needed from other quartz suppliers.

It is also our position, which is disputed by the claimants, that the Processing Agreement was terminated by us following its breach by the claimants. We contend that our purchases of ground quartz from Microgil in 2010 and 2011 were made pursuant to new understandings reached between the parties and not pursuant to the Processing Agreement. The claimants allege that the Processing Agreement was still in effect and that we did not meet our contractual commitments under the Processing Agreement to order the minimum annual quantity. In addition, once production began, we contend that the claimants failed to consistently deliver the required quantity and quality of ground quartz as agreed by the parties.

We also contend that the claimants are responsible for not returning to us unprocessed quartz that we provided to them, including quartz that is currently in the claimants’ possession and additional quartz that is unaccounted for. Each party has various other claims against the other.

 

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In January 2012, Microgil notified us that it had closed its production facility as a result of our breach of the Processing Agreement. To date, the claimants have not specified the amount of their claim against us; however, we expect that they may seek significant damages that may amount to tens of millions of dollars that amount to the entire cost of the production facility and the profits that they would have realized but for our alleged breach. The claimants could also seek damages for other losses. The claimants previously informed us that the amount they had invested in establishing their production facility was more than NIS 40 million ($10.5 million). We cannot currently estimate the profits, if any, that the claimants would have made based on the purchase commitment contemplated by the Processing Agreement. Because the arbitration proceedings have not yet commenced, and Kfar Giladi and Microgil have not yet filed their statement of claim, we cannot predict the amount of damages or losses they will seek from us. Therefore, at this stage in the dispute, we cannot estimate our potential exposure. We intend to defend the arbitration vigorously and to seek damages from Microgil for damage caused to us by its breach of the Processing Agreement. However, we cannot provide any assurance that an adverse ruling or a negative outcome will not have a material adverse effect on us.

Claim by former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia

In March 2008, we and CSA, entered into an agreement with the former chief executive officer of CSA (the “former executive”) and his family trust (the “Trust”) granting the Trust restricted shares equal to 17% of the issued and outstanding share capital of CSA, subject to conditions, including vesting over a five-year period and to his continued employment. The unvested shares were subject to repurchase by us or CSA upon termination of employment at the purchase price paid by the Trust for such shares. The agreement also provided for a put option exercisable by the former executive after termination of employment other than for cause, in which case vested shares were to be purchased by us or CSA at a valuation based on a five times multiple of the EBITDA of CSA. In November 2009, we and CSA terminated the employment of the former executive for performance reasons and made certain payments to him, including payments based on a notice period. Subsequently, we determined that grounds existed for termination of his employment for cause. Accordingly, we and CSA notified the former executive of the repurchase of all of his shares and sought repayment of the notice period payment. The former executive’s rights in respect of the Trust’s shares in CSA are disputed and are currently the subject of legal proceedings commenced by the former executive in July 2010 in the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia. The former executive claims that the conduct of the business of CSA has been oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against, him as a minority shareholder. The former executive seeks various orders, including an order requiring us to purchase his shares in CSA in accordance with the agreement or at a fair and reasonable price. The former executive has not specified the amount that he is claiming as the fair and reasonable price. As of September 30, 2009, the last date on which we performed a valuation analysis prior to termination of the former executive, for financial reporting purposes, we determined that the fair value of the entire 17% of restricted stock (e.g., including unvested portions) was $1.9 million. We believe that we have valid defenses to the claims alleged and intend to defend this suit vigorously. In the same proceeding, we and CSA have counter-claimed for orders requiring the former executive and the Trust to transfer all shares in CSA to us at the price paid for them. We and CSA have also separately claimed for repayment of the notice period payment and other payments made to the former executive to which we and CSA consider he was not legally entitled.

 

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Claim by former South African distributor

In December 2007, we terminated our agency agreement with our former South African agent, World of Marble and Granite (“WOMAG”) on the basis that it had breached the agreement. In the same month, we filed a claim for NIS 1.0 million ($0.3 million) in the Israeli District Court in Haifa based on such breach. WOMAG has contested the jurisdiction of the Israeli court on the grounds of validity of service, and also filed a request to stay proceedings on the basis of an inconvenient forum (forum non conveniens). Both the court and the subsequent appellate courts have dismissed WOMAG’s contest of the validity of service. On December 9, 2010, the court denied WOMAG’s objection to its jurisdiction on the grounds of inconvenient forum and on February 20, 2011, WOMAG’s appeal to this ruling was denied. In January 2008, WOMAG filed suit in South Africa seeking 15.7 million ($22.3 million) for breach of contract. In August 2008, we filed a response to this claim disputing that we had any liability to WOMAG. We believe we have valid defenses to the claims alleged and are defending this suit vigorously. We do not currently believe it is probable that there will be material losses related to this matter. In February 2010, the South African Court determined that it would not hear WOMAG’s claim until the Israeli court ruled on WOMAG’s objection to its jurisdiction. Despite a ruling by the Israeli court in February 2011 confirming its jurisdiction, WOMAG applied to commence proceedings in South Africa in August 2011. A court session in South Africa is scheduled for late February 2012.

Claims related to alleged silicosis injuries

Since 2008, fourteen lawsuits have been filed against us or named us as third party defendants in Israel and we have received a number of additional letters threatening lawsuits on behalf of certain fabricators of our products in Israel or their employees in Israel alleging that they contracted illnesses, including silicosis, through exposure to fine silica particles when cutting, polishing, sawing, grinding, breaking, crushing, drilling, sanding or sculpting our products. Each of the lawsuits that has been filed names defendants in addition to us, including, in certain cases, fabricators that employed the plaintiff, the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment, distributors of our products and insurance companies. Silicosis is an occupational lung disease that is progressive and sometimes fatal, and is characterized by scarring of the lungs and damage to the breathing function. Inhalation of dust containing fine silica particles as a result of not well protected and not well controlled, or unprotected and uncontrolled, exposure while processing quartz, granite, marble and other materials can cause silicosis. Various types of claims are raised in these lawsuits and in the letters submitted to us, including product liability claims. We believe that we have valid defenses to the lawsuits pending against us and to potential claims and intend to contest them vigorously. Damages totaling $6.1 million are specified in the lawsuits currently filed; however, the amount of general damages, which includes items such as future pain and suffering and loss of future earnings, has not yet been specified in most of the lawsuits. As a result, there is uncertainty regarding the total amount of damages that may ultimately be sought. At present, we do not expect that the lawsuits filed against us to date will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, in part due to the current availability of insurance coverage. Nevertheless, all but one of the lawsuits are at a preliminary stage and no material determinations, including those relating to attribution of fault or amount of damages, have been made. There can also be no assurance that our insurance coverage will be adequate or that we will prevail in these cases. We are party to a settlement agreement that is pending court approval with respect to one of the lawsuits filed. In that instance, the total settlement is for NIS 275,000 ($71,970) of which we have agreed to pay NIS 10,000 ($2,617) without admitting liability. Substantially all of the balance is payable by the

 

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fabricator that employed the individual in question and insurance companies. We can provide no assurance that other lawsuits will be settled in this manner or at all.

See “Risk factors—Risks related to our business and our industry—Silicosis and related claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.”

Shipping claim

In August 2011, a vessel which was leased by us for the delivery of raw materials from Turkey to Israel halted its journey due to the need to effect repairs, and in September 2011, the vessel’s owner declared a general average. Under maritime law, a general average is a legal principle that requires all parties to a venture to share proportionately in any losses to part of the cargo or the vessel that are required to the save the whole cargo or vessel. While waiting for repair, the vessel was anchored in a sea port in Cyprus with our cargo on board. The vessel recently returned to Turkey. If a general average is found to have occurred, we may be liable for part of the direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by the vessel’s owner with respect to the general average, including its loss of profits due to the vessel lying idle. The owner has not quantified the amount of any claim and, therefore, at this stage, we cannot assess our potential financial liability, if any. We believe our marine cargo policy covers this event and our potential liability related thereto.

General

From time to time, we are involved in other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business related to a range of matters, including environmental, contract, employment claims, product liability and warranty claims, and claims related to modification and adjustment or replacement of product surfaces sold. While the outcome of these other claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any such claims will have a material adverse effect on us, either individually or in the aggregate. See Note 14 of the notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Management

Executive officers, directors and director nominees

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers, directors and director nominees as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Name    Age    Position

 

Executive officers

     

Yosef Shiran

   49    Chief Executive Officer

Yair Averbuch

   51    Chief Financial Officer

David Cullen

   52    Chief Executive Officer Caesarstone Australia

Sagi Cohen

   43    Chief Executive Officer Caesarstone USA

Giora Wegman

  

60

   Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Michal Baumwald Oron

   38    General Counsel

Eli Feiglin

   44    Vice President Marketing

Erez Schweppe

   47    Vice President Sales

Harel Boker

  

62

   Vice President of Operations

Tzvika Rimon

   60    Israel Country Manager

Dr. Ramon Albalak

  

52

   Vice President Research and Development

Lilach Gilboa

   39    Vice President Human Resources

Directors and director nominees

     

Maxim Ohana(2)

  

61

   Chairman

Dori Brown(4)

   40    Director

Yonathan Melamed(1)

   68    Director

Moshe Ronen(2)

   61    Director

Oded Goldstein(4)

  

54

   Director

Ariel Halperin(2)

   56    Director

Eitan Shachar

   60    Director

Boaz Shani

   58    Director

Shachar Degani

   45    Director

Gal Cohen

   48    Director

Irit Ben-Dov(1)(3)

   41    Director Nominee

Ofer Borovsky(1)(3)

   57    Director Nominee

 

 

(1)   Member of our audit committee.

 

(2)   Member of our compensation committee.

 

(3)   Mr. Borovsky and Ms. Ben-Dov will each join our board of directors immediately following the closing of this offering.

 

(4)   Messrs. Brown and Goldstein have submitted resignations from our board of directors effective upon the closing of this offering

 

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Executive officers

Yosef Shiran has served as our Chief Executive Officer since January 2009. Prior to joining us, in August 2008, Mr. Shiran established operations for a company wholly-owned by him in the textile industry. From January 2001 to August 2008, Mr. Shiran served as Chief Executive Officer and director of Tefron Ltd., an Israeli manufacturer of intimate apparel and activewear that was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is currently listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Shiran served as Chief Executive Officer of Technoplast Industries Ltd., an injection molding and plastic extrusion manufacturing company that was listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Between 1989 and 1995, Mr. Shiran held different managerial positions in the building and electric infrastructures industries. Between 2002 and 2006, Mr. Shiran served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alba Health, LLC, a U.S. affiliate of Tefron Ltd. that developed and manufactured textile products for the healthcare industry. Between 2001 and 2008, Mr. Shiran served as Chairman and a director in other private companies. From June 2007 to December 2008, Mr. Shiran served as the chairman of the Textile Manufacturers Association of Israel. Mr. Shiran holds a B.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from Ben Gurion University, Israel and an M.B.A. from Bar Ilan University, Israel.

Yair Averbuch has served as our Chief Financial Officer since April 2010. Prior to joining us, from September 2005 to April 2010, Mr. Averbuch served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for the Israeli operations of Applied Materials, Inc., a semiconductor capital equipment company (NASDAQ: AMAT). From 1997 to 2005, Mr. Averbuch served as a business unit controller of various Applied Materials’ Product Business Groups. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Averbuch served as Chief Financial Officer of Orbot Instruments Ltd., an Israeli provider of diagnostic and control tools to semiconductor manufacturers, acquired by Applied Materials in 1997. Mr. Averbuch holds a B.A., M.A. and MBA in Business Administration and Economics, each from Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

David Cullen has served as our Chief Executive Officer for Caesarstone Australia since April 2010. Prior to joining us, from January 2009 to March 2010, Mr. Cullen served as General Manager in Australia of Komatsu Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer of industrial and mining equipment. From January 2006 to November 2008, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Global Food Equipment Pty Ltd., an Australian importer and distributor of commercial food equipment. From 2004 to 2006, he served as Chief Executive Officer of White International Pty Ltd., an Australian supplier of industrial and residential pump products. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Cullen served as Chief Executive Officer of Daisytek Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Daisytek International Corporation. From 1996 to 2002, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Tech Pacific Australia Pty Ltd., the largest distributor of IT equipment in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Cullen has held various other management positions in other companies since 1985. Mr. Cullen has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales.

Sagi Cohen has served as Chief Executive Officer for Caesarstone USA since September 2011. From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Cohen served as Chief Operating Officer for Caesarstone USA. From November 2003 to August 2006, Mr. Cohen served as Chief Executive Officer of Yellow Convenience Stores Chain and from 2000 to 2003, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales of Paz Oil Company Ltd. From 2001 to 2003, he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Pazomat, a part of Paz Oil Group Ltd. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Cohen served as National Sales and Distribution Director of Strauss Marketing Ltd., and from 1995 to 1998, he served as Sales and

 

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Distribution Manager of the private sector of Strauss Marketing Ltd. Mr. Cohen holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Political Science from Tel Aviv Open University and Executive Retail and Marketing Studies from Oxford Princeton College, United Kingdom.

Giora Wegman has served as our Deputy Chief Executive Officer since August 2010. From June 2008 to July 2010, Mr. Wegman served as a member of our board of directors, and from June 2008 he has served as the Manager of Business of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. From 1988 to July 2008, Mr. Wegman held various management positions in our Company. From 2000 to February 2006, he served as Co-CEO, and from February 2006 to July 2008, he served as our Deputy CEO. Mr. Wegman holds a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering from Rupin College, Israel.

Michal Baumwald Oron has served as our General Counsel since September 2009. Prior to joining us, from August 2004 to June 2009, Ms. Baumwald Oron served as Secretary and General Counsel of Tefron Ltd., an Israeli manufacturer of intimate apparel and activewear that was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is currently listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and from May 2003 to August 2004, Ms. Baumwald Oron served as the Legal Counsel of Tefron. From 2001 to May 2003, Ms. Baumwald Oron managed a private legal practice, and from October 1998 to December 2000, she practiced law at a private commercial law firm in Tel-Aviv, Israel. From 1995 to October 1998, Ms. Baumwald Oron served as legal counsel in the Israel Defense Forces. Ms. Baumwald Oron holds an LL.B. from Tel-Aviv University, Israel and an LL.M. from Bar-Ilan University, Israel, and was admitted to the Israeli Bar in 1996.

Eli Feiglin has served as our Vice President Marketing since December 2009. Prior to joining us, Mr. Feiglin served as Vice President Marketing of Jafora-Tabori Ltd., a manufacturer and marketer of soft drinks, from 2005 to December 2009. From 2004 to 2005, Mr. Feiglin served as Chief Executive Officer of Comutech Ltd., a distributor of Siemens AG mobile handsets in Israel. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Feiglin served as Marketing Manager of Pelephone Ltd., a cellular communications provider in Israel, and from 1996 to 1999, Mr. Feiglin served as Category Manager of Osem (Nestle Israel), a food manufacturer and distributor. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Feiglin served as Project Manager of POC Strategic Consulting Ltd., a strategy and marketing consulting company. Mr. Feiglin holds a B.A. in Management and Economics and an M.B.A., each from Tel-Aviv University, Israel.

Erez Schweppe has served as our Vice President Sales since August 2007. Prior to joining us, from 1997 to July 2007, Mr. Schweppe served as Vice President Marketing and Sales at Phoenicia America-Israel, an Israeli glass manufacturer, and from 1996 to 1997, Mr. Schweppe served as Budget, Pricing and Control Manager at Finish-Office Furniture. Mr. Schweppe holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science and an M.B.A., each from Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Harel Boker has served as our Vice President of Operations since February 2012. From April 2005 to March 2011, Mr. Boker served as Vice President Supply Chain of Unilever Israel, and from April 1996 to March 2005, he served as Vice President of Operations of Unilever Israel. From October 1993 to March 1996, Mr. Boker served as Chief Executive Officer of Etz Hazait, a private Israeli manufacturer of oil products. From 1975 to 1993, Mr. Boker served in several managerial positions in the American Israeli Paper Mill Group. Mr. Boker holds a B.Sc. in Industrial and Management Engineering from Ben-Gurion University, Israel.

Tzvika Rimon has served as our Israel Country Manager since 1998. Prior to joining us, from 1983 to July 1998, Mr. Rimon served as Marketing and Sales Manager at Carmel Carpets Ltd., a carpet

 

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manufacturing company. From 1979 to 1983, Mr. Rimon served as Sales Manager at ELISRA LTD, an Israeli electronic company.

Dr. Ramon Albalak has served as our Vice President Research and Development since June 2010 and joined us in November 2007 as our Research and Development Manager. Prior to joining us, from 2003 to October 2007, Dr. Albalak served as Research and Development Manager at ADT—Advanced Dicing Technologies Ltd., a manufacturer of dicing saws and laser scribing systems. From 2001 to 2003, Dr. Albalak served as Research and Development Manager at Kulicke and Soffa, a manufacturer of semiconductor assembly equipment. Dr. Albalak holds a B.Sc. and a D.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, both from the Israeli Institute of Technology in Haifa, and a Post-Doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Lilach Gilboa has served as our Vice President Human Resources and member of our management since August 2007. From 2002 through July 2007, Ms. Gilboa served as our Manager of Human Resources. Prior to joining us, from 1998 to 2000, Ms. Gilboa served as Recruitment Manager in the operations department of ECI Telecom Ltd., an Israeli manufacturer of network infrastructure equipment, and from 2000 to 2002, Ms. Gilboa served as Manager of Human Resources in the IT department at the same company. Ms. Gilboa holds a B.A. in Behavior Science and Human Resources from The College of Management Academic Studies, Israel and an M.A. in Organizational Sociology from Tel-Aviv University, Israel.

Directors

Maxim Ohana has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since December 2010. Mr. Ohana currently serves as Chairman of the financial committee of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. From 2000 to 2008, Mr. Ohana served as Chief Executive Officer of Sdot-Yam Marble Floors Company (1995) Ltd. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Ohana served as Chief Executive Officer of Hagor Industries Ltd. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Ohana served as Chief Executive Officer of Cement Products Caesarea Ltd. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Ohana served as Chief Executive Officer of Kibbutz Sdot Yam’s business. Mr. Ohana holds a diploma in general studies from the Kibbutzim Seminar, Israel.

Dori Brown has served as a director since December 2006. Mr. Brown was an associate in Tenram Investment Ltd. since 2001 and became a partner in 2003. Mr. Brown was one of the founding partners of Tene Investment Funds Ltd. and has acted as managing partner since 2004. Mr. Brown currently serves as a director of Tene Investments Management in Kibbutzim Ltd., Tene Investment Management F.I Ltd., Bikurei Hama (Management) Ltd., S.C.R Engineers Ltd., Chromagen Shaar Haamakim (2000) Ltd. and Fishman Thermo Technologies Ltd. He holds an LL.B. degree from Bar Ilan University, Israel. Mr. Brown was appointed as a director by Tene pursuant to a 2006 investment agreement among Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and entities affiliated with it, Tene and us.

Yonathan Melamed has served as a director since August 2008. Mr. Melamed has served as Chairman of Rahan Meristem 1998 Ltd. since 2004; Miluot Ltd., The Gulf Settlements (1993) Buying Organization Ltd. and Golan Plastic Ltd. since 2006; Polyon Barkai (1993) Industries Ltd. since 2009; and Bio-Bee Sde Eliyahu Ltd. since 2010. Mr. Melamed has also served as a director of Assive Ltd. since 2006 and Sde Eliyahu Spices, Nahsholim Vacations at Dor Beach, Agriculture Nahsholim Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. and Tefen Plastic Products Manufacturing & Marketing 1990 Ltd. since 2010. From 2004 to 2011, Mr. Melamed served as Chairman of the Kibbutz Industry Association and also as Chairman of Plastive Packaging Products Ltd. (Yakum). From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Melamed served as director of Toem Import and Expot Ltd., and from

 

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2006 to 2010, as Chairman of Arcal Filtering Systems, which merged with Amiad Filtering. Mr. Melamed also served as Chairman of Gebet Agriculture and Business Cooperative Society Ltd. from 2006 to 2008, Chairman of Bashan Radiators Ltd. from 2000 to 2008 and Chairman of Mapal Plastic Products (Mavo Hama) from 2000 to 2007. Mr. Melamed holds a Practical Engineering degree in Electronic Engineering from the Israeli Institute of Technology in Haifa.

Moshe Ronen has served as a director since February 2004. From February 1992 to March 1999, Mr. Ronen served as Chief Executive Officer of Golden Channels Ltd. From September 2000 to October 2005, Mr. Ronen served as Chief Executive Officer of Golden Pages Ltd. Since June 2004, Mr. Ronen has served as a director of Knafaim Holding Limited, an Israel-based tourism and air aviation services company, traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Mr. Ronen holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics, Statistics and Complementary Studies from the Hebrew University, Israel.

Oded Goldstein has served as a director since August 2006. Mr. Goldstein has served as Landscape Architect of Miller Blum Environmental Planning Ltd. since January 1991. Mr. Goldstein holds a B.Sc in Landscape Architecture from the Israeli Institute of Technology in Haifa .

Ariel Halperin has served as a director since December 2006. Mr. Halperin has served as a senior managing partner in Tene Investment Funds Ltd. since 2004 and a founding partner in Tenram Investments Ltd. since 2000. From 1992 to 2000, Mr. Halperin led the Kibbutzim Creditors Agreement serving as trustee for the Israeli government, Israeli banks and the Kibbutzim. Mr. Halperin currently serves as a director of Tene Growth Capital (Management) Ltd., Tene Investment Management F.E Ltd., Tenram Investments (2001) Ltd., Tenram Ltd., Tenram Enterprise and Consulting Ltd., Tenram Funds Management Ltd., Netafim Ltd., Ricor Cryogenic & Vacuum Systems Limited Partnership, Hanita Coatings RCA, Gav Yam Hill Ltd., Magash Top Investments 2001 Ltd., Gaviah Top Investments (2002) Ltd., Dan Tan Geshem Holdings Ltd., G.T.M Investments In Mishmarot Ltd., Naaman Properties Ltd., T.S.I Investments Ltd., D.A.R.E Sdot Shemesh Ltd., D.A.R.E Financing (2010) Ltd. and Tene Investments Management in Kibbutz Industry Ltd. Mr. Halperin holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics and Ph.D. in Economics from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel and a Post-Doctorate in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Halperin was appointed as a director by Tene pursuant to a 2006 investment agreement among Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and entities affiliated with it, Tene and us.

Eitan Shachar has served as a director since July 2010. Mr. Shachar also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Sdot-Yam Business, Maintenance and Management Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. and as a director of a few companies owned by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. From 1999 to February 2009, Mr. Shachar served as the manager of our samples factory where we process our marketing sample slabs. Prior to joining us, from 1997 to 1999, Mr. Shachar managed an agricultural project in India and in 1996, he was engaged in the sale of and instruction on the use of agricultural equipment. In 1992, Mr. Shachar served as the manager of a project in China for the growth of cotton with an advanced technology. From 1974 to 1996, he was employed by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in its field-crops area, twelve years of which he served as the professional and administrative manager of the field-crops area. Mr. Shachar currently serves as a director of Kef-Yam, at Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. Mr. Shachar holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Rupin College, Israel.

Boaz Shani has served as a director since November 2011. Since 1995, Mr. Shani has served as the Managing Director of Neser for Settlement (1996) Ltd., a private company owned by over 250 kibbutzim. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Shani served as a member of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s secretariat.

 

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From 1981 to 1984 and 1984 to 1988, Mr. Shani served as the administrator of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s communications branch. Mr. Nir was also part of the team that established our manufacturing facility. Mr. Shani currently serves as a director of Kef-Yam at Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and is a member of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s outside workers committee.

Shachar Degani has served as our director since November 2011. Since July 2009, Mr. Degani has served as community manager of Kibbutz Tel-Yosef. From January 2008 to 2009, Mr. Degani served as the manager of our factory equipment project. From January 2006 to December 2007, he served as Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s community manager, and from January 2000 to December 2005, he served as manager of a business unit of Sdot Yam Business Ltd. called Caesar Art & Sdot Yam. Mr. Degani holds an Executive B.A. in Business Administration from Rupin College, Israel.

Gal Cohen has served as our director since February 2012. Since June 2009, Mr. Cohen has served as the manager of international activity of Sol Energy Hellas, a Greek company specializing in energy saving solutions. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Cohen served as vice president of export activity at Chromagen Ltd., an Israeli solar solutions producer. From 1998 to 2004, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Kef-Yam at Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, and from 1994 to 1998, he served as Kef Yam’s vice president of marketing. Mr. Cohen holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the College of Management Academic Studies, Israel and an M.A. in Business Administration from Derbi University, Israel.

Irit Ben-Dov is a director nominee to be appointed immediately following the closing of this offering. It is intended that she serve as an external director under the Israeli Companies Law, subject to ratification at a meeting of our shareholders, which is to be held no later than three months following the completion of this offering. Since January 2012, Ms. Ben-Dov has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Plassim Group, an Israeli manufacturer of plastic pipes and fittings. From January 2011 to December 2011, Ms. Ben-Dov served as the Chief Financial Officer of Dynasec Ltd., a risk management and regulatory compliance software start-up company. From November 2003 to June 2010, Ms. Ben-Dov served as Chief Financial Officer of Maytronics Ltd., an Israeli public company. From 2001 to 2003, Ms. Ben-Dov served as an accountant at Ernst & Young, Israel, and from 1996 to 2001, she served as a cost accountant in Kibbutz Yizrael. Ms. Ben-Dov currently serves as an external director and chairperson of the audit committee of Poliram Ltd., an Israeli company and as an external director of Miluot Development Company of Haifa Gulf Farmsteads Ltd., an Israeli company. Ms. Ben-Dov holds a B.A. in Statistics from Haifa University, Israel and an M.B.A. from Derbi University, Israel. Ms. Ben-Dov is an Israeli Certified Public Accountant.

Ofer Borovsky is a director nominee to be appointed immediately following the closing of this offering. It is intended that he serve as an external director under the Israeli Companies Law, subject to ratification at a meeting of our shareholders, which is to be held no later than three months following the completion of this offering. Since May 2005, Mr. Borovsky has served as the Joint Chief Financial Officer of Plasson Industries Ltd., an Israeli public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and Plasson Ltd., a private Israeli company. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Borovsky served as a marketing consultant to R.M.C. Ltd., a fish food producer and marketing company. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Borovsky served as a member of the Financial Committee of Granot Ltd., an Israeli cooperative association. From 2005 to 2008, he served as the chairman of the Investment Committee at Yaniv Pension Fund. From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Borovsky served as treasurer of Plasson Industries Ltd., Plasson Ltd. and Kibbutz Maagan Michael and its corporations. From 1990 to 2000, Mr. Borovsky served as marketing manager for the Kibbutz

 

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Maagan Michael fish industry and Mag Noy Ltd., an ornamental fish export company, and from 1985 to 1990, he served as treasurer of Plasson Industries Ltd. and Kibbutz Michael and its corporations. Mr. Borovsky currently serves as an external director of Gan Shmuel Foods Ltd., an Israeli public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and as a director of Plasson Industries Ltd. and Plasson Ltd. Mr. Borovsky holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from Rupin College, Israel, an M.B.A. from Manchester University, United Kingdom and D.B.A. from the Business School Lausanne, Switzerland.

Corporate governance practices

After the completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” under the Nasdaq Global Select Market corporate governance rules. A “controlled company” is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company. We are a controlled company on the basis of the Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s ownership in the company immediately following the offering and may be considered a controlled company in the event Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s ownership decreases below 50% based on the voting agreement between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene, which results in those shareholders together beneficially owning,     % of our outstanding shares immediately following this offering. Pursuant to the voting agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will vote together for six of the 10 members of our board of directors with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam nominating the six nominees, and for so long as Tene holds more than 8.25% of our outstanding share capital, for a seventh nominee selected by Tene. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene have also agreed pursuant to the voting agreement to vote for certain director compensation resolutions and for external and independent directors proposed by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam subject to their qualification as such under applicable laws and regulations. The voting agreement will terminate if Tene’s holdings in our company decrease below 8.25%.

Pursuant to the “controlled company” exemption, we are not required to comply with the requirements that: (1) a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors and (2) we have a compensation committee and a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing each committee’s purpose and responsibilities. In the event that we cease to be a controlled company, we will be required to comply with these provisions within the transition periods specified in the Nasdaq Global Select Market corporate governance rules, unless we elect to avail ourselves of the exemption from Nasdaq Global Select Market corporate governance rules afforded to foreign private issuers, as discussed below.

The “controlled company” exemption does not modify the independence requirements for our audit committee. Accordingly, immediately following this offering, we will have an audit committee comprised of at least three members all of whom meet the Nasdaq Global Select Market independence requirements and at least two of whom qualify as external directors under the Israeli Companies Law 5759-1999 (the “Companies Law”). See “—Audit committee.” In addition, while we will not be required to make a formal determination regarding the independence of our directors under Nasdaq Global Select Market corporate governance rules, following the closing of this offering, none of our executive officers or other employees will be a member of our board of directors.

In addition to the controlled company exemption, as a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow Israeli corporate governance practices instead of Nasdaq Global Select Market corporate

 

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governance rules, provided that we disclose which requirements we are not following and the equivalent Israeli requirement. We intend to rely on this “foreign private issuer exemption” with respect to the following items:

 

 

As permitted under the Companies Law, pursuant to our articles of association to be effective following this offering, the quorum required for an ordinary meeting of shareholders will consist of at least two shareholders present in person, by proxy or by other voting instrument in accordance with the Companies Law, who hold at least 25% of the voting power of our shares (and in an adjourned meeting, with some exceptions, any number of shareholders), instead of 33  1 / 3 % of the issued share capital required under the Nasdaq Global Select Market requirements.

 

 

We intend to approve the adoption of, and material changes to, equity incentive plans in accordance with the Companies Law, which does not impose a requirement of shareholder approval for such actions.

Otherwise, subject to using the controlled company exemption described above, we intend to comply with the rules generally applicable to U.S. domestic companies listed on Nasdaq. We may in the future decide to use the foreign private issuer exemption with respect to some or all of the other Nasdaq Global Select Market corporate governance rules. Following the closing of this offering, we also intend to comply with Israeli corporate governance requirements under the Companies Law applicable to public companies.

Board of directors and officers

Following the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will consist of 11 directors, including Ms. Ben-Dov and Mr. Borovsky, who are intended to qualify as external directors and whose appointment fulfills the requirements of the Companies Law for the company to have two external directors (see “—External directors”). These two directors, as well as Yonathan Melamed and Moshe Ronen also qualify as independent directors under the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act.

Under our articles of association to be effective following this offering, the number of directors on our board of directors will be no less than seven and no more than 11 and must include at least two external directors. The minimum and maximum number of directors may be changed, at any time and from time to time, by a simple majority vote of our shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting.

Each director will hold office until the annual general meeting of our shareholders in the subsequent year unless the tenure of such director expires earlier pursuant to the Companies Law or unless he or she is removed from office as described below, except (1) our external directors have a term of office of three years under Israeli law (see “—External directors—Election and dismissal of external directors”) and (2) our board of directors is entitled pursuant to our articles of association to designate two of our independent directors in office at the time of this offering (in addition to our external directors) to have an initial term of three years in office. Our board has designated Yonathan Melamed and Moshe Ronen to have an initial term of three years in office starting on November 20, 2011.

 

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The directors who are serving in office shall be entitled to act even if a vacancy occurs on the board of directors. However, should the number of directors, at the time in question, becomes less than the minimum set forth in our articles of association, the remaining director(s) shall be entitled to act for the purpose of filling the vacancies which shall have occurred on the board of directors or of convening a general meeting, but not for any other purpose.

Any director who retires from his or her office shall be qualified to be re-elected subject to any limitation affecting such director’s appointment as a director under the Companies Law.

A general meeting of our shareholders may remove a director from office prior to the expiry of his or her term in office (“Removed Director”) by a simple majority vote (except for External Directors, who may be dismissed only as set forth under the Companies Law), provided that the Removed Director is given a reasonable opportunity to state his or her case before the general meeting. If a director is removed from office as set forth in subsection (1) or (2) above, the general meeting shall be entitled, in the same session, to elect another director in his or her stead in accordance with the maximum number of directors permitted as stated above. Should it fail to do so, the board of directors shall be entitled to do so. Any director who is appointed in this manner shall serve in office for the period remaining of the term in office of the director who was removed and shall be qualified to be re-elected.

Any amendment of our articles of association regarding the election of directors, as described above, shall require a simple majority vote. See “—External directors” for a description of the procedure for the election of external directors.

In addition, under the Companies Law, our board of directors must determine the minimum number of directors who are required to have financial and accounting expertise. Under applicable regulations, a director with financial and accounting expertise is a director who, by reason of his or her education, professional experience and skill, has a high level of proficiency in and understanding of business accounting matters and financial statements. See “—External directors—Qualifications of external directors.” He or she must be able to thoroughly comprehend the financial statements of the company and initiate debate regarding the manner in which financial information is presented. In determining the number of directors required to have such expertise, the board of directors must consider, among other things, the type and size of the company and the scope and complexity of its operations. Our board of directors has determined that we require at least one director with the requisite financial and accounting expertise and that Yonathan Melamed has such expertise.

There are no family relationships among any of our office holders (including directors).

Alternate directors

Our articles of association to be effective following this offering provide, as allowed by the Companies Law, that any director may, by written notice to us, appoint another person who is qualified to serve as a director to serve as an alternate director. The appointment of an alternate director shall be subject to the consent of the board of directors. The alternate director will be regarded as a director. Under the Companies Law, a person who is not qualified to be appointed as a director, a person who is already serving as a director or a person who is already serving as an alternate director for another director, may not be appointed as an alternate director. Nevertheless, a director who is already serving as a director may be appointed as an alternate director for a member of a committee of the board of directors so long as he or she is not already

 

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serving as a member of such committee, and if the alternate director is to replace an external director, he or she is required to be an external director and to have either “financial and accounting expertise” or “professional expertise,” depending on the qualifications of the external director he or she is replacing. The term of appointment of an alternate director may be for one meeting of the board of directors or until notice is given of the cancellation of the appointment. A person who does not have the requisite “financial and accounting experience” or the “professional expertise,” depending on the qualifications of the external director he or she is replacing, may not be appointed as an alternate director for an external director.

External directors

Qualifications of external directors

Under the Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel that are “public companies,” including companies with shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, are required to appoint at least two external directors who meet the qualification requirements in the Companies Law. Appointment of external directors must be made by a general meeting of our shareholders no later than three months following the completion of this offering, and therefore we intend to hold a shareholders meeting within three months of the completion of this offering to seek approval for the appointment of two external directors. We intend to nominate Irit Ben-Dov and Ofer Borovsky as external directors.

A person may not serve as an external director if the person is a relative of a controlling shareholder or if on the date of the person’s appointment or within the preceding two years the person or his or her relatives, partners, employers or anyone to whom that person is subordinate, whether directly or indirectly, or entities under the person’s control have or had any affiliation with any of (each an “Affiliated Party”): (1) us; or (2) any person or entity controlling us on the date of such appointment; or (3) any relative of a controlling shareholder; or (4) any entity controlled, on the date of such appointment or within the preceding two years, by us or by our controlling shareholder. If there is no controlling shareholder or any shareholder holding 25% or more of voting rights in the company, a person may not serve as an external director if the person has any affiliation to the chairman of the board of directors, the general manager (chief executive officer), any shareholder holding 5% or more of the company’s shares or voting rights or the senior financial officer as of the date of the person’s appointment.

The term affiliation includes:

 

 

an employment relationship;

 

 

a business or professional relationship maintained on a regular basis;

 

 

control; and

 

 

service as an office holder, excluding service as a director in a private company prior to the first offering of its shares to the public if such director was appointed as a director of the private company in order to serve as an external director following the initial public offering.

The term “relative” is defined as a spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, descendant, spouse’s descendant, sibling and parent and the spouse of each of the foregoing.

 

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The term “office holder” is defined as a general manager, chief business manager, deputy general manager, vice general manager, director or manager directly subordinate to the general manager or any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of the foregoing positions, without regard to such person’s title.

A person may not serve as an external director if that person or that person’s relative, partner, employer, a person to whom such person is subordinate (directly or indirectly) or any entity under the person’s control has a business or professional relationship with any entity that has an affiliation with any Affiliated Party, even if such relationship is intermittent (excluding insignificant relationships). Additionally, any person who has received compensation intermittently (excluding insignificant relationships) other than compensation permitted under the Companies Law may not continue to serve as an external director.

No person can serve as an external director if the person’s position or other affairs create, or may create, a conflict of interest with the person’s responsibilities as a director or may otherwise interfere with the person’s ability to serve as a director. If at the time an external director is appointed all current members of the board of directors, who are not controlling shareholders or relatives of controlling shareholders, are of the same gender, then the external director to be appointed must be of the other gender. In addition, a person who is a director of a company may not be elected as an external director of another company if, at that time, a director of the other company is acting as an external director of the first company.

The Companies Law provides that an external director must meet certain professional qualifications or have financial and accounting expertise, and that at least one external director must have financial and accounting expertise. However, if at least one of our other directors (1) meets the independence requirements of the Exchange Act, (2) meets the standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market for membership on the audit committee and (3) has financial and accounting expertise as defined in the Companies Law and applicable regulations, then neither of our external directors is required to possess financial and accounting expertise as long as both possess other requisite professional qualifications. The determination of whether a director possesses financial and accounting expertise is made by the board of directors. A director with financial and accounting expertise is a director who by virtue of his or her education, professional experience and skill, has a high level of proficiency in and understanding of business accounting matters and financial statements so that he or she is able to fully understand our financial statements and initiate debate regarding the manner in which the financial information is presented.

The regulations promulgated under the Companies Law define an external director with requisite professional qualifications as a director who satisfies one of the following requirements: (1) the director holds an academic degree in either economics, business administration, accounting, law or public administration, (2) the director either holds an academic degree in any other field or has completed another form of higher education in the company’s primary field of business or in an area which is relevant to his or her office as an external director in the company, or (3) the director has at least five years of experience serving in any one of the following, or at least five years of cumulative experience serving in two or more of the following capacities: (a) a senior business management position in a company with a substantial scope of business, (b) a senior position in the company’s primary field of business or (c) a senior position in public administration.

 

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Until the lapse of a two-year period from the date that an external director has ceased to act as an external director (1) neither a company, nor its controlling shareholders, including any corporations controlled by a controlling shareholder, may grant such former external director or his or her spouse or children any benefits (directly or indirectly), (2) such persons may not be engaged to serve as an office holder at the company or any corporation controlled by a controlling shareholder, and (3) such persons also may not be employed or receive professional services for payment from a controlling shareholder, (directly or indirectly), including through a corporation controlled by a controlling shareholder. Additionally, until the lapse of a one-year period from the date that an external director has ceased to act as an external director, any relative of the former external director who is not his or her spouse or children is subject to the abovementioned prohibitions.

Until the lapse of a two-year period from the date that an external director of a company ceases to act in such capacity, none of the company in which such external director served, its controlling shareholder or any entity under control of such controlling shareholder may, directly or indirectly, grant such former external director, or his or her spouse or child, any benefit, including via (i) the appointment of such former director or his or her spouse or his child as an officer holder in the company or in an entity controlled by the company’s controlling shareholder, (ii) the employment of such former director and (iii) the engagement, directly or indirectly, of such former director as a provider of professional services for compensation, including via an entity under his or her control. With respect to a relation who is not a spouse or a child, such limitations shall only apply for one year from the date such external director ceased to be engaged in such capacity.

Election and dismissal of external directors

Under Israeli law, external directors are elected by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, provided that either:

 

 

the majority of the shares that are voted at the meeting in favor of the election of the external director, excluding abstentions, include at least a majority of the votes of shareholders who are not controlling shareholders and do not have a personal interest in the appointment (excluding a personal interest that did not result from the shareholder’s relationship with the controlling shareholder); or

 

 

the total number of shares held by non-controlling shareholders or any one on their behalf that are voted against the election of the external director does not exceed two percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company.

Under Israeli law, the initial term of an external director of an Israeli public company is three years. The external director may be reelected, subject to certain circumstances and conditions, to two additional terms of three years, and thereafter, subject to conditions set out in the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law, to further three year terms. An external director may be removed by the same special majority of the shareholders required for his or her election, if he or she ceases to meet the statutory qualifications for appointment or if he or she violates his or her fiduciary duty to the company. An external director may also be removed by order of an Israeli court if the court finds that the external director is permanently unable to exercise his or her office, has ceased to meet the statutory qualifications for his or her appointment, has violated his or her fiduciary duty to the company, or has been convicted by a court outside Israel of certain offenses detailed in the Companies Law.

 

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If the vacancy of an external directorship causes a company to have fewer than two external directors, the company’s board of directors is required under the Companies Law to call a special general meeting of the company’s shareholders as soon as possible to appoint such number of new external directors so that the company thereafter has two external directors.

Additional provisions

Under the Companies Law, each committee authorized to exercise any of the powers of the board of directors is required to include at least one external director and its audit committee is required to include all of the external directors.

An external director is entitled to compensation and reimbursement of expenses in accordance with regulations promulgated under the Companies Law and is otherwise prohibited from receiving any other compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with serving as a director except for certain exculpation, indemnification and insurance provided by the company, as specifically allowed by the Companies Law.

Audit committee

Companies law requirements

Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of any public company must also appoint an audit committee comprised of at least three directors, including all of the external directors. The audit committee may not include:

 

 

the chairman of the board of directors;

 

 

a controlling shareholder or a relative of a controlling shareholder (as defined below); and

 

 

any director employed by the company or who provides services to the company on a regular basis (other than as a member of the board of directors).

Under a recent amendment to the provisions of the Companies Law regarding audit committees, the majority of the members of the audit committee, as well as the majority of members present at audit committee meetings, will be required to be “independent” (as defined below) and the chairman of the audit committee will be required to be an external director. In addition, under the amendment, the following will be disqualified from serving as members of the audit committee: the chairman of the board, the controlling shareholder and his relatives, any director employed by the company or by its controlling shareholder or by an entity controlled by the controlling shareholder, a director who regularly provides services to the company or to its controlling shareholder or to an entity controlled by the controlling shareholder, and any director who derives most of his or her income from the controlling shareholder. Any persons disqualified from serving as a member of the audit committee may not be present at the audit committee meetings, unless the chairman of the audit committee has determined that such person is required to be present at the meeting or if such person qualifies under one of the exemptions of the Companies Law.

The term “Independent Director” is defined as an external director or a director who meets the following conditions and who is appointed or classified as such according to the Companies Law: (1) the conditions for his or her appointment as an external director (as described above) are satisfied and the audit committee approves the director having met such conditions and (2) he or

 

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she has not served as a director of the company for over nine consecutive years with any interruption of up to two years of his or her service not being deemed a disruption to the continuity of his or her service.

Listing requirements

Under the Nasdaq Market Rules, we are required to maintain an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors, all of whom are financially literate and one of whom has accounting or related financial management expertise.

Our audit committee will consist of Yonathan Melamed, Irit Ben Dov and Ofer Borovsky.                 will serve as the Chairman of the audit committee. All members of our audit committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Market Rules. Our board of directors has determined that Yonathan Melamed is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and has the requisite financial experience as defined by the Nasdaq Market Rules.

Each of the members of the audit committee is “independent” as such term is defined in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which is different from the general test for independence of board and committee members.

Approval of transactions with related parties

The approval of the audit committee is required to effect specified actions and transactions with office holders and controlling shareholders and their relatives, or in which they have a personal interest. See “—Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law.” The term “controlling shareholder” means a shareholder with the ability to direct the activities of the company, other than by virtue of being an office holder. A shareholder is presumed to have “control” of the company and thus to be a controlling shareholder of the company if the shareholder holds 50% or more of the “means of control” of the company. “Means of control” is defined as (1) the right to vote at a general meeting of a company or a corresponding body of another corporation; or (2) the right to appoint directors of the corporation or its general manager. For the purpose of approving transactions with controlling shareholders, the term also includes any shareholder that holds 25% or more of the voting rights of the company if the company has no shareholder that owns more than 50% of its voting rights. For purposes of determining the holding percentage stated above, two or more shareholders who have a personal interest in a transaction that is brought for the company’s approval are deemed as joint holders. The audit committee may not approve an action or a transaction with a controlling shareholder or with an office holder unless at the time of approval two external directors are serving as members of the audit committee and at least one of them was present at the meeting at which the approval was granted and the provisions regarding disqualified members as set forth above are satisfied.

Audit committee role

Our board of directors has adopted an audit committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the audit committee consistent with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Market Rules, which include:

 

 

retaining and terminating our independent auditors, subject to board of directors and shareholder ratification;

 

 

pre-approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors;

 

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reviewing with management and our independent director our quarterly and annual financial reports prior to their submission to the SEC; and

 

 

approval of certain transactions with office holders and controlling shareholders, as described above, and other related-party transactions.

Additionally, under the Companies Law, the role of the audit committee includes the identification of irregularities in our business management, among other things, by consulting with the internal auditor or our independent auditors and suggesting an appropriate course of action to the board of directors. In addition, the audit committee or the board of directors, as set forth in the articles of association of the company, is required to approve the yearly or periodic work plan proposed by the internal auditor. The audit committee charter states that in fulfilling its role the committee is entitled to demand from us any document, file, report or any other information that is required for the fulfillment of its roles and duties and to interview any of our employees or any employees of our subsidiaries in order to receive more details about his or her line of work or other issues that are connected to the roles and duties of the audit committee.

Under a recent amendment to the provisions of the Companies Law regarding audit committees, additional functions to be performed by the audit committee include, among other things, the following: (1) determining whether certain related party actions and transactions are “material” or “extraordinary” for the purpose of the requisite approval procedures; (2) assessing the scope of the work and compensation of the company’s external auditor and (3) assessing the company’s internal audit system and the performance of its internal auditor.

Compensation committee

We have established a compensation committee consisting of our directors, Moshe Ronen, Ariel Halperin and Maxim Ohana, and following this offering, one of the external directors will be nominated to the compensation committee.                  will serve as the Chairman of the compensation committee. Our board of directors has adopted a compensation committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the committee which include:

 

 

reviewing and recommending overall compensation policies with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and other office holders;

 

 

reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other office holders including evaluating their performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining their compensation based on such evaluation;

 

 

reviewing and approving the granting of options and other incentive awards; and

 

 

reviewing, evaluating and making recommendations regarding the compensation and benefits for our non-employee directors.

Internal auditor

Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of a public company must appoint an internal auditor based on the recommendation of the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is, among other things, to examine whether a company’s actions comply with applicable law and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor may not be an interested party or an office holder or a relative of an interested party or of an office holder, nor may the internal auditor be the company’s independent auditor or the representative of the same.

 

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An “interested party” is defined in the Companies Law as (i) a holder of 5% or more of the issued share capital or voting power in a company, (ii) any person or entity who has the right to designate one or more directors or to designate the chief executive officer of the company, or (iii) any person who serves as a director or as a chief executive officer of the company. Our internal auditor is Mr. Ofer Orlitzky of Leon, Orlitzky and Co.

Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law

Fiduciary duties of office holders

The Companies Law imposes a duty of care and a fiduciary duty on all office holders of a company.

The duty of care of an office holder is based on the duty of care set forth in connection with the tort of negligence under the Israeli Torts Ordinance (New Version) 5728-1968. This duty of care requires an office holder to act with the degree of proficiency with which a reasonable office holder in the same position would have acted under the same circumstances. The duty of care includes, among other things, a duty to use reasonable means, in light of the circumstances, to obtain:

 

 

information on the business advisability of a given action brought for his or her approval or performed by virtue of his or her position; and

 

 

all other important information pertaining to such action.

The fiduciary duty incumbent on an office holder requires him or her to act in good faith and for the benefit of the company, and includes, among other things, the duty to:

 

 

refrain from any act involving a conflict of interest between the performance of his or her duties in the company and his or her other duties or personal affairs;

 

 

refrain from any activity that is competitive with the business of the company;

 

 

refrain from exploiting any business opportunity of the company for the purpose of gaining a personal advantage for himself or herself or others; and

 

 

disclose to the company any information or documents relating to the company’s affairs which the office holder received as a result of his or her position as an office holder.

We may approve an act specified above which would otherwise constitute a breach of the office holder’s fiduciary duty, provided that the office holder acted in good faith, the act or its approval does not harm the company, and the office holder discloses his or her personal interest a sufficient time before the approval of such act. Any such approval is subject to the terms of the Companies Law, setting forth, among other things, the organs of the company entitled to provide such approval, and the methods of obtaining such approval.

Disclosure of personal interests of an office holder and approval of acts and transactions

The Companies Law requires that an office holder promptly disclose to the company any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information or documents relating to any existing or proposed transaction by the company. An interested office holder’s disclosure must be made promptly and in any event no later than the first meeting of the board of directors

 

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at which the transaction is considered. An office holder is not obliged to disclose such information if the personal interest of the office holder derives solely from the personal interest of his or her relative in a transaction that is not considered as an extraordinary transaction.

Under the Companies Law, once an office holder has complied with the above disclosure requirement, a company may approve a transaction between the company and the office holder or a third party in which the office holder has a personal interest. However, a company may not approve a transaction or action that is not to the company’s benefit.

Under the Companies Law, unless the articles of association of a company provide otherwise, a transaction with an office holder or with a third party in which the office holder has a personal interest, which is not an extraordinary transaction, requires approval by the board of directors. Our articles of association to be effective following this offering provide that such a transaction, which is not an extraordinary transaction, shall be approved by the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors or any other entity (which has no personal interest in the transaction) authorized by the board of directors. If the transaction or action considered is (i) an extraordinary transaction with an office holder or third party in which the office holder has a personal interest, or (ii) an engagement by the company with an office holder who is not a director regarding his or her service and employment conditions, including an undertaking to indemnify, exculpate or insure such office holder, then audit committee approval is required prior to approval by the board of directors. In the event that an amendment is made to an existing engagement with an office holder, such amendment does not require board approval to the extent that it is immaterial to the existing engagement. However, a transaction that qualifies under subsection (ii) above may be approved by our compensation committee instead of the audit committee provided that our compensation committee satisfies all of the provisions under the Companies Law applicable to the audit committee. Arrangements with a director regarding such director’s service and employment condition, including exculpation, indemnification or insurance, and an arrangement with a director regarding compensation for non-directorial duties in the company, require the approval of each of the audit committee, the board of directors and the shareholders, in that order.

Any persons who have a personal interest in the approval of a transaction that is brought before a meeting of the board of directors or the audit committee may not be present at the meeting or vote on the matter. However, if the chairman of the board of directors or the chairman of the audit committee has determined that the presence of an office holder with a personal interest is required, such office holder may be present at the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director who has a personal interest may be present at the meeting and vote on the matter if a majority of the directors or members of the audit committee have a personal interest in the approval of such transaction. If a majority of the directors at a board of directors meeting have a personal interest in the transaction, such transaction also requires approval of the shareholders of the company.

A “personal interest” is defined under the Companies Law as the personal interest of a person in an action or in a transaction of the company, including the personal interest of such person’s relative or the interest of any other corporate body in which the person and/or such person’s relative is a director or general manager, a 5% shareholder or holds 5% or more of the voting rights, or has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager, but excluding a personal interest stemming solely from the fact of holding shares in the company. A personal interest also includes (1) a personal interest of a person who votes according to a proxy of

 

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another person, including in the event that the other person has no personal interest, and (2) a personal interest of a person who gave a proxy to another person to vote on his or her behalf regardless of whether the discretion of how to vote lies with the person voting or not.

An “extraordinary transaction” is defined under the Companies Law as any of the following:

 

 

a transaction other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

a transaction that is not on market terms; or

 

 

a transaction that may have a material impact on the company’s profitability, assets or liabilities.

Disclosure of personal interests of a controlling shareholder and approval of transactions

The Companies Law also requires that a controlling shareholder promptly disclose to the company any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information or documents relating to any existing or proposed transaction by the company. A controlling shareholder’s disclosure must be made promptly and in any event no later than the first meeting of the board of directors at which the transaction is considered. See “Audit committee—Approval of transactions with related parties” for the definition of a controlling shareholder. Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, including a private placement in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and the terms of engagement of the company, directly or indirectly, with a controlling shareholder or a controlling shareholder’s relative (including through a corporation controlled by a controlling shareholder), regarding the company’s receipt of services from the controlling shareholder, and if such controlling shareholder is also an office holder of the company, regarding his or her terms of employment, require the approval of each of the audit committee, the board of directors and the shareholders, in that order. In addition, the shareholder approval must fulfill one of the following requirements:

 

 

a majority of the shares held by shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction and are voting at the meeting must be voted in favor of approving the transaction, excluding abstentions; or

 

 

the shares voted by shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction who vote against the transaction represent no more than 2.0% of the voting rights in the company.

In addition, any extraordinary transaction with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest with a term of more than three years requires the abovementioned approval every three years, however such transactions not involving the receipt of services or compensation can be approved for a longer term provided that the audit committee determines that such longer term is reasonable under the circumstances.

The Companies Law requires that every shareholder that participates, in person, by proxy or by voting instrument in a vote regarding a transaction with a controlling shareholder, must indicate in advance or in the ballot whether or not that shareholder has a personal interest in the vote in question. Failure to so indicate will result in the invalidation of that shareholder’s vote.

 

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Duties of shareholders

Under the Companies Law, a shareholder has a duty to refrain from abusing its power in the company and to act in good faith and in an acceptable manner in exercising its rights and performing its obligations to the company and other shareholders, including, among other things, when voting at meetings of shareholders on the following matters:

 

 

an amendment to the articles of association;

 

 

an increase in the company’s authorized share capital;

 

 

a merger; and

 

 

the approval of related party transactions and acts of office holders that require shareholder approval.

A shareholder also has a general duty to refrain from discriminating against other shareholders.

The remedies generally available upon a breach of contract will also apply to a breach of the shareholder duties mentioned above, and in the event of discrimination against other shareholders, additional remedies are available to the injured shareholder.

In addition, any controlling shareholder, any shareholder that knows that its vote can determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder that, under a company’s articles of association, has the power to appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder, or any other power with respect to a company, is under a duty to act with fairness towards the company. The Companies Law does not describe the substance of this duty except to state that the remedies generally available upon a breach of contract will also apply in the event of a breach of the duty to act with fairness, taking the shareholder’s position in the company into account.

Approval of private placements

Under the Companies Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder, a private placement of securities does not require approval at a general meeting of the shareholders of a company; provided however, that in special circumstances, such as a private placement completed in lieu of a special tender offer (See “Description of share capital—Acquisitions under Israeli law”) or a private placement which qualifies as a related party transaction (See “—Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law”), approval at a general meeting of the shareholders of a company is required.

Exculpation, insurance and indemnification of office holders

Under the Companies Law, a company may not exculpate an office holder from liability for a breach of a fiduciary duty. An Israeli company may exculpate an office holder in advance from liability to the company, in whole or in part, for damages caused to the company as a result of a breach of duty of care but only if a provision authorizing such exculpation is inserted in its articles of association. Our articles of association to be effective upon the completion of this offering include such a provision. The company may not exculpate in advance a director from liability arising out of a prohibited dividend or distribution to shareholders.

Under the Companies Law and the Securities Law, 5738—1968 (the “Securities Law”) a company may indemnify an office holder in respect of the following liabilities, payments and expenses

 

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incurred for acts performed by him as an office holder, either in advance of an event or following an event, provided its articles of association include a provision authorizing such indemnification:

 

 

a monetary liability incurred by or imposed on him or her in favor of another person pursuant to a judgment, including a settlement or arbitrator’s award approved by a court. However, if an undertaking to indemnify an office holder with respect to such liability is provided in advance, then such an undertaking must be limited to events which, in the opinion of the board of directors, can be foreseen based on the company’s activities when the undertaking to indemnify is given, and to an amount or according to criteria determined by the board of directors as reasonable under the circumstances, and such undertaking shall detail the abovementioned foreseen events and amount or criteria;

 

 

reasonable litigation expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against him or her by an authority authorized to conduct such investigation or proceeding, provided that (i) no indictment was filed against such office holder as a result of such investigation or proceeding; and (ii) no financial liability, was imposed upon him or her as a substitute for the criminal proceeding as a result of such investigation or proceeding or, if such financial liability was imposed, it was imposed with respect to an offense that does not require proof of criminal intent or in connection with a monetary sanction;

 

 

a monetary liability imposed on him or her in favor of a payment for a breach offended at an Administrative Procedure (as defined below) as set forth in Section 52(54)(a)(1)(a) to the Securities Law;

 

 

expenses associated with an Administrative Procedure conducted regarding an office holder, including reasonable litigation expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees; and

 

 

reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the office holder or imposed by a court in proceedings instituted against him or her by the company, on its behalf, or by a third party, or in connection with criminal proceedings in which the office holder was acquitted, or as a result of a conviction for an offense that does not require proof of criminal intent.

An “Administrative Procedure” is defined under the Companies Law as a procedure pursuant to chapters H3 (Monetary Sanction by the Israeli Securities Authority), H4 (Administrative Enforcement Procedures of the Administrative Enforcement Committee) or I1 (Arrangement to prevent Procedures or Interruption of procedures subject to conditions) to the Securities Law.

Under the Companies Law and the Securities Law, a company may insure an office holder against the following liabilities incurred for acts performed by him or her as an office holder if and to the extent provided in the company’s articles of association:

 

 

a breach of a fiduciary duty to the company, provided that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not harm the company;

 

 

a breach of duty of care to the company or to a third party, to the extent such a breach arises out of the negligent conduct of the office holder;

 

 

a monetary liability imposed on the office holder in favor of a third party;

 

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a monetary liability imposed on such office holder in favor of a payment for a breach committed at an Administrative Procedure as set forth in Section 52(54)(a)(1)(a) to the Securities Law; and

 

 

expenses with respect to Administrative Procedures conducted in connection with such office holder and/or in connection with a monetary sanction, including reasonable litigation expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

Under the Companies Law, a company may not indemnify, exculpate or insure an office holder against any of the following:

 

 

a breach of fiduciary duty, except for indemnification and insurance for a breach of the fiduciary duty to the company to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;

 

 

a breach of duty of care committed intentionally or recklessly, excluding a breach arising out of the negligent conduct of the office holder;

 

 

an act or omission committed with intent to derive illegal personal benefit; or

 

 

a fine or forfeit levied against the office holder.

Under the Companies Law, exculpation, indemnification and insurance of office holders must be approved by the audit committee and the board of directors and, with respect to directors or controlling shareholders, their relatives and third parties in which such controlling shareholders have a personal interest, also by the shareholders.

Our articles of association to be effective upon the completion of this offering permit us to exculpate, indemnify and insure our office holders to the fullest extent permitted or to be permitted by law. Our office holders are currently covered by a directors and officers’ liability insurance policy. As of the date of this offering, no claims for directors and officers’ liability insurance have been filed under this policy and we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding involving any of our office holders, including our directors, in which indemnification is sought.

We have entered into new agreements with each of our current office holders exculpating them from a breach of their duty of care to us to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to limited exceptions, and undertaking to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to limited exceptions, including with respect to liabilities resulting from this offering to the extent that these liabilities are not covered by insurance. This indemnification is limited to events determined as foreseeable by the board of directors based on our activities, and to an amount or according to criteria determined by the board of directors as reasonable under the circumstances. Effective as of the date of this offering, the maximum aggregate amount of indemnification that we may pay to our office holders based on such new indemnification agreement is the greater of (1) with respect to indemnification in connection with a public offering of our securities, the gross proceeds raised by us and any selling shareholder in such public offering, and (2) with respect to all permitted indemnification, including in connection with a public offering of our securities, an amount equal to the greater of 50% of our shareholders’ equity on a consolidated basis, based on our most recent financial statements made publicly available before the date on which the indemnification payment was made, and $30 million. Such indemnification amounts

 

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are in addition to any insurance amounts. Each office holder who agrees to receive this letter of indemnification also gives his approval to the termination of all previous letters of indemnification that we have provided to him or her in the past, if any. In the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, indemnification of office holders for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, however, is against public policy and therefore unenforceable.

We previously entered into letters of indemnification with some former office holders that currently remain in effect, and pursuant to which we undertook to indemnify them with respect to certain liabilities and expenses then permitted under the Companies Law, which are similar to those described above. These letters of indemnification are limited to foreseeable events that were determined by the board of directors and indemnity payments are limited to a maximum amount of $2.0 million for one series of related events for each office holder.

There is no pending litigation or proceeding against any of our office holders as to which indemnification is being sought, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any office holder.

Compensation of office holders

The aggregate compensation paid by us and our subsidiaries to our current executive officers, including stock based compensation, for the year ended December 31, 2011, was approximately $4.6 million. This amount includes approximately $0.3 million set aside or accrued to provide pension, severance, retirement or similar benefits or expenses, but does not include business travel, relocation, professional and business association dues and expenses reimbursed to office holders, and other benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel.

Pursuant to a management services agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, Yosef Shiran, in consideration for services provided, we pay Mr. Shiran a monthly fee of NIS 122,340 ($35,145) indexed to the November 2008 Israeli consumer price index plus VAT, as well as provide benefits customary for senior executives in Israel, including a car allowance. Mr. Shiran was entitled to a bonus in 2009 equal to 2% of our net income in excess of NIS 20.0 million subject to a guaranteed minimum of NIS 400,000 ($114,910). Commencing in 2010, Mr. Shiran is entitled to a yearly bonus equal to 2.5% of our net income in excess of NIS 20.0 million ($5.2 million) without any guaranteed minimum. Mr. Shiran is entitled to three months’ notice prior to termination of his employment and to a further six-month period during which he is entitled to all of his rights under the management services agreement, except in the case of a termination for cause, and is required to continue to provide services to us for three months of the nine-month notice period. Mr. Shiran is entitled to receive a cash payment based on the increase in value of 2,740 of our shares granted to him in January 2009 vesting in 12 equal installments over a three-year period. Prior to this offering, our value is deemed to be based on a multiple of our SBC EBITDA (defined as operating income plus amortization and depreciation). Upon the closing this offering, our value is determined by reference to our share price. In September 2010, Mr. Shiran gave notice of exercise of his right to receive the payment with respect to 1,340 shares calculated in accordance with the SBC EBITDA formula based on our EBITDA for the 2010 fiscal year following the approval of our financial statement for fiscal year 2010. The amount of this payment totaled $2.8 million, which we paid in June 2011. In October 2011, Mr. Shiran notified us of his decision to exercise his right to receive an award bonus with respect to a further 700 vested shares. The calculation of the award bonus amount was based on SBC EBITDA for 2011 and is estimated to

 

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total $1.7 million. The award bonus is expected to be paid 30 days after the approval of the 2011 audited financial statements by the board of directors.

After the closing of this offering, we intend to pay to each of our directors, other than the chairman of our board, our external directors and our independent directors, a monthly cash retainer of $1,750. We will also reimburse them for expenses arising from their board membership. Our external directors, subject to shareholder approval of their appointment, and our independent directors, will each receive an annual cash retainer in an amount equal to an amount permitted under the Israeli regulations with respect to annual compensation of external directors.

Employment and consulting agreements with executive officers

We have entered into written employment or service agreements with each of our executive officers and with our Chairman. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Agreements with directors and officers” for additional information.

Directors’ service contracts

There are no arrangements or understandings between us and any of our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of our directors, on the other hand, providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service as directors of our company or any of our subsidiaries.

Equity incentive plan

We have adopted the 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2011 plan”), which will become effective upon this offering. Following the approval of the 2011 plan by the Israeli tax authorities, we will only grant options or other equity incentive awards under the 2011 plan. Immediately following the pricing of this offering, we intend to grant to certain of our key employees, including our executive officers, options to purchase                of our ordinary shares with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. The 2011 plan is intended to further our success by increasing the ownership interest of certain of our and our subsidiaries’ employees, directors and consultants and to enhance our and our subsidiaries’ ability to attract and retain employees, directors and consultants.

The number of ordinary shares that we may issue under the 2011 plan is 9,500 ordinary shares. The number of shares subject to the 2011 plan is also subject to adjustment if particular capital changes affect our share capital. Ordinary shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2011 plan that are subsequently forfeited or terminated for any other reason before being exercised will again be available for grant under the 2011 plan.

A share option is the right to purchase a specified number of ordinary shares in the future at a specified exercise price and subject to the other terms and conditions specified in the option award agreement and the 2011 plan. The exercise price of each option granted under the 2011 plan will be determined by our compensation committee. The exercise price of any share options granted under the 2011 plan may be paid in cash, ordinary shares already owned by the option holder or any other method that may be approved by our compensation committee, such as a cashless broker-assisted exercise that complies with law.

 

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Our compensation committee may also grant, or recommend that our board of directors grant, other forms of equity incentive awards under the 2011 plan, such as share appreciation rights, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents and other forms of equity-based compensation.

Israeli participants in the 2011 plan may be granted options subject to Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, allows employees, directors and officers, who are not controlling shareholders and are considered Israeli residents to receive favorable tax treatment for compensation in the form of shares or options. Our non-employees service providers and controlling shareholders may only be granted options under another section of the Tax Ordinance, which does not provide for similar tax benefits. Section 102 includes two alternatives for tax treatment involving the issuance of options or shares to a trustee for the benefit of the grantees and also includes an additional alternative for the issuance of options or shares directly to the grantee. The most favorable tax treatment for the grantees is under Section 102(b)(2) of the Tax Ordinance, the issuance to a trustee under the “capital gain track.” However, under this track we are not allowed to deduct an expense with respect to the issuance of the options or shares. Any stock options granted under the 2011 plan to participants in the United States will be either “incentive stock options,” which may be eligible for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or options other than incentive stock options (referred to as “nonqualified stock options”), as determined by our compensation committee and stated in the option agreement.

Our compensation committee will administer the 2011 plan. Our board of directors may, subject to any legal limitations, exercise any powers or duties of the compensation committee concerning the 2011 plan. The compensation committee will select which of our and our subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ eligible employees, directors and/or consultants shall receive options or other awards under the 2011 plan and will determine, or recommend to our board of directors, the number of ordinary shares covered by those options or other awards, the terms under which such options or other awards may be exercised (however, options generally may not be exercised later than 10 years from the grant date of an option) or may be settled or paid, and the other terms and conditions of such options and other awards under the 2011 plan. Holders of options and other equity incentive awards may not transfer those awards, unless they die or the compensation committee determines otherwise.

If we undergo a change of control, as defined in the 2011 plan, subject to any contrary law or rule, or the terms of any award agreement in effect before the change of control, (a) the compensation committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting, exercisability and payment, as applicable, of outstanding options and other awards; and (b) the compensation committee, in its discretion, may adjust outstanding awards by substituting ordinary shares or other securities of any successor or another party to the change of control transaction, or cash out outstanding options and other awards, in any such case, generally based on the consideration received by our shareholders in the transaction.

Subject to particular limitations specified in the 2011 plan and under applicable law, our board of directors may amend or terminate the 2011 plan, and the compensation committee may amend awards outstanding under the 2011 plan. The 2011 plan will continue in effect until all ordinary shares available under the 2011 plan are delivered and all restrictions on those shares have lapsed, unless the 2011 plan is terminated earlier by our board of directors. No awards may be granted under the 2011 plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the date of adoption of the plan.

 

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Grant of stock options to chief executive officer

Immediately following the pricing of this offering, we intend to grant to Yosef Shiran, our Chief Executive Officer, options to purchase ordinary shares equal to 2% of the number of our shares immediately outstanding following the pricing of this offering. The exercise price of the options will be equal to the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus.

The exercise price of the options will be adjusted to reflect the impact of any dividend distributions prior to the exercise of the option and also to reflect the impact of any stock dividend and other rights that may be granted to all of our shareholders, including rights to purchase our securities.

The options will vest in 12 equal installments, beginning March 31 2012, and subsequently at the end of each quarter for 11 quarters, provided the services agreement between us and our CEO is in effect. All unvested options will vest automatically upon a change of control (as defined in the award agreement), the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or in the event that Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s and Tene’s combined holdings in us decrease below 50% of our outstanding shares. Any additional benefits granted under options awarded to our other employees will apply to our CEO’s options as well.

Any option which is not exercised by our CEO before the lapse of 36 months following the termination of the services agreement between us and our CEO, or within seven years from the date of this offering, will expire.

 

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Principal and selling shareholders

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding ordinary shares by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene, our sole shareholders prior to this offering.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting or investment power with respect to those securities, and include shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this prospectus. Such shares are also deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding the option, but not the percentage ownership of any other person. The table assumes 106,825 ordinary shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus on an as-converted basis and                 ordinary shares outstanding upon the completion of this offering.

As of the date of this prospectus, there are no U.S. persons that are holders of record of our ordinary shares.

None of our directors, officers or director nominees is currently the beneficial owner of our ordinary shares. Immediately following the pricing of this offering, we intend to grant to our key employees, including our executive officers, options to purchase our ordinary shares with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. This amount is subject to adjustment so that it represents     % of the number of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the closing of this offering.

 

       Shares beneficially
owned prior to
offering
    

Number
of
shares

offered

   Shares beneficially
owned after offering
    

Number of
shares

offered
pursuant
to over-
allotment
option

 
Name of beneficial owner    Number      Percentage         Number    Percentage     

 

 

Principal and selling shareholders

                 

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam(1)

     74,860         70.1%               %         %   

Tene Investment Funds(2)

     31,965         29.9%               %         %   

 

 

 

(1)   Consists of 74,860 ordinary shares. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s shares are held by Mifalei Sdot-Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. The management board of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam manages the economic activities and strategy of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and makes the voting and investment decisions of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam by majority vote with regard to our shares. The management board of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam has 12 members: Maxim Ohana, Eitan Shachar, Amir Rotem, Giora Wegman, Itai Amir, Yoram Rozenblat, Marchella Shani, Reuben Cohen, Amit Ben Zvi, Neil Shochat, Amos Ben Horin and Amihai Beer. The members of the management board of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam are members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. In addition, Mr. Ohana is Chairman of our board of directors, Mr. Shachar is a director, Mr. Wegman is our Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ben-Zvi is our Safety Health Environment and Quality Manager, and each of Messrs. Ben Horin, Amir and Rozenblat is engaged by us. Each member of the management board disclaims beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares except to the extent of his or her pecuniary interest therein. The address of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is MP Menashe 37804, Israel.

 

    Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is a communal society, referred to in Hebrew as a “kibbutz” (plural “kibbutzim”) with approximately 350 members and an additional 350 residents located in Israel on the Mediterranean coast between Tel Aviv and Haifa. Established in 1940, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is a largely self-governed community of members who share certain social ideals and professional interests on a communal basis. Initially, the social idea behind the formation of the kibbutzim in Israel was to create a communal society in which all members share equally in all of the society’s resources and which provides for the needs of the community. Over the years, the structure of the kibbutzim has evolved, and today there are a number of different economic and social arrangements adopted by various kibbutzim.

 

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    Today, each member of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam continues to own an equal part of the assets of the Kibbutz. The members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam are engaged in a number of economic activities, including agriculture, industrial operations and outdoor venue operations. A number of Kibbutz members are engaged in professions outside the Kibbutz. The Kibbutz is the owner and operator of several private companies. The Kibbutz community holds in common all land, buildings and production assets of these companies.

 

    Most of the members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam work in one of the production activities of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, according to the requirements of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the career objectives of the individual concerned. Some other members work outside of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in businesses owned by other entities. Each member receives income based on the position the member holds and his or her economic contribution to the community, as well as on the size and composition of his or her family. Each member’s income depends on the income of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam from its economic activities. Each member has a personal pension fund that is funded by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, and all accommodation, educational, health and old age care services, as well as social and municipal services, are provided either by or through Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and are subsidized by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.

 

    The elected management board is the key economic decision-making body of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. The board has an Economic Coordinator and a General Secretary of the Kibbutz and other senior officers of the Kibbutz, all of whom are elected by the members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam at its Annual General Meeting for terms of four years. The chairman of the management board is the Economic Coordinator of the Kibbutz. A meeting of the members of the Kibbutz may remove a member of the management board by simple majority vote.

 

    Our board of directors operates independently from the management board of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. Maxim Ohana, our Chairman, Eitan Shachar, one of our directors and Amit Ben-Zvi, our Safety Health Environment and Quality Manager, are also members of the management board of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. As of December 31, 2011, 72 of our employees, or 8.6% of our total workforce, are also members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.

 

(2)   Consists of 25,921 ordinary shares held by Tene Investment Funds in Quartz Surfaces Slabs, L.P. and 3,400 ordinary shares and 2,644 preferred shares held by Tene Investment Funds in Quartz Surfaces Slabs B (Parallel) L.P. The preferred shares will convert into ordinary shares upon the closing of the offering on a one-for-one basis. Share amounts reflect the exercise by Tene of its option to acquire from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an additional 1,700 of our ordinary shares at a price of $1,250 per share in October 2011. The general partner of each of these entities is Tene Management Investments in Kibbutzim Ltd. The major shareholder of the general partner is Tenram—Funds Management Ltd. and its major shareholder is Tenram Ltd., which is wholly owned by Ariel Halperin. Each such person disclaims beneficial ownership of our shares except to the extent of his or her pecuniary interest therein. The address of Tene Investment Funds is 4 Berkovich Street, Tel Aviv, Israel.

 

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Certain relationships and related party transactions

Relationship and agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

Our largest shareholder, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, established our company in 1987. We are party to a series of agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam that govern different aspects of our relationship. Pursuant to certain of these agreements, in consideration for using facilities licensed to us or for services provided by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, we paid the Kibbutz an aggregate of $8.9 million in 2009, $11.9 million in 2010 and $12.6 million in 2011 as set forth in more detail below. We believe that these agreements represent terms that in the aggregate are no less favorable than those that we could obtain on an arms length basis from independent third parties. As described below, effective upon the closing of this offering, certain of our current agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will be terminated and a new set of agreements will become effective.

The Israeli Companies Law was recently amended to require that our board, audit committee and shareholders approve every three years any extraordinary transaction in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest and that has a term of more than three years unless the company’s audit committee, constituted in accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, determines, solely with respect to agreements that do not involve compensation to a controlling shareholder or his or her relatives, in connection with services rendered by any of them to the company or their employment with the company, that a longer term is reasonable under the circumstances. This requirement is new and there is uncertainty regarding its implementation. Accordingly, it may also be necessary to obtain the approval of our board and shareholders of any such determination by the audit committee. As a result, the agreements described below between us and Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, to the extent they are for a period that is greater than three years, may require reapproval in the future. See “Risk factors—Risks related to our relationship with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam—Recent changes in Israeli law may require our board, audit committee and shareholders to reapprove certain of our agreements with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene every three years, and their failure to do so may expose us to liability and cause significant disruption to our business.”

References below to VAT are to the Israeli value added tax the rate for which is currently 16%.

Land use agreement

Our principal offices and research and development facilities, as well as one of our two manufacturing facilities, are located on the grounds of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and include a building of approximately 24,263 square meters and unbuilt areas of approximately 57,823 square meters. These offices and facilities are located on lands title to which is held by the Israel Lands Administration, or the ILA, and which are leased or subleased to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam pursuant to the following agreements: (i) a 49-year lease from the ILA signed in July 1978 that commenced in 1962 and expired in 2011 for which Kibbutz Sdot-Yam has requested an extension pursuant to an option in the agreement for an additional 49 years, (ii) a lease from the ILA to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam that expired in 2009, and (iii) a long-term lease that expires in 2037 to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam by the Caesarea Development Corporation of lands, title to which is held by the ILA. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is currently negotiating a long-term lease agreement with the ILA to replace the second lease agreement referred to above. The ILA may terminate its leases with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in certain circumstances, including if Kibbutz Sdot-Yam commences proceedings to disband or liquidate or in the event that Kibbutz Sdot-Yam ceases to be a “kibbutz” as defined in the lease (i.e., a registered cooperative society classified as a kibbutz). For other termination rights of the ILA and the Caesarea Development Corporation, see “Risk factors—Risks related to our relationship with

 

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Kibbutz Sdot-Yam—Our headquarters and principal manufacturing facility are located on lands leased by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam from the Israel Lands Administration and the Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Caesarea Development Corporation Ltd. If we are unable to continue to use such lands, our results of operations and future prospects will suffer.” The ILA may, from time to time, change its regulations governing the lease agreements, and these changes could affect the terms of the land use agreement, as amended, including the provisions governing its termination. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam currently permits us to use the land and facilities pursuant to a land use agreement originally signed in January 2001. At present, the agreement automatically renews for up to five consecutive three-year terms until November 30, 2025 unless either party gives the other party two years’ prior written notice of termination. We pay a monthly fee to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam which is currently the NIS equivalent of $6.00 for each square meter of building and $1.50 for each square meter of unbuilt property plus VAT, calculated based on the dollar-NIS representative exchange rate on the date of each payment which may not be less than NIS 4.041 per $1.00.

Pursuant to this land use agreement, which will be terminated upon the closing of this offering, we paid to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an aggregate of $2.9 million in 2009 and $3.0 million in each of 2010 and 2011.

The land use agreement will be terminated upon the closing of this offering and replaced by a new land use agreement, signed on July 20, 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012. The new land use agreement has a term of 20 years commencing on the first day of the month following this offering. Under the new land use agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam has agreed to permit us to use approximately 100,000 square meters of land, consisting both of facilities and unbuilt areas, in consideration for an annual fee of NIS 12.6 million ($3.3 million) in 2012 and NIS 12.9 million ($3.4 million) in 2013 and thereafter, in each case plus VAT, and beginning in 2013, adjusted every six months based on any increase of the Israeli consumer price index compared to the index as of January 2011. The annual fee may be adjusted after January 1, 2021 or after January 1, 2018 if the Kibbutz is required to pay significantly higher lease fees to the ILA or Caesarea Development Corporation, and every three years thereafter if Kibbutz Sdot-Yam chooses to obtain an appraisal. The appraiser will be mutually agreed upon or, in the absence of agreement, will be chosen by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam out of the list of appraisers recommended at that time by Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. (“Bank Leumi”). In addition, in the land use agreement, we have waived any claims for payment of NIS 18.0 million ($4.7 million) from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam with respect to prior investments in infrastructure on Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s lands used by us under the current land use agreement. Under the new land use agreement, we may not terminate the operation of either of our two production lines at our plant in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam as long as we continue to operate production lines elsewhere in Israel, and our headquarters must remain at Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. Furthermore, we may not decrease or return to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam any part of the land underlying the new land use agreement, except upon one year’s advance written notice, subject to certain conditions. In addition, subject to limitations, we may be able to sublease lands. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will have three months to accept or reject a request for sublease, in its sole discretion, provided that if it does not respond within such three-month period, then we will be entitled to sublease such lands to a person approved in advance by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. In such event, we will continue to be liable to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam with respect to such lands.

Pursuant to the new land use agreement, subject to certain exceptions, if we need additional facilities on the land that we are permitted to use in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, subject to obtaining the permits required by law, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will build such facilities for us by using the proceeds of a loan that we will make to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which loan shall be repaid to us by off-setting

 

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the monthly additional payment that we would pay for such new facilities and, if not fully repaid during the lease term, upon termination thereof.

We have committed to fund the cost of the construction, up to a maximum of NIS 3.3 million ($0.9 million) plus VAT, required to change the access road leading to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and our facilities, such that the entrance to our facilities will be separated from the entrance into Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. In addition, we have committed to pay NIS 200,000 ($53,879) to cover the cost of paving an area of land leased from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam with such payment to be deducted in monthly installments over a four-year period beginning in 2013 from the lease payments to be made to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam under the land use agreement related to our Sdot-Yam facility.

While Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is responsible under the agreement for obtaining various licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations necessary for use of the property, we have waived any monetary recourse against Kibbutz Sdot-Yam for failure to receive such licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations.

Pursuant to an agreement dated January 4, 2012, for the settlement of reimbursement for building expenses incurred by us from January 2012, NIS 82,900 ($21,696) and NIS 43,000 ($11,254) will not be included in the land use fees until year 2020 and year 2015, respectively.

Manpower agreement

In March 2001, we entered into a manpower agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which was amended in December 2006. Pursuant to the agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam agreed to provide us with labor services staffed by Kibbutz members, candidates for Kibbutz membership and Kibbutz residents (each a “Kibbutz Appointee”). Under the agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam agreed to make available to us, at our request, workers for up to 80 permanent positions and up to 40 temporary positions. Each position is for at least 90 hours of work per month. We agreed to increase the amount paid to the Kibbutz Appointees above the agreed rate in certain circumstances in which the average salary of our other employees increases as a result of an increase in the Israeli employee salary index; however, we also agreed not to decrease the amount paid to the Kibbutz Appointees if the average salary of our other employees decreases as a result of the decrease in the number of our employees who are not Kibbutz Appointees. We are not responsible for paying any other work-related expenses (including insurance expenses) for Kibbutz Appointees other than the monthly fees.

In consideration for the manpower services provided, we pay Kibbutz Sdot-Yam fees either on an hourly basis or a flat monthly basis at our election. The monthly fee paid to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in consideration for its provision of senior management manpower services of Kibbutz Appointees increased in 2006 by NIS 1 million (approximately $0.3 million) per annum plus a payment of two percent of our annual income before taxes on income before payment of management fees.

Pursuant to the manpower agreement, we paid to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an aggregate of $3.0 million in 2009, $3.9 million in 2010 and $4.8 million in 2011. As of December 31, 2011, we employed 72 Kibbutz Appointees on a permanent basis.

The manpower agreement and its amendment from 2006 were terminated on December 31, 2010 and replaced by a new manpower agreement, signed on July 20, 2011, with a term of 10 years from January 1, 2011 that will be automatically renewed, unless one of the parties gives six months prior notice, for additional one-year periods. Under the new manpower agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam provides us with labor services staffed by Kibbutz Appointees. The

 

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consideration to be paid for each Kibbutz Appointee is based on our total cost of employment for a non-Kibbutz Appointee employee performing a similar role. Upon adjusting the costs of the current Kibbutz Appointee with a non-Kibbutz Appointee and maintaining several existing terms of engagement of Kibbutz Appointees, our total annual cost related to the engagement of Kibbutz members currently engaged by us increases by approximately NIS 0.7 million ($0.2 million). The number of Kibbutz Appointees may change in accordance with our needs. Under the new manpower agreement we will notify Kibbutz Sdot-Yam of any roles that require staffing, and if the Kibbutz offers candidates with skills similar to other candidates, we will give preference to the hiring of the relevant Kibbutz members. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is entitled under this new agreement, at its sole discretion, to discontinue the engagement of any Kibbutz Appointee of manpower services through his or her employment by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and require such appointee to become employed directly by us. Under the new manpower agreement, we will contribute monetarily to assist with the implementation of a professional reserve plan to encourage young Kibbutz members to obtain the necessary education for future employment with us. We will provide up to NIS 250,000 ($67,349) per annum for this plan linked to changes in the Israeli consumer price index plus VAT. We will also implement a policy that prioritizes the hiring of such young Kibbutz members as our employees upon their graduation. The new manpower agreement also includes Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s obligation to customary liability, insurance, indemnification and confidentiality and intellectual property provisions.

Services agreement

In December 2006, we entered into a services agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam pursuant to which the Kibbutz provides us with electricity, sewerage, maintenance, landscaping, security and other similar services. In consideration for these services, we pay the Kibbutz an aggregate annual amount of NIS 500,000 ($143,637) plus amounts based on our consumption of services. This amount is subject to change at the discretion of a committee established for that purpose under the agreement. The amount has not increased since the agreement was originally signed.

Pursuant to the services agreement, we paid to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an aggregate of $1.2 million in 2009, $1.6 million in 2010 and $1.7 million in 2011.

The current services agreement will be terminated upon the closing of this offering and be replaced by a new services agreement, signed on July 20, 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012, with a term of eight years from the closing of this offering that will be automatically renewed, unless one of the parties gives six months prior notice, for additional one-year periods. Under the new services agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam provides us, among other things, with sewage infrastructure services, water supply, meals, laundry, post delivery and other services that Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will be granted the first refusal right for their supply to us, under terms that we may obtain from third parties. The amount that we will pay to the Kibbutz will generally be determined based on the amount of services we consume. The amount we pay for services will be subject to adjustment every six months for increases in the Israeli consumer price index. The new services agreement also includes Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s obligation to customary liability, insurance and indemnification provisions.

Agreement for arranging for additional accord

Pursuant to a new agreement signed on July 20, 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012 with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to be effective immediately following the closing of this offering through October 2017, if we wish to acquire or lease any additional lands, whether on the grounds of our

 

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Bar-Lev facility, or elsewhere in Israel, for the purpose of establishing new plants or production lines: (i) Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will purchase the land and build the required facilities’ structure on such land at its own expense in accordance with our needs; (ii) we will perform any necessary building adjustments at our expense; and (iii) Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will lease the land and the facility to us under a long-term lease agreement with terms to be negotiated in accordance with then prevailing market price. In addition, under this agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam has agreed not to compete with us as long as it holds more than 10% of our shares.

Management services agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

Pursuant to a management services agreement entered into on December 25, 2006, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam provides us with management services, including, without limitation, strategic, operational and technical advisory services and directorship services, and we agreed to pay Kibbutz Sdot-Yam a management fee of NIS 1.2 million ($0.3 million) linked to the Israeli consumer price index from December 2006 plus 7.2% of our annual pre-tax net income before payment of management fees. Pursuant to the management services agreement, we paid to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an aggregate of $1.8 million in 2009, $3.4 million in 2010 and $3.1 million in 2011. On December 31, 2011, the agreement was automatically renewed for an additional three-year period. The agreement will terminate upon an initial public offering of our shares. The management services agreement will terminate immediately upon the closing of this offering.

Loan to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

Pursuant to a loan agreement dated December 25, 2006, we agreed to extend a loan to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in a principal amount of NIS 25 million ($5.2 million based on the exchange rate on December 25, 2006), linked to the consumer price index published on the date of the closing of the investment transaction with Tene. The loan amount bore interest at a rate of 5% per annum and was to be payable over a period of seven years with designated monthly payments of interest and principal. The loan amount was repaid in full prior to its maturity date by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, and the loan agreement was cancelled.

Land purchase agreement and leaseback

Pursuant to a land purchase agreement and leaseback signed on March 31, 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012 between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and us, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will acquire from us following the closing of this offering our rights in the lands and facilities of the Bar-Lev Industrial Center in consideration for approximately NIS 43.7 million ($11.4 million). Pursuant to the land purchase agreement, we are required to obtain certain third-party consents, among others, from the Israeli Tax Authorities, within 120 days following the closing of this offering (or a longer period in certain circumstances). In addition, both parties are required to cooperate to obtain the consent from the Israeli Investment Center. The land purchase agreement was executed simultaneously with the execution of a land use agreement. Pursuant to the land use agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam permits us to use the Bar-Lev Grounds for a period of ten years commencing on the date of this offering that will be automatically renewed unless we give two years prior notice, for a ten-year term in consideration for an annual fee of NIS 4.1 million ($1.1 million) to be linked to the increase of the Israeli consumer price index. The fee is subject to adjustment following January 1, 2021 and every three years thereafter at the option of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam if the Kibbutz obtains an appraisal that supports such an increase. The appraiser will be mutually agreed upon or, in the absence of agreement, will be chosen by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam from a list of assessors recommended at that time by Bank Leumi.

 

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Under the land use agreement, we may not decrease or return to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam any part of the land underlying the land use agreement; however, subject to several limitations, we may be able to sublease such lands to a person approved in advance by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. In such event, we will continue to be liable to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam with respect to such lands. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, if we need additional facilities on the land that we are permitted to use by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, subject to obtaining the permits required by law, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will build such facilities for us by using the proceeds of a loan that we will make to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which loan shall be repaid to us by off-setting the monthly additional payment that we would pay for such new facilities and, if not fully repaid during the lease term, upon termination thereof.

Agreements with Tene

Investment agreement

On July 4, 2006, pursuant to an investment agreement among Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and entities affiliated with it, Tene and us, we agreed to issue 21,740 preferred shares to Tene representing 21.74% of our outstanding capital stock on a fully diluted basis without giving effect to the exercise of the option, as described below, in consideration for an aggregate initial investment of $25.0 million. The amount of the original investment was subject to upward adjustment (by means of Tene paying additional amounts) or downward adjustment (by means of us issuing additional preferred shares to Tene) depending on our company value to be determined based on our average operating profit in 2006 and 2007 (calculated in accordance with the agreement). Pursuant to the agreement, Tene paid us $25.0 million, based on a payment schedule included in the agreement, commencing in December 2006.

We also granted Tene an option exercisable until the earlier of December 25, 2009 or a public offering of our shares, to purchase from us an additional 5% of our outstanding share capital, such that it would then own 26.74% of our outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis (assuming no additional issuance of shares by us) at the same price per share as Tene paid in connection with its original investment. As part of the Letter of Understanding of December 15, 2009 (discussed below), the parties each waived all of their claims related to the share price adjustment mechanism.

The preferred shares held by Tene are entitled to a preference on annual dividends from profits not generated from our activities as an Approved Enterprise and in the absence of such profits, from profits otherwise generated by us, in an amount, per 1,000 preferred shares, up to (i) an amount of NIS 6,901 ($1,933), linked to the annual increase in the Israeli consumer price index, plus (ii) 0.072% of our annual pre-tax net income before payment of management fees. The preferred shares will convert into ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering on a one-for-one basis.

The investment agreement contains provisions regarding non-competition by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, payment of dividends and composition of our board of directors. The investment agreement will terminate, in its entirety, upon the consummation of this offering.

Pursuant to an agreement entered into in July 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012 , Tene has agreed not to compete with us as long as it holds more than 10% of our shares.

Management services agreement with Tene

Pursuant to the investment agreement, we entered into a management services agreement with Tene on December 25, 2006, in which we agreed to pay Tene an annual management fee of NIS

 

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600,000 ($0.2 million) linked to the annual increase in the Israeli consumer price index from December 2006 (payable on a quarterly basis) plus 1.0% of our annual pre-tax net income before payment of management fees based on our annual financial reports (payable 30 days following approval of our annual financial statements for each year). These amounts bear interest at an annual interest rate of 3.5% from their due date until actual payment. Commencing on January 3, 2010, the amount of the annual management fee was increased to NIS 870,000 ($0.2 million) linked to the annual increase in the Israeli consumer price index plus 1.58% the amount of our annual pre-tax net income before payment of the management fee based on our annual financial reports (payable 30 days following approval of our annual financial statements for each year). On December 31, 2011, the management services agreement was automatically renewed for an additional three-year period. The management services agreement will terminate immediately upon the closing of this offering. We paid to Tene an aggregate of $0.4 million in 2009 and $0.9 million in each of 2010 and 2011 in management fees.

Post-IPO articles of association

Our articles of association will be amended immediately prior to the consummation of this offering to provide as follows:

 

 

our board of directors will be comprised of no less than seven and no more than 11 members, which shall be elected by a simple majority vote (other than external directors who will be appointed and removed from office according to the terms of the Companies Law) at a meeting of our shareholders once a year;

 

 

the chairman of our board shall be appointed (and dismissed or replaced, as needed) by the members of our board by a simple majority vote; and

 

 

our Chief Executive Officer will be appointed (and dismissed or replaced, as needed) by our board of directors by a simple majority vote; provided, however, that during the first year following the completion of this offering, the dismissal of our Chief Executive Officer will be conditioned upon the approval of Tene.

In addition, pursuant to a voting agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene have agreed to the following:

 

 

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will vote together for six nominees to our board of directors nominated by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, and, for so long as Tene holds more than 8.25% of our outstanding share capital, one nominee to our board of directors nominated by Tene;

 

 

the remaining four members of our board of directors will be external/independent directors in accordance with any applicable law. Tene will vote at any meeting of our shareholders for such nominees as nominated by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam for these four positions, provided they are qualified in accordance with any applicable law; and

 

 

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will vote at any meeting of our shareholders for a resolution approving monthly compensation in the amount of $1,750 plus out-of-pocket expenses for each of our directors (excluding the chairman of our board and any external or independent directors).

This voting arrangement between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will terminate if Tene’s holdings in our company decrease below 8.25%. Tene will notify Kibbutz Sdot-Yam no later than seven days following the occurrence of such an event.

 

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Registration rights agreement

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, entered into on July 21, 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012, commencing six months after the date of this offering, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will each have the right to request that we file a registration statement registering their shares, provided that the value of the shares to be registered is not less than $5.0 million, net of any underwriting discount or commission and provided further that we are not required to file more than two registration statements in any 12-month period. These parties may also request that we file a registration statement on a Form F-3, if we are eligible to use such form, provided that the net value of the shares to be registered is not less than $1.0 million and provided further that we are not required to file more than two registration statements on a Form F-3 in any 12-month period. The agreement requires a six-month waiting period between demand registrations.

Each of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene has piggyback registration rights, which provide them with the right to register their shares in the event of an offering of securities by us. To the extent that the underwriters limit the number of shares that can be included in a registration statement, we have discretion to register those shares we choose first, followed by the shares of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s and Tene’s shares are to be registered according to a ratio which assumes that Tene holds twice as many shares as it actually holds. Additionally, in the event of a demand registration, Tene shall have the right to register its shares prior to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.

These registration rights terminate upon the earlier of seven years following the date of this offering or the date that a holder of registration rights can sell its shares freely under Rule 144 without restrictions on volume.

Letter of understanding

Pursuant to a letter of understanding, dated December 15, 2009, between the general partner of Tene and an affiliate of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, Tene (i) purchased an additional 6,825 preferred shares from us for approximately $7.85 million, reflecting a price per share of $1,150 and (ii) purchased from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an additional 1,700 of our ordinary shares, for an aggregate amount of $2.38 million, reflecting a price per share of $ 1,400. In addition, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam granted to Tene an option, exercisable until October 30, 2011, to acquire from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam up to an additional 1,700 of our ordinary shares, at a price of $1,250 per share (based on an exchange ratio of NIS 3.787 per US$1 and linked to 50% of any increase in the Israeli consumer price index). In October 2010, Tene and the Kibbutz agreed that the exercise price for the options will be $1,174 per share. Tene exercised its option in October 2011.

Relationship and agreements with Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc.

In September 2010, we signed an agreement to establish a joint venture, Caesarstone Canada Inc., with our distributor in Eastern Canada, Ciot. The final closing occurred on October 15, 2010, and the commencement of Caesarstone Canada Inc.’s operations occurred in mid-October. We hold a 55% ownership interest in the joint venture with Ciot holding the remaining ownership interest. Under our joint venture arrangement, we share certain rights and benefits with Ciot, including board nomination rights. Caesarstone Canada Inc. is also obligated to distribute 30% of its profits per year as a dividend to its shareholders unless shareholder approval is obtained. In addition, we granted Ciot a put option and Ciot granted us a call option for its interest each

 

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exercisable any time between July 1, 2012 and July 1, 2023. Exercise of the put option requires six months prior notice. Exercise of the call option does not require prior notice. The different purchase prices of each option following such an exercise is to be calculated based on the corporate value of Caesarstone Canada Inc. according to a formula that includes the number of slabs sold by Caesarstone Canada Inc. and the price per slab for Caesarstone Canada Inc. In January 2011, a loan in the amount of CAD$4.0 million was made to Caesarstone Canada Inc. by its shareholders, Ciot and ourselves, on a pro rata basis.

Pursuant to the sale and purchase agreement, entered into in January 2011 with our former distributor in Western Canada, starting from May 1, 2011, Caesarstone Canada Inc. has been the exclusive distributor of our products throughout Canada. Under this agreement Caesarstone Canada Inc. purchased certain intangible assets and goodwill from the former distributor, and purchased its marketable inventory of Caesarstone products on April 30, 2011. Following May 1, 2011, all of our products have been sold in Canada through Caesarstone Canada Inc.

U.S. Quartz share purchase agreement

Pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated May 18, 2011, we acquired the remaining 75% equity interest in our U.S. distributor, Caesarstone USA, in which we acquired a 25% equity interest in January 2007. We paid an aggregate purchase price of $20.0 million for the remaining ownership interest and are obligated to make an additional payment of $6.5 million in the event we consummate an IPO prior to May 31, 2012 or $5.0 million if an IPO is not consummated prior to such date. In addition, Caesarstone USA had outstanding $5.5 million of shareholder loans to the selling shareholders which Caesarstone assumed and repaid. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, we have deposited 36,000 Caesarstone USA shares, or 20% of the shares acquired in the transaction, with an escrow agent, which will be released to us upon the additional payment to be paid by us upon the consummation of an IPO. The share purchase agreement provides that the Caesarstone USA selling shareholders will indemnify and reimburse us up to 75% for any payments awarded in litigation due to damages caused by silica dust from our products distributed or sold directly or indirectly by Caesarstone USA prior to May 18, 2011 capped at 50% of the total aggregate purchase price we paid in connection with the acquisition, or $13.25 million in the event we consummate an IPO prior to May 31, 2012. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, the selling shareholders will not compete with us for a period of four years following May 18, 2011. The chief executive officer of Caesarstone USA, also a selling shareholder in the acquisition, has agreed not to compete with us for a four-year period commencing on the date of termination of his services to Caesarstone USA. The share purchase agreement also includes other customary indemnification provisions.

Agreements with directors and officers

Employment agreements

We have entered into written employment or services agreements with each of our office holders who are not directors, with some of our directors and with our Chairman. These agreements each contain provisions regarding non-competition, confidentiality of information and assignment of inventions. The non-competition provision generally applies for a period of six months following termination of employment. The enforceability of covenants not to compete in Israel and the United States is subject to limitations. In addition, we are required to provide notice of between two and six months prior to terminating the employment of certain of our senior executive officers other than in the case of a termination for cause.

 

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Indemnification agreements

Our articles of association to be effective following this offering permit us to exculpate, indemnify and insure our office holders to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to limited exceptions. We have entered into agreements with each of our current office holders exculpating them from a breach of their duty of care to us to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to limited exceptions, and undertaking to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law, including with respect to liabilities resulting from this offering to the extent that these liabilities are not covered by insurance. See “Management—Exculpation, insurance and indemnification of office holders.”

 

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Description of share capital

Following the closing of this offering, our authorized share capital will consist of                  ordinary shares, par value NIS                 per share, of which                 will be issued and outstanding.

Our ordinary shares are not redeemable and following the closing of this offering will not have preemptive rights. The ownership or voting of ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel is not restricted in any way by our articles of association or the laws of the State of Israel, except for anti-terror legislation and except that citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel may not be recognized as owners of ordinary shares.

Upon the closing of this offering, our current articles will be replaced by new articles of association and all of our issued and outstanding preferred shares will convert into ordinary shares. The description below is a summary of the material provisions of our new articles of association and of the Companies Law.

Voting

Holders of our ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders at a shareholder meeting. Shareholders may vote at shareholder meetings either in person, by proxy or, with respect to certain resolutions, by a voting instrument.

Israeli law does not allow public companies to adopt shareholder resolutions by means of written consent in lieu of a shareholder meeting. Shareholder voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Post-IPO articles of association” for a description of the voting agreement between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene Investment Funds.

Transfer of shares

Fully paid ordinary shares are issued in registered form and may be freely transferred under our articles of association unless the transfer is restricted or prohibited by another instrument, Israeli law or the rules of a stock exchange on which the shares are traded.

Election of directors

Our ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights for the election of directors. Rather, under our articles of association our directors are elected by the holders of a simple majority of our ordinary shares at a general shareholder meeting (excluding abstentions). See “Management – Board of directors and officers.” As a result, the holders of our ordinary shares that represent more than 50% of the voting power represented at a shareholder meeting and voting thereon (excluding abstentions) have the power to elect any or all of our directors whose positions are being filled at that meeting, subject to the special approval requirements for external directors described under “Management—External directors.” See “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Post-IPO articles of association” for a description of the voting agreement between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene Investment Funds.

 

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Dividend and liquidation rights

Under Israeli law, we may declare and pay dividends only if, upon the determination of our board of directors, there is no reasonable concern that the distribution will not prevent us from being able to meet the terms of our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Under the Companies Law, the distribution amount is further limited to the greater of retained earnings or earnings generated over the two most recent years legally available for distribution. In the event that we do not have retained earnings or earnings generated over the two most recent years legally available for distribution, we may seek the approval of the court in order to distribute a dividend. The court may approve our request if it is convinced that there is no reasonable concern that the payment of a dividend will prevent us from satisfying our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due.

In the event of our liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, our assets will be distributed to the holders of ordinary shares on a pro-rata basis. Dividend and liquidation rights may be affected by the grant of preferential dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future.

Shareholder meetings

We are required to convene an annual general meeting of our shareholders once every calendar year within a period of not more than 15 months following the preceding annual general meeting. Our board of directors may convene a special general meeting of our shareholders and is required to do so at the request of two directors or one quarter of the members of our board of directors, or at the request of one or more holders of 5% or more of our share capital and 1% of our voting power, or the holder or holders of 5% or more of our voting power. All shareholder meetings require prior notice of at least 14 days and, in certain cases, 35 days. The chairman of our board of directors presides over our general meetings. However, if there is no such chairman or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within 15 minutes after the appointed time, or is unwilling to act as chairman, then the board members present at the meeting shall choose one of the board members as chairman of the meeting and if they shall not do so then the shareholders present shall choose a board member, or if no board member is present or if all the board members present decline to take the chair, they shall choose any other person present to be chairman of the meeting. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder, shareholders entitled to participate and vote at general meetings are the shareholders of record on a date to be decided by the board of directors, which may be between four and 40 days prior to the date of the meeting, depending on the type of meeting and whether written proxies are being used.

Quorum

Pursuant to our articles of association to be effective following this offering, the quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present in person, by proxy or by a voting instrument, who hold at least 25% of our voting power. A meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum generally is adjourned one week thereafter at the same time and place, or to such other day, time and place, as our board of directors may indicate in the invitation to the meeting or in the notice of the meeting to the shareholders. Pursuant to the Companies Law, at the reconvened meeting, the meeting will take place with whatever number of participants are present, unless the meeting was called pursuant to a request by our

 

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shareholders, in which case the quorum required is the number of shareholders required to call the meeting as described under “—Shareholder meetings.”

Resolutions

Under the Companies Law, unless otherwise provided in the articles of association or applicable law, all resolutions of the shareholders require a simple majority of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person, by proxy or, with respect to certain resolutions, by a voting instrument, and voting on the resolution (excluding abstentions). A resolution for the voluntary winding up of the company requires the approval by the holders of 75% of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person, by proxy and voting on the resolution (excluding abstentions).

Access to corporate records

Under the Companies Law, all shareholders generally have the right to review minutes of our general meetings, our shareholder register and register of significant shareholders (as defined in the Companies Law), our articles of association, our financial statements, other documents as provided in the Companies Law, and any document we are required by law to file publicly with the Israeli Companies Registrar or with the Israel Securities Authority. Any shareholder who specifies the purpose of its request may request to review any document in our possession that relates to: (i) any action or transaction with a related party which requires shareholder approval under the Companies Law; or (ii) the approval, by the board of directors, of an action in which an office holder has a personal interest. We may deny a request to review a document if we determine that the request was not made in good faith, that the document contains a commercial secret or a patent or that the document’s disclosure may otherwise impair our interests.

Acquisitions under Israeli law

Full tender offer

A person wishing to acquire shares of an Israeli public company and who would as a result hold over 90% of the target company’s issued and outstanding share capital is required by the Companies Law to make a tender offer to all of the company’s shareholders for the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the company.

A person wishing to acquire shares of an Israeli public company and who would as a result hold over 90% of the issued and outstanding share capital of a certain class of shares is required to make a tender offer to all of the shareholders who hold shares of the same class for the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the same class.

If the shareholders who do not respond to or accept the offer hold less than 5% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of the applicable class of the shares, and more than half of the shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the offer accept the offer, all of the shares that the acquirer offered to purchase will be transferred to the acquirer by operation of law. However, a tender offer will be accepted if the shareholders who do not accept it hold less than 2% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of the applicable class of the shares.

 

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Upon a successful completion of such a full tender offer, any shareholder that was an offeree in such tender offer, whether such shareholder accepted the tender offer or not, may, within six months from the date of acceptance of the tender offer, petition the Israeli court to determine whether the tender offer was for less than fair value and that the fair value should be paid as determined by the court. However, under certain conditions, the offeror may determine in the terms of the tender offer that an offeree who accepted the offer will not be entitled to petition the Israeli court as described above.

If the shareholders who did not respond or accept the tender offer hold at least 5% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of the applicable class, the acquirer may not acquire shares of the company that will increase its holdings to more than 90% of the company’s issued and outstanding share capital or of the applicable class from shareholders who accepted the tender offer.

The description above regarding a full tender offer shall also apply, with necessary changes, when a full tender offer is accepted and the offeror has also offered to acquire all of the company’s securities.

Special tender offer

The Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares of an Israeli public company must be made by means of a special tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a holder of at least 25% of the voting rights in the company. This rule does not apply if there is already another holder of at least 25% of the voting rights in the company.

Similarly, the Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a special tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a holder of more than 45% of the voting rights in the company, if there is no other shareholder of the company who holds more than 45% of the voting rights in the company.

These requirements do not apply if the acquisition (i) occurs in the context of a private offering, on the condition that the shareholders meeting approved the acquisition as a private offering whose purpose is to give the acquirer at least 25% of the voting rights in the company if there is no person who holds at least 25% of the voting rights in the company, or as a private offering whose purpose is to give the acquirer 45% of the voting rights in the company, if there is no person who holds 45% of the voting rights in the company; (ii) was from a shareholder holding at least 25% of the voting rights in the company and resulted in the acquirer becoming a holder of at least 25% of the voting rights in the company; or (iii) was from a holder of more than 45% of the voting rights in the company and resulted in the acquirer becoming a holder of more than 45% of the voting rights in the company.

The special tender offer may be consummated only if (i) at least 5% of the voting power attached to the company’s outstanding shares will be acquired by the offeror and (ii) the special tender offer is accepted by a majority of the votes of those offerees who gave notice of their position in respect of the offer; in counting the votes of offerees, the votes of a holder of control in the offeror, a person who has personal interest in acceptance of the special tender offer, a holder of at least 25% of the voting rights in the company, or any person acting on their or on the offeror’s behalf, including their relatives or companies under their control, are not taken into account.

 

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In the event that a special tender offer is made, a company’s board of directors is required to express its opinion on the advisability of the offer or shall abstain from expressing any opinion if it is unable to do so, provided that it gives the reasons for its abstention.

An office holder in a target company who, in his or her capacity as an office holder, performs an action the purpose of which is to cause the failure of an existing or foreseeable special tender offer or is to impair the chances of its acceptance, is liable to the potential purchaser and shareholders for damages resulting from his acts, unless such office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to believe he or she was acting for the benefit of the company. However, office holders of the target company may negotiate with the potential purchaser in order to improve the terms of the special tender offer, and may further negotiate with third parties in order to obtain a competing offer.

If a special tender offer was accepted by a majority of the shareholders who announced their stand on such offer, then shareholders who did not respond to the special offer or had objected to the special tender offer may accept the offer within four days of the last day set for the acceptance of the offer.

In the event that a special tender offer is accepted, then the purchaser or any person or entity controlling it and any corporation controlled by them shall refrain from making a subsequent tender offer for the purchase of shares of the target company and may not execute a merger with the target company for a period of one year from the date of the offer, unless the purchaser or such person or entity undertook to effect such an offer or merger in the initial special tender offer.

Merger

The Companies Law permits merger transactions if approved by each party’s board of directors and, unless certain requirements described under the Companies Law are met, a majority of each party’s shareholders, by a majority of each party’s shares that are voted on the proposed merger at a shareholders’ meeting.

The board of directors of a merging company is required pursuant to the Companies Law to discuss and determine whether in its opinion there exists a reasonable concern that as a result of a proposed merger, the surviving company will not be able to satisfy its obligations towards its creditors, taking into account the financial condition of the merging companies. If the board of directors has determined that such a concern exists, it may not approve a proposed merger. Following the approval of the board of directors of each of the merging companies, the boards of directors must jointly prepare a merger proposal for submission to the Israeli Registrar of Companies.

For purposes of the shareholder vote, unless a court rules otherwise, the merger will not be deemed approved if a majority of the shares voting at the shareholders meeting (excluding abstentions) that are held by parties other than the other party to the merger, any person who holds 25% or more of the means of control (See “Management—Audit committee—Approval of transactions with related parties” for a definition of means of control) of the other party to the merger or any one on their behalf including their relatives (See “Management—External directors—Qualifications of external directors” for a definition of relatives) or corporations controlled by any of them, vote against the merger.

 

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In addition, if the non-surviving entity of the merger has more than one class of shares, the merger must be approved by each class of shareholders.

If the transaction would have been approved but for the separate approval of each class of shares or the exclusion of the votes of certain shareholders as provided above, a court may still rule that the company has approved the merger upon the request of holders of at least 25% of the voting rights of a company, if the court holds that the merger is fair and reasonable, taking into account the appraisal of the merging companies’ value and the consideration offered to the shareholders.

Under the Companies Law, each merging company must send a copy of the proposed merger plan to its secured creditors. Unsecured creditors are entitled to receive notice of the merger, as provided by the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of the target company. The court may also give instructions in order to secure the rights of creditors.

In addition, a merger may not be completed unless at least 50 days have passed from the date that a proposal for approval of the merger was filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies and 30 days from the date that shareholder approval of both merging companies was obtained.

Anti-takeover measures

The Companies Law allows us to create and issue shares having rights different from those attached to our ordinary shares, including shares providing certain preferred or additional rights to voting, distributions or other matters and shares having preemptive rights. Following the closing of this offering, we will not have any authorized or issued shares other than ordinary shares. In the future, if we do create and issue a class of shares other than ordinary shares, such class of shares, depending on the specific rights that may be attached to them, may delay or prevent a takeover or otherwise prevent our shareholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their ordinary shares. The authorization of a new class of shares will require an amendment to our articles of association which requires the prior approval of a majority of our shares represented and voting at a general meeting. Shareholders voting at such a meeting will be subject to the restrictions under the Companies Law described in “—Voting.”

Tax law

Israeli tax law treats some acquisitions, such as stock-for-stock swaps between an Israeli company and a foreign company, less favorably than U.S. tax law. For example, Israeli tax law may subject a shareholder who exchanges ordinary shares in an Israeli company for shares in a non-Israeli corporation to immediate taxation unless such shareholder receives authorization from the Israeli Tax Authority for different tax treatment. See “Taxation and government programs—Israeli tax considerations and government programs—Taxation of our shareholders—Capital gains.”

 

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Changes in capital

Our articles of association to be effective following this offering enable us to increase or reduce our share capital. Any such changes are subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and must be approved by a resolution duly passed by our shareholders at a general or special meeting by voting on such change.

Establishment

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel on December 31, 1989. Our predecessor commenced operations in 1987. We are registered with the Israeli Registrar of Companies in Jerusalem. Our registration number is 51-143950-7. Our purpose as set forth in our articles of association is to engage in any lawful business.

Transfer agent and registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Its address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, and its telephone number is (800) 937-5449.

Listing

We have applied to have our ordinary shares approved for quotation on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CSTE.”

 

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Shares eligible for future sale

Following this offering, we will have an aggregate of                 ordinary shares outstanding. Of these shares, the                 shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless purchased by “affiliates” as that term is defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, who may sell only the volume of shares described below and whose sales would be subject to additional restrictions described below. The remaining                 shares, representing                 of our outstanding shares will be held by our existing shareholders, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene. These shares will be “restricted securities” as that phrase is defined in Rule 144. Subject to certain contractual restrictions, including the lock-up agreements described below, holders of restricted shares will be entitled to sell those shares in the public market pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or if qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144. Sales of these shares in the public market after the restrictions under the lock-up agreements lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could cause the prevailing market price to decrease or to be lower than it might be in the absence of those sales or perceptions.

Lock-up agreements

We and our executive officers, directors, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene, holding collectively 100% of our outstanding ordinary shares, have agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, not to offer, sell, agree to sell, directly or indirectly, or otherwise dispose of any ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for ordinary shares except for the ordinary shares offered in this offering without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus.

Eligibility of restricted shares for sale in the public market

The                 ordinary shares that are not being sold in this offering, but which will be outstanding at the time this offering is complete, will be eligible for sale into the public market, under the provisions of Rule 144 commencing after the expiration of the restrictions under the lock-up agreements, subject to volume restrictions discussed below under “—Rule 144.”

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months (including any period of consecutive ownership of preceding non-affiliated holders) would be entitled to sell those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144. For so long as Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene are each an affiliate of ours, neither will not be eligible to sell shares pursuant to the exemption described in this paragraph.

A person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does

 

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not exceed the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of our ordinary shares or the average weekly trading volume of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. Such sales are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. As affiliates of us, commencing after the expiration or waiver of the lock-up agreements described above, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene will each be able to sell shares that it holds pursuant to the exemption described in this paragraph.

Options

Following the completion of this offering, we intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register                 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under our share option plan. The registration statement on Form S-8 will become effective automatically upon filing.

Ordinary shares issued upon exercise of a share option and registered under the Form S-8 registration statement will, subject to vesting provisions and Rule 144 volume limitations applicable to our affiliates, be available for sale in the open market immediately after the 180-day lock-up agreements expire. See “Management—Equity incentive plan.”

Registration rights

Following the completion of this offering, our shareholders from before this offering holding up to                 ordinary shares are entitled to request that we register their ordinary shares under the Securities Act, subject to cutback for marketing reasons and certain other conditions. These shareholders are also entitled to “piggyback” registration rights, which are also subject to cutback for marketing reasons and certain other conditions. Registration of such shares under the Securities Act would result in such shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for shares purchased by affiliates, immediately upon the effectiveness of such registration. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions—Registration rights agreement.” Any sales of securities by these shareholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our ordinary shares.

 

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Taxation and government programs

The following description is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences that may arise under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction.

Israeli tax considerations and government programs

The following is a brief summary of the material Israeli tax laws applicable to us, and certain Israeli Government programs benefiting us. This section also contains a discussion of material Israeli tax consequences concerning the ownership of and disposition of our ordinary shares purchased by initial purchasers in this offering. This summary does not discuss all aspects of Israeli tax law that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of his or her personal investment circumstances or to some types of investors, such as traders in securities, who are subject to special treatment under Israeli law. Because some parts of this discussion are based on new tax legislation that has not yet been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, we cannot assure you that the Israeli governmental and tax authorities or the Israeli courts will accept the views expressed below. The discussion below is subject to amendment under Israeli law or changes to the applicable judicial or administrative interpretations of Israeli law, which could affect the tax consequences described below.

The discussion below does not cover all possible tax considerations. Potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares, including in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.

General corporate tax structure in Israel

Israeli companies were generally subject to corporate tax at the rate of 24% in 2011 (25% in 2010). Prior to the enactment of the Law for Changing the Tax Burden in Israel (the “Tax Change Law”), Israeli corporate tax rates were scheduled to be reduced to 23% in 2012 and ultimately to 18% by 2016. This scheduled gradual reduction in corporate tax rates was repealed. Instead, the Tax Change Law provides that the corporate tax rate will be increased to 25% in 2012 and thereafter. However, the effective corporate tax rate payable by a company that derives income from an Approved Enterprise, a Beneficiary Enterprise or a Preferred Enterprise (as discussed below) may be considerably less. Capital gains generated by an Israeli company are generally subject to tax at the corporate tax rate.

Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969

The Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969, generally referred to as the “Encouragement of Industry Law,” provides several tax benefits for “Industrial Companies.” Pursuant to the Encouragement of Industry Law, a company qualifies as an Industrial Company if it is a resident of Israel and at least 90% of its gross income in any tax year (exclusive of income from certain defense loans) is generated from an “Industrial Enterprise” that it owns. An Industrial Enterprise is defined as an enterprise whose principal activity, in a given tax year, is industrial manufacturing.

 

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An Industrial Company is entitled to certain tax benefits, including: (i) a deduction of the cost of purchases of patents, know-how and certain other intangible property rights (other than goodwill) used for the development or promotion of the Industrial Enterprise over a period of eight years, beginning from the year in which such rights were first used, (ii) the right to elect to file consolidated tax returns, under certain conditions, with additional Israeli Industrial Companies controlled by it, and (iii) the right to deduct expenses related to public offerings in equal amounts over a period of three years beginning from the year of the offering.

Eligibility for benefits under the Encouragement of Industry Law is not contingent upon the approval of any governmental authority.

There is no assurance that we qualify or will continue to qualify as an Industrial Company or that the benefits described above will be available in the future.

Special provisions relating to taxation under inflationary conditions

The Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments), 5745-1985, generally referred to as the “Inflationary Adjustments Law,” was designed to deal with taxation issues caused by rapid inflation. Under the Inflationary Adjustments Law, taxable results of Israeli companies up to and including the year 2007 were measured on a real basis, taking into account the rate of change in the Israeli Consumer Price Index. The Inflationary Adjustments Law was repealed as of January 1, 2008, subject to certain transitional provisions.

Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959

The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, generally referred to as the “Investment Law,” provides that a capital investment in eligible facilities may, upon application to the Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor of the State of Israel (the “Investment Center”), be designated as an “Approved Enterprise.” Each certificate of approval for an Approved Enterprise relates to a specific investment program delineated both by its financial scope, including its sources of capital, and by its physical characteristics, e.g., the equipment to be purchased and utilized pursuant to the program. The tax benefits generated from any such certificate of approval relate only to taxable income attributable to the specific Approved Enterprise.

A company owning an Approved Enterprise is eligible for a combination of grants and tax benefits (the “Grant Track”). The tax benefits under the Grant Track include accelerated depreciation and amortization for tax purposes as well as the taxation of income generated from an Approved Enterprise at the maximum corporate tax rate of 25%, for a certain period of time. The benefit period is ordinarily seven years commencing with the year in which the Approved Enterprise first generates taxable income. The benefit period is limited to twelve years from the earlier of the operational year as determined by the Investment Center or 14 years from the date of approval of the Approved Enterprise.

 

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A company which qualifies as a foreign investment company (a “FIC”) will be eligible for a three-year extension of tax benefits following the expiration of the seven-year period referenced above. In addition, in the event that foreign ownership holdings in an Approved Enterprise reaches 49% or higher, the corporate tax rate applicable to income earned from the Approved Enterprise is reduced as follows:

 

% of foreign ownership    Tax rate  

 

 

49% or more but less than 74%

     20%   

74% or more but less than 90%

     15%   

90% or more

     10%   

 

 

A company qualifies as a FIC if (i) it has received at least NIS 5 million as investment in share capital from a foreign resident who is consequently entitled to at least 25% of company rights (consisting of profit sharing rights, voting rights and the right to appoint directors) or in loans (for a minimum period of three years) or (ii) if a foreign resident has purchased the company’s shares from an existing shareholder, consequently entitling the foreign shareholder to at least 25% of such rights in the company provided that the company’s outstanding and paid-up share capital exceeds NIS 5 million.

A company owning an Approved Enterprise that was approved on or after April 1, 1986 through December 31, 2004 had the option to elect to forego its entitlement to grants and tax benefits under the Grant Track and apply for an alternative package of tax benefits for a benefit period of between seven and ten years (the “Alternative Track”). The benefit period is limited to the earlier of 12 years from the operational year or 14 years from the date of approval. These benefits provide that undistributed income from the Approved Enterprise is generally fully exempt from corporate tax for a defined period ranging generally between two and ten years from the first year of taxable income, depending principally upon the location of the enterprise within Israel and the type of the Approved Enterprise. Upon expiration of such tax exempt benefit period, the Approved Enterprise is subject to tax at the rate of 25% (or a lower rate in the case of a FIC), for the remainder of the applicable benefit period. However, a company that pays a dividend out of income generated from the Approved Enterprise(s) during the tax exemption period will be subject to the deferred corporate tax with respect to the amount distributed (grossed up with the effective corporate tax rate which would have applied if the company had not enjoyed the exemption) at the reduced tax rate ranging between 10% and 25% depending on the percentage of foreign ownership in the company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, an amendment to the Investment Law, effective as of April 1, 2005, changed certain criteria of the Investment Law (“Amendment No. 60”). An eligible investment program under Amendment No. 60 qualifies for benefits as a “Beneficiary Enterprise” (rather than as an Approved Enterprise which status is still applicable for investment programs approved prior to December 31, 2004 and/or investment programs under the Grant Track). According to the Amendment, only investment programs eligible for grants under the Grant Track require the prior approval of the Investment Center.

Amendment No. 60 also specifies the criteria necessary for investments to qualify as a Beneficiary Enterprise. In order to receive tax benefits as a Beneficiary Enterprise, the Amendment states that, among other requirements, a company must meet certain conditions including the making of a minimum investment in the Beneficiary Enterprise within a specified amount of time. The

 

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tax benefits granted to a Beneficiary Enterprise are determined, depending on the location of the Beneficiary Enterprise within Israel, among other factors , according to one of the following tracks:

 

1.   Similar to the Alternative Track, an exemption from corporate tax may be available on undistributed income for a period of two to ten years, depending on the location of the Beneficiary Enterprise within Israel, as well as a reduced corporate tax rate of 10% to 25% for the remainder of the benefit period, depending on the level of foreign investment in each year (the “Tax Benefits Track”). Benefits are generally granted for a term of seven to ten years, depending on the location of the enterprise within Israel and the level of foreign investment in the company. However, a company that pays a dividend out of income generated from the Beneficiary Enterprise during the tax exemption period is subject to the deferred corporate tax with respect to the amount distributed (grossed up with the effective corporate tax rate which would have applied if the company had not enjoyed the exemption) at a reduced tax rate between 10% and 25%, depending on the level of foreign investment. The company is required to a withholding tax on such distribution at a rate of 15%; or

 

2.   A special track which enables companies owning facilities in certain locations within Israel to pay corporate tax at the flat rate of 11.5% on the income of the Beneficiary Enterprise (the “Ireland Track”). The benefit period is for ten years. Upon payment of a dividend, the company will not be required to pay an additional corporate tax, but will be subject to a withholding tax on such dividend at a rate of 15% for Israeli residents and at a rate of 4% for foreign residents.

Generally, a company that is “Abundant in Foreign Investment” (i.e., a company which is classified as an Industrial Company having foreign ownership of at least 74% and which has undertaken to invest a minimum sum of $20 million in the Approved/Beneficiary Enterprise), may be entitled to an eight-year extension of the Approved/ Beneficiary Enterprise benefit period, depending, among other factors, on the level of its income generated in foreign currency.

Some of our facilities had been granted “Approved Enterprise” status by the Investment Center, which entitled us to investment grants and tax benefits for certain of our investment programs. Until the end of the tax year 2010, we were eligible for tax benefits under three different programs. One of the programs provided us with certain tax benefits for a period of seven consecutive years. The second program provided us with an investment grant of 24% of our approved investments, in addition to certain tax benefits, for a period of seven consecutive years. In addition, some of our facilities had the status of a Beneficiary Enterprise which made us eligible for tax benefits for a period of up to ten years. Our elective year in this program is the year 2008.

In December 2010, the Israeli parliament, or the Knesset, approved the Economic Policy Law for the years 2011 and 2012 (Legislation Amendments)-2011 that determines, among others things, amendments to the Investment Law (“Amendment No. 68”). Amendment No. 68 is effective as of January 1, 2011 and changes the benefit alternatives under the Investment Law.

Eligible companies under Amendment No. 68 can receive benefits as a “Preferred Enterprise.” In order to receive benefits as a Preferred Enterprise, Amendment No. 68 states, among other requirements, that a company must meet certain conditions including owning an industrial enterprise that has over 25% of its annual income derived from export. The benefits granted to a Preferred Enterprise are determined depending on the location of the Preferred Enterprise within Israel.

 

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Qualified enterprises located in specific locations within Israel are eligible for grants and/or loans simultaneously with tax benefits. Grants and/or loans are approved by the Israeli Investment Center.

Amendment No. 68 imposes a reduced flat corporate tax rate which is not program-dependent and applies to the industrial enterprise’s entire preferred income. The reduced flat corporate tax rates for qualified industrial enterprises have been gradually reduced over a period of five years, as follows:

 

1.   In 2011-2012, the reduced tax rate will be 10% or 15% depending on the Preferred Enterprise’s location in Israel.

 

2.   In 2013-2014, the reduced tax rate will be 7% or 12.5% depending on the Preferred Enterprise’s location in Israel.

 

3.   In 2015 and onwards, the reduced tax rate will be 6% or 12% depending on the Preferred Enterprise’s location in Israel.

The tax benefits under Amendment No. 68 also include accelerated depreciation and amortization for tax purposes.

A company that pays a dividend out of income generated from the Preferred Enterprise is required to withhold tax on such distribution at a rate of 15% (or a reduced rate under an applicable double tax treaty). Upon a distribution of a dividend to an Israeli company, no withholding tax is remitted.

Generally, a company that owns a “Unique Preferred Enterprise” is entitled to a reduced tax rate of 5% or 8%, depending on the Unique Preferred Enterprise location in Israel. The classification as a Unique Preferred Enterprise will be based on a business plan that demonstrates, among other factors, the enterprise’s material contribution to Israel’s economy and promotion of national market targets. In addition, compliance with certain threshold prerequisites is required.

We announced the election of the provisions of Amendment No. 68 on April 11, 2011, and are therefore entitled to tax benefits under Amendment No. 68 for fiscal year 2011. Once announced, the election of the provisions of Amendment No. 68 cannot be rescinded and all previous Beneficiary and Approved Enterprises are cancelled. Since we announced the election prior to July 30, 2015, we will be entitled to distribute income generated by the Approved/Beneficiary Enterprise to our Israeli corporate shareholders tax free.

We have examined the effect of the implementation of Amendment No. 68 on our financial statements, and starting from the 2011 tax year, we have chosen to be taxed under Amendment No. 68. Due to our implementation of Amendment No. 68, our “old programs” that were effective under the Grants Track (Approved Enterprise) and the Tax Benefits Track (Beneficiary Enterprise) expired at the end of the 2010 tax year.

Under Amendment No. 68 and from January, 1, 2011, some of our facilities have “Preferred Enterprise” status, which entitles us to tax benefits at a flat reduced corporate tax rate (15% or 10%) that will apply to the industrial enterprise’s entire preferred income and in a period of five years, be reduced up to 12% (for the portion related to the Kibbutz Sdot-Yam facility) and 6% (for the portion related to the Bar-Lev facility). In addition, the Bar-Lev facility is eligible to receive grant of up to 24% on capital investments, subject to the approval of the Investment Center.

 

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There can be no assurance that we will comply with the conditions required to remain eligible for benefits under the Investment Law in the future or that we will be entitled to any additional benefits thereunder. The benefits available to Beneficiary, Approved and Preferred Enterprises are conditioned upon terms stipulated in the Investment Law and regulations, in the case of the “Grants Track” (under the Investment Law before and after Amendment No. 68), also to the criteria set forth in the applicable certificate of approval. If we do not fulfill these conditions in whole or in part, the benefits can be canceled and we may be required to refund the amount of the benefits, linked to the Israeli consumer price index, with interest.

The Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development Law, 5744-1984

The Israeli law under which the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the State of Israel (the “OCS”) grants are made limits our ability to manufacture products, or transfer technologies developed using these grants outside of Israel. If we were to seek approval to manufacture products, or to transfer technologies developed using these grants outside of Israel, we could be subject to additional royalty requirements or be required to pay certain redemption fees. If we were to violate these restrictions, we could be required to refund any grants previously received, together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges. Due to various OCS publications, we believe that our development project operated under the OCS funding will be exempted from any royalty payment obligation. During 2009, 2010 and 2011, we recognized OCS funding of $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Taxation of our shareholders

Capital gains

Capital gains tax is imposed on the disposal of capital assets by an Israeli resident and on the disposal of such assets by a non-Israeli resident if those assets are either (i) located in Israel; (ii) shares or rights to shares in an Israeli resident company, or (iii) represent, directly or indirectly, rights to assets located in Israel. The Israeli Income Tax Ordinance distinguishes between “Real Capital Gain” and “Inflationary Surplus.” The Real Capital Gain on the disposition of a capital asset is the amount of total capital gain in excess of Inflationary Surplus. Inflationary Surplus is computed, generally, on the basis of the increase in the Israeli Consumer Price Index between the date of purchase and the date of disposal of the capital asset.

Real Capital Gain generated by a company is generally subject to tax at the corporate tax rate (24% in 2011 and 25% in 2012). As of January 1,2012, the Real Capital Gain accrued by individuals on the sale of our securities is taxed at the rate of 25%. However, if the individual shareholder is a “Controlling Shareholder” (i.e., a person who holds, directly or indirectly, alone or together with another, 10% or more of one of the Israeli resident company’s “means of control” (including, among other rights, the right to company profits, voting rights, the right to the company’s liquidation proceeds and the right to appoint a company director) at the time of sale or at any time during the preceding 12 month period, such gain will be taxed at the rate of 30%.

Individual and corporate shareholders dealing in securities in Israel are taxed at the tax rates applicable to business income (a tax rate of 24% for a corporation in 2011 and 25% in 2012 and a marginal tax rate of up to 45% for an individual in 2011 and 48% in 2012). Notwithstanding the foregoing, capital gains generated from the sale of securities by a non-Israeli shareholder may be exempt under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance from Israeli taxes provided that all the following

 

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conditions are met: (i) the securities were purchased upon or after the registration of the securities on a stock exchange (this requirement generally does not apply to shares purchased on or after January 1, 2009), (ii) the seller of the securities does not have a permanent establishment in Israel to which the generated capital gain is attributed and (iii) if the seller is a corporation, less than 25% of its means of control are held, directly and indirectly, by Israeli resident shareholders. In addition, the sale of the securities may be exempt from Israeli capital gain tax under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty. For example, the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Israel with respect to Taxes on Income (the “Israel-U.S.A. Double Tax Treaty”) exempts U.S. residents from Israeli capital gains tax in connection with such sale, provided that (i) the U.S. resident owned, directly or indirectly, less than 10% of the Israeli resident company’s voting power at any time within the 12-month period preceding such sale; (ii) the seller, if an individual, has been present in Israel for less than 183 days (in the aggregate) during the taxable year; and (iii) the capital gain from the sale was not generated through a permanent establishment of the U.S. resident in Israel.

The purchaser of the securities, the stockbrokers who effected the transaction or the financial institution holding the traded securities through which payment to the seller is made are obligated, subject to the above-referenced exemptions, to withhold tax on the Real Capital Gains resulting from a sale of securities at the rate of 25% for a corporation and/or an individual (the withholding tax rate applicable to an individual was 20% in 2011).

A detailed return, including a computation of the tax due, must be filed and an advance payment must be paid on January 31 and June 30 of each tax year for sales of securities traded on a stock exchange made within the previous six months. However, if all tax due was withheld at the source according to applicable provisions of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the return does not need to be filed and an advance payment does not need to be made. Capital gains are also reportable on an annual income tax return.

Dividends

A distribution of a dividend from income attributed to an Approved Enterprise/Beneficiary Enterprise (either to an individual or a corporation) will be subject to tax in Israel at the rate of 15% (4% for a foreign investor under the Ireland Track), subject to a reduced rate under the provisions of any applicable double tax treaty. A distribution of a dividend from income attributed to a Preferred Enterprise to an Israeli corporation will be tax exempt in Israel. Only a distribution of a dividend to an individual or a foreign company will be subject to tax in Israel at a rate of 15% or in accordance with the relevant tax treaty. In addition, subject to certain conditions, Preferred Enterprises can distribute dividends derived from accumulated historic profits attributed to Approved/Beneficiary Enterprises free of tax. A distribution of a dividend from income that is not attributed to an Approved Enterprise/Beneficiary Enterprise/Preferred Enterprise to an Israeli resident individual will generally be subject to income tax at a rate of 25%. However, a 30% tax rate will apply if the dividend recipient is a “Controlling Shareholder” at the time of distribution or at any time during the preceding 12-month period. If the recipient of the dividend is an Israeli resident company, such dividend will be exempt from income tax provided the income from which such dividend is distributed was generated or accrued in Israel.

As of January 1, 2012, the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance provides that a non-Israeli resident (either an individual or a corporation) is generally subject to an Israeli income tax on the receipt of dividends at the rate of 25%(30% if the dividend recipient is a Controlling Shareholder at the

 

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time of distribution or at any time during the preceding 12-month period). Such rates may be reduced by the application of the provisions of applicable double tax treaties. Thus, under the Israel-U.S.A. Double Tax Treaty the following rates will apply to dividends distributed by an Israeli resident company to a U.S. resident: (i) if (A) the U.S. resident is a corporation which held during the portion of the taxable year preceding the date of payment of the dividend and during the whole of its prior taxable year (if any), at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the voting stock of the Israeli resident paying company and (B) not more than 25% of the gross income of the Israeli resident paying company for such prior taxable year (if any) consists of certain type of interest or dividends then the tax rate is 12.5%, (ii) if both the conditions mentioned in section (i) above are met and the dividend is paid from the income of an Israeli resident company which was entitled to a reduced tax rate applicable to an Approved Enterprise/Beneficiary Enterprise/Preferred Enterprise then the tax rate is 15%, and (iii) in all other cases, the tax rate is 25%. The aforementioned rates will not apply if the dividend income was generated through a permanent establishment of the U.S. resident in Israel.

Our company is obligated to withhold tax, upon the distribution of a dividend attributed to an Approved Enterprise’s/Beneficiary Enterprise’s/Preferred Enterprise’s income from the amount distributed at the following rates: (i) Israeli resident corporations – 0%, (ii) Israeli resident individuals – 15% and (iii) non-Israeli residents – 15% (4% under the Ireland Track), subject to a reduced tax rate under the provisions of an applicable double tax treaty. If the dividend is distributed from income not attributed to the Approved Enterprise/Beneficiary Enterprise/Preferred Enterprise, the following withholding tax rates will apply: (a) for securities registered and held by a clearing corporation: (i) Israeli resident corporations – 0%, (ii) Israeli resident individuals – 25% and (iii) non-Israeli residents – 25%, subject to a reduced tax rate under the provisions of an applicable double tax treaty; (b) in all other cases: (i) Israeli resident corporations – 0%, (ii) Israeli resident individuals – 25%/30% (the 30% tax rate shall apply if the dividend recipient is a “controlling shareholder” (as defined above) at the time of the distribution or at any time during the preceding 12 month period)), and (iii) non-Israeli residents – 25%/30% as referred to above with respect to Israeli resident individuals, subject to a reduced tax rate under the provisions of an applicable double tax treaty.

Estate and gift tax

Israeli law presently does not impose estate or gift taxes.

United States federal income taxation

The following is a description of the material United States federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. This description addresses only the United States federal income tax consequences to holders that are initial purchasers of our ordinary shares pursuant to the offering and that will hold such ordinary shares as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes. This description does not address tax considerations applicable to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:

 

 

banks, financial institutions or insurance companies;

 

 

real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or grantor trusts;

 

 

dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies;

 

 

tax-exempt entities;

 

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certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

 

persons that received our shares as compensation for the performance of services;

 

 

persons that will hold our shares as part of a “hedging,” “integrated” or “conversion” transaction or as a position in a “straddle” for United States federal income tax purposes;

 

 

partnerships (including entities classified as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes) or other pass-through entities, or holders that will hold our shares through such an entity;

 

 

S-corporations;

 

 

holders that acquire ordinary shares as a result of holding or owning our preferred shares;

 

 

U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. Dollar; or

 

 

holders that own directly, indirectly or through attribution 10.0% or more of the voting power or value of our shares.

Moreover, this description does not address the United States federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax consequences, or any state, local or foreign tax consequences, of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.

This description is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing, proposed and temporary United States Treasury Regulations and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, in each case as in effect and available on the date hereof. All of the foregoing are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below. There can be no assurances that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares or that such a position could not be sustained.

For purposes of this description, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is:

 

 

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

 

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, including the District of Columbia;

 

 

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

 

a trust if such trust has validly elected to be treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes or if (1) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and (2) one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of such trust.

 

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If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax advisor as to its tax consequences.

You should consult your tax advisor with respect to the United States federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our ordinary shares.

Distributions

Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” if you are a U.S. Holder, the gross amount of any distribution made to you with respect to our ordinary shares before reduction for any Israeli taxes withheld therefrom, other than pro rata distributions of our ordinary shares to all our shareholders, generally will be includible in your income as dividend income to the extent such distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” non-corporate U.S. Holders may qualify for the lower rates of taxation with respect to dividends on ordinary shares applicable to long-term capital gains (i.e., gains from the sale of capital assets held for more than one year) with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012, provided that certain conditions are met, including certain holding period requirements and the absence of certain risk reduction transactions. However, such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to corporate U.S. Holders. Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” to the extent that the amount of any distribution by us exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your adjusted tax basis in our ordinary shares and thereafter as capital gain. We do not expect to maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles and, therefore, U.S. Holders should expect that the entire amount of any distribution generally will be reported as dividend income.

Dividends paid to U.S. Holders with respect to our ordinary shares will be treated as foreign source income, which may be relevant in calculating your foreign tax credit limitation. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Israeli tax withheld on dividends may be deducted from your taxable income or credited against your United States federal income tax liability. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends that we distribute generally should constitute “passive category income,” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, “general category income.” A foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed on distributions may be denied if you do not satisfy certain minimum holding period requirements. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent you will be entitled to this credit.

Sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares

Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” U.S. Holders generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares equal to the difference between the amount realized on such sale, exchange or other disposition and such holder’s adjusted tax basis in our ordinary shares, and such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. The adjusted tax basis in an ordinary share generally will be equal to

 

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the cost of such ordinary share. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares is generally eligible for a preferential rate of taxation applicable to capital gains, if your holding period for such ordinary shares exceeds one year (i.e., such gain is long-term capital gain). The deductibility of capital losses for United States federal income tax purposes is subject to limitations under the Code. Any such gain or loss that a U.S. Holder recognizes generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.

Passive foreign investment company considerations

If we were to be classified as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, in any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to special rules generally intended to reduce or eliminate any benefits from the deferral of United States federal income tax that a U.S. Holder could derive from investing in a non-U.S. company that does not distribute all of its earnings on a current basis.

A non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either

 

 

at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income”; or

 

 

at least 50% of the average value of its gross assets is attributable to assets that produce “passive income” or are held for the production of passive income.

Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, gains from commodities and securities transactions, the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income, and includes amounts derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds raised in offerings of our ordinary shares. If a non-U.S. corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the non-U.S. corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income. If we are classified as a PFIC in any year with respect to which a U.S. Holder owns our ordinary shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. Holder in all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder owns our ordinary shares, regardless of whether we continue to meet the tests described above.

Based on our most current estimates of our gross income and gross assets, our intended use of the proceeds of this offering, and the nature of our business, we do not believe we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2011 and do not expect that we will be classified as a PFIC for the taxable year ending December 31, 2012. However, because PFIC status is based on our income, assets and activities for the entire taxable year, it is not possible to determine whether we will be characterized as a PFIC for the 2012 taxable year until after the close of the year. Moreover, we must determine our PFIC status annually based on tests which are factual in nature, and our status in future years will depend on our income, assets and activities in those years. There can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. If we were a PFIC then unless you make one of the elections described below, a special tax regime will apply to both (a) any “excess distribution” by us to you (generally, your ratable portion of distributions in any year which are greater than 125% of the average annual distribution received by you in the shorter of the three preceding years or your holding period for our ordinary shares) and (b) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares.

 

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Under this regime, any excess distribution and realized gain will be treated as ordinary income and will be subject to tax as if (a) the excess distribution or gain had been realized ratably over your holding period, (b) the amount deemed realized in each year had been subject to tax in each year of that holding period at the highest marginal rate for such year (other than income allocated to the current period or any taxable period before we became a PFIC, which will be subject to tax at the U.S. Holder’s regular ordinary income rate for the current year and will not be subject to the interest charge discussed below), and (c) the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax had been imposed on the taxes deemed to have been payable in those years. In addition, dividend distributions made to you will not qualify for the lower rates of taxation applicable to long-term capital gains discussed above under “Distributions.” Certain elections may be available that would result in an alternative treatment (such as mark-to-market treatment) of our ordinary shares. We do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections if we are classified as a PFIC. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors to determine whether any of these elections would be available and if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatments would be in their particular circumstances.

If we are determined to be a PFIC, the general tax treatment for U.S. Holders described in this paragraph would apply to indirect distributions and gains deemed to be realized by U.S. Holders in respect of any of our subsidiaries that also may be determined to be PFICs.

If a U.S. Holder owns ordinary shares during any year in which we are classified as a PFIC and the U.S. Holder recognizes gain on a disposition of our ordinary shares or receives distributions with respect to our ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder generally will be required to file an IRS Form 8621 with respect to the company, generally with the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax return for that year. Additionally, recently enacted legislation creates an additional annual filing requirement for U.S. persons who are shareholders of a PFIC. The legislation does not describe what information will be required to be included in the additional annual filing, but rather grants the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury authority to decide what information must be included in such annual filing. If our company were a PFIC for a given taxable year, then you should consult your tax advisor concerning your annual filing requirements.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding whether we are a PFIC and the potential application of the PFIC rules.

Backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements

United States backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements may apply to certain payments to certain holders of stock. Information reporting generally will apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale or redemption of, our ordinary shares made within the United States, or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, to a holder of our ordinary shares, other than an exempt recipient (including a payee that is not a United States person that provides an appropriate certification and certain other persons). A payor will be required to withhold backup withholding tax from any payments of dividends on, or the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, ordinary shares within the United States, or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, to a holder, other than an exempt recipient, if such holder fails to furnish its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish an exemption from, such backup withholding tax requirements. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against the beneficial owner’s United States federal income tax liability, if any, and any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules

 

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may be refunded, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Recent legislation

Recently enacted legislation requires certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of shares of common stock for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.

Foreign asset reporting

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals are required to report information relating to an interest in our ordinary shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for shares held in accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding their information reporting obligations, if any, with respect to their ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.

The above description is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of your particular situation.

 

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Underwriting

We and the selling shareholders are offering the ordinary shares described in this prospectus through a number of underwriters. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering. We and the selling shareholders have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we and the selling shareholders have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of ordinary shares listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Name   

Number of

ordinary
shares

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Barclays Capital Inc.

  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

  

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

  
  

 

Total

  

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the ordinary shares offered by us and the selling shareholders if they purchase any shares. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The underwriters propose to offer the ordinary shares directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $         per ordinary share. Any such dealers may resell shares to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $         per ordinary share from the initial public offering price. After the initial public offering of the shares, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the underwriters. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. Sales of shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. The representatives have advised us and the selling shareholders that they do not intend to confirm discretionary sales in excess of 5% of the ordinary shares offered in this offering.

The underwriters have an option to buy up to                  additional ordinary shares from the selling shareholders to cover sales of shares by the underwriters which exceed the number of shares specified in the table above. The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this over-allotment option. If any ordinary shares are purchased with this over-allotment option, the underwriters will purchase ordinary shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional ordinary shares are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.

 

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The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per ordinary share less the amount paid by the underwriters to us and the selling shareholders per ordinary share. The underwriting fee is $         per share. The following table shows the per ordinary share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

       Without over-allotment
exercise
     With full over-allotment
exercise
 

 

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us (per ordinary share)

   $                    $                

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us (total)

   $         $     

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by selling shareholders (per ordinary share)

   $         $     

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by selling shareholders (total)

   $         $     

 

 

Our total estimated expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $            .

The total estimated expenses of the selling shareholders of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $            .

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may allocate a number of ordinary shares for sale to their and any selling group member’s online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

We have agreed that we will not (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 or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any of our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of our ordinary shares, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of any ordinary shares or any such other securities (whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by the delivery of ordinary shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), in each case without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, other than the ordinary shares to be sold in this offering and any ordinary shares issued upon the exercise of options granted under our existing equity incentive plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions described above will 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.

 

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Our directors, executive officers, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and Tene, holding collectively 100% of our outstanding ordinary shares, have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each of these persons or entities, with limited exceptions, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, may not, without the prior written consent of the representatives, (1) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, 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, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares (including, without limitation, ordinary shares or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such persons or entities in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clauses (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any of our ordinary shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions described above will 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.

We and the selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

We have applied to have our ordinary shares approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CSTE.”

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling ordinary shares in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of our ordinary shares, which involves the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of ordinary shares than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing ordinary shares on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ over-allotment option referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their over-allotment option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ordinary shares in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase ordinary shares in this offering. To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position. The underwriters may also impose

 

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a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the ordinary shares.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our ordinary shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares, and, as a result, the price of our ordinary shares may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriters commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations among us, the selling shareholders and the representatives. In determining the initial public offering price, we, the selling shareholders and the representatives expect to consider a number of factors including:

 

 

the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representatives;

 

 

our prospects and the history and prospects of the industry in which we compete;

 

 

an assessment of our management;

 

 

our prospects for future earnings;

 

 

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;

 

 

the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies; and

 

 

other factors deemed relevant by the representatives, the selling shareholders and us.

Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our ordinary shares, or that the shares will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial

 

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Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), from and including the date on which the European Union Prospectus Directive (the “EU Prospectus Directive”) is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) an offer of securities described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the ordinary shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the EU Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of ordinary shares to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

 

to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

 

to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than 43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than 50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

 

to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the EU Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the book-running manager for any such offer; or

 

 

in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in relation to any securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the EU Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression EU Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

The ordinary shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ordinary shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in

 

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Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ordinary shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the ordinary shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the ordinary shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person (pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA. Where the ordinary shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor, or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA), shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ordinary shares under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

The ordinary shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan and no offer or sale of the ordinary shares is or will be made, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services to us and those affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their

 

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respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and/or instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

In connection with this offering, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”), one of the co-managers for this offering, has entered into a referral agreement with Neta 10 Holdings Ltd. (“Neta 10”), an Israeli company, pursuant to which Stifel agreed to pay to Neta 10 a referral fee equal to the amount of any underwriting discount or commission in excess of $0.8 million received by Stifel in connection with this offering up to a maximum of $0.1 million.

 

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Legal matters

The validity of the ordinary shares being offered by this prospectus and other legal matters concerning this offering relating to Israeli law will be passed upon for us by Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co., Tel-Aviv, Israel. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering relating to United States law will be passed upon for us by White & Case LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering relating to Israeli law will be passed upon for the underwriters by Fischer Behar Chen Well Orion & Co., Tel-Aviv, Israel. Eitan Mehulal & Sadot is also representing the underwriters in connection with this offering on matters relating to Israeli law. Certain legal matters concerning this offering relating to United States law will be passed upon for the underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York.

Experts

The consolidated financial statements of Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, appearing in this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part have been audited by Kost, Forer, Gabbay and Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein, which as to the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 are based in part on the report of Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd, an independent registered public accounting firm. The financial statements referred to above are included in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.

Freedonia Custom Research, Inc. is a source for third-party industry data and forecasts references in this prospectus. The Freedonia Report, dated June 29, 2011, which we commissioned for this offering, represents data, research opinion or viewpoints developed on our behalf and have been included herein.

 

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Enforceability of civil liabilities

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel. Service of process upon us and upon our directors and officers and the Israeli experts named in this prospectus, substantially all of whom reside outside the United States, may be difficult to obtain within the United States. Furthermore, because substantially all of our assets and substantially all of our directors and officers are located outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against us or any of our directors and officers may not be collectible within the United States.

We have irrevocably appointed Caesarstone USA, Inc. as our agent to receive service of process in any action against us in any United States federal or state court arising out of this offering or any purchase or sale of securities in connection with this offering. The address of Caesarstone USA, Inc. is 6840 Hayvenhurst Ave. Suite 100, Van Nuys, California 91406.

We have been informed by our legal counsel in Israel, Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co., that it may be difficult to initiate an action with respect to United States securities law in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on an alleged violation of United States securities laws reasoning that Israel is not the most appropriate forum to hear such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not United States law is applicable to the claim. If United States law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable United States law must be proved as a fact by expert witnesses which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure may also be governed by Israeli law.

Subject to certain time limitations and legal procedures, Israeli courts may enforce a United States judgment in a civil matter which, subject to certain exceptions, is non-appealable, including judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and including a monetary or compensatory judgment in a non-civil matter, provided that:

 

 

the judgment was rendered by a court which was, according to the laws of the state of the court, competent to render the judgment;

 

 

the judgment may no longer be appealed;

 

 

the obligation imposed by the judgment is enforceable according to the rules relating to the enforceability of judgments in Israel and the substance of the judgment is not contrary to public policy; and

 

 

the judgment is executory in the state in which it was given.

Even if these conditions are met, an Israeli court will not declare a foreign civil judgment enforceable if:

 

 

the judgment was given in a state whose laws do not provide for the enforcement of judgments of Israeli courts (subject to exceptional cases);

 

 

the enforcement of the judgment is likely to prejudice the sovereignty or security of the State of Israel;

 

 

the judgment was obtained by fraud;

 

 

the opportunity given to the defendant to bring its arguments and evidence before the court was not reasonable in the opinion of the Israeli court;

 

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the judgment was rendered by a court not competent to render it according to the laws of private international law as they apply in Israel;

 

 

the judgment is contradictory to another judgment that was given in the same matter between the same parties and that is still valid; or

 

 

at the time the action was brought in the foreign court, a lawsuit in the same matter and between the same parties was pending before a court or tribunal in Israel.

If a foreign judgment is enforced by an Israeli court, it generally will be payable in Israeli currency, which can then be converted into non-Israeli currency and transferred out of Israel. The usual practice in an action before an Israeli court to recover an amount in a non-Israeli currency is for the Israeli court to issue a judgment for the equivalent amount in Israeli currency at the rate of exchange in force on the date of the judgment, but the judgment debtor may make payment in foreign currency. Pending collection, the amount of the judgment of an Israeli court stated in Israeli currency ordinarily will be linked to the Israeli consumer price index plus interest at the annual statutory rate set by Israeli regulations prevailing at the time. Judgment creditors must bear the risk of unfavorable exchange rates.

 

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Where you can find additional information

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act relating to this offering of our ordinary shares. This prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. The rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow us to omit various information from this prospectus that is included in the registration statement. Statements made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are summaries of all material information about the documents summarized, but are not complete descriptions of all terms of these documents. If we filed any of these documents as an exhibit to the registration statement, you may read the document itself for a complete description of its terms.

You may read and copy the registration statement, including the related exhibits and schedules, and any document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission without charge at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains an Internet site that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are also available to the public through this web site at http://www.sec.gov.

We are not currently subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers and will fulfill the obligations of these requirements by filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission as frequently or as promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements which will be examined and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered public accounting firm. We also intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports on Form 6-K containing unaudited financial information for the first three quarters of each fiscal year, within 60 days after the end of each quarter.

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated financial statements

As of December 31, 2011

Index

 

    

Page

 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

     F-2   

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2011

     F-3   

Consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

     F-5   

Statements of equity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

     F-6   

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

     F-7   

Notes to consolidated financial statements

     F-11   

 

 

 

F-1


Table of Contents

LOGO

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

To the shareholders and board of directors of

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of a subsidiary of the Company (Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited), which statements reflect total assets of 15% of the related consolidated totals as of both December 31, 2010 and 2011, and total revenues of 39%, 41% and 34% in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, of the related consolidated totals. Those statements were audited by another auditor whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited, is based solely on the report of the other auditor.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of the other auditor provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the other auditor, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

  /s/ Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer

Haifa, Israel

  KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER

February 16, 2012

  A Member of Ernst & Young Global

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated balance sheets

 

                December 31,     

Pro forma

as of

December 31,

2011

 
U.S. dollars in thousands    Note      2010      2011     

 

 
                          (Unaudited)  

Assets

           

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

      $ 43,737       $ 11,950       $   

Trade receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $331 and $739 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively)

        22,221         36,798         36,798   

Trade receivables from affiliate

     18         9,856                   

Other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses

     3         8,341         13,474         13,474   

Inventories

     4         40,226         48,085         48,085   
     

 

 

 

Total current assets

        124,381         110,307         98,357   
     

 

 

 

Long-term investments:

           

Investment in affiliate

     5         5,482                   

Severance pay fund

        3,033         2,942         2,942   

Loan to others

     6         1,102                   

Long-term deposits

        125         343         343   
     

 

 

 

Total long-term investments

        9,742         3,285         3,285   
     

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     7         74,008         69,657         69,657   
     

 

 

 

Other assets

     8         5,251         20,626         20,626   
     

 

 

 

Goodwill

     9         23,021         42,442         42,442   
     

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 236,403       $ 246,317       $ 234,367   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated balance sheets

 

               December 31,     

Pro forma

as of

December 31,

2011

 
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share data)    Note     2010     2011     

 

 
                        (Unaudited)  

Liabilities and equity

         

Current liabilities:

         

Short-term bank credit

     10      $ 8,454      $ 3,866       $ 18,316   

Current maturities of long-term loans

     10        13,532        12,541         12,541   

Trade payables

       28,893        30,838         30,838   

Account payables to related parties

     18        13,658        5,437         5,437   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     11        19,643        29,033         29,033   
    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

       84,180        81,715         96,165   
    

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities:

         

Long-term loans

     12        18,063        5,405         5,405   

Long-term loan from related party

     18               1,820         1,820   

Capital leases

     13               71         71   

Accrued severance pay

       3,750        3,584         3,584   

Long-term warranty provision

       1,191        1,439         1,439   

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     16        6,884        8,248         8,248   

Share-based payment in subsidiary

     15        1,382        1,379         1,379   
    

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

       31,270        21,946         21,946   
    

 

 

 

Redeemable non-controlling interest

     1 (e)      5,662        6,205         6,205   
    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

     14          

Equity:

     17          

Share capital—

         

Ordinary shares of NIS 1 par value—5,292,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2010 and 2011; 78,260 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2011; 5,292,000 (unaudited) shares authorized; 106,825 (unaudited) issued and outstanding (pro forma)

       18        18         26   

Cumulative preferred shares of NIS 1 par value—40,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2010 and 2011; 28,565, shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2011; none (unaudited) authorized issued and outstanding (pro forma)

       8        8           

Additional paid-in capital

       55,590        55,590         55,590   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

       (5,504     6,306         6,306   

Foreign currency translation adjustments—company

       23,463        7,376         7,376   

Retained earnings

       41,716        67,153         40,753   
    

 

 

 

Total equity

       115,291        136,451         110,051   
    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     $ 236,403      $ 246,317       $ 234,367   

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of income

 

       Year ended December 31,  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except per share data)    2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Revenues

   $ 162,634       $ 198,791       $ 259,671   

Cost of revenues

     108,853         120,503         155,377   
  

 

 

 

Gross profit

     53,781         78,288         104,294   
  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development (net of grants and participations for the amount of $81, $167 and $211 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively)

     1,964         2,273         2,487   

Marketing and selling

     12,960         16,048         34,043   

General and administrative

     18,729         20,896         30,018   
  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     33,653         39,217         66,548   
  

 

 

 

Operating income

     20,128         39,071         37,746   

Finance expenses, net

     8,693         2,370         4,775   
  

 

 

 

Income before taxes on income

     11,435         36,701         32,971   

Taxes on income

     3,752         7,399         3,600   
  

 

 

 

Income after taxes on income

     7,683         29,302         29,371   

Equity in losses of affiliate, net

     293         296         67   
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 7,390       $ 29,006       $ 29,304   
  

 

 

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

             348         252   

Net income attributable to controlling interest

     7,390         28,658         29,052   

Dividends attributable to preferred shareholders

     2,337         8,312         8,376   
  

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders

   $ 5,053       $ 20,346       $ 20,676   
  

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per share of ordinary shares

   $ 0.06       $ 0.26       $ 0.26   
  

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted income per share

     78,260         78,260         78,260   
        

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net income per share (Note 2(s))

         $     

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of equity

 

U.S. dollars in thousands   Ordinary
shares
    Preferred
shares
   

Additional

paid-in

capital

    Retained
earnings
    Foreign
currency
translation—
company
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss),
net(1)
   

Total

equity

    Total
comprehensive
income(2)
 

Balance as of January 1, 2009

  $ 18      $ 6      $ 39,302      $ 32,885      $ 8,899      $ (3,783   $ 77,327     

Dividend

                         (9,935                   (9,935  

Exercise of option

           2        16,288                             16,290     

Comprehensive income:

               

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                                       1,278        1,278      $ 1,278   

Net income

                         7,390                      7,390        7,390   
               

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

                $ 8,668   
               

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation—company

                                2,069               2,069     
 

 

 

   

Balance as of December 31, 2009

    18        8        55,590        30,340        10,968        (2,505     94,419     

Dividend

                         (17,282                   (17,282  

Comprehensive income:

               

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                                       (2,999     (2,999   $ (2,999

Net income

                         28,658                      28,658        28,658   
               

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

                $ 25,659   
               

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation—company

                                12,495               12,495     
 

 

 

   

Balance as of December 31, 2010

    18        8        55,590        41,716        23,463        (5,504     115,291     

Dividend

                         (3,615                   (3,615  

Comprehensive income:

               

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                                       11,810        11,810      $ 11,810   

Net income

                         29,052                      29,052        29,052   
               

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

                $ 40,862   
               

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation—company

                                (16,087            (16,087  
 

 

 

   

Balance as of December 31, 2011

  $ 18      $ 8      $ 55,590      $ 67,153      $ 7,376      $ 6,306      $ 136,451     

 

 

 

(1)   Net of taxes of $75 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010.

 

(2)   Total comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest is $331 and $85 in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively and includes net income of $348 and $252 and foreign currency translation of $(17) and $(167) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of cash flows

 

       Year ended December 31,  
U.S. dollars in thousands    2009     2010     2011  

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 7,390      $ 29,006      $ 29,304   

Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     9,497        10,034        14,615   

Share-based payment

     940                 

Accrued severance pay, net

     (176     (99     (33

Changes in deferred tax, net

     1,613        1,428        (3,858

Equity in loss of affiliate, net

     293        296        67   

Capital losses (gains)

     114        190        (84

Foreign exchange remeasurement gains

     233        320        1,433   

Impairment of long-term loan to others

                   1,127   

Decrease (increase) in trade receivables including receivable from related party

     2,125        (1,506     (10,460

Decrease (increase) in other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses

     1,730        571        (2,376

Decrease (increase) in inventories

     9,726        (4,803     4,090   

Decrease in trade payables

     (2,719     (5,281     (942

Increase (decrease) in warranty provision

     740        (124     (126

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities including related parties

     2,498        16,617        (4,533

Revaluation of option for preferred shares

     8,062                 
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     42,066        46,649        28,224   
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Acquisition of the business of Tessera Stones & Tiles Pty(a)

     (2,101     (705       

Acquisition of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc.(b)

                   (16,213

Acquisition of the business of White-Wood Distributors Ltd.(c)

                   (1,954

Acquisition of the business of Prema Asia Marketing PTE Ltd.(d)

                   (576

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (4,765     (5,486     (8,785

Decrease (increase) in long-term deposits

     43        24        (16

Repayment of loan by related party and other

     7,458        247        177   
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     635        (5,920     (27,367

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of cash flows

 

       Year ended December 31,  
U.S. dollars in thousands    2009     2010     2011  

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Dividend paid

   $ (9,935   $ (13,972   $ (6,948

Exercise of option for preferred shares

     7,851                 

Repayment of long-term loans

     (14,919     (15,037     (19,819

Short-term bank credit and loans, net

     (10,272     8,040        (7,402

Decrease in long term related party loans

     305                 

Contribution to equity by non-controlling interest

                   458   

Receipt of long-term loan from related party

                   1,878   
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (26,970     (20,969     (31,833
  

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents

     1,806        3,450        (811
  

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     17,537        23,210        (31,787

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     2,990        20,527        43,737   
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 20,527      $ 43,737      $ 11,950   
  

 

 

 

Cash received (paid) during the year for:

      

Interest paid

   $ (2,183   $ (1,459   $ (1,734
  

 

 

 

Interest received

   $ 388      $ 318      $ 286   
  

 

 

 

Tax paid

   $ (2,678   $ (2,345   $ (5,393
  

 

 

 

Tax received

   $ 1,139      $ 2,578      $   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statement of cash flows

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Supplemental information and disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

(a)   2008 acquisition of the business of Tessera Stones & Tiles Pty Limited and Carsilstone Pty Limited

Total initial cash consideration for the acquisition of the business of Tessera Stones & Tiles Pty Limited and Carsilstone Pty Limited was $37,285. Additional contingent cash payments were made in the amounts of $1,725, $2,101 and $705 in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

(b)   Acquisition of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc.

 

Consideration:

        

Cash

   $ 20,000   

Fair value of future consideration

     6,210   

Fair value of the company’s equity interest held before the business combination

     6,807   
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

     33,017   
  

 

 

 

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

  

Cash acquired

     3,787   

Working capital (excluding cash and cash equivalents)

     2,944   

Property and equipment

     1,794   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     36,157   

Long-term liabilities

     (11,665
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

     33,017   
  

 

 

 

Total net cash paid for the acquisition of the business of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc.

   $ 16,213   

 

 

 

(c)   Acquisition of the business of White-Wood Distributors Ltd.

 

Consideration:

        

Cash

   $ 1,954   

Deferred payment

     151   
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

     2,105   
  

 

 

 

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

  

Inventory

     544   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     1,561   
  

 

 

 
     2,105   
  

 

 

 

Net cash paid for acquisition

   $ 1,954   

 

 

 

(d)   Acquisition of the business of Prema Asia Marketing PTE Ltd.

 

Consideration:

        

Cash

   $ 576   

Deferred payment

     252   
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

     828   
  

 

 

 

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

  

Inventory

     50   

Fixed assets

     26   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     752   
  

 

 

 
     828   
  

 

 

 

Net cash paid for acquisition

   $ 576   

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statement of cash flows

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Supplemental information and disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities (cont.):

 

      

Year ended

December 31,
2010

    

Year ended

December 31,
2011

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities

     

Declared dividend

   $ 3,310       $   

Purchase of fixed assets with credit from suppliers

   $ 3,017       $ 3,633   

Acquisition of intangible assets in Canada (for redeemable non-controlling rights in Caesarstone Canada Inc.)

   $ 4,906       $   

Acquisition of goodwill in Canada (for redeemable non-controlling rights in Caesarstone Canada Inc.)

   $ 425       $   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

Note 1:- General

 

a.   General:

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd., incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, was founded in 1987. The company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Caesarstone”) manufacture high quality engineered quartz surfaces sold under the Company’s premium Caesarstone brand. The Company’s products consist of engineered quartz slabs that are currently sold in 42 countries through a combination of direct sales in certain markets and indirectly through a network of independent distributors in other markets. The Company’s products are primarily used as kitchen countertops in the renovation and remodeling end markets. Other applications include vanity tops, wall panels, back splashes, floor tiles, stairs and other interior surfaces that are used in a variety of residential and non-residential applications.

As of December 2011, the Company has subsidiaries in Australia, Singapore, Canada and the United States (see Note 1(b)-1(f)) which are engaged in the marketing and selling of the Company’s products in different geographic areas.

 

b.   Acquisition of shares of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc.:

Acquisition of 25% equity interest

On January 29, 2007, Caesarstone and U.S. Quartz Products, Inc. (“U.S. Quartz”), the Company’s exclusive distributor in the United States, signed a Share Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Caesarstone purchased 60,000 shares of U.S. Quartz for an aggregate purchase price of $9,900. The shares purchased by the Company represented a 25% equity interest in U.S. Quartz. The two companies were party to an exclusive Distribution Agreement dated January 13, 2004, as amended.

The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of U.S. Quartz, with the remainder representing goodwill. The Company’s share in the results of operations of U.S. Quartz was included as an equity investment in the consolidated financial statements of the Company commencing on January 29, 2007.

The Company accounted for the equity investment in accordance with ASC 323 (originally issued as APB 18) “Investment—equity method and joint ventures”.

Acquisition of 75% equity interest

On May 18, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of 75% of the shares of U.S. Quartz, representing all of the remaining shares of that entity, which was subsequently renamed Caesarstone USA, Inc. The acquisition enabled the Company to obtain a higher degree of control over the Company’s sales in the United States. The total consideration for the acquisition is up to $26,500. Pursuant to the Agreement between the parties, $20,000 was paid by the Company at the closing. An additional $6,500 will be paid 10 days after the closing of an initial public offering (“IPO”) by the Company if an IPO occurs by May 31, 2012. If the closing of an IPO by the Company does not occur by May 31, 2012, the Company will

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

b.   Acquisition of shares of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc. (cont.):

 

be required to pay $5,000. In addition, U.S. Quartz repaid shareholders loans to its former shareholders in the amount of $5,541. The Company recorded in general and administrative expenses costs related to the acquisition in the amount of $145 in the second quarter of 2011.

As a result of the acquisition, the Company remeasured the fair value of its previously-held equity investment in U.S. Quartz (with a carrying amount of $5,481) as of the acquisition date based on a report prepared by Variance Economic Consulting, an independent third-party valuation firm that the Company engaged, with such amount totaling $6,807. Such remeasurement, including the reclassification of $1,352 previously recorded in other comprehensive income (foreign currency translation adjustments), resulted in an insignificant loss in the amount of $26 that was recorded in the second quarter of 2011 within equity in losses of affiliate, net. The fair value was measured by the third-party appraiser using the “income approach” based on the discounted cash flow method.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired at the acquisition date:

 

      

Fair

value

    

Expected
useful

life (years)

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

   $ 22,452      

Deferred taxes

     2,604      

Property and equipment

     1,794      

Long-term liabilities

     185      

Intangible assets:

     

Distribution relationships(1)

     739         7.6   

Customer relationships(2)

     2,352         7.6   

Distribution agreement(3)

     14,376         7.6   

Backlog—Customer relationships(4)

     146         0.08   

Backlog—Distribution relationships(5)

     84         0.08   

Goodwill(6)

     18,460         indefinite   
  

 

 

    

Total assets acquired

     63,192      
  

 

 

    

Current liabilities

     18,510      

Long-term liabilities

     6,291      

Deferred taxes

     5,374      
  

 

 

    

Total liabilities assumed

     30,175      
  

 

 

    

Net assets acquired

     33,017      
  

 

 

    

Total purchase price

   $ 33,017      

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (1)   Distribution relationships—the fair value of the distribution relationships was measured using the Multi Period Excess Earnings Method approach (the “MPEEM approach”), which is a form of discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value of the distribution relationships is being amortized according to the revenue projections.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

b.   Acquisition of shares of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc. (cont.):

 

 

  (2)   Customer relationships—the customer relationships asset fair value was estimated using the MPEEM approach. The fair value of the customer relationships is being amortized according to the revenue projections.

 

  (3)   Distribution agreement—the fair value of the Distribution Agreement (the reacquired right under ASC 805) was measured using the MPEEM approach. The fair value of the distribution relationships will be amortized over 7.6 years.

 

  (4)   Backlog—customer relationships—the fair value of the Backlog attributed to end-customers was measured using the MPEEM approach. The fair value of the backlog will be amortized over four weeks (0.08 years).

 

  (5)   Backlog—distribution relationships—the fair value of the Backlog attributed to distributor relationships was measured using the MPEEM approach. The fair value of the backlog will be amortized over four weeks (0.08 years).

 

  (6)   Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price over assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The goodwill is related to the strength of the businesses acquired in the quartz surfaces market within the United States. Goodwill is not amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually.

The amounts of revenues and earnings of U.S. Quartz in the Company’s consolidated income statement from the acquisition date to the period ended December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

       Period ended
December 31,
2011
 

 

  

 

 

 

Revenues

   $ 46,843   
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ (511

 

  

 

 

 

Unaudited pro forma consolidated revenues and earnings:

The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated pro forma revenues and earnings for the periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, assuming that the acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest in U.S. Quartz occurred on January 1, 2010. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated on that date, nor does it purport to represent the results of operations for future periods.

 

       December 31,
2010
     December 31,
2011
 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenues

   $ 233,206       $ 271,874   
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 23,489       $ 25,222   
  

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net earnings per share

   $ 0.21       $ 0.23   

 

 

 

c.   Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited:

Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited (“Caesarstone Australia”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Victoria in Australia in 2006.

Between 2006 and March 2008, Caesarstone Australia was inactive. Caesarstone Australia started operations in March 2008 after its acquisition by the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

c.   Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited (cont.):

 

In March 2008, Caesarstone Australia acquired the businesses of Tessera Stones & Tiles Pty Limited and Carsilstone Pty Limited (collectively, “Tessera”), which were the exclusive distributors of the Company’s products in Australia prior to the acquisition, in order to gain a higher degree of control over the Company’s sales within Australia.

The total consideration was $37,285. In addition, it was agreed that Caesarstone Australia would pay contingent consideration equal to 2% of sales generated from the businesses acquired during the period from April 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had paid $37,285 in cash. During 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Company paid additional amounts of $1,725, $2,101 and $705, respectively, which were recorded as goodwill.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Caesarstone Australia, with the balance representing goodwill. The results of operations of Caesarstone Australia have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company commencing on June 30, 2008.

 

d.   Incorporation of Caesarstone Southeast Asia Ltd.:

Caesarstone Southeast Asia Ltd. (“Caesarstone Southeast Asia” or “CSSEA”) was incorporated under the laws of Singapore in Singapore in 2009 as a subsidiary of the Company. Caesarstone Singapore imports products from the Company and markets the Company’s products in Southeast Asia.

Acquisition of the business of Prema Asia Marketing PTE Ltd. (“Prema”):

The Company entered into an agreement on October 1, 2011 pursuant to which it acquired the operations for the distribution of Caesarstone’s products in Singapore from the Company’s former distributor in Singapore. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid approximately $500 upon closing and is obligated to make an additional payment following the year ended December 31, 2011, of approximately $250, calculated based on a formula that includes the number of slabs sold in Singapore during 2011. In addition, the Company acquired inventory and fixed assets from the former distributor in Singapore for $76. Also, the Company will pay following the year ended December 31, 2012, an amount up to $250 to be calculated based on a formula that includes the number of slabs sold in Singapore during 2012 (subject to the former distributor’s owner remaining CSSEA’s manager until October 1, 2014). The total consideration was approximately $800 (approximately $600 was paid through December 31, 2011).

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

d.   Incorporation of Caesarstone Southeast Asia Ltd. (cont.):

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired on October 1, 2011 (the acquisition date):

 

      

Fair

value

    

Expected
useful

life (years)

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inventory

   $ 50      

Fixed assets

     26      

Customer relationships(1)

     133         5.0   

Distribution agreement(2)

     254         2.0   

Non-competition agreement(3)

     62         3.0   

Goodwill

     303         indefinite   
  

 

 

    

Total assets acquired

     828      
  

 

 

    

Total liabilities assumed

          
  

 

 

    

Net assets acquired

     828      
  

 

 

    

Total purchase price

   $ 828      

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (1)   The fair value of the customer relationships was measured using the MPEEM approach. The fair value of the customer relationships is being amortized according to the revenue projections.

 

  (2)   The fair value of the distribution agreement was measured using the MPEEM approach. The fair value of the distribution agreement is being amortized according to the remaining contractual term of the original distribution agreement.

 

  (3)   The fair value of the non-competition agreement was measured using the incremental cash flow approach.

The Company did not disclose pro forma revenues and earnings in accordance with ASC 805-10-50 or revenue and earnings from the acquisition date through December 31, 2011 as they are immaterial.

 

e.   Purchase of Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc. (“CIOT”) business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Eastern Canada, purchase of White-Wood Distributors Ltd.’s business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Western Canada and incorporation of Caesarstone Canada:

Caesarstone Canada Inc., (“Caesarstone Canada”) was incorporated under the federal laws of Canada in 2010. In October 2010, Caesarstone Canada began to distribute its products in Eastern Canada and in May 2011, in Western Canada. Under the Contribution Agreement between the Company and CIOT, CIOT transferred to Caesarstone Canada certain of its assets relating to the distribution of the Company’s products, such as customers, suppliers and employees.

In consideration for the contribution, CIOT was granted a 45% ownership interest in Caesarstone Canada and entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement with Caesarstone and Caesarstone Canada. In addition, CIOT was granted a put option to sell its 45% ownership

 

F-15


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

e.   Purchase of Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc. (“CIOT”) business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Eastern Canada, purchase of White-Wood Distributors Ltd.’s business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Western Canada and incorporation of Caesarstone Canada (cont.):

 

interest in Caesarstone Canada to the Company based on a prescribed formula (including a minimum payment amount) at any time after July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2023. The Company was also granted a call option to buy such holdings over the same period based on a different prescribed formula.

As the abovementioned assets contributed by CIOT constitute a business, the Company accounted for the acquisition in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Since the consideration transferred consisted of granting CIOT redeemable non-controlling rights in Caesarstone Canada (due to the put option written over such rights, as mentioned above), the Company measured all of the assets contributed by CIOT at their fair value against the redeemable non-controlling interests line item in the consolidated balance sheet in accordance with the requirements of ASC 810 Consolidation and ASC 480-10-S99-3A, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired at the acquisition date:

 

      

Fair

value

    

Expected
useful

life (years)

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-competition agreement(1)

   $ 917         2.21   

Customer relationships(2)

     3,989         5.21   

Goodwill(3)

     425         indefinite   
  

 

 

    

Net assets acquired

   $ 5,331      

 

 

 

  (1)   Non-competition agreement—the non-competition agreement asset fair value was estimated using an incremental cash flow analysis, which is a form of the income approach. The non-competition agreement will be amortized using the straight-line method over its useful life, which is estimated at 2.21 years.

 

  (2)   Customer relationships—the customer relationships asset fair value was estimated using the MPEEM approach. The customer relationships will be amortized using a method that will reflect the consummation of such asset (i.e., a form of accelerated depreciation), over an estimated 5.21 years.

 

  (3)   Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price over assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

e.   Purchase of Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc. (“CIOT”) business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Eastern Canada, purchase of White-Wood Distributors Ltd.’s business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Western Canada and incorporation of Caesarstone Canada (cont.):

 

The amounts of revenues and earnings of Caesarstone Canada in the Company’s consolidated income statement from the acquisition date to the period ended December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

       Year ended
December 31
2010
 

 

 

Revenues

   $ 4,282   
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 773   

 

 

Unaudited pro forma condensed results of operations:

The following table sets forth the unaudited pro forma condensed results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 assuming that the acquisition of Caesarstone Canada occurred on January 1, 2009. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated on that date, nor does it purport to represent the results of operations for future periods.

 

       December 31,
2009
     December 31,
2010
 

 

 
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 167,548       $ 208,703   
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 7,897       $ 30,739   
  

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net earnings per share

   $ 0.07       $ 0.28   

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the redeemable non-controlling interest:

 

       December 31,
2010
    December 31,
2011
 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Beginning of the year

   $      $ 5,662   

Redeemable non-controlling interest

     5,331          

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

     348        252   

Non-controlling interest share of contribution to equity in Caesarstone Canada Inc.

            458   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (17     (167
  

 

 

 

Redeemable non-controlling interest—end of the year

   $ 5,662      $ 6,205   

 

 

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

e.   Purchase of Canadian Quartz Holdings Inc. (“CIOT”) business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Eastern Canada, purchase of White-Wood Distributors Ltd.’s business related to distribution of the Company’s products in Western Canada and incorporation of Caesarstone Canada (cont.):

 

Pursuant to the Sale and Purchase Agreement, entered into in January 2011 with the Company’s former distributor in Western Canada, since May 1, 2011, Caesarstone Canada has been the exclusive distributor of the Company’s products throughout Canada. Pursuant to this agreement, Caesarstone Canada purchased certain intangible assets and goodwill from the former distributor, and its marketable inventory of Caesarstone products as of April 30, 2011 for total consideration of approximately 2 million Canadian dollars.

The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired on May 1, 2011 (the acquisition date):

 

      

Fair

value

    

Expected
useful

life (years)

 

 

 

Inventory

   $ 544      

Customer relationships(1)

     807         4.7   

Goodwill(2)

     754         indefinite   
  

 

 

    

Total assets acquired

     2,105      
  

 

 

    

Total liabilities assumed

          
  

 

 

    

Net assets acquired

     2,105      
  

 

 

    

Total purchase price

   $ 2,105      

 

 

 

  (1)   The fair value of the customer relationships was measured using the MPEEM approach. The fair value of the customer relationships is being amortized according to the revenue projections.
  (2)   Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price over assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually.

The results of White-Wood Distributors Ltd.’s business were consolidated in the Company’s financial statements commencing on the date of acquisition. Revenues and earnings from the acquisition date through December 31, 2011 were immaterial to the consolidated financial information of the Company. The Company did not disclose pro forma revenues and earnings in accordance with ASC 805-10-50 as they are immaterial.

 

f.   Major suppliers:

One supplier in Turkey, Mikroman Madencilik San ve TIC.LTD.STI (“Mikroman”), supplies approximately 76% of the Company’s quartzite on a purchase order basis. If Mikroman ceases supplying the Company with quartzite or if the Company’s supply of quartz generally from Turkey is adversely impacted, the Company’s other suppliers may be unable to meet the Company’s quartz requirements. In that case, the Company would need to locate and qualify

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 1:- General (Cont.)

 

f.   Major suppliers (cont.):

 

alternate suppliers, which could take time, increase costs and require adjustments to the appearance of the Company’s products. As a result, the Company may experience a delay in manufacturing, which could materially and adversely impact the Company’s results of operations. The Company also depends on Breton S.p.A for its production line equipment.

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

a.   Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s management believes that the estimates, judgment and assumptions used are reasonable based upon information available at the time they were made.

 

b.   Financial statements in U.S. dollars:

The Company’s revenues are generated in New Israeli Shekels (NIS), U.S. dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars and Euros. In addition, most of the Company’s costs are incurred in NIS, U.S. dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros and Singapore dollars. The Company’s management believes that the NIS is the primary currency of the economic environment in which the Company operates. Therefore, the functional currency of the Company is the NIS.

The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency in which it operates.

ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters” (formerly SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation”) sets the standards for translating foreign currency financial statements of consolidated subsidiaries. The first step in the translation process is to identify the functional currency for each entity included in the financial statements. The accounts of each entity are then measured in its functional currency. All transaction gains and losses from the measurement of monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the statement of operations as financial income or expenses, as appropriate.

In accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X, Rule 3-20, the Company has determined its reporting currency to be the U.S. dollar. The measurement process of Rule 3-20 is conceptually consistent with that of ASC 830. After the measurement process is complete the financial statements are translated into the reporting currency using

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

b.   Financial statements in U.S. dollars (cont.):

 

the current rate method. Equity accounts are translated using historical exchange rates. All other balance sheet accounts are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Statement of operations amounts have been translated using the average exchange rate for the year. Translation adjustments relating to conversion to functional currencies within group entities are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity, while translation adjustments relating to the application of Rule 3-20 and reporting results in U.S. dollars are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments—Company.

 

c.   Principles of consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances, including profit from intercompany sales not yet realized outside of the Company, have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

d.   Cash equivalents:

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with original maturities of three months or less at the date acquired.

 

e.   Derivatives:

Derivatives not designated as hedging accounting instruments consist primarily of forward and options contracts that the Company uses to limit its exposure to currencies other than the NIS (the Company’s functional currency). The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and measures those instruments at fair value. Since the derivative instruments that the Company holds do not meet the definition of hedging instruments under ASC 815, the Company recognizes immediately changes in the fair values in its statement of income in financial expenses. The notional principal amount of foreign exchange contracts was $93,100 and $86,600 as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

      

Balance sheet

location

     December 31,  
        2010      2011  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities

        

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

        

Foreign exchange forward contracts

    
 
Accrued expenses
and other liabilities
  
  
   $ 278       $ 3,163   
     

 

 

 

Total

      $ 278       $ 3,163   

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

 

f.   Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. The Company periodically evaluates the quantities on hand relative to historical and projected sales volumes, current and historical selling prices and contractual obligations to maintain certain levels of parts. Based on these evaluations, inventory write-offs are provided to cover risks arising from slow-moving items, discontinued products, excess inventories, market prices lower than cost and adjusted revenue forecasts.

Cost is determined as follows:

Raw materials, parts and supplies: using the “weighted average” method.

Work-in-progress and finished products: on the basis of direct manufacturing costs with the addition of allocable indirect costs, representing allocable operating overhead expenses and manufacturing costs.

The following table provides the details of the change in the Company’s provision for inventory:

 

       December 31,  
     2010     2011  

 

 

Inventory provision, beginning of year

   $ 2,107      $ 3,103   

Increase in inventory provision

     1,014        211   

Increase in inventory provision in connection with Microgil’s dispute(*)

            1,789   

Write off

     (194     (205

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     176        (29
  

 

 

 

Inventory provision, end of year

   $ 3,103      $ 4,869   

 

 

 

  (*)   For further information see Note 14(a)(4).

 

g.   Investment in affiliate:

Investments in ordinary shares or in-substance-ordinary shares of entities in which the Company has significant influence, but less than a controlling voting interest, are accounted for using the equity method (“affiliated companies”) (see below for provisions of ASC 323-10-15 (formerly issued as EITF 02-14), regarding the treatment of instruments that are in substance ordinary shares). Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Company holds between 20% and 50% of the investee’s voting instruments. However, whether or not the Company has significant influence depends on an evaluation of certain factors including, among others, the Company’s representation on the investee’s board of directors, agreements with other shareholders, additional voting rights, participation in policy making processes, existence of material intercompany transactions, technological dependency and the extent of ownership by the Company in relation to the concentration of other shareholders.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

g.   Investment in affiliate (cont.):

 

The Company discontinues applying the equity method when its investment (including advances and loans) is reduced to zero and it has not guaranteed obligations of the affiliate or is not otherwise committed to provide further financial support to the affiliate.

The Company applies ASC 323, “Whether an Investor Should Apply the Equity Method of Accounting to Investments Other Than Common Stock”. ASC 323 states that the Company must apply the equity method of accounting to investments in ordinary shares and in-substance-ordinary shares if it has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. ASC 323 defines in-substance-ordinary shares as an investment with similar risk and reward characteristics of ordinary shares.

Intercompany profits are eliminated until realized by the affiliate as if the affiliate was a consolidated subsidiary. The Company eliminates intercompany profits equal to its proportionate share of the affiliate’s common stock.

Management evaluates investments in affiliates for evidence of other-than-temporary declines in value. When relevant factors indicate a decline in value that is other-than-temporary, the Company records a provision for the decline in value. A judgmental aspect of accounting for investments involves determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value of the investment has been sustained. Such an evaluation is dependent on the specific facts and circumstances. Accordingly, management evaluates financial information (e.g., budgets, budget versus actual results, business plans, financial statements, projections, etc.) in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value exists.

Factors indicative of an other-than-temporary decline include global market conditions, recurring operating losses, extremely negative deviation from the business plan, credit defaults, specific conditions affecting the investment such as in the industry or the geographic area, and subsequent rounds of financings at an amount below the cost basis of the investment. With respect to investments that have experienced a decline in fair value, the Company evaluates the prospects of the investee in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment. Based on that evaluation and the Company’s ability and intent to maintain the investment until an anticipated recovery of fair value, the Company evaluates whether the investment is considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired. This list of factors is not all inclusive and management weighs all quantitative and qualitative factors in determining if an other-than-temporary decline in value of an investment has occurred.

As of December 31, 2010, no impairment losses were identified on the equity investment held at that time.

 

h.   Property, plant and equipment:

 

  1.   Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and investment grants.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

h.   Property, plant and equipment (cont.):

 

 

  2.   Materials, payroll and other costs are direct incremental costs necessary to bring an asset to the condition of its intended use and are capitalized as part of the cost of property, plant and equipment.

 

  3.   Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets at the following annual rates:

 

       %  

 

 

Machinery and manufacturing equipment

     4—33   

Office equipment and furniture

     7—33   

Motor vehicles

     10—30   

Buildings

     4—5   

 

 

Leasehold improvements are depreciated by the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvements.

The Company has accounted for its assets that are under a capital lease arrangement in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 840 “Leases” (“ASC 840”). Accordingly, assets under a capital lease are stated as assets of the Company on the basis of ordinary purchase prices (without the financing component), and depreciated according to the shorter of the lease term and the usual depreciation rates applicable to such assets.

Lease payments payable in forthcoming years, net of the interest component included in them, are included in liabilities. The interest in respect of such amounts is accrued on a current basis and is charged to earnings.

 

i.   Impairment of long-lived assets:

The Company’s long-lived assets, tangible and intangible (other than goodwill), are reviewed for impairment in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment” (“ASC 360”) whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. During all periods presented no impairment losses were identified.

 

j.   Goodwill:

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the acquisition. Under Accounting Standard Codification 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”) goodwill is not amortized but instead is tested for impairment at least annually (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise).

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

j.   Goodwill (cont.):

 

ASC 350 prescribes a two-phase process for impairment testing of goodwill. The first phase screens for impairment, while the second phase (if necessary) measures impairment.

In the first phase of impairment testing, goodwill attributable to the reporting units is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second phase is then performed. The second phase of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

The Company performs an annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently, if impairment indicators are present. The Company operates in one operating segment. Each of the Company’s subsidiaries could be considered to be reporting units, however the Company concluded that all of the Company’s components should be aggregated and deemed a single reporting unit for the purpose of performing the goodwill impairment test in accordance with ASC 350-20-35-35, since they have similar economic characteristics.

Goodwill was tested for impairment by comparing its fair value with its carrying value. Fair value is determined using the discounted cash flows method. During all periods presented there was no impairment of goodwill.

 

k.   Warranty:

The Company generally provides a standard warranty of between three and 10 years for its products, depending on the type of product and the country in which the Company does business. The Company records a provision for the estimated cost to repair or replace products under warranty at the time of sale. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty reserve include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty repairs and the cost per repair. The following table provides the details of the change in the Company’s warranty accrual for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

       December 31,  
     2010     2011  

 

 

Warranty provision, beginning of year

   $ 1,668      $ 1,676   

Charged to costs and expenses relating to new sales

     981        1,052   

Acquisition of the business of U.S. Quartz

            508   

Costs of product warranty claims

     (1,088     (1,109

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     115        (149
  

 

 

 

Warranty provision, end of year

   $ 1,676      $ 1,978   

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

 

l.   Revenue recognition:

The Company derives its revenues from sales of quartz surfaces mostly through a combination of direct sales in certain markets and indirectly through a network of distributors in other markets.

Revenues are recognized in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition” and SAB 104 when delivery has occurred, persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, the fee is fixed and determinable, collectability is probable and no further obligations exist. In general, the Company does not grant right of returns, except to customers in Australia, for a limited period. The Company does not maintain a provision for product returns, as historical returns are immaterial and the Company does not anticipate any material returns in the future.

All of the Company’s products sold through agreements with exclusive distributors are non-exchangeable, non-refundable, non-returnable and without any rights of price protection or stock rotation. Accordingly, the Company considers all the distributors to be end-consumers.

 

m.   Research and development costs:

Research and development costs, net of grants received, are charged to the statement of income as incurred.

 

n.   Income taxes:

The Company and its subsidiaries account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (formerly: SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”). This statement prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes, or according to the expected reversal dates of the specific temporary differences if not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting.

The Company accounts for its uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 (formerly: FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”). ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with ASC 740. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, on an evaluation of the technical merits, the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its tax expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

n.   Income taxes (cont.):

 

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company has not provided for deferred income taxes on the difference between the reporting currency and the tax bases of assets and liabilities.

 

o.   Advertising expenses:

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were $5,703, $5,027 and $13,490, respectively.

 

p.   Concentrations of credit risk:

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, and trade receivables.

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are invested primarily in U.S. dollars, Australian dollars and Euros with major banks in Israel.

The Company’s trade receivables are derived from sales to customers located mainly in Australia, the United States, Israel, Canada and Europe. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and to date has not experienced any substantial losses. In certain circumstances, the Company requires letters of credit or prepayments. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined with respect to those amounts that the Company has determined to be doubtful of collection. Provisions for doubtful accounts were recorded in general and administrative expenses.

The Company from time to time enters into forward contracts and option strategies (collectively, “derivative instruments”) intended to protect against changes in foreign currencies. The derivative instruments were not qualified for hedge accounting under Accounting Standard Codification 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value, with changes in the fair value carried to the statements of income and included in financial expenses, net. All derivatives have major banks in Israel as counterparties.

The following table provides the detail of the change in the Company’s provision for doubtful debts:

 

       December 31,  
     2010     2011  

 

 

Balance at the beginning of the year

   $ 716      $ 331   

Charges to expenses

     66        468   

Write off

     (461     (51

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     10        (9
  

 

 

 

Balance at end of the year

   $ 331      $ 739   

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

 

q.   Severance pay:

The Company’s liability for severance pay, with respect to its Israeli employees, is calculated pursuant to Israeli severance pay law and employee agreements based on the most recent salary of the employees. The Company’s liability for all of its Israeli employees is provided for by monthly deposits with insurance policies and by an accrual. The value of these policies is recorded as an asset on the Company’s balance sheet.

The deposited funds include profits or losses accumulated up to the balance sheet date. The deposited funds may be withdrawn only upon the fulfillment of the obligations pursuant to Israeli severance pay law or labor agreements.

Some agreements with employees specifically state, in accordance with section 14 of the Severance Pay Law, 1963, that the Company’s contributions for severance pay shall be instead of severance compensation and that upon release of the policy to the employee, no additional calculations shall be conducted between the parties regarding the matter of severance pay and no additional payments shall be made by the Company to the employee.

Further, since the Company has signed agreements with the section 14 provision with certain employees, the related obligation and amounts deposited on behalf of such obligation are not stated on the balance sheet, as they are legally released from obligation to employees once the deposit amounts have been paid.

Severance expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 amounted to $(170), $(95) and $(75), respectively.

 

r.   Fair value of financial instruments:

The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” effective January 1, 2008. Under this standard, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

r.   Fair value of financial instruments (cont.):

 

The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the inputs as follows:

 

        •    

  Level 1—   Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

        •    

  Level 2—   Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

        •

  Level 3—   Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from investment to investment and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of investment, the liquidity of markets and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment and the investments are categorized as Level 3.

Foreign currency derivative contracts are classified within Level 2 as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments.

The option for preferred shares granted to Tene and embedded derivatives are classified within Level 3, since the valuation inputs are unobservable and based on valuation models. As the option is denominated in U.S. dollars, which is not the Company’s functional currency, the option is not eligible for equity classification and was accounted for as a liability presented at fair value at each reporting date. The Company accounted for the liability at fair value—mark to market, using the Black & Scholes valuation method and as such was classified in this Note as Level 3 in accordance with ASC 820. The option was exercised during December 2009. For further details regarding the assumptions used, see also Note 17(c).

With regard to the embedded derivative related to the Company’s lease agreements, the fair value was evaluated based on the guidance of ASC 820. The fair value of the embedded derivative was based on risk-free U.S. and NIS yield curves, the forward contract for each monthly payment and the changes in the exchange rates as of each payment date.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

r.   Fair value of financial instruments (cont.):

 

The following table presents the Company’s liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

       December 31, 2010  
     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

 

 

Derivatives:

          

Foreign currencies derivatives

   $       $ (278   $       $ (278
  

 

 

 

Total

   $       $ (278   $       $ (278

 

 
          
   
     December 31, 2011  
     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

 

 

Derivatives:

          

Foreign currencies derivatives

   $       $ (3,163   $       $ (3,163
  

 

 

 

Total

   $       $ (3,163   $       $ (3,163

 

 

The carrying amounts of financial instruments carried at cost, including cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables, approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of such instruments. The carrying amount of long-term loans approximate their fair value as well.

 

s.   Basic and diluted net income per share:

Basic net income per share (“Basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, using the two-class method as required by ASC 260-10 “Other Presentation Matters” (formerly known as EITF 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128”). The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of ordinary shares and participating securities according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under the two-class method, net income is reduced by the contractual amount of dividends that must be paid for the current period. The remaining earnings are then allocated to ordinary shares and participating securities to the extent that each security may share in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. The total earnings allocated to each security is determined by adding together the amount allocated for dividends and the amount allocated for a participation feature. The total earnings allocated to each security is then divided by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of each class of the security to which the earnings are allocated to determine the net income per share for the class of such security.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

s.   Basic and diluted net income per share (cont.):

 

Diluted net income per share (“Diluted EPS”) gives effect to all dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period. The computation of Diluted EPS does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options is computed using the treasury stock method. The total weighted average number of shares related to the outstanding preferred shares and options have been excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share since they would have an anti-dilutive effect.

The unaudited pro forma Basic and Diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2011 assumes the conversion of the outstanding convertible preferred shares into ordinary shares as of the later of the beginning of the period or the issuance date of the preferred shares, using the conversion rate effective December 31, 2011. In addition, pro forma EPS gives effect to the number of shares to be issued in the Company’s contemplated IPO, the proceeds of which are to be used to pay dividends that exceed earnings in the current year.

The following table sets forth the computation of pro forma basic and diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2011:

 

      

Year ended
December 31,

2011

 

 

 
     (Unaudited)  

Numerator

  

Net income attributable to controlling interest, as reported

   $ 29,052   

 

 

Numerator for basic and diluted pro forma net income per share

   $ 29,052   

 

 

Denominator

  

Weighted average shares used in computing basic net income per share

     78,260   

Adjustments to reflect the effect of the assumed conversion of the preferred shares from their issuance date or beginning of the period

     28,565   

Number of shares issued to fund the dividend in excess of earnings

  

Denominator for basic and diluted pro forma calculation, weighted average shares

  

Pro forma net income per share (unaudited)

  

Basic and diluted

  

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 2:- Significant accounting policies (Cont.)

 

 

t.   Pro forma balance sheet (unaudited):

The pro forma balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 reflects the conversion of all the convertible preferred shares into ordinary shares then outstanding and the expected payment of a special dividend to the Company’s existing shareholders totaling approximately $25,600 immediately following the Company’s contemplated IPO. In addition, the Company currently intends to pay a dividend of approximately $800 to its preferred shareholders prior to the closing of the Company’s contemplated IPO.

 

u.   Comprehensive income:

The Company accounts for comprehensive income in accordance with ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income” (formerly: SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”). This Statement establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general purpose financial statements. Comprehensive income generally represents all changes in shareholders’ equity during the period except those resulting from investments by, or distributions to, shareholders. The Company determined that its items of other comprehensive income relate to foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

v.   Recently issued accounting standards:

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income, which amended existing guidance by allowing only two options for presenting the components of net income and other comprehensive income: (1) in a single continuous financial statement, statement of comprehensive income or (2) in two separate but consecutive financial statements, consisting of an income statement followed by a separate statement of other comprehensive income. The guidance requires retrospective application, and it is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on the annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance will allow companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 3:- Other accounts receivables and prepaid expenses

 

       December 31,  
     2010      2011  

 

 

Prepaid expenses

   $ 1,816       $ 2,607   

Government authorities

     1,192         2,827   

Deferred tax assets

     4,328         6,814   

Current maturities of loan given

     238           

Advances to suppliers

     269         531   

Other

     498         695   
  

 

 

 
   $ 8,341       $ 13,474   

 

 

Note 4:- Inventories

 

       December 31,  
     2010      2011  

 

 

Raw materials(*)

   $ 9,393       $ 12,135   

Work-in-progress

     696         540   

Finished goods

     30,137         35,410   
  

 

 

 
   $ 40,226       $ 48,085   

 

 

 

  (*)   Includes the write-off of $1,789 in 2011 in consideration of the dispute with Microgil (see Note 14(a)(4)).

Note 5:- Investments in affiliates and others

 

a.   Affiliated companies are as follows:

 

       December 31,  
Percentage ownership of outstanding share capital    2010      2011  

 

 

U.S. Quartz(*)

     25%         100%   

 

 

 

  (*)   On January 29, 2007, the Company acquired a 25% ownership interest and an equal amount of voting power in U.S. Quartz, a distributor in the United States. On May 18, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest, in U.S. Quartz (see Note 1).

 

b.   Investment in affiliate:

 

       December 31,  
     2010      2011  

 

 

U.S. Quartz—equity investment

   $ 3,660       $   

U.S. Quartz—shareholder’s loan

   $ 1,822       $   

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 5:- Investments in affiliates and others (Cont.)

 

 

c.   Summarized information of U.S. Quartz:

Summarized financial information is as follows:

 

       December 31,
2010
 

 

 

Balance sheet information:

  

Current assets

   $ 24,729   

Non-current assets

     4,916   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     29,645   

Current liabilities

     (16,727

Non-current liabilities

     (7,928
  

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

   $ 4,990   

 

 

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011(*)  

 

 

Statement of income information:

        

Revenues

   $ 58,217       $ 65,331       $ 24,210   

Gross profit

     25,589         29,508         11,273   
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 859       $ 1,493       $ 451   

 

 

 

  (*)   Contains information until May 18, 2011.

Note 6:- Loan to others

In 2006, the Company granted a loan in the amount of approximately $1,000 (approximately NIS 4,500) to Microgil Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. (“Microgil”), a third-party processor in Israel owned by Kibbutz Kfar Giladi. The loan bears interest at Prime plus 1%, and the repayment was determined to be a deduction from future payments on account of services to be provided by that supplier. The services were part of an agreement signed by the parties for a ten-year period to provide the Company with raw materials at amounts and prices specified in the agreement. The loan balance as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 was $1,102 and $0, respectively (not including the current maturities of the loan given as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 of $238 and $0, respectively). The loan balance was $0 as of December 31, 2011 due to the Company’s write down to zero of its $1.1 million loan to Microgil. In 2011, the Company determined that it was not probable that the remainder of the loan would be repaid by Microgil or could otherwise be collected in the near future. As such, according to ASC 310-10-35-16, the Company recorded a provision for the loss of this asset (see also Note 14(a)(4)).

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 7:- Property, plant and equipment, net

 

       December 31,  
     2010      2011  

 

 

Cost:

     

Machinery and manufacturing equipment, net(1)

   $ 87,697       $ 90,005   

Office equipment and furniture

     4,401         4,705   

Motor vehicles

     1,234         1,495   

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     30,769         29,879   

Prepaid expenses related to operating lease(2)

     1,038         964   
  

 

 

 
     125,139         127,048   
  

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

     51,131         57,391   
  

 

 

 

Depreciated cost

   $ 74,008       $ 69,657   

 

 

 

  (1)   Presented net of investment grant received in the amount of $7,200.

 

  (2)   The Company leases land from the Israel Lands Administration (“ILA”) for its Bar-Lev manufacturing facility. The lease term started on February 6, 2005. The lease is for an initial non-cancellable term of 49 years, in consideration for approximately $830 (approximately NIS 3,700) paid at the beginning of the contract’s term, with a renewal option of an additional 49 years. The Company analyzed the conditions set forth in ASC 840-10 and classified the land as an operating lease (since the land is not transferred to the Company at the end of the lease nor is there any option to buy the land from the ILA at any point). All payments on account of the initial term were paid in advance (based on discounted values) at the beginning of the lease, and included in the minimum lease payments to be amortized. The prepaid expenses are amortized through the term of the lease, based on the straight-line method (including the bargain renewal option term).

Depreciation expense totaled $8,919, $9,500 and $11,188 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

For a discussion of the pledges made by the Company, see Note 14(d).

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 8:- Other assets

Other intangible assets, net:

 

       December 31,  
     2010     2011  

 

 

Original amounts:

    

Non-compete agreement

   $ 1,938      $ 1,974   

Distribution relationships

     1,191        1,926   

Customer relationships

     4,002        7,139   

Distribution agreement

            14,623   

Backlog

            230   
  

 

 

 
     7,131        25,892   
  

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

    

Non-compete agreement

     (1,104     (1,509

Distribution relationships

     (655     (1,174

Customer relationships

     (121     (1,140

Distribution agreement

            (1,213

Backlog

            (230
  

 

 

 
     (1,880     (5,266
  

 

 

 

Total other intangible assets

   $ 5,251      $ 20,626   

 

 

 

  (1)   Amortization expense amounted to $578, $534 and $3,427 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

  (2)   Estimated amortization expenses for the following years as of December 31, 2011:

 

2012

   $ 3,806   

2013

     3,347   

2014

     3,268   

2015

     3,307   

2016

     2,343   

 

 

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 9:- Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 are as follows:

 

Balance as of January 1, 2010

   $ 19,334   

Contingent consideration (see Note 1(c)) incurred for the year ended December 31, 2010

     705   

Goodwill acquired during the year (see Note 1(e))

     425   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     2,557   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     23,021   

Goodwill acquired during the year (see Note 1(b), 1(f), 1(e))

     19,517   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (96
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

   $ 42,442   

 

 

Note 10:- Short-term bank credit and loans

 

a.   Short-term bank credit and loans are classified as follows:

 

       Weighted average
interest
          
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2010      2011      2010      2011  
     %                

 

 

Short-term bank credit

     3.50         4.00       $ 8,454       $ 3,866   

Add: current maturities of long-term loans

     3.94         3.95         13,532         12,541   
        

 

 

 

Total short-term bank credit and loans

         $ 21,986       $ 16,407   

 

 

 

b.   As of December 31, 2010 and 2011, the Company and its subsidiaries had short-term and revolving credit lines of approximately $8,400 and $21,300, respectively, from Israeli, Canadian and U.S. banks. As of December 31, 2011, the revolving credit line was partially utilized. The Company’s current credit lines, if not extended, will expire on December 31, 2012.

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 11:- Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

       December 31,  
     2010      2011  

 

 

Employees and payroll accruals

   $ 3,945       $ 5,543   

Phantom share-based payment award

     5,216         3,684   

Accrued expenses

     5,034         4,643   

Advances from customers

     68         384   

Taxes payable

     4,326         4,250   

Warranty provision

     485         539   

Derivatives

     278         3,163   

Consideration payable for U.S. Quartz acquisition (including a contingent amount of $1,360)

             6,242   

Other

     291         585   
  

 

 

 
   $ 19,643       $ 29,033   

 

 

Note 12:- Long-term loans

 

a.   Long-term loans are classified as follows:

 

     Weighted average
interest
        
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2010      2011      2010      2011  
     %                

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Currency:

           

U.S. Dollar

     1.60         1.72       $ 11,811       $ 7,135   

Australian Dollar

     6.15         5.90         13,894         8,357   

Canadian Dollar

     2.23         2.47         1,123         662   

NIS

     3.73         4.45         4,767         1,792   
        

 

 

 

Total long-term loans

           31,595         17,946   

Less—current maturities

           13,532         12,541   
        

 

 

 
         $ 18,063       $ 5,405   

 

 

 

b.   Long-term loans mature as follows as of December 31, 2011:

 

2012

   $ 12,541   

2013

     5,405   
  

 

 

 
   $ 17,946   

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 12:- Long-term loans (Cont.)

 

 

c.   Financial covenants:

As security for various bank liabilities, the Company undertook to comply with certain financial ratios.

As of December 31, 2010 and 2011, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.

Note 13:- Capital leases

The Company enters from time to time into capital lease agreements to lease certain assets required for its operations.

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

a.   Legal proceedings and contingencies:

 

  1.   In March 2008, the Company and its Australian subsidiary, Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited (“Caesarstone Australia” or “CSA”) entered into an agreement with the former chief executive officer of Caesarstone Australia (the “former executive”) and his family trust (the “Trust”) granting the Trust restricted shares equal to 17% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Caesarstone Australia, subject to conditions, including vesting over a five-year period and his continued employment (see also Note 15(a)). The unvested shares were subject to repurchase by the Company or by Caesarstone Australia upon termination of employment at the purchase price paid by the Trust for such shares. The agreement also provided for a put option exercisable by the former executive after termination of employment other than for cause, in which case vested shares were to be purchased by the Company or Caesarstone Australia at a valuation based on a five times multiple of the EBITDA of CSA. In November 2009, the Company and Caesarstone Australia terminated the employment of the former executive for performance reasons and made certain payments to him, including payments based on a notice period.

 

     

Subsequently, the Company discovered grounds existed for termination of his employment for cause. Accordingly, the Company and Caesarstone Australia notified him of their intent to repurchase of all of his shares and sought repayment of the notice period payment. The Company and Caesarstone Australia have filed a lawsuit against the former executive and claimed for repayment of the notice period payment and other payments made to the former executive to which the Company and Caesarstone Australia consider he was not legally entitled. The former executive’s rights in respect of the Trust’s shares in Caesarstone Australia are also disputed and are currently the subject of legal proceedings commenced by the former executive in July 2010 in the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia. The former executive claims that the conduct of the business of Caesarstone Australia has been oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against him as a minority shareholder. The former executive seeks various orders, including an order requiring the Company to purchase his shares in

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

a.   Legal proceedings and contingencies (cont.):

 

 

Caesarstone Australia in accordance with the agreement or at a fair and reasonable price. The former executive has not specified the amount that he is claiming as a fair and reasonable price. As of September 30, 2009, the last date on which the Company performed a valuation analysis prior to termination of the former executive, for financial reporting purposes, the Company determined that the fair value of the entire 17% of restricted stock (e.g., including unvested portions) was $1,900.

The Company believes that it has valid defenses to the claims alleged and intends to defend this suit vigorously. In the same proceeding, the Company and Caesarstone Australia have counter-claimed for orders requiring the former executive and the Trust to transfer all shares in Caesarstone Australia to the Company at the price paid for them. As a result of the termination of the former executive in November 2009 and the consequent open legal proceedings, as detailed above, the liability for stock based rights will not be derecognized until it has been extinguished (see also Note 15).

 

  2.   In December 2007, the Company terminated its agency agreement with its former agent in South Africa, World of Marble and Granite (“WOMAG”), on the basis that it had breached the agreement. In the same month, the Company filed a claim for NIS 1.0 million ($300) in the Israeli District Court in Haifa based on such breach. WOMAG has contested the jurisdiction of the Israeli court on the grounds of validity of service, and filed a request to stay proceedings on the basis of an inconvenient forum (forum non conveniens). Both the court and the subsequent appellate courts have dismissed WOMAG’s contest of the validity of service. On December 9, 2010, the court denied WOMAG’s objection to its jurisdiction on the grounds of inconvenient forum and on February 20, 2011, WOMAG’s appeal to this ruling was denied. In January 2008, WOMAG filed suit in South Africa seeking 15.7 million ($22,300) for breach of contract. In August 2008, the Company filed a response to this claim disputing that the Company had any liability to WOMAG. The Company believes it has valid defenses to the claims alleged and are defending this suit vigorously.

While the Company cannot estimate the amount of the loss at this time, it does not currently believe it is probable that there will be material losses related to the lawsuit filed by WOMAG. In February 2010, the South African Court determined that it would not hear WOMAG’s claim until the Israeli court ruled on WOMAG’s objection to its jurisdiction and that it will decide whether the lis alibi pendens rule (which means that proceedings in a certain court would not commence as long as the same facts are under discussion in a court in a different jurisdiction) should apply considering the legal proceedings in Israel. Despite a ruling by the Israeli court in February 2011 confirming its jurisdiction, WOMAG applied to commence proceedings in South Africa in August 2011. A court session in the South Africa is scheduled for late February 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

a.   Legal proceedings and contingencies (cont.):

 

 

  3.   Since 2008, fourteen lawsuits have been filed against the Company or named the Company as third party defendants in Israel and the Company has received a number of additional letters threatening lawsuits on behalf of certain fabricators of the Company’s products in Israel or their employees in Israel alleging that they contracted illnesses, including silicosis, through exposure to fine silica particles when cutting, polishing, sawing, grinding, breaking, crushing, drilling, sanding or sculpting the Company’s products. Each of the lawsuits that has been filed names defendants in addition to the Company, including, in certain cases, fabricators that employed the plaintiff, the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment, distributors of the Company’s products and insurance companies. Silicosis is an occupational lung disease that is progressive and sometimes fatal, and is characterized by scarring of the lungs and damage to the breathing function. Inhalation of dust containing fine silica particles as a result of not well protected and not well controlled, or unprotected and uncontrolled, exposure while processing quartz, granite, marble and other materials can cause silicosis. Various types of claims are raised in these lawsuits and in the letters submitted to the Company, including product liability claims.

 

      The Company believes that it has valid defenses to the lawsuits pending against the Company and to potential claims, and intends to contest them vigorously. Damages totaling $6,100 are specified in the lawsuits currently filed; however, the amount of general damages, which includes items such as future pain and suffering and loss of future earnings, have not yet been specified in most of the lawsuits. As a result, there is uncertainty regarding the total amount of damages that may ultimately be sought. At present, the Company does not expect that the lawsuits filed against the Company to date will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, in part due to the current availability of insurance coverage. Nevertheless, all but one of the lawsuits are at a preliminary stage and no material determinations, including those relating to attribution of fault or amount of damages, have been made. There can also be no assurance that the Company’s insurance coverage will be adequate or that the Company will prevail in these cases. The Company is a party to a settlement agreement that is pending court approval with respect to one of the lawsuits filed. In that instance, the total settlement is for NIS 275,000 ($72) of which the Company has agreed to pay NIS 10,000 ($3) without admitting liability. Substantially all of the balance is payable by the fabricator that employed the individual in question and insurance companies. The Company can provide no assurance that other lawsuits will be settled in this manner or at all.

 

  4.  

In November 2011, Kfar Giladi Quarries Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd., or Kfar Giladi, and Microgil Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd., or Microgil, an entity the Company believes is controlled by Kfar Giladi, initiated arbitration proceedings against

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

a.   Legal proceedings and contingencies (cont.):

 

 

the Company that are scheduled to commence in April 2012. The Company refers to Kfar Giladi and Microgil as the claimants. The claimants have not yet specified the remedies sought. Kfar Giladi’s and Microgil’s statement of claim may be filed before or following the commencement of the arbitration.

 

      The arbitration arises out of a dispute related to the quartz processing agreement (the “Processing Agreement”) that the Company entered into with Kfar Giladi (which subsequently purportedly assigned it to Microgil) in June 2006 pursuant to which Kfar Giladi committed to establish a production facility at its own expense within 21 months of the date of the Processing Agreement to process quartz for the Company and for other potential customers. Pursuant to the terms of the Processing Agreement, the Company committed to pay fixed prices for quartz processing services related to agreed upon quantities of quartz over a period of ten years from the date set for the claimants to commence operating the production facility. The Company estimated that the total amount of such payments would have been approximately $55,000. It is the Company’s position that the production facility established by the claimants was not operational until approximately two years after the date required by the Processing Agreement for the commencement of operations. As a result, the Company was unable to purchase the minimum quantities set forth in the Processing Agreement and the Company therefore acquired the quantities of ground quartz that it needed from other quartz suppliers.

It is also the Company’s position that the Processing Agreement was terminated by the Company following its breach by the claimants. The Company contends that the Company’s purchases of ground quartz from Microgil in 2010 and 2011 were made pursuant to new understandings reached between the parties and not pursuant to the Processing Agreement. The claimants allege that the Processing Agreement was still in effect and that the Company did not meet its contractual commitments under the Processing Agreement to order the minimum annual quantity. In addition, once production began, the Company contends that the claimants failed to consistently deliver the required quantity and quality of ground quartz as agreed by the parties. The Company’s positions are disputed by the claimants.

The Company also contends that the claimants are responsible for not returning to the Company unprocessed quartz that it provided to them, including quartz that is currently in the claimants’ possession and additional quartz that is unaccounted for. Each party has various other claims against the other.

In January 2012, Microgil notified the Company that it had closed its production facility as a result of the Company’s breach of the Processing Agreement. To date, the claimants have not specified the amount of their claim against the Company; however, the Company expects that they may seek significant damages that may amount to tens of millions of

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

a.   Legal proceedings and contingencies (cont.):

 

dollars that amount to the entire cost of the production facility and the profits that they would have realized but for the Company’s alleged breach. The claimants could also seek damages for other losses. The claimants previously informed the Company that the amount they had invested in establishing their production facility was more than NIS 40 million (approximately $10,500). The Company cannot currently estimate the profits, if any, that the claimants would have made based on the purchase commitment contemplated by the Processing Agreement. Considering the preliminary stage of the dispute, it is not possible to assess its prospects at this time. Because the arbitration proceedings have not yet commenced, and Kfar Giladi and Microgil have not yet filed their statement of claim, the Company cannot predict the amount of damages or losses they will seek from the Company. Therefore, at this stage in the dispute, the Company cannot estimate its potential exposure. The Company intends to defend the arbitration vigorously and to seek damages from Microgil for damage caused to the Company by its breach of the Processing Agreement. However, the Company cannot provide any assurance that an adverse ruling or a negative outcome will not have a material effect on it.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s inventory of quartz in Microgil’s possession totals $1,789 in value. Microgil recently stipulated preconditions for fulfilling the Company’s orders for the processing of the Company’s quartz inventory in Microgil’s possession, which were refused by the Company. Accordingly, such inventory was not supplied to the Company. The Company believes that it is probable that it will not be able to realize its inventory in Microgil’s possession. Accordingly, the Company has written off such inventory.

In conjunction with the Processing Agreement, the Company made a loan to Microgil in the amount of NIS 4.5 million under a loan agreement entered into in 2006. Under the loan agreement, the loan was to be repaid within a period of approximately four years commencing at the time of Microgil’s initial provision of services to the Company under the Processing Agreement. The interest rate of the loan was Prime plus 1%, with interest repayments on a quarterly basis. Principal repayments were to be made monthly through a deduction of NIS 18 from Company payments to Microgil for each ton of quartz supplied by Microgil. As of December 31, 2011, the loan and interest payments totaled $1,127.

In light of Microgil’s closing of its production facility, the Company believes that it is not probable that the remainder of the loan will be repaid by Microgil or can be otherwise collected in the near future. According to ASC 310-10-35-16, the Company believes that it is probable that it will not be able to collect the outstanding loan amount (both principal and interest), and therefore, recognized an impairment loss for the entire balance of the loan.

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

a.   Legal proceedings and contingencies (cont.):

 

 

  5.   The Company’s manufacturing operations are subject to the requirements of environmental laws and regulations in Israel, as well as specific conditions set forth in the business licenses and permits related to the use, storage and discharge of hazardous materials granted by national and municipal authorities in Israel for the operation of the Company’s Sdot-Yam and Bar-Lev facilities. The Company’s business licenses for the Company’s facilities each contain conditions related to a number of requirements, including with respect to disposal of effluent, air quality, process sludge, and the handling of waste and chemicals. From time to time, the Company faces environmental compliance issues related to the Company’s two manufacturing facilities in Israel. At present, the Company is considering remedial steps to address issues related to the following:

In January 2010, the Israel Ministry of the Environment ordered the Company to remove sludge waste that was disposed of in 2009 in a number of locations in northern Israel claiming that such disposal was unlawful. The Company is currently in discussions with the Israel Ministry of the Environment with respect to which sites will require waste removal. In 2009, the Company reserved $700, which the Company believes will be adequate for anticipated future clean-up expenditures associated with such disposals and the Company does not currently expect that it is reasonably possible that additional costs in excess of the amount reserved will be required.

The Company is currently seeking to further reduce the amount of styrene gas emitted by the Company’s facilities in order to become compliant with applicable requirements under Israeli laws and regulations and have received recent correspondence from the Israeli Ministry of the Environment indicating the Company’s obligation to comply with such regulations.

The Company currently disposes of waste water at the Company’s Bar-Lev facility pursuant to a one-year temporary approval obtained from the Israel Ministry of the Environment. The temporary approval was effective through February 1, 2012, and the Company expects to receive an extension. In addition, the Company currently disposes of waste water at its Sdot-Yam facility pursuant to a temporary approval obtained from the environmental unit of the local municipal authority; however, the Company has not received approval from the Israel Ministry of the Environment for this waste water disposal. The Company is developing plans to upgrade the facilities’ water drainage systems and water quality to comply with applicable requirements under Israeli environmental laws.

In May 2011, the Company received a letter from the Israeli fire regulation authorities detailing fire protection measures required at the Company’s facility in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam (the “Kibbutz”or “Kibbutz Sdot-Yam”) to obtain the necessary fire regulatory approval for such facility.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

a.   Legal proceedings and contingencies (cont.):

 

The Company has not yet assessed the likely capital expenditures that will be required in connection with the remedial measures necessary for the environmental and fire protection matters described above other than with respect to the $700 that the Company have reserved. As a result, with the exception of that amount, the Company has not accrued any reserves for these potential expenditures.

 

  6.   The Company and CSA initiated proceedings against one of CSA’s competitors in the Federal Court of Australia alleging trademark infringement, misleading conduct and passing off by using several of the Company’s trademarks. A settlement was reached at mediation in September 2011 and the respondents paid the Company AUD 1.7 million. Accordingly, the Company recorded an expense reduction within general and administrative expenses.

 

  7.   From time to time, the Company is involved in other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business related to a range of matters. While the outcome of these other claims cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company’s management does not believe that any such claims or all of them together will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

  8.   In August 2011, a vessel which was leased by the Company for the delivery of raw materials from Turkey to Israel halted its journey due to the need to effect repairs, and in September 2011, the vessel’s owner declared a general average. Under maritime law, a general average is a legal principle that requires all parties to a venture to share proportionately in any losses to part of the cargo or the vessel that are required to the save the whole cargo or vessel. While waiting for repair, the vessel was anchored in a sea port in Cyprus with the Company’s cargo on board. The vessel recently returned to Turkey. If a general average is found to have occurred, the Company may be liable for part of the direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by the vessel’s owner with respect to the general average, including its loss of profits due to the vessel lying idle. The owner has not quantified the amount of any claim, and therefore, at this stage, the Company cannot assess its potential financial liability, if any. The Company believes its maritime cargo policy covers this event and its potential liability related thereto.

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

 

b.   Operating lease commitments:

The land and certain of the Company’s facilities and vehicles are leased under operating lease agreements. Future minimum lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases for the specified periods ending after December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

2012

   $ 7,398   

2013

     5,758   

2014

     2,054   

2015

     1,462   

2016 and thereafter

     1,282   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 17,95134   

 

 

Lease expenses, net, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were approximately $4,208, $5,772 and $6,968, respectively.

 

c.   Purchase obligation

The Company’s significant contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2011 are summarized in the following table:

 

2012(1)

   $ 8,364   

2013 and thereafter

       
  

 

 

 
   $ 8,364   

 

 

 

  (1)   Consists of purchase obligations to certain suppliers.

 

d.   Pledges and guarantees:

 

  1.   Caesarstone Australia has two guarantees outstanding with the ANZ Bank with respect to rent, in the amount of $357.

 

  2.   To secure the Company’s liabilities to banks in Israel, fixed liens of an unlimited amount have been issued on the authorized non-paid up share capital, goodwill and the Company’s rights with respect to the land in Bar-Lev, and a floating charge of an unlimited amount has been issued on the Company’s other assets.

 

  3.   To secure the Company’s liabilities to a bank in Canada, Caesarstone Canada has provided a security interest on certain of its inventory and other tangible and intangible assets.

 

  4.   To secure the Company’s fulfillment of its undertakings with respect to certain benefits granted to it under the Law for Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, the Company has recorded a floating charge of an unlimited amount on all of its assets, in favor of the State of Israel (see Note 16(b)(3)).

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 14:- Commitments and contingent liabilities (Cont.)

 

 

e.   Obligation to employees:

The Company approved the payment of $250 to its Chairman as well as $1,700 to certain of its employees for their contribution to the Company’s success upon completion of the contemplated IPO (collectively, the “Special Bonus”). The payment of the Special Bonus will be accounted for as an expense in the period in which the contemplated IPO will be completed.

Note 15:- Share-based payment

 

a.   On March 31, 2008, Caesarstone Australia and the Company entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) with the former executive and his family trust granting the family trust restricted shares equal to 17% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Caesarstone Australia, subject to vesting and a related repurchase right by Caesarstone Australia and/or the Company.

Accordingly, 20 shares were issued and registered in the name of the former executive at nominal value, which represents a 17% ownership interest in Caesarstone Australia. Under the Agreement, the shares issued to the former executive are subject to a reverse vesting schedule such that Caesarstone Australia or the Company has the right to repurchase from the former executive such amount of shares out of the 17% holdings upon the fulfillment of conditional terms related to the former executive’s employment period. The shares hold ordinary voting and dividend rights subject to certain terms set forth in the Agreement, but are not transferable until the end of the respective Put and Call option periods described below.

Thereafter, any such transfer was subject to accumulative conditions as detailed in the Agreement.

The former executive was also granted a put option (the “Put Option”), which may be exercised as follows:

 

   

During the first two years of employment—within three months of termination of employment if the Company terminates the former executive’s employment other than for cause.

   

During the third year of employment—within three months of termination of employment other than for cause.

   

After the third year of employment—within six months of termination of employment other than for cause.

The exercise period of the Put Option commenced after one year plus one day from the initial date of the employment period.

The exercise price is a multiple of five times the EBITDA of Caesarstone Australia, with the annual calculation of EBITDA based upon the quarter in which the notice of exercise is given,

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 15:- Share-based payment (Cont.)

 

a.   On March 31, 2008, Caesarstone Australia and the Company entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) with the former executive and his family trust granting the family trust restricted shares equal to 17% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Caesarstone Australia, subject to vesting and a related repurchase right by Caesarstone Australia and/or the Company (cont.):

 

as well as the two preceding and two subsequent quarters. The Put Options may not be exercised in the event of a trade sale of Caesarstone Australia or if a date is set for an IPO.

If the former executive does not exercise the Put Option, the Company is granted a call option (the “Call Option”) which may be exercised during the 12-month period following the end of the exercise period for the Put Option. The exercise price is calculated on the same basis as for the Put Option, but a multiplier of six applies (instead of five).

The fair value of the share-based payment in the subsidiary as of December 31, 2009 was calculated using the Monte Carlo Simulation option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

       December 31,
2009
 

Exercise price of share rights granted

   $ 0   

Dividend yield

     0%   

Life of rights granted

     4 years   

Marketability discount

     44%   

Risk-free interest rate

     3.36%   

 

 

The total value of share-based benefits included in the remuneration for the year is calculated in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. As a result of the termination of the former executive in November 2009 and the consequent legal proceedings as detailed in Note 14 above, the liability for stock-based rights has not been derecognized.

 

b.   Phantom share-based payment:

In January 2009, the Company granted its current Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) a right to a bonus payment based on an increase in the Company’s value and under which the CEO is entitled to receive in cash the difference between $1,150 per share, subject to adjustments for dividend distributions made until the actual payment of the bonus and the value of 2,740 of the Company’s outstanding shares with such bonus right vesting over a three-year period in increments of 1/12 on a quarterly basis. Currently, the Company’s value is deemed to be based on a multiple of the Company’s EBITDA (defined as operating income plus depreciation and amortization) (the “EBITDA formula”). In the event of the closing of an IPO, the Company’s value would be determined by reference to the Company’s share price. However, upon the occurrence of an “exercise event,” the entire award, or any part thereof which was not previously exercised, immediately fully vests and the CEO must exercise his right to receive the cash value of the award. There are four defined “exercise events” under

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 15:- Share-based payment (Cont.)

 

b.   Phantom share-based payment (cont.):

 

the award, including an IPO. If the right to the bonus is exercised upon the IPO, the bonus will be calculated based on the difference between $1,150 per share, subject to adjustments for dividend distributions made until the IPO, and the share price at the IPO.

In September 2010, the Company’s CEO notified the Company of his decision to exercise his right to receive an award bonus with respect to 1,340 vested shares calculated in accordance with the EBITDA formula. The award bonus amount relating to the 1,340 shares exercised was calculated based on the Company’s financial statements for fiscal year 2010 based on 2010 EBITDA and totaled $2.8 million, which the Company paid in June 2011.

In October 2011, the Company’s CEO notified the Company of his decision to exercise his right to receive an award bonus with respect to 700 vested shares. The compensation committee approved the award bonus relating to the 700 shares exercised based on 2011

EBITDA. The award bonus is estimated at $1.7 million and was calculated based on the Company’s financial statements for fiscal year 2011 using the basis of the Company’s 2011 EBITDA. The award bonus will be paid in February 2012.

According to ASC 718-10, instruments that should be treated as a liability are “instruments that are required to be cash-settled (e.g., cash-settled stock appreciation rights) or require cash settlement on the occurrence of a contingent event that is considered probable”.

As such, in this case the share-based compensation is accounted for as a liability award. According to ASC 718-10, in connection with the measurement of the liability settlement, the value of the award should be measured each reporting date until settlement.

After implementing this accounting treatment, the liability balance that the Company recorded on December 31, 2010 and 2011 is as follows:

 

       December 31,
2010
     December 31,
2011
 

 

 

Phantom share-based payment award

   $ 5,216       $ 3,684   

 

 

The fair value of the phantom award was determined based on the following:

 

  1.   On December 31, 2010, the liability with respect to the 1,340 vested shares that were exercised was measured in accordance with the EBITDA formula, calculated on the basis of estimated EBITDA for fiscal year 2010 (the balance amounted to $2,793).In June 2011, the Company paid the CEO $2,800 with respect to the 1,340 vested shares that were exercised.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 15:- Share-based payment (Cont.)

 

b.   Phantom share-based payment (cont.):

 

The fair value of the phantom award that was measured in accordance with third-party valuations, as of December 31, 2010 and was calculated using the Binominal option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

       December 31,
2010
 

 

 

Volatility(*)

     57.69%   

Risk-free interest rate

     0.8%   

Dividend yield

     0%   

Expected life (years)

     3   

 

 

 

  (*)   Based on a comparison to comparable companies.

This resulted in a balance of $2,423.

 

  2.   At December 31, 2011, the liability with respect to the remaining 700 unexercised shares was measured as of December 31, 2011 using a valuation model based on the weighted average probability of exercise upon an IPO and exercise based on a multiple of the Company’s 2012 projected EBITDA, as it better reflects the fair value of the award as of December 31, 2011 (the balance amounted to $1,937).

The liability with respect to the 700 vested shares that were exercised in October 2011 was measured in accordance with the EBITDA formula, calculated on the basis of 2011 EBITDA (the balance amounted to $1,747).

Note 16:- Taxes on income

 

a.   Uncertain tax positions:

The balances at December 31, 2010 and 2011 include a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $1,857 and $755, respectively, for tax positions which are uncertain of being sustained. The accruals are with respect to the eligibility of certain profits to the reduced tax rates under the Company’s Approved Enterprise and Benefited Enterprise programs as well as with respect to some expenses, which deduction for tax purposes is uncertain. The decrease in the liability for uncertain tax benefits is primarily due to tax settlements related to 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income taxes in its tax expense line in its consolidated statements. The Company had approximately $355 and $245 accrued for interest payments as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. This accrual was fully offset by interest receivable resulting from tax advances made to the Israeli Tax Authorities.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

a.   Uncertain tax positions (cont.):

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

Gross tax liabilities at January 1, 2009

   $ 1,314   

Increases in tax positions for current year

     61   

Foreign currency adjustments

     12   
  

 

 

 

Gross tax liabilities at December 31, 2009

     1,387   

Increases in tax positions for current year

     362   

Foreign currency adjustments

     108   
  

 

 

 

Gross tax liabilities at December 31, 2010

     1,857   

Increases in tax positions for current year

     56   

Addition of tax position of prior years

     494   

Decrease in tax position resulting from settlement

     (1,667

Foreign currency adjustments

     15   
  

 

 

 

Gross tax liabilities at December 31, 2011

   $ 755   

 

 

The Company operates in multiple jurisdictions throughout the world, and its tax returns are periodically audited or subject to review by both domestic and foreign authorities. As a result of ongoing examinations, tax proceedings in certain countries, additions to unrecognized tax benefits for positions taken and interest and penalties, if any, arising in 2011, it is not possible to estimate the potential net increase or decrease to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months. The following describes the open tax years, by major tax jurisdiction, as of December 31, 2011:

Israel 2010—present

Australia 2008—present

Canada 2010—present

United States 2008—present

 

b.   Israeli taxation:

 

  1.   Corporate tax rate:

For the tax year 2010, Israeli companies are subject to “Corporate Tax” on their taxable income at the rate of 25%. Following an amendment to the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, 1961 (the “Israeli Tax Ordinance”), which came into effect on January 1, 2006, the corporate tax rate decreased to 25% for the 2010 tax year and thereafter.

In December 2011, the Israeli Parliament (“Knesset”) passed the Law for Socioeconomic Change (Legislative Amendments) (Taxes), 2011, which prescribes, among others matters, to cancel, effective from 2012, the scheduled progressive reduction in the corporate tax rate and to raise the statutory corporate tax rate to 25% in 2012. In view of the increase in the

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

b.   Israeli taxation (cont.):

 

corporate tax rate to 25% in 2012, the real capital gains tax rate and the real betterment tax rate will also be increased. The Amendment enacted is effective as of December 6, 2011. The adoption of the Amendment had no effect on the financial statements.

 

  2.   Tax benefits under Israel’s Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969:

The Company is an “Industrial Company,” as defined by the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969, and as such, the Company is entitled to certain tax benefits, primarily amortization of costs relating to know-how and patents over eight years, accelerated depreciation and the right to deduct public issuance expenses for tax purposes.

 

  3.   Tax Benefits Under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959:

According to the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (the “Encouragement Law”), the Company is entitled to various tax benefits by virtue of the “approved enterprise” and/or “beneficiary enterprise” and/or “preferred enterprise” status granted to part of its enterprises, in accordance with the Encouragement Law. The principal benefits by virtue of the Encouragement Law are the following:

Tax benefits and reduced tax rates:

Grants Track

The Company is eligible for investment grants awarded at various rates according to the development area in which the enterprise is located: in national priority area A the rate is 24% of approved investments and in national priority area B, the rate is 10% of approved investments.

In addition to the above grants, in national priority area A, the Company is tax exempt for the first two years of the benefit period and is subject to tax at the reduced rate of no more than 25% during the remaining five years of the benefit period.

The benefit period starts with the first year the approved enterprise earns taxable income, provided 14 years have not passed since the approval was granted and 12 years have not passed since the enterprise began operating. The benefit period for part of the enterprises of the Company ended at the end of the 2010 tax year due to the Company’s election to apply the provisions of Amendment No. 68 to the Encouragement Law which entered into force in January, 1, 2011 (the “Amendment No. 68”).

If a dividend is distributed out of tax exempt profits, the Company will become liable for tax at the rate applicable to its profits from the approved enterprise in the year in which the income was earned, as if it was not in the exemption period (taxed at the rate of no more than 25%). The Company’s policy is not to distribute such dividends from income derived from Approved Enterprises or Beneficiary Enterprises.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

b.   Israeli taxation (cont.):

 

Alternative Track / Beneficiary Enterprise

Under this track, some of the Company’s facilities are tax exempt for 10 years and some of the Company’s facilities are tax exempt in the first two years of the benefit period and subject to tax at the reduced rate of 10% to 25% for a period of five to eight years for the remaining benefit period (dependent on the level of foreign investments, if any).

If the plan was approved after April 1, 2005, another condition for receiving the benefits under the alternative track is a minimum qualifying investment. This condition requires an investment in the acquisition of productive assets such as machinery and equipment, which must be carried out within three years. The minimum qualifying investment required for setting up an enterprise is NIS 300,000 (approximately $86). As for enterprise expansion, the minimum qualifying investment is the higher of NIS 300,000 and an amount equivalent to the “qualifying percentage” of the value of the productive assets. Productive assets that are used by the enterprise but not owned by it will also be viewed as productive assets.

The qualifying percentage of the value of the productive assets is as follows:

 

The value of productive

assets before the expansion

(NIS in millions)

   The new proportion that the
required investment bears to the
value of productive assets
 

 

 

Up to NIS 140 (approximately $38)

     12%   

NIS 140—NIS 500 (approximately $136)

     7%   

More than NIS 500 (approximately $136)

     5%   

 

 

The income qualifying for tax benefits under the alternative track is the taxable income of a company that has met certain conditions as determined by the Encouragement Law (a “beneficiary company”), and which is derived from an industrial enterprise. The Encouragement Law specifies the types of qualifying income that are entitled to tax benefits under the alternative track with respect to an industrial enterprise. Income from an industrial enterprise includes, among others, revenues from the production and development of software products and revenues from industrial research and development activities performed for a foreign resident (and approved by the Head of the Administration of Industrial Research and Development).

The benefit period starts with the first year the approved enterprise or the beneficiary enterprise earns taxable income, provided that 14 years have not passed since the approval was granted and 12 years have not passed since the enterprise began operating. In respect of expansion programs pursuant to Amendment No. 60 to the Encouragement Law, the benefit period starts at the later of the year elected and the first year the Company earns taxable income provided that 12 years have not passed since the beginning of the year of election and for new companies in development

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

b.   Israeli taxation (cont.):

 

area A—14 years since the beginning of the year of election. The benefit period for part of the enterprises of the Company ended at the end of the 2010 tax year, due to the Company’s election to apply the provisions to Amendment No. 68.

If a dividend is distributed out of tax exempt profits, as discussed above, the Company will become liable for taxes at the rate applicable to its profits from the approved enterprise or the beneficiary enterprise in the year in which the income was earned, as if it was not under the alternative track (taxed at the rate of no more than 25%). The Company’s policy is not to distribute such dividends from income derived from Approved Enterprises or Beneficiary Enterprises.

If the plan under the grant track or the alterative track was approved after April 1, 2005, the basic condition for receiving the benefits under these tracks is that the enterprise contributes to the country’s economic growth and is a competitive factor for the gross domestic product (“a competitive enterprise”). In order to comply with this condition, the Encouragement Law prescribes various requirements regarding industrial enterprises.

As for industrial enterprises, in each tax year during the benefit period, one of the following conditions must be met:

 

  a)   Its main field of activity is biotechnology or nanotechnology as approved by the Head of the Administration of Industrial Research and Development, prior to the approval of the aforementioned plan.

 

  b)   Its sales revenues during the tax year of the facility from a specific country do not exceed 75% of its total revenues of the facility for that tax year. A “market” is defined as a separate country or customs duty territory.

 

  c)   At least 25% of its revenues during the tax year were generated by sales of the facility in a specific market with a population of at least 12 million.

Accelerated depreciation:

The Company is eligible for a deduction of accelerated depreciation on machinery and equipment used by the Approved Enterprise or the Beneficiary Enterprise or the Preferred Enterprise at a rate of 200% (or 400% for buildings) from the first year of the asset’s operation.

Conditions for entitlement to benefits:

The abovementioned benefits are contingent upon the fulfillment of the conditions stipulated by the Encouragement Law, regulations published thereunder and the letters of approval for the investments in the Approved Enterprises and/or Beneficiary Enterprises, as discussed above. Non-compliance with the conditions may cancel all or part of the benefits and require a refund of the amount of the benefits, including interest. The Company’s management believes that the Company is meeting the aforementioned conditions.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

b.   Israeli taxation (cont.):

 

Of the Company’s retained earnings as of December 31, 2011, approximately $20,248 is tax-exempt earnings attributable to its Approved Enterprise programs and $15,823 is tax-exempt earnings attributable to its Beneficiary Enterprise program. The tax-exempt income attributable to the Approved and Beneficiary Enterprises cannot be distributed to shareholders without subjecting the Company to taxes. If dividends are distributed out of tax-exempt profits, the Company will then become liable for tax at the rate applicable to its profits from the approved enterprise in the year in which the income was earned, as if it was not under the “Alternative benefits track” (taxed at the rate of 25% as of December 31, 2011). Under the Encouragement Law, tax-exempt income generated under Beneficiary Enterprise status will be taxed upon a dividend distribution or complete liquidation in accordance with the Encouragement Law. Tax exempt income generated under the Approved Enterprise status will be taxed upon a dividend distribution.

As of December 31, 2011, if the income attributed to the Approved Enterprise was distributed as a dividend, the Company would incur a tax liability of approximately up to $5,062. If income attributed to the Beneficiary Enterprise was distributed as a dividend, including upon liquidation, the Company would incur a tax liability in the amount of approximately up to $3,956. These amounts will be recorded as an income tax expense in the period in which the Company declares the dividend.

Amendments to the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959:

In December 2010, the “Knesset” (Israeli Parliament) passed the Law for Economic Policy for 2011 and 2012 (Amended Legislation), 2011 (“Amendment No. 68”), which prescribes, among others, amendments in the Encouragement Law. Amendment No. 68 was enacted and became effective as of January 1, 2011.

In order to receive benefits as a “Preferred Enterprise,” Amendment No. 68 states certain conditions must be met. The basic condition for receiving the benefits under Amendment No. 68 is that the enterprise contributes to the country’s economic growth and is a competitive factor for the gross domestic product (a “competitive enterprise”). In order to comply with this condition, the Encouragement Law prescribes various requirements. As for industrial enterprises, in each tax year, one of the following conditions must be met:

 

  a)   Its main field of activity is biotechnology or nanotechnology as approved by the Head of the Administration of Industrial Research and Development.

 

  b)   Its sales revenues during the tax year of the facility from a specific country does not exceed 75% of its total revenues of the facility for that tax year. A “market” is defined as a separate country or customs duty territory.

 

  c)   At least 25% of its revenues during each tax year were generated by sales of the facility in a specific market with a population of at least 12 million.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

b.   Israeli taxation (cont.):

 

The Company has examined the effect of the implementation of Amendment No. 68 on its financial statements, and starting from the 2011 tax year, the Company elected by submitting a waiver, to be taxed under Amendment No. 68. Due to the Company’s implementation of Amendment No. 68, starting from January, 1, 2011, the Company will not be entitled to tax benefits under previous encouragement laws.

Under Amendment No. 68, some of the Company’s facilities are eligible for tax benefits at a reduced flat corporate tax rate, which is not program-dependent, and applies to the Company’s facilities entire preferred income. The reduced flat corporate tax rates will be gradually reduced over a period of five years, as follows: in 2011—2012, the reduced tax rate will be 15% (in development area A—10%), in 2013—2014—12.5% (in development area A—7%) and in 2015 and thereafter—12% (in development area A—6%).

In national priority area A, in addition to the tax benefits, as mentioned above, some of the Company’s facilities are eligible for grants and/or loans, subject to an approval of the Israeli Investment Center.

If a dividend is distributed out of tax reduced profits, as discussed above, the Company will be required to withhold tax on such distribution at a rate of 15% (or a reduced rate under an applicable double tax treaty). Upon a distribution of a dividend to an Israeli company, no withholding tax is remitted.

Since the Company, chose to apply the provisions of Amendment No. 68, by submitting the waiver form before June 30, 2011, the Company is eligible to distribute taxed earnings derived from a Beneficiary Enterprise and/or Approved Enterprise to an Israeli company without being subject to withholding tax.

The effect of the adoption of this amendment on taxes on income for the year ended December 31, 2011 is a reduction in tax expense of approximately $1,800.

 

c.   Non-Israeli subsidiaries taxation:

Non-Israeli subsidiaries are taxed based on tax laws in their countries of residence.

Statutory tax rates for investee companies are as follows:

Company incorporated in United States—40% tax rate.

Company incorporated in Australia—30% tax rate.

Company incorporated in Singapore—18% tax rate.

Company incorporated in Canada—29% tax rate.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

 

d.   Deferred income taxes:

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

       December 31,  
     2010     2011  

 

 

Deferred tax assets:

    

Intangible assets

   $ 161      $ 275   

Other temporary differences

     1,347        5,780   

Unrealized profit from sales to subsidiary

     2,344        2,175   

Phantom share based award

     1,029        386   

Less—valuation allowance

     (161     (89
  

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax assets

     4,720        8,527   
  

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

    

Property and equipment

     (7,256     (3,255

Intangible assets

            (6,412

Other temporary differences

     (20     (294
  

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (7,276     (9,961
  

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

   $ (2,556   $ (1,434

 

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the schedule of reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

A deferred tax asset has been taken up on the amortization of the intangible assets reflecting amortization in the accounting book value of the assets compared to the tax cost base under Australian taxation law. A valuation allowance has been provided for against this deferred tax asset as it is unlikely that the intangible assets will ever be realized.

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

 

e.   A reconciliation of the Company’s effective tax rate to the statutory tax rate in Israel is as follows:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009     2010     2011  

 

 

Income before taxes on income

   $ 11,435      $ 36,701      $ 32,971   
  

 

 

 

Statutory tax rate in Israel

     26%        25%        24%   
  

 

 

 

Income taxes at statutory rate

   $ 2,973      $ 9,175      $ 7,913   
  

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in tax expenses resulting from:

      

Tax benefit arising from reduced rate as an “Approved Enterprise”(1)

     (2,042     (2,524     (3,707

Non-deductible expenses, net

     409        111        506   

Non-deductible expenses deriving from option for preferred shares

     2,096                 

Adjustment for change in tax law

                   (1,800

Decrease in taxes from prior years

                   (533

Increase in taxes resulting from tax settlement with tax authorities

                   802   

Tax adjustment in respect of foreign subsidiaries’ different tax rates

     132        237        72   

Uncertain tax liability (ASC 740)

     61        362        56   

Changes in valuation allowance

     233        (186     (72

Others

     (110     224        363   
  

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   $ 3,752      $ 7,399      $ 3,600   
  

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     33%        20%        11%   
  

 

 

 
Per share amounts (basic and diluted) of the tax benefit resulting from the exemption    $ (0.03   $ (0.03   $ (0.05

 

 

 

f.   Income before taxes on income is comprised as follows:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Domestic

   $ 4,510       $ 32,125       $ 31,297   

Foreign

     6,925         4,576         1,674   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 11,435       $ 36,701       $ 32,971   

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 16:- Taxes on income (Cont.)

 

 

g.   Tax expenses on income are comprised as follows:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Current taxes

   $ 2,850       $ 6,597       $ 6,720   

Taxes in respect of prior years

                     192   

Deferred taxes

     902         802         (3,312
  

 

 

 
   $ 3,752       $ 7,399       $ 3,600   

 

 

Domestic

   $ 3,446       $ 6,036       $ 3,177   

Foreign

     306         1,363         423   
  

 

 

 
   $ 3,752       $ 7,399       $ 3,600   

 

 

Note 17:- Equity

 

a.   The Company’s share capital consisted of the following as of December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

       Authorized      Issued and
outstanding
 
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2010      2011      2010      2011  

 

 

Shares of NIS 1 par value:

           

Ordinary shares

     5,292,000         5,292,000         78,260         78,260   

Preferred shares

     40,000         40,000         28,565         28,565   

 

 

 

b.   Ordinary shares—ordinary shares confer on their holders voting rights and the right to receive dividends.

Preferred shares—preferred shares confer on their holders all of the rights of ordinary shares and a dividend preference as described in the following section:

Dividend—Each 1,000 preferred shares entitle the holders thereof to a cumulative preference in all distributions of dividends by the Company up to an amount of (1) NIS 6,901 per annum linked to the known consumer price index as of the closing date plus (2) 0.072% of the annual profit of the Company before tax and before payment of management fees, in accordance with the Company’s annual financial statements. As of December 31, 2011, the amount of cumulative preference unpaid yet was $780.

Conversion rate—Each preferred share is convertible into one ordinary share.

 

c.  

On July 4, 2006, pursuant to an investment agreement among the Kibbutz and entities affiliated with it, Tene Investment Funds (“Tene”) and the Company, agreed to issue 21,740 preferred shares to Tene representing 21.74% of the Company’s outstanding share capital in

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 17:- Equity (Cont.)

 

 

consideration of an aggregate initial investment of $25,000, which represented $1,150 per share. The amount of the investment was subject to upward adjustment by means of Tene paying additional amounts or downward adjustment by means of the Company issuing additional preferred shares to Tene, depending on the Company’s value. Pursuant to the investment agreement, the Company’s value was based on the Company’s adjusted average operating profit in 2006 and 2007 (calculated in accordance with the agreement).

The Company granted Tene a call option (the “Option”) to acquire at $1,150 per share up to 5.0% of the Company’s share capital, in addition to Tene’s existing holdings in the Company, such that after the exercise of the Option, Tene would hold 26.74% of the issued share capital of the Company (assuming no additional issuance of shares by the Company). The Option was exercisable by Tene, in its sole discretion, and the shares allocated to Tene would constitute preferred shares with an individual nominal value of NIS 1.

The exercise price per share was equal to the share price paid by Tene as of the initial closing date under the agreement ($1,150 per share).

Pursuant to the terms of the Option, Tene would pay to the Company an additional amount of $7,850 and would hold 26.74% of the issued share capital of the Company.

On November 25, 2009, Tene informed the Company and the Kibbutz of its desire to exercise the Option.

In December 2009, Tene exercised the Option and the Company issued 6,825 preferred shares to Tene in return for Tene’s payment of $7,850. In addition, Tene purchased from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an additional 1,700 of the Company’s ordinary shares.

As the Option was denominated in U.S. dollars, which is not the Company’s functional currency, the Option is not eligible for equity classification and was accounted for as a liability presented at fair value at each reporting date. The Company accounted for the liability at fair value—mark-to-market using the Black Scholes (“B-S”) option pricing model.

In October 2011, Tene acquired from Kibbutz Sdot-Yam an additional 1,700 ordinary shares, increasing Tene’s holdings in the Company to 29.93% of the Company’s shares, with the remainder owned by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.

 

d.   Dividends:

The Company paid dividends in the amount of approximately $9,900, $14,000 and $6,900 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s board of directors declared the payment of a special dividend to the Company’s existing shareholders of $25,600 to be paid immediately following the closing of the Company’s contemplated IPO. In addition, the Company currently intends to pay a dividend of $800 to its preferred shareholders prior to the closing of the Company’s contemplated IPO.

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 17:- Equity (Cont.)

 

 

e.   Compensation plan:

The Company has adopted the 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2011 plan”), which will become effective upon the consummation of the contemplated IPO. Following the approval of the 2011 plan by the Israeli tax authorities, the Company will only grant options or other equity incentive awards under the 2011 plan and has reserved 9,500 ordinary shares for issuance. Immediately following the pricing of the contemplated IPO, the Company intends to grant awards to certain of its key employees, including the Company’s executive officers.

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

The Company’s controlling shareholder, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, established Caesarstone in 1987 and has an ownership interest in the Company of approximately 70%. Caesarstone is party to a series of agreements with the Kibbutz that govern different aspects of the Company’s relationship and are described below. In the event the contemplated IPO is completed, the Company’s current agreements with the Kibbutz will be terminated and a new set of agreements, which will be entered into between the Company and the Kibbutz, will become effective.

 

a.   Manpower Agreement with Kibbutz:

In March 2001, Caesarstone entered into a manpower agreement with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which was amended in December 2006. Pursuant to that agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam agreed to provide the Company with labor services staffed by Kibbutz members, candidates for Kibbutz membership and residents of the Kibbutz (a “Kibbutz Appointee”). Under the agreement, the Kibbutz has agreed to make available to the Company, at the Company’s request, workers for up to 80 permanent positions and up to 40 temporary positions. Each position is for at least 90 hours of work per month.

In consideration for the manpower services provided, the Company pays to the Kibbutz fees either on an hourly basis or a flat monthly basis at the Company’s election. The Company has agreed to increase the amount paid to the Kibbutz Appointees above the agreed rate in certain circumstances in which the average agreed upon salary of the Company’s other employees increases as a result of an increase in the Israeli employee salary index; however, the Company has also agreed not to decrease the amount paid to the Kibbutz Appointees if the average salary of the Company’s other employees decreases as a result of a decrease in the number of the Company’s employees who are not Kibbutz Appointees. The Company is not responsible for paying any other work-related expenses (including insurance expenses), other than monthly fees, for Kibbutz Appointees.

The agreement was terminated by the parties on December 31, 2010 and replaced by a new agreement effective from January 1, 2011.

Manpower service fees were $2,997, $3,897 and $4,772 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties (Cont.)

 

 

b.   Services from the Kibbutz:

In December 2006, the Company entered into a services agreement with the Kibbutz pursuant to which the Kibbutz provides the Company with electricity, sewerage, maintenance, landscaping, security and other similar services. In consideration for these services, the Company pays the Kibbutz an aggregate annual amount of NIS 500,000 plus amounts based on the Company’s consumption of services. This amount is subject to change at the discretion of a committee established for that purpose under the agreement. The amount has not increased since the agreement was originally signed. The initial term of the agreement was for one year commencing in January 2006 and the agreement renews annually for additional one-year periods unless terminated by either party upon 90-days prior notice. The agreement will be terminated immediately following the contemplated IPO and replaced by a new services agreement, signed on July 20, 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012.

The Company’s service fees to the Kibbutz pursuant to the services agreement totaled $1,174, $1,620 and $1,719 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

c.   Management Services Agreement with the Kibbutz:

Pursuant to a management services agreement entered into on December 25, 2006, the Kibbutz provides the Company with management services, including, without limitation, strategic, operational and technical advisory services and directorship services, and the Company agreed to pay the Kibbutz a management fee of NIS 1.2 million linked to the Israeli consumer price index from December 2006 plus 7.2% of the Company’s annual pre-tax net income before payment of the management fee.

The Company’s management service fees to the Kibbutz pursuant to the management services agreement totaled $1,838, $3,403 and $3,105 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

On December 31, 2011, the agreement was automatically renewed for an additional three-year period. The management services agreement will terminate immediately upon the closing of the contemplated IPO.

 

d.   Land Use Agreement with the Kibbutz:

The Company’s principal offices and research and development facilities, as well as one of its two manufacturing facilities, are located on the grounds of the Kibbutz and include a building of approximately 24,000 square meters and unbuilt areas of approximately 58,000 square meters. The Kibbutz permits the Company to use the land and facilities pursuant to a land use agreement signed in January 2001. At present, the agreement automatically renews for up to five consecutive three-year terms until November 30, 2025 unless either party gives the other party two years’ prior written notice of termination. The Company pays a monthly

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties (Cont.)

 

d.   Land Use Agreement with the Kibbutz (cont.):

 

fee to the Kibbutz which is currently the NIS equivalent of $6.00 per square meter of the building and $1.50 per square meter of unbuilt property plus VAT, calculated based on the dollar-NIS representative exchange rate on the date of each payment, which may not be less than NIS 4.041 per $1.00. The agreement will be terminated immediately following the contemplated IPO and replaced by a new land use agreement, signed on July 20, 2011 and amended on February 13, 2012.

The Company’s payments pursuant to this land use agreement totaled $2,865, $3,007 and $3,020 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

e.   Loan to the Kibbutz:

Pursuant to a loan agreement dated December 25, 2006, the Company agreed to lend the Kibbutz a principal amount of NIS 25 million, linked to the consumer price index published on the date of the closing of the investment transaction with Tene. The loan amount bore an interest at a rate of 5% per annum and was payable over a period of seven years with monthly payments of interest and principal. The loan amount was fully repaid in 2009 prior to its maturity date and the loan agreement was cancelled.

 

f.   New agreements with the Kibbutz:

 

  1.   Land Use Agreement:

Pursuant to a letter of understanding signed in October 2010, following which an agreement was signed in July 2011 and amended in February 2012, the current land use agreement between the Company and Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, relating to the plant in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, will be terminated in the event of a public offering and replaced by a new land use agreement. The new land use agreement will have a term of 20 years commencing on the date of such an offering. Under the new land use agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will permit the Company to use approximately 100,000 square meters of land, consisting of facilities and unbuilt areas, in consideration for an annual fee of NIS 12.6 million ($3,300) in 2012 and NIS 12.9 million ($3,400) in 2013, in each case plus VAT, and beginning in 2013, adjusted every six months based on any increase of the Israeli consumer price index compared to the index as of January 2011.

Pursuant to an agreement dated January 4, 2012, for the settlement of reimbursement for building expenses incurred by the Company from January 2012, NIS 82,900 ($22) and NIS 43,000 ($11) will not be included in the land use fees until the year 2020 and year 2015, respectively.

The annual fee may be adjusted after January 1, 2021 (or after January 1, 2018 if the Kibbutz is required to pay significantly higher lease fees to the ILA or the Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Caesarea Development Corporation Ltd.) and every three years

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties (Cont.)

 

f.   New agreements with the Kibbutz (cont.):

 

thereafter, if Kibbutz Sdot-Yam chooses to obtain an appraisal. The appraiser will be mutually agreed upon or, in the absence of agreement, will be chosen by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam out of the list of appraisers recommended at that time by Bank Leumi Le-Israeli (“Bank Leumi”). Under the new land use agreement, the Company may not terminate the operation of either of its two production lines at its plant in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam as long as the Company continues to operate production lines elsewhere in Israel, and its headquarters must remain at Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. The Company may also not decrease or return to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam any part of the land underlying the new land use agreement; however, it may submit a written request to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam to return certain lands. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will have three months to accept or reject such request, in its sole discretion, provided that if it does not respond within such three-month period, the Company will be entitled to sublease such lands to a person approved in advance by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. In such event, the Company will continue to be liable to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam with respect to such lands.

Pursuant to the new land use agreement, if the Company needs additional facilities on the land that the Company is permitted to use in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, subject to obtaining the permits required by law, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will build such facilities for the Company, by using the proceeds of a loan that the Company will make to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, which loan shall be repaid to the Company by off-setting the monthly additional payment that the Company will pay for such new facilities and, if not fully repaid during the land use agreement term, upon termination thereof.

In addition, the Company has committed to fund the cost of construction, up to a maximum of NIS 3.3 million plus VAT, required to change the access road leading to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and its facilities, such that the entrance of the Company’s facilities will be separated from the entrance into Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.

 

  2.   Manpower Agreement:

Pursuant to a letter of understanding signed in October 2010, the current manpower agreement the Company has with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam has been terminated on December 31, 2010 and replaced by a new manpower agreement with a term of 10 years from January 1, 2011, which was signed in July 2011. Under the new manpower agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will provide the Company with labor services staffed by Kibbutz Appointees. The consideration to be paid for each Kibbutz Appointee will be based on the Company’s total cost of employment for a non-Kibbutz Appointee employee performing a similar role. The number of Kibbutz Appointees may change in accordance with the Company’s needs. Under the new manpower agreement, the Company will notify Kibbutz Sdot-Yam of any roles that require staffing, and if the Kibbutz offers candidates with skills similar to other candidates, the Company will give

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties (Cont.)

 

f.   New agreements with the Kibbutz (cont.):

 

preference to hiring of the relevant Kibbutz members. Kibbutz Sdot-Yam is entitled under this new agreement, at its sole discretion, to discontinue the engagement of any Kibbutz Appointee of manpower services through his or her employment by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and require such appointee to become employed directly by the Company. The Company will contribute monetarily to assist with the implementation of a professional reserve plan to encourage young Kibbutz members to obtain the necessary education for future employment with the Company. The Company will provide up to NIS 250,000 ($67) per annum for this plan linked to changes in the Israeli consumer price index plus VAT. The Company will also implement a policy that prioritizes the hiring of such young Kibbutz members as the Company’s employees upon their graduation. The letter of understanding further indicates that the definitive new manpower agreement will include Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s obligation to customary liability, insurance, indemnification and confidentiality and intellectual property provisions.

 

  3.   Services Agreement:

Pursuant to a letter of understanding signed in October 2010 and an agreement signed in July 2011 as amended in February 2012, the current services agreement the Company has with Kibbutz Sdot-Yam would terminate upon the closing of an IPO and be replaced by a new services agreement with a term of eight years from the closing of the IPO. Under the new services agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will provide the Company, among other things, with sewage infrastructure services, water supply, meals, laundry, post-delivery and other services, that Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will be granted the first refusal right for their supply to the Company, under terms that the Company may obtain from third parties. The amount that the Company will pay to the Kibbutz will generally be determined based on the amount of services the Company consumes. The amount the Company pays for services will be subject to adjustment every six months for increases in the Israeli consumer price index. The letter of understanding further indicates that the definitive new services agreement will include Kibbutz Sdot-Yam’s obligation to customary liability, insurance, indemnification and provisions.

 

  4.   Land Purchase Agreement and Leaseback

Pursuant to an agreement entered into on March 31, 2011 and amended in February 2012, which will become effective immediately following the closing of an IPO, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will acquire from the Company, subject to certain precedent conditions specified in the agreement (see below), the Company’s rights in the lands and facilities of the Bar-Lev Industrial Center (the “Bar-Lev Grounds”) in consideration for NIS 43.7 million (approximately $11,424). The expected carrying value of the Bar-Lev grounds at the time of closing this transaction is NIS 40.3 million (approximately $10,535). The precedent conditions to the sale of the Company’s rights in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park include,

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties (Cont.)

 

f.   New agreements with the Kibbutz (cont.):

 

among others, the receipt by the Company of certain approvals from the banks and from the Israeli Lands Registrar within 120 days following the closing of an IPO (subject to exceptions), and the receipt of a consent from the Investment Center which should be obtained by both parties together. The land purchase agreement was executed simultaneously with the execution of a land use agreement. Pursuant to the land use agreement, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will permit the Company to use the Bar-Lev Grounds for a period of 10 years commencing on the date of an offering that will be automatically renewed, unless the Company gives two years prior notice, for a ten-year term in consideration for an annual fee of NIS 41.5 million (approximately $1,100) to be linked to increases in the Israeli consumer price index. The fee is subject to adjustment following January 1, 2021 and every three years thereafter at the option of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam if Kibbutz Sdot-Yam chooses to obtain an appraisal that supports such an increase. The appraiser would be mutually agreed upon or, in the absence of agreement, will be chosen by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam from a list of assessors recommended at that time by Bank Leumi.

Pursuant to the agreement discussed in the preceding paragraphs, prior to October 2017, if the Company wishes to acquire or lease any additional lands, whether in the Bar-Lev Grounds or elsewhere in Israel, for the purpose of establishing new plants or production lines: (i) Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will purchase the land and build the required facilities on such land at its own expense in accordance with the Company’s needs; (ii) the Company will perform any additional building and necessary adjustments at the Company’s expense; and (iii) Kibbutz Sdot-Yam will lease the land and the facility to the Company under a long-term lease agreement with terms to be negotiated in accordance with the then prevailing market price.

The Company’s equipment that resides within the premises is considered integral equipment (as defined in ASC 360-20-15-4) due to the significant costs involved in relocating such equipment. Since the Company did not sell this equipment to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam as part of the transaction, the transaction is considered a partial sale and leaseback of real estate. As a result, the transaction does not qualify for “sale lease-back” accounting (as it is a failed sale from an accounting perspective) as defined under the relevant provisions of ASC 360-20, and the Company will record the entire amount to be received as consideration as a liability while the land and building will remain on its books until the end of the lease term under the provisions of ASC 840-40. If amounts to be paid under the arrangement were to be accreted as a liability based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, the resulting liability would not cover the anticipated depreciated cost of the building and land at the end of the lease (thereby creating a built-in loss). The entire amount to be paid will be accreted to the full anticipated book value of the land and building at the end of the lease term using a higher effective interest rate that will equalize the amounts paid to the full anticipated book value of the land and building at the end of the lease.

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties (Cont.)

 

Tene

 

g.   Management Services Agreement with Tene:

Pursuant to the investment agreement described above in Note 17, the Company entered into a management services agreement with Tene on December 25, 2006, in which the Company agreed to pay Tene an annual management fee of NIS 600,000 linked to the annual increases in the Israeli consumer price index from December 2006 (payable on a quarterly basis) plus 1.0% of the Company’s annual pre-tax income before the payment of the management fee based on the Company’s annual financial reports (payable 30 days following approval of the Company’s annual financial statements for each year). These amounts bear interest at an annual interest rate of 3.5% from their due date until actual payment. Commencing on January 3, 2010, the amount of the annual management fee was increased to NIS 870,000, linked to annual increases in the Israeli consumer price index plus 1.58% of the amount of the Company’s annual pre-tax income before payment of the management fee based on the Company’s annual financial statements.

On December 31, 2011, the management services agreement was automatically renewed for an additional three-year period. The management services agreement will terminate immediately upon the closing of the contemplated IPO.

The Company paid Tene management fees totaling $366, $909 and $853 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Details on transactions and balances with related parties

 

a.   The Company has, from time to time, entered into transactions with its shareholders (the Kibbutz and Tene) and affiliate (U.S. Quartz).

The following table summarizes transactions with related parties:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Revenues (to affiliated company—U.S. Quartz(*))

   $ 31,359       $ 30,916       $ 12,833   

Cost of revenues

     27,836         26,967         14,720   

Research and development

     237         294         347   

Selling and marketing

     535         675         806   

General and administrative

     4,071         6,715         6,169   

Financial and other income, net

     761         73         29   

 

 

 

  (*)   Until the acquisition date on May 18, 2011.

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 18:- Transactions with related parties (Cont.)

 

 

b.   Balances with related parties:

 

       December 31,  
     2010      2011  

 

 

Trade receivable (from affiliated company)

   $ 9,856       $   

Accounts payable

     13,658         5,437   

Long-term loan from related party (CIOT)(*)

             1,820   

 

 

 

  (*)  

On January 17, 2011 a loan of 4 million Canadian dollars was granted to Caesarstone Canada Inc. by its shareholders, CIOT and the Company, on a pro rata basis. The loan bears interest until repayment at a per annum rate equal to Bank of Canada’s prime business rate plus  1 / 4 percent. The loan is due two years following the date of its granting. The interest accrued on the loan is payable on a quarterly basis.

Note 19:- Major customer and geographic information

 

a.   The Company manages its business on the basis of one reportable segment. The data is presented in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 280, “Segments Reporting” (“ASC 280”). Total revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of end customers.

The following table presents total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Australia

   $ 62,865       $ 82,327       $ 88,229   

USA

     31,359         30,916         59,735   

Israel

     28,202         31,707         38,592   

Canada

     11,334         13,668         29,695   

Europe

     19,346         24,022         22,880   

Others

     9,528         16,151         20,540   
  

 

 

 
   $ 162,634       $ 198,791       $ 259,671   

 

 

The following table presents total long-lived assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2011:

 

       December 31,  
     2010      2011  

 

 

Israel

   $ 72,817       $ 65,912   

Australia

     1,139         881   

USA

             1,628   

Canada

     8         1,045   

Others

     44         191   
  

 

 

 
   $ 74,008       $ 69,657   

 

 

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 19:- Major customer and geographic information (Cont.)

 

 

b.   Major customer data as a percentage of total revenues:

The Company had one major customer that accounted for more than 10% of revenues in each of 2009 and 2010.

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009     2010     2011(*)  

 

 

U.S. Quartz

     19.3     15.6       

 

 

 

  (*)   See Note 1(b).

Note 20:- Selected supplementary statements of income data

 

a.   Financial and other income (expenses), net:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Financial expenses:

        

Interest in respect of long-term loans

   $ 2,238       $ 1,440       $ 1,049   

Interest in respect of short-term loans

     355         126         620   

Interest in respect of loans to related parties

                     106   

Changes in derivatives fair value

     144         485         3,823   

Foreign exchange transactions losses

             764           

Reevaluation of embedded derivatives

     107                   

Option revaluation

     8,062                   
  

 

 

 
     10,906         2,815         5,598   
  

 

 

 

Financial income:

        

Income in respect of loans to related parties

     643         73           

Income interest from loans to others

     128         53         68   

Income in respect of cash and cash equivalent

             319         218   

Foreign exchange transactions gains

     1,442                 537   
  

 

 

 
     2,213         445         823   
  

 

 

 

Financial expenses, net

   $ 8,693       $ 2,370       $ 4,775   

 

 

 

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Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. and its subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

U.S. dollars in thousands

 

Note 20:- Selected supplementary statements of income data (Cont.)

 

 

b.   Net earnings per share:

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share:

Numerator:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Net income attributable to controlling interest, as reported

   $ 7,390       $ 28,658       $ 29,052   
  

 

 

 

Deduct:

        

Dividend attributable to preferred shareholders

     2,337         8,312         8,376   
  

 

 

 

Numerator for basic and diluted net income per share

   $ 5,053       $ 20,346       $ 20,676   

 

 

Denominator:

 

       Year ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

 

 

Denominator for basic and diluted income per share

     78,260         78,260         78,260   

 

 

EPS

 

       Year ended December 31,  
         2009          2010          2011  

 

 

Basic and diluted

   $ 0.06       $ 0.26       $ 0.26   

 

 

Note 21:- Subsequent events

 

a.   In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and in accordance with authoritative guidance for subsequent events, the Company evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of December 31, 2011 through February 16, 2012, the date on which the audited consolidated financial statements were issued.

 

 

 

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LOGO   

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd

ACN 130 913 594

 

Level 2

215 Spring Street

Melbourne

Victoria 3000

GPO Box 4984

Melbourne

Victoria

3001

 

T +61 3 8663 6000

F +61 3 8663 6333

E info.vic@au.gt.com

W www.grantthornton.com.au

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

Caesarstone Australia Pty Ltd.

 

  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Caesarstone Australia Pty Limited.

(“the Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and the related statements of income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD

 

Chartered Accountants

/s/ M.A. Cunningham
M.A. Cunningham
Director – Audit & Assurance

Melbourne, 6 February 2012,

 

Grant Thornton Australia Limited is a member firm within Grant Thornton International Ltd. Grant Thornton International Ltd and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Grant Thornton Australia Limited, together with its subsidiaries and related entities, delivers its services independently in Australia.

 

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

Caesarstone Classico Caesarstone Motiro Caesarstone Supremo Caesarstone Concetto The Classic Color Collection The One of a Kind Collection The Patterned Textured Collection The Semi-Precious Stones Collection


Table of Contents

                 shares

 

 

LOGO

Ordinary shares

 

J.P. Morgan    Barclays Capital    Credit Suisse
Baird       Stifel Nicolaus Weisel

                    , 2012

Until                     , 2012, U.S. federal securities laws may require all dealers that effect transactions in our ordinary shares, whether or not participating in this offering, to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.


Table of Contents

Part II

Information not required in prospectus

Item 6. Indemnification of office holders (including directors).

Under the Companies Law, a company may not exculpate an office holder from liability for a breach of a fiduciary duty. An Israeli company may exculpate an office holder in advance from liability to the company, in whole or in part, for damages caused to the company as a result of a breach of duty of care but only if a provision authorizing such exculpation is inserted in its articles of association. Our articles of association to be effective following this offering include such a provision. The company may not exculpate in advance a director from liability arising out of a prohibited dividend or distribution to shareholders.

Under the Companies Law and the Securities Law, a company may indemnify an office holder in respect of the following liabilities, payments and expenses incurred for acts performed by him as an office holder, either in advance of an event or following an event, provided its articles of association include a provision authorizing such indemnification:

 

 

a monetary liability incurred by or imposed on him or her in favor of another person pursuant to a judgment, including a settlement or arbitrator’s award approved by a court. However, if an undertaking to indemnify an office holder with respect to such liability is provided in advance, then such an undertaking must be limited to events, which in the opinion of the board of directors can be foreseen based on the company’s activities when the undertaking to indemnify is given, and to an amount or according to criteria determined by the board of directors as reasonable under the circumstances, and such undertaking shall detail the abovementioned foreseen events and amount or criteria;

 

 

reasonable litigation expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against him or her by an authority authorized to conduct such investigation or proceeding, provided that (i) no indictment was filed against such office holder as a result of such investigation or proceeding; and (ii) no financial liability was imposed upon him or her as a substitute for the criminal proceeding as a result of such investigation or proceeding or, if such financial liability was imposed, it was imposed with respect to an offense that does not require proof of criminal intent or in connection with a monetary sanction;

 

 

a monetary liability imposed on him or her in favor of a payment for a breach offended at an Administrative Procedure as set forth in Section 52(54)(a)(1)(a) to the Securities Law;

 

 

expense associated with an Administrative Procedure conducted regarding an office holder, including reasonable litigation expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees; and

 

 

reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the office holder or imposed by a court in proceedings instituted against him or her by the company, on its behalf, or by a third party or in connection with criminal proceedings in which the office holder was acquitted, or as a result of a conviction for an offense that does not require proof of criminal intent.

 

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Table of Contents

Under the Companies Law and the Securities Law, a company may insure an office holder against the following liabilities incurred for acts performed by him as an office holder if and to the extent provided in the company’s articles of association:

 

 

a breach of the fiduciary duty to the company, provided that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not harm the company;

 

 

a breach of duty of care to the company or to a third party, to the extent such a breach arises out of the negligent conduct of the office holder; and

 

 

a monetary liability imposed on the office holder in favor of a third party;

 

 

a monetary liability imposed on such office holder in favor of a payment for a breach offended at an Administrative Procedure as set forth in Section 52(54)(a)(1)(a) to the Securities Law; and

 

 

expenses with respect to Administrative Procedures conducted in connection with such office holder and/or in connection with a monetary sanction, including reasonable litigation expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

Under the Companies Law, a company may not indemnify, exculpate or insure an office holder against any of the following:

 

 

a breach of fiduciary duty, except for indemnification and insurance for a breach of the fiduciary duty to the company to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;

 

 

a breach of duty of care committed intentionally or recklessly, excluding a breach arising out of the negligent conduct of the office holder;

 

 

an act or omission committed with intent to derive illegal personal benefit; or

 

 

a fine or forfeit levied against the office holder.

Under the Companies Law, exculpation, indemnification and insurance of office holders must be approved by the audit committee and the board of directors and, with respect to directors or controlling shareholders, their relatives and third parties in which such controlling shareholders have a personal interest, also by the shareholders.

Our articles of association to be effective upon the completion of this offering permit us to exculpate, indemnify and insure our office holders to the fullest extent permitted or to be permitted by law. Our office holders are currently covered by a directors and officers’ liability insurance policy. The insurance is subject to our discretion depending on its availability, effectiveness and cost. As of the date of this offering, no claims for directors and officers’ liability insurance have been filed under this policy and we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding involving any of our office holders (including directors) in which indemnification is sought.

We have entered into new agreements with each of our current office holders exculpating them from a breach of their duty of care to us to the fullest extent permitted by law and undertaking to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law, including with respect to liabilities resulting from this offering to the extent that these liabilities are not covered by insurance. This indemnification is limited to events determined as foreseeable by the board of directors based on our activities, and to an amount or according to criteria determined by the board of directors as

 

II-2


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reasonable under the circumstances. Effective as of the date of this offering, the maximum aggregate amount of indemnification that we may pay to our office holders based on such new indemnification agreement is the greater of (1) with respect to indemnification in connection with a public offering of our securities, the gross proceeds raised by us and any selling shareholder in such public offering, and (2) with respect to all permitted indemnification, including in connection with a public offering of our securities, an amount equal to 50% of our shareholders’ equity on a consolidated basis, based on our most recent financial statements made publicly available before the date on which the indemnification payment was made, subject to a cap. Such indemnification amounts are in addition to any insurance amounts. Each office holder who agrees to receive this letter of indemnification also gives his approval to the termination of all previous letters of indemnification that we have provided to him or her in the past, if any. In the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, indemnification of office holders for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, however, is against public policy and therefore unenforceable.

We previously entered into letters of indemnification with some former office holders that currently remain in effect, and pursuant to which we undertook to indemnify them with respect to certain liabilities and expenses then permitted under the Companies Law, which are similar to those described above. These letters of indemnification are limited to foreseeable events that were determined by the board of directors and indemnity payments are limited to a maximum amount of $2.0 million for each series of related events for each office holder.

There is no pending litigation or proceeding against any of our office holders as to which indemnification is being sought, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any office holder.

The proposed form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement provides for indemnification of office holders of the Registrant by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

Item 7. Recent sales of unregistered securities.

Other than transactions and the grant and exercise of options described below, there have been no transactions during the preceding three fiscal years involving sales of our securities that were not registered under the Securities Act.

On December 15, 2009, we issued 6,825 preferred shares to Tene in consideration for an investment of NIS 29.7 million ($7.85 million). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Regulation S thereunder.

No underwriter or underwriting discount or commission was involved in any of the issuances set forth in this Item 7.

Item 8. Exhibits and financial statement schedules.

(a) The Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

All schedules have been omitted because they are not required, are not applicable or the information is otherwise set forth in the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto.

 

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Item 9. Undertakings.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 hereof, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

1. To provide the underwriters specified in the Underwriting Agreement, at the closing, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

2. That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

3. That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and this offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in on this 16 th day of February, 2012.

 

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

By:

 

/ S /    Y OSEF S HIRAN        

Name: Yosef Shiran

Title:    Chief Executive Officer

Power of attorney

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Yosef Shiran, Yair Averbuch and Michal Baumwald Oron, and each of them, as attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of ordinary shares of the registrant (the “Shares”), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the ”Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/ S /    Y OSEF S HIRAN        

Yosef Shiran

  

Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

  February 16, 2012

/ S /     Y AIR A VERBUCH        

Yair Averbuch

  

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    M AXIM O HANA        

Maxim Ohana

  

Chairman of the Board

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    D ORI B ROWN        

Dori Brown

  

Director

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    Y ONATHAN M ELAMED        

Yonathan Melamed

  

Director

  February 16, 2012


Table of Contents

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/ S /    M OSHE R ONEN        

Moshe Ronen

  

Director

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    O DED G OLDSTEIN        

Oded Goldstein

  

Director

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    A RIEL H ALPERIN        

Ariel Halperin

  

Director

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    E ITAN S HACHAR        

Eitan Shachar

  

Director

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    B OAZ S HANI        

Boaz Shani

  

Director

  February 16, 2012

/ S /    S HACHAR D EGANI        

Shachar Degani

  

Director

  February 16, 2012

 

Gal Cohen

  

Director

 

 

Caesarstone USA, Inc.  

Authorized Representative in the
United States

 

By:

 

/ S /    Y OSEF S HIVAN        

   

Name:

  Yosef Shivan    

Title:

  Authorized Signatory    

By:

 

/ S /    Y AIR A VERBUCH        

   

Name:

  Yair Averbuch    

Title:

  Authorized Signatory    


Table of Contents

Exhibit index

 

Exhibit No.      Description

 

 

  1.1       Form of Underwriting Agreement*
  2.1       Share Purchase Agreement by and among U.S. Quartz Products, Inc., the Registrant, the shareholders of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc. listed on Schedule I thereto and Joseph Saliah, as the shareholders’ representative, dated May 18, 2011
  3.1       Memorandum of Association of the Registrant† ¥
  3.2       Articles of Association of the Registrant ¥
  3.3       Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Association of the Registrant to become effective upon closing of this offering
  4.1       Form of specimen share certificate
  5.1       Form of Opinion of Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co., Israeli counsel to the Registrant, as to the validity of the ordinary shares (including consent)*
  10.1       Land Purchase Agreement and Leaseback, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated March 31, 2011 ¥
  10.2       Addendum, dated February 13, 2012 to the Land Purchase Agreement and Leaseback, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated March 31, 2011 ¥
  10.3       Lease agreement for Bar-Lev Industrial Park, by and between the Registrant and the Israeli Lands Administration, dated June 6, 2007 ¥
  10.4       Agreement by and between Mikroman Madencilik San ve TIC.LTD.STI and the Registrant, dated September 27, 2010† ¥
  10.5       Addendum, dated February 6, 2012 to the Agreement by and between Mikroman Madencilik San ve TIC.LTD.STI and the Registrant, dated September 27, 2010† ¥
  10.6       2011 Incentive Compensation Plan
  10.7       Form of Indemnification Agreement
  10.8       Land Use Agreement, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated July 20, 2011 ¥
  10.9       Addendum, dated February 13, 2012 to the Land Use Agreement, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated July 20, 2011 ¥
  10.10       Manpower Agreement, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated July 20, 2011 ¥
  10.11       Services Agreement, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated July 20, 2011 ¥
  10.12       Addendum, dated February 13, 2012 to the Services Agreement, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated July 20, 2011 ¥
  10.13       Agreement for Arranging Additional Accord, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated July 20, 2011 ¥
  10.14       Addendum, dated February 13, 2012 to the Agreement for Arranging Additional Accord, by and between Kibbutz Sdot-Yam and the Registrant, dated July 20, 2011 ¥


Table of Contents
Exhibit No.      Description

 

 

  10.15       Registration Rights Agreement, by and among the Registrant, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments Limited Partnership and Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments (Parallel) Limited Partnership, dated July 21, 2011
  10.16       Extension of Registration Rights Agreement, by and among the Registrant, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments Limited Partnership and Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments (Parallel) Limited Partnership, dated February 13, 2012
  10.17       Tene Non-Compete Commitment, dated July 18, 2011 ¥
  10.18       Addendum, dated February 7, 2012 to the Tene Non-Compete Commitment, dated July 18, 2011 ¥
  10.19       Reimbursement Agreement, dated January 4, 2012, by and between the Registrant and Kibbutz Sdot-Yam ¥
  21.1         List of subsidiaries of the Registrant
  23.1         Consent of Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global
  23.2         Consent of Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd.
  23.3         Consent of Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co., Israeli counsel to the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
  23.4         Consent of Freedonia Custom Research, Inc.
  23.5         Consent of Laor Consulting and Investments Ltd.
  23.6         Consent of Variance Economic Consulting Ltd.
  24.1         Power of Attorney (included in signature page to Registration Statement)
  99.1         Consent of Irit Ben-Dov to be named as a director nominee
  99.2         Consent of Ofer Borovsky to be named as a director nominee

 

 

*   To be filed by amendment.

 

¥   English translation of original Hebrew document.

 

  Portions of this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. These portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exhibit 2.1

Execution Copy

 

 

 

SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and among

U.S. QUARTZ PRODUCTS, INC.

a California corporation

CAESAR STONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

an Israeli company

THE SHAREHOLDERS OF U.S. QUARTZ PRODUCTS, INC. LISTED ON

SCHEDULE I HERETO

and

JOSEPH SALIAH, AS THE SHAREHOLDERS’ REPRESENTATIVE

 

 

Dated May 18, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 


T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

 

     Page      

1. SALE AND PURCHASE; RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     1   

1.1 Sale and Purchase

     1   

1.2 Aggregate Purchase Price

     2   

1.4 Closing

     3   

2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     3   

2.1 Due Organization; No Subsidiaries; Etc

     4   

2.2 Charter Documents; Records

     4   

2.3 Capitalization

     5   

2.4 Financial Statements and Related Information

     5   

2.5 Liabilities

     7   

2.6 Absence of Changes

     8   

2.7 Title to Assets

     9   

2.8 Bank Accounts

     10   

2.9 Real Property

     10   

2.10 Intellectual Property

     10   

2.11 Contracts

     12   

2.12 Compliance with Legal Requirements; Regulatory Compliance; Health and Safety

     14   

2.13 Governmental Authorizations; Governmental Grants

     15   

2.14 Tax Matters

     15   

2.15 Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans

     17   

2.16 Environmental Matters

     21   

2.17 Insurance

     21   

2.18 Related Party Transactions

     21   

2.19 Legal Proceedings

     21   

2.20 Orders

     22   

2.21 Certain Payments

     22   

2.22 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement

     22   

2.23 Non-Contravention; Consents; Third Party Approvals

     23   

2.24 Brokers

     23   

2.25 Full Disclosure

     23   

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH SELLING SHAREHOLDER

     24   

3.1 Ownership of Shares/Amount of Loans

     24   

3.2 Capacity and Authority of Selling Shareholders

     24   

3.3 No Legal Proceedings

     25   

3.4 Tax Withholding Information

     25   

3.5 Brokers

     25   

3.6 Disclosure

     25   

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

     25   

4.1 Due Organization

     25   

4.2 Non-Contravention; Consents

     25   

4.3 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement

     26   

4.4 Legal Proceedings

     26   

4.6 Brokers

     27   

4.7 Disclosure

     27   

 

i


     Page      

5. CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

     27   

5.1 Filings and Consents

     27   

5.2 Public Announcements; Disclosure

     27   

5.3 Communications with Employees

     27   

5.4 Waiver of Right of First Refusal

     27   

5.5 Shareholder Release

     27   

5.6 Access and Investigation

     29   

5.7 Operation of the Business of the Company During the Pre-Closing Period

     29   

5.8 Notification; Updates to Disclosure Schedule

     30   

(c) No Negotiation

     30   

5.9 Transfer of Company Shares

     31   

5.10 Non-Competition

     31   

5.11 D&O Insurance; Indemnification and Exculpation

     32   

5.12 Tax Returns and Payment and Refund of Taxes

     32   

5.13 Retention of CEO

     34   

6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER

     34   

6.1 Accuracy of Representations

     34   

6.2 Performance of Covenants

     35   

6.3 No Material Adverse Effect

     35   

6.4 Stock Powers and Share Certificates

     35   

6.5 Transfer of Company Shares

     35   

6.6 Agreements and Documents

     35   

6.7 Termination/Amendment of Agreements

     36   

6.8 No Restraints

     36   

6.9 No Legal Proceedings

     36   

6.10 CEO

     36   

6.11 Third Party Approvals

     36   

7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     37   

7.1 Accuracy of Representations

     37   

7.2 Performance of Covenants

     37   

7.3 Repayment of Insider Debt

     37   

7.4 Release of Guarantees and Liens

     37   

7.5 Agreements and Documents

     37   

7.6 No Restraints

     38   

7.7 No Legal Proceedings

     38   

8. INDEMNIFICATION, ETC.

     38   

8.1 Survival of Representations, Etc

     38   

8.2 Indemnification by the Selling S

     39   

8.3 Indemnification by the Purchaser

     41   

8.4 Defense of Third

     41   

8.5 Indemnification Claim Procedure (other than Third Party Claims)

     43   

9. TERMINATION

     46   

9.1 Termination Events

     46   

9.2 Termination Procedures

     47   

9.3 Effect of Termination

     47   

 

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     Page      

10. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     47   

10.1 Shareholders’ Representative

     47   

10.2 Further Assurances

     49   

10.3 Fees and Expenses

     49   

10.4 Attorneys’ Fees

     49   

10.5 Notices

     49   

10.6 Headings

     51   

10.7 Counterparts and Exchanges by Electronic Transmission or by Facsimile

     51   

10.8 Governing Law

     51   

10.9 Successors and Assigns

     52   

10.10 Specific Performance

     52   

10.11 Waiver

     52   

10.12 Amendments

     52   

10.13 Severability

     52   

10.14 Parties in Interest

     52   

10.15 Entire Agreement

     52   

10.16 Construction

     53   

 

iii


T ABLE OF E XHIBITS AND S CHEDULES

 

Exhibit A    Certain Definitions
Exhibit B    Escrow Agreement
Exhibit C    Insider Debt Payment Waivers
Exhibit D    Legal Opinion of Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP, counsel to the Company
Exhibit E    Intentionally Omitted
Exhibit F    FIRPTA Certificate and Section 897 Certificate
Schedule I    List of Selling Shareholders of U.S. Quartz Products, Inc.
Schedule II    Schedule of Insider Debt of Selling Shareholders
Schedule III    List of Agreements to be Terminated
Schedule IV    List of Third Party Approvals
Schedule V    List of Released Guarantees

 

iv


SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

T HIS S HARE P URCHASE A GREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of May 18, 2011 by and among U.S. QUARTZ PRODUCTS, INC. , a California corporation (“ Company ”); CAESAR STONE SDOT-YAM LTD., an Israeli company (the “ Purchaser ” (which may designate one of its affiliates as Purchaser prior to the Closing pursuant to Section 10.9); the shareholders of the Company, except for the Purchaser, listed in Schedule I hereto (together the “ Selling Shareholders ” and each a “ Selling Shareholder ”), and JOSEPH SALIAH , the Shareholders’ Representative (the “ Shareholders’ Representative ”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are defined or referenced in Exhibit A .

R ECITALS

A. The Company is engaged in the distribution of the Purchaser’s products in the United States pursuant to a Distribution Agreement, by and between the Company and the Purchaser, dated January 13, 2004, as amended (as amended, the “ Distribution Agreement ”);

B. The Selling Shareholders are the legal and beneficial owners of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, other than (i) the 40,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company, and (ii) the 20,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, which are owned and held by the Purchaser;

C. Each of the Selling Shareholders has severally and not jointly agreed to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser has agreed to purchase from each of the Selling Shareholders, the Company Shares listed opposite the name of such Selling Shareholder in Schedule I hereto, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement;

D. The Company and each of the Selling Shareholders have made representations and warranties to Purchaser with the intention that Purchaser should rely upon such representations and warranties in entering into this Agreement, and the Purchaser has made representations and warranties to each of the Selling Shareholders with the intention that the Company and each of the Selling Shareholders should rely upon such representations and warranties in entering into this Agreement; and

E. The respective boards of directors of Purchaser and the Company, as well as the shareholders of the Company, have unanimously (other than representatives of the Purchaser on the Board of the Company, and the Purchaser) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

A GREEMENT

The parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. S ALE A ND P URCHASE ; R ELATED T RANSACTIONS

1.1 Sale and Purchase; and Escrow. At the Closing, and in accordance with this Agreement each Selling Shareholder shall sell, assign, transfer and deliver to Purchaser, all of the issued and outstanding Company Shares listed opposite the name of such Selling Shareholder

 

1


in Schedule I , free from all Encumbrances, and with the benefit of all rights of whatsoever nature attaching or accruing to such Company Shares, including rights to any unpaid dividends and distributions, and Purchaser will purchase such Company Shares from each of the Selling Shareholders, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and Purchaser shall deposit with ESOP Management and Trust Services Ltd. (the “ Escrow Agent ”) 36,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, all in accordance with Section 7.5(d) and the Escrow Agreement, by and among the Purchaser, the Shareholders’ Representative and the Escrow Agent, in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the “ Escrow Agreement ”).

1.2 Aggregate Purchase Price

(a) Purchase . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 1.2 and this Agreement, the Purchaser shall pay the Selling Shareholders the payments set forth in Sections 1.2(b) and (c) or (d) below (collectively, the “ Aggregate Purchase Price ”).

(b) On the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall pay the Selling Shareholders an aggregate amount of US$20,000,000 (twenty million US dollars), allocated among the Selling Shareholders in accordance with the wire transfer instructions and payment allocation set forth in Schedule I (the “ Closing Payment ”) .

(c) If the Closing of the IPO occurs by May 31, 2012 (the “ Cutoff Date ”), the Purchaser shall pay to the Selling Shareholders in accordance with the wire transfer instructions and payment allocation set forth in Schedule I , no later than 10 days after the date of the Closing of the IPO, an aggregate amount of US$6,500,000 (six million five hundred thousand US dollars)(the “ IPO Payment );

(d) If the Closing of the IPO does not occur by the Cutoff Date, on the Cutoff Date, the Purchaser shall pay the Selling Shareholders an aggregate amount of US$5,000,000 (five million US dollars), allocated among the Selling Shareholders in accordance with the wire transfer instructions and payment allocation set forth in Schedule I (the “ Non-IPO Payment ”).

(e) It is hereby clarified that the Purchaser shall only be required to pay either the IPO Payment or the Non-IPO Payment, and not both payments.

(f) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Purchaser shall be entitled (as first source of indemnification) to set-off from the IPO Payment or the Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, any amounts a Purchaser Indemnitee is entitled to subject to, and in accordance with, the indemnification conditions and procedures set forth in Section 8.

(g) Purchaser shall be entitled to rely entirely upon Schedule I in connection with making payments to the Selling Shareholders and neither the Shareholders’ Representative nor any Selling Shareholder shall be entitled to make any claim in respect of the allocation of the payments made by Purchaser to or for the benefit of any Selling Shareholder to the extent that such payments are made in a manner consistent with Schedule I , and the terms of this Agreement.

(h) Escrow . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.2 or elsewhere in this Agreement, if payment of the IPO Payment is made to the Selling Shareholders pursuant to sub-section (c) above before December 31, 2011, 10% (ten percent) of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be withheld from the IPO Payment to each Selling Shareholder (pro-rata to their holdings and in accordance with Schedule I) and deposited into an

 

2


escrow account (the “ Escrow Account ”), to be held until December 31, 2011 (the “ Escrow Period ”) and distributed by the Escrow Agen t in accordance with Section 8 herein and the terms of an Escrow Agreement, in the form of Exhibit B (the “ Escrow Agreement ”).

(i) Withholding . Each of the Purchaser and the Escrow Agent (each, a “Payer”) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration payable to any Selling Shareholder or the Escrow Agent, if applicable, pursuant to this Section 1.2 or otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement (each, a “ Payee ”), such amounts as such Payer is legally required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under any applicable Legal Requirements. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by Payer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Payee in respect of whom such deduction and withholding were made by a Payer. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 1.2(i), if a Valid Exemption with respect to a Selling Shareholder (or such other form providing for a Valid Exemption), is delivered by the Payee to a Payer prior to the applicable payment date, the Payer shall withhold tax or refrain from such withholding in accordance with such Valid Exemption. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “ Valid Exemption ” shall mean a Form W-9, Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI or such other certificate or ruling issued by a Governmental Body which is sufficient under applicable Legal Requirements to enable the Payer to conclude that no withholding (or reduced withholding) of tax is required with respect to a Selling Shareholder.

1.3 On the date hereof, each Selling Shareholder shall deliver to the Shareholders’ Representative, to be held in escrow until the Closing (or the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms), (a) a duly executed undated stock power from such Selling Shareholder, evidencing the transfer of the Company Shares owned by such Selling Shareholder at the Closing (“ Stock Power ”); and (b) a share certificate(s) representing all of the Company Shares held by such Selling Shareholder, or an affidavit, in a form reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, of lost certificate and accompanying indemnification agreement relating to such share certificates, duly executed by such Selling Shareholder (the “ Share Certificates ).

1.4 Closing . The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Naschitz, Brandes & Co., 5 Tuval Street, Tel Aviv, Israel on May 18, 2011 or any other day agreed upon between the parties, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 6 and 7, unless agreed otherwise between the Purchaser and the Shareholders’ Representative. The date on which the Closing takes place is referred to in this Agreement as the “ Closing Date ”.

2. R EPRESENTATIONS A ND W ARRANTIES O F T HE C OMPANY

The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser the representations and warranties included in this Section 2. The representations and warranties shall be true and correct as at the date hereof (unless the particular statement speaks expressly as of another date or time, in which case as of such other date or time), except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered to Purchaser on the date hereof (the “ Disclosure Schedule ”), which exceptions shall be arranged in sections and subsections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections of this Section 2 to which such exceptions relate (and any information included in the Disclosure Schedule under any section or subsection thereof shall be deemed to be disclosed and incorporated by reference into any other section or subsection under this Agreement where such

 

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disclosure would reasonably be responsive). The Company and the Selling Shareholders acknowledge that the Purchaser is entering into this Agreement in reliance thereon.

2.1 Due Organization; No Subsidiaries; Etc .

(a) Organization . The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which it currently conducts its business; and (ii) to own and use its assets in the manner in which it currently owns and uses its assets.

(b) Doing Business . The Company is qualified to transact business and is in good standing in any jurisdiction where the Company’s business is currently conducted (to the extent such concept is recognized in such jurisdiction). Part 2.1(b) of the Disclosure Schedule includes a list of all jurisdictions in which the Company is or has been in the past duly qualified to transact business and in good standing.

(c) Products . Part 2.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedules includes a complete list of all products which are or were developed, tested, marketed, labeled, distributed or sold by the Company since the date of its incorporation (the “ Products ”).

(d) Manufacturing . The Company does not currently, and has not since the date of its incorporation, directly or indirectly, manufactured Products or any similar products. The Company has not granted rights to manufacture, produce or assemble the Products to any other person and is not bound by any agreement related thereto.

(e) Directors and Officers . Part 2.1(e) of the Disclosure Schedule accurately sets forth: (i) the names of the members of the board of directors of the Company; and (ii) the names and titles of the officers of the Company.

(f) Subsidiaries and Affiliates . The Company does not have any Subsidiaries or Affiliates, other than the Purchaser.

(g) Business Name . The Company has not conducted any business under or otherwise used, for any purpose or in any jurisdiction, any fictitious name, assumed name, business name or other name, other than U.S. Quartz Products, Inc. and/or Caesar Stone USA or an abbreviation thereof.

2.2 Charter Documents; Records . The Company has made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of: (a) the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “ Charter Documents ”); (b) the share register of the Company; and (c) the minutes and other records of the meetings and other proceedings (including any actions taken by written consent or otherwise without a meeting) of the shareholders and the board of directors of the Company, which minutes or other records detail all actions taken or operative resolutions approved at such meetings or by written consent. The Company’s board of directors does not have any committees. All actions taken and all transactions entered into by the Company have been duly approved by all necessary action of the board of directors and, if required under applicable Legal Requirements or the Company’s Charter Documents, shareholders of the Company. There has been no violation of any of the provisions of the Charter Documents of the Company. The books of account, stock records, minute books and other records of the Company are accurate, up-to-date and complete have been

 

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maintained in accordance with customary business practices and in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements.

2.3 Capitalization .

(a) Outstanding Securities . The Company is authorized to issue one million (1,000,000) shares of Common Stock, of which 200,000 are issued and outstanding, and one million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock of which 40,000 are designated as Series A Preferred Stock, all of which are issued and outstanding. The Company has never declared or paid any dividends on any Company Shares. All of the outstanding Company Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable, and none of such shares is subject to any repurchase option, forfeiture provision or restriction on transfer (other than as set forth in the Company’s Charter Documents, the Shareholders Agreement, dated January 29, 2007, to which Purchaser is a party (the “ Shareholders Agreement ”), and restrictions on transfer imposed by virtue of applicable securities laws).

(b) No Other Securities . The Selling Shareholders, together with the Purchaser, own, of record and beneficially, 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other securities of the Company. There is no: (i) outstanding subscription, option, call, convertible note, warrant or right (whether or not currently exercisable) to acquire any Company Shares or other securities of the Company; (ii) outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company under a Company Employee Plan; (iii) outstanding security, instrument or obligation that is or may (subject to its terms) become convertible into or exchangeable for any Company Shares (or cash based on the value of such shares, including pursuant to any share appreciation rights) or other securities of the Company; (iv) Contract under which the Company is or may become obligated to sell or otherwise issue any Company Shares or any other securities; or (v) to the Company’s Knowledge, condition or circumstance that may give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to acquire or receive from the Company any Company Shares or other securities of the Company.

(c) Legal Issuance . All outstanding Company Shares and all other securities that have been issued or granted by the Company have been issued and granted in compliance with all applicable securities laws and other applicable Legal Requirements. None of the outstanding Company Shares were issued in violation of any preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company. Part 2.3(c) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies the Company Contracts relating to any outstanding securities of the Company that contain any information rights, registration rights, financial statement requirements or other terms that would survive the Closing unless terminated or amended prior to the Closing.

(d) Repurchased Shares . The Company has never repurchased, redeemed or otherwise reacquired any shares of its capital stock or other securities.

2.4 Financial Statements and Related Information .

(a) Delivery of Financial Statements . The Company has made available to Purchaser the following financial statements and notes (collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”): (i) the audited financial statements of the Company and the related audited statements of income and accumulated deficit, statements of stockholders’ equity and statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 2009 and 2010, and any additional subsequent audited financial statements, together with the notes thereto and the report and any

 

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opinions relating thereto (the “ Audited Financial Statements ”); and (ii) Monthly Reports for each full calendar month from January 2011 through the date of this Agreement.

(b) Fair Presentation . The Audited Financial Statements are true, correct and complete and fairly present in all material respects the financial position (including but not limited to liabilities and assets) of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations, cash flows of the Company for the periods covered thereby. The Monthly Reports are true, correct and complete and present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the date thereof and the results of operations of the Company for the period covered thereby. The Audited Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered except as qualified in the opinion accompanying the Financial Statements. The Monthly Reports were prepared in accordance with the books and records of the Company and do not contain detailed footnotes or certain other statements required by GAAP.

(c) Accounts Receivable. All accounts receivable of the Company as of December 31, 2010, that are reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for the year 2010, correctly, fairly and completely represent valid obligations and collectible debts and accounts arising from sales actually made or services actually performed as of December 31, 2010 (the “ Accounts Receivable ”). Part 2.4(c) of the Disclosure Schedule correctly represent the breakdown by customers and aging of all Accounts Receivable and the related reserves (all as reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for the year 2010) as of December 31, 2010. Such Accounts Receivable do not reflect any disputed invoice amounts or any other transactions with regard to which the collectability is in doubt or uncertain, other than returns of Products in the ordinary course of business, for which a reserve has been accrued.

(d) Inventory . All inventory of the Company reflected in the Audited Financial Statements consists of items physically counted by the Company and of quality and quantity usable and saleable in the ordinary course of business, in good condition, except for obsolete items and items below-standard quality, all of which have been written off or written down to net realizable value and except for On-hand Slabs which were not written down although should have been written down in accordance with the inventory count that the Purchaser undertook in February 2011, in accordance with the Purchaser’s inventory reserve policy as detailed in Part 2.4(d). Since December 31, 2010, except as provided in Part 2.4(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not incurred any inventory damage or loss and there was no change in the Company’s inventory which was not in the ordinary course of business.

(e) Internal Controls . The books, records and accounts of the Company accurately reflect in all material respects the transactions in and dispositions of the assets of the Company. The systems of internal accounting controls maintained by the Company are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Part 2.4(c) 2.4(e) of the Disclosure Schedule lists, and the Company has made available to Purchaser, all written descriptions of, and all policies, manuals and other documents promulgating, such internal accounting controls.

(f) Insider Debt . Part 2.4(f) of the Disclosure Schedule provides an accurate and complete breakdown of all amounts (including loans, advances or other

 

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Indebtedness) (i) owed by the Company to a director, officer, employee or shareholder of the Company; and (ii) owed by a director, officer, employee or shareholder of the Company to the Company (the “ Insider Debt ”). All Insider Debt represents valid obligations arising from bona fide transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business and not in violation of applicable Legal Requirements.

(g) Pledges Guarantees and Encumbrances. Part 2.4(g) of the Disclosure Schedule provides an accurate and complete breakdown of all pledges, guarantees and encumbrances extended by the Company to any third party whatsoever.

2.5 Liabilities .

(a) No Liabilities . The Company has no accrued, contingent or other Liabilities of any nature, either matured or unmatured (whether or not required to be reflected in financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and whether due or to become due), except for: (i) Liabilities identified or included as such in the “liabilities” column of any Financial Statements; (ii) Liabilities that have been incurred by the Company since December 31, 2010 in the ordinary course of business; (iii) Liabilities under the Company Material Contracts; and (iv) the Liabilities identified in Part 2.5(a) of the Disclosure Schedule.

(b) Accounts Payable . Part 2.5(b) of the Disclosure Schedule provides an accurate and complete breakdown and aging of: (i) all accounts payable of the Company; and (ii) all notes payable of the Company.

(c) No “Off-Balance Sheet” Arrangements; Third Party Debts . The Company has not effected since its incorporation, nor otherwise been involved in, any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, assuming the Company is a “Registrant” as set forth in such Regulation S-K). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company is not guarantying any debt or other obligation of any other Person, except as reflected in the Financial Statements or as disclosed in Part 2.5(c) of the Disclosure Schedule.

(d) Director and Officer Compensation and Indemnification . Other than as disclosed in Part 2.5(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred, and no circumstance or condition exists, that has resulted in, or that will result in or would reasonably be expected to result in, any claim from the Company for compensation, indemnification, reimbursement, contribution or the advancement of expenses by any past or present director or officer of the Company pursuant to: (i) the terms of the Company’s Charter Documents; (ii) any indemnification agreement or other Contract between the Company and any such director or officer; or (iii) any applicable Legal Requirement, that will not have been fully satisfied by the Closing and/or that is not reflected in the Financial Statements.

(e) Company Employee Compensation and Indemnification . Other than as disclosed in Part 2.5(e) of the Disclosure Schedule , to the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred, and no circumstance or condition exists, that has resulted in, or that will result in or would reasonably be expected to result in, any claim from the Company for compensation, indemnification, reimbursement, contribution or the advancement of expenses by any Company

 

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Employee; that is not a director or officer pursuant to: (i) the terms of any Company’s Charter Documents; (ii) any indemnification agreement between the Company and any Company Employee; or (iii) any applicable Legal Requirement, that will not have been fully satisfied by the Closing and/or that is not reflected in the Financial Statements.

2.6 Absence of Changes. Except as set forth in Part 2.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2010:

(a) there has not been any Material Adverse Effect;

(b) there has not been any loss, damage or destruction to, or any interruption in the use of, the Company’s assets (whether or not covered by insurance), with resulted in the aggregate in loss, damage or destruction to the Company in excess of US$10,000, and the Company has not cancelled any of its existing insurance policies;

(c) the Company has not declared, accrued, set aside or paid any dividend or made any other distribution in respect of any of its share capital or other securities, and the Company has not repurchased, redeemed or otherwise reacquired any of its share capital or other securities;

(d) the Company has not repaid any Insider Debt;

(e) the Company has not entered into any transactions or undertakings with Related Parties;

(f) the Company has not sold, issued, granted or authorized the sale, issuance or grant of: (i) any share capital or other security; (ii) any option, call, warrant or right to acquire any capital stock or other security; or (iii) any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for any share capital (or cash based on the value of such share capital) or other security;

(g) there has been no amendment to any of the Charter Documents of the Company, and the Company has not negotiated, effected or been a party to any Acquisition Transaction, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction;

(h) the Company has not formed any Subsidiary or acquired any equity interest in any other Entity;

(i) the Company has not made any capital expenditure or commitment which, when added to all other capital expenditures and commitments made by or on behalf of the Company since December 31, 2010, exceeds $20,000 in the aggregate other than (i) directly for installing displays or (ii) as provided in the Company’s budget, as approved by the Company’s board of directors from time to time by a written signed resolution and subject to the obtainment of the consent of the director nominated by the Purchaser;

(j) the Company has not amended (except in the ordinary course of business), nor prematurely terminated, or waived any right or remedy under any Material Contract, and except in the ordinary course of business the Company has not entered into a Material Contract;

(k) the Company has not: (i) acquired, leased or licensed any right or other asset from any other Person; (ii) sold or otherwise disposed of, or leased or licensed, any right or other asset to any other Person; or (iii) waived or relinquished any right, except in each case for immaterial rights or other immaterial assets acquired, leased, licensed, disposed, waived

 

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or relinquished in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, the lease of vehicles);

(l) the Company has not written off as uncollectible, or established any extraordinary reserve with respect to, any account receivable or other Indebtedness in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate;

(m) the Company has not made any pledge of any of its assets or otherwise permitted any of its assets to become subject to any Encumbrance and has not otherwise given any guarantee in favor of any third party;

(n) the Company has not: (i) lent money to any Person; (ii) incurred or guaranteed any indebtedness for borrowed money, except credit lines provided to customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business, (iii) entered into a long term (more than a year) Company Contract;

(o) the Company has not significantly decreased or increased the number of its employees;

(p) the Company has not: (i) established, adopted or amended any Company Employee Plan; (ii) made any bonus, profit-sharing or similar payment to, or increased the amount of wages, salary, commissions, fringe benefits or other compensation (including equity-based compensation, whether payable in cash or otherwise) or remuneration payable to, any of its directors, officers or employees; or (iii) other than with respect to non-officer employees and in the ordinary course of business, hired any new employee;

(q) the Company has not changed any of its methods of accounting or accounting practices in any respect except as required by GAAP;

(r) the Company has not made or changed any Tax election, adopted or changed an accounting method in respect of Taxes, nor entered into a Tax allocation agreement, Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnity agreement or closing agreement, settled or compromised a claim, notice, audit report or assessment in respect of Taxes, nor consented to an extension or waiver of the statutory limitation period applicable to a claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or made any application or negotiation for or receipt of a tax ruling or arrangement by the Company or any of the Selling Shareholders or on their behalf, whether or not in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as explicitly contemplated in this Agreement;

(s) the Company has not commenced, nor settled any Legal Proceeding (other than warranty claims in the ordinary course of business);

(t) the Company has not entered into any transaction, nor taken any other action outside the ordinary course of business; and

(u) the Company has not agreed, nor legally committed, to take any of the actions referred to in clauses “(b)” through “(t)” above.

2.7 Title to Assets .

(a) Good Title . The Company owns, and has good and valid title to: (i) all assets owned by it as reflected on the Financial Statements (other than, with respect to tangible assets, assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business which do not affect the

 

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ability of the Company to operate its business in the ordinary course); and (ii) all assets referred to in Part 2.7(a) of the Disclosure Schedule and all of the rights of the Company under the Contracts identified in Part 2.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedule. All of said assets are owned by the Company free and clear of any Encumbrances other than as set forth in Part 2.7(a) of the Disclosure Schedule.

(b) Leased Assets . Part 2.7(b) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies all assets of the Company and that are being leased to the Company.

(c) Sufficiency of Assets . The assets of the Company (whether owned or leased) collectively constitute all of the material properties, rights, interests and other tangible and intangible assets used by the Company in its business, in the manner in which such business is currently conducted.

2.8 Bank Accounts .

(a) Part 2.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedule provides the following information with respect to each account maintained by or for the benefit of the Company at any bank or other financial institution: (i) the name of the bank or other financial institution at which such account is maintained; (ii) the account number; (iii) the type of account; and (iv) the names of all Persons who have signature authority and/or are authorized to sign checks or other documents with respect to such account.

(b) The Company has no outstanding credit facility, overdraft, loan, loan stock, debenture, letter of credit, acceptance credit or other financial facility, except as provided in Part 2.8 (b)  of the Disclosure Schedule.

2.9 Real Property . Real Property . The Company does not own any real property or any interest in real property, except for the real property identified in Part 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule.

2.10 Intellectual Property .

(a) Company IP . Part 2.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of Company IP that is issued or registered or subject to an application for patent, trademark, copyright or other registration in any jurisdiction throughout the world, or licensed to the Company by a third party. Part 2.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedule also contains a complete description of: the name of the current owners of such registered Company IP; the applicable jurisdiction; and the application or registration number. Except as otherwise indicated in Part 2.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is the sole and exclusive owner of all Company IP owned by the Company, free and clear of any Encumbrances or claims, including without limitation for royalties, reimbursements, contingent payments, inventorship or ownership. All Company IP that is subject to registration anywhere in the world is validly registered in the name of the Company and, to the Company’s Knowledge, such registrations are not subject to cancellation or challenge, and are, enforceable with exclusive rights granted to the registrants thereof. The Company has received no notice from any third party challenging the validity, enforceability, inventorship or ownership of any Company IP, nor, except as disclosed in Part 2.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, is the Company a party of any proceeding relating to any such challenge.

(b) Non-Infringement . The operation of the business of the Company has not and does not infringe or misappropriate any patent or patent application of any third party

 

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under any jurisdiction or any other Intellectual Property Right of any third party or constitute unfair competition or unfair trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Company operates or operated, as applicable. Except as disclosed in Part 2.10(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received any notice from any third party and there is no other assertion or threat from any third party to the Company’s Knowledge, nor any reasonable basis therefore, that the operation of the business of Company, or the marketing or sale of any of its Products or provision of its services, infringes or misappropriates the Intellectual Property Rights of any third party or constitutes unfair competition or unfair trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction in which it was conducted. The Company is not a party to any claims, suits, arbitrations or other adversarial proceedings with respect to a third party’s Intellectual Property Rights.

(c) No Infringers . To the Company’s Knowledge, no person is infringing or misappropriating any Company IP. The Company has not brought or been a party to any claims, suits, arbitrations or other adversarial proceedings with respect to the Company IP against any third party that remain unresolved.

(d) No Judgments . The Company is not subject to any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or any U.S. federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or any arbitrator, which restricts the use, transfer, or license of any of Company IP.

(e) Protection of Company IP . The Company has taken all necessary steps to protect and maintain Company IP, including as it relates to trade secrets and taking reasonable steps to preserve the confidential nature of all invention records, confidential information and other non-public information. Except as disclosed in Part 2.10(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has secured valid written confidentiality agreements and assignments of Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Rights from all consultants, contractors, employees, and customers who contribute or have contributed to the creation, conception, reduction to practice or other development of any Company IP developed on behalf of Company.

(f) Royalty and Other Payments . Except as disclosed in Part 2.10(f) of the Disclosure Schedule the Company is not required to pay any royalties, fees, commissions or other amounts to any other Person upon or for the use of the Company IP.

(g) Personal Data . Part 2.10(g) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies and describes each distinct electronic or other database containing (in whole or in part) Personal Data maintained by or for the Company at any time (the “ Company Databases ”), the types of Personal Data in each such database, the means by which the Personal Data was collected, and the security policies that have been adopted and maintained with respect to each such database. Any electronic or other database containing (in whole or in part) Personal Data maintained by or for the Company that is required to be registered under any applicable Legal Requirement has been duly registered and maintained. To the Knowledge of the Company, no breach or violation of any such security policy has occurred, and there has been no unauthorized or illegal use of or access to any of the data or information in any of the Company Databases. The Company has not disclosed to any third party, or made available to any third party, any Personal Data in any Company Databases except as authorized by applicable law, and/or authorized by such Person to whom the Personal Data relates. The Company has acquired, collected, maintained, disclosed

 

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and used all Personal Data pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, valid and enforceable Contracts and/or applicable policies. The Company has not obtained, collected or used any Personal Data, or possessed any data that is not publicly available, in violation or breach of any Company Contract or applicable Legal Requirement.

(h) Government Funding . No government funding, facilities of a university, college, or other educational, academic or military institution or research center or funding from any Governmental Entity was used by the Company.

2.11 Contracts .

(a) List of Contracts . Part 2.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedule accurately identifies (in each case, to the extent such Contracts are valid and in full force and effect):

(i) (A) each Company Contract relating to the employment of, or the performance of services by, any current Company Employee; (B) any Company Contract pursuant to which the Company is or may become contractually obligated to make any severance, termination or similar payment to any Company Employee; and (C) any Company Contract pursuant to which the Company is or may become contractually obligated to make any bonus or similar payment (other than payment in respect of salary) to any Company Employee;

(ii) each Company Contract which provides for indemnification of any officer, director, employee or agent of the Company

(iii) each Company Contract relating to the voting and any other rights or obligations of a shareholder of the Company;

(iv) each Company Contract relating to the merger, consolidation or reorganization of, or any similar transaction with respect to, the Company;

(v) each Company Contract relating to the acquisition, transfer, development or sharing of any technology, Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property Right (not including off-the-shelf licenses for computer programs or other programs);

(vi) each Company Contract relating to the license of any patent, copyright, trade secret or other Intellectual Property Right to or from the Company (not including off-the-shelf licenses for computer programs or other programs);

(vii) each Company Contract relating to the hosting of any website of the Company;

(viii) each Company Contract relating to the advertising or promotion of the business of the Company or pursuant to which any third parties advertise on any websites operated by the Company;

(ix) each Company Contract relating to the acquisition, sale, spin-off or outsourcing of any business unit of the Company;

(x) each Company Contract creating or relating to any partnership or joint venture or any sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or liabilities;

(xi) each Company Contract imposing any restriction on the Company: (A) to compete with any other Person; (B) to acquire any product or other asset or any services from any other Person, to sell any product or other asset to or perform any services for any other

 

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Person or to transact business or deal in any other manner with any other Person; or (C) to develop or distribute any technology;

(xii) each Company Contract granting exclusive or non-exclusive rights to test, license, market, label, distribute, sell or deliver any of the Products or services of the Company or of users of any marketplace, website or service of the Company;

(xiii) each Company Contract creating or involving any agency relationship, distribution arrangement or franchise relationship;

(xiv) each Company Contract relating to the creation of any Encumbrance with respect to any material asset of the Company;

(xv) each Company Contract regarding the acquisition, issuance or transfer of any securities and each Company Contract affecting or dealing with any securities of the Company including, without limitation, any restricted share agreements or escrow agreements;

(xvi) each Company Contract involving any loan, guaranty, pledge, performance or completion bond or surety arrangement;

(xvii) each Company Contract relating to the purchase or sale of any asset by or to, or the performance of any services by or for, any Related Party;

(xviii) each Company Contract relating to any liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(xix) each Company Contract with sub-contractors, distributors and fabricators;

(xx) any other Company Contract that contemplates or involves: (A) the payment or delivery of cash or other consideration by the Company in an amount or having a value in excess of $50,000; or (B) the performance of services having a value in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate;

(xxi) each Company Contract with a customer of the Company that has a term of more than sixty (60) days and that may not be terminated by the Company (without penalty, Liability or premium) within sixty (60) days after the delivery of a termination notice by the Company;

(xxii) each Company Contract constituting or relating to a Government Contract or Government Bid; and

(xxiii) any other Company Contract that was entered into outside the ordinary course of business (A)in an amount or having a value in excess of $50,000; or (B) such contracts in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate.

(Contracts in the respective categories described in clauses “(i)” through “(xxiii)” above and all Contracts identified, or required to be identified, in Part 2.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedule are referred to in this Agreement as “ Material Contracts ”).

(b) Delivery of Contracts . The Company has made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of all written Material Contracts identified in Part 2.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, including all amendments thereto. Except as set forth in Part 2.11(b) of the

 

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Disclosure Schedule, each Material Contract identified in Part 2.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedule is valid and in full force and effect, and is enforceable by the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to: (i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. The Company has no Material Contracts, which are not in written form.

(c) No Breach . Except as set forth in Part 2.11(c) of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) the Company has not violated nor breached, nor committed any default under, any Material Contract, which remains uncured, and, no other Person has violated or breached, or committed any default under, any Material Contract which remains uncured; (ii) no event has occurred, and no circumstance or condition exists, to the Company’s Knowledge, that (with or without notice or lapse of time) will or could reasonably be expected to: (A) result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Material Contract; (B) give any counterparty to a Material Contract the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under any Material Contract; (C) give any counterparty to a Material Contract the right to accelerate the maturity or performance of any Material Contract; or (D) give any counterparty to a Material Contract the right to cancel, terminate or modify any Material Contract other than in accordance with its terms; and (iii) the Company has not waived any of its rights under any Material Contract.

2.12 Compliance with Legal Requirements; Regulatory Compliance; Health and Safety .

(a) Except as disclosed in Part 2.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is, and has at all times since its incorporation, been, in compliance with each Legal Requirement that is applicable to it or to the conduct of its business, the Products, the provision of services, or the ownership of its assets, including Legal Requirements relating to privacy, money laundering, banking, import/export and employment matters. No event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that, to the Company’s Knowledge, will or could reasonably be expected to (with or without notice or lapse of time) constitute or result in a violation by the Company of, or a failure on the part of the Company to comply with, any Legal Requirement. Except as disclosed in Part 2.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received any written notice or other communication from any Person regarding any actual or possible violation of, or failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement.

(b) Company Licenses . The Company has obtained, all necessary and applicable Consents, approvals, clearances, authorizations, licenses and registrations required by the Company by United States or foreign governments or Government Bodies with respect to each Product and service provided by it in the jurisdictions in which it operates (collectively, the “ Company Licenses ”). A list of all such Company Licenses are included in Part 2.12(b) of the Disclosure Schedule. Except as disclosed in Part 2.12(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is in compliance with all terms and conditions of each Company License and with all applicable laws pertaining thereto. The Company is in compliance with all applicable reporting requirements for all Company Licenses described above, including, but not limited to, applicable adverse event reporting requirements in the jurisdictions in which it has been issued such Company Licenses.

(c) Health and Safety . Except as disclosed in Part 2.12(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is and has been in compliance with all applicable health and safety Legal Requirements, and trade, public and occupational health and product liability related

 

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requirements, including but not limited to (i) the Products, their sale, marketing, promotion, offering and distribution; (ii) the provision of services provided by the Company; (iii) warning requirements, (iv) labeling requirements, and (v) requirements related to the provision of information, use instructions, safety data, technical information, installation and/or fabrication of the Products.

(d) No Recalls . Except as disclosed in Part 2.12(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, there have been no recalls, field notifications or seizures ordered or adverse regulatory actions taken or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened by any Governmental Body with respect to any of the Products.

2.13 Governmental Authorizations; Governmental Grants .

(a) Governmental Authorizations Part 2.13(a) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each Governmental Authorization held by the Company, and the Company has made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of all Governmental Authorizations identified in Part 2.13(a) of the Disclosure Schedule. The Governmental Authorizations identified in Part 2.13(a) of the Disclosure Schedule are valid and in full force and effect, and collectively constitute all Governmental Authorizations necessary to enable the Company to conduct its business. The Company is, and has at all times been, in compliance with the terms and requirements of the respective Governmental Authorizations identified in Part 2.13(a) of the Disclosure Schedule. Except as disclosed in Part 2.12(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received any written notice or other communication from any Governmental Body regarding: (i) any actual or possible violation of or failure to comply with any term or requirement of any Governmental Authorization; or (ii) any actual or possible revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or modification of any Governmental Authorization.

(b) No Governmental Grants . The Company has never received any Governmental Grant nor, other than as disclosed in Part 2.13(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, applied for any form of grant or tax benefit from any Governmental Body.

2.14 Tax Matters .

(a) Tax Returns and Payments . Other than as disclosed in Part 2.14(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, all Tax Returns and reports required to be filed (taking into account valid extensions) by or on behalf of the Company with any Governmental Body (the “ Company Returns ”) have been timely and properly filed on or prior to the Closing Date, and are true, accurate and complete. All Taxes and tax liabilities due and payable by or with respect to the income, assets or operations of the Company on or prior to the Closing Date have been timely and properly paid in full on or prior to the Closing Date or related adequate provisions were made in the Audited Financial Statements. All Taxes not yet due and payable for any period ending on or before December 31, 2010 were accrued and adequately disclosed and fully provided for in accordance with GAAP on the Audited Financial Statements of the Company. All Taxes required to be withheld by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date have been properly and timely withheld and remitted to the appropriate tax authority on or prior to the Closing Date. The Company has made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of all income Tax Returns filed by the Company. No written claim has been received by the Company from an authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file Tax Returns that the Company is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

 

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(b) Audits; Claims . The Company Returns have never been examined or audited by any Governmental Body, other than as disclosed in Part 2.14(b) of the Disclosure Schedule. Other than as disclosed in Part 2.14(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received from any Governmental Body any: (i) notice indicating an intent to open an audit or other review; (ii) request for information related to Tax Matters; or (iii) notice of deficiency or proposed Tax adjustment. No extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax Returns has been granted by or requested from the Company. The Company has no Knowledge of any claim or Legal Proceeding that is pending or threatened against the Company in respect of any Tax. There are no liens for Taxes upon any of the assets of the Company except liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable (and for which there are adequate accruals or reserves, in accordance with GAAP).

(c) Parachute Payments . The Company is not a party to any Contract that has resulted or could, as a result of the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event) or otherwise, result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any corresponding provisions of state, local, or foreign Tax law).

(d) Closing Agreements; Etc . The Company will not be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any change in method of accounting, closing agreement, inter-company transaction, excess loss account, installment sale or prepaid amount received for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date.

(e) Tax Shelters . The Company has not consummated or participated in, or is currently participating in any transaction which was or is a “Tax shelter” transaction as defined in Sections 6662 or 6111 of the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (or any corresponding provisions of state, local, or foreign Tax law). The Company has not participated in, or is currently participating in, a “Listed Transaction” or a “Reportable Transaction” within the meaning Section 6707A(c) of the Code or Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b), or any transaction requiring disclosure under a corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state or local or non-U.S. Tax Legal Requirements.

(f) Tax Incentives . The Company is not a party to, and is not the beneficiary of, any Tax exemptions, Tax holidays or other Tax reduction agreements or arrangements. The Company has provided to Purchaser all documentation in its possession or under the control of the Company relating to any applicable Tax holidays or incentives. The Company is in compliance with the requirements for any applicable Tax holidays or incentives, if any, and none of such Tax holidays or incentives will be jeopardized by the transactions contemplated in this Agreement. The Company has complied with all applicable Legal Requirements to be entitled to claim all such incentives, if any. Subject to the receipt of the approvals set forth in Part 2.23 of the Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not adversely affect the remaining duration or the extent of the incentive, if any, or require any recapture of any previously claimed incentive, and no Consent of any Governmental Body is required, other than as contemplated by Section 2.23, prior to the consummation of such transactions in order to preserve the entitlement of the Company to any such incentive, if any.

 

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(g) FIRPTA . The Company is not, nor has it ever been, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code, and the Company has filed with the Internal Revenue Service all statements, if any, which are required under Section 1.897-2(h) of the Treasury Regulations.

(h) Tax Withholding . The Company has complied with all applicable Legal Requirements relating to the payment, reporting and withholding of Taxes and has, within the time and in the manner prescribed by law, withheld from payments to employees, independent contractors, suppliers or shareholders and timely paid over to the proper Governmental Body (or is properly holding for such timely payment) all amounts required to be so withheld and paid over under all applicable Legal Requirements, and has timely (taking into account all valid extensions) filed all withholding Tax Returns, for all periods.

(i) Tax Accruals . The Financial Statements fully accrues all actual and contingent liabilities for Taxes with respect to the period of the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. The Company has established, consistent with its past practices, reserves adequate for the payment of all Taxes for the period from the date of the Audited Financial Statements through the Closing Date.

(j) Tax Rulings . Except as disclosed in Part 2.14(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not requested or received a ruling from any Tax authority or signed a closing or other agreement with any Tax authority. The Company has made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of any Tax rulings obtained from any tax authorities.

(k) No Consolidated Returns . The Company has not been included in any “consolidated,” “unitary” or “combined” Tax Return provided for under the law of the United States, any non-U.S. jurisdiction or any state or locality with respect to Taxes for any taxable period for which the statute of limitations has not expired.

(l) Absence of Certain Tax Agreements . There are no Tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar agreements in effect as between the Company or any predecessor or Affiliate thereof and any other party (including Selling Shareholders and any predecessors or Affiliates thereof) under which Purchaser or the Company could be liable for any Taxes or other claims of any party.

(m) Section 355 . During the five-year period ending on the date of this Agreement, the Company was not a distributing corporation or a controlled corporation in a transaction intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code.

2.15 Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans .

(a) Existing Plans . Part 2.15(a) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each Company Employee Plan and Company Employee Agreement. All Company Employee Plans are sponsored by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. All Company Employee Plans are maintained and sponsored by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. The Company does not maintain or sponsor any Company Employee Plan, and the Company does not have any Liability with respect to any Company Employee Plan, other than current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course (which have been timely satisfied in full through the Closing Date) and as expressly set forth in the Client Services Agreement between ADP TotalSource, Inc. and the Company executed July 16, 2008, as amended, an accurate and complete copy of which the Company has made available to

 

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Purchaser. The Company’s participation in the ADP TotalSource, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan satisfies all of the tax-qualification requirements of the Code applicable to such participation.

(b) Pension Plans . The Company does not maintain, sponsor or contribute to, and the Company has not at any time in the past maintained, sponsored or contributed to, any retirement, death or disability benefit scheme for the benefit of any U.S. Company Employees that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), or Section 412 of the Code (a “ Pension Plan ”). The Company has not incurred, and no event has occurred and no condition or circumstance exists that could result, directly or indirectly, in, any Liability of the Company under Title IV or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code.

(c) Copies of Plans . With respect to the Company Employee Plans, except as set forth in Part 2.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule and Company Employee Agreements, except as set forth in Part 2.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has made available to Purchaser (i) an accurate and complete copy of such Company Employee Plans and Company Employee Agreements (including all amendments thereto) including, in the case of any Company Employee Plan or Company Employee Agreement not set forth in writing, a written description thereof; (ii) an accurate and complete copy of the most recent summary plan description, together with any summary of modifications prepared for such Company Employee Plan; (iii) if such Company Employee Plan is funded through a trust or any third party funding vehicle, an accurate and complete copy of the trust or other funding agreement (including all amendments thereto); and (iv) accurate and complete copies of all Contracts relating to such Company Employee Plan.

(d) New Plans . The Company has not made any plan or commitment to create any additional Company Employee Plan or Company Employee Agreement, or to modify or change any existing Company Employee Plan or Company Employee Agreement (other than to comply with applicable law) in a manner that would affect any Company Employee.

(e) Coverage after Termination of Service . No Company Employee Plan provides death, medical or health benefits (whether or not insured) with respect to any Company Employee after any such Company Employee’s termination of service (other than: (i) benefit coverage mandated by applicable law; (ii) deferred compensation benefits accrued as liabilities on the Company Financial Statements; (iii) benefits the full cost of which are borne by Company Employees (or such Company Employees’ beneficiaries); and (iv) benefits for which the Company is not required to provide any further contributions or funding after termination of employment). Except as set forth in Part 2.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, no Company Employee Plan or Company Employee Agreement provides for the payment of severance, termination, change in control or similar-type payments or benefits, and the Company’s contingent severance pay Liability and any other monetary Liability to the Company Employees is duly reflected in the Company Financial Statements or has been fully funded. All other liabilities of the Company to Company Employees were properly reserved for in the Company Financial Statements.

(f) Compliance with Legal and Contractual Requirements . The Company Employee Plans have been operated and administered in accordance with applicable Legal Requirements, and the Company has complied with its contractual obligations to make any contributions to the Company Employee Plans. The Company has not engaged any Company

 

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Employee whose employment would require the Company to obtain any special licenses or permits.

(g) Effects of Transaction . Except as set forth in Part 2.15(g) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement(either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event), will result in any payment (including, without limitation, any bonus or severance payment) to any Company Employee (whether or not under any Company Employee Plan or Company Employee Agreement), or increase the benefits payable under any Company Employee Plan, Company Employee Agreement or otherwise, or result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits.

(h) Absence of Claims . Except as set forth in Part 2.15(h), no Liability, claim, action, litigation, audit, examination, investigation or proceeding has been made, commenced or, to the Knowledge of Company, threatened with respect to any Company Employee Plan or Company Employee Agreement (other than routine claims for benefits payable in the ordinary course) which could result in a material liability of the Company or any Affiliate thereof.

(i) Employee Classification . The Company has classified all individuals who perform services for it correctly under each Company Employee Plan, ERISA, the Code and all other applicable Legal Requirements, including but not limited to California Labor Code §350(b), as employees, independent contractors or leased employees.

(j) List of Employees . Part 2.15(j) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all employees of the Company, and correctly reflects all compensation and benefits which each such person is entitled, including, without limitation, their salaries, any other cash compensation payable to them (including compensation payable pursuant to bonus, deferred compensation or commission arrangements), benefits for employees of the Company, their dates and term (if applicable) of employment, the number of hours and days of sick time to which such employees are entitled and which have accrued, the vacation and personal days to which such employees are entitled and their accrued and unpaid vacation and personal days and the aggregate dollar amounts thereof, automobiles and benefits in kind, their positions, and their visa status, if applicable. Except as set forth in Part 2.15(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not engaged any consultants, sub-contractors or freelancers, and the Company has provided to the Purchaser copies of all Contracts with such consultants, sub-contractors and freelancers. Copies of all Company Employee Agreements have been provided to the Purchaser

(k) Statutory Compliance . Except as set forth in Part 2.15(k) of the Disclosure Schedule: (a) no Employee’s employment by the Company requires any special license, permit or other governmental authorization; (b) there are no unwritten policies or practices of the Company that, by extension, could reasonably be expected to entitle any Employee to benefits in addition to what such Employee is entitled to by applicable legal requirements or under the terms of such Employee’s employment agreement (including unwritten customs or practices concerning bonuses, the payment of severance pay when it is not legally required); (c) all amounts that Company is legally or contractually required to deduct from Employees’ salaries or to transfer to such Employees’ life insurance, disability insurance, or other similar funds or otherwise, have, in each case, been duly deducted, transferred, withheld

 

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and paid, and the Company has no outstanding obligation to make any such deduction, transfer, withholding or payment; (d) the Company is in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements and contracts relating to employment, employment practices, wages, bonuses, pension benefits and other compensation matters and terms and conditions of employment; and (e) all Company Employees are properly classified as exempt or non-exempt under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, California wage-hour laws and similar state laws. In addition, the Company has provided to the Purchaser: (x) a correct and complete summary of the calculations used by the Company concerning the components of the Employees’ compensation; (y) a list of all consultants and contractors providing services to the Company, together with the country in which the consultant or contractor is providing services and the financial terms of the arrangement with such consultants or contractor; and (z) copies or summaries of its policies, procedures regarding termination of employees.

(l) Accident Claims . There are no claims pending, threatened, or reasonably capable of arising, against the Company, by an employee, contractor or third party, pertaining to any accident or injury, which are not fully covered by insurance.

(m) Labor-Related Claims . There is no Legal Proceeding, claim, labor dispute or grievance pending or threatened against the Company or reasonably anticipated by the Company relating to any employment Contract, compensation, wages and hours, leave of absence, plant closing notification, employment law statute or regulation, privacy right, workers’ compensation policy, long-term disability policy, safety, retaliation, immigration discrimination or labor or employment-related matter involving any Company Employee or former Company Employee, in his or her capacity as such, including charges of unfair labor practices or employment harassment complaints, except as set forth in Part 2.15(m) .

(n) Employees on Leave of Absence . Part 2.15(n) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each current employee of the Company who is not fully available to perform work because of disability or other leave and sets forth the basis for such leave.

(o) Labor Relations . The Company has good labor relations with its employees, and the Company is not aware of the intention of any of the employees of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company. The Company is not a party or subject to any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor union involving the Company Employees, no such collective bargaining or other Contract is currently being negotiated by or involving the Company and there is no pending, threatened or reasonably anticipated demand for recognition or certification and no representation or certification proceedings or petitions relating to the Company. No petition has been filed or proceeding instituted, or any action taken in contemplation of any such filing or institution, by the Company Employees seeking recognition of a bargaining representative. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened or anticipated, and since January 1, 2007, have been no, strikes, lockouts, union organizing activities (including but not limited to union organizing campaigns or requests for representation), pickets, slowdowns, stoppages, material grievances or material labor disputes relating to the Company’s business.

(p) Termination . Except as set out in Part 2.15(p) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Company Employee can be subject to immediate termination without prior notice and without further liability.

 

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2.16 Environmental Matters. The Company is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession by the Company of all Environmental Licenses and other Governmental Authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws, and compliance with the terms and conditions thereof. The Company has not received any written notice or other communication, whether from a Governmental Body, citizens’ group, Company Employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company is not in compliance with any Environmental Law. No current or prior owner of any property leased or controlled by the Company has notified the Company in writing that is received any written notice or other communication, whether from a Governmental Body, citizens’ group, Company Employee or otherwise, that alleges that such current or prior owner or the Company is not in compliance with any Environmental Law. The Company has not caused or contributed to any Environmental Release and, to the Company’s Knowledge, there are no circumstances which may give rise to any Environmental Release by the Company, in each case other than in a manner that complies with applicable Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed in Part 2.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Company’s Knowledge, no Hazardous Substance are stored or contained on or under any of the leasehold properties held or occupied by the Company, whether in storage tanks, land fills, pits, ponds, lagoons or otherwise. All Governmental Authorizations currently held by the Company pursuant to Environmental Laws are identified in Part 2.16 of the Disclosure Schedule.

2.17 Insurance . Part 2.17 of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each insurance policy maintained by, at the expense of or for the benefit of the Company, and payments made under insurance policies of the Company during the past seven (7) years. The insurance policies cover such risks and are in sufficient coverage amounts as the Company believes (based on the advice of its insurance advisors and the Company’s Knowledge) are appropriate for the Company’s operations. The Company has made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of the insurance policies identified on Part 2.17 of the Disclosure Schedule. Each of the insurance policies identified in Part 2.17 of the Disclosure Schedule is in full force and effect. The Company has not received any written notice or other communication regarding any actual or possible: (i) cancellation or invalidation of any insurance policy; (ii) refusal of any coverage or rejection of any claim under any insurance policy; or (iii) adjustment in the amount of the premiums payable with respect to any insurance policy.

2.18 Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Part 2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule: (a) no Related Party has any interest in any asset used in the business of the Company; (b) no Related Party is, or has been, indebted to the Company; (c) no Related Party has entered into or has had any financial interest in, any Contract, transaction or business dealing involving the Company; (d) no Related Party is competing with the Company; and (e) no Related Party has any claim against the Company. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will result in any payment (including, without limitation, any bonus or other compensation or consideration) to any Related Party, other than the consideration paid to each Selling Shareholder as part of the Aggregate Purchase Price and the repayment of the Insider Debt in accordance with Schedule II.

2.19 Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth in Part 2.19 of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no pending Legal Proceeding and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no Person has threatened to commence any Legal Proceeding: (i) that involves the Company, its activities, business, and/or any of the assets owned or used by the Company or any Person whose Liability

 

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the Company has or may have retained or assumed, either contractually or by operation of law; (ii) against the Company that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (iii) that relates to the ownership of any capital stock of the Company, or any option or other right to the capital stock of the Company, or right to receive consideration as a result of this Agreement. To the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred, and no claim, dispute or other condition or circumstance exists, that could reasonably be expected to serve as a basis for the commencement of any such Legal Proceedings except as disclosed in Part 2.19 of the Disclosure Schedule.

2.20 Orders . There is no outstanding specific order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree relating to the Company and to which the Company, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, is subject. To the Company’s Knowledge, no officer or any other employee of the Company is subject to any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree that prohibits such officer or other employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity or practice relating to the Company’s business.

2.21 Certain Payments. Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any officer, employee, agent or other Person acting for or on behalf of the Company has at any time, directly or indirectly: (a) used any funds of the Company: (i) to make any unlawful political contribution or gift or for any other unlawful purpose relating to any political activity; (ii) to make any unlawful payment to any governmental official or employee; or (iii) to establish or maintain any unlawful or unrecorded fund or account of any nature; (b) made any false or fictitious entry, or failed to make any entry that should have been made, in any of the books of account or other records of the Company; (c) made any payoff, influence payment, bribe, rebate, kickback or unlawful payment to any Person; (d) made any payment (whether or not lawful) to any Person, or provided (whether lawfully or unlawfully) any favor or anything of value (whether in the form of property or services, or in any other form) to any Person, for the purpose of obtaining or paying for: (i) favorable treatment in securing business; or (ii) any other special concession; or (e) agreed, committed, offered or attempted to take any of the actions described in clauses “(a)” through “(d)” above.

2.22 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement .

(a) Authority; Binding Nature . The Company has all requisite right, power and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and under each other agreement, document or instrument referred to in or contemplated by this Agreement to which the Company is or will be a party that will be executed at or prior to Closing (the “ Ancillary Agreements ”); and the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and of each such Ancillary Agreement have been or shall be duly authorized prior to the Closing, by all necessary action on the part of the Company including unanimous approval by its Board of Directors (other than representatives of the Purchaser on the Board of Directors of the Company). This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to: (i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.

 

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(b) No Takeover Statute . No takeover statute or similar Legal Requirement applies or purports to apply to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

2.23 Non-Contravention; Consents; Third Party Approvals. Except as set forth in Part 2.23 of the Disclosure Schedule and Schedule IV, neither: (1) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements; nor (2) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any such Ancillary Agreement will (with or without notice or lapse of time):

(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of: (i) any of the provisions of the Charter Documents of the Company; or (ii) any resolution adopted by the shareholders, board of directors or any committee of the board of directors of the Company;

(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any Legal Requirement or any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which the Company or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, is subject;

(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by the Company;

(d) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or result in a default under, any provision of any Material Contract, or give any counterparty to any Material Contract the right to: (i) declare a default or exercise any remedy under any such Material Contract; (ii) accelerate the maturity or performance of any such Material Contract; or (iii) cancel, terminate or modify any such Material Contract, provided any applicable Third Party Approval is obtained; or

(e) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any material asset owned or used by the Company (except for any liens that will not, in any case or in the aggregate, detract from the value of the assets subject thereto or impair the operations of the Company).

Except for (i) the Third Party Approvals, and (ii) such other approvals as may be separately required by Purchaser and its Affiliates, the Company and/or the Selling Shareholders are not and will not be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with: (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the other agreements referred to in this Agreement; or (y) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

2.24 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. Except as set forth in Part 2.24 of the Disclosure Schedule, no Person is or may become entitled to receive any fee or other amount from the Company for professional services performed or to be performed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

2.25 Full Disclosure .

(a) None of the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement: (i) contain any false or misleading statement with respect to any material fact

 

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regarding the Company or its business or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (ii) to the Company’s Knowledge, omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the representations and warranties contained herein, in the light of the circumstances under which such representations and warranties were made, not misleading.

(b) The Company acknowledges that, except for the representations and warranties of Company and the Selling Shareholders set forth in this Agreement, the Purchaser is not relying and has not relied on any representations or warranties whatsoever regarding the subject matter of this Agreement, express or implied.

3. R EPRESENTATIONS A ND W ARRANTIES O F E ACH S ELLING S HAREHOLDER

In addition to the representations and warranties included in Section 2, each Selling Shareholder hereby severally and not jointly represents and warrants to Purchaser and the Shareholders’ Representative, as follows as of the date hereof:

3.1 Ownership of Shares/Amount of Loans. The number, class and series of Company Shares that are beneficially owned by such Selling Shareholder is set forth opposite such Selling Shareholder’s name in Schedule I hereto and the amount of details of Insider Debt is set forth opposite such Selling Shareholders’ name in Schedule II hereto. The information contained opposite such Selling Shareholder’s name in Schedules I and II is accurate, true, correct and complete. Other than the Company Shares referred to above, the Selling Shareholder holds no other securities of the Company (including securities that are convertible into or exercisable for securities of the Company) and has no right to purchase any securities of the Company (including securities that are convertible into or exercisable for securities of the Company) from the Company or otherwise (and to the extent any such right exists, such Selling Shareholder irrevocably waives such right effective as of the Closing). The Company Shares beneficially owned by such Selling Shareholder are owned free from any Encumbrances whatsoever and from any agreement, obligation or commitment to create, grant, give or permit to subsist any Encumbrances whatsoever(except such liens in favor of Purchaser), and such Selling Shareholder is entitled to sell and transfer to Purchaser the full legal and beneficial ownership of the Company Shares held by such Selling Shareholder free from any Encumbrance under the terms of this Agreement (subject to the release by Purchaser of its liens on such Company Shares). This section does not derogate from the provisions of Section 7.8.

3.2 Capacity and Authority of Selling Shareholders .

(a) Authority . Such Selling Shareholder has full power and authority to enter into, perform and comply with its obligations under this Agreement and any other agreement which such Selling Shareholder is required to enter into hereunder, and this Agreement constitutes and any such other agreements, when executed, will constitute valid, legally binding and enforceable obligations of such Selling Shareholder in accordance with its or their respective terms, subject to: (i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.

(b) Organization . If such Selling Shareholder is a body corporate: (i) it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the country of its incorporation; (ii) all necessary actions have been taken, fulfilled and done in order to enable it to enter into, perform

 

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and comply with its obligations hereunder and those obligations are validly, and legally binding and enforceable upon it; and (iii) its entry into and performance of or compliance with its obligations hereunder does not violate or exceed any power or restriction granted or imposed by: (A) any Legal Requirement to which it is subject; or (B) any of its constituting documents.

(c) No Consents . If such Selling Shareholder is a natural person, he or she has complied with any applicable Legal Requirements and no spousal signature or other Consent is required from any Person other than the signatories hereto with respect to such Selling Shareholder in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, or any other agreement that such Selling Shareholder is required to enter into hereunder, by such Selling Shareholder.

3.3 No Legal Proceedings. There is no pending Legal Proceeding and, to such Selling Shareholder’s Knowledge, no Person has threatened to commence any Legal Proceeding, that would prevent, delay or make illegal the entry into, performance of, compliance with and enforcement of any of the obligations of such Selling Shareholder under this Agreement. No event has occurred, and no claim, dispute or other condition or circumstance exists, that will or might give rise to or serve as the basis for any such Legal Proceeding.

3.4 Tax Withholding Information . All information provided or to be provided to Purchaser by or on behalf of such Selling Shareholder in writing, specifically for purposes of enabling Purchaser to determine the amount to be deducted and withheld from the consideration payable to such Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement under applicable Legal Requirements (if any) is and will be accurate and complete.

3.5 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Selling Shareholders.

3.6 Disclosure. Such Selling Shareholder acknowledges that, except for the representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in this Agreement, such Selling Shareholder is not relying and has not relied on any representations or warranties whatsoever regarding the subject matter of this Agreement, express or implied.

4. R EPRESENTATIONS A ND W ARRANTIES O F P URCHASER

Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to each of the Selling Shareholders as follows:

4.1 Due Organization. Purchaser is duly organized, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Israel. Purchaser has full corporate power and authority to conduct its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted and to own and use its assets in the manner in which its assets are currently owned and used.

4.2 Non-Contravention; Consents. Neither (a) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the other agreements referred to in this Agreement, nor (b) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will (with or without notice or lapse of time):

(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of: (i) any of the provisions of the articles of association or other organizational documents of Purchaser; or (ii)

 

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any resolution adopted by the shareholders, the board of directors or any committee of the board of directors of Purchaser; or

(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any Legal Requirement or any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which Purchaser or any of the assets owned or used by Purchaser, is subject;

(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser or any of the assets owned or used by any of the Purchaser, is subject. Purchaser will not be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with: (A) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the other agreements referred to in this Agreement; or (B) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement, except for any filings, notices and Consents that will be made or obtained prior to Closing.

4.3 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement. Purchaser has the right, power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and under each other agreement, documents or instruments referred to or contemplated by this Agreement to which the Purchaser is or will be a party that will be executed at or prior to Closing (the “ Transaction Documents ”); and the execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party have been or shall prior to the Closing be duly authorized by all corporate necessary action on the part of Purchaser. This Agreement and each Transaction Documents to which the Purchaser is or will be a party constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to: (a) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (b) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.

4.4 Legal Proceedings. There is no pending Legal Proceeding and to the knowledge of Purchaser, no Person has threatened to commence any Legal Proceeding that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the entering into of this Agreement, the Transaction Documents, any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or by any of the Transaction Documents.

4.5 Disclosure of Information . Without derogating from any of the representations or warranties hereunder, Purchaser, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company and the Selling Shareholders regarding the terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated herein, as well as the business, properties and financial condition of the Company. Without derogating from any of the representations or warranties hereunder and any liability the Selling Shareholders may have subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (if any) Purchaser, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, acknowledges that it owns 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company and it conducted due diligence with respect to the business, properties and financial condition of the Company and that it has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated herein, and protecting its own interests hereunder.

 

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4.6 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Purchaser.

4.7 Disclosure. The Purchaser acknowledges that, except for the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Shareholders set forth in this Agreement, the Purchaser is not relying and has not relied on any representations or warranties whatsoever regarding the subject matter of this Agreement, express or implied.

5. C ERTAIN C OVENANTS O F T HE P ARTIES

5.1 Filings and Consents . Each party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file all notices, reports and other documents required to be filed by such party with any Governmental Body with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to submit promptly any additional information requested by any such Governmental Body.

5.2 Public Announcements; Disclosure . From and after the date of this Agreement, each of the Selling Shareholders and the Company hereby severally covenant with and undertake to Purchaser that such Selling Shareholder and the Company shall not issue any press release or make any public statement (including, without limitation, to any Company Employee unless in accordance with Section 5.3) regarding (or otherwise disclose to any Person the existence or terms of) this Agreement or any of the other transactions or documents contemplated by this Agreement, without Purchaser’s prior written consent; provided, however , that(a) such Selling Shareholder may disclose and discuss the transactions contemplated herein with such Selling Shareholder’s legal, tax and accounting advisors that are subject to a professional duty of confidentiality; and (b) such Selling Shareholder may disclose the transactions contemplated herein if required by any applicable Legal Requirements.

5.3 Communications with Employees. From and after the date of this Agreement, all communications by the Company or any Selling Shareholder with the Company Employees regarding employment matters with Purchaser, including, without limitation, employee benefit plans and compensation, will be made in coordination with Purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all such communications to be made by the Company or any Selling Shareholder shall be approved in advance by Purchaser.

5.4 Waiver of Right of First Refusal and Termination of Agreements and Obligations in Schedule III. (a) Each Selling Shareholder hereby waives any and all rights of first refusal or other similar rights with respect to any transfer of Company Shares that is contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent such Selling Shareholder has any such rights under the Company’s Charter Documents or any Contract. (b) Each of the parties hereto agrees that effective upon the Closing all of the Agreements and other obligations set forth in Schedule III shall terminate (subject to, in connection with the third party guaranties, the replacement of such third party guaranties by Purchaser as provided for in Section 5.14 below).

5.5 Shareholder Release . EFFECTIVE AS OF THE CLOSING, EACH SELLING SHAREHOLDER DOES FOR ITSELF, HIMSELF OR HERSELF, AND ITS, HIS OR HER RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, PARTNERS, HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, IF ANY, RELEASE AND ABSOLUTELY FOREVER DISCHARGE THE PURCHASER (IN ITS CAPACITY AS A SHAREHOLDER PRIOR TO THE CLOSING), THE COMPANY AND THEIR AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS,

 

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DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES (EACH, A “ RELEASED PARTY ”) FROM AND AGAINST ALL RELEASED MATTERS. A RELEASED PARTY SHALL NOT HOWEVER INCLUDE ANY OFFICER OR DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES WHO IS ALSO A SELLING SHAREHOLDER OR AFFILIATE OF ANY SELLING SHAREHOLDER. “ RELEASED MATTERS ” MEANS ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, DEBTS, LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, COSTS, EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ AND ACCOUNTANTS’ FEES AND EXPENSES), ACTIONS AND CAUSES OF ACTION OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, THAT SUCH SELLING SHAREHOLDER NOW HAS, OR AT ANY TIME PREVIOUSLY HAD, OR SHALL OR MAY HAVE IN THE FUTURE, AS A SHAREHOLDER, OFFICER OR DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, ARISING BY VIRTUE OF OR IN ANY MATTER RELATED TO ANY ACTIONS OR INACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AFFAIRS ARISING ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT. IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS IN EXECUTING THIS RELEASE, AND IN GIVING AND RECEIVING THE CONSIDERATION CALLED FOR HEREIN, THAT THE RELEASE CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 5.5 SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AS A FULL AND FINAL ACCORD AND SATISFACTION AND GENERAL RELEASE OF AND FROM ALL RELEASED MATTERS AND THE FINAL RESOLUTION BY SUCH SHAREHOLDER AND THE RELEASED PARTIES OF ALL RELEASED MATTERS; PROVIDED , HOWEVER , THAT THE FOREGOING RELEASE SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY CLAIMS ANY SELLING SHAREHOLDER MAY HAVE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR UNDER THE ESCROW AGREEMENT. EFFECTIVE AS OF THE CLOSING, THE PURCHASER DOES FOR ITSELF, AND ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, BENEFICIARIES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, IF ANY, RELEASE AND ABSOLUTELY FOREVER DISCHARGE EACH OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS (AND THEIR AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES) IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY PRIOR TO THE CLOSING (EACH, A “ SELLING SHAREHOLDER RELEASED PARTY ”) FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, DEBTS, LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, COSTS, EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ AND ACCOUNTANTS’ FEES AND EXPENSES), ACTIONS AND CAUSES OF ACTION OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, THAT PURCHASER NOW HAS, OR AT ANY TIME PREVIOUSLY HAD, OR SHALL OR MAY HAVE IN THE FUTURE, AS A SHAREHOLDER, OFFICER OR DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, ARISING BY VIRTUE OF OR IN ANY MATTER RELATED TO ANY ACTIONS OR INACTIONS OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SHAREHOLDERS ARISING ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT (“ PURCHASER RELEASED MATTERS ”). IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PURCHASER IN EXECUTING THIS RELEASE, AND IN GIVING AND RECEIVING THE CONSIDERATION CALLED FOR HEREIN, THAT THE RELEASE CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 5.5 SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AS A FULL AND FINAL ACCORD AND SATISFACTION AND GENERAL RELEASE OF AND FROM ALL RELEASED MATTERS AND THE FINAL RESOLUTION BY THE PURCHASER AND THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER RELEASED PARTIES OF ALL PURCHASER RELEASED MATTERS ; PROVIDED , HOWEVER THE FOREGOING RELEASE SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY

 

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CLAIMS THE PURCHASER MAY HAVE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR UNDER THE ESCROW AGREEMENT.

5.6 Access and Investigation; Meetings. During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9 or the Closing (the “ Pre-Closing Period ”), the Company shall, and shall cause its Representatives to provide Purchaser and Purchaser’s Representatives, upon reasonable notice in writing, and in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the business of the Company: (a) with reasonable access to the Company’s Representatives, personnel and assets and to all existing books, records, Tax Returns, work papers and other documents and information relating to the Company, as Purchaser may reasonably request; and (b) with copies of such existing books, records, Tax Returns, work papers and other documents and information relating to the Company, and with such additional financial, operating and other data and information regarding the Company, as Purchaser may reasonably request. During the Pre-Closing Period, Representatives of the Purchaser shall receive adequate notice of and be entitled to participate in all meetings of the Company’s board of directors, and Purchaser may make, in conjunction with the Company’s management, inquiries of Persons having business relationships with the Company (including suppliers, licensors, distributors and customers) and the Company shall help facilitate (and shall cooperate fully with Purchaser in connection with) such inquiries. Any information disclosed to Purchaser in accordance with this Section 5.6 shall be subject to the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement.

5.7 Operation of the Business of the Company During the Pre-Closing Period. During the Pre-Closing Period, (i) the Company shall ensure, and (ii) insofar as subject to an action or decision by Selling Shareholders, each of the Selling Shareholders shall severally take such action or decision so as to procure that:

(a) the Purchaser shall continue to be entitled to receive any information or documents that it was entitled to receive pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement and any information or documents it may reasonably request, in its sole discretion, regarding the business, employees, condition, assets, prospects or liabilities of the Company, whether the aforesaid are in the ordinary course or otherwise;

(b) the Chief Financial Officer of the Company shall provide the Chief Financial Officer of the Purchaser with the Monthly Reports, any significant changes to the business of the Company or significant activities of the Company, and any other information that may reasonably be requested;

(c) the Company shall provide the Purchaser with Monthly Reports and any additional subsequent unaudited quarterly reviewed financial statements, if any;

(d) the Board of Directors of the Company shall not resolve any resolutions regarding any transaction that involves any of the Company’s shareholders or any transaction which is not in the ordinary course of business without the prior written approval of the Purchaser;

(e) the Company shall not declare, accrue, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution, including repayment of Insider Debt in respect of any share capital or other securities, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise reacquire any share capital or other securities;

 

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(f) Without derogating from the provisions of Section 2.4(d), during the Pre Closing Period the Company shall adjust its inventory and warranty reserves with respect to On hand Slabs to comply with the Purchaser’s global reserve policy, as will be coordinated with the Purchaser, provided that notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, such adjustment shall not effect in any way the Purchase Price or the Company’s or the Selling Shareholders’ respective representations under Sections 2 and 3 above and shall not give rise to any liability of any Selling Shareholder to the Purchaser;

(g) The Company shall not take any action under sub-clauses 2.6(c)- 2.6(k) and 2.6(m)-2.6(t) unless it has received the prior written consent of the Purchaser;

5.8 Notification; Updates to Disclosure Schedule.

(a) Notification . During the Pre-Closing Period, the Company shall promptly notify Purchaser in writing of the discovery by the Company and each Selling Shareholders shall promptly notify Purchaser in writing of the discovery by such Selling Shareholder of: (i) any event, condition, fact or circumstance that occurred, existed on or occurs, prior to or after the date of this Agreement and that caused or constitutes a breach of or an inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made by the Company and/or the Selling Shareholders in this Agreement; (ii) any event, condition, fact or circumstance that occurs, arises or exists after the date of this Agreement and that would cause or constitute a breach of or an inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made by the Company or the Selling Shareholders in this Agreement if: (A) such representation or warranty had been made as of the time of the occurrence, existence or discovery of such event, condition, fact or circumstance; or (B) such event, condition, fact or circumstance had occurred, arisen or existed on or prior to the date of this Agreement; (iii) any breach of any covenant or obligation of the Company or the Selling Shareholders under this Agreement; and (iv) any event, condition, fact or circumstance that would make the timely satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Section 7 impossible.

(b) Updates . If any event, condition, fact or circumstance that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 5.8(a) requires any change in the Disclosure Schedule, or if any such event, condition, fact or circumstance would require such a change assuming the Disclosure Schedule were dated as of the date of the occurrence, existence or discovery of such event, condition, fact or circumstance, then the Company shall promptly deliver to Purchaser an update to the Disclosure Schedule specifying such change.

(c) No Negotiation . During the Pre-Closing Period, none of the Company or the Selling Shareholders shall, and none of the Company or the Selling Shareholders shall authorize or permit, the Company or Selling Shareholder to: (a) solicit or encourage the initiation or submission of any expression of interest, inquiry, proposal or offer from any Person (other than Purchaser) relating to a possible Acquisition Transaction; (b) participate in any discussions or negotiations or enter into any agreement, understanding or arrangement with, or provide any non-public information to, any Person (other than Purchaser or its Representatives) relating to or in connection with a possible Acquisition Transaction; or (c) entertain or accept any proposal or offer from any Person (other than Purchaser) relating to a possible Acquisition Transaction. The Company and the Selling Stockholders shall promptly (and in any event within 48 hours of receipt thereof) notify Purchaser in writing of any inquiry, indication of interest, proposal or offer relating to a possible Acquisition Transaction that is received by the Company or the

 

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Selling Stockholders during the Pre-Closing Period (including the identity of the Person making or submitting such inquiry, indication of interest, proposal or offer, and the terms thereof).

5.9 Transfer of Company Shares. During the Pre-Closing Period, neither the Purchaser nor the Selling Shareholders shall sell, assign, transfer or make any other dispositions of the Company Shares and shall not shall not agree nor commit to the same.

5.10 Non-Competition. Each of the Selling Shareholders, in its own name and on behalf of its owners, founders, shareholders, partners, members, directors, officers, employees and affiliates, hereby undertakes that during the Pre-Closing period and a period of four (4) years from the Closing Date, it shall not directly or indirectly permit or conduct any of the following, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may be denied at the Purchaser’s sole discretion and without reasoning):

(a) carry on, engage in, have any interest in, acquire or aid or assist anyone else to engage in, have any interest in, whether for consideration or otherwise, in any capacity whatsoever (including, without limitation, as an owner, founder, shareholder, partner, member, advisor, director, officer, consultant, contractor, agent, employee, affiliate or co-venturer of any Person) in any Competing Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Selling Shareholder shall be prohibited from holding or taking a financial interest in securities of a public company in the Competing Business which are held for investment purposes only, if (x) such interest amounts to less than 5% (five percent) of the issued securities of a company which is listed on a generally recognized stock exchange; and (y) such interest carries less than 5% (five percent) of the voting rights (if any) attaching to the issued securities of the issuer; and (z) Selling Shareholder is not involved in any way whatsoever in the management of the issuer of the securities other than by the exercise of voting rights attached to the securities and does not have any other additional minority rights in the issuer;

(b) solicit or offer the employment or engagement, directly or indirectly, for itself or for a third party, of any current and/or future officer or employee of the Company, its Affiliates, Subsidiaries or distributors;

(c) actually employ, directly or indirectly, for itself or for a third party, any current and/or future officer or employee of the Company, its Affiliates, Subsidiaries or distributors;

(d) each undertaking contained in this Section 5.10 above shall be read and construed independently of the other covenants and obligations therein contained so that if one or more should be held to be invalid as an unreasonable restraint of trade or for any other reason whatsoever then the remaining covenants and obligations shall be valid to the extent that they are not held to be invalid. If one or more of the covenants and obligations contained in this Section 5.9 is held invalid as an unreasonable restraint of trade or for any other reason whatsoever, but would have been held valid if part of the wording thereof had been deleted or the period thereof reduced or the range of activities or area dealt with thereby reduced in scope, the said covenants and obligations shall apply with such modifications as may be necessary to make them valid and effective; and

(e) The covenants and obligations contained in this Section 5.9 are considered by the Parties to be reasonable in all circumstances and each Party undertakes not to contend or dispute any of the aforementioned covenants and obligations;

 

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(f) The Selling Shareholders further acknowledge that they will receive as an element of the Aggregate Purchase Price full and fair compensation for the restrictions under this Section 5.10.

(g) Notwithstanding the aforementioned, it is agreed that the non-competition undertakings in accordance with this Section 5.10 shall apply to the Company’s current CEO, Arik Tendler and entities (corporations, trusts etc.) directly or indirectly controlled by him for a period of four (4) years starting from the termination of his services to the Company.

5.11 D&O Insurance; Indemnification and Exculpation.

(a) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall, at the sole expense of the Selling Shareholders, extend, in as much as this is possible, for a period of up to seven (7) years after the Closing Date, the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, or acquire a new insurance policy, in respect of acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Closing, covering each Selling Shareholder currently covered, directly or through its affiliate, by the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, as much as practicable, on terms with respect to such coverage and limits of liabilities (for the seven (7) year period of insurance) no less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date hereof. The Company shall, and the Purchaser shall cause the Company to, fully and punctually perform all of its obligations thereunder in order to maintain such policy in full force and effect throughout such period.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Company’s Charter Documents and/or the indemnification undertakings in favor of any director or officer of the Company (which shall continue to be in force and effect following the Closing Date) listed in Schedule 5.11(b) (the “ Indemnification Undertakings ”), such Indemnification Undertakings applicable to any Selling Shareholder and/or their Affiliates, controlling shareholders or beneficiaries shall not apply in any of the following events: (i) at any time after six (6) years from the Closing Date; (ii) the insurance acquired in accordance with section (a) above covers all of the indemnification undertaking; and/or (iii) the actions or omissions taken by such individual in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company on or prior to the Closing Date, constitute a breach of any representation or warranty made within this Agreement by the Company and/or the Selling Shareholders, whether or not such breach entitles the Purchaser to indemnification in accordance with Section 8 to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, and without imposing any obligations on the Purchaser to pursue any indemnification claim related to the Company’s Charter Documents and/or the Indemnification Undertakings, in the event that the Purchaser is indemnified by the Selling Shareholders for the indemnification of a Selling Shareholder in its capacity as an officer or director, pursuant to the Company’s Charter Documents and/or the Indemnification Undertakings, such officer or director shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company pursuant to the relevant Indemnification Undertaking.

5.12 Tax Returns and Payment and Refund of Taxes.

(a) The Company shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns in respect of the Company that are filed after the Closing Date and relate to a Pre Closing Tax Period. Such Tax Returns shall be prepared by treating items on such Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the past practices of the Company and the applicable Legal Requirement.

 

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(b) After the Closing Date, Purchaser, to the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, shall have the right to amend, modify or otherwise change all Tax Returns of the Company for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods; provided , however , that any such amendment, modification or change resulting in an indemnification obligation of the Selling Shareholders under Section 8.2 or any other liability to the Selling Shareholders shall not be made without the prior written consent of the Selling Shareholders, unless such amendment, modification or change is required in order to comply with Legal Requirements or any tax authority demand or instruction; provided , further , that the Selling Shareholders shall be deemed to consent to any amendment, modification or change if the Purchaser waives its rights to any indemnification by the Selling Shareholders in connection with such amendment, modification or change and that such amendment, modification or change will not result in any liability to any Selling Shareholders.

(c) All transfer, sales and use, registration, stamp and similar Taxes imposed on any Selling Shareholder shall be borne and paid by such Selling Shareholder. All transfer, sales and use, registration, stamp and similar Taxes imposed on the Purchaser as a result of the Purchaser purchasing the Company Shares, if any, shall be borne and paid by the Purchaser. All transfer, sales and use, registration, stamp and similar Taxes imposed with respect to this Agreement on the Company or without identifying the specific tax payer shall be borne equally by the Selling Shareholders and the Purchaser. The Selling Shareholders shall terminate or cause to be terminated any and all of the tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar agreements, arrangements or undertakings in effect, written or unwritten, on the Closing Date as between the Selling Shareholders or any predecessor or Affiliate thereof, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, for all Taxes imposed by any government or taxing authority, regardless of the period in which such Taxes are imposed, and there shall be no continuing obligation to make any payments under any such agreements, arrangements or undertakings.

(d) Purchaser shall notify the Shareholders’ Representative within a reasonable time upon receipt by Purchaser or any affiliate of Purchaser (including the Company after the Closing Date) of written notice of any inquiries, claims, assessments, audits or similar events with respect to Taxes relating to a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date for which any of the Selling Shareholders may be liable under this Agreement (any such inquiry, claim, assessment, audit or similar event, a “ Tax Matter ”). The Shareholders’ Representative shall have the right to participate in the preparation of any document designated to be filed with respect to any Tax Matter before the IRS, any other taxing authority, any other governmental agency or authority or any court and shall have the right to participate in the defense, compromise or other resolution of any Tax Matter, including participation in responding to inquiries, filing Tax Returns and contesting, defending against and resolving any assessment for additional Taxes or notice of Tax deficiency or other adjustment of Taxes of, or relating to, a Tax Matter; provided , however , that the Company shall not enter into any settlement of or otherwise compromise any Tax Matter that adversely affects or may adversely affect the Tax liability of any Selling Shareholder for any period, including the portion of the Overlap Period, without the prior written consent of the Shareholders’ Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company shall keep the Shareholders Representative fully and timely informed with respect to the commencement, status and nature of any Tax Matter. The Company shall, in good faith, allow Shareholders Representative to make comments to the Company, regarding the conduct of or positions taken in any such proceeding.

 

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(e) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.12(d) above, Purchaser shall have the sole right to control any audit or examination by any tax authority, initiate any claim for refund, amend any Tax Return, and contest, resolve and defend against any assessment for additional Taxes, notice of Tax deficiency or other adjustment of Taxes of or relating to, the income, assets or operations of the Company for all taxable periods.

(f) After the Closing Date, Purchaser and the Company, on the one hand, and the Selling Shareholders, on the other hand, agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon request, as promptly as practicable, such information and assistance (including access to books, records, work papers and Tax Returns for Pre-Closing Tax Periods) relating to the Company as is reasonably necessary for the reviewing of any Tax Matter.

(g) Any request for information or documents pursuant to this Section 5.12 shall be made by the requesting party in writing. The other party hereto shall promptly (and in no event later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the request) provide the requested information. The requesting party shall indemnify the other party for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such party in connection with providing any information or documentation pursuant to this Section 5.12. Any information obtained under this Section 5.12 shall be kept confidential, except as otherwise reasonably may be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or claims for refund or in conducting any Tax audit, dispute or contest.

5.13 Retention of CEO

The Company shall continue to have the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Arik Tendler, serve as the Chief Executive Officer ( i.e., the Company shall not terminate his engagement in the CEO position for a period of at least three (3) consecutive months following the Closing pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement currently in effect between the Company and the Chief Executive Officer. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby clarified that the Company may change the position of Arik Tendler following such three (3) month period or terminate his engagement, and the Selling Shareholders shall not be entitled to bring any claims related thereto against the Company or the Purchaser.

5.14 Replacement of Third Party Guaranties

Purchaser undertakes to replace all third party guaranties indentified in items 4, 5, 6 and 7 in Schedule V as soon as reasonably possible, and Purchaser agrees to indemnify any guarantors for any Liability deriving from any payment such guarantor bears as a result of such third party guaranties.

6. C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT T O O BLIGATIONS O F P URCHASER

The obligations of Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to satisfaction (or waiver by Purchaser), at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:

6.1 Accuracy of Representations. (i) Each of the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement shall be accurate in all material respects, as of the

 

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Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which shall have been accurate in all material respects as of such date, and other than representations and warranties which are not accurate but whose inaccuracies, severally or in the aggregate, has not caused a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) each of the representations and warranties made by the Selling Shareholders in this Agreement shall be accurate as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which shall have been accurate as of such date ; provided, however , that for purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties as of the foregoing dates: any update of or modification to the Disclosure Schedule made or purported to have been made on or after the date of this Agreement shall be taken into account.

6.2 Performance of Covenants. Each of the covenants and obligations that the Company and/or the Selling Shareholders are required to comply with or to perform at or prior to the Closing shall have been complied with and performed in all material respects.

6.3 No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect, which remains in effect as of the Closing Date.

6.4 Stock Powers and Share Certificates. The Shareholders’ Representative shall have delivered to Purchaser the Stock Powers and Share Certificates for the Company Shares set forth in Schedule I . This section does not derogate from the provisions of Section 7.8.

6.5 Transfer of Company Shares. The transfer of all Company Shares outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing (apart from those held by Purchaser) to Purchaser shall have been entered into the Company’s share register, and a true and correct copy of such share register shall have been delivered to Purchaser. This section does not derogate from the provisions of Section 7.8.

6.6 Agreements and Documents. Purchaser shall have received the following agreements and documents:

(a) An updated list of the Accounts Receivable through the date of the Closing reflecting all changes to the Accounts Receivable from December 31, 2010 through the Closing (the “ Closing Accounts Receivable ”).

(b) the Escrow Agreement, duly executed by the Shareholders’ Representative and the Escrow Agent;

(c) a certificate duly executed by the Company and the Shareholders’ Representative certifying that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.8, 6.9, 6.11 and 7.9 have been duly satisfied (the “ Selling Shareholders Closing Certificate ”);

(d) a certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, solely in his capacity as such, attaching and certifying the resolutions of the board of directors of the Company approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

(e) written resignations of all of the directors of the Company, effective as of the Closing (other than Purchaser’s representative on the Company’s board of directors);

(f) a certificate including an accurate, true, correct and complete description of the Transaction Expenses through the Closing duly executed by the Company.

 

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(g) all additional subsequent unaudited quarterly reviewed financial statements and Monthly Reports, or partial Monthly Reports from the date hereof through the Closing, and

(h) a legal opinion executed by Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP, legal counsel for the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

6.7 Termination/Amendment of Agreements. The Company Contracts and the other contractual obligations of the Company identified in Schedule III , including all agreements involving rights granted to the Selling Shareholders, shall have terminated effective as of the Closing.

6.8 No Restraints. No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been issued by any court of competent jurisdiction and remain in effect, and there shall not be any Legal Requirement enacted or applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that makes consummation of such transactions illegal.

6.9 No Legal Proceedings. No Governmental Body shall have commenced or threatened to commence, and no other Person shall have commenced, any Legal Proceeding: (a) challenging any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or seeking the recovery of damages in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (b) seeking to prohibit or limit the exercise by Purchaser of any right pertaining to its ownership of stock of the Company; (c) that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (d) seeking to compel the Company, Purchaser or any affiliate of Purchaser to dispose of or hold separate any assets as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

6.10 CEO. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall have committed to keep on serving the Company as Chief Executive Officer or in some other senior managerial position for a period of at least twelve (12) months following the Closing pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement currently in effect between the Company and the Chief Executive Officer, unless the Purchaser elects to terminate it earlier (subject to the terms of Section 5.13).

6.11 Third Party Approvals. All Third Party Approvals required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been obtained by the Selling Shareholders and/or the Company, as applicable.

6.12 Insider Debt . All Selling Shareholders, receiving repayment of the Insider Debt shall have signed waivers and releases to the Company and the Purchaser in a form attached hereto as Exhibit C .

6.13 Amendment to Indemnification Agreements. All approvals and/or corporate actions required under applicable Legal Requirement to implement the provisions of Section 5.11(b) in connection with the indemnification agreements or terms granted by the Company in favor of its directors, or officers have been adopted .

6.14 Transaction Expenses . All Company Transaction Expenses have been paid by the Company.

6.15 FIRPTA Certificate . The Company shall, on or prior to the Closing Date, provide Purchaser with a properly executed Foreign Investment and Real Property Tax Act of

 

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1980 notification letter (the “ FIRPTA Certificate ”), substantially in the form of Exhibit F , which states that shares of capital share of the Company do not constitute “United States real property interests” under Section 897(c) of the Code, for purposes of satisfying Purchaser’s obligations under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(c)(3). In addition, simultaneously with delivery of such FIRPA Certificate, the Company shall have provided to Purchaser, as agent for the Company, a form of notice to the IRS in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.897-2(h)(2) along with written authorization for Purchaser to deliver such notice form to the IRS on behalf of the Company upon the Closing, all in substantially the form of Exhibit F.

7. C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT T O O BLIGATIONS O F T HE S ELLING S HAREHOLDERS

The obligations of the Selling Shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to satisfaction (or waiver by the Shareholders’ Representative), at or prior to the Closing, of the following conditions:

7 .1 Accuracy of Representations . Each of the representations and warranties made by Purchaser in this Agreement shall be accurate as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date, other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which shall have been accurate as of such date; provided, however , that this condition shall be deemed fulfilled unless the failure of such representations and warranties to be accurate constitutes or reflects a material adverse change to ability of the Selling Shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

7.2 Performance of Covenants. Each of the covenants and obligations that Purchaser is required to comply with or to perform at or prior to the Closing shall have been complied with and performed in all material respects.

7.3 Repayment of Insider Debt. At the Closing, the Company shall repay all of the Insider Debt to the Selling Shareholders, as set forth in Schedule II , as such amounts shall be adjusted for additional interest accrued on the Insider Debt from the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date as provided for in Schedule II.

7.4 Release of Guarantees and Liens. Purchaser shall have caused the release of all guarantees of the Selling Shareholders and their respective affiliates that were provided for the Company’s benefit in favor of Purchaser and the banks identified in Schedule V ; and Purchaser shall have released any and all liens on the Company Shares in favor of Purchaser.

7.5 Agreements and Documents. The Shareholders’ Representative shall have received the following agreements and documents:

(a) the Escrow Agreement, duly executed by the Escrow Agent and Purchaser;

(b) a certificate duly executed by Purchaser certifying that the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 have been duly satisfied (the “ Purchaser Closing Certificate ”);

(c) a certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer of Purchaser, solely in his capacity as such, attaching and certifying the resolutions of the board of directors of Purchaser approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

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(d) all documentation required in order to perfect a security interests on the pledged Company Shares in favor of the Selling Shareholders with the Israeli Registrar of Companies and pursuant to the UCC, in the forms attached hereto as Schedule 7.5(d); and

7.6 No Restraints. No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been issued by any court of competent jurisdiction and remain in effect, and there shall not be any Legal Requirement enacted or applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that makes consummation of such transactions illegal.

7.7 No Legal Proceedings. No Governmental Body shall have commenced or threatened to commence, and no other Person shall have commenced, any Legal Proceeding: (a) challenging any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or seeking the recovery of damages in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (b) seeking to prohibit or limit the exercise by Purchaser of any right pertaining to its ownership of stock of the Company; or (c) that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

7.8 Pledged Shares in Escrow . The Purchaser shall have deposited with the Escrow Agent a share certificate representing 36,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, issued in the name of the Purchaser, to be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the Escrow Agreement until the payment of the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, to the Selling Shareholders pursuant to Section 1.2.

7.9 Estate Waiting Period . The applicable estate waiting period shall have expired or been terminated and no beneficiary of the estate of Lance A. Smigel objected to any of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement.

8. I NDEMNIFICATION , E TC .

8.1 Survival of Representations, Etc .

(a) Company and Selling Shareholders’ Representations . The representations and warranties of the Company and each of the Selling Shareholders set forth in Sections 2 and 3 shall survive for a period of one (1) year from the Closing. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, (i) the representations and warranties in Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5(a)-(c), 2.10(b), 2.16, 2.19, 3.1 and 3.2 shall survive for a period of four (4) years from the Closing, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 2.6 shall survive for a period of two (2) years from the Closing; and (iii) the representations and warranties in Sections 2.5(d)-(e), 2.12(c), 2.14, and 2.23 shall survive until ninety (90) days after the expiration of the statue of limitations applicable thereto (including any extensions thereof). Section 2.25 shall survive with respect to each representation or warranty in Section 2 to the extent that the applicable representation or warranty in Section 2 continues to survive pursuant to this Section 8.1(a).

(b) Purchaser Representations . The representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in Section 4 shall survive for a period of one (1) year from the Closing.

 

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Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the representations and warranties Sections 4.1 and 4.2 shall survive for a period of four (4) years from the Closing.

(c) Covenants and Payment Obligations . All covenants and payment obligations in this Agreement that by their terms apply or are to be performed in whole or in part after the Closing and the indemnification obligations of the parties with respect thereto will survive for the period provided in such covenants and payment obligations, if any, or until fully performed. All covenants and payment obligations in this Agreement that by their terms apply or are to be performed in their entirety on or prior to the Closing and the indemnification obligations of the parties with respect thereto shall terminate at the Closing.

(d) Willful Misconduct; Fraud . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the limitations set forth above in this Section 8.1 shall not apply in the case of claims based upon willful misconduct or fraud.

(e) Representations Not Limited by Information . The representations, warranties, covenants and obligations of the parties as set forth in this Agreement and the Disclosure Schedule, and the rights and remedies that may be exercised by the Indemnitees, shall not be limited or otherwise affected by or as a result of any information furnished to, or any investigation made by or knowledge of, any of the Indemnitees or any of their Representatives, including but not limited to the due diligence review undertaken by Representatives of the Purchaser.

(f) Disclosure Schedule . For purposes of this Agreement, each statement or other item of information set forth in the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement.

8.2 Indemnification by the Selling Shareholders .

(a) Indemnification by each of the Selling Shareholders for Company Representations and Covenants . The Selling Shareholders shall, severally and not jointly, hold harmless and indemnify each of the Purchaser Indemnitees from and against, and shall compensate and reimburse each of the Purchaser Indemnitees for any of the following:

(i) 87.5% of any Damages which are suffered or incurred by any of the Purchaser Indemnitees (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third-party claim) which arise out of any inaccuracy in or breach of: (A) any representation or warranty of the Company contained in Section 2 of this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement and/or as of the Closing Date; or (B) the Selling Shareholders Closing Certificate (it being understood that no Purchaser Indemnitee shall be entitled to any indemnification pursuant to this sub-section (i) in the event that any said inaccuracy or breach shall entitle the Purchaser Indemnitee to indemnification pursuant to sub-sections (iii), (iv) or (v) below);

(ii) 87.5% of any Damages which are suffered or incurred by any of the Purchaser Indemnitees (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third-party claim) which arise out of any breach of any covenant or obligation of the Company under Section 5 of this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement (it being understood that no Purchaser Indemnitee shall be entitled to any indemnification pursuant to this sub-section (ii) in the event that any said breach shall entitle the Purchaser Indemnitee to indemnification pursuant to sub-sections (iii), (iv) or (v) below);

 

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(iii) 75% of any payments attributable directly to sales tax liability payable by the Company post-Closing (as specified in Note 12 of the Audited Financial Statements, which relates to any period precedent to the Closing);

(iv) 75% of any Unpaid Accounts Receivable (as defined in Exhibit A) that exceed in the aggregate US$75,000;

(v) 75% of any payments awarded by a competent court due to Damages caused by silica dust to any person or entity from Products distributed and/or sold by the Company, directly or indirectly, prior to the Closing (the Selling Shareholders hereby agree not to sue the Purchaser on account of such Damages);

(vi) 75% of any Damages or payments which are suffered or incurred in connection with the Company’s failure to file Forms BE-605 and BE-15EZ that were required to be filed prior to the Closing Date (if any).

(b) Indemnification by Each Selling Shareholder for Such Selling Shareholder Representations and Covenants . Each Selling Shareholder shall, severally and not jointly, hold harmless and indemnify each of the Purchaser Indemnitees from and against, and shall compensate and reimburse each of the Purchaser Indemnitees for, any Damages which are suffered or incurred by any of the Purchaser Indemnitees (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third party claim) and which arise out of the following:

(i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of such Selling Shareholder contained in Section 3 of this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement and/or as of the Closing Date;

(ii) any breach of any covenant or obligation of such Selling Shareholder under Section 5 of this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement;

(c) Except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct, and/or Damages under Sections 8.2(a)(iii) or as a result of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of the Company contained in Section 2.14 of this Agreement, and/or 8.2(a)(iv) and/or 8.2(a)(vi) the maximum aggregate liability of each Selling Shareholder to the Purchaser Indemnitees for Damages under Sections 8.2(a) and 8.2(b) shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Aggregate Purchase Price received by or due to such Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement; provided , however , that (i) the maximum aggregate liability of each Selling Shareholder to the Purchaser Indemnitees for Damages under Section 8.2(a)(v) shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Purchase Price received by or due to such Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) the maximum aggregate liability of each Selling Shareholder to the Purchaser Indemnitees for Damages under Section 8.2(b)(i) or 8.2(b)(ii) shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the Aggregate Purchase Price received by or due to such Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the case of any Damages arising out of or resulting from the breach of the Selling Shareholders’ representations and warranties under Section 3, any such claim for Damages may only be made against the Selling Shareholder having made the inaccuracy, misrepresentation or breach.

(d) Except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct, and/or Damages under Section 8.2(a)(iii) or as a result of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of the Company contained in Section 2.14 of this Agreement, and/or Section 8.2(a)(iv) and/or

 

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Section 8.2(a)(iii) or as a result of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of the Company contained in Section 2.14 of this Agreement, and/or Section 8.2(a)(iv) and/or Section 8.2(a)(vi), none of the Selling Shareholders shall be liable to any of the Purchaser Indemnitees with respect to any matters contained in Section 8.2 until the aggregate amount of Damages for which all Purchaser Indemnitees otherwise would be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.2 exceeds US$400,000 (the “ Deductible ”), after which, the Selling Shareholders shall be, severally and not jointly, liable to the Purchaser Indemnitees for the aggregate amount of all such Damages, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.2(c).

(e) In no event shall any Indemnifying Party be responsible or liable for the following Damages: loss of profits, goodwill or punitive damages.

8.3 Indemnification by the Purchaser .

(a) Indemnification by the Purchaser . The Purchaser shall hold harmless and indemnify each of the Selling Shareholder Indemnitees from and against, and shall compensate and reimburse each of the Selling Shareholder Indemnitees for, any Damages which are suffered or incurred by any of the Selling Shareholder Indemnitees (regardless of whether or not such Damages relate to any third-party claim) and which arise out of the following:

(i) any inaccuracy in or breach of: (A) any representation or warranty of the Purchaser contained in Section 4 of this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement and/or as of the Closing Date; or (B) the Purchaser Closing Certificate; and

(ii) any breach of any covenant or obligation of the Purchaser under Section 5 of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement or by the Company under the Escrow Agreement.

(b) Except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct, the maximum aggregate liability of the Purchaser to the Selling Shareholder Indemnitees for Damages under Section 8.3(a) shall not exceed the Aggregate Purchase Price not yet received by such Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement on the date of such claim.

(c) Except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct, Purchaser shall not be liable to any of the Selling Shareholder Indemnitees with respect to any matters contained in Section 8.3 until the aggregate amount of Damages for which all Selling Shareholder Indemnitees otherwise would be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.3 exceeds the Deductible, after which, the Purchaser shall be liable to the Selling Shareholder Indemnitees for the aggregate amount of all such Damages, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.3(b).

8.4 Defense of Third Party Claims.

As used herein, an “ Indemnitee ” shall refer to a Purchaser Indemnitee or a Selling Shareholders Indemnitee, as applicable, and the “ Indemnifying Party ” shall refer to the party hereto obligated to indemnify such notifying party’s Indemnitees.

(a) Notice of Third Party Claim. In the event of the assertion or commencement by any Person of any Legal Proceeding against any Indemnitee with respect to which any Indemnifying Party may become obligated to hold harmless, indemnify, compensate or reimburse any Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 8, Purchaser or the Shareholders’ Representative, as the case shall be, shall give the Indemnifying Party notice of the commencement of any such Legal Proceeding not more than ten (10) days after such party has received notice of such Legal Proceedings, describing (to the extent known by Indemnitee) the facts constituting the basis for such Legal Proceedings and the amount of the claimed damages;

 

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provided, however, that any failure on the part of Indemnitee to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not limit any of the obligations of the Indemnifying Parties, unless, and only to the extent that, such failure has adversely affected the Indemnifying Party’s ability to defend successfully the third party claim. The Indemnitee shall not prejudice in any manner the Indemnifying Party’s ability to defend against the applicable Legal Proceedings and shall not effect any settlement, adjustment or compromise of such Legal Proceeding or any of the claims made in connection therewith without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party.

(b) Defense of Third Party Claims. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to contest and defend any such third party claim. Notice of the intention so to contest and defend shall be given by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnitee within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Indemnitee’s notice of such third party claim. The failure to give such notice shall not affect any Indemnifying Party’s right to contest and defend the third party claim unless, and only to the extent that, such failure has adversely affected the Indemnitee’s ability to defend successfully the third party claim. Each party shall make available to the other party any documents and materials in his possession or control that may reasonably be necessary to the defense of such Legal Proceeding.

(c) Defense by Indemnifying Part y. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Legal Proceeding pursuant to (b) above, then:

(i) The Indemnitee (and in case of the Purchaser as an Indemnitee, also the Company) shall make available to the Indemnifying Party any documents and materials in its possession or control that may reasonably be necessary to the defense of such Legal Proceeding;

(ii) the Indemnifying Party shall keep the Indemnitee informed of all material developments relating to such Legal Proceeding;

(iii) each of the Indemnitees shall be entitled, at its own cost and expense, (which expense shall not constitute a Damage) unless (i) the Indemnifying Party cannot adequately represent because of a conflict of interest with the interests of the Indemnitees with respect to the third party claim, or (ii) the main relief sought under the third party claim is not the payment of monetary damages, and in each case only to the extent that such expenses are reasonable), to participate in the defense of such Legal Proceeding (with counsel selected by the Indemnitee, provided that in no event will the Indemnifying Party be liable for more than one counsel for all the Indemnitees with respect to any third party claim to the extent such expenses constitute Damage), provided such Indemnitee coordinates its participation with the Indemnifying Party; and

(iv) the Indemnifying Party shall not be permitted to effect any settlement, adjustment or compromise of such Legal Proceeding or any of the claims made in connection therewith without the prior written consent of the Indemnitees (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of the Indemnitees from all liability arising out of such third party claim and provides solely for monetary relief to be satisfied by the indemnification hereunder.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of the third party claim, then the Indemnitee shall be entitled to contest and defend such

 

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third party claim: (A) the Indemnitees shall keep the Indemnifying Party informed of all material developments relating to such Legal Proceeding; (B) the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate (at its own expense) in the defense of such Legal Proceeding; and (C) the Indemnitees shall not settle, adjust or compromise such Legal Proceeding or any of the claims made in connection therewith without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by the Indemnifying Party ). No such consent as referred to in (C) above will be required if the Indemnitees agree in writing to forego all claims for indemnification from the Indemnifying Parties with respect to such Legal Proceeding.

8.5 Indemnification Claim Procedure (other than Third Party Claims).

(a) Notice of Claim . If any Indemnitee has or claims in good faith to have incurred or suffered Damages (not related to third party claims) for which it is or may be entitled to indemnification, compensation or reimbursement under this Section 8, the respective party, on behalf of such Indemnitee, may deliver a written notice of claim (a “ Notice of Claim ”) to the Indemnifying Party and the Escrow Agent (during the Escrow Period) within twenty (20) days after first having actual knowledge of the matter. The Shareholders’ Representative shall act on behalf of the Selling Shareholders with respect to any notices or consents required to be given or received under this Section 8. Each Notice of Claim shall: (i) state that such Indemnitee believes that there is or may have been a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement or that such Indemnitee is or may otherwise be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement; (ii) contain a reasonably detailed description of the circumstances supporting such Indemnitee’s belief that there is or may have been such a possible breach or that such Indemnitee is or may be so entitled to indemnification, compensation or reimbursement; and (iii) contain a good faith, non-binding, preliminary estimate of the aggregate dollar amount of actual and potential Damages that have arisen and may arise as a result of such breach or other matter as set forth on such Notice of Claim, accompanied by supporting documentation, and the amount or the estimated amount of Damages to the extent then ascertainable (the aggregate amount of such estimate, as it may be modified by such Indemnitee in good faith from time to time, being referred to as the “ Claimed Amount ”).

(b) Dispute Procedure . During the thirty (30) day period commencing upon delivery on the Notice of Claim (the “ Dispute Period ”), on behalf of an Indemnitee, to the Indemnifying Party and the Escrow Agent (during the Escrow Period) of a Notice of Claim (the “ Response Period” ) the Indemnifying Party may deliver to the notifying party and the Escrow Agent (during the Escrow Period) a written response (the “ Response Notice ”) in which the Indemnifying Party: (i) agrees that the full Claimed Amount is owed to the Indemnitee; (ii) agrees that part, but not all, of the Claimed Amount (the “ Agreed Amount ”) is owed to the Indemnitee; or (iii) indicates that no part of the Claimed Amount is owing to the Indemnitee. Any part of the Claimed Amount that is not agreed to be owing to the Indemnitee pursuant to the Response Notice shall be the “ Contested Amount .” If a Response Notice is not received by the notifying party, on behalf of the Indemnitee, and the Escrow Agent (during the Escrow Period) prior to the expiration of the Dispute Period, then the Indemnifying Party shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed that the full Claimed Amount is owed to the Indemnitee (“ Deemed Acceptance ”).

(c) Payment of Claimed Amount . If: (a) the Indemnifying Party delivers a Response Notice agreeing that the full Claimed Amount is owed to the Indemnitee; or (b) there is a Deemed Acceptance, then (if the Indemnifying Party is a Selling Shareholder), (i) prior to

 

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the payment of the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, Purchaser shall within five (5) Business Days setoff the Claimed Amount due to the Indemnitee against the due IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, and the amount of the shares held in escrow by the Escrow Agent shall be reduced proportionately; or (ii) during the Escrow Period the Escrow Agent shall pay the Claimed Amount from the Escrow Fund within five (5) Business Days , provided that, to the extent that the Claimed Amount cannot be setoff in full out of the portion of the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable or satisfied from the Escrow Fund attributable to such indemnifying Selling Shareholder, or if the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, has been paid and the Escrow Period has expired, or if the Indemnifying Party is Purchaser, the particular Indemnifying Party(ies) that is/are responsible for satisfying such claim shall, within five (5) Business Days following the earlier of the delivery of such Response Notice or the occurrence of the Deemed Acceptance, pay the balance of the Claimed Amount to the Indemnitee subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 8.

(d) Payment of Agreed Amount . If the Indemnifying Party delivers a Response Notice agreeing that less than the full Claimed Amount is owed to the Indemnitee, then (if the Indemnifying Party is a Selling Shareholder), (i) prior to the payment of the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, Purchaser shall within five (5) Business Days setoff the Agreed Amount due to such Indemnitee against the due IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, and the amount of the shares held in escrow by the Escrow Agent shall be reduced proportionately; or (ii) during the Escrow Period the Escrow Agent shall pay the Agreed Amount from the Escrow Fund within five (5) Business Days, provided that, to the extent that the Agreed Amount cannot be setoff in full out of the portion of the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, or satisfied from the Escrow Fund attributable to such indemnifying Selling Shareholder, or if the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, has been paid and the Escrow Period has expired, or if the Indemnifying Party is Purchaser, the particular Indemnifying Party(ies) that is/are responsible for satisfying such claim shall, within five (5) Business Days following the delivery of the Response Notice pay the balance of the Agreed Amount to the Indemnitee subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 8.

(e) Resolution between the Parties . If the Indemnifying Party delivers a Response Notice indicating that there is a Contested Amount, the parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute related to the Contested Amount within thirty (30) Business Days of the date on which the Indemnifying Party delivers such Response Notice (the “ Dispute Resolution Period ”, and together with the Response Period, the “ Dispute Period ”). If the parties resolve such dispute within the Dispute Resolution Period, such resolution shall be binding on the parties and a settlement agreement stipulating the amount owed to the Indemnitee (the “ Stipulated Amount ”) shall be signed by such Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party, and delivered to the Escrow Agent during the Escrow Period and (if the Indemnifying Party is a Selling Shareholder), (i) Purchaser shall within five (5) Business Days setoff the Stipulated Amount due to such Indemnitee against the due IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, and the amount of the shares held in escrow by the Escrow Agent shall be reduced proportionately; or (ii) during the Escrow Period the parties shall, within five (5) Business Days following the execution of such settlement agreement, jointly execute and deliver to the Escrow Agent a written notice instructing the Escrow Agent to pay the Stipulated Amount to such Indemnitee from the Escrow Fund, provided that , to the extent that the Stipulated Amount cannot be setoff in full out of the portion of the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, or satisfied from the Escrow Fund attributable to such indemnifying Selling Shareholder, or if the

 

44


IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, has been paid and the Escrow Period has expired, or if the Indemnifying Party is Purchaser, the particular Indemnifying Party(ies)that is/are responsible for satisfying such claim shall, within five (5) Business Days pay the balance of the Stipulated Amount to the Indemnitee subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 8.

(f) Failure to Reach Resolution . If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute relating to any Contested Amount within the Dispute Period, then either party may seek judicial resolution of the matter in accordance with Section 10.8 of this Agreement. During the Escrow Period (if the Indemnifying Party is a Selling Shareholder) the parties shall, within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of a certified copy of a final and binding judgment (not subject to any further appeal) (the “ Judgment ”), jointly exercise and deliver to the Escrow Agent a written notice instructing the Escrow Agent to pay the amount awarded (the “ Awarded Amount ”). If such dispute occurs not during the Escrow Period, then (if the Indemnifying Party is a Selling Shareholder) Purchaser shall setoff the Awarded Amount against the due IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable. To the extent that the Awarded Amount cannot be setoff in full out of the portion of the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, or satisfied from the Escrow Fund attributable to such indemnifying Selling Shareholder, or if the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment, as applicable, has been paid and the Escrow Period has expired, or if the Indemnifying Party is Purchaser, the particular Indemnifying Party(ies) that is/are responsible for satisfying such claim shall within five (5) Business Days pay the balance of the Awarded Amount to the Indemnitee subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 8.

(g) For purposes of this Section 8, if at the date of payment of the IPO Payment or the Non-IPO Payment pursuant to Section 1.2, or at the end of the Escrow Period, there is (i) an amount subject to a Notice of Claim and the Response Period with respect thereto has not expired; or (ii) there is a Contested Amount, then the Purchaser shall not be entitled to withhold the Claimed Amount or Contested Amount, and shall transfer such Claimed Amount or Contested Amount, as applicable as part of the IPO Payment or the Non-IPO Payment to the Escrow Agent, and the Escrow Period shall be extended, and in any event the Escrow Agreement shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such Claimed Amount or Contested Amount until such time as such Claimed Amount or Contested Amount has been fully resolved.

(h) Each party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid production of Confidential Information (consistent with applicable Legal Requirements), and to cause all communications among employees, counsel and others representing any party to a claim to be made so as to preserve any applicable attorney-client or work-product privileges.

8.6 Distribution of Escrow Fund. Subject to Section 8.5(g), the Escrow Agent shall distribute to the Shareholders’ Representative, for distribution to the Selling Shareholders in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, on December 31, 2011, all of the then remaining Escrow Fund in excess of the sum of any amounts with respect to (i) which Purchaser is entitled to, but has not yet received, indemnification, pursuant to this Section 8 and (ii) any unresolved claims for indemnification, including Contested Amounts, made in good faith by Purchaser in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as of such date.

8.7 Insurance Benefits . The parties shall make appropriate adjustments for any tax and insurance benefits payable to the Indemnitee, relating to the Damages for which the indemnification is being sought (net of Taxes or any deductible amount) in determining Damages for purposes of this Section 8. In the event an Indemnifying Party pays for an

 

45


Indemnitee’s Damages pursuant to this Section 8 (including by setoff by Purchaser against the IPO Payment or Non-IPO Payment or settlement out of the Escrow Fund), such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to the rights the Indemnitee has against any insurer or other third party with respect thereto (and, upon the reasonable request of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnitee shall take appropriate actions necessary to transfer and assign such rights to the Indemnifying Party). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser hereby undertakes to cause the Company to obtain insurance coverage insuring against Damages caused by silica dust, which coverage shall not be materially inferior than the coverage available under the Company’s existing insurance policy on the date of the Closing, provided that (a) to the extent such insurance cannot be reasonably obtained at a premium rate that is less than 160% of the premium rate under the existing insurance policy, the Purchaser shall not be obligated to cause the Company to purchase such insurance (the Shareholder Representative may, from time to time, request updates regarding whether such insurance policy has been acquired); and (b) Purchaser shall not be obligated to cause the Company to obtain insurance coverage insuring against Damages caused by silica dust if and to the extent Purchaser has obtained other insurance coverage insuring against such Damages which also covers the Company and is not materially inferior than the coverage available under the Company’s existing insurance policy on the date of the Closing. Each Purchaser Indemnitee shall be obligated to demand payment from the insurer under the relevant insurance policies, if there are any, before making any claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 8.

8.8 Mitigation of Damages. The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with each other in order to resolve or mitigate any claims or Liabilities that may provide a basis for a claim indemnifiable under this Section 8 or any other claim. Each party shall respond to any claims or Liabilities in substantially the same manner it would respond to such claims or Liabilities in the absence of the indemnification provisions of this Agreement. If any party intentionally fails to make such commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate or resolve any such claim or Liability, then, notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained herein, the other party shall not be required to indemnify any Person for any indemnifiable loss that could reasonably be expected to have been avoided if such party had made such efforts.

8.9 Remedies. After the Closing, the sole and exclusive remedies of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement shall be as provided for in this Section 8, except with respect to a claim brought on the basis of fraud or willful misconduct.

 

9. T ERMINATION

 

  9.1 Termination Events. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Closing:

(a) by the mutual written consent of Purchaser and the Shareholders’ Representative;

(b) by either Purchaser or the Shareholders’ Representative if the Closing has not taken place on or before 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2011;

(c) by either Purchaser or the Shareholders’ Representative if: (i) a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Body shall have issued a final and nonappealable order, decree or ruling, or shall have taken any other action, having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this

 

46


Agreement; or (ii) there shall be any Legal Requirement enacted, promulgated, issued or applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any Governmental Body that would make consummation of such transactions illegal;

(d) by Purchaser prior to the date of the Closing, if: (i) any of the representations and warranties of the Company or the Selling Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall be inaccurate as of the date of this Agreement, or shall have become inaccurate as of a date subsequent to the date of this Agreement, and in any case shall have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company’s business, such that the condition set forth in Section 6.1 would not be satisfied; or (ii) any of the covenants of the Company or the Selling Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall have been breached such that the condition set forth in Section 6.2 would not be satisfied; or

(e) by the Selling Shareholder if: (i) any of the representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall be inaccurate as of the date of this Agreement, or shall have become inaccurate as of a date subsequent to the date of this Agreement which inaccuracy shall have a Material Adverse Effect on the Selling Shareholders, such that the condition set forth in Section 7.1 would not be satisfied; or (ii) any of the covenants of Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall have been breached such that the condition set forth in Section 7.2 would not be satisfied.

9.2 Termination Procedures. If Purchaser wishes to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, Purchaser shall deliver to the Shareholders’ Representative a written notice stating that Purchaser is terminating this Agreement and setting forth a brief description of the basis on which Purchaser is terminating this Agreement. If the Shareholders’ Representative wishes to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, the Shareholders’ Representative shall deliver to Purchaser a written notice stating that the Shareholders’ Representative is terminating this Agreement and setting forth a brief description of the basis on which the Shareholders’ Representative is terminating this Agreement.

9.3 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, all further obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however , that: (a) none of the Selling Shareholders, the Company or Purchaser shall be relieved of any obligation or Liability arising from any prior breach by such party of any provision of this Agreement; (b) the parties shall, in all events, remain bound by and continue to be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 10; and (c) the parties shall, in all events, remain bound by and continue to be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

10. M ISCELLANEOUS P ROVISIONS

 

  10.1 Shareholders’ Representative .

(a) Appointment . Each Selling Shareholder hereby acknowledges and agrees that Joseph Saliah shall act as the representative of the Selling Shareholders in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Shareholders’ Representative ”). The Selling Shareholders hereby irrevocably appoint the Shareholders’ Representative as their agent for purposes of this Agreement, and Joseph Saliah hereby accepts such appointment. Each Selling Shareholder hereby acknowledges and agrees that Purchaser shall be entitled to deal exclusively with the Shareholders’ Representative on all matters relating to this Agreement,and

 

47


shall be entitled to rely conclusively (without further evidence of any kind whatsoever) on any document executed or purported to be executed by the Shareholders’ Representative on behalf of any Indemnifying Party or any Indemnitee, and on any other action taken or purported to be taken by the Shareholders’ Representative on behalf of any Indemnifying Party or any Indemnitee, as fully binding upon such Indemnifying Party.

(b) Authority . Each of the Selling Shareholders hereby irrevocably grants to the Shareholders’ Representative the absolute and unrestricted right, power and authority to execute, deliver, acknowledge, certify and file on behalf of such Selling Shareholder (in the name of such Selling Shareholders or otherwise) any and all documents that the Shareholders’ Representative may, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary, desirable or appropriate, in such forms and containing such provisions as the Shareholders’ Representative may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate, in performing its duties as contemplated by Section 10.1(a), including amending this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.12. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Indemnifying Party hereby grants to the Shareholders’ Representative full authority to:

(i) take all actions required by, and exercise all rights granted to, the Shareholders’ Representative in this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement;

(ii) receive all notices or other documents given or to be given to such Selling Shareholder by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement;

(iii) negotiate, undertake, compromise, defend, resolve and settle any suit, proceeding or dispute on behalf of such Indemnifying Party under this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement, including any legal or arbitration proceedings, and obtain legal or other professional advise in connection therewith;

(iv) execute and deliver all agreements, certificates and documents required or deemed appropriate by the Shareholders’ Representative in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

(v) take such other action as the Shareholders’ Representative may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the intents and purposes of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.

(c) Power of Attorney . The Selling Shareholders recognize and intend that the power of attorney granted in Section 10.1(a): (i) is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable and is provided, inter alia , for the benefit of a third party; (ii) may be delegated by the Shareholders’ Representative; and (iii) shall survive the death or incapacity or liquidation of each of the Selling Shareholders.

(d) Replacement . If the Stockholders’ Representative shall resign or otherwise be unable to fulfill his responsibilities hereunder, the Selling Shareholders shall, by written consent of the Selling Shareholders that held a majority of the Company Shares held by Selling Shareholders that were outstanding immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, within three (3) days after such event, appoint a successor to the Shareholders’ Representative and immediately thereafter notify Purchaser and, if applicable, the Escrow Agent of the identity of such successor. In addition, the Selling Shareholders may, by written consent of the Selling Shareholders that held a majority of the Company Shares held by Selling Shareholders that were outstanding immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, replace the Shareholders’

 

48


Representative. Any such successor shall succeed the Shareholders’ Representative as Shareholders’ Representative hereunder. The appointment of a Shareholders’ Representative (other than the initial Shareholders’ Representative appointed hereunder) shall be effective as of the later of: (i) the date indicated in the aforesaid written consent, or (ii) the date that such consent is received by the Purchaser and, if applicable, the Escrow Agent. If for any reason there is no Shareholders’ Representative at any time, all references herein to the Shareholders’ Representative shall be deemed to refer to the Selling Shareholders.

10.2 Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall execute and cause to be delivered to each other party hereto such instruments and other documents, and shall take such other actions, as such other party may reasonably request (prior to, at or after the Closing) for the purpose of carrying out or evidencing any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

10.3 Fees and Expenses. Purchaser shall bear and pay all fees, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and accounting fees) that have been incurred or that are incurred by Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Selling Shareholders shall bear all fees, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and accounting fees) that have been incurred or that are incurred by them in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

10.4 Attorneys’ Fees. If any Legal Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement is brought against any party hereto, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements (in addition to any other relief to which the prevailing party may be entitled), but subject to the provisions of Section 8.

10.5 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as follows: (a) if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, upon receipt; (b) if sent designated for overnight delivery by internationally recognized overnight air courier (such as DHL or Federal Express), three (3) Business Days after delivery to such courier; (c) if sent by facsimile or email transmission before 5:00 p.m. in the delivery location, when transmitted and receipt is confirmed; (d) if sent by facsimile or email transmission after 5:00 p.m. in delivery location and receipt is confirmed, on the following Business Day; and (e) if otherwise actually personally delivered, when delivered, provided that such notices, requests, demands and other communications are delivered to the address set forth below, or to such other address as any party shall provide by like notice to the other parties to this Agreement:

If to Purchaser:

Caesar Stone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

Kibbutz Sdot YamMP Menashe 38805 Israel

Attention: Yosef Shiran

Fax: +972 4 6364400

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

Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co.

 

49


One Azrieli Center

Round Building

Tel Aviv 67021

Israel

Attention: Amir Halevy, Adv.

Facsimile: +972 (3) 607-4470

Email: amir@gkh-law.com

If to the Company:

U.S. Quartz Products, Inc.

6840 Hayvenhurst Ave, Suite 100

Van Nuys, CA 91406 Attention: Arik Tendler, CEO

Fax: +1 818 394 6345

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

Naschitz, Brandes & Co.

5 Tuval Street

Tel Aviv 67897, Israel

Attention: Tuvia Geffen, Adv. and Tal Eliasaf, Adv.

Facsimile: +972 (3) 623-5005

Email: tgeffen@nblaw.com and teliasaf@nblaw.com

If to the Shareholders’ Representative:

Joseph Saliah

72 Pinchas Rosen Road

Top Dan Building, 6th Fl.

Tel Aviv 69512, Israel

Attention: Joseph Saliah Fax: +972 (3) 649-8000

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

Naschitz, Brandes & Co.

5 Tuval Street

Tel Aviv 67897, Israel

Attention: Tuvia Geffen, Adv. and Tal Eliasaf, Adv.

Facsimile: +972 (3) 623-5005

Email: tgeffen@nblaw.com and teliasaf@nblaw.com

If to a Selling Shareholder:

To the address set forth beneath such Selling

Shareholder’s signature on the signature page hereto.

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

 

50


Naschitz, Brandes & Co.

5 Tuval Street

Tel Aviv 67897, Israel

Attention: Tuvia Geffen, Adv. and Tal Eliasaf, Adv.

Facsimile: +972 (3) 623-5005

Email: tgeffen@nblaw.com and teliasaf@nblaw.com

10.6 Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

10.7 Counterparts and Exchanges by Electronic Transmission or by Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by electronic transmission or facsimile shall be sufficient to bind the parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

10.8 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Israel, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

(a) Venue . Any dispute between the parties including, without limitation, any dispute relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement (including a Legal Proceeding based upon willful misconduct or fraud) shall be brought or otherwise commenced in the courts of Tel Aviv, Israel. Each party to this Agreement: (i) expressly and irrevocably consents and submits to the sole jurisdiction of the courts of Tel Aviv in connection with any such Legal Proceeding; (ii) agrees that the courts of Tel Aviv shall be deemed to be a convenient forum; and (iii) agrees not to assert (by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise), in any such Legal Proceeding commenced in the courts of Tel Aviv, any claim that such party is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of such court, that such Legal Proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter of this Agreement may not be enforced in or by such court.

(b) The parties agree that if any Legal Proceeding is commenced against any Indemnitee by any Person in or before any court or other tribunal anywhere in the world, then such Indemnitee may proceed against the Indemnifying Party in or before such court or other tribunal with respect to any indemnification claim or other claim arising from or relating to such Legal Proceeding or any of the matters alleged therein or any of the circumstances giving rise thereto.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any claim for indemnification, compensation or reimbursement pursuant to Section 8 and any other claim for a monetary remedy (such as in the case of a claim based on willful misconduct or fraud) after the Closing, shall be brought and resolved exclusively in accordance with this Section 10.8; provided, however , that nothing in this Section 10.8(c) shall prevent either party from seeking preliminary injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

51


10.9 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon each of the parties hereto and each of their respective successors and assigns, if any. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Selling Shareholders, Purchaser, the other Indemnitees and the respective successors and assigns (if any) of the foregoing. Purchaser may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement (including its indemnification rights under Section 8), in whole or in part, to any of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, or to any Person or Persons who acquire the Company, the business of the Company, a majority of the assets of the Company or a majority of the assets relating to the business of the Company without obtaining the consent or approval of any other party hereto or of any other Person; provided, however, that Purchaser shall guaranty the performance of all of such assignee’s obligations under this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.

10.10 Specific Performance. The Parties to this Agreement agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by any party to this Agreement of any covenant, obligation or other provision set forth in this Agreement, for the benefit of any other party to this Agreement, such other party shall be entitled (in addition to any other remedy that may be available to it) to a decree or order of specific performance or mandamus to enforce the observance and performance of such covenant, obligation or other provision, and (ii) an injunction restraining such breach or threatened breach.

10.11 Waiver. No failure on the part of any Person to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of any Person in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy. No Person shall be deemed to have waived any claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person; and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is given.

10.12 Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or supplemented other than by means of a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of Purchaser and the Shareholders’ Representative (acting exclusively for and on behalf of all of the Selling Shareholders).

10.13 Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application of any such provision to any Person or set of circumstances, shall be determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable, shall not be impaired or otherwise affected and shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10.14 Parties in Interest . None of the provisions of this Agreement is intended to provide any rights or remedies to any Person other than the parties hereto, the Indemnities, and their respective successors and assigns (if any).

10.15 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other agreements referred to herein set forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings among or between any of the

 

52


parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, however , that the Confidentiality Agreement shall not be superseded by this Agreement and shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms until the earlier of: (a) the Closing; or (b) the date on which such Confidentiality Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

10.16 Construction .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include the masculine and feminine genders.

(b) The parties hereto agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

(c) As used in this Agreement and the Schedules to this Agreement, the words “include” and “including” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

(d) Except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “ Sections ,” “ Schedules ” and “ Exhibit s” are intended to refer to Sections of this Agreement and Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement.

(e) All reference in this Agreement to “dollars” or “$” shall mean United States Dollars.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

53


The parties hereto have caused this Share Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

CAESAR STONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

By:

 
 

 

  Name:                                                                                     
  Title:                                                                                       

 

A-1


The parties hereto have caused this Share Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

U.S. QUARTZ PRODUCTS, INC.

By:

 
 

 

  Name:                                                                                    
  Title:                                                                                      

 

A-2


The parties hereto have caused this Share Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 
 

 

  Joseph Saliah
  in his capacity as Shareholders’ Representative

 

A-3


The parties hereto have caused this Share Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

AFIB H OLDING C ORP .

By:

 
 

 

  Name:                                                                          
  Title:                                                                             
A DDRESS :

F AX :

 

J OSEPH S ALIAH

B Y :

 
 

 

  N AME :                                                                         
  T ITLE :                                                                         
A DDRESS :

F AX :

 

R ONEN S TEINER

By:

 
 

 

  Name:                                                                          
  Title:                                                                             
A DDRESS :
 

 

F AX :

 
S HARES :  

 

A-4


B ENYAMIN M ACHLOUF & R ONIT M ACHLOUF ,

C O -T RUSTEES OF THE 2004 M ACHLOUF F AMILY

T RUST DATED 8/24/04

B Y :

 
 

 

  N AME :                                                                                
  T ITLE :                                                                                
A DDRESS :

F AX :

 

A RIE T ENDLER & D EBRA T ENDLER , C O -T RUSTEES OF

THE A RIE & D EBRA T ENDLER 2005

F AMILY T RUST

B Y :

 
 

 

  N AME :                                                                                
  T ITLE :                                                                                
A DDRESS :

F AX :

 
T HE E STATE OF L ANCE A. S MIGEL , D ECEASED

B Y :

 
 

 

  N AME : S HEILA S MIGEL
  T ITLE : A DMINISTRATOR OF THE E STATE
A DDRESS :

F AX :

 

 

A-5


EXHIBIT A

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A ):

Acquisition Transaction. “Acquisition Transaction” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions involving:

(i) the sale, license or disposition of all or a material portion of the Company’s business or assets;

(ii) the issuance, disposition or acquisition of: (i) any capital stock or other equity security of the Company; (ii) any option, call, warrant or right (whether or not immediately exercisable) to acquire any capital stock, unit or other equity security of the Company; or (iii) any security, instrument or obligation that is or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, unit or other equity security of the Company; in each case which would result in the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction owning less than 95% (ninety-five percent) of the shares of the Company immediately following such transaction; or

(iii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization or similar transaction involving the Company.

Affiliate. “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person.

Business Day . “Business Day” shall mean each day other than a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Israel are authorized or required by law to close.

Closing of the IPO. “Closing of the IPO” shall mean the consummation of the Purchaser’s IPO as defined in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection therewith.

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

Common Stock. “Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock, no par value, of the Company.

Company Contract. “Company Contract” shall mean any valid Contract to which the Company is a party; and (a) by which the Company is bound or under which the Company has any binding obligation; or (b) under which the Company has any right or interest.

Company Employee. “Company Employee” shall mean any current or former employees and independent contractors who provides or provided services to the Company for a fixed monthly fee or otherwise provides or provided services to the Company on a regular basis, or director of the Company.

 

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Company Employee Agreement. “Company Employee Agreement” shall mean each management, employment, severance, consulting, relocation, repatriation or expatriation agreement or other Contract between the Company and any Company Employee, other than any such management, employment, severance, consulting, relocation, repatriation or expatriation agreement or other Contract with a Company Employee which is terminable “at will”, which does not require the Company to make any payments or provide any benefits in connection with the employment termination of a Company Employee.

Company Employee Plan. “Company Employee Plan” shall mean any Company-wide plan, program, policy or other arrangement providing for compensation, severance, termination pay, deferred compensation, performance awards, stock or stock-related awards, fringe benefits or other employee benefits or remuneration of any kind, whether written, unwritten or otherwise, funded or unfunded, that is or has been maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by the Company for the benefit of the Company Employee, or with respect to which the Company has or may have any Liability or obligation, except that such definition shall not include any Company Employee Agreement.

Company IP. “Company IP” shall mean all Intellectual Property Rights and Intellectual Property which the Company owns, controls or exclusively licenses or has a similar exclusive right.

Company Shares. “Company Shares” shall mean the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock.

Competing Business. “Competing Business” shall mean any business, in the United States or anywhere else in the world, which directly, indirectly or through on-line services, develops, tests, manufactures, markets, labels, distributes or sells quartz surfaces in any form and/or any products made of any form of quartz surfaces.

Confidentiality Agreement. “Confidentiality Agreement” shall mean that certain Mutual Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement dated October 7, 2010 between the Purchaser and the Company.

Consent. “Consent” shall mean any approval, consent, ratification, permission, waiver or authorization (including, without limitation, any Governmental Authorization).

Contaminant. “Contaminant” includes any material, substance, chemical, gas, liquid, waste, effluent, pollutant or contaminant which, whether on its own or admixed with another, is identified or defined in or regulated by or pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws.

Contract. “Contract” shall mean any written, oral or other agreement, contract, subcontract, lease, arrangement, understanding, instrument, note, warranty, insurance policy, terms of service or terms of use, benefit plan or legally binding commitment or undertaking of any nature.

Damages. “Damages” shall mean any loss, damage, injury, Liability, fine, penalty, Tax, fee (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ and accountants fees), cost (including,

 

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without limitation, reasonable costs of investigation) or expense, including those resulting or arising from any claim, demand, settlement, judgment or award.

Disclosure Schedule. “Disclosure Schedule” shall mean the schedule delivered to Purchaser on behalf of the Company and which shall be deemed an inseparable part of the representations and warranties given by the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement.

Encumbrance. “Encumbrance” shall mean any lien, pledge, hypothecation, charge, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, community property interest or restriction of any nature other than Taxes or pursuant to any applicable Legal Requirement (including, without limitation, any restriction on the voting of any security, any restriction on the transfer of any security or other asset, any restriction on the receipt of any income derived from any asset, any restriction on the use of any asset and any restriction on the possession, exercise or transfer of any other attribute of ownership of any asset).

Entity. “Entity” shall mean any company (including any non-profit company), general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company or joint stock company), firm or other enterprise, association, organization or entity.

Environment. “Environment” means the soil, land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters, including navigable waters and ocean waters, groundwaters, drinking water supply, stream sediments, ambient air (including indoor air), plant and animal life and any other environmental medium or natural resource.

Environmental Law. “Environmental Law” shall mean: all federal, state, local or foreign laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, rules, judgments, orders, notice requirements, court decisions, agency guidelines, restrictions and licenses, which regulate or relate to the protection or cleanup of the environment; the use, treatment, storage, transportation, handling, disposal or release of Hazardous Substance; the preservation or protection of waterways, groundwater, drinking water, air, wildlife, plants or other natural resources; or the health and safety of persons or property.

Environmental Licenses. “Environmental License” means any permit, licenses, approval, permission, consent or authorization required by or pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws.

Environmental Release. “Environmental Release” means the spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, releasing, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, leaving, discarding or disposing of any Contaminant into or upon the Environment.

Escrow Fund. “Escrow Fund” shall mean the escrow fund established pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

 

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GAAP. “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the applicable accounting and auditing organizations that are applicable to the circumstances of the date of determination, consistently applied.

Government Bid. “Government Bid” shall mean any quotation, bid or proposal submitted to any Governmental Body or any proposed contractor or subcontractor of any Governmental Body.

Government Contract. “Government Contract” shall mean any prime contract, subcontract, letter contract, purchase order or delivery order executed or submitted to or on behalf of any Governmental Body or any prime contractor or higher-tier subcontractor, or under which any Governmental Body or any such prime contractor or subcontractor otherwise has or may acquire any right or interest.

Governmental Authorization. “Governmental Authorization” shall mean any: (a) permit, license, certificate, franchise, permission, clearance, registration, qualification or authorization issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Legal Requirement; or (b) right under any Contract with any Governmental Body.

Governmental Body. “Governmental Body” shall mean any: (a) nation, state, county, or municipality; (b) federal, state, local or municipal government; or (c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority (including any governmental division, department, agency, commission and any court or other legal tribunal). Governmental Grant. “Governmental Grant” shall mean any grant, incentive, subsidy, award, participation, exemption, status, cost sharing arrangement, reimbursement arrangement or other benefit, relief or privilege provided or made available to the applicable Person or Entity by or on behalf of or under the authority of any Governmental Body.

Hazardous Substance. “Hazardous Substance” means any material, substance or “extremely hazardous waste,” “restricted hazardous waste,” “Contaminant,” “pollutant,” “toxic waste,” or “toxic substance,” under any provision of Environmental Law and any other substance considered toxic, hazardous or a potential threat to human health or the environment or otherwise regulated under any applicable Environmental Law.

Indebtedness. “Indebtedness” of a Person, means: (a) all indebtedness of such Person, including indebtedness for borrowed money; notes; capitalized leases; bank term and revolving credit loans; obligations related to drawn letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions; bonds evidencing funded indebtedness; debentures; borrowings from lending institutions other than banks; subordinated loans and subordinated debt securities with or without stated maturity; bank bills; bank overdrafts; obligations with respect to the factoring or discounting of accounts receivable and other instruments; any dividends payable to shareholders; and accrued interest and premiums, expenses and penalties on any of the foregoing (including prepayment penalties and breakage costs); and (b) any indebtedness of another Person, the payment of which is: (i) guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by such Person; or (ii) secured, directly or indirectly, by a lien or other Encumbrance against any right, title and interest in and to

 

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the business, properties, assets and rights of any kind, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal owned by such Person .

Purchaser Indemnitees. “Purchaser Indemnitee” or “Purchaser Indemnitees” shall mean any one or more of the following Persons: (a) Purchaser; (b) Purchaser’s Affiliates (including, following the Closing, the Company); (c) the respective Representatives of the Persons referred to in clauses “(a)” and “(b)” above; and (d) the respective successors and assigns of the Persons referred to in clauses “(a)”, “(b)” and “(c)” above; provided, however , that the Company’s shareholders prior to Closing (other than the Purchaser”) shall not be deemed to be “Purchaser Indemnitees.”

Selling Shareholder Indemnitees. “Selling Shareholder Indemnitee” or “Selling Shareholder Indemnitees” shall mean any one or more of the following Persons: (a) each of the Selling Shareholders; (b) each of the Selling Shareholders’ affiliates (excluding the Company); (c) the respective Representatives of the Persons referred to in clauses “(a)” and “(b)” above; and (d) the respective successors and assigns of the Persons referred to in clauses “(a)”, “(b)” and “(c)” above.

Intellectual Property . “Intellectual Property” shall mean: (i) all United States, international and foreign patents and applications therefor, including any and all reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, whether or not related to such divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, contributions or continuations-in-part through one or more intervening applications, and any patent or application acquired as a result of prevailing in any interference proceeding; (ii) all inventions (whether patentable or not), invention disclosures, improvements, trade secrets, proprietary information, know-how, technology, technical data and customer lists, supplier lists, business information, suppliers and other business partners lists, market analysis and other sensitive, discreet business information, and all documentation in any form or media relating to any of the foregoing; (iii) all copyrights, copyrights registrations and applications therefor, and all other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world; (iv) all computer software, including all source code, object code, development tools, files, records and data, and all media on which any of the foregoing is recorded; (v) all databases and data collections and all rights therein throughout the world; (vi) all trade names, designs, logos, common law trademarks and service marks, trademark and service mark registrations and applications therefor throughout the world; and (vii) all domain names, uniform resource locators, and other names and locators associated with the internet.

Intellectual Property Rights. “Intellectual Property Rights” shall mean intellectual property rights and industrial property rights of any kind or nature worldwide (whether common law or statutory rights) as follows: : (a) rights associated with works of authorship, including, without limitation, exclusive exploitation rights, copyrights and moral rights; (b) trademark and trade name rights and similar rights; (c) trade secret rights; (d) patent and industrial property rights; (e) other proprietary rights in Intellectual Property; and (f) rights in or relating to registrations, renewals, extensions, combinations, divisions, and reissues of, and applications for, any of the rights referred to in clauses “(a)” through “(e)” above.

IPO. “IPO” shall mean the Purchaser’s firm commitment underwritten initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as

 

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amended, or any other public offering of Purchaser’s securities pursuant to the laws of the State of Israel or any other country.

Knowledge. “ Knowledge” shall mean (i) with respect to any natural person, the actual knowledge, of such person, or (ii) with respect to any corporation or entity, the actual knowledge of such party’s officers and directors after such persons shall have made reasonable inquiry.

Legal Proceeding. “Legal Proceeding” shall mean any action, suit, litigation, arbitration, proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), hearing, inquiry, audit, examination or investigation commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any court or other Governmental Body or any arbitrator or arbitration panel.

Legal Requirement. “Legal Requirement” shall mean any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution, common law principle, ordinance, code, rule, or regulation issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body.

Liability. “Liability” shall mean any debt, obligation, duty or liability of any nature (including, without limitation, any undisclosed, unmatured, unaccrued, unasserted, contingent, conditional, joint or several liability), regardless of whether such debt, obligation, duty or liability would be required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP and regardless of whether such debt, obligation, duty or liability is immediately due and payable.

Material Adverse Effect . “Material Adverse Effect” means any change, circumstance, development, state of facts, event or effect that is materially adverse to the business, assets or operations of the Company, including, without limitation, its condition, assets, capitalization, the Company IP, results of operations, or financial performance.

Monthly Reports. “Monthly Reports” shall include all information currently provided to the Purchaser as of the date hereof, as monthly reports, which includes a Profit and Loss statement for the applicable calendar month, a balance sheet statement as of the end of the applicable calendar month, and a cash flow statement for the stub year period through the end of the applicable calendar month.

On-hand Slabs. Full size (approximately 1.4mX3m) Products supplied to the Company by the Purchaser which are physically located in any of the warehouses managed directly by the Company or which are in transit to the Company from the Purchaser.

Overlap Period shall mean with respect to the Company, any taxable year or period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date.

Person. “Person” shall mean any individual, Entity or Governmental Body.

Personal Data. “Personal Data” shall mean a natural person’s name, age, gender, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, social security number, identity number, driver’s license number, passport number, marital status, health, economic status, professional

 

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training, personal beliefs, opinions or any other piece of information that allows the identification of a natural person.

Pre-Closing Tax Period . “Pre-Closing Tax Period” shall mean all taxable years or other taxable periods that end on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any Overlap Period, the portion of such taxable year or period ending on and including the Closing Date.

Preferred Stock. “Preferred Stock” shall mean the Series A Preferred Stock of the Company.

Related Party. “Related Party” shall mean: (a) each of the Selling Shareholders; (b) each individual who is, or who has at any time since inception been, an officer or director of the Company; (c) each member of the immediate family of each of the individuals referred to in clauses “(a)” and “(b)” above; and (d) any trust or other Entity (other than the Company) in which any one of the Persons referred to in clauses “(a)” “(b)” and “(c)” above holds (or in which more than one of such Persons collectively hold), beneficially or otherwise, a voting, proprietary or equity interest, in each case, other than the Purchaser and its Affiliates and any of its current or past representatives on the Company’s board of directors.

Representatives. “Representatives” shall mean officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, and advisors.

Subsidiary. An entity shall be deemed to be a “Subsidiary” of another Person if such Person directly or indirectly owns or purports to own, beneficially or of record: (a) an amount of voting securities or other interests in such Entity that is sufficient to enable such Person to elect at least a majority of the members of such Entity’s board of directors or other governing body; or (b) at least 50% of the outstanding equity or financial interests of such Entity.

Tax. “Tax”, “Taxation”, “tax” and “taxation” shall mean all taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other governmental charges in the nature of taxes, including all United States federal, state, local, foreign and other income, franchise, profits, gross receipts, capital gains, capital stock, transfer, sales, use, value-added, occupation, property, excise, severance, windfall profits, stamp, license, payroll, social security, withholding and other taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other governmental charges of any kind whatsoever (whether payable directly or by withholding and whether or not requiring the filing of a Tax Return), all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax, penalties and interest and shall include any liability for such amounts as a result of (i) being a transferee or successor or member of a combined, consolidated, unitary or affiliated group, or (ii) a contractual obligation to indemnify any person or other entity.

Tax Return. “Tax Return” shall mean any return (including any information return), report, statement, declaration, estimate, schedule, notice, notification, form, election, certificate or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any applicable Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.

 

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Third Party Approvals. “Third Party Approvals” shall mean the approvals listed in Schedule IV .

Transaction Expenses. “Transaction Expenses” shall mean the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses incurred and/or payable by the Company in connection with the data room and the legal opinion of Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP, counsel to the Company.

Unpaid Accounts Receivable. “Unpaid Accounts Receivable” shall mean the portion of the Company’s Closing Accounts Receivable, which were not paid within the later of (A) thirty (30) days following the respective payment date and (B) sixty (60) days following the Closing Date (such later date, the “ Deadline Date ”), as documented by the Company’s accounting department and delivered to the Shareholders’ Representative; provided , however , that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the following shall not be deemed Unpaid Accounts Receivable and shall not entitle Purchaser to indemnification pursuant to Section 8 of the Agreement, or to any other right pursuant to the Agreement or otherwise:

(a) Any unpaid account on the Deadline Date included in the Closing Accounts Receivable that is due by Stone Design Inc. (the distributor in Chicago and Illinois), Peirce Phelps Inc. (the distributor in Philadelphia) and Marble and Granite Inc. (the distributor in Boston) (each, a “ Primary Distributor ”), and the payment was not paid due to (i) any waiver and/or rebate with respect to the specific unpaid account approved by an authorized officer of the Purchaser in writing after the Closing Date; or (ii) the fact that Purchaser and/or the Company after the Closing Date, amended any delivery (other than in accordance with past practices), pricing or payment terms or provided oral or written notice that the Company intends to amend such terms.

(b) Any unpaid account on the Deadline Date included in the Closing Accounts Receivable for which the Company did not act in good faith to collect in accordance with the debt collection practices of the Company as of the Closing Date.

(c) Any unpaid account on the Deadline Date included in the Closing Accounts Receivable, for which Purchaser and/or the Company received notice or otherwise became aware after the Closing Date that the customer or other party is disputing all or a portion of the amount due, and Purchaser did not include such information in the periodic accounts receivable status reports it delivers to the Shareholders’ Representative (which Purchaser shall be obligated to deliver to the Shareholders’ Representative every 10 days commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the Deadline Date).

 

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Exhibit 3.1

THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE

Company Limited by Shares

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF

Hakla-Oot Ltd.

1. Name of the Company: Gog v’Magog Collection of Agricultural Produce Ltd.

GOG AND MAGOG

2. The objects for which the Company has been formed are:

(a) To engage in the business of collecting and marketing of agricultural produce.

(b) To perform any act and to conduct any business of whatsoever nature.

3. The liability of the members is limited.

4. The share capital of the Company is 12,000 new shekels and it is divided into 12,000 ordinary shares of NIS 1 each.

We the undersigned persons wish to be incorporated into a company in accordance with this Memorandum and we agree to take the number of shares appearing opposite our respective names below:

 

Name of subscriber

   Address and description    Number of shares
taken by each subscriber
   Signature

Askro Ltd.

   Pvte. Co. 51-072621    1000 ordinary shares    (—  )
        

 

   2 Ibn Gvirol Street      
   Tel Aviv      

Adi Kaplan

   I.D. 837803    1 ordinary share    (—  )
        

 

   2 Ibn Gvirol Street      
   Tel Aviv      
      Witness to signatures:    (—  )
        

 

      Savir Rabin, Adv.   

Date: December 27, 1989

        

EXHIBIT 3.2

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A PRIVATE COMPANY PURSUANT TO

THE COMPANIES LAW, 5759-1999

of

Name in Hebrew: Even Keisar Sdot-Yam Ltd.

Pvte. Co. 51-143950-7

Name in English: CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

 

1. Interpretation

 

  1.1 In these Articles, unless the context necessitates a different meaning:

 

“CaesarStone Cooperative

Agricultural Society”

   CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd., Pvte. Co. 57-004566-6.

“Means of control”

   In an incorporated body, each of the following — 1) a right to vote at the general meeting (or corresponding body) of the incorporated body; 2) the right to appoint directors or general manager of the incorporated body; 3) the right to receive a dividend out of the profits of the incorporated body or out of its surplus assets at the time of its winding-up.

“Interested party”

   As defined in the Securities Law, 5728-1968, including Sdot-Yam and each of the individuals who make it up and including an officer in CaesarStone or in Sdot-Yam and members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.

“The board of directors”

   Means the board of directors duly elected in accordance with the provisions of Article 20 of the Articles.

“The Company” or

“CaesarStone”

   CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

“Holding”

   As defined in the Securities Law, 5728-1968, with respect to an authorized transferee, holding is not by way of an agreement or cooperation.

“The shares”

   The shares of the Company of all the different classes, including ordinary shares and/or preference shares.

“The office”

   Means the registered office of the Company for the time being.

“Issue” or “issue to the public”

   An initial offering to the public of shares or securities convertible into shares of the Company, including a listing of shares for trading on a stock exchange in Israel or abroad.

“Investment Agreement”

   The Investment Agreement that was signed between the Company and Tenne on July 4, 2006.


“The Articles”

   These Articles of Association of CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd., as may be duly amended from time to time.

“Subsidiary” and “affiliate”

   As defined in the Securities Law, 5728-1968.

“The Companies Law”, “the

Law”

   Means the Companies Law, 5759-1999, as amended from time to time.

“Tenne”

   Tenne for Investment in Quartz Surfaces Limited Partnership (in formation) through the general partner Tenne Investment Management in Kibbutzim, Pvte. Co. 513601575.

“Price of the transaction”

   On the date of the original issue of the preference shares to Tenne — 1,150.01 US dollars per share, or as updated (if updated) in accordance with the provisions of Clause 7, or Clause 11.7, or Clause 18 of the Investment Agreement, but in the case of a dilution issue the price of the transaction will change and will become the same as the new price. It is clarified that if CaesarStone makes a distribution of bonus shares, a split of shares or a consolidation of shares in a manner that does not alter the commercial value of the holdings of the shareholders, the necessary adjustment of the price per share will be made, as the case may be.

“Officer”

   As defined in the Companies Law.

“Authorized transferee of

CaesarStone Cooperative

Agricultural Society”

   A body corporate which directly or indirectly controls a percentage exceeding 50% of any class of means of control in CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society (where the remaining holders of means of control are amongst the individual parties who make up Sdot-Yam or an authorized transferee of CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society), a body corporate which is controlled, at any time, to an extent exceeding 50% of every class of means of control therein, by CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society (where the remaining holders of means of control are any of the individual parties who make up Sdot-Yam or an authorized transferee of CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society), or which is controlled by the party who controls CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society, directly or indirectly, to a percentage exceeding 50% of any class of means of control therein (where the remaining holders of means of control are any of the individual parties who make up Sdot-Yam or an authorized transferee of CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society), and/or a body corporate fully controlled by members of the Kibbutz, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, including through a trustee, provided that up to the date of the issue there shall not be transferred to such body corporate more than 10 percent of the shares of CaesarStone at any time and/or more than 49 percent of all the means of control, apart from the proprietary rights and inter alia the right to receive a dividend out of the profits of the incorporated body or out of the

 

2


   balance of its property at the time of its winding-up in CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society which is held by Sdot-Yam Businesses Holding and Management Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd., always provided that such body corporate does not compete directly and/or indirectly with the Company.

“Authorized transferee of Tenne”

   (1) Each of the limited partners in Tenne, (2) any other limited partnership in which the general partner therein is controlled by Mr. Ariel Halperin, directly or indirectly, or (3) each of the limited partners in the partnership mentioned in Paragraph (2); provided that a transfer as referred to in Paragraph (1) and (3) is subject to the passing of a resolution for the winding-up of Tenne or is subsequent to the issue, whichever is the earlier.

“Kibbutz Sdot-Yam” or “the

Kibbutz”

   Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd., No. 57-000350-9.

“Sdot-Yam” or “individual

parties who make up Sdot-Yam”

   Sdot-Yam Businesses Holding and Management Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd., CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Limited Partnership, Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society, Keif-Yam Ltd., Caesarea Doors Limited Partnership, Sdot-Yam Members Ltd.

“Control”

   As defined in the Securities Law, 5728-1968.

 

  1.2 Unless the context of the Articles necessitates a different meaning, the terms and expressions which have been defined in the Law, or in regulations made or which will be made pursuant thereto, as same are in force at the date on which any provision contained in the Articles is required to bind the parties to the Articles, will have the meanings ascribed to them there; words in the singular include the plural, and vice versa ; words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine, and words the meaning of which is persons shall also include bodies corporate.

 

2. Status of the Articles and ways of amending same

 

  2.1 The Articles are a contract between the Company and its shareholders and between its shareholders amongst themselves. The Articles do not confer rights on any other person.

 

  2.2          

 

  2.2.1 In every case of a conflict, non-conformity and/or clash between the provisions of the Articles and another agreement between the Company and its shareholders, in whole or in part, the provisions of the other agreement shall take precedence and shall prevail.

 

  2.2.2

In any event of a conflict, non-conformity and/or clash between a provision of the Articles and another agreement between the shareholders as amongst

 

3


  themselves, in whole or in part, the provisions of the other agreement shall take precedence and shall prevail.

 

  2.3 Apart from articles in these Articles which prescribe a different amendment provision with regard to what is regulated therein, the provisions of the Articles shall be capable of being amended by the majority required according to the law.

 

  2.4 An amendment to the Articles shall be valid from the date the general meeting specifies in its resolution, provided that such date shall not be earlier than the date of the resolution regarding the amendment.

 

3. Objects of the Company and its goals

 

  3.1 The objects of the Company are to engage in any lawful business.

 

  3.2 The Company will operate in accordance with commercial considerations for the making of profits.

 

  3.3 The Company is entitled to donate a reasonable amount to a worthy cause.

 

4. Limitation of liability

 

  The liability of each shareholder is limited to the unpaid portion of the consideration which the original purchaser of the aforesaid shares from the Company undertook to pay the Company at the time of allotment of the shares.

 

5. Private company — restrictions

 

  5.1 These Articles restrict the right to transfer shares of the Company as stated in Articles 11, 12, 13 and 16 below.

 

  5.2 The Company shall not offer its shares or the debentures issued by it to the public, all subject to Clause 15 of the Investment Agreement.

 

  5.3 The number of shareholders in the Company shall not exceed fifty. Employees of the Company or persons who were formerly its employees and in their capacity as such, and after they ceased their employment, have continued to be shareholders in the Company, will not be taken into account as shareholders of the Company.

 

  5.4 It is clarified that two or more persons who jointly hold a share or shares of the Company shall be deemed to be one shareholder in counting the shareholders of the Company.

 

4


6. Authorized capital

 

  6.1 The authorized share capital of the Company is NIS 5,332,000 and it is comprised of 5,292,000 ordinary share of NIS 1 par value each, and 40,000 preference shares of NIS 1 par value each.

 

  6.2 The general meeting may, by a simple majority, increase the authorized share capital of the Company in different classes of shares, including ordinary shares, preference shares, redeemable ordinary shares or redeemable preference shares, foundation shares, shares having other special rights and restrictions in connection with the distribution of dividends, voting rights, a right to receive information and inspect documents, on such conditions as shall be specified in its resolution.

The power and authority of the general meeting under this article applies whether or not all the shares it has been decided to issue have been issued up to such time, and whether or not full payment in respect of all the shares that have been issued up to such time has been called.

 

  6.3 The new shares will be subject to all the provisions of the Articles with regard to calls, lien, forfeiture, transfer, transmission and so forth which apply to the shares in the original share capital.

 

  6.4 The general meeting may, by simple majority, cancel authorized share capital that has not yet been allotted, provided that there is no undertaking by the Company, including a contingent obligation, or option or other obligation pursuant to the Investment Agreement, to allot the shares.

 

7. Issued capital and rights attaching to a share

 

  7.1 Subject to the Investment Agreement:

 

  7.1.1 The board of directors of the Company may at any time, in its discretion and subject to the provisions of these Articles, decide on the issue and allotment of shares and other securities of the Company, of any class that is specified in the Articles, including ordinary shares, preference shares, redeemable ordinary or redeemable preference shares (hereinafter: “Redeemable Shares”), foundation shares, shares having other special restricted rights or with restrictions in regard to distribution of dividends, voting rights, the right to receive information and to inspect documents, at such times, on such conditions and at such prices as shall be specified.

 

  7.1.2 The board of directors shall have the power to make calls on any shareholder in respect of any shares, at such time and for such consideration as the board of directors shall decide.

 

  7.1.3

If according to the terms of issue of any share, payment for the share, in whole or in part, is in installments, then such installment shall be paid, on

 

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  the due date for payment thereof, to the Company, by the person who is the holder of the share at that time, or by his trustees.

 

  7.1.4 At the time of issue of shares the board of directors may differentiate between and make different calls on such shareholders in regard to the amounts of the calls and/or the times for payment thereof.

 

  7.2 Ordinary shares . An ordinary share confers on its holder —

 

  7.2.1 The right to participate in the receipt of a dividend and in any other manner in which the profits of the Company may be distributed, after the board of directors of the Company has decided on the distribution of a dividend, as stated in Article 28 of the Articles. The pro rata portion of each share in a dividend that is distributed shall be proportionate to the par value of the shares against the total par value of the issued shares as at the effective date for the distribution, all subject to the priority of the preference shares, as described in Article 7.3.

 

    For these purposes, “the effective date for distribution” means — the date of the resolution regarding the distribution of a dividend or a later date which the board of directors has specified in its resolution regarding the distribution of a dividend.

 

  7.2.2 Relative voting power according to the par value of the share as against the total par value of the issued shares as at the date of the general meeting.

 

  7.2.3 The right to participate in receiving the surplus assets of the Company on completion of its winding-up, after payment of all its liabilities, according to a pro rata portion of the total paid-up capital of the Company, all subject to the priority of the preference shares, as described in Article 7.3.

 

  7.2.4 In addition to the rights that have been granted to Tenne under Clause 19.8 of the Investment Agreement, a right to inspect any register, account, document or financial statement of the Company as mentioned in the Law and in the regulations that have been made or may be made pursuant thereto, as in force from time to time, and on the conditions mentioned in the Law and in the regulations thereunder only, as well as rights to information. In no other case will a shareholder, of ordinary shares or of any other class, be permitted to inspect any register, account, document, or financial statement of the Company, unless he has been permitted to do so by the board of directors or by the general meeting of the Company.

 

  7.2.5 Any other right as stated in these Articles.

 

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  7.3 Preference shares

 

  7.3.1 In addition to the rights attaching to the ordinary shares of the Company, every 1,000 preference shares shall confer on their holders priority in any distribution of dividend or dividend in kind (including by way of a distribution of shares) by the Company, out of profits which do not derive from activities which are an approved enterprise (with it being clarified that if there are insufficient profits as aforesaid, this will not prejudice the priority of the preference shares held by Tenne, which shall be granted also in relation to a distribution of other profits of the Company up to the amount of the cumulative annual preference), up to an amount of (1) NIS 6,901 per annum linked to the Consumer Price Index which was known on the closing date (as mentioned in the Investment Agreement), and together with (2) a percentage of 0.072% of the annual profits of CaesarStone before tax and before payment of management fees, in accordance with the Company’s annual financial statements.

 

  7.3.2 It is clarified that if CaesarStone should make a distribution of bonus shares, a split of shares or a consolidation of shares in a manner that does not alter the commercial value of the shareholders’ holdings, the necessary adjustment of the aforesaid amount of the preference will be made. For the removal of doubt, the preference shares shall confer on their holder also a pro rata portion of any dividend which exceeds the aforesaid amount of preference in a manner identical to the ordinary shares of the Company. Immediately prior to the issue, the preference shares will be converted into ordinary shares and the aforesaid preference shall be cancelled.

 

  7.4 The board of directors of the Company shall be entitled at any time, in its discretion, and subject to the conditions that will be specified in the allotment of redeemable shares agreement or by the board of directors from time to time, to redeem redeemable shares from their holders.

 

  7.5 The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, offer some or all of the existing shareholders new shares at the time of issue of new shares by it, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of these Articles and the Investment Agreement.

 

8. Ownership of shares, share certificates and share deeds

 

  8.1 A shareholder is a person registered as a shareholder in the register of shareholders, or a person who holds a share deed that was issued pursuant to Article 8.6 of the Articles. The Company will be not obliged to recognize any right on another basis in relation to a share, or in relation to a benefit therein, on the part of any other person, unless a competent court or the provisions of any law has so ordered. A share may be held jointly by several persons. Joint ownership of a share will be registered in the register of shareholders or on the share deed, as the case may be.

 

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  8.2 Share certificates shall be issued under the seal or rubber stamp of the Company, and under the signatures of two directors, or one director and the secretary of the Company, or in any other manner the board of directors may decide.

 

  8.3 Every shareholder will be entitled to receive one share certificate in relation to the shares registered in his name in the register of shareholders, or, if the board of directors so approves (after such amount as the board of directors shall fix from time to time has been paid) a number of share certificates, each in relation to one or more of the shares registered in his name. Every share certificate shall mention the number of shares in respect of which it is issued and the amount that has been paid up on them.

 

  8.4 Share certificates registered in the names of two or more persons shall be delivered to the person whose name stands first in the register of shareholders in relation to the joint ownership of such shares.

 

  8.5 If a share certificate should become worn, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed against payment, if imposed, and on such conditions with regard to proof and indemnity for damages as the board of directors shall deem fit.

 

  8.6 The Company may issue bearer share deeds in respect of shares the consideration for the issue of which has been paid in full. Where such share deed has been issued, the name of the shareholder will be deleted from the register of shareholders.

 

9. Calls on shares

 

  9.1 The board of directors may from time to time, as it sees fit, serve calls for payment on the shareholders in respect of all moneys that have not yet been paid on the shares held by each of the shareholders, and in respect of which the terms of issue of the shares did not set fixed dates for the payment thereof. The board of directors may demand that the payment be made in installments. Prior notice of seven (7) days shall be given in respect of every call, which shall specify the amount of the payment, the time and the place for payment. Every shareholder shall be obliged to pay the amount of the call as demanded in the notice that was delivered in regard thereto. If the terms of issue have set fixed dates for payment, the shareholder shall pay the moneys that have not yet been paid up on the due date for payment thereof without the necessity for a call or prior notice from the Company.

 

  9.2 Joint holders of a share will be jointly and severally liable for payment of all installments and calls that are due in respect of a share in their joint ownership.

 

  9.3 Any amount due in respect of shares of the Company the due date for payment of which has arrived, whether pursuant to the terms of issue of the shares or according to a call as referred to in Article 9.1 of the Articles, shall bear interest at the maximum permissible rate for the time being according to any law, or at such lower rate as the board of directors may fix from time to time, from the date specified for the payment thereof and up to the date of actual payment thereof.

 

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  9.4 The board of directors may, in its discretion, give approval to a shareholder to anticipate the payment of any amount he owes the Company. The board of directors may, in its discretion, pay the shareholder interest on the amount paid in advance as aforesaid, in whole or in part, up to the original date for payment of the amount which has been paid, at such rate as shall be agreed between the board of directors and the shareholder.

 

10. Forfeiture of shares and lien

 

  10.1 If a shareholder has failed to pay any payment that is due from him to the Company on or before the date specified for the payment thereof according to the terms of issue or pursuant to a call by the board of directors, the board of directors may at any time thereafter deliver a notice to such shareholder demanding from him that he make payment of such amounts, together with the interest which has accrued and all the expenses the Company has incurred due to the non-payment of such payment, and stating that if he does not do so within fourteen (14) days, or any longer period that may be mentioned in the notice, following the date of the notice, his shares the payment in respect of which has not yet been paid, plus 33% of his remaining shares the consideration for which has been paid, are likely to be held forfeit by the Company. A resolution on forfeiture shall be passed by the board of directors by a simple majority.

 

  10.2 Any share that has been held forfeit shall be a dormant share within the meaning thereof under Section 308 of the Law. The board of directors may cancel a forfeiture of shares, in whole or in part. If the forfeiture has not been cancelled, the board of directors may, subject to the provisions of the Articles in regard to the allotment and transfer of shares, sell the forfeited shares, or otherwise dispose thereof as it sees fit.

 

  10.3 A shareholder whose shares have been held forfeit shall cease to be a shareholder in relation to the forfeited shares.

 

  10.4 So long as the payments due in respect of shares which the Company has allotted have not been paid in full, including the interest and the expenses due in connection with the shares, the Company will have a first and paramount lien over all such shares, including over a dividend which may be declared from time to time on the aforesaid shares, and also over the proceeds from the sale thereof, for the liquidation of the debts and obligations to the Company of such shareholder, whether alone or together with any other person, whether or not the time for liquidation of such debts or the time for performance of such obligations has arrived, regardless of the source or origin of the debts. In the absence of a resolution to the contrary, if the Company has registered a transfer of shares this will be deemed to be a waiver by it of the aforesaid lien (if any) over the shares. The contents of this article are subject to a charge over shares that will be made for purposes of providing the loan to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam as stated in Clause 10 of the Investment Agreement.

 

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  10.5 For purposes of realizing the lien mentioned in Article 10.4 of the Articles, the board of directors will be entitled to sell the shares under lien and to perform all the acts required for completing such sale, in such manner as it shall deem fit; however no share shall be sold unless written notice has been served on the shareholder or the executors of his estate stating that the Company intends selling the share, and the shareholder or the executors of his estate has/have failed to pay the aforesaid debts or has/have failed to fulfill or has/have failed to perform the aforesaid obligations within seven (7) days after receipt of such notice.

 

  10.6 The net proceeds from a sale referred to in Article 10.5 of the Articles, after payment of the selling expenses, shall serve for the liquidation of the debts and for fulfillment of the obligations of such shareholder to the Company, including the debts, obligations and engagements the date for liquidation or fulfillment of which has not yet arrived, and the balance (if any remains) shall be paid to him or to the executors of his estate, or to whomever he may transfer such right.

 

11. Preferential right to purchase shares of the Company

 

  11.1 If any of the Company’s shareholders (hereinafter: “the Seller” ) wishes to sell and/or transfer the shares that are held or which may be held by him in the Company, in whole or in part (hereinafter: “the Shares Offered” ) to a third party, he must first offer the Shares Offered to the remaining shareholders of the Company (for purposes of this article below: “the Offerees” ) on such terms and conditions as shall be specified by him. The Seller’s offer shall contain at least the following details: the number of Shares Offered and the price asked in respect thereof and the terms of payment (hereinafter: “the Sale Notice” ).

 

  11.2 Each of the Offerees who wishes to purchase the Shares Offered or any portion thereof (hereinafter: “the Interested Offerees” ) shall be obliged to give notice to that effect to the Seller within 14 days from receipt of the Sale Notice (hereinafter: “the Notice of Exercise” ). In the Notice of Exercise each of the Interested Offerees shall specify the number of Shares Offered he wishes to buy. Such number may be equivalent to portion of the Shares Offered which is equal to his pro rata share in the total issued share capital of the Company held by all the Offerees (hereinafter: “the Proportionate Part” ) or a different quantity of shares, whether exceeding the Proportionate Part or lower than the Proportionate Part.

 

  11.3 In a case in which, according to what is stated in the Notices of Exercise that are given by the Interested Offerees, the Seller’s sale offer in respect of all the Shares Offered is accepted, this will constitute the perfecting of a binding agreement between the Seller and the Interested Offerees for the sale of the Shares Offered under the conditions set forth in the Sale Notice. In such event, the parties will meet on the first business day after the elapse of fifteen (15) days from the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise (or a later date that was specified in the Sale Notice) (hereinafter: “the Date of Exercise” ), at a place to be fixed by the Seller, and at that time the Seller shall sell and transfer the Shares Offered to the Interested Offerees, where such shares are free and clear, simultaneous with and against payment of the consideration as specified in the Sale Notice.

 

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  11.4 In a case in which according to the Notices of Exercise that have been given by the Interested Offerees there is a willingness on their part, collectively, to purchase shares from the Seller in a quantity exceeding the number of Shares Offered, each of the Interested Offerees, as the case may be, will be entitled to purchase the entire quantity mentioned by him provided that it is less than the Proportionate Part, or the Proportionate Part (if it was stated by him in his notice that he is willing to purchase at least such quantity) and if — as the case may be, it was stated by him in the Notice of Exercise given by him that he is willing to purchase a quantity in excess of the Proportionate Part, he shall also purchase any quantity in excess of the Proportionate Part that is available for sale after the purchase by the Interested Offerees who have purchased only their Proportionate Part or any quantity which is less than that (in a case in which they were interested in purchasing only a smaller quantity) (hereinafter: “the Surplus Quantity” ). In a case in which the total Surplus Quantity which the Interested Offerees, or some of them, are willing to purchase exceeds in aggregate the Surplus Quantity which is available for sale, each of the Interested Offerees wishing to purchase a Surplus Quantity shall purchase a pro rata portion of that total Surplus Quantity which is equivalent to his Proportionate Part of the total issued share capital of the Company that is held by all the Offerees interested in purchasing such Surplus Quantity.

 

    Nothing in the foregoing shall derogate from the right of the Interested Offerees to reach an agreement between them regarding the quantity of shares each of them will purchase, so long as the entire quantity of the Shares Offered is purchased.

 

  11.5 If no Notice of Exercise is given in writing within the time specified for this in relation to all the Shares Offered and/or if the full consideration in respect thereof has not been paid at the time mentioned in Article 11.3 above, for any reason that is not dependent on the Seller, this shall be deemed to be as if the preferential right for purchasing the Shares Offered pursuant to this Article 11 was not exercised, and the Seller will be entitled to sell the Shares Offered to a third party within 90 days from the last date for the giving of a Notice of Exercise, or from the date on which the payment was supposed to be made, as the case may be (hereinafter: “the Sale Period” ) under the conditions as set forth in the Sale Notice (or on other conditions which are not more favorable to the buyer).

 

    For the removal of doubt, nothing in the foregoing shall derogate from any remedy that may be available to the Seller in a case in which the Interested Offerees, or any of them, fail to abide by their undertaking to purchase the Shares Offered, or any part thereof, as stated in the Notices of Exercise that have been given by them.

 

  11.6 The Interested Offerees will be responsible for obtaining, up to the Date of Exercise, approval for the purchase by them of the Shares Offered as described in Article 11, to the extent that such approval is required, from any third party (including, but without limitation, any authority that is concerned in the matter — if any) and whose approval is necessary according to any law, agreement or undertaking to which CaesarStone and/or the shareholders therein are a party.

 

11


  11.7 Where the Sale Period has passed and the Shares Offered have not yet been sold, the Seller will no longer be entitled to contract with any person for the sale or transfer of the Shares Offered, unless all the conditions and the rules set forth in this Article 11 have been invoked once again.

 

  11.8 The provisions of this Article 11 shall apply to any transfer of shares in the Company, including portion of the Seller’s shares, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, and including in a case of a gift or in the case of a sale by a receiver or a liquidator or a trustee in an arrangement with creditors. The contents of this Article 11 shall also apply to a transfer of shares from the transferee to additional transferees.

 

  11.9 The aforegoing contents of this Article 11 will not apply to a sale or transfer of shares of the Company that are offered for sale by the Seller to his or its authorized transferee, on condition that that the authorized transferee shall assume in writing and in advance all the obligations of the Seller in accordance with the Investment Agreement in relation to the Shares Offered.

 

  11.10 A transfer of shares, holding, interests and/or voting rights (directly or indirectly) in Tenne, in CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society and in any other shareholder which is a body corporate for which the holding of shares in the Company constitutes its main asset, to anyone who is not “an authorized transferee”, will also be subject to the provisions of this Article 11, and all the provisions of this Article 11 shall also apply in such case, mutatis mutandis , as the case may be.

 

  11.11 A transfer of shares which is not in accordance with the contents of this article shall be void.

 

  11.12 Article 11 will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

12. Right to join in sale (tag-along right)

 

  12.1 Without derogating from the rights stipulated in Article 11 above, if and to the extent that any of the shareholders of the Company, excluding Tenne (and except anyone who holds shares by virtue of his being an employee of the Company and anyone who holds less than 2% of issued shares of the Company) (hereinafter: “the Offeror” ) should wish to sell or transfer or offer the shares held by him in the Company, in whole or in part, to any other persons who are not an authorized transferee, then the following provisions will apply:

 

  12.1.1 Where the Offeror has requested to sell shares of the Company held by him to a third party, he shall give written notice to that effect to Tenne (hereinafter in this article: “the Offeree” ), indicating the proposed conditions of the sale (price and the remaining basic conditions) (hereinafter in this article: “Sale Notice” ).

 

12


  12.1.2 Where a Sale Notice has been given to the Offeree, it shall be entitled to notify the Offeror in writing (hereinafter in this article: “Tag-along Notice” ) within 30 days from receipt of the Sale Notice, of its desire to join in the transaction and to sell portion of the shares held by it to such third party. In the Tag-along Notice the Offeree shall mention the quantity of shares it wishes to sell, which shall not exceed its Proportionate Part (according to the ratio of holdings in the Company) of the Shares Offered for sale (as stated in the Sale Notice), based on the Offeree’s percentage holdings of the issued shares in the Company.

 

  12.1.3 The Offeror shall cause the party who gave a Tag-along Notice to be joined in the transaction, if it actually materializes, according to the number of shares denominated in the Tag-along Notice, for the same consideration relatively and on the same conditions as those the Offeror will receive and which shall not be inferior to the conditions contained in the Sale Notice.

 

  12.1.4 If the third party refuses to buy shares in excess of the shares that were offered for sale by the Offeror, the Offeror and the Offeree will sell the third party shares in the quantity of shares which were offered for sale, where the portion of the Offeror and the Offeree of the shares that will be transferred to the third party will be according to their pro rata percentage holdings of shares of CaesarStone prior to the transfer.

 

  12.1.5 In the case of a sale in which a Tag-along Notice has been given as aforesaid, the Offeror undertakes to do its best in order to cause a situation that there shall be no mutual liability (as distinguished from personal liability) as between the Offeror and the Offeree, vis-à-vis the third party who purchased shares as aforesaid and that the Offeree will not be required to make any representations or to give indemnity in regard to the relationship of CaesarStone and Sdot-Yam. In a case in which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such mutual liability does apply, the Offeror and the Offeree will sign a document of reciprocal indemnity in respect of such liability.

 

  12.2 Notwithstanding the contents of this article, if the Offeror wishes to sell a third party shares in the Company at a percentage that will cause a situation that the Offeror, following such transaction, will hold less than 50% of one of the means of control in the Company, whether in one transaction or in a series of related transactions, then the Offeree will have the right to sell, together with the Offeror, all its shares in the Company to that third party, and the sale will be subject to this right.

 

  12.3 The provisions of this Article 12 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , also to a transfer of shares and/or any other rights in a body corporate which directly or indirectly holds shares in CaesarStone, except in a case in which the holding shares in CaesarStone (directly or indirectly) does not constitute the major portion of the assets of the body corporate in which the shares or the rights are transferred as aforesaid.

 

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  12.4 A transfer of shares other than in accordance with the contents of this article will be void.

 

  12.5 This Article 12 will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

13. Obligation to join in sale (bring-along obligation)

 

  13.1 In every case in which shareholders who hold at least 75% of the issued and paid-up share capital of the Company (hereinafter: “the Selling Shareholders” ) should agree to accept an offer to sell all their shares to a third party, and if such sale is contingent upon the sale of all the issued, paid-up and guaranteed shares (such as: options and any other class of share that has been allotted and/or which it is possible will be allotted in the future to the existing shareholders in the Company or any other party) (hereinafter: “the Remaining Sellers” ), then all the Remaining Sellers shall sell all the issued, paid-up and guaranteed shares described above, to such third party purchaser, according to the same conditions as have been agreed by the Selling Shareholders for the sale of their shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it will be possible to compel Tenne to sell its shares as aforesaid only if the value of the sale reflects for Tenne an annual internal rate of return relative to the price of its investment ( “IRR” ) of at least 25%.

 

  13.2 In the case of such sale, the Selling Shareholders undertake to do their best in order to cause a situation that there will be no mutual liability (as distinct from personal liability) between them and the Remaining Sellers, vis-à-vis the third party who purchased shares as aforesaid, and that the Remaining Sellers will not be called upon to make any representations or give an indemnity regarding the relationship of CaesarStone and Sdot-Yam. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the aforesaid mutual liability does apply, the Selling Shareholders and the Remaining Sellers will sign a document of reciprocal indemnity in respect of such liability.

 

  13.3 This Article 13 will be cancelled immediately upon the issue.

 

14. Right of preservation of the Proportionate Part (pre-emptive right)

 

  14.1 If the Company has sought to issue shares, convertible securities, options or other rights (hereinafter: “the Additional Shares” ), to any of its shareholders and/or to a third party, it shall give written notice to that effect to Tenne (hereinafter in this article: “the Offeree” ), indicating the proposed conditions of the allotment (price and the remaining basic conditions) (hereinafter in this article: “Notice of Allotment” ).

 

  14.2

Where the Offeree has been given a Notice of Allotment as aforesaid, the Offeree will be entitled to notify the Company in writing (hereinafter in this article: “Tag-along Notice” ) within 30 days from receipt of the Notice of Allotment, of its desire to join in the allotment and shall indicate the quantity of shares it wishes to

 

14


  purchase by way of an allotment, which shall not exceed a number equal to a multiplication of its percentage holdings in the Company immediately prior to the allotment on a full dilution, by the number of Additional Shares.

 

  14.3 The Tag-along Notice shall state that the Offeree agrees to the price and to the conditions of payment demanded, as denominated in the Notice of Allotment.

 

  14.4 After a Tag-along Notice has been given, the Notice of Allotment and the Tag-along Notice shall be deemed to be a binding agreement between the Offeree and the Company, for the allotment of shares as denominated in the Tag-along Notice in the name of the Offeree, for a consideration and on conditions relatively identical to those under which the other allotments were made in the Company, and which shall not be inferior to the conditions in the Notice of Allotment.

 

  14.5 If no Tag-along Notice is given by the Offeree within the aforesaid 30 days, or if a notice of refusal has been given, the Company will be entitled to allot the shares denominated in the Notice of Allotment, to any third party, during a period of 90 days following the end of the period for giving the Tag-along Notice, and may do so only at the price and on the terms of payment that were demanded by it in the Notice of Allotment which was delivered to the Offeree (or under other conditions which are not more favorable for the purchaser of the Additional Shares).

 

  14.6 After the elapse of the aforesaid 90 days, the Company will not be entitled to allot its shares, unless it repeats the process specified in this article from the inception thereof.

 

  14.7 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following allotments will not be subject to this article: (a) an issue of shares for purposes of a share split or distribution of dividend shares; (b) an issue of shares and the allotment thereof for purposes of exercising options and/or debentures and/or other securities that are convertible into ordinary shares of the Company, if such were issued; (c) an issue of shares and/or an allotment of options or other rights to employees, consultants and officers of the Company in accordance with the employee option scheme at an overall aggregate percentage that shall not exceed 7% of the issued share capital of the Company, which shall be approved by the board of directors of the Company, and on condition that the allotment to the employees shall be made for purposes of employee incentive and will be received by the employee personally (as distinguished from an allotment which the employee will be obliged to transfer to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam; (e) an issue of shares for purposes of an issue to the public.

 

  14.8 An allotment of shares other than in accordance with the contents of this article will be void.

 

  14.9 This Article 14 will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

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15. Adjustment of price (Full Rachet)

 

  15.1 If the Company should, after the date of signing of the Investment Agreement and up to the earlier of (a) an issue to the public; or (b) three years from the date of closing of the Investment Agreement, offer to allot shares, convertible securities, options or other rights to any third party (hereinafter in this article: “the Shares”, “the Diluting Allotment” ) at a price per share ( “the New Price” ) which is lower than the transaction price, then the Company shall allot to Tenne, without any consideration, additional preference shares in a quantity equivalent to: (1) the extent of Tenne’s investment (which will be calculated by multiplying the number of Shares which Tenne holds prior to the Diluting Allotment by the transaction price at such time), divided by (2) the New Price, less (3) the number of Shares which Tenne holds prior to the Diluting Allotment. In such case the provisions of Clause 7.7 of the Investment Agreement shall apply, mutatis mutandis , as the case may be. If the convertible securities or options in respect of which an adjustment of price was made to the New Price, should lapse without being exercised, the adjustment of price that was made will be cancelled.

 

  15.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following allotments will not be subject to this Article 15: (a) an issue of Shares for purposes of a share split or distribution of dividend shares; (b) an issue of Shares and the allotment thereof for the exercise of options and/or debentures and/or other securities convertible into ordinary shares of the Company, if such were issued; (c) an issue of Shares and/or an allotment of options or other rights to employees, consultants and officers of the Company in accordance with the employee option scheme at an overall aggregate percentage which shall not exceed 7% of the Company’s issued share capital, which shall be approved by the board of directors of the Company, and on condition that the allotment to employees shall be made for purposes of employee incentive and will be received by the employee personally (as distinguished from an allotment the employee will be obliged to transfer to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam).

 

16. Transfer of Shares

 

  16.1 A precondition to every transfer of shares in the Company to any third party or to an authorized transferee (in accordance with the provisions of these Articles) is that such transferee has assumed in writing the provisions of the Investment Agreement and for that purpose the transferee shall sign the Investment Agreement. If this condition is not fulfilled, the transfer will be of no validity. In addition, no transfer of shares in the Company will be registered unless a proper deed of transfer is delivered to the Company. A share transfer deed in the Company shall be signed by the transferor and the transferee, and the transferor shall be deemed to remain the shareholder until the name of the transferee is registered in the register of shareholders in relation to the share transferred. The deed of transfer of a share shall be drawn up in the form as specified by the board of directors.

 

  16.2

Where a party has transferred some or all of the shares in the Company to its authorized transferee and after the transfer of the shares any of the conditions

 

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  stipulated in the definition of an authorized transferee should cease to be fulfilled in relation to the authorized transferee, all the shares held by that authorized transferee shall be transferred back, before such change, into the ownership of the transferor party or into the ownership of another of its authorized transferees.

 

  16.3 The executors and administrators of the estate of an individual shareholder who has died, or if there are no administrators or executors, the persons who have the beneficial right as heirs of the individual shareholder who has died, shall, after they present adequate proof in the discretion of the board of directors, be the only persons the Company will recognize as holders of a right to the share.

 

    In the case of a share registered in the names of two or more holders and one of them has died, the Company will only recognize the other holder/s or surviving joint holders as the persons who have a right to the share or a beneficial interest therein.

 

  16.4 The board of directors will be entitled to recognize a receiver or a liquidator of a shareholder which is a body corporate in liquidation or winding-up or a trustee of a bankrupt or a receiver of a shareholder in bankruptcy proceedings, as holders of a right to the shares registered in the name of such shareholder.

 

  16.5 Notwithstanding the contents of Articles 16.3 and 16.4 of the Articles, a person who is entitled to shares in the Company by operation of law, including an heir, executor, administrator, liquidator of a body corporate, receiver, or trustee in bankruptcy (hereinafter in this sub-article: “the Offeror” ) will be obliged to offer the Company or the other shareholders (hereinafter in this sub-article: “the Offerees” ), to purchase the shares to which they are entitled, in consideration for a value that will be determined by an agreed expert in economics.

 

17. The organs and division of powers between them

 

  17.1 The organs of the Company are the general meeting, the board of directors and the general manager (hereinafter: “the General Manager” ). The division of powers and authorities between the organs will be made in the manner specified below in the Articles and according to the provisions of the law. In the case of any power or act which the Company seeks to exercise or to perform, and in relation to which no details are given in the Articles and in the law as to which organ is authorized to exercise it, the board of directors will be the competent organ to exercise or perform it.

 

  17.2 Resolutions of the Company on the following matters shall be passed at the general meeting —

 

  17.2.1 The powers conferred on the general meeting in accordance with Section 57 of the Companies Law;

 

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  17.2.2 Approval of operations and transactions which require the approval of a general meeting according to law.

 

  17.3 The board of directors shall formulate the policy of the Company and shall supervise the performance of the functions of the General Manager and his operations, including:

 

  17.3.1 It will have the powers and will bear the duties set forth in Section 92 of the Companies Law;

 

  17.3.2 It will decide on any operation and transaction requiring its approval according to the Articles and according to the law.

 

  17.4 The General Manager shall be entitled to exercise all the powers and authorities of management and performance of the Company as specified in the law.

 

  17.5 The general meeting may at any time resolve to usurp the powers of the board of directors or of the General Manager, or of both of them, on a particular matter or for a specific period of time, as shall be stated in the aforesaid resolution. Such resolution shall not be passed if it was not included in the agenda and in the subjects for discussion of the general meeting, as delivered to the shareholders in the scope of the invitation to the aforesaid general meeting.

 

  17.6 The board of directors may instruct the General Manager how to act in a particular matter, and the General Manager shall act in accordance with the provisions of the board of directors on such matter. If the General Manager does not carry out the instructions of the board of directors to the satisfaction of the board of directors, the board of directors may exercise the aforesaid power instead of him.

 

  17.7 Where the general meeting has resolved that the board of directors is unable to fulfill its functions and to exercise its powers, whether by virtue of the absence of a quorum for the convening of meetings of the board of directors, or due to a personal interest of one of its members, and that fulfillment of the functions and exercise of such powers is vital and essential to the Company, the general meeting is empowered to act instead of the board of directors in relation to the aforesaid duties and powers.

 

  17.8 At any time the General Manager is prevented from fulfilling his functions and from exercising his powers, the board of directors is authorized to act instead of the General Manager in relation to such powers and duties.

 

18. Convening and conduct of the general meeting

 

  18.1 The Company shall hold an annual general meeting as specified in the law.

 

  18.2

A special general meeting may be convened by the board of directors on a resolution by it, or on a requisition of a person entitled to requisition the convening

 

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  of a special general meeting according to the law. Such requisition shall be delivered in writing to the chairman of the board of directors and shall contain details of the matters in respect of which the convening of a general meeting is requested.

 

  18.3 A board of directors which is called upon to convene a general meeting as stated in Article 18.2 of the Articles shall call such meeting within 21 days from the date on which the requisition was delivered to the chairman of the board of directors as stated in Article 18.2 of the Articles.

 

  18.4 The agenda of a general meeting shall be drawn up solely by the board of directors. The agenda of a general meeting, which convenes on a requisition as referred to in Article 18.2 of the Articles, shall contain the subjects in respect of which convening of the general meeting was requisitioned by the person entitled to requisition the convening thereof as stated in Article 18.2 of the Articles, as well as any other subject as decided by the board of directors. At a general meeting that is convened pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors, the board of directors may include in the agenda the subjects in relation to which convening of the general meeting was requisitioned by the person entitled to requisition the convening thereof as stated in Article 18.2 of the Articles, provided that such requisition was lodged with the chairman of the board of directors, in accordance with the provisions of Article 18.2 of the Articles, not later than seven (7) days before the meeting of the board of directors at which it is decided on convening the general meeting.

 

  18.5 A notice calling a general meeting shall be sent in writing by the board of directors, by the chairman of the board of directors or the secretary of the Company. The notice calling the meeting shall specify the place and time of the meeting and shall give details of the subjects that are on the agenda. The notice calling a meeting shall be delivered to every shareholder personally, according to the address for delivery of notices given from time to time in writing by such shareholder to the Company. Such notice calling a meeting shall be delivered to such shareholder not later than seven (7) days before the date for convening of the meeting.

 

  18.6 Without derogating from the contents of Article 22, until the earlier of a) the date of the issue of the Company, b) the date on which Tenne’s percentage holdings in the Company is lower than 10% of the issued capital of the Company, a quorum for the opening of a session of the general meeting, at the place and at the time for which it was called, shall be the attendance, personally or by way of proxy, of shareholders who jointly hold at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the total voting rights in the Company, as at the date of convening of the meeting, who shall include a representative of Tenne.

 

    After the issue or after Tenne’s percentage holdings in the Company fall below 10%, as the case may be, a quorum will be as prescribed by law and/or subject to the rules of the stock exchange on which the Company is traded, as the case may be.

 

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  18.7 Without derogating from the provisions of Article 22, if after half an hour from the time appointed for a session of the general meeting no quorum as mentioned in Article 18.6 of the Articles is present, subject to the proviso that the notice calling the meeting was sent in the manner stated in Article 18.5 above, the meeting will be adjourned to the same day in the following week, at the same hour and at the same place, or to such other day and/or hour and/or other place as the board of directors shall decide. Notices calling the adjourned meeting shall be delivered to the shareholders in the manner stated in Article 18.5 of the Articles; however the times prescribed in Article 18.5 of the Articles will not apply with respect to notices calling the adjourned meeting. The adjourned meeting shall be held with the same quorum as mentioned in Article 18.6 of the Articles, and if no such quorum is present within thirty (30) minutes from the time for which the aforesaid adjourned meeting was called, subject to the proviso that notice calling the adjourned meeting was sent in the manner described above, the meeting will be adjourned to such other day and/or other hour and/or other place as the board of directors shall decide, and such second adjourned meeting shall be held with any number of participants, subject to the condition that the notice calling the first adjourned meeting was sent in the manner stated in Article 18.5 above, but the times prescribed in Article 18.5 of the Articles will not apply to such notices calling the meeting. The adjourned meeting will be entitled to consider and pass resolutions on any matter that was included on the agenda of the original meeting.

 

  18.8 The chairman of the board of directors shall preside at any session of the general meeting of the Company. If there is no chairman of the board of directors, or if he is not present after 15 minutes from the time appointed for the session of the general meeting, or if he is not willing to preside at the session of the general meeting, the shareholders present at the session of the general meeting shall elect one of their number as chairman of the meeting.

 

  18.9 The chairman of the general meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, and he shall be obliged to do so if a proposal was made for the adjournment of the meeting by anyone entitled to convene general meetings as stated in Article 18.2 of the Articles and the general meeting has accepted such proposal on a vote. A vote in regard to the adjournment of a meeting shall be held without delay, and no other matter shall be considered or discussed at the meeting prior to the results of the vote on that matter becoming known. The provisions of Article 19 of the Articles shall apply to a vote with regard to the adjournment of a meeting. At such adjourned meeting no other matters may be considered or discussed apart from the matters on which discussion was not completed at the meeting at which the adjournment was decided upon.

 

  18.10 Notices calling an adjourned meeting pursuant to Article 18.9 of the Articles shall be delivered to the shareholders in the manner stated in Article 18.5 of the Articles, but the times prescribed in Article 18.5 of the Articles will not apply to notices calling the adjourned meeting. The adjourned meeting pursuant to Article 18.9 shall be held with any number of participants.

 

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  18.11 A resolution of the general meeting may be passed even without an invitation and without convening a session of the general meeting (hereinafter in this sub-article: “Resolution Without Meeting” ). A Resolution Without Meeting shall require the unanimous consent of all the shareholders entitled to vote at the general meeting.

 

  18.12         

 

  18.12.1 A session of the general meeting may be held via any means of communication which make it possible for all the shareholders to hear one another, including a telephone conference call and audio communications via the Internet (hereinafter: “Meeting via Means of Communication” ).

 

  18.12.2 Notwithstanding the contents of Article 19 of the Articles, at a Meeting via Means of Communication, a proxy of a shareholder may not participate and vote at the meeting unless he has delivered to the chairman of the session of the general meeting, prior to the opening thereof, an instrument of appointment in writing as referred to in Articles 19.5 and 19.6 of the Articles, including by way of fax, to a fax number that will be given to him by the chairman of the session of the general meeting.

 

  18.12.3 Subject to the provisions of sub-article 19.2 of the Articles, the provisions of Articles 18 and 19 of the Articles, with the exception of Article 18.11 of the Articles, shall apply to a Meeting by via Means of Communication.

 

19. Votes of shareholders

 

  19.1 A shareholder may vote personally or by way of proxy who has exhibited a valid instrument of appointment as described in Article 19 below.

 

  19.2 A body corporate which is a shareholder in the Company may, by resolution of its managers or other managing body thereof, appoint such person as it deems fit to be its representative at every general meeting of the Company. A person who has been appointed as aforesaid will be entitled on behalf of the body corporate which he represents to exercise the same powers as the body corporate itself could have exercised had it been a shareholder in the Company which is not a body corporate.

 

  19.3 In the case of joint holders of a share, the vote of the joint holder whose name stands first amongst the joint holders in the register of shareholders, or on the share deed, as exhibited by him or by his proxy, will be accepted, and in the absence of his vote, the vote of the next joint holder after him, and so forth, and the votes of the remaining joint holders will not be accepted.

 

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  19.4 No shareholder will be entitled to vote at a general meeting, unless he has paid the calls and all the moneys due from him at that time in respect of his shares.

 

  19.5 Every instrument appointing a proxy of a shareholder shall be signed by the appointer or by his representative who has authority in writing for doing so, or if the appointer is a body corporate, the appointment shall be made in writing signed with the rubber stamp of the body corporate or under the signature of its representative.

 

  19.6 Every instrument appointing a proxy, whether generally or for a specific meeting which is mentioned therein or for another meeting, shall, as far as circumstances permit, be in the text below or in a text substantially similar thereto:

 

    I             , of             , being a shareholder entitled to vote in the company CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd. (hereinafter: “the Company” ), hereby appoint             (I.D./Pvte. Co./Publ. Co.             ) or in his absence             (I.D./Pvte. Co./Publ. Co.             ), or in his absence              (I.D./Pvte. Co./Publ. Co.             ), to attend and vote on my behalf and in my name at all the general meetings of any type of the Company / at the general meeting of the Company which is due to be held on the             day of             in the year             , and at every adjourned meeting of such meeting. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed on the             day of              in the year             .

 

 

Signature of appointer

 

  19.7 An instrument of appointment as mentioned in Articles 19.5 and 19.6 above of the Articles may be revoked by the appointer at any time by way of written notice to the Company. The vote of a proxy pursuant to an instrument of proxy as referred to in Articles 19.5 and 19.6 of the Articles will be valid notwithstanding the death of the appointer, or revocation of the instrument of appointment, or transfer of the share in respect of which the vote was given as aforesaid, unless written notice regarding the death, revocation or the transfer has been received at the office of the Company or by the chairman of the meeting prior to the vote.

 

  19.8 A resolution of a session of the general meeting shall be passed by a vote on a poll of the votes attaching to the issued shares of the Company the holders of which, or their proxies, are present and who vote at such session of the general meeting.

 

  19.9 Unless otherwise specified with regard to a particular matter in the Articles or in the law or in the Investment Agreement, resolutions of the general meeting shall be passed by a simple majority of the votes present and voting. The chairman of the general meeting, if he is a shareholder, will not have an additional casting vote. The chairman of the general meeting shall announce the results of the vote, and his announcement shall constitute prima facie evidence of the contents thereof.

 

    In these Articles, “present and voting” does not include abstention votes in a vote.

 

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  19.10 A shareholder is entitled to attend and vote at a session of the general meeting by delivering a voting paper, personally or of a proxy attached to a valid instrument of appointment as referred to in Articles 19.5 and 19.6 of the Articles, by mail or by fax, to the chairman of the board of directors or the secretary of the Company, up to thirty minutes before the time specified in the notice calling the meeting for the opening of a session of the general meeting.

 

20. Composition and term of office of board of directors, chairman of the board of directors

 

  20.1 CaesarStone shall be managed by a board of directors the number of whose members shall not exceed 9 members, of whom 2 shall be appointed by Tenne by way of notice from Tenne, without the necessity for a resolution of the general meeting of the Company.

 

  20.2 The remaining members of the board of directors (apart from the places reserved for directors on behalf of Tenne) shall be elected by a majority vote of the general meeting.

 

  20.3 Any person entitled to appoint a member of the board of directors of the Company is also entitled to dismiss the member of the board of directors who was appointed by him and to replace him with another, and also to appoint, replace or dismiss an alternate for a member of the board of directors he has appointed.

 

  20.4 Every member of the board of directors who has been duly elected or appointed to his position shall hold office from the date of his appointment, or from a later date as fixed by the persons who elected him or appointed him as a director. The term of office of a director shall end after he has been dismissed or replaced by the person who appointed him. An appointment, dismissal or replacement of a director shall be made by way of written notice to the Company signed by the shareholder making the dismissal or the replacement, as the case may be, and shall come into force on the date specified in the notice, but not before delivery of the notice to the Company, and unless otherwise stated in the notice, on the date of receipt of the notice.

 

  20.5 Every director is entitled to resign from his office by sending a written notice of resignation to the chairman of the board of directors. The chairman of the board of directors is entitled to resign from his office by sending a written notice of resignation to all the members of the board of directors. A notice of resignation pursuant to this sub-article will come into force at the end of fifteen (15) days from the date of the delivery thereof to the chairman of the board of directors or to the members of the board of directors, as the case may be.

 

  20.6 In addition to the foregoing, a director shall cease to serve in that capacity and his office shall automatically be vacated upon the occurrence of one of the events prescribed in Section 228(a) of the Companies Law, and on his death, or if he is found to be insane or unsound of mind by a competent authority.

 

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  20.7 Every director, except the chairman of the board of directors, may at any time appoint for himself an alternate, and may dismiss the alternate and appoint another in his stead, and may appoint another alternate instead of an alternate whose office has been vacated for any reason, subject to the written approval of the shareholder who appointed that director. The office of an alternate shall automatically be vacated upon his dismissal or replacement by the director who appointed him and also upon the expiration of the term of office or the vacating of office of the director whose position the alternate fills. At all times an alternate serves in this office he will, subject to his instrument of appointment, have all the powers and authorities of the director whose position the alternate fills.

 

  20.8 The board of directors shall convene at a frequency of not less than once every 6 weeks. Every director will be entitled to receive current reports from the management of CaesarStone about the activities of CaesarStone and, on his request, any other reasonable additional information, without this derogating from the provisions of any law which apply to the matter.

 

  20.9 The chairman of the board of directors who will be appointed after the present chairman of the board of directors shall be an outside appointment and shall comply with the conditions of qualification of an external director as this term is defined in the Companies Law, 5759-1999. The chairman of the board of directors will be appointed by the board of directors with the consent of the directors who have been appointed on behalf of Tenne, but such directors will not be entitled to object to the appointment of a candidate more than twice and then the election will be by a majority of votes of the members of the board of directors.

 

  20.10 Resolutions of the board of directors shall be passed by a majority vote of the directors present and voting. The chairman of the board of directors will not have a casting vote.

 

  20.11 If Tenne’s holdings have fallen but have not dropped below 15% of the shares, its right to appoint two members of the board of directors will not be adversely affected; where its holdings have dropped below 15%, Tenne will have a right to appoint one director (and if at such time two directors hold office on behalf of Tenne, the last director who was appointed on behalf of Tenne will cease to hold office as such and his office will automatically be vacated, unless Tenne has decided that the other director shall cease to hold office). If the holdings fall below 10%, Tenne will not be entitled to appoint a director (and if at that time a director on behalf of Tenne holds office, he shall cease to serve in that capacity and his office will automatically be vacated).

 

  20.12 Tenne will have representation proportionate to its percentage holdings of shares of the Company (and at least one representative) on each of the sub-committees of the board of directors. Tenne’s representative on the board of directors shall serve as chairman of the audit committee. It is hereby clarified that such committees will not be granted powers to decide on matters which are mentioned in Article 22 or on other matters which cannot be delegated in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law.

 

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  20.13 Up to the time Tenne holds at least 15% of the share capital of the Company, Tenne will have a right to appoint a director in each subsidiary of CaesarStone in which CaesarStone has the right to appoint more than two directors but not more than 5 directors, and a right to appoint two directors in any subsidiary in which CaesarStone has the right to appoint more than 5 directors. Up to the time Tenne holds less than 15% of the Company’s share capital, but at least 10% of the Company’s share capital, it will have the right to appoint one director in every subsidiary in which CaesarStone has the right to appoint more than 2 directors. The parties will make maximum efforts in order to cause a situation that the number of directors in every subsidiary shall not exceed 9 and shall not be less than three. If CaesarStone does not have a right to appoint more than two directors in a subsidiary, CaesarStone will do its best in order that the right be granted to it to appoint an observer, and in such case the observer will be appointed by Tenne. The provisions of this sub-article will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

21. Proceedings of the board of directors

 

  21.1 The chairman of the board of directors may at any time call a meeting of the board of directors, by sending a notice of invitation signed by him to every member of the board of directors, in the manner stated in Article 21.5 of the Articles. The board of directors shall convene for a meeting of the board of directors at least once in every six (6) weeks.

 

  21.2 Within fourteen (14) days from the date on which he received a requisition in writing for doing so, signed by two or more directors, the chairman of the board of directors shall convene a meeting of the board of directors for purposes of discussing the subject mentioned in the aforesaid letter of requisition, provided that such subject falls within the scope of the powers and duties of the board of directors pursuant to law and the Articles. If the chairman of the board of directors does not convene a meeting pursuant to such requisition within the time prescribed in this sub-article, the directors who requisitioned the convening of the meeting from the chairman of the board of directors shall be entitled to convene a meeting of the board of directors themselves, by sending a joint notice of invitation, signed by them, to every member of the board of directors in the manner stated in Article 21.5 of the Articles.

 

  21.3

Within fourteen (14) days after the chairman of the board of directors has received a notice or a report from the General Manager which necessitates action on the part of the board of directors, or notice from the Company’s auditor to the effect that he has found material defects in the accounting audit of the Company, the chairman of the board of directors shall forthwith convene a meeting of the board of directors for purposes of discussing and considering the aforesaid matter. If the chairman of the board of directors does not convene a meeting as aforesaid, the General Manager or the accountant, as the case may be, as well as two or more directors shall be entitled to convene a meeting of the board of directors themselves, by

 

25


  sending a joint notice of invitation, signed by them, to every member of the board of directors in the manner stated in Article 21.5 of the Articles.

 

  21.4 The agenda of meetings of the board of directors shall include any subject specified by the person convening the meeting or by the person who requisitioned the convening thereof, as mentioned in Articles 21.1-21.3 of the Articles.

 

  21.5 Notice of invitation to a meeting of the board of directors shall be sent in writing by the person convening the meeting of the board of directors pursuant to Articles 21.1-21.3 of the Articles. The notice of invitation shall specify the place and time of the meeting and shall give details of the matters on the agenda. The notice of invitation shall be delivered to each member of the board of directors personally, according to the address for delivery of notices which such director has given to the Company in writing from time to time. Such notice of invitation shall be delivered to the director as aforesaid not later than seven (7) days before the date for convening of the meeting.

 

  21.6 By consent in writing, including by fax, of all the directors entitled to attend the meeting, it will be possible to convene a meeting of the board of directors without prior notice according to this sub-article.

 

  21.7 With the consent in writing, including by fax, of all the directors entitled to participate on the matters that are put to the vote, it shall be possible to pass a resolution without convening a meeting of the board of directors (hereinafter in this sub-article: “Resolution Without Meeting” ). A Resolution Without Meeting shall be passed unanimously.

 

  21.8 The board of directors is entitled to decide on an extension or shortening of any period specified in Articles 21.2, 21.3 and 21.5 of the Articles for a particular instance, for a specific period, or permanently, as it shall decide.

 

  21.9 Without derogating from the contents of Article 22, until the earlier of (a) the date of the Company’s issue, (b) a time at which Tenne’s holdings in the Company are lower than 10% of the issued capital of the Company, the quorum for the opening of a meeting of the board of directors will be a majority of the directors holding office for the time being, who shall include at least one director on behalf of Tenne, and any resolution of the board of directors shall be valid and effectual only in a case in which the abovementioned quorum was present at the time of such vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director who will be absent from a meeting of the board of directors may appoint another to vote in his name and stead in accordance with instructions he will give in advance.

 

    After the issue or after Tenne’s percentage holdings in the Company fall below 10%, as the case may be, the quorum will be as specified by law and/or subject to the rules of the stock exchange on which the Company will be traded, as the case may be.

 

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  21.10 Without derogating from the contents of Article 22, if within half an hour from the time appointed for a meeting of the board of directors no director on behalf of Tenne, as mentioned in Article 21.9 of the Articles, appears, despite his having been duly invited, an adjourned meeting will be held two hours after the original time, even without a representative of Tenne.

 

  21.11 In voting on the board of directors each director will have one vote. Resolutions of the board of directors shall be passed by a simple majority of those present and voting, unless otherwise expressly stipulated in these Articles. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the board of directors will not have a second or casting vote.

 

  21.12 It shall be possible to hold a meeting of the board of directors via any means of communication which allows for all the directors participating to hear one another simultaneously, including a telephone conference call and audio communication via the Internet. The provisions of Article 21 will apply to a meeting of the board of directors pursuant to this sub-article.

 

  21.13 The board of directors may decide on the establishment of committees, including an audit committee, and may appoint directors to such committees as it decides (hereinafter: “Committees of Directors” ), subject to the contents of Article 20.12. In its resolution the board of directors shall define the powers and authorities of every Committee of Directors and the spheres of its activity. Resolutions of a Committees of Directors shall be passed by a simple majority of the members of the Committee present and voting. Every resolution of a Committees of Directors shall be brought as a recommendation to the board of directors and shall require a resolution of approval by the board of directors, unless the board of directors expressly delegated the power of decision to the Committee and this does not conflict with the provisions of the law and the Articles. The board of directors may at any time take back any power or authority from a Committee of Directors.

 

22. Special resolutions

 

  Until the earlier of (a) the date of the Company’s issue, (b) a time at which Tenne’s holdings in the Company are lower than 10% of the issued capital of the Company, a resolution which is one of the following resolutions shall not be passed by the board of directors unless at least one of the directors on behalf of Tenne voted in favor thereof, or, as the case may be, a resolution which is one of the following resolutions shall not be passed at a meeting of shareholders of the Company, unless it is passed by a special resolution with a special majority of 90% of the issued shares of the Company for the time being:

 

  22.1 A material change in the Company’s business;

 

  22.2 The effecting of a merger and/or acquisition (that is to say, a sale of the Company’s shares by the shareholders in a transaction in which the shareholders of the Company prior to execution of the transaction hold less than one-half of the issued capital of the Company and/or of the absorbing company immediately after execution of the transaction);

 

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  22.3 A sale of all or most of the Company’s assets or its winding-up;

 

  22.4 An amendment to the Articles and/or a change in the rights attaching to the shares of the Company. For purposes of this article, it is clarified that an increase of capital, issue or allotment of shares or securities convertible into shares will not be deemed to be a change in such rights, and no special approval as described in this article will be required;

 

  22.5 The appointment / replacement of an auditor which is not one of the following accountancy firms: Kost Forer & Gabbay (E&Y), Somekh Chaikin, Brightman Almagor, Kesselman and/or the accountancy firm of Ziv Haft;

 

  22.6 An approval of transactions between the Company and interested parties or between another person where the interested party has a personal interest in the transaction, apart from a change and/or revision of the terms of employment of any of the members of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam in CaesarStone which are made according to market conditions and on an economic basis as stated in Clause 11.4 of the Investment Agreement;

 

  22.7 Entering into a transaction which has a material impact on the business of the Company, its assets or its profits, such as, but without limitation: (1) a transaction or a series of related transactions in which the Company undertakes to pay, or a third party undertakes to pay the Company, an amount which exceeds (in aggregate) 3 million US dollars or (2) an agreement which confers exclusivity on a distributor in an average and higher territory (a territory in respect of which it will be stipulated that the minimum quantity in the third year of the contractual arrangement will be at least 20 thousand slabs).

 

  The provisions of this article will apply, as the case may be, also to any committee that may be established by the board of directors of the Company.

 

  It is hereby clarified that in the event that no representative amongst the directors on behalf of Tenne comes to a meeting of the board of directors or no representatives of Tenne come to the general meeting, as the case may be, in such a way that it will not be possible to achieve the majority required as stated above in this article, then an adjourned meeting will be held (in the case of a meeting of the board of directors at a date which is no earlier than 7 days thereafter, and in the case of a meeting of shareholders, at a date which is no earlier than 14 days thereafter), and on condition that Tenne representatives were duly invited to both such meetings, and fail to appear thereat, it will be possible to pass the aforesaid resolutions other than in accordance with the provisions stated above in this article.

 

  In addition, notwithstanding anything else specified in these Articles, the Company will be entitled to demand indemnity in accordance with the provisions of Clause 18.1 of the Investment Agreement, on the strength of a resolution of the board of directors, that shall be passed by a simple majority of the directors who are not directors on behalf of individual parties of Sdot-Yam, without the necessity for any further resolution.

 

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23. Management of the Company

 

  23.1 Appointment of Officers

 

  23.1.1 Every appointment of officers in the Company (as defined in the law) and the holder of any position that is directly subordinate to the General Manager (hereinafter: “Officers” ) shall be according to appropriate professional criteria as will be delineated by the board of directors, and every such Officer shall have suitable education and experience in order to fulfill his function in the Company in a proper manner.

 

  23.1.2 Unless otherwise specified in the law, in the Articles or by the board of directors, the Officers will be appointed and dismissed by the General Manager of the Company, who shall also fix the conditions of their employment; however, an appointment, determining of the conditions and the dismissals will be subject to the approval of the board of directors. The power and authority of the board of directors pursuant to this sub-article can be delegated, in whole or in part, as the board of directors shall decide.

 

  23.1.3 The provisions of Article 23.1 will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

  23.2 Continued holding of office of office-bearers . Until the earlier of a) the date of the Company’s issue, b) a time at which Tenne’s percentage holdings in the Company are less than 10% of the issued capital of the Company, c) 3 years have elapsed from the date of closing the agreement, the removal of the chairman of the board of directors and the General Manager (or a joint General Manager) of the Company from their office shall be made solely with the consent of the parties alone, unless what is involved is a removal from office in exceptional circumstances, in which case approval by the board of directors shall suffice. For purposes of this article “exceptional circumstances” means any of the following: a declaration of the office-bearer as being legally incapacitated, the bankruptcy of the office-bearer and the conviction of the office-bearer of a criminal offense. The provisions of this article will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

  23.3 General Manager of the Company

 

  23.3.1 The appointment of the General Manager (or joint General Manager) of the Company and the fixing of his terms of employment shall be made by a sub-committee of the board of directors ( “the General Manager Committee” ). A director on behalf of Tenne and the chairman of the board of directors shall be members of the General Manager Committee.

 

  23.3.2 The General Manager Committee shall select the candidates for the post of General Manager unanimously. The recommendations of the General Manager Committee shall be brought for the approval of the board of directors, which shall be given by a majority vote of the directors present and voting.

 

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  23.3.3 The provisions of Article 23.3 will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

  23.4 Vice-President Finance . The appointment of the vice-president finance and the fixing of his terms of employment shall be made by the General Manager of the Company on the basis of appropriate professional qualifications and abilities, after consultation that will be held with the chairman of the board of directors and with the directors on behalf of Tenne. The appointment of the vice-president finance and the fixing of his terms of employment shall be subject to the approval of the board of directors by a majority vote. Dismissals of the vice-president finance shall be made in conformity with these provisions. The provisions of this sub-article will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

  23.5 Company secretary . The board of directors may at any time appoint a secretary for the Company, and may employ and dismiss him in accordance with terms of employment that will be agreed between him and the board of directors.

 

24. Books of account and financial statements; rights to information

 

  24.1 The board of directors shall cause proper books of account to be maintained in accordance with the provisions of the law and the regulations that have been or may be made pursuant thereto, as same are in force from time to time.

 

  24.2 The board of directors shall approve the financial statements of the Company, which shall be drawn up for each financial year of the Company, and the board of directors shall sign same. The financial statements shall be drawn up, approved and audited in the manner stated in Section 172 of the Law and as mentioned in the regulations, rules or instructions that have been laid down or may be laid down pursuant thereto, as same are in force from time to time.

For purposes of this sub-article, “the Company’s financial year” means — twelve (12) months commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31.

 

  24.3 The financial statements shall be delivered to the shareholders according to law and in accordance with these Articles; same shall be kept at the registered office of the Company for a period of seven (7) years from the date on which they were drawn up; and they shall be open to inspection by the directors.

 

  24.4 Within 60 days from the end of each quarter, the Company shall furnish Tenne with reviewed quarterly financial statements (and consolidated as the case may be) and within 90 days from the end of each calendar year, with audited annual financial statements, according to accepted accounting principles in Israel, and duly signed. Commencing from the end of one year from the date of closing of the Investment Agreement, the aforesaid number of days will change to 30 days (instead of 60 days) with respect to quarterly statements and to 45 days (instead of 90 days) with respect to annual statements. The provisions of this article will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

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  24.5 For the removal of doubt it is hereby clarified that nothing in the foregoing shall derogate from the right of a director on behalf of Tenne to receive information at any time which he is entitled to receive by virtue of his function as a director, including, upon his request, material which is submitted at meetings of the Company’s management, and nothing in the foregoing shall derogate from Tenne’s right to receive information at any time which it is entitled to receive on the strength of it being a shareholder in the Company. It is hereby further clarified that CaesarStone shall, as soon as possible, provide Tenne with all the reasonable information required by it and which is in the possession of CaesarStone, for purposes of the drawing up of its financial statements according to law and at the time required by law, and all subject to the provisions of any law and subject to Tenne’s written undertaking to keep the information confidential for the benefit of CaesarStone.

Every director will be entitled to receive current reports from the Company’s management about the Company’s activities and, on his request, any other reasonable additional information required by him for purposes of taking decisions and/or for the fulfillment of his function as a director of the Company.

 

25. Appointment of auditor

 

  25.1 The annual general meeting shall appoint an auditor for the Company, who shall serve in such position until the end of the next annual general meeting. Notwithstanding the contents of the previous sentence, the general meeting of the Company may decide on the appointment of an auditor for the Company who will serve in that position for a longer period, which shall not last beyond the end of the third annual general meeting following the meeting at which it was appointed.

 

  25.2 The remuneration of the auditor in respect of the auditing operation, and in respect of additional services to the Company which are not auditing operations, shall be fixed by the board of directors.

 

26. Transactions with interested parties

 

  26.1 The provisions of the law (Sections 268-284) and also any relevant provision of these Articles shall apply to the approval and validity of transactions between the Company and an officer therein, or between the Company and another person in which an officer in the Company has a personal interest.

 

  26.2

For the removal of doubt it is hereby clarified that commencing from the date of signing of the Investment Agreement, any amendment or alteration to the agreements and arrangements described in Clause 11 and in Clause 12 of the Investment Agreement, or other entering into an agreement (verbal or in writing) between CaesarStone and Sdot-Yam, or any of the individual parties who make up Sdot-Yam, and any change in the conditions of the on-going and current accounting and withdrawal of moneys as between CaesarStone and Sdot-Yam, or any of the individual parties who make up Sdot-Yam, as applied in the year 2005, shall be deemed to be transactions with interested parties in CaesarStone and will

 

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  be subject to approval in accordance with the provisions of Article 22 of the Articles. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is clarified that an amendment, alteration and/or contracting as aforesaid which is made in the ordinary course of business, according to market conditions, and the amount of which does not exceed NIS 50 thousand, will not be deemed to be a transaction with an interested party in CaesarStone and will not require approval pursuant to Article 22 of the Articles.

 

27. Release, insurance and indemnity of officers

 

  27.1 Every officer in the Company will be released from liability to the Company in respect of any damage caused or which may be caused to the Company, from time to time, as a consequence of a breach of a duty of care on the part of the officer, save and except for a breach of the duty of care in “a distribution” (as this term is defined in the law), in accordance with the contents of this Article 27 only.

 

  27.2 The Company is entitled to enter into a contract for the insurance of the liability of any officer therein in respect of liability that may be imposed on him as a result of an act he performed in his capacity as an officer therein, in each of the following cases:

 

  27.2.1 A breach of a duty of care to the Company or any other person;

 

  27.2.2 A breach of a fiduciary duty to the Company, provided that the officer acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds for assuming that the act would not adversely affect the best interests of the Company;

 

  27.2.3 Pecuniary liability that may be imposed on him in favor of another person.

27.3

 

  27.3.1 The Company’s entering into a contract for the insurance of the liability of an officer therein who is not a director thereof, shall be made in the manner specified in Section 272 of the Law.

 

  27.3.2 The Company’s entering into a contract for the insurance of the liability of an officer therein who is a director thereof, shall be made in the manner specified in Section 273 of the Law.

 

  27.4 The Company is entitled to undertake in advance to indemnify an officer in the Company (hereinafter: “Undertaking for Indemnity” ), or to decide to indemnify him retroactively (hereinafter: “Permit for Indemnity” ) in respect of a liability or expense, as described below, which was imposed on him or which he incurred as a consequence of an act he performed in his capacity as an officer therein.

 

  27.4.1 Pecuniary liability imposed on him in favor of another person pursuant to a judgment, including a judgment given in a compromise settlement or an arbitrator’s award which was confirmed by a court, subject to the contents of Article 27.5 below;

 

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  27.4.2 Reasonable costs of litigation, including attorney’s fees, which an officer incurred as a consequence of an investigation or proceeding conducted against him by an authority competent to conduct an investigation or proceeding, and which culminated without the filing of an indictment against him and without pecuniary liability being imposed on him as an alternative to a criminal proceeding, or which culminated without an indictment being filed against him but with the imposition of pecuniary liability as an alternative to criminal proceedings on an offense which does not require the proof of criminal intent ( mens rea );

 

  27.4.3 In this sub-article —

 

  27.4.3.1 “Culmination of proceeding without filing of an indictment in a matter in which a criminal investigation was opened” — means the closing of the dossier pursuant to Section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Law [Consolidated Version], 5742-1982 (in this sub-article — “the Criminal Procedure Law”), or a stay of proceedings by the Attorney-General in accordance with Section 231 of the Criminal Procedure Law;

 

  27.4.3.2 “Pecuniary liability as an alternative to criminal proceedings” — pecuniary liability which was imposed according to law as an alternative to a criminal proceeding, including an administrative fine pursuant to the Administrative Offenses Law, 5745-1985, a fine for an offense which was specified as a fineable offense pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law, a monetary sanction or monetary penalty;

 

  27.4.4 Reasonable costs of litigation, including attorney’s fees, which the officer incurred or which he was ordered by a court to pay in proceedings instituted against him by the Company or on its behalf or by another person, or in a criminal indictment of which he was acquitted, or in a criminal indictment of which he was convicted of an offense which does not require the proof of criminal intent ( mens rea ).

 

27.5 Notwithstanding the contents of Article 27.4 above, if what is involved is an Undertaking for Indemnity (as distinct from a Permit for Indemnity) as stated in Article 27.4.1 above, the Undertaking for Indemnity will be limited to events which the board of directors foresees and contemplates in light of the Company’s actual activities at the time the undertaking for an indemnity is given and also shall be limited to such amount or such criterion as the board of directors has decided are reasonable in the circumstances of the matter, provided that in the Undertaking for Indemnity mention shall be made of the events which, in the opinion of the board of directors, are foreseeable in light of the Company’s actual activities at the time the undertaking is given, as well as the amount or the criterion which the board of directors has laid down as being reasonable in the circumstances of the matter.

 

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27.6

 

  27.6.1 An Undertaking for Indemnity, or indemnity pursuant to a Permit for Indemnity, of an officer in the Company who is not a director therein, shall be in the manner specified in Section 272 of the Law.

 

  27.6.2 An Undertaking for Indemnity, or indemnity pursuant to a Permit for Indemnity, of an officer in the Company who is a director therein, shall be in the manner specified in Section 273 of the Law.
28. Dividends

 

  28.1 After the giving of priority in the distribution of dividends to the holders of the preference shares, every shareholder will be entitled to receive the balance of the profits, on the distribution of which it has been decided (apart from the profits that were distributed to the holders of the preference shares) on a basis that is pro rata to the number of shares held by such shareholder in CaesarStone as against the total issued capital of the Company. Resolutions regarding a distribution of profits shall be passed by the board of directors of CaesarStone after it has determined that the distribution is permissible according to the profit test and according to the solvency test, within the meaning thereof under Section 302 of the Law.

 

  28.2

Subject to cash flows, CaesarStone will distribute to the shareholders therein 33% of the total profits of CaesarStone available for distribution each year according to the audited consolidated financial statements which relate to the 31 st day of December of the previous year (where for these purposes the reserve fund, if there is such, shall be counted as part of the profit available for distribution). For purposes of the foregoing, “profit available for distribution” means compliance with the criteria of “the profit test” and “the solvency test” according to the meaning thereof under Section 302 of the Companies Law. The provisions of this article will be cancelled immediately prior to the issue.

 

  28.3 Repayment of shareholders loans will be deemed to be a distribution of a dividend for all intents and purposes and in every case in which the Company makes repayments of shareholders loans, Tenne will be entitled to receive a special grant from the Company to the extent of the amount of the repayment where same is multiplied by Tenne’s percentage holdings of shares of the Company at that time. The contents of this sub-article 28.3 will not apply in the case of repayment of shareholders loans as referred to in Clause 11.6 of the Investment Agreement.

 

  28.4 A resolution regarding a distribution which is made by way of payment of a dividend in cash, as defined in Section 1 of the Law, shall be passed and implemented after the drawing up and audit of the Company’s financial statements for that financial year of the Company, out of the profits from which the dividend is distributed.

 

34


  28.5 The board of directors may decide, in its sole commercial discretion, during the course of a financial year, on the distribution of an interim dividend to the shareholders, after having determined that distribution of the interim dividend is permissible according to the profit test and according to the solvency test, within the meaning thereof under Section 302 of the Law. An interim dividend that has been distributed shall be recorded against and deducted from the total amounts that were permissible for distribution to the shareholders after the drawing up and audit of the Company’s financial statements for that financial year of the Company in which such interim dividend was distributed, according to the profit test and the solvency test, under Section 302 of the Law, had such interim dividend not been distributed.

 

  28.6 Subject to Article 28.1 above, where the board of directors has decided on the distribution of a dividend or an interim dividend, whether by way of a dividend in cash, or by way of a dividend which is not in cash (hereinafter: “Dividend in Kind” ), or by way of a dividend which is partly in cash and partly in kind, every person who was a shareholder on the date of the resolution regarding distribution of the dividend, or at a later date specified by the board of directors in its resolution regarding the distribution of a dividend (hereinafter: “the Effective Date for the Distribution” ) will be entitled to a pro rata portion of the amount of the total dividend which the Company distributes.

 

  28.7 At the time of making a distribution by way of a dividend, the Company shall set off against the amount of the pro rata portion of each shareholder in the amount of the total dividend which the Company distributes, any amount of money the due date for payment of which has arrived and which has not yet been paid to the Company in respect of the shares held by such person, whether or not the payment thereof has been called.

The time and manner of effecting a distribution by way of a dividend shall be the time and manner as decided by the board of directors in its resolution regarding the distribution of the dividend. For purposes of effecting a distribution of the dividend, the board of directors may, inter alia , specify the value of any particular asset for purposes of such distribution, and it may decide that payment in cash will be made to the members on the basis of the value that will be fixed as aforesaid, or that fractions the value of which is less than NIS 1 will not be taken into account, in order to adjust the rights of all the parties.

 

  28.8 Without derogating from the contents of Article 28.2, the board of directors may, at any time prior to deciding on a distribution, set aside out of the retained earnings, or retained earnings that have accumulated in the preceding two years, whichever is the higher, within the meaning thereof under Section 302 of the Law, such amounts as it deems fit, to a reserve fund for exceptional purposes, including for purposes of the improvement or maintenance of any property of the Company, and for any other objective as the board of directors, in its sole discretion, shall deem to be beneficial to the interests of the Company.

 

35


  28.9 Where the board of directors has decided to set aside amounts to a reserve fund as aforesaid, it may invest the aforesaid amounts in such investments as it deems fit (apart from shares of the Company), and may deal with such investments, vary same, and make use thereof, in whole or in part, for the benefit of the Company. The board of directors is also entitled to divide the reserve fund into special funds, as it sees fit, and to use a fund or any part thereof for the business of the Company or in any other manner it may deem fit.

 

  28.10 The board of directors may, at any time, before deciding on a distribution, decide on the cancellation of a reserve fund that was created pursuant to its resolution as mentioned in the previous sub-article, in whole or in part, and on the transfer of the amounts held therein back to the retained earnings item, within the meaning thereof under the law. A resolution regarding the transfer of amounts from such reserve fund to the retained earnings item shall not be passed except at a meeting of the board of directors to which the Company’s auditor was invited.

 

  28.11 The board of directors may decide that a distribution by way of an acquisition, within the meaning thereof under Section 1 of the Companies Law, be made pro rata to all the issued shares of the Company on the Effective Date for the Distribution, or in any other manner the board of directors may, in its sole discretion, decide, provided that the board of directors is of the opinion that this will be expedient and beneficial for the Company’s purposes. All the provisions of the law in regard to a distribution shall apply to a distribution by way of acquisition.

 

  28.12 The Company may apply to the court to approve for it to make a distribution which does not comply with the profit test, within the meaning thereof under Section 302 of the Law, provided that the board of directors of the Company has determined that the requested distribution will comply with the solvency test, within the meaning thereof under Section 302 of the Law. The Company shall notify its creditors about the filing of such application with the court.

 

29. Bonus shares

The board of directors of the Company may decide on a distribution of bonus shares to the shareholders of the Company. In a distribution of bonus shares each of the shareholders in the Company will receive ordinary shares, or each shareholder in the Company will receive shares of the same class which conferred on him the rights to receive the bonus shares, as the case may be.

 

30. Merger

 

  30.1 The Company is entitled to merge with another company in accordance with the provisions of the law and any statute, subject to the terms and conditions of these Articles.

 

36


  30.2 Notwithstanding the contents of Article 30.1 of the Articles, the Company is entitled to annul, restrict or limit its power to merge in any contract or agreement with another person, including with the shareholders, in whole or in part, or with a creditor of the Company, and there shall be no validity to a merger transaction which the Company may enter into contrary to the aforesaid annulment, restriction or limitation.

 

  30.3 Resolutions of the general meeting in regard to approval or rejection of a merger proposal, as mentioned in Section 320(b)-(d) of the Law, is subject to Article 22 of the Articles.

 

31. Seal and rubber stamp of the Company

 

  31.1 The board of directors shall cause the seal of the Company to be kept in a safe place and it shall be prohibited to make use thereof without the permission of the board of directors. Every document on which the Company’s seal is imprinted shall be signed by the authorized signatories as shall be decided by the board of directors.

 

  31.2 The Company shall have at least one rubber stamp. The board of directors shall cause every such stamp to be kept in a safe place.

 

  31.3 The rights of signature in the Company will be as specified by the board of directors from time to time.

 

32. Registers

The Company shall maintain a shareholders register and a register of material shareholders as prescribed by the law. In addition the Company may, in the discretion of the board of directors, maintain an additional register of shareholders outside of Israel (hereinafter: “the Additional Register” ). Subject to the provisions of the law and any statute, maintaining of the Additional Register shall be done in accordance with the discretion of the board of directors.

 

33. Minutes

 

  33.1 The board of directors shall cause minutes to be properly kept in books prepared for this purpose. The minutes shall include details in regard to –

 

  33.1.1 The directors present at every meeting of the board of directors, and at every meeting of a committee of directors;

 

  33.1.2 The shareholders who attend every general meeting;

 

  33.1.3 The instructions that will be given, if given, by the board of directors to committees of directors;

 

  33.1.4 Resolutions of general meetings, of meetings of the board of directors and of meetings of committees of directors.

 

37


  33.2 Any minutes of a meeting of the board of directors, of a meeting of a committees of directors, or of a session of the general meeting of shareholders of the Company, if on the face of things it appears to be signed by the chairman of that meeting, or by the chairman of the next meeting, will constitute prima facie evidence as to the matters mentioned therein.

 

34. Notices

 

  34.1 Notice by the Company to its shareholders may be given to the shareholder by delivery by hand or by sending it by facsimile (with confirmation of transmission) or by registered mail to the shareholder according to the address in Israel (if there is such) which was given by the shareholder to the Company for purposes of sending of notices to him, or, if he has not given such address, according to his registered address in Israel. If a notice is sent by facsimile (with confirmation of transmission) on a business day before the hour of 16:00 Israel time, the notice shall be deemed to have been delivered on that day, and otherwise will be deemed to have been delivered on the next business day; if a notice is sent by registered mail, the notice will be deemed to have been duly delivered to the shareholder within two days from the time it was posted to him; and if delivered by hand, it will be deemed to have been duly delivered at the time of its delivery.

 

  34.2 Notwithstanding anything stated in any other article of the Articles, a shareholder who does not have a registered address in Israel and has not given the Company an address in Israel for the delivery of notices, will not be entitled to any notice or invitation in accordance with the Articles.

 

  34.3 In the case of joint holders of a share, the Company is entitled to deliver notice to the holders by delivery thereof to the holder whose name stands first in the register of shareholders or in the share deed in respect of such share.

 

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EXHIBIT 3.3

July 2011

CAESARSTONE SDOT - YAM LTD.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Adopted July 21, 2011

 

1


July 2011

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

of

CAESARSTONE SDOT—YAM LTD.

INTERPRETATION

 

  1. In these Articles the following terms shall bear the meanings set opposite to them, unless inconsistent with the subject or context:

 

TERMS    MEANINGS
Administrative Procedure    A procedure pursuant to chapters H3 (Monetary Sanction of the Securities and Exchange Commission), H4 (Administrative Enforcement Procedures of the Administrative Enforcement Committee) or I1 (Arrangement to prevent Procedures or Interruption of procedures, under circumstances) to the Securities Law, 5738 – 1968, as amended from time to time.
Articles    These Articles of Association as may be amended from time to time.
Auditor    As defined under the Law.
Board    The Board of Directors of the Company.
Business Day    Sundays to Thursdays, save for public holidays in the State of Israel.
CEO    Chief Executive Officer, also referred to under the Law as the general manager.
Class Meeting    A meeting of the holders of a class of shares.
Chairman    Chairman of the Board.
Company    CaesarStone Sdot - Yam Ltd.
Companies Regulations    All regulations promulgated from time to time under the Companies Law, as shall be from time to time.

 

2


July 2011

 

TERMS    MEANINGS
Distribution    As defined under the Law.
External Director    As defined under the Law.
The Law or the Companies Law    The Israeli Companies Law, 5759 – 1999, as the same shall be amended from time to time and any other law that will replace it and the Companies Regulations.
NIS    New Israeli Shekel.
The Office    The registered office of the Company as may be re-located from time to time.
Office Holder    As defined under the Law.
Ordinary Shares    The Company’s Ordinary Shares.
Register    Shareholders Register maintained by or on behalf of the Company including any other branch register(s) as required by law, as the case may be.
Shareholder    As defined under the Law.
Simple Majority    A majority of more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast by those Shareholders present and voting at the meeting in person, by proxy or by a voting instrument, not taking into consideration abstaining votes.

 

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July 2011

 

TERMS    MEANINGS
Statutes    The Law, the Israeli Companies Ordinance (New Version) 1983, the Securities Law, 5738 – 1968 (the “Securities Law”) and all applicable laws and regulations applicable in any relevant jurisdiction (including without limitation U.S. Federal laws and regulations), and rules of any stock market in which the Company’s shares are registered for trading as shall be in force from time to time and to the extent applicable to the Company.
Tene    Tene Investment In Quartz Surfaces L.P.
Tene Director    A member of the Company’s Board suggested by Tene and nominated by the Shareholders of the Company, in accordance with Section 2.1 to the Letter of Understandings for a Voting Agreement, dated October 21, 2010, by and between the shareholders of the Company as of such date.

Except as otherwise provided above or elsewhere under these Articles, any word or expression mentioned herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them under the Law, and if not applicable, the meaning ascribed to them under the Companies Regulations, and if not applicable, the meaning ascribed to them under the Securities Law, and if not applicable, the meaning ascribed to them under the Securities Regulations promulgated under the Securities Law (herein the “Securities Regulations”), and if not applicable, the meaning ascribed to them under any other applicable law – in all cases if the meaning set forth therein does not contradict the purpose or the context of the relevant provision.

 

  2. Words importing the singular shall include the plural, and vice-versa. Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender; and words importing persons shall include corporate bodies.

 

  3. The specific provisions of these Articles supersede the provisions of any of the applicable Statutes to the extent permitted by Statute. Any provision or part thereof of these Articles, prohibited by applicable law, shall be ineffective, without invalidating any other part of these Articles.

 

4


July 2011

 

NAME OF THE COMPANY

 

  4. The name of the Company is CaesarStone Sdot – Yam Ltd.

PURPOSE

 

  5. The Company may engage in any lawful business.

PUBLIC COMPANY

 

  6. The Company is a public company as such term is defined in the Companies Law.

LIMITED LIABILITY

 

  7. The liability of each of the Company’s Shareholders for the Company’s debts is limited to the full payment of the nominal value (subject to section 304 of the Law) of the shares in the Company held by such Shareholder and which remains unpaid, and only to that amount. If at any time the Company shall issue shares with no nominal value, the liability of the Shareholders shall be limited to the payment of the amount which the Shareholders should have paid the Company in respect of each share in accordance with the conditions of such issuance.

CAPITAL, SHARES AND RIGHTS

 

  8. The registered share capital of the Company consists of                                  Ordinary Shares each of          par value.

 

  9. All issued and outstanding shares of the Company are of the same class and are of equal rights between them for all intents and purposes concerning the rights set forth below.

 

  10. Each issued Ordinary Share entitles its holder to the rights as described below:

 

  10.1. The equal right to participate in and vote at the Company’s general meetings, whether ordinary meetings or special meetings, and each of the shares in the Company shall entitle the holder thereof, who is present at the meeting and participating in the vote, whether in person, by proxy, or by a voting instrument, to one vote.

 

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July 2011

 

  10.2. The equal right to participate in any Distribution.

 

  10.3. The equal right to participate in the Distribution of assets available for Distribution in the event of liquidation of the Company.

 

  11. If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any shares, any one of such persons may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other monies in respect of such share and his or her confirmation will bind all holders of such share.

 

  12. Any payment for a share shall be initially credited against the par value of said share and any excess amount shall be credited as a premium for said share, unless determined otherwise in the conditions of the allocation.

 

  13. A Shareholder shall not be entitled to rights as a Shareholder with respect to a share held by him, including the right to any Distribution, unless said Shareholder fully paid all sums in accordance with the conditions of the issuance of such a share, including interest, linkage and expenses, if any, and all unless otherwise determined by the Board.

CALLS ON SHARES

 

  14. Subject to the terms of issuance, the Board may make calls on the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares (whether in respect of nominal amount (subject to section 304 of the Law)) and each Shareholder shall (subject to his receiving at least fourteen days’ notice specifying when and where payment is to be made) pay to the Company as required by the notice the amount called on his shares. A call may be revoked or postponed as the Board may decide.

 

  15. Any call may be made payable in one sum or by installments and shall be deemed to be made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorizing that call is passed.

 

  16. A person on whom a call is made shall remain liable for it notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the share in respect of which the call is made.

 

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July 2011

 

  17. The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment of all calls in respect of that share.

 

  18. If a call is not paid before or on the due date for payment, the person from whom it is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the due date for payment to the date of actual payment at such rate as the Board may decide, but the Board may waive payment of the interest, wholly or in part.

 

  19. A sum which by the terms of allotment of a share is payable on allotment, or at a fixed time, or by installments at fixed times, shall for all purposes of these Articles be deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date or dates fixed for payment and, in case of non-payment, the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that sum had become payable by virtue of a call.

 

  20. On any issue of shares the Board may make arrangements for a difference between the Shareholders in the amounts and times of payment of calls on their shares.

 

  21. The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive all or any part of the moneys payable on a share beyond the sum actually called up on it if the holder is willing to make payment in advance and, on any moneys so paid in advance, may (until they would otherwise be due) pay interest at such rate as may be agreed between the Board and the Shareholder paying the sum in advance all subject to any applicable statute.

FORFEITURE AND SURRENDER

 

  22. If any Shareholder fails to pay an amount payable by virtue of a call, or interest thereon as provided for in accordance herewith, on or before the day fixed for payment of the same, the Board, may at any time after the day fixed for such payment, so long as such amount (or any portion thereof) or interest thereon (or any portion thereof) remains unpaid, forfeit all or any of the shares in respect of which such payment was called for. All expenses incurred by the Company in attempting to collect any such amount or interest thereon, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and costs of legal proceedings, shall be added to, and shall, for all purposes (including the accrual of interest thereon), constitute a part of, the amount payable to the Company in respect of such call.

 

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July 2011

 

  23. Upon the adoption of a resolution as to the forfeiture of a Shareholder’s share, the Board shall cause notice thereof to be given to such Shareholder, which notice shall state that, in the event of the failure to pay the entire amount so payable by a date specified in the notice (which date shall be not less than fourteen (14) days after the date such notice is given and which may be extended by the Board), such shares shall be ipso facto forfeited, provided, however, that, prior to such date, the Board may nullify such resolution of forfeiture, but no such nullification shall stop the Board from adopting a further resolution of forfeiture in respect of the non-payment of the same amount.

 

  24. Without derogating from any other provision under these Articles, whenever shares are forfeited as herein provided, all dividends, if any, theretofore declared in respect thereof and not actually paid shall be deemed to have been forfeited at the same time.

 

  25. The Company, by resolution of the Board, may accept the voluntary surrender of any share.

 

  26. Any share forfeited or surrendered as provided herein shall become the property of the Company, and the same, subject to the provisions of these Articles, may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of as the Board deems fit.

 

  27. Any Shareholder whose shares have been forfeited or surrendered shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited or surrendered shares, and shall return all relevant share certificates to the Company immediately. However, such Shareholder shall, notwithstanding, be liable to pay, and shall forthwith pay, to the Company all calls, interest and expenses owing upon or in respect of such shares at the time of forfeiture or surrender, together with interest thereon from the time of forfeiture or surrender until actual payment, and the Board, in its discretion, may, but shall not be obligated to, enforce the payment of such moneys, or any part thereof. In the event of such forfeiture or surrender, the Company, by resolution of the Board, may accelerate the date(s) of payment of any or all amounts then owing to the Company by the Shareholder in question (but not yet due) in respect of all shares owned by such Shareholder, solely or jointly with another.

 

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July 2011

 

  28. The Board of Directors may at any time, before any share so forfeited or surrendered shall have been sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, nullify the forfeiture or surrender on such conditions as it deems fit, but no such nullification shall stop the Board from re-exercising its powers of forfeiture pursuant to this Article 28.

SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

  29. A Shareholder who is registered in the Register is entitled to receive from the Company, without payment and at such shareholder’s request, within a period of three months after the issuance or registration of the Shares, one share certificate with respect to all the shares registered in his name, which shall specify the aggregate number of the shares held by such Shareholder. In the event of a jointly held share, the Company shall issue (at such request) one share certificate for all the joint holders of the share, and the delivery of such certificate to one of the joint holders shall be deemed to be delivery to all of them. Every certificate shall bear the Company’s seal and be signed by two Office Holders of the Company, or one director and the Company’s secretary or by any other person appointed by the Board for such purpose.

 

  30. The Company may issue un-certificated shares, provided however, that each holder of shares shall be entitled to one numbered certificate for all the shares of any class registered in his name, and if reasonably requested by such holder, to several certificates, each for one or more of such shares.

 

  31. The Company may issue a new certificate in lieu of a certificate that was issued and was lost, defaced, or destroyed, on the basis of such proof and guarantees as the Company may require, and after payment of an amount that shall be prescribed by the Company, and the Company may also replace existing certificates with new certificates, free of charge, subject to such conditions as the Company shall stipulate.

 

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July 2011

 

REGISTERED HOLDER

 

  32. Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, the Company shall treat the registered holder of any share as the absolute owner thereof, and, accordingly, shall not, except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as required by statute, be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in such share on the part of any other person.

 

  33. To the extent required by the Law a trustee must inform the Company of the fact that such trustee is holding shares of the Company in trust for another person at such time as may be required by the Law. The Company shall register that fact in the Register in respect of such shares. The trustee shall be considered a share holder for the purposes of the Companies law.

TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

  34. Subject to the Statutes, and subject to any applicable agreements or undertakings of any specific Shareholder, the shares shall be freely transferable.

 

  35. Transfer of registered shares shall be made in writing or any other manner, in a form specified by the Board or the transfer agent appointed by the Company, and such transfer form should be signed by both the transferee and the transferor and delivered to the Office or to such transfer agent, together with the certificates of the shares due to be transferred, if such certificates have been issued. The transferee shall be deemed to be the Shareholder with respect to the transferred shares only from the date of registration of his name in the Register.

 

  36. The Board may, in its absolute discretion and without giving any reason for its decision, refuse to register any transfer of a share not fully paid up or any transfer of a share on which the Company has a lien provided always that the refusal is not such as to prevent trading of the shares in any stock exchange.

 

  37. If the Board refuses to register a transfer of a share, it shall within two weeks after the date on which the transfer was lodged send to the transferee notice of the refusal.

 

  38. The Board may close the Register and suspend the registration of transfers for such period of time as the Board shall deem fit, provided that the period of closure of any such book shall not exceed 30 days each year. The Company shall notify the Shareholders of such decision.

 

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July 2011

 

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

  39. In the case of the death, liquidation, bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up or a similar occurrence of a Shareholder, the legal successors of such Shareholder shall be the only persons recognized by the Company as having any title to such shares, but nothing herein contained shall release the estate of the predecessor from any liability in respect of such shares.

 

  40. The legal successors may, upon producing such evidence of title as the Board shall require, be registered themselves as holders of the shares, or subject to the provisions as to transfers herein contained, transfer the same to some other person.

ALTERATIONS OF THE REGISTERED CAPITAL

 

  41. (a) Subject to the Statutes, a General Meeting of Shareholders may from time to time resolve to:

 

  (1) Alter or add classes of shares that shall constitute the Company’s authorized capital, including shares with preference rights, deferred rights, conversion rights or any other special rights or limitations.

 

  (2) Increase the Company’s registered share capital by creating new shares either of an existing class or of a new class.

 

  (3) Consolidate and/or split all or any of its share capital into shares of larger or smaller par value than the existing shares.

 

  (4) Cancel any registered shares not yet allocated, provided that the Company has made no commitment to allocate such shares.

 

  (5) Reduce the Company’s share capital and any reserved fund for redemption of capital.

 

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July 2011

 

  (b) In executing any resolution adopted according to Article 41(a) above, the Board may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of applicable Statues, resolve any related issues.

 

  (c) If as a result of a consolidation or split of shares authorized under these Articles, fractions of a share will stand to the credit of any Shareholder, the Board is authorized at its discretion, to act in any manner it deems fit, including:

 

  (1) Determine that fractions of shares that do not entitle their owners to a whole share, will be sold by the Company and that the consideration for the sale be paid to the beneficiaries, on terms the Board may determine;

 

  (2) Allot to every Shareholder, who holds a fraction of a share resulting from a consolidation and/or split, shares of the class that existed prior to the consolidation and/or split, in a quantity that, when consolidated with the fraction, will constitute a whole share, and such allotment will be considered valid immediately prior to the consolidation or split;

 

  (3) Determine the manner for paying the amounts to be paid for shares allotted in accordance with Article 41(c)(2) above, including on account of bonus shares; and/or

 

  (4) Determine that the owners of fractions of shares will not be entitled to receive a whole Share in respect of a share fraction or that they may receive a whole Share with a different par value than that of the fraction of a share.

 

  42. Except as otherwise provided by or pursuant to these Articles or by the conditions of issue, any new share capital shall be considered as part of the original share capital, and shall be subject to the same provisions of these Articles with reference to payment of calls, lien, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise, which applies to the original share capital.

 

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July 2011

 

MODIFICATION OF CLASS RIGHTS

 

  43. If at any time the share capital is divided into different classes of shares, any change to the rights and privileges of the holders of any such class of shares shall require the approval of a Class Meeting of such class of shares by a Simple Majority (unless otherwise provided by the Statutes or by the terms of issue of the shares of that class).

 

  44. The rights and privileges of the holders of any class of shares shall not be deemed to have been altered by creating or issuing shares of any class, including a new class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class).

BORROWING POWERS

 

  45. The Company may, by resolution of the Board, from time to time, raise or borrow or secure the payment of any sum or sums of money for the purposes of the Company. The Company, by resolution of the Board, may also raise or secure the payment or repayment of such sum or sums in such manner and upon such terms and conditions in all respects as it deems fit, and in particular by the issue of debentures or debenture stock of the Company charged upon all or any part of the property of the Company (both present and future) including its unissued and/or its uncalled capital for the time being.

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

  46. (a) Annual general meetings shall be held at least once every calendar year, in Israel at such exact place and time as determined by the Board, but not later than fifteen (15) months after the last annual general meeting. Such general meetings shall be called “Annual Meetings” and all other general meetings of the Company shall be called “Special Meetings”.

 

  (b) The annual meeting shall be convened in order to pass resolutions on the following matters:

 

  (1) The appointment of directors and the termination of their office;

 

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July 2011

 

  (2) The appointment of the Auditor or the renewal of his office and the authorization of the Board to determine his remuneration.

 

  (3) Any other business required pursuant to these Articles or the Law, and any other matter as shall be determined by the Board.

 

  (c) The annual meeting shall review the financial statements and the Board’s report and receive an update regarding the Auditor’s remuneration for the past year.

 

  47. The Board may convene a Special Meeting by its resolution, and is required to convene a Special Meeting should it receive a request, in writing, from a person or persons entitled, under the Companies Law, to request such meeting.

Any request for convening a meeting must specify the purposes for which the meeting is to be called, shall be signed by the persons requesting the meeting, and shall be delivered to the Company’s registered offices.

 

  48.

In addition, subject to the Law, one or more shareholders holding not less than 1% of the voting rights at the general meeting may request the board to include a subject on the agenda of a general meeting to be convened in the future, provided that such subject is a proper subject for action by shareholders under the Law and these Articles and only if the request also sets forth: (a) the name and address of the Shareholders making the request; (b) a representation that the Shareholders are holders of record of shares of the Company, holding not less than 1% of the voting rights at the general meeting and intending to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the said Shareholders and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) in connection with the subject which is requested to be included in the agenda; and (d) a declaration that all the information that is required under the Law and any other applicable law to be provided to the Company in connection with such subject, if any, has been provided. In addition, if such subject includes a nomination to the Board in accordance with the Articles, the request shall also set forth the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected and a declaration signed by each nominee declaring that such nominee meets the requirements of

 

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July 2011

 

  the Law for the appointment of such nominee. Furthermore, the Board, may, in its discretion to the extent it deems necessary, request that the Shareholders making the request provide additional information necessary so as to include a subject in the agenda of a general meeting, as the Board may reasonably require.

 

  49. Subject to applicable law, the Board shall determine the agenda of any general meeting.

Notice of General Meetings

 

  50. Unless it is compulsory by the Law, Statutes or these Articles, the Company shall not give its registered shareholders notice of a general meeting.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

Quorum

 

  51. No business shall be transacted at any general meeting of the Company unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the opening of the meeting.

Except as provided in the following Article with regard to an Adjourned Meeting, the quorum for any general meeting shall be the presence of at least two Shareholders in person or by proxy or by a voting instrument, holding 25% or more of the voting rights in the Company. For this purpose, abstaining shareholders shall be deemed present at the meeting.

 

  52. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the holding of a general meeting a quorum is not present, the general meeting shall stand adjourned one week thereafter at the same time and place (“Adjourned Meeting”), and the Company shall not be obligated to give notice to the Shareholders of the Adjourned Meeting, or to such other day, time and place as the Board may decide, if so specified in the notice of the general meeting. At such Adjourned Meeting any number of Shareholders shall constitute a quorum for the business for which the original meeting was called.

 

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July 2011

 

Chairman of the General Meeting

 

  53. The Chairman shall preside as the chairman at every general meeting. However, if there is no such Chairman or if at any meeting the Chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed, or is unwilling to act as chairman, then the Board members present at the meeting shall choose one of the Board members as chairman of the meeting and if they shall not do so then the Shareholders present shall choose a Board member, or if no Board member is present or if all the Board members present decline to take the chair, they shall choose any other person present to be chairman of the meeting.

 

  54. The Chairman may, with the consent of a general meeting at which a quorum is present, and shall, if so directed by the general meeting, adjourn any meeting, discussion or the resolution with respect to a matter that is on the agenda, from time to time and from place to place as the meeting shall determine. Except as may be required by the Law, no Shareholder shall be entitled to any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an Adjourned Meeting. No business shall be transacted at any Adjourned Meeting other than the business which might have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

  55. A vote in respect of the election of the chairman of the meeting or regarding a resolution to adjourn the meeting shall be carried out immediately. All other matters shall be voted upon during the meeting at such time and order as decided by the chairman.

VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

  56. All resolutions proposed at any general meeting will require a Simple Majority, unless otherwise required by the Statutes or these Articles. Except as otherwise required by the Statues or these Articles, alteration or amendment of these Articles shall require a Simple Majority.

 

  57. A declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has been carried, or has been carried unanimously or by a particular majority, or rejected, or not carried by a particular majority as well as an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

 

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July 2011

 

  58. The chairman of the meeting will not have an additional and/or a casting vote. If the vote is tied with regard to a certain proposed resolution such proposal shall be deemed rejected.

 

  59. If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, the vote of the senior one who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy or by a voting instrument, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other registered holders of the share, and for this purpose, seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the joint holders stand in the Register.

 

  60. Shareholders may vote at shareholders meetings either in person, by proxy or, by a voting instrument. A proxy need not be a Shareholder of the Company.

 

  61. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing duly signed by the appointer or his attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing. A corporate entity shall vote by a representative duly appointed in writing by such entity.

Any instrument appointing a proxy or a representative of a corporate entity (whether for a specified meeting or otherwise) shall be substantially in the following form and at any rate in a form satisfactory to the Company. Such instrument shall be duly signed by the appointer or his duly authorized attorney or, if such appointer is a company or other corporate body, under its common seal, stamp or printed name or the hand of its duly authorized agent(s) or attorney(s).

“I                              (Name of Shareholder) of                          (Address of Shareholder) being a shareholder of CeaserStone Sdot-Yam Ltd., hereby appoint                  as my proxy to vote for me and on my behalf at the General Meeting of the Company to be held on the          day of                      , 20      and at any Adjourned Meeting(s) thereof.

Signed this              day of                        , 20          .

   
(Signature of Appointer)”

 

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July 2011

 

  62. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the instrument of appointment must be submitted to the Office no later than 48 hours prior to the first general meeting to be attended by such proxy or representative. Notwithstanding the above, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right to waive the time requirement provided above with respect to all instruments of appointment and to accept any and all instruments of appointment until the beginning of a general meeting. The instrument of appointment shall automatically terminate and cease to be of any force or effect on the anniversary (12 months) of the date of the instrument of appointment, unless such instrument sets out a different expiry date.

 

  63. A proxy may be appointed in respect of all or some of the shares held by a Shareholder, and a Shareholder may appoint more than one proxy but not more than three proxies on a person’s behalf, each empowered to vote by virtue of a portion of the shares held by such Shareholder.

 

  64. A Shareholder being of unsound mind or pronounced to be unfit to vote by a competent court of law may vote through a legally appointed guardian or any other representative appointed by a court of law to vote on behalf of such Shareholder.

 

  65. A Shareholder entitled to vote may signify in writing his approval of, or dissent from, or may abstain from any resolution included in a voting instrument furnished by the Company. A voting instrument may include resolutions pertaining to such issues which are permitted to be included in a voting instrument according to the Statutes, and such other issues which the Board may decide, in a certain instance or in general, to allow voting through a voting instrument. A Shareholder voting through a voting instrument shall be taken into account in determining the presence of a quorum as if such Shareholder is present at the meeting.

 

  66. The chairman of the meeting shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the general meeting and any resolution adopted.

 

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July 2011

 

  67. The provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings shall, mutatis mutandis , apply to Class Meetings.

DIRECTORS

Powers, Number of Directors, Composition & Election

 

  68. The Board shall have and execute all powers and/or responsibilities allocated to the Board by the Statutes and these Articles, including setting the Company’s policies and supervision over the execution of the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer, including the nomination and termination of the Chief Executive Officer, by a Simple Majority of the members of the Board. The Board may execute any power of the Company that is not specifically allocated by the Statutes or by these Articles to another organ of the Company.

 

  69. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, during a period of 12 months following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering of the Company’s shares (IPO), termination of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s engagement with the Company will be subject to a resolution approved by a Simple Majority of the Board, which approval shall include the affirmative vote of the Tene Director, in case a Tene Director serves on the Board at such time.

 

  70. The number of directors on the Board shall be no less than seven (7) but no more than eleven (11), and shall include at least two External Directors. Subject to any applicable law, in a resolution approved by a Simple Majority, the general meeting is entitled, at any time and from time to time to change the minimum and or maximum number of directors as stated above.

 

  71. The Annual Meeting shall elect annually, by a Simple Majority, all Directors other than the External Directors which will be elected or removed pursuant to the Law and shall be governed by all the relevant provisions of the Law which apply to External Directors and other than independent directors who were nominated by the General Meeting for a period of up to three years.

 

  72. The directors who are serving in office shall be entitled to act even if a vacancy occurs on the Board. However, should the number of directors, at the time in question, becomes less than the minimum set forth in these Articles, the remaining directors or the remaining director shall be entitled to act for the purpose of filling the vacancies which shall have occurred on the Board or of convening a general meeting, but not for any other purpose.

 

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July 2011

 

  73. (a) A general meeting may remove a director from office prior to the expiry of his or her term in office (“Removed Director”), as described below:

 

  1. By a Simple Majority vote (except for External Directors – who may be dismissed only as set forth under the Law); or

 

  2. By a Simple Majority vote with respect to any director that violates a prudence duty or a fiduciary duty to the Company, provided that the Removed Director shall be given a reasonable opportunity to state his or her case before the general meeting.

(b) Should a director have been removed from office as set forth in subsection (a) above, the general meeting shall be entitled, in the same session, to elect another director in his or her stead. Should it fail to do so, the Board shall be entitled to do so, pursuant to the provisions of Article 72 above.

(c) Any director who shall have been appointed by way of a resolution as stated in subsection (b) above shall serve in office for the period remaining of the term in office of the Removed Director and shall be qualified to be re-elected.

 

  74. The term of office of a director shall commence or shall cease, as the case may be: (i) on the closing of the Annual Meeting appointing or removing such Director as applicable, (ii) on the date of such director’s election by the general meeting pursuant to Article 73 (b) above, or (iii) by the Board or on a later date, should such date be determined in the resolution of appointment of the general meeting or of the Board.

 

  75. Any director who shall have ceased from serving as a director, shall be qualified to be re-elected – unless a limitation affecting such director appointment as a director shall exist pursuant to the provisions of the Law.

 

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July 2011

 

Chairman of the Board

 

  76. The Board shall appoint one of its members to serve as the Chairman and may replace the Chairman from time to time, by a Simple Majority resolution of the members of the Board. The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Board, but if at any meeting the Chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the present directors shall choose a present director to be chairman of such meeting.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE DIRECTORS

 

  77. The directors shall meet together for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they deem fit, subject to the Law and these Articles.

A written notice of any meeting of the Board shall specify the time and place the meeting shall take place, as well as a reasonable account of the matters to be discussed at such meeting, and shall be given to all directors three business days before the meeting, unless the majority of Board members agree to conduct the meeting without such notice and only in urgent events .

Quorum

 

  78. No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the Board unless a quorum of directors is present when a meeting is called to order. A quorum shall be deemed to exist when there are present personally or represented by an alternate director at least a majority of the directors then in office.

If a quorum is not present at the meeting of the Board within half an hour after the time scheduled for the meeting, the meeting may be adjourned to another time as shall be decided by the Chairman, or in his absence, the directors present at the meeting (“Adjourned Meeting”), provided that notice of twenty four (24) hours (or such shorter notice as all the directors may agree) in advance shall be given to all the directors of the time of the Adjourned Meeting. The directors may waive the necessity of such notice either beforehand or retrospectively. The quorum for the commencement of the Adjourned Meeting shall be three members of the Board.

 

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July 2011

 

Methods of Attending Meetings

 

  79. Some or all of the directors may attend meetings of the Board through computer network, telephone or any other media of communication, enabling the directors to communicate with each other simultaneously, in the deemed presence of all of them, provided that due prior notice detailing the time and manner of holding a given meeting is served upon all the directors. The directors may waive the necessity of such notice either beforehand or retrospectively.

Any resolution adopted by the Board in such a meeting, pursuant to the provisions of these Articles, will be recorded in writing (or by other means) and signed by the Chairman (or in his absence by the chairman of the meeting or by another director that was authorized by the board to sign on such minute or resolution), and shall be valid as if adopted at a meeting of the Board duly convened and held.

 

  80. The Board may adopt resolutions in writing (i.e., without actually convening), provided that all the directors then in office entitled to participate in a discussion and vote on a matter brought for resolution have agreed to a resolution without actually convening (in writing, by letter, facsimile, electronic mail or otherwise). A resolution adopted by the Board without actually convening shall require the approval of all the members of the Board entitled to vote thereon and thus approved, shall be deemed to have been adopted by a meeting of the Board duly convened and held.

In case such resolutions were passed, as aforesaid, the Chairman shall write the resolutions protocol and indicate specifically that it was agreed upon by all directors in writing, orally or by other means of media. Any such resolution without actually convening may consist of several counterparts, each signed by one or more directors. Such resolution without actually convening, if in writing, shall be effective as of the last date appearing on the resolution, or if the resolution is signed in two or more counterparts, as of the last date appearing on the counterparts.

 

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July 2011

 

  81. While exercising his/her voting right, each director shall have one vote. Resolutions of the Board will be decided by a simple majority of the directors present and voting, not taking into consideration abstaining votes, except as otherwise provided in these Articles or by the Statutes. In the event the vote is tied, the Chairman of the Board shall not have a second or casting vote, and such resolution shall be deemed rejected.

Alternate Director

 

  82. Subject to the Law, a director shall be entitled at any time and from time to time to appoint in writing any person who is qualified to serve as a director, to act as such director alternate and to terminate the appointment of such person. The appointment of an alternate director shall be subject to the consent of the Board. The appointment of an alternate director does not negate the responsibility of the appointing director and such responsibility shall continue to apply to such appointing director – taking into account the circumstances of the appointment.

Alternate directors shall be entitled, while holding office, to receive notices of meetings of the Board and to attend and vote as a director at any meetings at which the appointing director is not present and generally to exercise all the powers, rights, duties and authorities and to perform all functions of the appointing director.

The document appointing an alternate director must be submitted to the Chairman at least 48 hours before the opening of the first Board meeting to be attended by such alternate director. Notwithstanding the above, the Chairman shall have the right to waive the time requirement provided above with respect to a document appointing an alternate director and to accept a document appointing an alternate director until the beginning of the opening of the first Board meeting to be attended by such alternate director.

Committees

 

  83.

The Board may establish committees by a vote of the majority Board members and appoint members of the Board to serve in these committees subject to the Statutes. A resolution passed or an act done by such a committee pursuant to an authority granted to such committee by the Board shall be treated as a resolution

 

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July 2011

 

  passed or act done by the Board, unless expressly otherwise prescribed by the Board or the Statutes for a particular matter or in respect of a particular committee. Resolutions and/or recommendations of these committees which require the approval of the Board shall be brought to the directors’ attention at a reasonable time before the Board’s meeting.

 

  84. Meetings of committees and proceedings thereat (including the convening of the meetings, the election of the Chairman and the votes) shall be governed by the provisions herein contained for regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable thereto and unless otherwise determined by the Board, including by an adoption of a charter governing the committee proceedings.

Approval of Certain Transactions with Related Parties

 

  85. Subject to the Law, a transaction between the Company and an Office Holder, and a transaction between the Company and another entity in which an Office Holder of the Company has a personal interest, which is not an Extraordinary Transaction (as defined by Law), shall be approved by the Board or a committee of the Board or any other entity (who has no personal interest in the transaction) authorized by the Board. Such authorization, as well as the actual approval by the authorized entity, may be for a particular transaction or more generally for specific type of transactions.

Records & Validity of Acts

 

  86. The resolutions of the Board shall be recorded in the Company’s minutes book, as required under the Law, signed by the Chairman or the chairman of a certain meeting. Such signed minutes shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the meeting and the resolutions resolved therein.

 

  87. All acts done bona fide by any meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board or by any person acting as a director, shall, notwithstanding 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.

 

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July 2011

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

  88. In accordance with Article 68 above, the Board shall appoint one Chief Executive Officer (or more), for such period and upon such terms as the Board deems fit.

 

  89. The Chief Executive Officer shall have all managing and execution powers within the policies and guidelines set forth by the Board, subject to the provisions of the Law, and shall be under the supervision of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer may delegate any of his powers to his subordinates, subject to the approval of the Board.

INSURANCE, EXCULPATION, AND INDEMNITY

Insurance of Office Holders

 

  90. The Company may insure the liability of an Office Holder, to the fullest extent permitted under the Statutes.

 

  91. Without derogating from the aforesaid, the Company may enter into a contract to insure the liability of an Office Holder therein, in whole or in part, for an obligation or payment to be imposed on such Office Holder in consequence of an act done in his capacity as an Office Holder, in any of the following cases:

 

  91.1. A breach of the prudence duty vis-a-vis the Company or vis-a-vis another person to the extent such a breach arising out of the negligent conduct of the Office Holder;

 

  91.2. A breach of the fiduciary duty vis-a-vis the Company, provided that the Office Holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not harm the Company;

 

  91.3. A monetary liability imposed on such Office Holder in favor of another person;

 

25


July 2011

 

  91.4. A monetary liability imposed on such Office Holder in favor of a payment to a breach offended at an Administrative Procedure as set forth in Section 52(54)(a)(1)(a) to the Securities Law;

 

  91.5. Expenses regarding Administrative Procedure conducted in connection with such Office Holder and/or in connection with a monetary sanction, including reasonable litigation expenses and reasonable attorney’s fees;

 

  91.6. Any other matter in respect of which it is permitted or will be permitted under the Law to insure the liability of an Office Holder in the Company.

In any case that the Company shall be also entitled to receive insurance compensation under an insurance contract as mentioned in Articles 90 and 91 above, it is hereby agreed that the Officer Holder’s rights to receive insurance compensation under such insurance contract will take precedence upon the Company’s rights to receive insurance compensation.

Indemnity of Office Holders

 

  92. The Company may indemnify an Office Holder, to the fullest extent permitted under the Statutes. Without derogating from the aforesaid, the Company may indemnify an Office Holder for a liability, payment or expense imposed on such Office Holder or incurred by him in consequence of an act done in his capacity as an Office Holder of the Company, as follows:

 

  92.1. A monetary liability imposed on such Office Holder or incurred by such Office Holder in favor of another person pursuant to a judgment, including a settlement or an arbitrator’s award which is given the force of a judgment by court order;

 

  92.2.

Reasonable litigation expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred by an Office Holder in consequence of an investigation or proceeding filed against such Office Holder by an authority that is competent to conduct such investigation or proceeding, provided that (i) no indictment was filed against such Office Holder as a result of such investigation or proceeding (as defined in the Companies Law) ; and (ii)

 

26


July 2011

 

  no financial liability, in lieu of criminal proceedings (as defined in the Companies Law), was imposed upon such Office Holder as a substitute for the criminal proceeding as a result of such investigation or proceeding or, if such financial liability was imposed, it was imposed with respect to an offense that does not require proof of criminal intent or in connection with a monetary sanction.

 

  92.3. A monetary liability imposed on such Office Holder in favor of a payment to a breach offended at an Administrative Procedure as set forth in Section 52(54)(a)(1)(a) to the Securities Law;

 

  92.4. Expenses regarding Administrative Procedure conducted regarding such Office Holder, including reasonable litigation expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees.

 

  92.5. Reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurred by an Office Holder or which such Office Holder is ordered to pay by a court, in proceedings filed against such Office Holder by the Company or on its behalf or by another person, or pursuant to a criminal charge of which such Office Holder is acquitted, or a criminal charge pursuant to which such Office Holder is convicted of an offence that does not require proof of criminal intent.

 

  92.6. Any other obligation or expense in respect of which it is permitted or will be permitted under the Statutes to indemnify an Office Holder.

Advance Indemnity

 

  93. The Company may give an advance undertaking to indemnify an Office Holder therein in respect of the following matters:

 

  93.1. Matters as detailed in Article 92.1, provided however, that the undertaking limited to events, which in the opinion of the Board, can be foreseen based on the Company’s activities at the time of granting the obligation to indemnify and is limited to a sum or criteria determined by the Board as reasonable under the circumstances. The indemnification undertaking shall specify such events and sum or criteria.

 

27


July 2011

 

  93.2. Matters as detailed in Articles 92.2, 92.3, 92.4, 92.5, and 92.6.

Retroactive Indemnity

 

  94. The Company may indemnify an Office Holder retroactively with respect of the matters as detailed in Article 92, subject to any applicable law.

 

  95. Exculpation . The Company may exculpate an Office Holder in advance from such Office Holder liability in whole or in part, for damages caused to the Company as a result of a breach of the duty of care vis-a-vis the Company, to the fullest extent permitted under the Statutes. However, the Company may not exculpate a director in advance from his liability toward the Company due to the breach of his duty of care in the event of a Distribution, as defined in the Statutes.

Insurance, Exculpation and Indemnity – General

 

  96. The above provisions with regard to insurance, exculpation and indemnity are not and shall not limit the Company in any way with regard to its entering into an insurance contract and/or with regard to the grant of indemnity and/or exculpation in connection with a person who is not an Office Holder of the Company, including employees, contractors or consultants of the Company, all subject to any applicable Statute.

 

  97. Articles 90 through 96 shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of the grant of insurance, exculpation and/or indemnification for persons serving on behalf of the Company as Office Holders in companies controlled by the Company, or in which the Company has an interest.

 

  98. The provisions of Articles 90 through 96 shall apply to an Alternate Director as referred to in Article 82.

 

28


July 2011

 

  99. An undertaking to exculpation and indemnify an Office Holder in the Company as set forth above shall remain in full force and effect even following the termination of such Office Holder’s service with the Company.

APPOINTMENT OF AN AUDITOR

 

  100. Subject to the Statutes, the Annual Meeting shall appoint an Auditor for a period ending at the next Annual Meeting, or for a longer period, but no longer than until the third Annual Meeting after the meeting at which the Auditor has been appointed. The same Auditor may be re-appointed, subject to the provisions of the Statutes.

The authorities, rights and duties of the Auditor of the Company, shall be regulated by the Law, provided however, that in exercising its authority to determine the remuneration of the Auditor, the Annual Meeting may act (and in the absence of any action in connection therewith shall be deemed to have so acted) to authorize the Board to determine such remuneration subject to such criteria or standards, if any, as may be provided in such resolution of the Annual Meeting, and if no such criteria or standards are so provided, such remuneration shall be determined in an amount commensurate with the volume and nature of the services rendered by such Auditor. The Board shall report the remuneration of the Auditor to the Annual Meeting.

INTERNAL AUDITOR

 

  101. So long as the Company is a public company, the Board shall appoint an Internal Auditor (as defined in the Law), pursuant to the recommendation of the Audit Committee (as defined in the Law).

 

  102. The organizational superior of the Internal Auditor shall be the Chairman. The Internal Auditor shall submit a proposed annual or periodic work plan to the Audit Committee, which will approve such plan with changes as it deems fit, at its discretion.

 

29


July 2011

 

MERGER AND REORGANIZATION

 

  103. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 327(a) of the Companies Law, the majority required for the approval of a merger by the general meeting or by a class meeting shall be a Simple Majority.

SIGNATORIES

 

  104. Signatory rights on behalf of the Company shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

  105. The Board may decide on a Distribution, subject to the provisions set forth under the Law and these Articles.

 

  106.

The Board will determine the method of payment of any Distribution. The receipt of the person whose name appears on the record date on the Register as the owner of any share, or in the case of joint holders, of any one of such joint holders, shall serve as confirmation with respect to all the payments made in connection with that share and in respect of which the receipt was received. All dividends unclaimed after having been declared may be invested or otherwise used by the Directors for the benefit of the Company until claimed, provided however that the Company shall not be required to accept any claim made following the 7 th anniversary of the declaration date, or an earlier date as may be determined by the Board and shareholders shall have no claim or demand against the Company with respect to such unclaimed dividends. No unpaid dividend shall bear interest or accrue linkage differentials.

 

  107. For the purpose of implementing any resolution concerning any Distribution, the Board may settle, as it deems fit, any difficulty that may arise with respect to the Distribution, including determining the value for the purpose of the said Distribution of certain assets, and deciding that payments in cash shall be made to the Shareholders based on the value so determined, and determining provisions with respect to fractions of shares or with respect to the non-payment of small sums.

 

30


July 2011

 

REDEEMABLE SECURITIES

 

  108. The Company shall be entitled to issue redeemable securities which are, or at the option of the Company may be, redeemed on such terms and in such manner as shall be determined by the Board. Redeemable securities shall not constitute part of the Company’s capital, except as provided in the Law.

DONATIONS

 

  109. The Company may make donations of reasonable amounts of money for purposes which the Board deems to be worthy causes, even if the donations are not made in relation to business considerations to increase the Company’s profits.

NOTICES

 

  110. Subject to the Statutes, notice or any other document which the Company shall deliver and which it is entitled or required to give pursuant to the provisions of these Articles and/or the Statutes shall be delivered by the Company to any person, in any one of the following manners as the Company may choose: in person, by mail, transmission by fax or by electronic form.

Any notice or other document which shall be sent shall be deemed to have reached its destination on the third (3 rd ) day after the day of mailing if sent by registered mail or regular mail - if sent in Israel to a destination in Israel, and on the seventh (7 th ) business day if sent abroad from Israel and vice versa, or on the first day after delivery: (1) if transmitted by fax or electronic form; or (2) if delivered in person in the boundaries of Israel.

Should it be required to prove delivery, it shall be sufficient to prove that the notice or document sent contains the correct mailing, e-mail, or fax details as registered in the Register or any other address which the Shareholder submitted in writing to the Company as the address and fax or e-mail details for the submission of notices or other documents.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and subject to the provisions of the Statutes, a notice to a Shareholder may be served, as general notice to all Shareholders, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of any stock market upon which the Company’s shares are listed.

 

31


July 2011

 

Subject to the Statutes, in cases where it is necessary to give advance notice of a particular number of days or notice which shall remain in effect for a particular period, the day the notice was sent shall be excluded and the scheduled day of the meeting or the last date of the period shall be included in the count.

Subject to the Statutes, the Company shall not be required to send notices to any Shareholder who is not registered in the Register or has not provided the Company with accurate and sufficient mailing details.

 

  111. Any notice to be given to the Shareholders shall be given, with respect to joint shareholders, to the person whose name appears first in the Register as the holder of the said share, and any notice so given shall be sufficient notice for all holders of the said share.

 

  112. Any notice or other document served upon or sent to any Shareholder in accordance with these Articles shall, notwithstanding that such shareholder be then deceased or bankrupt, and whether the Company received notice of such shareholder death or bankruptcy or not, be deemed to be duly served or sent in respect of any shares held by such shareholder (either alone or jointly with others) until some other person is registered in such shareholder stead as the holder or joint holder of such shares, and such service or sending shall be a sufficient service or sending on or to such shareholder heirs, executors, administrators or assigns and all other persons (if any) interested in such share.

 

  113. The accidental omission to give notice to any Shareholder or the non-receipt of any such notice shall not cancel or annul any action made in reliance on the notice.

 

32

Exhibit 4.1

FORM OF SHARE CERTIFICATE

LOGO

 

Number

   Shares

CSTE

   CUSIP
   See Reverse for
   Certain
   Definitions

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

THIS CERTIFIES that

 

 

is the Registered Holder of

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE ORDINARY

SHARES OF NIS 1.00 PAR VALUE EACH

of CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd. transferable on the books of the Company by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney only upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed or with an appropriate instrument of transfer. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of the Company and amendments thereto, to all of which the holder by the acceptance hereof assents. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate to be issued under the facsimile seal of the Company.

 

Dated:                                        

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

        

Corporate Seal

   ISRAEL      
      Chief Executive Officer    Chief Financial Officer


The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

   UNIF GIFT MIN ACT                  Custodian                 

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

                   (Cust)                     (Minor)            

JT TEN — as joint tenants with right

   under Uniform Gifts to Minors                

                    of survivorship and not as

   Act                                  

                    tenants in common

   (State)          
  

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                    HEREBY SELLS, ASSIGNS AND TRANSFERS UNTO PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE

                                      SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE WITHIN CERTIFICATE, AND SO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS

ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER THE SAID SHARES ON THE BOOKS OF THE WITHIN-NAMED CORPORATION AND FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION IN THE PREMISES.

 

DATED                     

  

 

  

 

   NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE, IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE, WHATSOEVER.

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 17 Ad-15.   

Exhibit 10.1

SALE AND LEASE-BACK AGREEMENT

made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 31 st day of March 2011

 

Between:

   CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD. Pvte. Co. 51-143950-7 of Kibbutz Sdot Yam DM 38805 ( “the Seller” )
  
   of the one part ;
  

And:

   SDOT YAM AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY ENTERPRISES LTD. Pvte. Co. 57-004566-6 of Kibbutz Sdot Yam DM 38805 ( “the Buyer” )
  
   of the other part ;
  

WHEREAS:

   The Seller is the owner of the capitalized leasehold rights and the sole occupier of the land known as Plot No. 2000 according to Detailed Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9 (“the Town Planning Scheme [TPS]”) and which is also known as registered Block 108508 Parcel 49 (in part), registered Block 19618 Parcel 37 (in part), 38 (in part), 39 (in part), 40 (in part), 41 (in part), 42 (in whole), 43 (in whole), 44 (in whole), 46 (in whole), 47 (in whole), 48 (in part), 49 (in part), 50 (in part), 51 (in part), 53 (in whole), in an area of approximately 63,680 sq.m., in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park west of Carmiel, all in accordance with a leasehold agreement between the Seller and the Israel Lands Administration (“the Lands Administration”) dated June 6, 2007 (hereinafter: “the Leasehold Agreement”), which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix A (“the Land”), on which industrial buildings and offices are built in a total built area of about 19,178 sq.m. that serve the Seller as a plant for the production of quartz slabs (“the Buildings”) ; and
  

WHEREAS:

   The Buyer wishes to purchase all the Seller’s rights in the Land and in the Buildings from the Seller, which include an envelope and basic infrastructures as described in Appendix B to this Agreement ( “the Infrastructures of the Property Sold” ), but without the special adjustments that were made to the Buildings for the Seller’s purposes only, in the condition in which same are at the date of signing of this Agreement ( “the Property Sold” ), on a basis of the Property Sold and the Seller’s rights therein being free and clear of any debt and/or mortgage and/or attachment and/or pledge and/or any other third party right, whether registered or unregistered ( “free and clear” ), and the Seller wishes to sell the Property Sold to the Buyer free and clear, and to transfer the rights in and to the Land into the Buyer’s name at the Lands Administration where same are free and clear ( “the Sale Transaction” ) — all in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Agreement; and

 

1


WHEREAS:

   Concurrent with this Sale Agreement and upon the closing hereof, the Seller wishes to hire the Property Sold to the Seller under an unprotected lease — all subject to and in accordance with the remaining terms and conditions set forth in the lease agreement which is attached to this Agreement.

Now therefore it is declared, stipulated and agreed by the parties as follows:

 

1. Preamble

 

  1.1 The preamble to this Agreement and the declarations by the parties therein constitute an integral part hereof.

 

  1.2 All the appendices attached to this Agreement constitute an integral part hereof.

 

  1.3 The headings in this Agreement have been inserted solely for the sake of convenience and shall not serve for the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

2. Declarations and undertakings by the Seller

The Seller hereby declares and undertakes as follows :

 

  2.1 Everything stated in the preamble to the Agreement and in the appendices hereto is correct and accurate.

 

  2.2 The Property Sold is free and clear and the Seller’s rights in the Property Sold are registered in its name at the Lands Administration, where same are free and clear, apart from what is stated in the confirmation of rights from the Lands Administration which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix C .

 

  2.3 It is the sole and exclusive occupier and user of the Property Sold.

 

  2.4 The Buildings were constructed in accordance with all the provisions of the TPS and according to any law, pursuant to a valid building license and a Form 4 has been duly received in respect thereof which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix D .

 

  2.5 It received from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment ( “The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment” ) the grants and/or the benefits described in the deeds of approval which are attached to this Agreement as Appendix E (hereinafter: “the Deeds of Approval” ) in respect of the recognition accorded to the plant which was constructed on Land as an “approved enterprise” ( “the Ministry of Industry and Trade Grants” ).

 

  2.6 It is complying with all the terms and conditions of the Deeds of Approval, there is no breach of any obligation it assumed in accordance with the provisions of the Deeds of Approval, and no letter has been received from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and/or any other entity regarding an allegation of a breach of the Deeds

 

2


of Approval and it is not aware of any intention on the part of the Ministry of Industry and Trade or of any other entity to make any allegation of breach of the Deeds of Approval against it.

 

  2.7 It is not aware of any latent fault and/or latent defect in the Property Sold.

 

  2.8 It has passed all the necessary resolutions in accordance with its documents of incorporation and according to any law for purposes of its entering into this Agreement.

 

  2.9 This Agreement does not conflict with and/or is not contrary to any other agreement and/or accord to which it is a party and does not constitute a breach of any obligation for which it is obliged.

 

  2.10 There is no legal bar or impediment according to any law and/or agreement to its entering into this Agreement and for the performance of all its obligations under this Agreement.

 

  2.11 It is aware that the Buyer is entering into this Agreement on the basis of the Seller’s declarations as set forth above.

 

3. Declarations and undertakings by the Buyer

The Buyer hereby declares and undertakes as follows :

 

  3.1 It has seen and inspected the Property Sold, including the physical, legal and zoning conditions thereof, and in reliance on these inspections by it and on the Seller’s declarations as set forth in Clause 2 above, it has found the Property Sold to be suitable for its purposes to its satisfaction. The Buyer confirms that in light of its inspections and examinations, and subject to the Seller’s declarations above, it waives any allegation of fault or defect or non-conformity. The Buyer confirms that it is aware that according to the Development Agreement with the Israel Lands Administration there is an undertaking to construct buildings on at least 40% of the area under leasehold and it waives any allegation and/or claim against the Seller or anyone on the Seller’s behalf in respect of the non-compliance with the aforesaid obligations.

 

  3.2 It has passed all the necessary resolutions in accordance with its documents of incorporation and according to any law for purposes of its entering into this Agreement.

 

  3.3 This Agreement does not conflict with and/or is not contrary to any other agreement and/or accord to which it is a party and does not constitute a breach of any obligation for which it is obliged.

 

3


  3.4 There is no bar or impediment according to any law and/or agreement to its entering into this Agreement and for the performance of all its obligations under this Agreement.

 

  3.5 There is no legal and/or other bar or impediment in accordance with any law and/or pursuant to any agreement and/or any undertaking to its contracting with the Seller under this Agreement and for the fulfillment of all its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

 

  3.6 That it is buying the Property Sold in its present condition at the time of signing the Agreement (as is), subject to the Seller’s representations as set forth in this Agreement

 

4. Condition precedent

 

  4.1 It is agreed between the parties that this Agreement is subject to completion of the public offering, as this term is defined below, and the Agreement will only come into force on the date of completion of the public offering, which will be deemed to be below: “ the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent” .

 

  4.2 For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that up to the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent this Agreement will be of no validity. If the Condition Precedent is not fulfilled by December 31, 2011, this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void in all respects as if it was never signed.

 

  4.3 “Completion of the public offering” for purposes of this Agreement shall be deemed to be the date on which the Seller receives the first moneys that will be raised by it in an initial public offering of the Seller’s shares on a stock exchange in the USA (NASDAQ or NYSE).

 

  4.4 Nothing contained above in Clauses 4.1 — 4.3 above shall adversely affect the obligations of the parties to make a full report regarding the transaction which is the subject of this Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of the law and each party shall take steps to report the transaction at the times required according to law.

 

5. Sale and leaseback transaction

 

  5.1 On the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent, the obligations of the Buyer and the Seller will come into force in relation to the sale by the Seller of the Property Sold to the Buyer with everything that this entails and everything connected therewith according to this Agreement and pursuant to any law. The Seller shall sell the Property Sold to the Buyer and the Buyer shall purchase the Property Sold from the Seller, where same is free and clear and where the Seller undertakes to furnish the Buyer with all the documents that will be required in order to enable registration in the Buyer’s name of the full rights in and to the Property Sold, at the Lands Administration, where same are free and clear, except

 

4


for encumbrances and/or mortgages and/or pledges that may be registered, if any are registered, over the Land and the Property Sold, at the written request of the Buyer as stated in Clause 10 below.

 

  5.2 The parties hereby agree that the Property Sold includes the Land, the Buildings and all the infrastructures of the Property Sold, in their state and condition as same are at the time of signing of this Agreement, as set forth in Appendix B to this Agreement, and same does not include the adjustments, building construction and investments that were made in the Buildings solely for the Seller’s purposes, and that the latter will remain also after implementation of the Sale Transaction as improvements to leased premises performed by the Seller and under its ownership. It is further clarified for the removal of doubt that the Property Sold does not include the equipment, the tools, machinery, appliances and all the remaining property located on the Land and in the Buildings and which are not included in the scope of the infrastructures of the Property Sold and/or are not permanently affixed to the Land.

 

  5.3 Subject to the fulfillment of the Condition Precedent and upon the substantive completion of the Sale Transaction pursuant to this Agreement, the lease agreement which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix F ( “the Lease Agreement” ) will apply to the parties, pursuant to which the Seller will take the Property Sold on hire from the Buyer, and the Buyer will let the Property Sold to the Seller, all subject to the periods, the consideration and in accordance with the remaining terms and conditions set forth in the Lease Agreement.

 

  5.4 “Substantive completion of the Sale Transaction” means: (a) receipt of the approvals referred to in Clauses 8.4.7 and 8.5 below; and (b) payment of the full consideration by the Buyer to the Seller. It is clarified that nothing in the foregoing shall derogate from the obligations of the parties in regard to registration of the rights in and to the Property Sold in the name of the Buyer, which may be done also after the substantive completion of the Sale Transaction.

 

6. Delivery of possession

 

  6.1 The Seller shall deliver legal (constructive) possession of the Property Sold to the Buyer, where the Property Sold is free and clear, except for encumbrances and/or mortgages and/or pledges that may be registered, if and to the extent that same are registered, over the Land and/or the Property Sold, upon a written request by the Buyer as mentioned in Clause 10 below, and where the Buildings are in a physical condition that conforms with their condition at the time of signing of this Agreement, fair wear and tear resulting from reasonable use excepted, on the date of substantive completion of the Sale Transaction ( “Date of Delivery of Possession” ), and the Buyer undertakes to accept legal (constructive) possession of the Property Sold, on the Date of Delivery of Possession, where the Property Sold is free and clear, except for encumbrances and/or mortgages and/or pledges that may be registered, if and to the extent that same are registered, over the Land

 

5


and/or the Property Sold, pursuant to a written request by the Buyer as referred to in Clause 10 below) and where the state of the Buildings is as described above.

 

  6.2 For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that on the Date of Delivery of Possession, the Lease Agreement will come into force, the lease period in which the Seller will hire the Property Sold from the Buyer will commence, and the provisions of the Lease Agreement, will, inter alia , come into force, including the Seller’s obligations to pay the Buyer the rentals for the Property Sold, in accordance with the provisions in this regard in the Lease Agreement.

 

  6.3 It is hereby clarified that by virtue of the fact that on the Date of Delivery of Possession of the Property Sold the Lease Agreement will come into force, all the electricity, water, telephone, communications, gas meters and similar appliances, will continue to be registered in the name of the Seller, and the Seller will continue to bear all the above mentioned payments, in accordance with all the provisions of the Lease Agreement.

 

7. The consideration

 

  7.1 In consideration for the purchase of the Property Sold, where same is free and clear, and registration of the rights in and to the Property Sold in the Buyer’s name, at the Lands Administration, where same are free and clear, except for encumbrances and/or mortgages and/or pledges that may be registered, if and to the extent that same are registered, over the Land and/or the Property Sold, at the Buyer’s written request as referred to in Clause 10 below, the Buyer shall pay the Seller a sum of NIS 43,650,000 (forty-three million six hundred and fifty [thousand]) ( “the Consideration” ). It is clarified that if V.A.T. should apply in respect of the transaction that is the subject of this Agreement, the Buyer will pay the V.A.T. at the date required for purposes of payment of V.A.T. to the Taxes Authority on the due date specified by law.

 

  7.2 The Buyer shall pay the Seller the full Consideration on the date of and against registration in the name of the Buyer of the rights in and to the Property Sold in accordance with the provisions of Clause 8 below, or at an earlier date if it elects to do so in its sole discretion ( inter alia for purposes of the contents of Clause 5.4 above) and shall do so by way of a bank check or a bank transfer to the Seller’s account. Without derogating from the contents of Clause 5.4 it is clarified that until such time as the payments mentioned above have been transferred in full, the rights in and to the Property Sold will not be registered in the name of the Buyer, possession of the Property Sold will not be transferred to the Buyer, and the Seller will not be liable for the payment of rentals as mentioned in the Lease Agreement.

 

  7.3 It is hereby clarified by the parties that the Consideration specified in this Agreement for the Property Sold was fixed by the parties on the basis of an appraisal of value by two independent real estate appraisers who were engaged, one by the Seller and the other by the Buyer, and such appraisals are attached to this Agreement as Appendix G .

 

6


8. Transfer of rights in and to the Property Sold

 

  8.1 Subject to the fulfillment of the Condition Precedent, the parties will perform any act that may be required, will sign all the applications and the documents that are necessary, and will pay any payment which is imposed on them under this Agreement and/or according to law, in order to enable registration, at the earliest possible date, of the rights in and to the Property Sold in the name of the Buyer at the Lands Administration and/or at any other relevant institution (including in the Land Registry if and to the extent that the conditions for doing so should materialize prior to the date of registration of rights). For that purpose the parties will furnish all the documents required for registration of the Property Sold in the name of Buyer, will appear at any place and before any Registrar, and will perform any act that may be necessary for purposes of performing the matters aforesaid.

 

  8.2 Without derogating from the foregoing, the Seller and the Buyer undertake to make their best efforts in order to remove and eliminate any impediment and/or restriction, which is not connected with the other party, to the transfer of the aforesaid rights in and to the Property Sold and/or for delivery of possession of the Property Sold to the Seller, within a reasonable time from the date on which either of them first became aware of such impediment and/or restriction.

 

  8.3 For purposes of transferring the rights, the parties will sign an application addressed to the Lands Administration for the transfer of the leasehold rights in and to the Property Sold from the Seller to the Buyer, all in accordance with the Lands Administration’s requirements in this regard ( “Application for Transfer of Rights” ). The Application for Transfer of Rights which is signed by the Seller will be delivered by the Seller to the Buyer, immediately after all the Seller’s approvals, as defined below, and the full Consideration are received.

 

  8.4 The Seller undertakes to act efficiently, for obtaining and delivering to the Buyer, as soon as possible and under all circumstances not later than within 120 days from the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent (or a longer period, with respect to any approval, if such is required by virtue of circumstances that not under the Seller’s control, and including but without limitation in respect of discussions and/or dispute with the tax authorities in connection with the rate of tax that applies to the sale of the Property Sold pursuant to this Agreement), all the following approvals and documents which are required for purposes of transferring the rights in and to the Property Sold and for registration thereof in the name of the Buyer ( “the Seller’s Approvals” ):

 

  8.4.1 A certificate from Land Appreciation Tax and Sales Tax addressed to the Registrar of Lands.

 

  8.4.2 A property tax approval addressed to the Registrar of Lands.

 

7


  8.4.3 Confirmation from the Lands Administration of payment (or an exemption from payment) of consent fees / permit fees.

 

  8.4.4 An approval from the Regional Council regarding the absence of debts for rates, water and the remaining obligations which are imposed on the Seller by the Regional Council, addressed to the Registrar of Lands, and is valid as at the date of transfer of the right.

 

  8.4.5 An approval of the Local Planning and Building Committee regarding the absence of debts for a betterment levy, which is addressed to the Registrar of Lands, and is in force as at the date of transfer of the rights.

 

  8.4.6 An affidavit from the Seller, in the text as demanded by the Lands Administration, regarding the fact that there have been no building irregularities or deviations in regard to the Property Sold.

 

  8.4.7 Confirmations from each of Bank Hapoalim B.M., Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M. and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd., regarding the cancellation of the mortgages that are registered over the Land in favor of any of them without limitation of amount and/or undertakings for registration of mortgages as aforesaid from the Lands Administration), the erasure thereof from the records of the Lands Administration, the Registrar of Companies and any other register, with all this being in relation to the Land only.

 

  8.4.8 An updated confirmation of rights from the Lands Administration stating that the Land is free and clear.

 

  8.5 The parties will act jointly in order to obtain an approval from the Investment Center regarding its consent to the transfer of the rights in and to the Property Sold, and to comply with the requirements of the Investment Center for that purpose. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that the provisions of Clause 9.4 below will apply to the extent necessary.

 

  8.6 Without derogating from the foregoing, the parties undertake to sign all the documents, to make all the declarations and to perform all the acts that are required for purposes of transferring the rights in the Property Sold into the name of the Buyer at any of the institutions mentioned above, to appear at government and municipal offices and/or at the Lands Administration and/or at any other authority, at any time that may be required, for purposes of executing the transfer.

 

  8.7 At the time of signing this Agreement, the Seller will sign an irrevocable power of attorney, in the text attached to this Agreement as Appendix H , pursuant to which it appoints the Buyer and/or the Buyer’s attorney to perform in its name and on its behalf everything required for the transfer of rights in the Property Sold and the registration thereof in the Buyer’s name. This power of attorney will be lodged in trust with the Seller’s attorney and will be delivered to the Buyer’s attorney only if the Buyer has not [sic] performed on due date what is imposed on it for purposes of closing of the Sale Transaction, with this being against the transfer of the full

 

8


Consideration to the Seller. Without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, it is clarified that it will only be possible to make use of the power of attorney subject to the fulfillment of the Condition Precedent and payment of the full Consideration to the Seller by the Buyer. The Seller’s attorney shall undertake not to make use of the power of attorney in connection with any proceeding and/or dispute between the Seller and the tax authorities, if there is such, regarding the taxes that are imposed on the Seller under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby clarified that the grant of the power of attorney does not derogate from the parties’ obligation to sign any form and/or deed and/or application and/or any other document, and to appear at any place and to perform any act, as may be required for transfer of the rights in the Property Sold.

 

9. Various payments and taxes

 

  9.1 The following payments shall be borne by the Seller and shall be paid by it on due date according to law:

 

  9.1.1 Land Appreciation Tax and Sales Tax that may apply, if same apply, in respect of the Sale Transaction.

 

  9.1.2 A development levy and any other levy such as road, sidewalk, canalization, sewerage and so forth — that may apply up to the Date of Delivery of Possession.

 

  9.1.3 Any betterment levy in respect of town planning schemes that have been approved prior to the Date of Delivery of Possession.

 

  9.1.4 All payments of rates to the local authority/ies up to the Date of Delivery of Possession.

 

  9.1.5 Permit fees and/or consent fees, if same are demanded by the Lands Administration in respect of the Sale Transaction.

 

  9.1.6 All the remaining taxes and payments for the Property Sold, in respect of the period up to the Date of Delivery of Possession (but excluding taxes that are imposed on the Buyer in connection with this Agreement).

 

  9.2 The following payments shall be borne by the Buyer and shall be paid by it on due date according to law:

 

  9.2.1 Land Acquisition Tax which applies in respect of the Sale Transaction.

 

  9.2.2 Fees for registration of transfer of the rights in the property from the name of the Seller into the name of the Buyer at the Lands Administration and in the Land Registry.

 

  9.2.3 Any tax that may be demanded in connection with the transaction that is the subject of this Agreement and which by its nature is imposed on the Buyer, whether the Buyer is obliged to pay it directly or the Seller is obliged to deduct it at source.

 

9


  9.3 Taxes in respect of which there is no specific instruction pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be borne and paid by the party liable for the payment thereof according to the provisions of the law.

 

  9.4 The Buyer will bear all the costs of payment of fines and/or repayments of Ministry of Industry and Trade grants and/or cancellation of tax benefits that were granted and/or which the Seller is entitled to receive (as described in Appendix E to this Agreement), if and to the extent that same should apply, in respect of the implementation of the Sale Transaction that is the subject of this Agreement.

 

  9.5 Shortly after the date of signing of this Agreement (and under all circumstances at the times specified for this by law), the parties will sign declarations relating to the transaction (Land Appreciation Tax [ Mashach ] forms) which will be lodged with the land taxation authorities in accordance with the provisions of the law, and all subject to the contents of Clause 4.4.

 

10. Bank credit for financing the purchase

 

  10.1 The Buyer declares that for purposes of purchasing the Property Sold it is considering obtaining a loan secured by a mortgage from a bank and/or other financial institution ( “the Bank” ). The Seller undertakes to cooperate with the Buyer for purposes of obtaining such loan and to sign all the documents that may be required by the Bank for purposes of securing the Bank’s rights in the Land and in the Property Sold, including, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, for purposes of encumbering the rights in the Property Sold in favor of the Bank, registration of the charge with the Registrar of Companies and/or with the Registrar of Pledges and/or in any other register, and obtaining an undertaking from the Lands Administration for the registration of a mortgage.

 

  10.2 It is clarified that the Seller’s undertakings as set forth above in Clause 10.1 do not affect its rights under the Lease Agreement.

 

  10.3 If for purposes of acquiring the Property Sold the Buyer receives a loan secured by a mortgage which will be registered over the Property Sold, the payments which are given within the framework of such loan will be transferred, against registration of the mortgage, directly from the Bank to the Seller.

 

11. Breaches and remedies

 

  11.1 The parties agree that Clauses 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9, including the sub-clauses thereof, constitute basic and fundamental conditions of this Agreement, the breach which constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

 

  11.2 Without derogating from the foregoing, the provisions of the Contracts Law (Remedies for Breach of Contract), and 5731-1970 will apply to this Agreement.

 

10


12. Miscellaneous

 

  12.1 Each party will be entitled to make payment instead of the other party of any amount for which the other party is liable in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and has not actually paid according to the provisions of this Agreement, and may do so after having given the other party written notice of 14 days in advance of its intention to do so. Where an amount has been paid as aforesaid by either party, the other party undertakes to refund such amount to the paying party forthwith, together with penalty interest at the rate of maximum interest charged by Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M. in respect of the exceeding of an approved credit framework in current accounts, calculated from the date on which the other party was supposed to pay the payment, and up to the date of actual reimbursement.

 

  12.2 The conditions of this Agreement fully reflect everything that has been stipulated and agreed by the parties in regard to the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, and the parties will not be bound by any promises, representations, declarations, documents and/or agreements and/or a memorandum, verbal or in writing, made prior to the signing of this Agreement, if there were such.

 

  12.3 Any alteration, waiver, grant of extension of time and so forth which are not in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement will be of no force and validity, unless drawn up in writing and signed by the parties. No lateness in the exercise of rights, the grant of an extension of time, procrastination and so forth will be deemed to be a waiver in any sense whatsoever, unless drawn up in writing and signed by the parties.

 

  12.4 The parties stipulate that the courts in Tel Aviv will have sole local jurisdiction on any matters arising from this Agreement, and the governing law in regard to this Agreement is the Israeli law.

 

  12.5 In addition to what has been agreed by the parties, any impediment and/or delay in the implementation of the provisions of the Agreement, including, without limitation, the making of payments and/or furnishing of approvals and documents, to the extent that this should be caused by a reason that is not dependent on the parties, including, without limitation, due to a strike at banks and/or the Lands Administration and/or in the national economy and/or as a consequence of an exceptional security event and/or situation, will not constitute a breach of this Agreement and the provisions of the breach of agreement clauses and everything connected with or relating thereto pursuant to this Agreement, will not apply and the time for performance thereof will be postponed to 7 days from the date on which the impediment was removed.

 

11


13. Notices and addresses

The addresses of the parties are as set forth at the head of this Agreement of Principles (or any other address that may be notified by either of the parties in writing to the other party). Any notice that is sent by any party to another according to the aforesaid addresses will be deemed to have been received by the addressee: (a) if sent by registered mail — three (3) business days after the date of posting; (b) if sent by facsimile or by e-mail, on the first business day after the transmission, provided that the sending party has confirmation regarding transfer of the notice to the addressee.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

 

   

 

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.     Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Enterprises Ltd.
By             By        
And             And        

 

12


List of Appendices

Appendix A — Leasehold Agreement

Appendix B — Infrastructures of the Property Sold

Appendix C — Confirmation of Rights from the Lands Administration

Appendix D — Form 4

Appendix E — Deeds of Approval from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment

Appendix F — Lease Agreement

Appendix G — Real Estate Appraiser Reports

Appendix H — Irrevocable Power of Attorney

 

13


APPENDIX B

 

Property    Quantity       

Construction

   sq.m.     

Remarks

Offices

     1,000       On each floor 500

Processing Department

     4,250      

Pressing Department

     6,250       Excluding bomb-shelter areas

Reject production warehouse

     4,390       Excluding bomb-shelter areas and laboratory

Silos building

     850      

Out-buildings

     1,100       Electricity, liquids, sand reception, filter press, hazardous materials, guard

Bomb-shelter areas

     300       Total of 5 bomb-shelter areas

Laboratory

     130      

Asphalt

     44,000       All the area that is not built

Systems

     

Sanitary installations

     

Fire extinguishing

     

Fire and smoke detectors

     

Sewerage

     

Smoke bellows

     

Air-conditioning

     

Electricity — power and lighting

     


APPENDIX C

 

[Emblem]

  

State of Israel

   ISRAEL LANDS ADMINISTRATION
   File No.: A20908280
   Date: January 2, 2011

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

  

Sdot Yam

  

Sdot Yam 38805

  

RE: CONFIRMATION REGARDING REGISTRATION OF

RIGHT IN PROPERTY

 

Block: 18508                        Parcel: 49 Sub-parcel:
Block: 19618                        Parcel: 37 Sub-parcel:
  
*** The remaining blocks and parcels in the property appear on a separate page ***
  
Plan: HA/MK/2004/9        Plot: 2000

Address of property: Plot 2000 Bar-Lev Industrial Zone Mateh Asher Regional Council

  
Area :         63,680 0         sq.m. approximately

 

1. We confirm that the rights in the Property are registered with us in the name of

 

Name

  

Identity/corporation no.

  

Fractions of the rights

CaesarStone Sdot yam Ltd.

   I.D. 511439507    1/1

 

2. The owners of the rights have a capitalized leasehold agreement in respect of the abovementioned property which is valid until February 5, 2054.

 

3. As at the date of this confirmation — the registrations, the periods and the operations (undertakings for registration of mortgage, attachments, injunctions, agreement to pledges of rights, etc.) in respect of the abovementioned property and as updated in the property file kept at the Lands Administration (excluding charges which are registered other than at the Lands Administration or about which the Lands Administration has no knowledge) are as follows:

There is a first mortgage at Hapoalim B.M.                 without limitation of amount

There is a first mortgage at Leumi le’Israel B.M.       without limitation of amount

There is a first mortgage at Mizrahi Tefahot Ltd.       without limitation of amount

 

4. As at the time of this confirmation (January 2, 2011 10:56) no application for the transfer of the rights in the abovementioned property has been filed with the Lands Administration.

 

1


5. This document does not have the effect of altering legal obligations or rights, as same are reflected in the Lands Administration file, and this document does not constitute consent to a deviation from / breach of the terms and conditions of the agreement mentioned above.

The remaining particulars (conditions of leasehold, financial conditions, building rights) are as set forth in the leasehold contract.

 

6. The information detailed in this document does not relate to registrations that are not conducted at the Lands Administration, including registrations in the company mentioned above, at the Land Registry, with the Registrar of Pledges, the Registrar of Societies, Registrar of Companies.

 

7. The registration in the Land Registry takes precedence over registration in the books of the Lands Administration and in a case of a conflict between the two — registration in the Land Registry prevails.

 

   Yours truly,

( — )
Yocheved Schwarzberg

Head of Transactions Division
ILA North

 

 

  

 

  
(name)    (function)   

 

*        Note: Details of the property (address, block, parcel, plan) are according to what has been recorded in the Lands Administration file. Attention is drawn to the fact — the legal situation of the rights in the land is conducted in the land registers in accordance with what is specified in the Land Law, 5729-1969, after having undergone updated registration processes in the Land Registry. Definition of the property is according to a legend of final (updated) block and parcel (sub-parcel). The aforesaid plans in respect of the land have not yet been registered in the Land Registry and therefore the data regarding block and parcel on this form are not necessarily final.

 

2


Additional block and parcel data:

 

Block

   Parcel      Sub-parcel

19618

     38      

19618

     39      

19618

     40      

19618

     41      

19618

     42      

19618

     43      

19618

     44      

19618

     45      

19618

     46      

19618

     47      

19618

     48      

19618

     49      

19618

     50      

19618

     51      

19618

     52      

19618

     53      

 

3


Appendix D

 

“Asher Province” Local Planning and Building Committee

   Date: June 15, 2005

FORM 4

( Regulation 5)

Approval for Supply of Services

under the Planning and Building Regulations

(Approvals for Supply of Electricity, Water and Telephone Services)

5741-1981

 

Details of the applicant:

   CaesarStone Ltd.      

Building file:

   3590       Application number: 20040261

Block and Parcel:

   Block:    Parcel: 53    Zoned for: Industrial zone;
   Block: 18508    Parcel: 49    Zoned for: Industrial zone;
   Block: 19618    Parcel: 37    Zoned for: Industrial zone;
   Address of building construction:    Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

which was constructed pursuant to building permit number 20040261 of: December 22, 2004

Nature of the application : Industrial plant — “CaesarStone” in an area of 12208.65 sq.m.

Approval is hereby granted pursuant to Section 157A of the Planning and Building Law, 5721-1965 and according to the Planning and Building Regulations (Approvals for Supply of Electricity, Water and Telephone Services), 5741-1981.

 

( — )

      ( — )

Yehuda Shavit

     

Architect Ofer Korat-Oz

Chairman of the Committee

   Asher Province    Engineer of the Committee
   Local Planning and   
   Building Committee   
     
   Application No.:                                                   
     
Particulars of application:                                                  I.D.:                                                                            
Address:                                                                           

June 19, 2005

 


“Asher Province” Local Planning and Building Committee

Date: March 21, 2010

FORM 4

( Regulation 5)

Approval for Supply of Services

under the Planning and Building Regulations

(Approvals for Supply of Electricity, Water and Telephone Services)

5741-1981

Name: CaesarStone Ltd. P.O. Box 3 Yakum I.D. 520043563

Building File No.: 3590             Building Permit No.:             20060395

Block: 19618             Parcel: 3 sub-parcel (plot):

Address:             Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

which was constructed pursuant to Permit number: 20060395             Dated: February 22, 2007

Nature of application:

Addition to ground floor of an area of 6003 sq.m. (64094 cu.m.)

containing a production hall, raw materials warehouse, auxiliary material warehouse, shed above filter press, shed above water treatment set-up, pumping station and guard’s booth + application for concession in height of raw materials terminal (21-23 meters instead of 15 meters) under plan C/BT/214.

A fuel station and liquefied petroleum gas tanks are not included in the permit. The permit “does not include” a refueling station and liquefied petroleum gas tanks that are on the site.

An approval is hereby granted pursuant to Section 157A of the Planning and Building Law, 5725-1965 and pursuant to the Planning and Building Regulations (Approvals for Supply of Electricity, Water and Telephone Services), 5741-1981.

Location: Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

 

( — )

     

( — )

Signature of Chairman of the Local Committee

      Signature of Engineer of the Local Committee
     
   Asher Province   
   Local Planning and   
  

Building Committee

  
   Rubber stamp of Local Committee   

March 22, 2010

 


“Asher Province” Local Planning and Building Committee

Date: December 28, 2005

FORM 4

( Regulation 5)

Approval for Supply of Services

under the Planning and Building Regulations

(Approvals for Supply of Electricity, Water and Telephone Services)

5741-1981

 

Details of the applicant:

           CaesarStone Ltd.      

Building file:

           3590                   Application number: 20040261

Block and Parcel:

   Block:    Parcel: 53        Zoned for: Industrial zone;
   Block: 18508    Parcel: 49        Zoned for: Industrial zone;
   Block: 19618    Parcel: 37        Zoned for: Industrial zone;

Address of building construction:         Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

which was constructed pursuant to building permit number 20040261 of: December 22, 2004

Nature of the application :

Industrial plant — “CaesarStone” in an area of 12208.65 sq.m.

An approval is hereby granted pursuant to Section 157A of the Planning and Building Law, 5721 [5] (1965) and according to the Planning and Building Regulations (Approvals for Supply of Electricity, Water and Telephone Services), 5741-1981.

 

( — )

      ( — )

Yehuda Shavit

     

Architect Ofer Korat-Oz

Chairman of the Committee

   Asher Province    Engineer of the Committee
   Local Planning and   
   Building Committee   
     
   Application No.:                                                     
     
Particulars of application:                                                              I.D.:                                                          
     
Address:                                                                            

January 4, 2006

 


Appendix E

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

 

   Jerusalem, 17 th Tevet 5763
   December 22, 2002
   File No.: 21207
   Program No.: 6087
   Application No.: 69252
   Corporation No.: 511439507

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

D.M. Menashe, Sdot Yam 38805

Dear Sirs,

Deed of Approval for Program on a Grants Track

 

1. The Board of the Investment Center considered and discussed your application dated August 5, 2002 for the approval of an investment program in accordance with the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959 (hereinafter: the Law) for the expansion of a plant at the Shluchot Tsvayim Park (Industrial Zone) (Development Area A), for the manufacture of polymeric stone slabs at an investment in a sum of NIS 135,172,000 ($28,760,000).

 

2. The Board decided (Decision No. 1573 — (b) — 4 of November 25, 2002) to approve an investment plan in fixed assets in accordance with the Law, subject to what is stated in this Deed of Approval and in the appendix which is attached and constitutes an integral part hereof.

Subject of the approved program: expansion of plant for manufacture of polymeric stone slabs.

At Shluchot Tsvayim Park (Industrial Zone) (Development Area A).

The extent of the investment in the approved program: NIS 135,172,000 ($28,760,000).

 

3. In accordance with a decision of a Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs EC/66V dated April 3, 1985, the items in the approved program will be linked as follows:

 

  Investments in buildings — to the Buildings Prices Index (basic index: the index of 9-2002 — 785.7713 points).

 

  Investments in local equipment and local costs — to the Consumer Price Index (basic index: the index of 09-2002 — 9621.836 points).

 

1


  Investments in imported equipment — to rate of the US dollar (basic rate: NIS 4.7 = $1).

The linkage will not apply to investments that were made between the date on which the investments were made and the above mentioned basic indices.

 

4. Fulfillment of the following conditions and provisions of the law will constitute an essential precondition and a condition precedent to receiving the benefits which this Deed of Approval confers:

At least 30% of the investments in fixed assets shall be funded by additional paid-up share capital (ordinary shares).

The issue and payment up of the capital shall be made concurrent with the current effecting of the investments in the framework of the approved plan.

You will immediately report to the Investment Center in writing about any change in the state or condition of the corporation, in the implementation of the investment program or in the business results, which could materially affect the implementation of the approved program in accordance with this Deed of Approval, or the continued operations of the corporation, including an intention to shut down the production line / plant and/or to dismiss or retrench employees, etc.

You must report to the Investment Center on a periodic report form, through the Inbal company, by way of a regular report at time intervals of once per calendar year on December 31, regarding progress in the implementation of the approved program, about the conditions and items thereof and about the allotment and payment up of the required share capital. Failure to report as aforesaid will constitute a breach of the conditions of the Deed of Approval.

 

5. You must maintain a separate accounting for the program that is the subject of the Deed of Approval, by way of a double-entry accounting system in all aspects connected with investment in the program.

 

6. We have taken note of your undertaking dated July 23, 2002 to abide by the laws of intellectual property, as same apply from time to time in the State of Israel. If you are convicted of an infringement of the laws of intellectual property, we will be entitled to cancel any concession or benefit you have received from the Investment Center, including a grant, loan, tax concession and/or any other financial advantage, or portion of such benefit, and to demand the repayment thereof together with interest and linkage differentials as prescribed by law.

 

7. The commercial relationship between the Company and corporations in which the Company or its owners are interested parties shall be on a basis of market prices and market conditions, coupled with a proper attribution of expenses.

 

2


8. The siting of the plant in the Shluchot Tsvayim Park (Industrial Zone) (Development Area A) constitutes an essential and fundamental condition to the approval of the program and a breach thereof will constitute grounds for the revocation of the Deed of Approval.

 

9. Implementation of the marketing plan set forth in your letter dated November 28, 2002 constitutes a fundamental condition of the Deed of Approval, and a breach thereof will constitute grounds for revocation of the Deed of Approval.

 

10. Your Company shall employ at least 150 duly-qualified skilled workers in a full-time job, commencing from the end of the first year for implementation of the program onwards.

The number of duly-qualified skilled workers shall not decrease during the entire period of the benefits. For these purposes: a full-time job — as is customary in the collective agreement that applies to the sector in regard to the duly-qualified skilled aspect, to which the employee and/or the branch in which the Company engages belongs.

 

11. Making of the investments in accordance with the approved program will entitle you to an investment grant at a rate of 20% and a capital grant at a rate of 4% of the investments in fixed assets.

 

12. Payment of the grants will be subject to what is stated in Section 40H of the Law.

According to the Arrangements in the National Economy Law (Amendments to Statutes for Attainment of the Budget Targets and the Economic Policy for the 2002 Financial Year), 5762-2002 — applications for investment grants that are submitted in 2002 will entitle you to only 30% of the grant in respect thereof.

The balance of the grant will be paid within 60 days after approval of the State budget for the 2003 financial year (together with linkage differentials and interest within the meaning thereof under the Award of Interest and Linkage Law, 5721-1961, from the date of payment of the first part of the investment grant and up to the date of payment), provided that payment of the grant meets the remaining conditions under Section 40H of the Law.

 

13. The tax benefits in respect of implementation of the approved program will be given pursuant to Section 47 of the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments.

 

14. Revenues deriving from the approved enterprise in development area A will be exempt from companies tax during the first two years of operation of the program and will give entitlement to concessions in companies tax for an additional five years in accordance with the provisions of the Seventh Chapter of the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments.

 

15. The percentage tax concessions to which the enterprise will be entitled in accordance with this approval will be determined in accordance with Section 74 of the Law —

 

3


according to the ratio between the additional turnover (less indirect taxes) above the turnover of the enterprise in the base year, where same is increased by the percentage change in the wholesale prices index of the industrial output and the total turnover in any year of the years for tax concessions.

For these purposes:

Base year — the last full year of manufacture prior to activation of the expansion.

Change in index — a change in the aforesaid index in the period between the last month in the base year and the last month in the tax year.

 

16. Receipt of the concessions is contingent upon the fulfillment of the conditions of the approval and will be subject to the provisions of the law and the procedures of the Investment Center, as may be prescribed from time to time.

 

17. The time for implementation of the approved program will be until the December 22, 2004. If at the end of the period the making of investments in the items relating to development of land, buildings and equipment is proved to the Investment Center to an extent of at least 40% of the total scope of the updated approved program in real-term values, the Investment Center will consider extending the period for implementation by an additional year.

 

18. This deed does not constitute a recommendation or approval for receiving a loan or a benefit inherent therein from any government source, or to any conditions of a loan or benefit.

 

19. The appendix to the Deed of Approval and details of the approved program is attached hereto and forms an integral part of the Deed of Approval.

 

  

Yours truly,

 

(- )

 

Shmuel Mordechai

 

Director of the Investment Center

copies :

Deputy Accountant-General, Ministry of Finance

Income Tax Commission, Ministry of Finance

Assistant to the Minister on Regional Development,

        Ministry of Industry & Trade

Inbal Insurance Company Ltd.

Authorized representative of the Company

The Investment Center

Internal: 1

 

4


Emblem

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

APPENDIX TO DEED OF APPROVAL

1. This appendix constitutes an integral part of the Deed of Approval.

2. The provisions of the appendix will apply in addition to the provisions of the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959 (hereinafter: the Law).

3. Compliance with the full conditions contained in the Deed of Approval, including the conditions contained in this appendix constitute a precondition to receiving the benefits under the Law.

4. The approved program pursuant to a Deed of Approval relates to investments in building construction, development, new equipment and machinery only, unless otherwise stated in the Deed of Approval.

5. Imported used equipment, which has been approved by the Board of the Investment Center and is included in a Deed of Approval, must be examined by an appraiser on behalf of the Investment Center, prior to any grant being paid out of the State budget.

6. The receipt of benefits under the Law is contingent upon the due maintaining of proper books of account by the double entry accounting system.

7. According to the Public Bodies Transactions Law (Enforcement of Keeping of Accounts) (Amendment No. 2), 5750-1990, the holder of a Deed of Approval must, at the beginning of each tax year, present confirmation to the bank through which the program is implemented from an authorized official (as defined in the Law) regarding the keeping of books of account and records in accordance with the Public Bodies Transactions Law.

8. No grants will be paid if it transpires that the corporation has a debt to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Grants will be paid only after the corporation which holds a Deed of Approval furnishes a certificate from the accountant of the Ministry of Industry and Trade evidencing that the debt has been discharged and/or settled.

9. A change in the composition of owners of the corporation which owns an approved enterprise, including a cumulative public offering on a stock exchange in excess of 49%, and including a private placement at any percentage whatsoever, in the period of implementation of an approved program and up to the end of the period of benefits, requires the prior written approval of the Investment Center.

10. A company which issues shares and/or debentures convertible into shares on a stock exchange, up to a percentage of 49% of the ownership of the company (including previous issues and including the exercise of debentures and/or options, up to a full dilution) will be exempt from obtaining prior approval from the Investment Center. This exemption will not apply to the sale of shares held by controlling shareholders within the meaning of that term under Section 3(i)(1)C of the Income Tax Ordinance.

 

1


A company making a public offering under the abovementioned conditions must report to that effect to the Investment Center not later than the end of sixty days from the date of the public offering. Details shall be given in the report of:

- The stock exchange on which the public offering was made.

- Particulars about the structure of ownership prior to the public offering and subsequent thereto, including an indication of foreign investors.

11. Any change in an approved program and in the conditions thereof in relation to what is stated in the application for receiving an approved enterprise and in the Deed of Approval, such as: the addition or depletion of equipment, updating of price increases, change in the items of the investment, a change in the product or a change in the place of the investment, necessitates the obtaining of prior written approval from the Investment Center. Every application for a change shall be made on a suitable form and in accordance with the instructions that are published from time to time by the Investment Center.

12. An approved enterprise on an alternative track must lodge a periodic performance report with the Investment Center in regard to progress in the implementation of the approved program, and in regard to the conditions and items thereof, and about the issue and payment up of the corporation’s capital, as required. The report shall be lodged on a suitable form and shall be made at time intervals of once per year on December 31. Such report shall be submitted to Inbal Insurance Company Ltd.

An approved enterprise on a grants track shall report on performance through the bank at which the program is implemented.

13. After the investments have been made and confirmation has been received about implementation of the program, every “approved enterprise”, on any of the benefit tracks, must continue to report on the business results during the entire period of entitlement to benefits. The report shall be submitted to Inbal Insurance Company Ltd. once every calendar year not later than January 31 following the end of each year.

14. Three months after the end of implementation of an approved program, or from the final date for the implementation thereof, as shall be specified by the Board of the Investment Center — whichever is the earlier — or on a demand from the auditing division at the Investment Center, a corporation which holds a Deed of Approval must deliver a final performance report in respect of the approved program. The report shall be submitted on appropriate forms and shall be signed by the general manager of the corporation, duly authenticated by an accountant who signed the corporation’s audited annual financial statements.

15. A corporation which holds a Deed of Approval must furnish the Investment Center, or someone on its behalf, at its request, with information, documents and other evidence in connection with the implementation of an approved program, evidencing compliance with the approval and the conditions of the Law. In addition, it is obliged to assist the Investment Center and persons acting on its behalf in carrying out examinations, including the obligation for enabling them to visit the enterprise and any other place at which the corporation carries on business, at any time. This applies both during the period of implementation and also on completion of the entire period of benefits.

16. Where a corporation implements an approved program, or parts thereof, through a related corporation, the following rules will apply to it:

 

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a. The corporation shall report to the Investment Center that the approved program is being implemented by the related corporation.

b. The Investment Center will be entitled, in its discretion, to carry out examinations in order to verify compliance with the conditions of the Law, the conditions of the approved program and the conditions of the Deed of Approval in the books of account and the documents of the related corporation, and to receive from it all the documents that may be required by it, as stated in Paragraph 13 above.

For these purposes — “related corporation” is a body corporate or a person in respect of whom one of the following applies:

1. Anyone who directly or indirectly controls any entity to whom a Deed of Approval was granted.

2. A corporation in which control, direct or indirect, is held by an entity to whom a Deed of Approval was granted.

3. A corporation in which control, direct or indirect, is held by an entity in respect of whom the provisions of sub-paragraphs (1) or (2) below apply:

1) The holding alone, through a family relative or together with a family relative, of at least 10% of a particular class of means of control in the corporation. For these purposes — “means of control”: according to the meaning thereof in the Securities Law, 5728-1968.

2) The ability, alone, through a family relative or together with a family relative, to direct the operations of a corporation, except ability arising solely from fulfilling the function of director or other officer in the corporation.

“Family relative” — a spouse, parent, parent’s parent, brother or sister, descendant, descendant of a spouse and the spouses of any of the persons mentioned above, as well as any other person who is an agent, partner, employee or subordinate.

17. It is possible to start receiving tax benefits in respect of an approved program prior to the lodgment of a final performance report, and after receipt of a provisional approval from the auditing division at the Investment Center regarding significant activation of the program. The validity of the provisional approval is for a period of up to 12 months.

18. “The approved enterprise” shall act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deed of Approval during the entire period of benefits and not less than seven years (and in the case of an accommodation providing project in the tourism industry, not less than twelve years) commencing from the date of lodgment of a final performance report with the auditing division at the Investment Center. Non-compliance with the conditions set forth in this paragraph will constitute grounds for retroactive rescission of a Deed of Approval and for demanding repayment of grants and benefits, in accordance with a decision of the Investment Center. The tax benefits will only be given where the corporation has acted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deed of Approval during the entire period of benefits.

19. A corporation is entitled to appeal against the contents of a Deed of Approval, as stated in Section 25 of the Law, within sixty days from the date of receipt thereof. The appeal shall be in writing and shall be reasoned, and it shall be lodged with the Investment Center.

 

3


[Emblem]

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

December 22, 2002

REPORT ON DETAILS OF INVESTMENTS FOR PROGRAM

 

Name of corporation: Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd.

   Corporation number: 511439507
  

Deed of Approval No.: 21207 - 6087

   Date: December 22, 2002
  

Subject of program: Polymeric stone slabs

   Branch: Cement and building materials
  
   Status of program: Expansion

Track: Grants

  
  

Period for implementation: December 22, 2004

  
  

Program sites: Park Sluchat Tzvayim (Ind. Zone)

   Preference class: Development Area “A”

Details of the investments at the site

Site: 1 1989 Park Sluchat Tzvayim (Ind. Zone) Preference class: A

Production line: 99 General

Main item: 1 New equipment

 

Item    Name of Investment    No. of units /      Country of         Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   sq.m.      manufacture    Approval code    grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Complete production lines for slabs      2          Approved      Entitled       Dec. 22, 2002      68,150,000         20        4     

2

   Raw material feeding systems      2          Approved      Entitled       Dec. 22, 2002      5,640,000         20         4      

3

   Auxiliary equipment and industry services          Approved      Entitled       Dec. 22, 2002      7,520,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 81,310,000

Main item: 3 Installation of equipment

 

Item    Name of Investment    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Installation of equipment            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 22, 2002      3,290,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 3,290,000

 

1


Main item: 4 Equipment planning and supervision

 

Item    Name of Investment    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Equipment planning and supervision            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 22,
2002
     2,350,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 2,350,000

Main item: 5 Land and infrastructure development

 

Item    Name of Investment    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Land and infrastructure development            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 22,
2002
     10,058,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 10,058,000

Main item: 6 Buildings

 

Item    Name of Investment    No. of units /      Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   sq.m.      manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Production, storage and office buildings         521            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 22,
2002
     28,435,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 28,435,000

Main item: 8 Systems in buildings and general systems

 

Item    Name of Investment    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Systems in buildings            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 22,
2002
     9,729,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 9,729,000

Total approved investment: NIS 135,172,000

 

2


Emblem

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

 

  

Jerusalem, 27 th Elul 5764

September 13, 2004

File number: 21207

Program number: 6087

Application number: 75500

Corporation number: 511439507

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

D.N. Menashe

Sdot Yam 38805

Dear Sirs,

 

re: Change of Location of Site

Update number 1 to Deed of Approval dated December 22, 2002

1. The Board of the Investment Center discussed your application of May 16, 2004 to approve a change in the location of the plant from Beit Shean (Development Area A) to the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone (Development Area A).

2. The Board decided (Decision No. 1642(b) 11 dated August 2, 2004) to approve a change in the location of the plant from Beit Shean (Development Area A) to the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone (Development Area A).

3. The remaining particulars of the Deed of Approval, together with the terms and conditions thereof and the updates thereof remain unchanged.

4. Attached hereto are details of the updated investments schedule.

 

  Yours truly,
 

 

( — )
Etti Azrieli
Director of the
Examination of Investments Field

copies:

Income Tax Commission, Ministry of Finance

Inbal Insurance Company Ltd.

Chemicals and Quarries Administration,

        Ministry of Industry and Trade

Company file

Internal: 1

 

1


[Emblem]

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

September 13, 2004

REPORT ON DETAILS OF INVESTMENTS FOR PROGRAM

 

Name of corporation: Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd.

   Corporation number: 511439507
  

Deed of Approval No.: 21207 - 6087

   Date: December 22, 2002
  

Update No.: 1

   Date: September 13, 2004
  

Subject of program: Polymeric stone slabs

   Branch: Cement and building materials
  
   Status of program: Expansion

Track: Grants

  
  

Period for implementation: December 22, 2004

  
  

Program sites: Park Sluchat Tzvayim (Ind. Zone)

   Preference class: Development Area “A”

Details of the investments at the site

Site: 1 1989 Park Sluchat Tzvayim (Ind. Zone) Preference class: A

Production line: 99 General

Main item: 1 New equipment

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /      Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.      manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Complete production lines for slabs    Imported      2            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      68,150,000         20         4      

2

   Raw material feeding systems    Local      2            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      5,640,000         20         4      

3

   Auxiliary equipment and industry services    Local            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      7,520,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 81,310,000

Main item: 3 Installation of equipment

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Installation of equipment               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      3,290,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 3,290,000

 

1


Main item: 4 Equipment planning and supervision

 

Item    Name of
Investment
   Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Equipment planning and supervision               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30,
2002
        2,350,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 2,350,000

Main item: 5 Land and infrastructure development

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Land and infrastructure development               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30,
2002
        10,058,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 10,058,000

Main item: 6 Buildings

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /      Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.      manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Production, storage and office buildings         521            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30,
2002
        28,435,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 28,435,000

Main item: 8 Systems in buildings and general systems

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Systems in buildings               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30,
2002
        9,729,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 9,729,000

Total approved investment: NIS 135,172,000

 

2


Emblem

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

 

  

Jerusalem, 22 nd Nissan 5765

May 1, 2005

File number: 21207

Program number: 6087

Application number: 76434

Corporation number: 511439507

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

D.N. Menashe

Sdot Yam 38805

Dear Sirs,

 

re: Update of Investments Schedule

Update Number 3 to Deed of Approval dated December 22, 2002

 

1. The Board of the Investment Center discussed your application dated September 20, 2004 to grant approval in the scope of your program that was approved under the abovementioned Deed of Approval, as follows:

 

  a. Internal changes: NIS 1,981,000 ($421,490)

 

  b. Reduction of investment: NIS -22,264,000 (-$4,737,021)

 

  c. An alteration to Paragraph 10 of the Deed of Approval which relates to the employing of workers in a manner that instead of 150 employees, 100 employees will be employed in the Company.

 

2. The Board decided (Decision No. 1658(b)3 dated April 11, 2005) to approve the following:

 

  a. Internal changes to an extent of: NIS 1,981,000 ($421,490)

 

  b. A reduction of investment to an extent of: NIS -22,264,000 (-$4,737,021) The investments which are approved in the aforesaid program will amount to NIS 112,908,000 ($28,760,000) instead of NIS 135,172,000.

 

  c. An amendment to Paragraph 10 of the Deed of Approval. Accordingly, where what is written in this paragraph is:

 

  “Your Company will employ at least 150 duly qualified skilled workers in a full-time job . . . .”

 

  the following will be substituted:

 

  “Your Company will employ at least 100 duly qualified skilled workers in a full-time job. . . .”

 

1


3. The period for implementation of the program will be until December 22, 2005.

 

4. The remaining particulars of the Deed of Approval, including the terms and conditions thereof and the updates thereof remain unchanged.

 

5. Attached hereto are details of the updated investments schedule.

 

  Yours truly,
 

 

( — )
Hezi Zaig C.P.A.
Director of the Investment Center

Copies:

Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M.

Income Tax Commission, Ministry of Finance

Inbal Insurance Company Ltd.

Chemicals and Quarries Administration

Company file

Internal: 1

 

2


[Emblem]

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

May 1, 2005

REPORT ON DETAILS OF INVESTMENTS FOR PROGRAM

 

Name of corporation: Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd.

   Corporation number: 511439507
  

Deed of Approval No.: 21207 - 6087

   Date: December 22, 2002
  

Update No.: 3

   Date: May 1, 2005
  

Subject of program: Polymeric stone slabs

   Branch: Cement and building materials
  
   Status of program: Expansion

Track: Grants

  
  

Period for implementation: December 22, 2005

  
  

Program sites: Bar-Lev (Industrial Zone)

   Preference class: Development Area “A”

Details of the investments at the site

Site: 2 1983 Bar-Lev (Ind. Zone) Preference class: A

Production line: 99 General

Main item: 1 New equipment

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of      No. of units /      Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item      sq.m.      manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Complete production lines for slabs      Imported         2            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      68,150,000         20         4      

2

   Auxiliary equipment and industry services      Local               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      7,520,000         20         4      

3

   Raw material feeding systems      Local         2            Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      5,640,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 81,310,000

Main item: 3 Installation of equipment

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Installation of equipment               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      3,290,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 3,290,000

 

35


Main item: 4 Equipment planning and supervision

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Equipment planning and supervision               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      2,350,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 2,350,000

Main item: 5 Land and infrastructure development

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Land and infrastructure development               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      10,058,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 10,058,000

Main item: 6 Buildings

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /      Country of             Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.      manufacture      Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Production, storage and office buildings         52         1         Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      28,435,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 28,435,000

Main item: 8 Systems in buildings and general systems

 

Item    Name of Investment    Type of    No. of units /    Country of           Entitlement to           Total investment in      Percentages for grant

No.

  

Item

   item    sq.m.    manufacture    Approval code      grant code      Date of approval    NIS      Law      Capital      Other

1

   Systems in buildings               Approved         Entitled       Dec. 30, 2002      9,729,000         20         4      

Total approved investment for main item: NIS 9,729,000

Total investment approved for the site:NIS 135,172,000

Total approved investment: NIS 135,172,000

 

2


Emblem

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

 

   Jerusalem, 18 th Tevet 5766
   January 18, 2006
   File number: 21207
   Program number: 6087
   Application number: 79992
   Corporation number: 511439507

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

D.N. Menashe

Sdot Yam 38805

Dear Sirs,

 

re: Extension of Period for Implementation

Update number 4 to Deed of Approval dated December 22, 2002

 

1. Your application dated December 26, 2005 to approve an extension of time for implementation in the scope of your program, which was approved pursuant to the abovementioned Deed of Approval, together with all the addendums thereto, was examined by the Investment Center.

 

2. Pursuant to my power under Board Decision No. 1187(a)2 approval is hereby granted for an extension of the period of implementation.

 

3. The period for implementation of the plan will be until December 22, 2006.

 

4. The remaining particulars of the Deed of Approval and all the terms and conditions thereof and the updates thereto remain unchanged.

 

  

Yours truly,

 

( — )

Etti Azrieli

 

Director of the

Examination of Investments Field

Copies:

Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M.

Income Tax Commission, Ministry of Finance

Inbal Insurance Company Ltd.

Chemicals and Quarries

Company file

Internal: 869

 

1


Emblem

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT

THE INVESTMENT CENTER

 

   Jerusalem, 28 th Tevet 5768
   January 6, 2008
   File number: 21207
   Program number: 6087
   Corporation number: 511439507

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

D.N. Menashe

Sdot Yam 38805

Attention CEO / Deputy CEO of the Company

Dear Sirs,

 

re: Confirmation regarding Implementation of Approved Program on a Grants Track

 

1. Your program, as described in your application dated August 5, 2002 until December 27, 2005 for expansion of a plant at Bar-Lev (Industrial Zone) (Development Area A), for the manufacture of polymeric stone slabs, at a total investment of NIS 112,908,000 in fixed assets, was approved as “an approved enterprise” pursuant to the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959 (hereinafter: the Law), as stated in the Deed of Approval dated December 22, 2002 together with all the addendums / amendments thereto until January 31, 2006, which constitute an integral part thereof.

 

2. In reliance on the implementation report of Approved Program No. 5169518 dated July 10, 2007 which was drawn up, examined and signed by the accountants Kost Fohrer Gabbai and Kasirer, and the documents and certificates which accompany it, we confirm that in the scope of the approved program the following investments were made and recognized:

 

                          Total
investment in
 

Name of main investment item

   2004 year      2005 year      2006 year      item  

Infrastructures and buildings

     8,699,811         28,759,756         1,051,856         38,511,433   

Equipment

     3,364,209         68,956,901         2,075,397         74,396,577   

Total

     12,064,020         97,716,727         3,127,253         112,908,000   

Total approved investment: NIS 112,908,000

Investments which were approved for grants up until December 22, 2006 — in a sum of NIS 109,529,412.

Grants that were given NIS 26,287,060

Balance of investments in a sum of NIS 3,378,588 are entitled to grants subject to approval of engineer .

 

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3. Within the limits of the amount that was implemented and recognized, the approved enterprise, which was initially put into operation in the 2005 tax year (hereinafter: Year of Initial Operation) is granted the benefits contained in the abovementioned law.

 

4. The tax benefits or concessions will be given pursuant to Section 47 of the Law.

 

5. The percentage of the tax concessions to which the enterprise will be entitled according to this confirmation will be determined in accordance with Section 74 of the Law according to the ratio between the additional turnover (less indirect taxes) above the enterprise’s turnover in the base year, where same is increased by the percentage change in the wholesale prices index of industrial output, and the total turnover in each year of the years of tax concessions.

For these purposes: the base year — the last year of full production prior to initial operation of the expansion. Change in index — the change in the aforesaid index in the period between the last month in the base year and the last month in the tax year.

 

6. Implementation of the marketing program described in your letter dated November 28, 2002 constitutes a precondition for receiving the benefits pursuant to this confirmation.

 

7. We have taken note of your undertaking dated July 23, 2002 to abide by the laws of intellectual property, as are customarily practiced from time to time in the State of Israel. If your corporation is convicted of a breach of intellectual property laws, we will be entitled retroactively to cancel any tax benefit you may have received from the Investment Center, including a grant, tax concession and/or any other financial advantage, or portion of such benefit, and to demand the repayment thereof together with interest and linkage differentials according to law.

 

8. Your company will employ at least 100 duly qualified skilled workers on a full-time job.

 

9. The number of duly qualified skilled workers will not decrease during the entire period of benefits. For these purposes: full-time job — as is customary under the collective agreement which applies to the sector of trade to which the employee belongs and/or the branch in which the company engages.

 

10. You will maintain separate accounting for the program that is the subject of the Deed of Approval, on a double-entry accounting system in connection with everything relating to an investment in the program.

 

11. The commercial relationship between the company and the corporations in which the company or its owners are interested parties will be on the basis of market prices and market conditions, with proper attribution of expenses.

 

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12. Nothing contained in this confirmation constitutes written authority for the payment of grants, except according to the provisions of the law and the rules for the payment of grants.

 

13. A basic condition to the benefits pursuant to this confirmation is — the approved enterprise shall operate for a period that shall not be less than 7 years from the abovementioned year of initial operation.

All the particulars of your corporation and the details of the approved program, including the structure of incorporation, composition of shareholders, location of the enterprise, the product and the composition of investments, constitute terms and conditions of this confirmation and any change therein necessitates the prior approval of the Investment Center until the end of the period of benefits pursuant to this confirmation and/or 7 years from the year of initial operation, whichever is the later.

You are required to submit a periodic report to the Investment Center three months from the end of two years and from the end of six years from the end of the year in which this confirmation was issued.

Details shall be given in the periodic report of turnovers, local sales and export sales, and number of employees from the year of initial operation and up to the time of lodgment of the report, according to years.

 

  Yours truly,
 

 

( — )
Ronit Shani, C.P.A.
Director of the Audit Department
and the Professional Department

copies :

Income Tax Commission

Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M.

Inbal Insurance Company Ltd.

Internal: 2

 

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LICENSE AGREEMENT

made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot yam on the 31 st day of March 2011

 

Between:   

CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.

Pvte. Co. 51-143950

of Kibbutz Sdot yam

(hereinafter: “the Company” )

   of the one part ;
And:   

SDOT YAM COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ENTERPRISES LTD.

Pvte. Co. 57-004566-6

of Kibbutz Sdot yam

(hereinafter: “the Kibbutz” )

   of the other part ;
WHEREAS    According to an agreement signed between the Company and the Kibbutz to which this license agreement is an appendix ( “the Main Agreement” ), the Kibbutz acquired the rights in the Land (as defined in the Main Agreement) from the Company; and
WHEREAS    The Company operates a plant which is located on the Land (including storage and office areas); and
WHEREAS    The Company wishes to receive permission from the Kibbutz to use the Land for the period and on the conditions as set forth in this Agreement, and the Kibbutz agrees to grant the Company a license to use the Land as aforesaid, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

Now therefore it is declared and agreed by the parties as follows :

 

1. Preamble, appendices and definitions

 

  1.1 The preamble to this Agreement and the appendices hereto constitute an integral part hereof.

 

  1.2 Headings to clauses in this Agreement are solely for the ease of reading and no significance shall be accorded to them in the interpretation of this Agreement or any of the provisions hereof.

 

  1.3 In this Agreement the following terms will have the meaning opposite them, unless otherwise expressly stated.

 

  1.3.1 “The Buildings” — the Buildings which stand on the Land and constitute the Company’s plant and the installations thereof (including storage areas).

 

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  1.3.2 “The index” — the Consumer Price Index, including fruit and vegetables, which is published by the Central Bureau of Statistics and/or any other index that may be specified by the Central Bureau of Statistics and may come in its stead and/or replace it.

 

  1.3.3 “Purpose of the license” — the operation of the plant including everything connected and required for the purpose, at present and in the future, in the Company’s discretion, for purposes of operating the plant, storage of raw materials and finished products and for offices.

 

  1.3.4 “The plant” — the Company’s plant which at present engages in the development, manufacture, distribution and marketing of quartz surfaces; semi-precious stones and additional associated products, whether produced at present or as will be produced by the Company in the future.

 

  1.3.5 “The Land” or “the License Area” — as defined in the Main Agreement, including the Buildings and everything permanently affixed thereto at the date of signing of this Agreement.

 

2. Condition precedent

 

  2.1 It is agreed between the parties that this Agreement is subject to the closing and completion of the public offering, as this term is defined below ( “the Condition Precedent” ) and that it will come into force upon the substantive closing and completion of the sale transaction, as same is defined in the Main Agreement.

 

  2.2 For the removal of doubt, it is clarified that until the time at which the Condition Precedent is fulfilled and the substantive completion and closing of the sale transaction, as defined in the Main Agreement, this Agreement will be of no validity. If the Condition Precedent is not fulfilled on or before December 31, 2011, this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void in all respects as if it had never been signed.

 

  2.3 “Completion of the public offering” for purposes of this Agreement will be deemed to be the date on which the Seller receives the first moneys that will be raised by it in an initial public offering of the Seller’s shares on a stock exchange in the USA (NASDAQ or NYSE).

 

3. The license

 

  3.1 Subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Kibbutz hereby permits the Company to make use of the License Areas, including the Buildings, with the status of a licensee, during the license period and solely for the purpose of the license.

 

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  3.2 The Company undertakes not to use and not to allow the use of the License Areas (including the Buildings) or any part thereof, for any other purpose apart from the purpose of the license, except with the prior written consent of the Kibbutz.

 

  3.3 Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a lease relationship between the parties, whether protected tenancy or unprotected tenancy. The Company’s rights pursuant to this Agreement in the License Areas (including the Buildings) are temporary rights of use only (during the license period as defined below), as described in this Agreement.

 

  3.4

Without prejudice to the foregoing, for the removal of doubt it is clarified by the Kibbutz that the Land is an area which was vacated after 26 th Av 5728 (August 20, 1968) of any tenant entitled to occupy it, and has not been leased under key money.

 

       The licensee (including the Company) and/or a lessee have also not paid and will not pay the Kibbutz key money or any other payment likely to be construed as key money, including, and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, in respect of works, alterations, improvements and/or enhancements which have been made or which may be made on the Land and in the Buildings prior to the license period and/or during the course thereof.

 

       The permission to use which is granted under this Agreement shall not be protected by the Tenants Protection Law (Consolidated Version), 5732-1973 or pursuant to the remaining tenants protection laws and regulations and the aforesaid laws and regulations will not apply to the license, to the Company, to the Land and the Buildings and to this Agreement.

 

  3.5 The Company hereby declares that it has, inter alia , examined the suitability of the License Areas (including the Buildings) to the purpose of the license (including the physical, legal and zoning condition thereof) and its ability to obtain a license and/or licenses that are required for the purpose of the license, including for the operation of the plant in the License Areas, and that it has found everything to be fully suitable for its objectives and its uses.

 

       The Company hereby expressly waives in advance any allegation of defect and/or blemish and/or non-conformity in respect of the License Areas and/or the Buildings and/or the Kibbutz’s rights in the License Areas and/or the use that it can and is entitled to make of the License Areas, save and except a latent defect and/or latent non-conformity.

 

4. The license period and the scope and extent of the License Areas

 

  4.1

The license period pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement is for a period of 10 (ten) years, commencing on the date of commencement of the license period ( “the First License Period” ). “Date of commencement of the license period” means — the first day of the month following the time of fulfillment of the substantive closing and completion of the sale transaction as this term is defined in

 

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  the Main Agreement. At the end of the First License Period, the validity of the license will automatically be extended for an additional period of ten years ( “the Additional License Period” and together with the First License Period: “the License Period” for purposes of this Agreement), unless the Company notifies the Kibbutz in writing, at least two years before the end of the First License Period, that it does not wish to extend the License Period — and in such case the License Period will terminate at the end of the First License Period. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that in the Additional License Period all the provisions of this Agreement will continue to apply (subject to the contents of the last part of Clause 5.4 below).

 

  4.2 The License Areas will be fixed throughout the entire License Period and the Company will not be entitled to reduce same and/or to return any areas to the Kibbutz. The Company will be obliged to pay the full user fees as stated in this Agreement, for the full License Areas, even in a situation in which — for any reason whatsoever — it does not make any use of the areas of the License Period.

 

  4.3 The Company undertakes not to assign and/or transfer its rights in the License Areas pursuant to this Agreement, or any portion thereof, in whole or in part, to another or to others, in any manner whatsoever; and not to make over and/or transfer and/or allow any use of any sort in the License Areas or in any part thereof (including the Buildings), to another or to others, in any manner whatsoever, including as a licensee, whether for consideration or otherwise — except in the manner stated in Clause 4.5 below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will be entitled to assign all its rights and obligations under this Agreement as a consequence of a merger of the Company with a third party (to that party into which it is merged) and/or a sale of most or all its assets (to that party to whom the assets are sold) — without the necessity for obtaining approval from the Kibbutz, subject to the condition that any such assignment will be conditional upon the assignee undertaking in writing to assume all the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed that the grant of permission to use the License Areas or any part thereof (including the Buildings), to corporations under the control of the Company and/or which control the Company and/or which are controlled by the controlling shareholders in the Company ( “Permitted Transferee” ) will not require the Kibbutz’s approval, on condition that the Permitted Transferee has delivered a deed of undertaking to the Kibbutz in which it undertakes to fulfill all the obligations imposed on the Company pursuant to this Agreement, without this prejudicing the force and validity of the Company’s obligations to the Kibbutz (including payment of the user fees as stated in this Agreement) which shall remain in force, jointly and severally with the obligations of the Permitted Transferee as aforesaid.

 

  4.4 The Company hereby further undertakes not to encumber and/or pledge its rights, in whole or in part, and/or to grant any other right to any third party in the License Areas, or in any part thereof, to another or to others, in any manner whatsoever, unless it has received the prior written consent thereto of the Kibbutz. Nothing contained in this clause shall derogate from the provisions of Clause 4.3 above.

 

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  4.5 Without derogating from the contents of Clauses 4.1 to 4.3 above and notwithstanding the contents of Clause 4.2, the Company will be entitled to refer to the Kibbutz in writing at any time with an application to return any areas forming part of the License Areas to the Kibbutz, coupled with mentioning the time at which the Company wishes to return such areas to the Kibbutz. The Kibbutz will be given a period of three months from the date of the Company’s referral in which to consider the application — and to give notice whether or not it agrees thereto, all in its full and sole discretion and without there being any obligation upon it to give reasons for its decision.

 

       Should the Kibbutz decide within three months not to accede to such application by the Company for the return of areas forming part of the License Areas, or not to take any decision in relation to such application by the Company within three months, the Company will be entitled to look for another entity for the aforesaid area it offered to return to the Kibbutz, where the identity of such other entity shall be agreed by the Kibbutz and approved expressly and in writing, and to allow it the status of a sub-licensee in the aforesaid area — provided that the Company shall continue to be liable for all its obligations to the Kibbutz under this Agreement in respect of the aforesaid area (including and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, full payment of the amounts it is obliged to pay the Kibbutz under this Agreement in connection with that area). Should the Kibbutz decide to accede to the Company’s aforesaid application, the license in respect of that area in relation to which the Company requested to cancel the license will be cancelled at the time specified in the Company’s application, and the provisions of Clause 11 below shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the area in relation to which the license was cancelled.

 

5. User fees

 

  5.1 The Company undertakes to pay the Kibbutz for the use of the License Areas during the License Period, user fees in a sum of NIS 345,500 [three hundred and forty-five thousand five hundred] per month (that is NIS 4,146,000 [four million one hundred and forty-six thousand new shekels] per annum), which in the opinion of both the parties constitutes fair and reasonable user fees for the License Areas, all together with V.A.T. as prescribed by law according to the rate thereof at the time each payment is made, and plus linkage differentials to the index as described below ( “the User Fees” ).

 

  5.2

The User Fees that will be payable by the Company will be updated upwards (only) once every six months (in other words commencing from the 30 th day of the sixth month of the First License Period and every six months thereafter), in the event of a rise in the Consumer Price Index as against the basic index. At every such date if it transpires that the new index (as defined below) is higher than the basic index (as defined below), the User Fees which the Company will pay the Kibbutz commencing from that date onwards will increase by the percentage by which the new index has risen as compared with the basic index. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that a fall in the index below the basic index will not entitle the Company to a deduction in the amount of the User Fees that are payable.

 

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       For purposes of the foregoing, “the basic index” means the index known on the date of commence of the License Period; “the new index” means the index last published before the date of calculation.

 

  5.3 The User Fees will be paid by the Company to the Kibbutz as follows: up to the start of each year ( “the Forthcoming Year” ), CaesarStone will transfer 12 checks payable to payee only to Sdot Yam each of which in an amount equivalent to 1/12 of the User Fees as specified above for the Forthcoming Year, and the due date for payment of each check shall be the first of each calendar month in the Forthcoming Year. The abovementioned linkage differentials shall be paid not later than January 31 of each year in respect of the preceding year. Transfer of the checks as aforesaid to Sdot Yam will be deemed for all intents and purposes to be payment by the Company to the Kibbutz, except in a case in which the checks are not met upon presentation for payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the User Fees for the first calendar year of the License Period will be transferred to the Kibbutz by the Company in monthly payments as aforesaid immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement (and will be until the end of the first calendar year only).

 

  5.4 Commencing from January 1, 2021, during every License Period (but not later than once every three years), the Kibbutz will be entitled to appoint a real estate appraiser (whose identity shall be agreed by the Company, and if his identity is not agreed within 30 days from the date the Kibbutz applied to the Company in writing, the Kibbutz will appoint the real estate appraiser out of the recommended list of real estate appraisers of Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M., as prevailing at that time) in order for him to assess the fair and reasonable User Fees for the License Areas. In the event that such real estate appraiser is appointed as aforesaid, the User Fees will be updated in accordance with the real estate appraiser’s decision.

 

  5.5 Without derogating from and/or without prejudice to any remedy or relief available to the Kibbutz pursuant to this Agreement and/or according to any law, each payment of User Fees which is not paid on due date in accordance with Clause 5.3 shall bear penalty interest at the rate of interest prevailing for the time being at Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M. in respect of an exceeding of an approved credit framework in current business accounts, commencing from the elapse of 10 days from the date intended for the payment of each such payment and up to the date of actual payment thereof.

 

6. Taxes and payments

 

  6.1 All the taxes, fees, levies, payments and rates, governmental, municipal, local and/or other, which are imposed on lessees and/or users in relation to the License Areas and/or the Buildings and/or for the purpose of the license, as well as all the remaining payments which apply according to law to lessees and/or users, including and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, payments of rates, local committee taxes, electricity, water, communications and so forth, which exist at the time of signing of this Agreement and/or which may be imposed in the future, shall be borne by the Company and shall be paid by it regularly and on due date.

 

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  6.2 On a demand by the Kibbutz, the Company shall furnish the Kibbutz with certificates and receipts indicating the making of all of the payments which the Company is liable to pay as aforesaid.

 

  6.3 The Kibbutz will be entitled (but not obliged), to pay any amount the obligation for payment of which is imposed on the Company according to this Agreement and has not been paid by it within 30 days from the date on which such amount was supposed to be paid, provided that the Kibbutz shall give the Company written notice of its intention to make such payment at least 14 days in advance.

 

       The Company shall refund to the Kibbutz any payment that may be paid by it as aforesaid, together with interest at the rate mentioned in Clause 5.5 above, reckoned from the date such amount was paid by the Kibbutz and up to the date of reimbursement thereof to the Kibbutz by the Company.

 

  6.4 The Kibbutz shall bear the payment of taxes in relation to the License Areas, which apply to a land owner and/or long leasehold lessee, including, but without limitation, leasehold fees to the Lands Administration — whether existing at present or which may exist in the future, and it agrees that if a new tax and/or new fee and/or new levy and/or any other payment which by its nature applies to owners and/or leasehold lessees of land ( “the New Tax” ) should be imposed by the government and/or any authority or other body, then the Kibbutz will pay the New Tax.

 

7. Additional building construction on the Land

 

  7.1 In a case in which the Company wishes to carry out additional building construction and/or any other improvements in the License Areas (including the Buildings) ( “the Additional Construction” ), then the following will apply:

 

  7.1.1 The Company will notify the Kibbutz in writing of its desire to carry out Additional Construction (in respect of industrial areas — construction to an envelope level only at customary standards, and in respect of offices — full building construction at normal and customary standards), and the objects and the scope and extent thereof.

 

  7.1.2 Within a reasonable time the Kibbutz will take steps to obtain the necessary licenses and/or permits for purposes of performing such building construction.

 

  7.1.3 In addition, subject to obtaining a building permit and any other approval and/or permit and/or license required according to law, the Kibbutz will, within a reasonable time and by coordination with the Company, perform the additional building construction out of moneys of a loan with which the Company will provide it according to market conditions (in an amount to cover the full Additional Construction — including the full planning costs that include the issue of the building permits and/or payment of levies and fees in respect thereof), the execution and the financial expenses during the period of construction) ( “the Loan” ).

 

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  7.1.4 Commencing from the date on which the areas of the Additional Construction are delivered to the Company, the User Fees which the Company will pay the Kibbutz shall increase by amounts that will be derived from the level of User Fees specified in this Agreement (and all the remaining contents of Clauses 5.1 to 5.4 above) in respect of the areas of the Additional Construction ( “Additional User Fees for the Additional Construction” ).

 

  7.1.5 The Loan will be repaid by the Kibbutz solely by way of a full set-off against the Additional User Fees for the Additional Construction, and only against that, until the Loan has been repaid, including the full interest in respect thereof (or if at the date of termination of the License Period the full Loan has not yet been repaid, the balance of the Loan which has not yet been repaid will be fully discharged on the date of termination of the License Period). For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that the User Fees specified in Clauses 5.1 to 5.4 above will under no circumstances be reduced, and the Company will not be entitled to set off any amounts against them, including on account of repayment of the amounts of the Loan it will provide to the Kibbutz as aforesaid for purposes of performing the Additional Construction.

 

  7.2 In the event that the Company should wish to perform Additional Construction and/or any other improvements in the License Areas and/or in the Buildings, which are not for purposes of offices and/or are in excess of building construction at the level of an envelope with respect to industrial areas ( “the Works” ), the Works will be performed by the Company and at its expense after receipt of a building permit and any other approval and/or permit and/or license that is required according to law, subject to the condition that same are in accordance with the Purpose of the License and without this in any way altering the actual user fees which the Company will pay to the Kibbutz as stated in this Agreement.

 

  7.3 The Company undertakes not to carry out and not to perform any alterations and/or repairs and/or enhancements and/or improvements and/or any constructional additions and/or demolition of buildings or part thereof and/or any other building construction work, of any sort whatsoever, in the License Areas, except in accordance with provisions of Clauses 7.1 and 7.2 above.

 

  7.4 All the results of the Additional Construction and/or the Works (for the removal of doubt — all the repairs, enhancements, improvements, alterations and additions) which are permanently affixed to the Land will have the status of being the sole property of the Kibbutz, and the Company will not be entitled to dismantle and/or remove same from the License Areas at any stage, including after the end of the License Period, and it will not be entitled to any payment in respect thereof from the Kibbutz and/or to any reduction in the User Fees specified in this Agreement (apart from repayment of the loan, as mentioned in Clause 7.1.3 above, if and to the extent that it is provided).

 

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  7.5 Where any works have been performed contrary to the provisions of Clauses 7.1 or 7.2 above ( “Prohibited Work” ), then without derogating from the Kibbutz’s right to treat same as a material breach of this Agreement and without derogating from any other remedy available to the Kibbutz pursuant to this Agreement and/or according to any law, the Kibbutz will be entitled to demand from the Company to demolish the Prohibited Work and to restore the situation to its former condition (as applied prior to performance of the Works), and in such event the Company will be obliged to demolish the Prohibited Work and to perform all the repairs required in the License Areas that are necessary in order to return the License Areas to the Kibbutz in the condition they were prior to the Prohibited Works being performed.

 

8. Use of the License Areas and maintenance thereof

 

  8.1 The Company undertakes to allow the authorized entity on behalf of the Kibbutz, about whom the Kibbutz will notify the Company in writing and/or the legal representatives of the Kibbutz, to enter upon the License Areas at any reasonable time, by prior arrangement with the Company, in order to inspect and examine the state of the License Areas and the conformance of the activities in the License Areas to the purpose of the license.

 

  8.2 The Company is responsible for the fulfillment and performance of the provisions of any law, regulation, order or bylaw, in connection with the License Areas.

 

  8.3 The Company undertakes to do its best in order to prevent any eyesore and/or nuisance and/or damage and/or inconvenience being created as a result of the use of the License Areas (including the Buildings) for persons who are in close proximity to the License Areas and/or to any of their property (apart from inconvenience caused by virtue of the reasonable operations of the Company’s plant). Without derogating from the foregoing and included in this, the Company undertakes, subject to the character of the activities in the plant, to meticulously maintain the cleanliness of the License Areas and their immediate surrounds and to act in order not to cause a nuisance or unpleasantness to persons who are in close proximity to the License Areas.

 

  8.4 The Company will be fully and exclusively responsible to all the governmental, municipal and local institutions and authorities and to any other competent authorities, and also to the Kibbutz, for the payment of all the fines and/or the compensation resulting from non-compliance with the provisions of this Clause 8.

 

9. Licensing and licenses

 

  9.1 The Company declares that it is conversant with the conditions required for purposes of obtaining the licenses and permits that are necessary according to any law and from all the governmental, municipal, and local institutions and authorities, and any other competent authority, for operating its business in the

 

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       License Areas — and it hereby undertakes to obtain any license required by it and to see to it that its business is conducted throughout the entire period of permission in conformity with any license and permit required by any relevant authority. The Company shall at its expense bear all the payments required for obtaining the abovementioned licenses and permits.

 

  9.2 If any competent authority should make the issue of a license and/or permit for operating the plant in the License Areas conditional upon the performing of works or any building construction within the Buildings, the Company will be obliged to do so and in this regard the provisions of Clause 7 will apply, as the case may be.

 

  9.3 It is hereby agreed that the Kibbutz is not responsible to the Company for obtaining any licenses or permits from the competent authorities that are necessary in connection with the operation of the Company’s business in the License Areas, but the Kibbutz will do everything it can in order to assist the Company in obtaining such approvals or licenses.

 

10. Liability and insurance

 

  10.1 The Kibbutz, including any of its members and residents, any of the office-bearers in the Kibbutz and anyone acting on behalf of or for the Kibbutz (collectively: “the Kibbutz Individuals” ), will not be responsible in any way and vis-à-vis any party, for any bodily damage and/or damage to property and/or loss and/or expense of whatsoever nature, which may be incurred by the Company and/or any of the officers therein and/or any of its employees and/or anyone engaged by it (including Kibbutz members whom the Kibbutz places at the disposal of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the manpower agreement between the Kibbutz and the Company) and/or any of its agents and/or any of its customers and/or any of its visitors and/or any other person who may for any reason be in the License Areas (including the Buildings), in respect of anything connected with and/or relating to and/or arising from the permission for use which is granted to the Company under this Agreement and/or due to any use that may actually be made by any entity in the License Areas (including the Buildings), except in respect of a malicious act or omission on the part of the Kibbutz and/or any of the Kibbutz Individuals and/or in respect of a breach of this Agreement by the Kibbutz.

 

  10.2

The Company undertakes to compensate the Kibbutz and to hold it harmless, including any of the Kibbutz Individuals ( “the Indemnified Persons” ) by way of full compensation and indemnity, for any amount any of the Indemnified Persons may be ordered to pay pursuant to a final judgment (including costs of the suit and also including reasonable attorney’s fees that any of the Indemnified Persons may be required to incur) and in respect of any liability imposed on any of the Indemnified Persons due to any matter or thing that is under the Company’s responsibility according to any law and/or in respect of liability that may be imposed on any of the Indemnified Persons by virtue of any bodily damage and/or damage to property and/or loss and/or expense that was sustained by any entity, including the Kibbutz and/or any of the Kibbutz Individuals and/or the Company

 

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  and/or any of the officers therein and/or any of its employees and/or any of those engaged by it (including Kibbutz members whom the Kibbutz places at the Company’s disposal in accordance with the provisions of the manpower agreement between the Kibbutz and the Company) and/or any of its agents and/or any of its customers and/or any of its visitors and/or any other person who may for any reason be in the License Areas (including the Buildings) during the License Period, except in respect of a malicious act or omission on the part of the Kibbutz and/or any of the Kibbutz Individuals and/or in respect of a breach of this Agreement by the Kibbutz. The indemnity under this clause is subject to the Kibbutz delivering to the Company, shortly after the receipt thereof, the demand and/or the claim that may be filed, and that it enables the Company to conduct the defense against any such claim, including to attorneys on its behalf (and at the Company’s expense), and that it shall fully cooperate with it and will not compromise and/or conduct negotiations towards a compromise without obtaining the Company’s prior written consent.

 

  10.3 Without derogating in any way from anything in the foregoing, the Company undertakes to purchase from a recognized insurance company having a good reputation in Israel and to maintain throughout the entire period of permission, insurance policies for itself and any third party, including insurance of the Buildings and the contents of the Buildings at their full replacement value, against the normal risks in extended fire insurance, as well as liability insurance according to law for accidental physical damage ( “the Insurance Policy” ) to such extent of cover (per event and per period), and on such conditions that will not be materially inferior to the terms and conditions of the Company’s existing insurance policies at the date of signing of this Agreement, and which are attached to this Agreement as Appendix A . The Company undertakes to pay the full premiums in connection with the Insurance Policy on time and according to due date and to fully comply with all the remaining terms and conditions of the Insurance Policy.

 

  10.4 The Kibbutz, including any of the Kibbutz Individuals, will be included as additional insureds in the Policy for the Building (subject to the condition that the insurance compensation under the Policy for the Building, in a case that an insurance event has occurred, will be paid to the Company and will serve solely for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Building), and in the Company’s third party policy. An express condition shall also be included in the insurance policy pursuant to which the insurer is not entitled to cancel the policies and/or to reduce the extent of cover under them and/or not to renew same, unless the insurer has notified the Kibbutz by registered mail of its intention to do so at least 60 days in advance. The insurance policy shall also include an express clause regarding a waiver by the insurer of its right of subrogation against the Kibbutz, including any of its members and residents and any of the office-bearers in the Kibbutz.

 

  10.5 The Company shall send a copy of all the insurance policies for inspection and perusal by the Kibbutz.

 

11


  10.6 For the removal of doubt it is clarified that nothing in the foregoing in regard to the insurance policies has the effect of in any way eliminating and/or reducing the Company’s responsibility and its liability as set forth in this Clause 10 and/or of imposing any obligation and/or responsibility on the Kibbutz in a case in which the insurance policies are insufficient to cover the damage that is supposed to be covered by the insurance policy, or in the event that it should become apparent that certain damage is not covered under the insurance policy.

 

11. Vacation

 

  11.1 At the end of the License Period or in a case in which the license should terminate before the end of the License Period for any reason ( “the Date of Vacation” ), the Company undertakes to return the License Areas to the Kibbutz (including the Buildings), where same are completely empty and vacant of any person and article which is not permanently affixed to the Land, and where the envelope of the Buildings is in good condition, apart from wear and tear arising from reasonable use. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that notwithstanding the foregoing, means of production, assets and installations which are connected to the Buildings and which are not permanently affixed to the Land, shall remain the Company’s property and shall be taken away by it.

 

  11.2 Vacation of the License Areas and the Date of Vacation constitute fundamental terms and conditions of this Agreement. If any License Areas or any part thereof are not in good order and condition at the Date of Vacation, excluding reasonable wear and tear, the Kibbutz may, after having given the Company written notice at least 10 days in advance in which the Company fails to repair the damage and/or the fault and/or the breakdown, repair any damage and/or fault and/or breakdown at the Company’s expense, and the Company shall refund to the Kibbutz any reasonable amount it has incurred for this purpose.

 

  11.3 If the Company has not vacated the License Areas or any part thereof on the Date of Vacation, then without prejudice to alternative and/or additional remedies available to the Kibbutz according to the provisions of this Agreement and/or according to any law, the Company shall pay the Kibbutz agreed damages to an extent of twice the User Fees specified in this Agreement in respect of each day of default in vacation, commencing from the Date of Vacation specified in this Agreement and up to the date of actual vacation — without the Kibbutz required to prove damage and/or loss of anticipated profits due to non-vacation of the License Areas on due date. The aforesaid amount is assessed in advance by the parties, at the time of signing of this Agreement, as being fair and reasonable and fixed compensation in respect of a default in vacating the License Areas. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that payment of the aforesaid compensation does not and will not constitute consent to an extension of the License Period and/or as permission to the Company being late in vacating the License Areas.

 

12


12. Remedies for breaches

 

  12.1 Without derogating from what is contained further on in this clause and from the specific remedies appearing in this Agreement and in addition to the foregoing, the provisions of the Contracts Law (Remedies for Breach of Contract), 5731-1971 will apply to a breach of this Agreement.

 

  12.2 The parties declare that any breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement which is not rectified notwithstanding notice of 30 days calling for the rectification thereof, will be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement.

 

13. General

 

  13.1 It is hereby expressly declared and agreed that the Company will not be deemed to have breached the Agreement or as being a party who has not fulfilled any of the conditions hereof, if it is not possible to make use of the License Areas, for the Purpose of the License, as a consequence of “ force majeure ” over which the Company has no control. “ Force majeure ” for purposes of the foregoing shall include, inter alia , natural disasters, weather damage and a state of emergency from the security aspect.

 

  13.2 This Agreement shall be binding on the parties and on their successors-in-title.

 

  13.3 This Agreement is not intended to confer rights on any third parties, except the Kibbutz Individuals, unless otherwise expressly stated.

 

  13.4 This Agreement contains and expresses all the terms and conditions that have been agreed between the parties in connection with the grant to the Company of the license pursuant to this Agreement. No promises, consents, agreements, undertakings or representations, verbal or in writing, in regard to the subject matter of this Agreement, which were given or made by either of the parties prior to this Agreement being entered into, will be of no validity, and as from the date of signing of this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void in all respects.

 

  13.5 No alteration, amendment or addition to this Agreement shall be of any validity unless drawn up in writing under the signature of all the parties.

 

  13.6 Failure to take action in a case or cases of a breach or breaches will not be deemed to be acquiescence to or a waiver of any of the rights of the parties to this Agreement, and no like inference shall be drawn therefrom in regard to similar instances or in regard to other instances.

 

  13.7 No waiver, extension of time, indulgence or failure to exercise a right under this Agreement will be of any force and validity, unless drawn up in an express and signed document, and even in such case shall apply only to the instance specifically mentioned in such document and shall not derogate from other rights of any party pursuant to this Agreement.

 

13


  13.8 This Agreement and the performance hereof by the parties shall be determined, interpreted and regulated according to the laws of the State of Israel. The competent courts in Tel Aviv and they alone will have exclusive jurisdiction in regard to any disputes connected with this Agreement.

 

14. Addresses and notices

 

       The address of the parties are as set forth at the head of this Agreement (or any other address that may be given by one of the parties in writing to the other parties). Any notice sent by any party to another according to the aforesaid addresses shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee: (a) if sent by registered mail — three (3) business days after the day of posting; (b) if sent by facsimile or by e-mail, one business day after the transmission, provided that the sending party has confirmation of the notice having been transmitted to the addressee.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

 

    

 

Sdot Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd.      CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.
By          By     
And             And       

 

14


APPENDICES

Appendix A — the Insurance Policies

 

15


BITUACH HAKLAI

 

CENTRAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.   
941204 CaesarStone and/or Marble    Copy for insured                    

SCHEDULE CONSTITUTING AN INTEGRAL PART OF AN ALL-RISKS

INSURANCE POLICY — INDUSTRY

 

          US dollar  

Branch: 20 Policy: 92412041/10 Endorsements: 0

   Net premium      356,196.00   
   Registration fees      .00   

Name of insured:

   Policy fees      .00   

Even Kesar and/or as stated below: CAESARSTONE

   Levies      .00   

Address:       D.N. Menashe 38805

                        Kibbutz Sdot Yam Postal Code: 38805

        .00   

Insurance period:         from April 1, 2010 at: 00:01

                                      until September 30, 2011 at: 24:00

     
     

 

 

 

I.D. /Priv. Co.:

   Total for payment      356,196.00   

For the policy owner’s attention:

The details mentioned in the schedule are based on the information given to the insurer in the application for effecting the insurance. The provisions of the Insurance Contract Law, 5741-1981 will apply to a non-compliance with the obligation to disclose a material matter.

 

Description of the cover

  

Sum insured

  

Rate of premium

  

Annual premium

** All risks in US dollars **

The cover is in accordance with the terms and conditions of an all-risks insurance policy — industry — edition 01/09

The cover will apply in the State of Israel and in the occupied areas only, unless otherwise expressly stated in the policy or in the Schedule.

Chapter 1 — All-risks insurance

Name of insured

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd. and/or CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Ltd. and/or Sdot Yam.

The insured premises

The premises of the plant at Kibbutz Sdot Yam

Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

The insured’s business

Production, import, export, marketing, installation at the customer’s site of CaesarStone, marble slabs, etc.

 

1


Description of the cover

        Sum insured      Rate of premium     Annual premium  

Part A — loss or damage to property

          

The property insured

          

Immovable properties

        20,000,000         1.0670        21,340.00   

Infrastructure expenses

        1,000,000         1.0670        1,067.00   

Inventories

        25,000,000         1.0670        26,675.00   

Other assets

        86,000,000         1.0670        91,762.00   
     

 

 

      
   Total sum insured for Part A      132,000,000        
     

 

 

      
General extensions         Sum
insured
included
above
              

Reinstatement value

   In force        

Property off the premises

   Up to an amount not exceeding      500,000        

Additions to the insured property

   Up to an amount not exceeding      500,000        

Risk of the insured property

   Up to an amount not exceeding      25,000        

Assessment clause

   In respect of damage not exceeding      50,000        

Special expenses

   Up to an amount not exceeding      30,000        

Agreed limits of liability

          

Expenses for removal of demolition debris

   Up to an amount not exceeding      250,000        

Expenses for reconstruction of documents

   Up to an amount not exceeding      25,000        

Architects’ expenses

   Up to an amount not exceeding      250,000        

Loss of contents of tanks

   Up to an amount not exceeding      50,000        

Special extensions for Part A

          

Burglary and robbery

   Up to an amount not exceeding      200,000           1,000.00   

DIC

        1,000,000        
   Total insurance fees before discount        141,844.00   
          

 

 

 

Insured’s deductibles

          

Deductible — $10,000 except earthquake and other natural damage

        30.00     -42,553.20   

Earthquake — as described in the policy form.

       
Other natural damage — 5% of the insurance compensation    minimum    $ 10,000        
   maximum    $ 50,000        
             -45,000.00   
   Total Part A           54,290.80   
          

 

 

 

Loss of profits — Part B

          

Gross annual profit

        70,000,000         1.0670        74,690.00   

Period of indemnity — 12 months

          

Costs of preparing claim

        250,000         1.0670        267.00   

 

2


Description of the cover

          Sum insured      Rate of premium     Annual premium  

Insured’s deductible

          

The deductible for the loss of profits chapter will be:

          
Amount of compensation 200 hours, $200000, apart from earthquake and other natural damage as described in the policy.            

* Discount

             -25,000.00   

Special conditions

          
Deductible in respect of natural damage in relation to consequential loss chapter will be 5% of the insurance compensation and not less than $50,000.            

Total premium for consequential loss chapter

  

          49,957.00   
          

 

 

 
The cover under Chapter 1 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule, for which no cover was bought            

Natural damage insurance (excluding earthquake) — Chapter A and B

  

       

Total sum insured Part A

     132,000,000         Included above        

Total sum insured Part B

     70,250,000         Included above        
          

 

 

 

Total insurance fees in respect of natural damage

          

Earthquake insurance (Part A and Part B)

          
It is hereby declared and agreed that earthquake cover, if purchased, is limited to the area of the State of Israel only, unless otherwise expressly stated in the Schedule            

Total sum insured part A

     132,000,000            .60     79,200.00   

Total sum insured part B

     70,250,000            .60     42,150.00   
          

 

 

 

Total insurance fees in respect of earthquake

  

          121,350,00   

Total insurance fees per annum Chapter 1 (Parts A + B)

  

          225,597.55   
          

 

 

 

Discount

             -51,601.00   

Special Discount

          

Special conditions for Policy No. 9241204110

Obligation for giving prior notice to the beneficiary

In every case in which this policy is subject to the giving of advance notice to any beneficiary (bank, etc. ...) this policy will be deemed to be void only from the end of the advance notice period specified in the Schedule and/or in any endorsement to the policy.

 

3


Description of the cover

   Sum insured      Rate of premium     Annual premium  

Chapter 2 — Terrorism risk insurance (over and above Property Tax)

       

Unless otherwise expressly stated in this chapter, if purchased, limited to properties located within the borders of the State of Israel on June 6, 1967 (the Green Line)

       

Part A — Loss or damage to property

       

Sum insured

     132000,000         .35     46,200.00   

Insured’s deductible 25000 in every insurance event

       

Part B — Loss of profits

       

The insurance basis

     70,250,000         .35     24,587.50   

Deductible first 5 working days after occurrence of the insurance event.

       

It is hereby agreed and declared that the cover is restricted to limits of liability that shall not exceed a sum of $20,000,000 for one event and in total for the entire insurance period

       

Total insurance fees per annum (Parts A + B)

          70,787.50   
       

 

 

 

The cover under Chapter 2 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule, for which cover was not purchased

       

Chapter 3 — Insurance of Property in Transit

       

Property in transit Limits of liability

        80,000        575.00   

The cover under the policy includes transportation by others.

       

Insured’s deductible for Chapter 3 $750 for each insurance event

       
       

 

 

 

Total for Chapter 3:

          575.00   

If the insured cargo is a product and/or receptacle made of glass, porcelain, marble or ceramics, the insured shall, in every insurance event as aforesaid, bear double the amount of the insurance’s deductible specified in the Schedule.

       

The cover under Chapter 3 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule for which cover was not purchased.

 

4


Description of the cover

   Sum insured      Rate of premium     Annual premium  

Chapter 4 — Electronic Hardware Insurance

       

Chapter 4: Electronic hardware not in force

       

Special extension

       

Chapter 5 — Insurance of Cash in Safe and in Transit

       

The moneys insured: cash in bank notes and in coins, checks, credit vouchers, bills, postal orders, postage stamps, account and revenue stamps, purchase vouchers, securities, shares and negotiable instruments of any type in the ownership of the insured and/or for which the insured is liable on the occurrence of the insurance event.

       

Money in safe and in transit

     200,000        

Cash:

       

Theft:

       

Total premium for money in safe and in transit

     200,000         1.00     2,000.00   

Insured’s deductible

       

It is hereby agreed and declared that the deductible for this chapter is 1,500 dollars for each insurance event.

       

Special conditions for Chapter 5

       

1.  It is hereby agreed and declared that the cover granted pursuant to this policy is on the basis of first damage which is not subject to conditions of under-insurance.

       

2.  It is hereby agreed and declared that liability is for each safe separately, according to limits of liability as selected by the insured and under all circumstances the maximum limited liability in a safe and/or in transit for cash and/or checks shall not exceed $100,000.

       

3.  It is hereby agreed and declared that Members who deposit personal money in the safe of the Kibbutz are obliged to give details and to present the contents of the envelope to the person responsible for insurance / person responsible for the safe, coupled with the maintaining of suitable records.

       

4.  Areas of transit = transit from one place to another in the ordinary course of business in the area of the State of Israel and the occupied areas. The abovementioned transit requires to be made only from the hour of 05:00 until 22:00 by the insured or a person employed in the insured’s business and was sent by the insured for transfer of the money — whose age shall not be less than 17 years.

       

Total for Chapter 5

          2,000.00   

The cover under Chapter 5 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule for which cover was not purchased.

       

 

1


Description of the cover

   Sum insured    Rate of premium      Annual premium  

Chapter 6 — Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

  

Chapter 6: Mechanical breakdown

        Not in force      

Total insurance fees for all chapters of the policy:

        247359.05   
        

 

 

 

Description of the cover

   Sum insured    Rate of premium      Annual premium  

Classification differences in terrorism chapter One-time discount

           -10,112.00   

Total annual premium

           237,247.30   

for a period of 548 days

  

     356,196.00   

 

  Bituach Haklai
  Central Cooperative Society Ltd.

Date of printing: May 25, 2010 (repeat printing on May 25, 2010)

Month of Bordeaux: 05/2010            Keyed in by: 00291 confirmed by: 291

 

Copy for insured

   Name of agent: Yishirim

 

2


BITUACH HAKLAI

CENTRAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.   
941204 CaesarStone and/or Marble      Copy for insured   

SCHEDULE CONSTITUTING AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIRD PARTY LIABILITY

INSURANCE POLICY — BUSINESS / INSTITUTIONAL

 

          US dollar  

Branch: 612 Policy: 92412041/10 Endorsements: 0

   Net premium      2,574.85   
   Registration fees      .00   

Name of insured:

   Policy fees      .00   

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd. and/or CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Ltd. and/or Sdot Yam:

   Levies      .00   

Address:        D.N. Menashe 38805

KibbutzSdot Yam Postal Code: 38805

        .00   

Insuranceperiod: from April 1, 2010 at: 00:01

       untilSeptember 30, 2011 at: 24:00

        —     
     

 

 

 

I.D. /Priv. Co.:

   Total for payment      2,574.85   

For the policy owner’s attention:

The details mentioned in the schedule are based on the information given to the insurer in the application for effecting the insurance. The provisions of the Insurance Contract Law, 5741-1981 will apply to a non-compliance with the obligation to disclose a material matter.

 

 

Description of the cover

  

Sum insured

  

Rate of premium

  

Annual premium

** All risks in US dollars **

The cover is in accordance with the terms and conditions of a third party

liability insurance policy — business / institutional — edition 01/09

The cover will apply in the State of Israel and in the occupied areas only,

unless otherwise expressly stated in the policy or in the Schedule.

Name of insured

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd. and/or CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Ltd. and/or Sdot Yam.

Business of the insured

This policy covers the insured in its capacity as a business trading in the area of the State, in the fields of activity mentioned below, including related activities and services of any sort:

Business: Production, import, export, marketing and installation at customer’s site of CaesarStone products, marble products, paving, etc.

 

- Other commercial activities

It is hereby agreed and declared that the insurance under this policy is extended to cover

the insured’s lawful liability to a third party in respect of:

 

1


Description of the cover

   Sum insured    Rate of premium      Annual premium  

1. The branch of the plant which is located in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

           525.00   

Insurer’s limits of liability

        

a) In respect of one occurrence of damage

      $ 10,000,000 .-      

b) Total compensation during the insurance period

      $ 10,000,000 .-      

Insured’s excess

The insured will bear an amount equivalent to the first $2,500 in respect of any damage insured, where this amount is

converted into shekels on the date of payment of the claim.

 

Total annual premium   1,715.00
        for a period of 548 days   2,574.85

 

Bituach Haklai

Central Cooperative Society Ltd.

 

Date of printing: May 6, 2010

     
Month of Bordeaux: 05/2010    Keyed in by: 00507 confirmed by: 507   

        Copy for insured

      Name of agent: Yishirim

 

2


APPENDIX G

ELI HALUTZI

Economist & Real Estate Appraiser

 

OPINION

CAESARSTONE PLANT

PLOT NO. 2000 ACCORDING TO PLAN HA/MK/2004/9

BAR-LEV INDUSTRIAL PARK

KFAR HAHORESH, JULY 11, 2010

 

 

Kibbutz Kfar Hahoresh 16960 Fax 04-6558301 Mobile 052 4423008 Tel. 04-6558626

e-mail: eli@k-h.org.il


Kfar Hahoresh, July 11, 2010

OPINION

Purpose of the Appraisal :

This appraisal is being made at the request of Kibbutz Sdot Yam — the owner of the CaesarStone plant (hereinafter: “the Kibbutz” ) for assessing the market value of the land used by the plant, having a land measurement of 63,680 sq.m. on which there are buildings in an area of about 19,387 sq.m. in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park (hereinafter: “the Property” ), on the assumption of standard building costs for industry, and not according to the specific building costs for purposes of the CaesarStone Plant, and without an entrepreneurial profit.

Effective date for the appraisal and date of visit to the Property :

The effective date for the appraisal is July 6, 2010 — the date of the visit to the Property.

Description of the Property and its immediate surrounds :

 

- The subject of the opinion is real estate which includes land in an area of 63,680 sq.m. on which there are buildings in an area of about 19,387 sq.m. in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park (hereinafter: “the Property” ) and which serves as the CaesarStone plant (hereinafter: “the Plant” ).

 

- The Bar-Lev Industrial Park is located close to and south of Road No. 85 in the section between Carmiel and the Ahihud crossroads.

 

- The Bar-Lev Industrial Park is run in conjunction with the Carmiel Municipality, the Misgav Regional Council and the Mateh Asher Regional Council, with there being an intention also to add the Shajur Local Council.

 

- The CaesarStone Plant is in the eastern section of the Industrial Park.

 

1


- There is full development in the region which includes roads, electricity, water, sewerage and communications.

 

- The following is a description of the buildings:

At the entrance a guard’s booth. The entire area is fenced in. The yards are paved with asphalt. There are floodlights for illuminating the yard at night.

Office building

The building is of two floors. The roof is flat. The ground floor contains a kitchen, dining room, cloakrooms and shower rooms and toilets. Flooring is with ceramic floor tiles. The ceiling is an acoustic ceiling.

The first floor can be reached by stairs or an elevator. The floor contains offices. It is possible to go out onto the roof via stairs.

Production hall

The building is divided into several wings such as: a production hall, processing hall, line 4 press hall, line 3 press hall, raw materials hall. There are internal divisions into cafeterias, workrooms, galleries and air-conditioned offices. The building is high. Around the building there are 22 doors which open upwards of the Pazgal model. The floor is of corodor red. The ceiling is comprised of an insulated panel. The outer walls are of drawn concrete slabs.

The zoning situation :

a. Town planning scheme

The following plans apply to the Property:

C/BT/214

The plan which was published for validation in Y.P. (Gazette) No. 4454 dated November 5, 1996 includes the abovementioned Property in a number of plots in a region of industrial buildings with strips zoned for open public areas which separate between the plots for industry. Areas for industry (purple) will serve as buildings for advanced and clean industry, as will be approved by the Workshops Administration and for service facilities such as offices, shops, garages, warehouses and for any other similar objective, the purpose of which is to serve the abovementioned designated purposes after approval from the Local Committee. A shop for the sale of the Plant’s products in the area of the plot will not be permitted, except only in the services center.

 

2


Maximum
building
height

(1)

(6)

     Building percentage / maximum built area in sq.m.     The building lines              
No.    No. of
floors
(7)
     Total     Maximum
coverage
per floor
    Service
areas
    Prime
uses
    Below
entrance
level
     Above
entrance
level
    Side      Rear      Front    Minimum
size of
plot
     Color
Size of
region
 
                                                                                                    
12      2         80     50     20     60     —           80     5         5       As marked      2000         Purple   
14      3         100     40     30     70     —           or 100         on the      sq.m.      
15      4         120     30     40     80     —           or 120         drawing      

Notes :

 

1. The height of the exceptional installations will be determined in the course of relating to their integration into the landscape to the satisfaction of the Board and the Local Committee.

 

2. A local committee is entitled to allow a concession in height of buildings according to zoning and planning considerations.

 

3. Area of galleries up to 50% of the area of a floor is included in the building percentages.

 

4. If covered or underground parking is constructed, the covered area will be added to the permitted service area.

 

5. A pillars floor which takes advantage of height differences on the plot will be counted as part of the floors and the building percentages.

 

6. In plots 301, 306 — which are close to the aviation runway, the maximum height of the buildings, including any installations, shall not exceed 5 meters from the surface of the developed plot.

 

7. The grant of a building permit is conditional upon prior consultation with the Committee’s engineer in regard to the number of floors which is suitable for a given plot according to visual considerations.

 

8. In the case of a frontal strip for open public area the building space will be measured from the inner boundary of the plot.

 

9. Secondary electricity installations, such as: portal electricity poles and “transparent” installations will not be taken into account as part of the building rights and the erecting thereof will be allowed subject to the operational requirements and the lodgment of a building permit according to law.

Plan No. HA/MK/9/2004

A plan which is under the authority of a local committee and which was published for validation in Y.P. No. 5358 dated January 9, 2005, consolidates the plots which are within demarcated area number 8 into one industrial plot (Plot 2000 in an area of 63,680 sq.m. of which 6,820 sq.m. are zoned for an open private area), coupled with a change in the location of the open private areas and the public road, all for purposes of creating one large plot for erecting the “CaesarStone” Plant.

 

3


2. Building permit

The permit in Application No. 20060395 for the addition of a ground floor in an area of 6,292.30 sq.m. containing a production hall and storerooms and an application for a concession in height in respect of a raw materials terminal (21-23 meters instead of 15 meters) under Plan C/BT/214 was approved at a meeting of the “Asher Province” Local Planning & Building Committee at its meeting no. 200607 of September 26, 2006.

The permit, the number of which is 20060395, was granted on February 22, 2007.

The rights in and to the property :

On June 6, 2007 a capitalized leasehold contract was signed between:

Israel Lands Administration (hereinafter: “the Lessor”)

And:

CaesarStone Ltd. Corporation No. 511439507 (hereinafter: “the Lessee”)

The following particulars emerge from the Contract:

 

Leasehold period:

   49 years from February 6, 2005 and until February 5, 2054 with an option to lease for an additional period of 49 years

Area:

   63,680 sq.m. of which 6,820 sq.m. are zoned for an open public area

Plot:

   2000 according to Plan HA/MK/2004/9

Main area:

   50,944 sq.m.

Service area:

   25,472 sq.m.

File No.:

   20908280 A

The following remarks are recorded in the Contract:

 

- “The leasehold lessee is aware that according to a recommendation of the Ministry of Industry and, Trade to grant an exemption from tender, a minimum main area for building construction of 6,000 sq.m. built area was fixed for Plot 2000B”.

 

- “The leasehold lessee is aware that the allocation is for purposes of industry only. Any use of the leasehold premises which does not conform with the objective of the allocation and to what is stated in the Ministry of Industry and Trade recommendation will be deemed to be a material breach of this leasehold contract and will allow for cancellation of the contract and return of the land to the Lands Administration without any compensation in respect of the investments in the area, unless 8 years have passed from the date of completion of construction of the built area on Plot 2000 B” .

 

4


- “The allocation is based on Plan HA/MK/2004/9 which allows for maximum exploitation at a rate of 120% on 4 floors including service areas (80% main area + 10% [sic] service areas)” .

 

- This contract cancels a contract dated January 11, 2006 and replaces it” .

Factors which affect the appraisal :

In coming to estimate the value of the Property from a willing seller to a willing buyer, I have, inter alia , taken the following factors and considerations into account:

 

- The location of the Property in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park.

 

- The area of the land and the built area have been taken into account.

 

- The standard and quality of the building construction was taken into account.

 

- A factor that has been taken into account is that the Bar-Lev Industrial Park is defined as a national preference region A where the extent of the payment of capitalized leasehold fees to the Israel Lands Administration is 31% of the value of the land without development.

 

- Costs of development in the region were taken into account.

 

- The value of land which is owned for an open private area was taken at a rate of 10% of the value that is zoned for industry.

 

- The appraisal was made according to the cost approach and at the request of the Kibbutz without the element of the special building construction for the needs of the Plant, but rather on a basis of standard building costs, and without the element of entrepreneurial profit.

Calculation :

 

Land zoned for industry:

   56,860 sq.m. * NIS 60? sq.m. =      NIS 3,411,600   

Land zoned for open public area:

   6,820 sq.m. * NIS 6/sq.m. =      NIS 40,920   

Development:

   63,680 sq.m. * NIS 180/sq.m. =      NIS 11,462,400   

Buildings construction:

   19,387 sq.m. * NIS 1,500/sq.m. =      NIS 29,080,500   
               

Total

        NIS 43,995,420   

And rounded

        NIS 44,000,000   

 

5


Appraisal :

In light of all the foregoing I assess the market value of the Property, from a willing seller to a willing buyer, as at the effective date — July 6, 2010 — on the assumption of standard building costs and without the element of an entrepreneurial profit, where the Property is free and vacant of any person and object, and free and clear of any debt or encumbrance, and without V.A.T., in a sum of:

 

 

NIS 44,000,000

 

Forty-four million new shekels

 

I have drawn up this opinion of mine according to the best of my professional knowledge and experience, and I have no interest or part in the abovementioned Property.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed,

 

Eli Halutzi,

Real Estate Appraiser & Economist

( — )

Attached :

 

- Leasehold contract

 

- Building permit No. 20060395

 

- Drawing of the Buildings

 

6


APPENDIX A

File No., A20908280

Account No.: 352926075

LEASEHOLD CONTRACT — BAR-LEV

(Industry and Workshops)

Capitalized

Made and entered into at                      on the 6 th day of June 2007

Between

ISRAEL LANDS ADMINISTRATION which manages the lands of the State of Israel, the Development Authority and the Jewish National Fund (hereinafter referred to as “the Lessor”), whose address for purposes of this Contract is: Plaza Hotel, 2 Hermon Street, Nazareth Illit

of the one part;

And

CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.              Identity/Corporation No. 511439507

(hereinafter: “the Lessee”), whose address for purposes of this Contract is: Sdot Yam, Sdot Yam

of the other part;

Preamble

The preamble to the Leasehold Contract constitutes an integral part of the terms and conditions of leasehold and together therewith constitutes the Leasehold Contract. The aforesaid conditions of leasehold were published in Yalkut Pirsumim [Gazette] No.  4818 on November 4, 1999 .

WHEREAS the State of Israel / the Development Authority is the owner of the land described below in this preamble (hereinafter: “Plot”);

AND WHEREAS there is a building or there are buildings on the Plot (hereinafter: “the Buildings”) which were erected during a period preceding the date on which this Leasehold Contract comes into force;

AND WHEREAS if construction of the Buildings has not yet been completed in order to allow for the initial habitation thereof and/or the full use thereof for the purpose of the leasehold, the

 

1


Lessee declares that it undertakes to complete the construction of the Buildings in a manner that they will be fit to serve for their abovementioned purpose, not later than the end of one year from the date the Lands Administration signs this Contract, and that it is aware that this undertaking by it constitutes a basic and fundamental term and condition of this Contract;

AND WHEREAS the Lessor has agreed to lease the Plot, including everything built and attached thereto permanently (hereinafter: “the Fixtures”) (the Plot together with the Fixtures will henceforth be referred to as — “the Leasehold Premises”) to the Lessee under leasehold, but this subject to a condition precedent that the Lessee’s obligations — whether pursuant to a development contract with the Lessor or pursuant to another agreement with the Lessor — have been fulfilled in their entirety in the period preceding the date on which this Leasehold Contract comes into force;

AND WHEREAS the parties agree that solely for the sake of convenience the Lessee will sign a copy of this Leasehold Contract without this binding the Lessor, until such time as the Lessee’s aforesaid obligations have been performed in full. It is expressly agreed by the parties that the Leasehold Contract will be valid and in force only after the Lessor also signs it and only if the Lessee fulfills its abovementioned obligations to the Lessor. Until such time as the Lessor has signed the Leasehold Contract, the terms and conditions hereof will not be binding on the parties, and the Lessee’s signature alone on the Leasehold Contract will not confer on it any right pursuant to this Contract. The date of signing of the Leasehold Contract will be deemed to be the date on which the Lessor signs it;

AND WHEREAS the Lands Administration delivered possession of the Leasehold Premises to the Lessee, or to the party which owned the leasehold right in the Leasehold Premises prior to the Lessee, on the date of commencement of the leasehold period, and if there are occupiers on the Leasehold Premises, the Lessor has no obligation to evict them and/or to bear the expenses for their eviction;

AND WHEREAS the Lessee hereby declares that there is no restriction imposed on it in regard to its contracting with the Lessor under this Contract in accordance with the provisions of Clause 19(a)(3) of this Leasehold Contract, and that it is aware that only subject to this basic and fundamental condition precedent is the Lessor prepared to enter into this Leasehold Contract with it;

AND WHEREAS according to the treaty between the State of Israel and the Jewish National Fund (hereinafter: “the Fund”), which was published in Yalkut Pirsumim No. 1456 dated 11 th Sivan 5728 [1968], p. 1597, management of the land owned by the Fund, including the leasing thereof under leasehold and the giving of consent to a transfer of the leasehold rights therein or a refusal to grant such consent, shall be made by the Lessor subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Fund, and the Lessee hereby declares that it is aware that if the Plot, in whole or in part, is owned by the Fund, or will be owned by the Fund, the provisions of the aforesaid treaty will apply thereto and that only on the basis of this condition precedent and basic and fundamental condition is the Lessor prepared to enter into this Leasehold Contract with the Lessee;

 

2


AND WHEREAS if the purpose of the leasehold is for industry or workshops, or for tourism, then in addition to the conditions of leasehold below, the conditions contained in this preamble below will also apply to the leasehold pursuant to this Contract:

 

  (a) If the purpose of the leasehold is industry or workshops and the Lessee requests consent from the Lessor to alter the type of industry or workshops specified in “the purpose of the leasehold”, the Lessor will be entitled to make the grant of its consent conditional, inter alia , on there being a change in the length of the leasehold period in accordance with the Lessor’s decisions as same apply from time to time, and also on receipt of a recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade regarding the requested change in the type of industry or workshop and regarding the length of the leasehold period which is recommended by it for this purpose.

 

  (b) If the purpose of the leasehold is industry or workshops or tourism, then in addition to and subject to all the remaining conditions contained in Clause 9 and in Clause 14 below, the Lessee will be obliged to attach to its application for making any of the changes mentioned in Clause 9, or for a transfer of rights under this Contract as stated in Clause 14, as the case may be, a suitable and valid recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade or the Ministry of Tourism, as the case may be. The Lessor will not give its consent to any of the abovementioned applications by the Lessee unless the Lessee furnishes it with a valid recommendation as aforesaid.

 

  (c) “Ministry of Industry and Trade”, “Ministry of Tourism” — including another government ministry which is in charge of subjects of the type included in the “purpose of the leasehold”, according to decisions of the Israel Lands Council or decisions of the Lessor and as are pertinent from time to time as the case may be.

AND WHEREAS the meaning of the terms in this Contract shall be according to what is stated below in this preamble, unless the context necessitates a different meaning according to the Contract:

“The Plot”: the Plot described in the diagram which was attached to an agreement between the Lessee and the housing company, or a diagram which is attached hereto that was prepared by the Lessor and the details of which are:

Location: Mateh Asher Regional Council         area: 63,680 sq.m. approximately.

 

       Registration Block:         18508 Parcels: 49 (in part)
       Registration Block:         19618 Parcels 37 (in part), 38 (in part), 39 (in part), 40 (in part), 41 (in part), 42 (in whole), 43 (in whole), 44 (in whole), 45 (in whole), 46 (in whole), 47 (in whole), 48 (in part), 49 (in part), 50 (in part), 51 (in part), 53 (in whole)

Plot/s No. 2000 according to Detailed Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9

 

3


“Date of approval of the transaction”: The date on which the transaction that is the subject matter of this Contract was approved by the Board of the Lessor

“The leasehold period”: 49 years, commencing from the date of approval of the transaction, i.e. from February 6, 2005 until February 5, 2054 .

“Purpose of the leasehold”: Erecting a plant for quartz slabs.

“Capacity of building construction”:         % per floor, on 4 floors, and altogether         % which constitutes             units and totals 76416.0 sq.m. built area

“Main area”:        50944.0 sq.m.

“Service area”:        25472.0 sq.m.

“Leasehold fees”:

 

     Annual fees for the entire leasehold period which will be paid to the Lessor in advance where same are capitalized as is customary at the Lessor (hereinafter: “Capitalized Leasehold Fees”).

 

     The capitalized user fees that were deposited with the Lessor prior to the signing of this Leasehold Contract, if deposited, will be deemed to be payment of the Capitalized Leasehold Fees.

“The basic value of the Plot”: NIS 10,250,000.00 (ten million two hundred and fifty thousand new shekels) as at the date of approval of the transaction aforesaid.

“The basic index”: The last Consumer Price Index that was known on the date of approval of the transaction as aforesaid.

“The zoning”: Industry and workshops .

AND WHEREAS if the Lessee is more than one person or more than one body corporate, the undertakings of the persons or the bodies corporate which constitute the Lessee will be joint and several, while their rights under this Contract will only be joint;

AND WHEREAS in addition to the conditions of the Leasehold Contract below, the following special conditions shall apply:

 

# The leasehold lessee is aware that according to a recommendation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for an exemption from tender, a minimum main area for building construction of 6,000 sq.m. built area was prescribed for Plot 2000B. Failure to comply with this condition will be regarded as a breach of the conditions of the “additional area” transaction and with the Ministry of Industry and Trade recommendation, and the Lands Administration will be entitled to cancel the allocation and the additional area will be returned to the Lands Administration.

 

4


  # The leasehold lessee is aware that the allocation is solely for purposes of industry. Any use of the leasehold premises which does not correspond with the purpose of the allocation and with what is stated in the Ministry of Industry and Trade recommendation will be deemed to be a material breach of this leasehold contract and will allow for cancellation of the contract and return of the land to the Lands Administration without any compensation in respect of the investments in the area, unless 8 years have passed from the date of completion of construction of the built area on Plot 2000B.

 

  # The allocation is based on Plan HA/MK/2004/9 which allows for maximum exploitation to an extent of 120% on 4 floors including service areas (80% main area + 40% service areas).

 

  # This contract cancels a contract dated January 11, 2006 and replaces it.

AND WHEREAS in addition to the terms and conditions of the Leasehold Contract that were published as aforesaid, special conditions and/or an addendum to the Leasehold Contract will apply at the time of making a split of a plot which are set forth and attached below.

It is agreed by the parties that the diagram, the special conditions, a addendum to the Leasehold Contract as aforesaid, constitute an integral part of the preamble and the conditions that were published as aforesaid.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

The Lessor:              The Lessee: CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.     
1.   

Name

   Israel Lands Administration    1.    Name    Ahuvia Lutzki
  

Title

   On behalf of the State /the Development Authority /the JNF       Identity No.    52357233
  

Capacity

         Signature    ( — ) CaesarStone
  

Signature

           
2.   

Name

   Yocheved Schwarzberg    2.    Name    Giora Wagman
  

Title

   Head of Transactions Division       Identity No.    5102741
  

Capacity

   ILA North       Signature    ( — ) CaesarStone
  

Signature

           

Certifier:

I the undersigned certify that I identified the abovementioned Lessee according to the identification documents that were presented to me and that the Lessee signed this Contract in my presence.

Name Mordechai Shapira Title of office Director of Bar-Lev Enterprise Signature of certifier (-)

 

5


[Diagram at left]

ISRAEL LANDS ADMINISTRATION

NORTHERN DISTRICT

MAPPING AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT

 

 

Job no.:                                     663/19

 

 

Location: Bar-Lev

Blocks:         18508 19618

Parcels:         #49                   #37 — #41, 42 — 47, #48 — #51, 53

Plot No.:               2000

Area:         63.680 dunams Total area of open public area — 6.820 dunams

Scale:                     1:2500

File no.:                 A 2090828-0

Purpose of the diagram:       Allocation of area to CaesarStone

ENVIRONMENT DIAGRAM

[Diagram]

 

1. Survey plan of chartered surveyor                          No.                      dated                         

 

2. The diagram is based on a detailed plan or Outline Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9

 

3. The diagram was prepared by Juliana on October 10, 2006

 

4. The diagram was approved by Majad. F on October 10, 2006

 

5. The change was made on                      by                      and examined by                     .

( — )               

Majad Faraj         

District Commissioner 

Mapping and surveys 

ILA Northern District 

( — )

CaesarStone

Sdot Yam Ltd.

 

6


[Photocopy of diagram]

 

7


Form 3 (Regulation 18(a))

PLANNING AND BUILDING LAW, 5725-1965

Planning and Building Regulations (Application for Permit, Conditions thereof and Fees), 5730-1970

PERMIT

 

Local or detailed outline plan: C/BT/214    Block: 19618    Parcel: 3    Plot:    Building file: 3590

 

Additional plans: HA/MK/2004      

“Asher Province” Local Planning and Building Committee

   Building Permit No. 20060395    Application number: 20060395

Local Authority: Mateh Asher Reg. Council

   Suburb:    Address of plan: Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

 

     Name    Identity No.    Address    Zipcode    Telephone

Permit owner

   CaesarStone Ltd.    52003563    P.O. Box 3, Yakum    60972    099618587

Owner of property

   Israel Lands
Administration
      Govt. Compound, Nazareth Illit    17000    04-6558200

Party drawing application

   Magen Gabi    006845226    49 Haharoshet, Carmiel       04-6560521

Engineer

   Blanc David    1650183    47 Akko Rd., Kiryat Motzkin    26367    04-8716413

This permit is not transferable except with the approval of the Local Committee.

In accordance with an approval of the aforesaid Local Committee: The Local Planning & Building Committee at its meeting no.: 200607 on: September 26, 2006

 

Permitted: Plant — additional construction to existing building construction. Addition on ground floor in an area of 6292.30 sq.m., which includes a production hall and storerooms and an application for a concession with respect to the height of the raw materials terminal (21-23 meters instead of 15 meters) from Plan C/BT/214.

On condition that the aforesaid works are carried out in accordance with the Planning and Building Regulations (Application for Permit, Conditions thereof and Fees), 5730-1970, and in accordance with the signed and approved appendices which are attached to this Permit, and that the following conditions will be fulfilled:

To approve on condition:

 

 

Meticulous care must be taken in regard to safety measures, fencing of the region at the time of demolition, etc.

 

 

Surplus debris and waste is to be removed only to sites which the site administration directs or in coordination with the Lands Administration.

 

 

A precondition to the grant of the permit is that a contract be lodged in respect of a contractual arrangement with an approved laboratory for the testing of concrete.

 

 

in respect of any work which includes building construction in an area of 60 sq.m. and more and/or demolition of an existing shed structure:

Prior to grant of the permit confirmation of payment or an agreement for a contractual arrangement with a regulated site for the removal of building waste and debris must be lodged (particulars regarding the Legmon site at Kibbutz Lohamei Hagetaot and additional approved sites can be obtained at the Committee/at the Ministry for the Environment).

On completion of building construction it is necessary to present an certificate of correctness in the testing of concrete for all the constructional elements of the building in accordance with the decision of the Civil Defense Guard and to the extent necessary:

 

a. After grant of the permit and immediately upon completion of building construction of the bomb-proof area, it is necessary to submit an approval from the party responsible for construction of the frame to the effect that the bomb-proof area that was constructed conforms with the plan that was approved by the Home Front Command.

 

8


b. On completion of building construction a certificate must be submitted from an authorized and approved laboratory for testing of internal finishes in individual bomb-proof areas (resilience of plaster) in accordance with the standard and approval of the Home Front Command.

 

c. On completion of the building construction it is necessary to submit confirmation regarding the supply of standard doors and windows for a bomb-proof area (including a standards mark tag regarding manufacture and installation: name of supplier, name of customer and details of the site, supplier’s signature.

 

   

Before the start of building construction a certificate must be lodged regarding the performing of the building construction by a registered building contractor within the meaning of that term under the Registration of Building Contractors and Building Contracting Works Law, 5729-1969.

 

   

Confirmation of connection to sewerage in coordination with the engineering department at the Council.

 

   

A parking calculation in accordance with the Parking Places Regulations, 5743-1983 must be lodged.

 

   

After the grant of a permit and prior to start of building construction, a chartered surveyor must mark the location of the building construction as approved. Immediately after first casting of a floor, the holder of the permit shall submit to the Local Committee a certificate from a chartered surveyor that the location and height of the floor conform with the building permit plan. In the absence of this certificate being furnished at the aforesaid time, the Committee will be entitled to stop the building construction and not to approve. At the end of the works it must be verified that the work site that is the subject of the permit is free and clear of building waste and on condition that the waste was transferred solely to a proper regulated building debris and waste site (a certificate from the building waste landfill site must be presented).

 

   

The application must be lodged on the basis of an updated measurement plan.

 

   

Conditions for Form 4 — approval for initial habitation from the fire brigade (in accordance with their letter dated November 21, 2006).

 

   

Precondition to Form 4 — certificate from the Ministry of Health in accordance with their letter dated January 7, 2007).

Set forth below is a calculation of the amount of the fee for Plan No. 10175:

 

Item   

Description of work

   Cover   

Unit

   Price per unit    Total
1.42.0    Industry, work shops, warehousing, packaging, tower    68011.00    cu.m    1.33    90454.63
         Total building fee:    90455.00

Balance of fee 10175 was paid on          according to receipt number

The validity of this permit will expire at the end of 3.0 years from the date of its issue.

The permit will be rescinded if no start is made in the work within one year from the date of the grant of the permit.

Date of grant of the permit: February 22, 2007

 

( — )

  

( — )

    

Ofer Korat-Oz

   Yehuda Shavit -   

Committee Engineer

   Chairman of the Committee   

Rubber stamp of Local Committee

encl.: one copy of the appendices signed and approved by the Chairman of the Local Committee / Engineer must be kept in accordance with Regulation 18(d) of the Planning and Building Regulations (Application for Permit, Conditions thereof and Fees), 5730-1970, by the works foreman at the building site during all times of execution of the work. One copy of the permit together with the appendices thereto, signed and approved, shall be exhibited on a demand by a representative of the Local Committee, District Committee, the health authorities, the Local Authority or the Civil Defense Command, to a policeman or to a fireman.

 

9


[Drawing]

[Translation of words in drawing]

The Emergency Water Pumps

Central water exchange            Central Foam exchange

Machine room Preparation room            Isotonic stopper                Raw materials silos

                                                                        Line 3 press

Maintenance

 

Guard

   Raw materials storeroom

                                                                        Line 4 press

 

Line 3 Processing

   3 Calibration    3 Polishing    3 Sorting

Line 4 Processing

   4 Calibration    4 Polishing    4 Sorting

Laboratory

Offices                Electricity room

 

10


Nehama Bogin Ltd.

Real estate appraisal n Counseling n Property management

Date: October 18, 2010        

Our reference: A5588/10/10

CaesarStone Plant

attention Mr. Yossi Shiran, CEO

ESTIMATE OF VALUE OF RIGHTS IN LAND

PLOT 2000 ACCORDING TO PLAN HA/MK/2004/9

CAESARSTONE PLANT, BAR-LEV INDUSTRIAL PARK

At your request we hereby submit a professional opinion in regard to the above-referenced matter. We visited the place, reviewed market data in relation to the surrounding area and the following is our opinion:

 

1. Objective of the appraisal :

 

  1.1 An estimate of the market value, on the free market, of land which serves as the CaesarStone plant, according to the criterion of a willing buyer from a willing seller.

 

  1.2 An estimate of the fair rentals for the above-referenced land, on the free market, according to the criterion of a willing lessee from a willing lessor.

 

2. Visit to the location :

A visit was made to the place on October 13, 2010 by Aviram Yovel, a real estate appraiser.

 

3. Effective date for the opinion :

The date on which the opinion was drawn.

 

4. Details of the land :

 

        Essence:

  Land on which an industrial building is constructed.

        Block:

  18508   ;   19618

        Parcel:

  49   ;   37-53

 

1


        Built area:

   19,178 sq.m. (in accordance with building permit no. 10175/0395/2006 dated September 26, 2006)

        Area of the plot:

   56,900 sq.m. (in accordance with building permit no. 10175/0395/2006 dated September 26, 2006)

        Legal rights:

   Capitalized leasehold from the Israel Lands Administration

        Location:

   “Bar-Lev” Industrial Park

 

5. Description of the property and the surrounding neighborhood :

 

  5.1 The Bar-Lev industrial zone is located within the jurisdiction of the “Mateh Asher” Local Planning Building Committee, and is situated east of the Ahihud crossroad, west of Carmiel. Access to the region is via Road No. 70.

[map]

[caption to map — The region that is the subject matter of the opinion ]

 

  5.2 The abovementioned land is located in the eastern section of the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone. The building is surrounded by undeveloped hilly land. The industrial zone is characterized by industrial uses in new buildings of 2-3 floors. The development and the infrastructure in the zone include, inter alia , paved roads, sidewalks, street lighting, signboards and so forth.

[map]

[caption to map — Subject matter of the opinion]

 

  5.3 The property in question is divided as follows:

 

  5.3.1 Office building — a two-storey building situated in the south-eastern front of the parcel, in a total area of about 540 sq.m. The ground floor contains a dining room, offices, cloakroom and showers and toilets; the second floor contains offices, conference room, a kitchenette and toilets.

Particulars of the finish include, inter alia , integrated ceramic floor tiling of 40 × 40 cms. and 20 × 20 cms., partitioning by way of plasterboard walls and building blocks, fluorescent lighting, an acoustic ceiling, glass windows with aluminum frame, external walls cladded with decorative interlocking stone. Close to the building there is an asphalt paved parking lot, a traffic island and rows of plants. At the entrance to the plot there is a guard station.

[photographs]

 

2


  5.3.2 Industrial building — north of the office building, divided into a number of wings as follows: line 3 press hall, line 4 press hall, production hall, raw materials hall, interior office, silos area.

The wings are to a height of about 21-23 meters, and around the building there are 22 doors which open upwards for purposes of loading of goods, the floor of the industrial building is of red Korodur, the ceiling is comprised of an insulated panel. The outer walls are made of concrete slabs.

A building in an overall area of about 19,178 sq.m. (according to building permit no. 20060395 dated September 26, 2006).

[photographs]

 

  5.4 The remainder of the parcel is paved with asphalt, and serves for open storage of CaesarStone surfaces and an area for the off-loading of trucks.

 

  5.5 The entire area of the plant is enclosed by a sheet-iron wall and includes an electronic entrance gate and a guard’s station.

Note: The measurements and the areas are according to the plan of building permit no. 20060395 dated September 26, 2006.

 

6. The zoning situation :

 

  6.1 Town Planning Scheme C/BT/214, which was published for validation in YP [Gazette] No. 4454 of November 5, 1996 .

The objectives of the plan are, inter alia , a change of an agricultural area close to the “Cyclone” plant into an industrial park, with all the components thereof and the division thereof into plots and the prescribing of building instructions; the designated zoned use of the area for a services and engineering installations center; specifying of instructions for development of the area, landscaping and gardening treatment; fixing of restrictions, instructions regarding initial habitation, operation and maintenance of the area; delineating of roads, shops and loading and off-loading zones; consolidation and fresh subdivision.

The property in question is divided into 9 industrial plots, an approved road and an open private area.

Areas for industry (purple) will be used as buildings for advanced and clean industry as will be approved by the Workshops Administration and for service facilities such as offices, shops, garages, warehouses and for any other similar objective, the aim of which is to serve the abovementioned designated uses after approval by the Local Committee. The erecting of a shop for the sale of the plant’s products within the confines of the plot will not be permitted, but only in the services center.

 

3


Construction will be permitted of buildings in which the total built area for each floor is according to one of the following possibilities:

 

   

Up to 50% of the area of the plot per floor, a total on all the floors of 80% including galleries.

 

   

Up to 40% of the area of the plot per floor, a total on all the floors of 100% including galleries.

 

   

Up to 30% of the area of the plot per floor, a total on all the floors of 120% including galleries.

 

Maximum
building
height
    Building percentage / maximum built area in sq.m.     Building lines     Minimum
size of
plot
    Color
of
region
    Name
of

region
 

No.

  No.
of
floors
(7)
    Total     Maximum
coverage
per floor
    Service
areas
    Prime
uses
    Above
entrance
level
    Side     Rear     Front                    
12     2        80     50     20     60     80         As marked         
14     3        100     40     30     70     or 100     5        5        on the        2000 sq.m.        Purple        Industry   
15     4        120     30     40     80     or 120         drawing         

 

Notes:

 

1. The height of the exceptional installations will be determined in the course of relating to their integration into the landscape to the satisfaction of the Board and the Local Committee.

 

2. A local committee is entitled to allow a concession with respect to height of buildings according to zoning and planning considerations.

 

3. Area of galleries up to 50% of the area of a floor is included in the building percentages.

 

4. If covered or underground parking is constructed, the covered area will be added to the permitted service area.

 

5. A pillars floor which takes advantage of height differences on the plot will be counted as part of the floors and the building percentages.

 

6. In plots 301, 306 — which are close to the aviation runway, the maximum height of the buildings, including any installations, shall not exceed 5 meters from the area of the developed plot.

 

7. The grant of a building permit is contingent upon prior consultation with the Committee’s engineer regarding the number of floors suitable for a given plot according to visual considerations.

 

8. In the case of a front strip for an open public area the building space will be measured from the inner boundary of the plot.

 

4


9. Secondary electricity installations, such as: portals and electricity poles and “transparent” installations will not be taken into account as part of the building rights and the erecting thereof will be allowed subject to operational requirements and the lodgment of a building permit according to law.

[map]

[caption to map — The parcels in question]

 

  6.2 Detailed Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9 — consolidation and subdivision of plots in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone, CaesarStone Plant. Published for validation in Y.P. 5358 dated January 9, 2005, according to which:

Objectives of the plan: consolidation of Plots 801-809, in accordance with Plan C/BT/214, into one industrial plot (Plot No. 2000), coupled with a change in the location of the open private areas, the open public area and the public road. Consolidation of these plots is for purposes of creating one large plot for the establishment of the CaesarStone plant.

Table of Areas

 

       Approved situation      Proposed situation  

Region

   Area in dunams      As a percentage      Area in dunams      As a percentage  

Industry

     56.9         60.8            56.9         60.8   

Approved road

     6.6         7.1            

Proposed road

              6.6         7.1   

Open public area

     23.2         24.8            23.2         24.8   

Open private area

     6.9         7.3            6.9         7.3   

TOTAL

     93.6         100            93.6         100   

The building objectives and the building rights are in accordance with Plan C/BT/214 — Bar-Lev Industrial Zone.

Consolidation and subdivision of plots:

 

   

This plan cancels the subdivision into plots according to Plan C/BT/214 and proposes a consolidation of the plots into one plot — number 2000.

 

   

A new subdivision according to the provisions of this plan will be approved by the Local Committee by means of a subdivision drawing that is prepared by a chartered surveyor and is signed by the owners of the land.

 

   

Splitting of Plot 2000 into two or more plots will be permitted in accordance with the consideration of the Local Committee and on condition that the minimum size of a plot shall not be less than 1.0 dunam and that there will be access to it from a public road.

[Drawing]

 

5


7. Building file

 

  7.1 Building Permit No. 20060395 dated February 22, 2007, pursuant to which additional construction to the existing built area was permitted. An addition on the ground floor in an area of 6,292.30 sq.m., which contains a production hall and storerooms and an application for a concession regarding height of a raw materials terminal (21-23 meters instead of 15 meters) from Plan C/BT/214.

 

Existing areas according to existing Permit No. 2004/0261

   12,841.44 sq.m.

A total proposed additional area -

   6,336.60 sq.m.

A total area of -

   19,178.04 sq.m.

Details of the areas are as follows :

  

Main use for production hall -

   5,076.47 sq.m.

Main use for storerooms -

   11,691.78 sq.m.

Main use for offices -

   540.42 sq.m.

Service areas -

  

Bomb-proof shelter area -

   85.40 sq.m.

Installations and technical systems -

   68.23 sq.m.

Transformer room -

   19.60 sq.m.

Sheds -

   160.47 sq.m.

 

  7.2 A “Form 4” was exhibited to us for erecting the CaesarStone industrial plant, which is dated December 22, 2004.

 

8. The legal situation :

We were shown a capitalized leasehold contract (industry and workshop) which was made and entered into on June 6, 2007 between the Israel Lands Administration (hereinafter “the Lessor”) and CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

 

Location:

   Mateh Asher Regional Council

Area:

   63,680 sq.m. approximately

Registration block:

   18508 Parcels 49 (part)

Registration block:

   19618 Parcels: 37 (in part), 38 (in part), 39 (in part), 40 (in part), 41 (in part), 42 (in whole), 43 (in whole), 44 (in whole), 45 (in whole), 46 (in whole), 47 (in whole), 48 (in part), 49 (in part), 50 (in part), 51 (in part), 53 (in whole).

 

6


Plot no.:

   2000 in accordance with Detailed Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9

Leasehold period:

  

49 years, commencing from the date of approval of the transaction, in other words from February 6, 2005 and until February 5, 2054. Additional leasehold period:

49 years commencing from the end of the leasehold period. Purpose of the leasehold: erecting a plant for quartz slabs.

Building capacity:

   4 floors, total 76,416 sq.m. built area

Main area:

   50,944 sq.m.

Service area:

   25,472 sq.m.

Leasehold fees:

   Annual leasehold fees for the entire leasehold period will be paid to the lessor in advance where same are capitalized as is customary with the lessor.

Zoning:

   Industry and workshops

The following special conditions will apply to the contract:

 

   

The leasehold lessee is aware that according to a recommendation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for an exemption from tender, a minimum main area for building construction of 6,000 sq.m. built area was prescribed for Plot 2000B. Failure to comply with this condition will be regarded as a breach of the conditions of the “additional area” transaction and with the Ministry of Industry and Trade recommendation, and the Lands Administration will be entitled to cancel the allocation and the additional area will be returned to the Lands Administration.

 

   

The leasehold lessee is aware that the allocation is solely for purposes of industry. Any use of the leasehold premises which does not correspond with the purpose of the allocation and with what is stated in the Ministry of Industry and Trade recommendation will be deemed to be a material breach of this leasehold contract and will allow for cancellation of the contract and return of the land to the Lands Administration without any compensation in respect of the investments in the area, unless 8 years have passed from the date of completion of construction of the built area on Plot 2000B.

 

   

The allocation is based on Plan HA/MK/2004/9 which allows for maximum exploitation to an extent of 120% on 4 floors including service areas (80% main area + 40% service areas).

 

   

This contract cancels a contract dated January 11, 2006 and replaces it.

 

7


9. Principles and considerations in the appraisal :

 

  9.1 As already mentioned, we were requested to estimate the market value of the land which serves as the CaesarStone plant, on the free and open market, and also to estimate the fair rentals.

 

  9.2 In coming to estimate the value of the right to the land in question and estimating the fair rentals, we have, inter alia , taken the following factors and considerations into account:

 

  9.2.1 The plots in the industrial park are according to an allocation by the Israel Lands Administration. The leasehold fees are fixed (per dunam), the development and infrastructure fees are fixed (per sq.m.).

 

  9.2.2 The location of the property in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone and its integration into the environmental fabric.

 

  9.2.3 The environmental development in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone and the internal development on the land.

 

  9.2.4 The area of the land that is the subject of the opinion, its shape, dimensions and its topography.

 

  9.2.5 The area of the buildings, the use made thereof and their physical condition.

 

  9.2.6 The zoning of the land and the building instructions according to the town planning scheme that is in force.

 

  9.2.7 Capitalized leasehold rights.

 

  9.2.8 Comparable market data relevant to the land.

 

10. Calculation :

 

  10.1 Set forth below market data which we have, inter alia , taken into account are presented:

 

  10.1.1 Infrastructure development fees: NIS 178,500 per dunam.

 

  10.1.2 Leasehold fees to the Israel Lands Administration: NIS 60,000 per dunam.

 

  10.1.3 Estimate of value of the rights in and to the land:

 

8


     Size in
dunams
     Value per
dunam
    Total  

Land zoned for industry

     56.90         NIS 60,000        NIS 3,414,000   

Land zoned for open private area

     6.90         NIS 6,000        NIS 41,400   

Development

     63.80         NIS 180,000        NIS 11,484,000   

Building construction

     19,178         NIS 1,600        NIS 30,684,800   

Total

          NIS 45,624,200   

Reduction for size

        5     NIS 43,342,990   

And rounded

          NIS 43,300,000   

 

10.2 An estimate fair rentals according to a rate of return of 9.5% is a sum of NIS 345,000 per month.

 

9


IRREVOCABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

Irrevocable pursuant to Section 91 of the Chamber of Advocates Law, 5721-1961

We the undersigned, CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd., Pvte. Co. 51-143950-7 , hereby irrevocably appoint Advocates Michal Oron and/or Yoav Caspi and/or any other attorney in the office of AYR — Amar Reiter Jean Saguy Cohen & Co., all jointly and/or each severally, to be our lawful attorneys and agents and authorized on our behalf to do in our name, stead and for us all the following acts, and each of such acts separately, in connection with the registration of the property known as Plot No. 200 according to Detailed Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9 and which is also known as Registration Block 18508 Parcel 49 (in part), Registration Block 19618 Parcels 37 (in part), 38 (in part), 39 (in part), 40 (in part), 41 (in part), 42 (in whole), 43 (in whole), 44 (in whole), 45 (in whole), 46 (in whole), 47 (in whole), 48 (in part), 49 (in part), 50 (in part), 51 (in part), 53 (in whole)., in an area of approximately 63,680 sq.m., in the Bar-Lev Industrial Park west of Carmiel ( “the Property ”), and transfer of registration of the rights in the Property from our name into the name of Sdot Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Enterprises Ltd., Pvte. Co. 57-004566-6 ( “the Buyers ”):

 

1. To appear in our name and stead before any authority and/or body and/or government and/or municipal and/or public and/or other institution and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing before Israel Lands Administration and/or the Commissioner of Government and Abandoned Property in Judea and Samaria and/or the Registrar of Lands and/or the Inspector of Land Registration and/or any other office-bearer in offices and/or bureaus for the registration of land and/or land settlement and/or the survey department and/or various town planning committees and/or Land Appreciation Tax offices and/or Property Tax offices and/or the offices of any housing company, and to do and/or perform and/or to sign in our name and stead declarations, certificates, applications, undertakings, contracts, agreements, claims, waivers, receipts, plans, maps, transactions, transaction deeds and/or a transfer of whatsoever nature, including, and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, a transaction whether for consideration or without consideration and/or transaction deeds and/or deeds of transfer and/or registration of a sale and/or leasehold and/or a transfer of lease and/or sub-leasehold and/or any other right, deeds of mortgage and/or charge and/or undertakings to register a mortgage and/or various servitudes or easements and/or registration of caveats and/or expungement of caveats and any amendment and/or alteration and/or cancellation of each of the aforesaid documents and/or acts, and generally to perform any act and to sign any document required for performing the deeds and acts which are described in this power of attorney and/or are connected herewith, as our abovementioned attorney and agent deems necessary and expedient.

 

2. In our name and stead and on our account to pay all the payments, taxes, fees, rates and levies and/or various compulsory payments and any expense of whatsoever nature which are imposed on us and/or on the Property and which are required for purposes of obtaining any approval and/or certificate and/or document that is needed for purposes of the performance and/or registration of all the acts mentioned in this power of attorney and/or which are required, whether directly or indirectly, for purposes of transferring registration of the rights in the Property from our name into the name of the Buyers.

 

1


3. To undertake, declare and sign at any time and at any place and to act to whatever extent may be necessary, expedient and required for executing transfer of registration of the rights in and to the Property from our name into the name of the Buyers.

 

4. This power of attorney shall be interpreted in the widest possible manner in order that our abovementioned attorney and agents will be able to do everything in our name and stead which we are entitled to do ourselves and/or through others for purposes of transferring registration of the rights in and to the Property from our name into the name of the Buyers.

 

5. Our abovementioned attorney and agents are entitled to transfer the performance of some or all of the acts mentioned in this power of attorney to another/others and to delegate to another/others any of their powers and authorities which are mentioned herein, and to revoke any transfer and/or delegation that has been made, and to transfer and/or delegate same afresh.

 

6. Any acts that our abovementioned attorney and agents may perform or anything that may be caused by them in relation to the acts and operations under this power of attorney will be binding on us, our heirs, our successors-in-title and all those acting in our name and under us, and we agree in advance to all the acts of our abovementioned attorney and agents that may be performed by virtue of this power of attorney.

 

7. In this power of attorney the singular shall include the plural and vice versa , and the masculine gender shall also include the feminine, and vice versa , all as the case may be.

 

8. Since the rights of a third party are dependent on this power of attorney, it will be irrevocable, and we will not have the right to cancel and/or alter it and it shall be valid and effectual and shall be binding also on all our successors-in-title.

 

9. We hereby expressly agree that our abovementioned attorney and agents may sign any document in our name and in the name of the Buyers jointly.

In witness whereof we have hereunto signed on this day:                     

 

  

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

I, Michal Oren, Adv., certify that my abovementioned clients signed this power of attorney before me on                     .

 

  

Michal Oron, Adv.

 

2

Exhibit 10.2

ADDENDUM TO SALE AND LEASE-BACK AGREEMENT

DATED MARCH 31, 2011 (“THE ADDENDUM”)

Made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 13 th day of February 2012

 

Between:   CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 51-1439507
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Seller” )

of the one part ;

 

And:   SDOT YAM AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY ENTERPRISES LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 57-004566-6
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Buyer” )

of the other part ;

 

WHEREAS:   The parties entered into a sale and lease-back agreement dated March 31, 2011, which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix A (hereinafter: “the Agreement” ); and
WHEREAS   The parties wish to amend the provisions of the Agreement, as set forth in this Addendum;

Now therefore it is declared and agreed by the parties as follows:

 

1. This Addendum constitutes an integral part of the Agreement.

 

2. Clause 4.2 of the Agreement will be amended by inserting “December 31, 2012” in place of “December 31, 2011”.

 

3. Apart from the aforesaid amendment, all the provisions of the Agreement will continue to apply without any change whatsoever.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

Kibbutz Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Enterprises Ltd.    CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.
by          ( - )    by          ( - )
and        ( - )    and        ( - )

Exhibit 10.3

 

File no.: 20908280A                

Account no.: 352926074          

LEASEHOLD CONTRACT — BAR LEV

(Industry and workshops)

Capitalized

made and entered into at                                  on the 6 th day of June 2007

Between

ISRAEL LANDS ADMINISTRATION which manages the lands of the STATE OF ISRAEL , the DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY , the KEREN KAYEMET LE-ISRAEL (hereinafter referred to as “the Lessor”) whose address for purposes of this Contract is: Plaza Hotel, 2 Hermon Street, Nazareth Illit

of the one part;

And

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD. Identity/Corporation no. 511439507 (hereinafter: “the Lessee”), whose address for purposes of this Contract is: Sdot-Yam, Sdot-Yam

of the other part;

Preamble

The preamble to this Leasehold Contract constitutes an integral part of the conditions of leasehold and together therewith constitutes the Leasehold Contract. The aforesaid conditions of leasehold were published in Yalkut Pirsumim [Gazette] No.  4818 on November 4, 1999 .

WHEREAS the State of Israel plus the Development Authority is the owner of the land described below in this preamble (hereinafter: “the Plot”);

AND WHEREAS a building or buildings stand/s on the Plot (hereinafter: “the Building”) which were erected in a period preceding the date of this Leasehold Contract coming into force;

AND WHEREAS if the construction of the Buildings was not completed so as to allow for the habitation and occupation thereof and/or the full use thereof for purposes of the leasehold, the Lessee declares that it undertakes to complete the construction of the Buildings in a manner that same will be fit for use for the aforesaid purposes, by not later than one year from the date of the Lands Administration signing this Contract, and that it is aware that this undertaking constitutes a material and fundamental term and condition of this Contract;

 

1


AND WHEREAS the Lessor has agreed to lease the Plot under leasehold to the Lessee together with everything that is built thereon and permanently affixed thereto (hereinafter: “the Permanent Fixtures”) (the Plot and the Permanent Fixtures will henceforth be referred to as — “the Leasehold Property”), but this will be on a condition precedent that the Lessee’s obligations – whether according to a development contract with the Lessor or pursuant to another agreement with the Lessor — have been fully complied with in the period preceding the date on which this Leasehold Contract comes into force;

AND WHEREAS the parties agree that for the sake of convenience only the Lessee will sign a copy of this Leasehold Contract without this binding the Lessor, so long as all the Lessee’s aforesaid obligations have not been fulfilled. It is expressly agreed by the parties that the Leasehold Contract will be valid and effectual only after the Lessor also signs it and only if the Lessee performs and fulfils its aforesaid obligations vis-à-vis the Lessor. Until such time as the Lessor has signed the Leasehold Contract, the conditions will not be binding on the parties, and the signature of the Lessee alone on the Leasehold Contract will not confer on it any right pursuant to the Leasehold Contract. The date on which the Lessor signs the Contract will be deemed to be the date of signing of the Leasehold Contract;

AND WHEREAS on the date of commencement of the leasehold period the Lands Administration delivered possession of the leasehold property to the Lessee or to the person who held the right of leasehold in the leasehold property before the Lessee, and if there are occupiers on the leasehold property the Lessor has no obligation to evict them and/or to bear the expenses for their eviction;

AND WHEREAS the Lessee hereby declares that no restriction applies to it with regard to its entering into this Contract with the Lessor pursuant to the provisions of Clause 19(a)(3) of this Leasehold Contract and that it is aware that solely on this condition precedent and basic condition is the Lessor prepared to enter into this Leasehold Contract with it;

AND WHEREAS according to the provisions of the convention between the State of Israel and the Keren Kayemet L’Israel (hereinafter: “the Keren”) which was published in Yalkut Pirsumim No. 1456 dated 11 th Sivan 5728, page 1597, management of the lands and real estate owned by the Keren, including the leasing thereof under leasehold and the grant of consent to a transfer of the leasehold rights therein or a refusal to grant such consent, shall be made by the Lessor subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Keren, and the Lessee hereby declares that it is aware that if the Plot, in whole or in part, is owned by the Keren, or may in the future be owned by the Keren, it will be governed by the provisions of the aforesaid convention and that only on the basis of this fundamental condition precedent is the Lessor prepared to enter into this Leasehold Contract with it;

AND WHEREAS if the purpose of the leasehold is for industry or workshops, or for tourism, then, in addition to the conditions of leasehold below, the conditions set forth below in this preamble shall also apply to this Contract:

 

2


  (a) If the purpose of the leasehold is for industry or workshops and the Lessee requests the Lessor for consent to alter the type of industry or workshops that are specified in “the purpose of the leasehold”, the Lessor will be entitled to make the grant of its consent thereto conditional, inter alia , on a change in the length of the leasehold period in accordance with the Lessor’s decisions as prevailing from time to time, as well as the obtaining of a recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the requested alteration in the type of industry or workshops and for the length of the leasehold period that was recommended by it for this purpose.

 

  (b) If the purpose of the leasehold is industry or workshops or tourism, then in addition to and subject to all the remaining conditions in Clause 9 and Clause 14 below, the Lessee will be obliged to attach to its application for the making of any of the alterations referred to in Clause 9, or for transfer of the rights under this Contract as stated in Clause 14, as the case may be, a suitable and valid recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade or the Ministry of Tourism, as the case may be. The Lessor will not grant its consent to any of the Lessee’s abovementioned applications unless the Lessee has furnished it with such a valid recommendation.

 

  (c) “The Ministry of Industry and Trade”, “the Ministry of Tourism” — includes another government ministry charged with the subjects and matters of the same type as the “purpose of the leasehold”, all in accordance with decisions of the Israel Lands Council or the Lessor’s decisions and as will be required from time to time as the case may be.

AND WHEREAS the meaning of the terms in this Contract will be according to what is stated below in this preamble, unless the context necessitates a different meaning according to the Contract:

“The Plot”: the Plot described in the drawing attached to an agreement between the Lessee and the housing company or the drawing that is attached hereto that was prepared by the Lessor and the details of which are:

Location: Mateh Asher Regional Council                              Area: 63,680 sq.m. approx.

Registration Block: 18508 Parcels: 49 (in part)

Registration Block: 19618 Parcels: 37 (in part), 38 (in part), 39 (in part), 40 (in part), 41 (in part), 42 (in whole), 43 (in whole),

44 (in whole), 45 (in whole), 46 (in whole), 47 (in whole), 48 (in part), 49 (in part), 50 (in part), 51 (in part), 53 (in whole).

Plot/s no. 2000 according to Detailed Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9

“Date of approval of the transaction”: the date on which the transaction that is the subject of this Contract was approved by the Lessor’s management.

“The leasehold period”: 49 years, commencing from the date of approval of the transaction, namely from February 6, 2005 until February 5, 2054 .

“Additional leasehold period”: 49 years commencing from the end of the leasehold period.

 

3


“Purpose of the leasehold”: Erecting works for quartz slabs ..

“Building capacity”:             percentage per floor, on 4 floors, and altogether             percent which represents                     units and which aggregate in all 76416.0 built sq.m.

“Main area”: 50944.0 sq.m.

“Service area”: 25472.0 sq.m.

“Leasehold fees”:

Annual leasehold fees for the entire leasehold period which will be paid to the Lessor in advance where same are capitalized as is customary at the Lessor (hereinafter: “Capitalized Leasehold Fees”).

The capitalized user fees that were deposited with the Lessor prior to signing of this Leasehold Contract, if deposited, shall be deemed to be payment of Capitalized Leasehold Fees.

“The basic value of the plot”: NIS 10,250,000.00 (ten million two hundred and fifty thousand shekels) as at the date of the approval of the abovementioned transaction.

“The Basic Index”: The last Consumer Price Index as was known on the date of approval of the aforesaid transaction.

“The zoning”: Industry and workshops.

AND WHEREAS if the Lessee is more than one person or one body corporate, the obligations of the persons or the bodies corporate who constitute the Lessee will be joint and several, and their rights under this Contract will be only joint;

AND WHEREAS in addition to the terms and conditions of the Leasehold Contract below the following special conditions shall apply:

 

# The Lessee is aware that according to a recommendation of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment to exempt from a tender, a minimum main area for construction of 6,000 sq.m. built-up area was fixed for Plot 2000B. Failure to comply with this condition will be deemed to be a breach of the conditions of the ‘addition of area’ transaction and the recommendation of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, and the Lands Administration will be entitled to cancel the allocation and the additional area will revert to the Lands Administration.

 

# The Lessee is aware that the allocation is solely for purposes of industry. Any use of the Leasehold Property which does not conform with the purpose of the allocation and with what is specified in the recommendation of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment will be deemed to be a material breach of this Leasehold Contract and will allow for cancellation of the Contract and the return of the land

 

4


to the Lands Administration without any compensation in respect of the investments in the area, unless 8 years have passed from the date of completion of construction of what is built on Plot 2000B.

 

# The allocation is based on Plan HA/MK/2004/9 which allows for maximum exploitation to an extent of 120% on 4 floors including service areas (80% main area + 40% service areas).

 

# This Contract cancels the contract of January 11, 2006 and replaces it.

AND WHEREAS in addition to the terms and conditions of the Leasehold Contract that were published as aforesaid, the special conditions and/or an addendum to the Leasehold Contract will apply at the time of a splitting of plot as described and attached below.

It is agreed by the parties that the drawing, the special conditions, the addendum to the Leasehold Contract as aforesaid constitute an integral part of the preamble and the conditions that were published as aforesaid.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

The Lessor:

        The Lessee: CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.
1.    Name                                                                                           1.       Name    Ahuva Lutzky
   Title                                                                                              Identity No.    52357233
   Office                                                                                           Signature    (—  )
  

Israel Lands Administration

on behalf of the State /

Development Authority / KKL

           
2.    Name Yochevet Schwarzberg         2.       Name    Giora Wagman
   Title Head of Division ( — )          Identity No.    5102746
   Office                                                                                             Signature    (—  )
   Signature                                                                                           

Certifier:

I the undersigned certify that I identified the above-mentioned Lessee according to identification documents that were exhibited to me and that the Lessee signed this Contract in my presence.

Name Mordechai Shapira Title and Office Director of Bar-Lev Works Signature of Certifier ( — )

Contract: 201/19 Conditions 206/10 Date produced, 14:05:52 March 6, 2007 20908280A

 

5


APPENDIX FOR AMENDMENT OF LICENSEE AGREEMENT

Signed at Sdot-Yam on the 21 st day of December 2006

- Between -

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

of Kibbutz Sdot-Yam 38805, Pvte. Co. 51-143950-7

(hereinafter: “CaesarStone” or “the Company”)

of the one part

- And -

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd., No. 57-000350-9

(hereinafter: “the Kibbutz” )

of the other part

 

WHEREAS:   A licensee agreement was signed between the parties on January 1, 2001 for the use by CaesarStone of land belonging to the Kibbutz with this being under the conditions set forth in the agreement (hereinafter: “the Licensee Agreement” ); and
WHEREAS:   The parties have agreed that CaesarStone will grant the Kibbutz a loan under the conditions and at the times specified in the loan agreement to which this Appendix for Amendment is attached as Appendix C (hereinafter: “the Loan Agreement” ); and
WHEREAS:   As part of the conditions of the Loan Agreement, the parties have agreed to amend the provisions of the License Agreement as set forth below in this Appendix for Amendment;

Now therefore it is agreed, declared and stipulated by the parties as follows:

 

1. The preamble to this Appendix for Amendment constitutes an integral part hereof and of the conditions hereof.

 

2. The Licensee Agreement as referred to in Clause 5.1 of the Licensee Agreement is hereby be extended until December 31, 2013. The provisions of Clause 5.2 of the Licensee Agreement will continue to apply without any change.

 

3.

Notwithstanding the contents of Clause 6.3 of the Licensee Agreement, the balance of the monthly user fees (after effecting the setoff as mentioned in Clause 2.3.3 of the Loan Agreement) shall be paid not later than the 10 th day of each month, by way of a check which will be transferred to the Kibbutz each month, or by a bank transfer which will be made on the date of payment, all of which will be in new shekels according to the rate of

 

1


the dollar as stated in the Licensee Agreement. However, during the reduction years, as defined in the Loan Agreement, the monthly user fees, to the extent of the amount of the annual reduction (in other words an annual amount of NIS 4,000,000 linked to the index) as defined in the Loan Agreement, will not be setoff but will be transferred by CaesarStone, by way of an irrevocable instruction, to cover the actuarial deficit of the Kibbutz in a division according to the instructions of the tax/pension consultants of the Kibbutz. This amount will be transferred by CaesarStone as follows: (a) a sum of NIS 476,200 linked to the index will be transferred in the sixth month of each of the reduction years, by not later than the 10 th of the month, and (b) in the seventh until the twelfth months in each of those years a sum of NIS 587,300 linked to the index will be transferred, by not later than the 10 th of each month.

 

4. It is hereby clarified that in accordance with the contents of Appendix E to the Licensee Agreement, in every case in which a change and/or amendment is made and/or building construction is performed in the permit area and these are done by means of a loan which the Company will provide to the Kibbutz (hereinafter: “the Building Loan”), a setoff of the user fees as mentioned in Clause 5 of this Appendix E, will be made (a) only subject to the contents of the Loan Agreement (including subject to the amount of the monthly repayment that will be paid to the Company and also a sum of NIS 208,333.333 per month linked to the index commencing from October 1, 2006, which was assigned to Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M., Bank Hapoalim B.M., United Mizrahi Bank Ltd., Israel Discount Bank Ltd. and the Industrial Development Bank of Israel Ltd.), and (b) only against the additional user fees that will be payable by the Company to the Kibbutz in respect of such alteration and/or amendment and/or building construction, without this derogating from the obligation of the Kibbutz to pay the amount of the Building Loan.

 

5. Subject to the foregoing, the remaining conditions of the Licensee Agreement will remain in force without any change.

In witness whereof the parties have signed this Appendix for Amendment:

 

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.    Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

Signature: ( — )                    ( — )

   Signature: ( — )

By:

   By:                                                                                            

Function:                                                                              

   Function:                                                                                 

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

   Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

 

2


MIZRAHI LEASING

FINANCE AND LEASING COMPANY LTD.

113 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv, telephones 03-5679775,

03-5679754, fax 03-5679919

By the grace of G-d, July 11, 2001

3045/7080

Registrar of Companies

P.O. Box 767

Jerusalem

Dear Sir/Madam,

re:     Removal of charge — in name of CaesarStone Pvte. Co. 511439507

We have pleasure in informing you hereby that we have no objection to the deletion of the charge that was registered in our favor by the abovementioned company as follows:

 

1. Charge no. 2 which was registered by you on May 18, 1997.

  

2.                                                                                                                

  

 

  Yours truly,
 

( — )

 

Mizrahi-Leasing

Finance and Leasing Company Ltd.

 

 

Ministry of Justice

Registrar of Companies and Partnerships

 
 

July 16, 2001

 
 

RECEIVED

 


[Wording alongside drawing of area]

ISRAEL LANDS ADMINISTRATION

NORTHERN DISTRICT

MAPPING AND SURVEYING DEPARTMENT

[insignia]                [insignia]

 

 

 

Job No.:                    663/19

 

 

 

Location:

   BAR LEV

Blocks:

   18508                     19618

Parcels:

   49 P,     51,53 P-48 P, 47 — 41,42 P — 37 P

Plot No.:

   2000

Area:

   63,680 d. Area including open public area — 6,820 d.

Scale:

   1 : 2500

File No.:

   2090828-0 A

Purpose of drawing:

   Allocation of area to Caesar Stone

Drawing of surrounding area

[diagram]

 

1. Survey plan of chartered surveyor                              No.              on date                     

 

2. The drawing is based on Detailed Plan or Outline Plan No. HA/MK/2004/9

 

3. The drawing was prepared by Juliana on October 10, 2006

 

4. The drawing was approved by Majed P on October 10, 2006

 

5. The change was made by                  and examined by                              ( — ) Majed Faraj

 

     

District Commissioner

Mapping and Surveying

Northern District

     

( — ) CAESAR STONE

( — ) Sdot-Yam Ltd.

 


Israel Lands Administration

File no: A 20908280          

Account no: 352926075    

Contract of Lease

(Industry and Workshops)

Capitalized

Made and executed in                      this 11 day of January, 2006 on             day of             ,             

 

BETWEEN:  

Israel Lands Administration,

that administers Israel State lands, the Development Authority, and the Jewish National Fund

(hereinafter called: “the Lessor” )

whose address for purposes of this Contract is:

Plaza Hotel, 2 Hermon Street, Upper Nazareth

of the one part

 

AND:  

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.,

I.D./corporate no. 511439507

(hereinafter called “the Lessee” )

whose address for the purpose of this Contract is:

Sdot Yam

of the other part

Preamble

The preamble to this Contract of Lease constitutes an integral part of the terms of the Lease and together therewith constitutes the Contract of Lease. The terms of the Lease have been published in the Official Gazette ( Yalkut Pirsumim ) no. 4818 of 4.11.1999.

WHEREAS The State of Israel/ Development Authority is the owner of the land described below in this preamble (hereinafter: “the Site”); and

WHEREAS a building or buildings are situated on the Site (hereinafter: “the Buildings”) which were set up during the period preceding the date of this Contract of Lease entering into effect; and

 

2


WHEREAS insofar as the construction of the Buildings has not been completed to enable the full habitation or use thereof for the purpose of the Lease, the Lessee declares that it undertakes to complete construction of the Buildings in a manner which will render them usable for such purpose, by no later than one year after the date of the signature by the Administration of this Contract, it being aware that this undertaking constitutes a fundamental term of this Contract; and

WHEREAS The Lessor has agreed to grant a lease of the Site to the Lessee, including everything constructed thereon and permanently affixed thereto (hereinafter: “the Fixtures”), (the Site with the Fixtures being hereinafter called — “the Premises”), on the prior condition that the Lessee’s undertakings — whether according to the Development Contract with the Lessor or according to any other agreement with the Lessor — have been fully performed during the period preceding the date on which this Contract of Lease enters into effect; and

WHEREAS The parties agree that for purposes of convenience only, the Lessee will sign a copy of this Contract of Lease without this binding the Lessor, as long the Lessee’s above mentioned undertakings have not been fully performed. It is expressly agreed by the parties that the Contract of Lease will only be valid after the Lessor will have also signed the same and only after the Lessee will have performed its undertakings towards the Lessor mentioned. Pending the signature by the Lessor of this Contract of Lease, the conditions thereof will not be binding upon the parties and the Lessee’s signature alone to this Contract of Lease will not confer upon it any right whatsoever thereunder. The date on which the Lessor will sign the same will be deemed to be the date of the execution of this Contract of Lease.

WHEREAS the Administration conveyed on the date of the commencement of the Term of the Lease possession in the Premises to the Lessee or to whomsoever were the proprietors of the leasehold right in the Premises before it, and insofar as there are parties in possession of the Premises, the Lessor is under no obligation to eject them or bear the costs of evicting them; and

WHEREAS the Lessee hereby declares that no restriction applies with respect to its entering into this Contract with the Lessor according to the provisions of clause 19(a)(3) of this Contract of Lease and that it is aware that the Lessor is only prepared to enter into this Contract of Lease with it on the basis of this prior and fundamental condition; and

WHEREAS according to the provisions of the Treaty between the State of Israel and the Jewish National Fund (hereinafter: “the Fund”) which was published in the Official Gazette ( Yalkut Pirsumim ) no. 1456 of 11 Sivan, 5721 at p. 197, the administration of the Land owned by the Fund, including the leasing thereof and the grant of consent or refusal to grant consent to a transfer of the leasehold rights therein will be made by the Lessor subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Fund, and the Lessee hereby declares that it is aware that if all or any of the Site is or will be in the ownership of the Fund, the provisions of the above Treaty will apply to it and on the basis of this preliminary and fundamental condition only is the Lessor prepared to enter into this Contract of Lease with it; and

 

3


WHEREAS if the purpose of the Lease is for industry or workshops, or tourism, then, in addition to the terms of the Lease set out below, the terms contained below in this preamble will additionally apply to this Contract:

 

  (a) If the purpose of the Lease is for industry or workshops, and the Lessee requests from the Lessor consent to vary the class of industry or workshop that has been prescribed in the “Purpose of the Lease”, the Lessor may impose conditions on the grant of its consent thereto, inter alia , by modifying the duration of the Lease Term pursuant to the Lessor’s decisions existing from time to time, and also on receiving a recommendation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the modification requested of the class of industry or workshop and the duration of the Lease Term as recommended by it for such purpose.

 

  (b) If the Purpose of the Lease is for industry or workshops or for tourism, then, in addition to and subject to all the remaining terms contained in clause 9 and clause 14 hereof, the Lessee will be bound to attach to its request to make any of the modifications mentioned in clause 9 or for the transfer of rights in this Contract as stated in clause 14, depending on the case, a suitable and valid recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade or the Ministry of Tourism, as appropriate. The Lessor will not grant its consent to any of the above requests by the Lessee unless the Lessee will have furnished such valid recommendation to it.

 

  (c) “The Ministry of Industry and Trade”, “the Ministry of Tourism” — includes also any other government ministry that is charged with matters of the class of “the Purpose of the Lease” all according to the decisions of the Israel Lands Council or the decisions of the Lessor, as binding from time to time, as appropriate; and

WHEREAS the meaning of the terms contained in this Contract will be pursuant to that stated below in this preamble, unless the context otherwise requires according to this Contract:

“the Site”: the site described in the plan attached to this Agreement between the Lessee and the housing entity or on the plan attached hereto as prepared by the Lessor, details of which are:

Location: Matte Asher Regional Council                                  Area: 41,606 sq.m., approximately

 

Registered Block:  

19618 Parcels: 42 (whole), 43 (whole), 44 (part), 45 (part),

46 (part), 47 (whole), 48 (whole), 49 (part),

50 (part), 51 (part), 53 (part).

Site(s) no. 2000 According to Detailed Plan no. 9/2004/HA/MK

“Date of Approval of the Transaction”: the date on which the transaction to which this Contract relates was approved by the Lessor’s management.

“Term of the Lease”: 49 years commencing from the Date of the Approval of the Transaction, i.e. from 06.02.2005 until — 05.02.2054.

 

4


“Further Lease Term”: 49 years commencing from the end of the Term of the Lease.

“Purpose of the Lease”: to set up a quartz panel plant.

“Construction Capacity”:              percentage per floor, on              floors, aggregating              percentage constituting              units and totalling 49927.0 constructed sq.m.

“Rent”:

Annual Rent for the entire Term of the Lease that will be paid to the Lessor in advance amortized as customary with the Lessor (hereinafter: “Capitalized Rent”).

The capitalized user fees that have been deposited with the Lessor prior to the execution of this Contract of Lease, if deposited, will be deemed to be payment of the Capitalized Rent.

“Basic Value of the Site”: NIS. 6.660,000.00 (six million, six hundred and sixty thousand new shekels) as of the Date of the Approval of the Transaction, mentioned above.

“Base Index”: the last Consumer Price Index that was known on the Date of the Approval of the Transaction, mentioned above.

“Zoning”: industry and workshops; and

WHEREAS if the Lessee consists of more than one person or body corporate, the undertakings of the persons or the bodies corporate constituting the Lessee will be joint and several while their rights under this Contract will only be joint; and

WHEREAS in addition to the terms of this Contract of Lease set out below, the following special conditions will apply:

The entrepreneur is aware that according to the recommendation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, for an exemption from tender it is determined that the minimum construction area be12,000 square metres.

Construction of 12,000 square metres will be regarded by the ILA as compliance with the terms of the Development Agreement and enable the conversion thereof into a Contract of Lease.

All the above is in addition to the performance of the remaining terms of the Agreement.

The allocation is based on the HA/MK/2004/9 Plan that allows maximum exploitation of 120% on 4 storeys including service areas (80% principal area + 40% service areas).

 

5


The entrepreneur is aware that the allocation is for industrial purposes and no trading purpose will be permitted.

WHEREAS in addition to the published terms of this Contract of Lease mentioned above, the special conditions and/or addendum to this Contract of Lease will apply at the time of any severing of the Site, as set out below and attached hereto.

It is agreed by the parties that the plan, the special conditions, the addendum to this Contract of Lease mentioned above constitutes an integral part of the preamble and the conditions that were published as above.

In witness whereof the parties have set their hands:

 

The Lessor:

   The Lessee:
1.   Name (signed and stamped         1.      Name CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.
  Description Israel Lands Administration         I.D. no. 511439507
  pp. the State of Israel Development Authority/JNF        
  Position                                                                                             Signature: (signed)
  Signature (signed)        
2.   Name Yocheved Schwartzberg         2.      Name                                                                    
  Description Head of Transactions ILA North         I.D. no.                                                                  
  Position                                                                                              Signature:                                                              
  Signature: (signed)        

Confirming party:

I, the undersigned, confirm that I identified the above Lessee according to the identification documents that were produced to me and that the Lessee signed this Contract in my presence.

Name: Amir Hershkovitz, Advocate Licence no. 25278 Job description: Lawyer Signature of confirming party: (signed)

Plan of the area attached on the next page of the original Hebrew.

 

6

EXHIBIT 10.4

Date: September 27, 2010

To

Mikroman Madencilik Mining

Hisarardi Koyo

Yatagan Mugla

Turkey

Dear Murat, Serhat, Karabay,

For the sake of establishing a binding long term agreement between CaesarStone and Mikroman, and following your meeting with Mr. Shay Ismach on January 18, 2010, below are proposed terms of agreement with respect to Microman’s supply of Quartzite (fractions, powder and lumps) to CaesarStone starting from January 2010 and until December 2014 (the “Term” ). Upon your signing on the approval at the bottom of this letter, it will constitute a binding agreement between Microman and CaesarStone.

1. CaesarStone estimates that it will order from Microman in each calendar year the following “Estimated Quantities” :

 

Estimated Quantities per year            

  

Fractions

   Powder    Lumps

2010

   * tons    -    In accordance

with section 2 below

2011

   * tons    * tons   

2012

   * tons    * tons   

2013

   * tons    * tons   

2014

   * tons    * tons   

 

  2. During each calendar year CaesarStone will be entitled to purchase from Microman lumps at a quantity that will be up to the quantity of fractions and powder that it would order from Microman during the same year.

 

  3. CaesarStone will submit to Microman once a year a working plan with a non-binding purchases projection. CaesarStone will be committed to its Purchase Orders and shall deliver to Microman a binding Purchase Order on a monthly basis. Microman undertakes to supply to CaesarStone, during the Term, all its Purchase Orders up to the Estimated Quantities (as defined in section 1 above).

 

  4. Microman will charge from CaesarStone the following prices for Quartzite:

 

Year

  

Fractions and powder

   lumps

2010

   $* per ton FOB Izmir    $* per ton FOB Gulluk

2011

   $* per ton FOB Izmir    $* per ton FOB Gulluk

2012 — 2014

   To be mutually agreed by the parties according to the then applicable market prices


  5. The fractions, powder and lumps will be supplied in a timely manner in accordance with CaesarStone’s quality standards and specifications as will be updated by CaesarStone from time to time.

 

  6. Microman will maintain in confidence the terms of this agreement as well as any other confidential information of CaesarStone without time limitation.

 

  7. This agreement and its performance will be governed by the English law and subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts in England. Without derogating from the generality and validity of the foregoing, CaesarStone shall be entitled, at its sole discretion, to initiate legal proceedings related to this Agreement in Turkey, and in such case only same proceeding will be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts in Turkey.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Microman and CaesarStone, and all prior understandings and/or commitments of any of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein are superseded and null.

If the foregoing meets with your approval and acceptance, please so indicate by signing both counterparts of this Letter Agreement as provided below and return one fully executed copy to us.

 

                     s/ Yos Shiran/                         

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd

By: Yosef Shiran , Chief Executive Officer

We hereby undertake and approve our consent to all of the above.

 

Microman Madencilik Mining

     Date   

By:                                             

       

Exhibit 10.5

LOGO

February 6, 2012

To

Mikroman Madencilik Mining

Hisarardi Koyo

Yatagan Mugla

Turkey

Dear Murat, Serhat, Karabay

Following our discussions, here is a summary of our agreement re supply during 2012.

1. Quantities

Caesarstone’s working plan for year 2012 is as follows:

 

Product

  

Quantity 2012 (tons)

    

1

  

*

   *   

2

  

*

   *   

3

  

*

   *   

4

  

*

   *   

5

  

*

   *   

6

  

*

   *   

7

  

*

   *   

8

  

*

   *   

The above is Caesarstone’s working plan with a purchases non-binding projection for year 2012 (the “Estimated Quantities”). As always, CaesarStone will deliver to Microman a binding Purchase Order on a monthly basis, and Microman shall supply to CaesarStone all such Purchase Orders up to the Estimated Quantities.

2. Prices – during 2012 the Microman will charge from Caesarstone the following prices:

fraction * – * US$ per ton FOB Izmir

* (G) - * US$ per ton FOB Izmir

* (powder) – * US$ per ton FOB Izmir

Payment terms shall be as applied during 2011.

This summary serves as an addendum to the agreement entered between Caesarstone and Microman on September 27, 2010 and constitutes an integral part thereof.

If the foregoing meets with your approval and acceptance, please so indicate by signing both counterparts of this Letter Agreement as provided below and return one fully executed copy to us.

 

 

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd
By: Yosef Shiran
Chief Executive Officer

We hereby approve our consent to all of the above.

 

 

   

 

 
Microman Madencilik Mining     Date  

 

By:  

 

LOGO

EXHIBIT 10.6

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

2011 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd., an Israeli company (the “ Company ”), has adopted the CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Plan ”) for the benefit of non-employee directors of the Company and officers and eligible employees and consultants of the Company and any Subsidiaries and Affiliates (as each term is defined below), as follows:

ARTICLE I.

ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES; AND DURATION

1.1. Establishment of the Plan . The Company hereby establishes this incentive compensation plan to be known as the “Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan,” as set forth in this document. The Plan permits the grant of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares, Cash-Based Awards and Other Share-Based Awards. Following adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors, the Plan shall become effective upon the date on which the Plan is approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares which are present and voted at a meeting (the “ Effective Date ”), which approval must occur within the period ending twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. The Plan shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3. The effectiveness of any Awards granted prior to such shareholder approval shall be specifically subject to and conditioned upon, and no Award shall be vested or exercisable until, such shareholder approval. If the Plan is not so approved by the Company’s shareholders or the Company’s initial public offering of Shares does not occur prior to December 31, 2012, the Plan shall not become effective, and shall terminate immediately, and any Awards previously granted shall thereupon be automatically canceled and deemed to have been null and void ab initio .

1.2. Purposes of the Plan . The purposes of the Plan are to provide additional incentives to non-employee directors of the Company and to those officers, employees and consultants of the Company, Subsidiaries and Affiliates whose substantial contributions are essential to the continued growth and success of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries and Affiliates, in order to strengthen their commitment to the Company and the Subsidiaries and Affiliates, and to attract and retain competent and dedicated individuals whose efforts will result in the long-term growth and profitability of the Company and to further align the interests of such non-employee directors, officers, employees and consultants with the interests of the shareholders of the Company. To accomplish such purposes, the Plan provides that the Company may grant Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares, Cash-Based Awards and Other Share-Based Awards.

1.3. Duration of the Plan . The Plan shall commence on the Effective Date, as described in Section 1.1, and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board of Directors


to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article XV, until all Shares subject to it shall have been delivered, and any restrictions on such Shares have lapsed, pursuant to the Plan’s provisions. However, in no event may an Award be granted under the Plan on or after ten years from the Effective Date.

ARTICLE II.

DEFINITIONS

Certain terms used herein have the definitions given to them in the first instance in which they are used. In addition, for purposes of the Plan, the following terms are defined as set forth below:

2.1. “ Affiliate ” means any entity other than the Company and any Subsidiary that is affiliated with the Company through stock or equity ownership or otherwise and is designated as an Affiliate for purposes of the Plan by the Committee.

2.2. “ Applicable Exchange ” means the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Market or such other securities exchange as may at the applicable time be the principal market for the Shares.

2.3. “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards, and Other Share-Based Awards.

2.4. “ Award Agreement ” means either: (a) a written agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan, or (b) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant.

2.5. “ Beneficial Ownership ” (including correlative terms) shall have the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

2.6. “ Board ” or “ Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.7. “ Cash-Based Award ” means an Award, whose value is determined by the Committee, granted to a Participant, as described in Article IX.

2.8. “ Cause ” shall have the definition given such term in a Participant’s Award Agreement, or in the absence of any such definition, as determined in good faith by the Committee.

2.9. “ Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

2


(a) an acquisition in one transaction or a series of related transactions (other than directly from the Company or pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan or compensatory options or other similar awards granted by the Company) by any Person of any Voting Securities of the Company, immediately after which such Person has Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities; provided , however , that in determining whether a Change of Control has occurred pursuant to this Section 2.9(a), Voting Securities of the Company which are acquired in a Non-Control Acquisition shall not constitute an acquisition that would cause a Change of Control; or

(b) the consummation of any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization involving the Company unless:

(i) the shareholders of the Company, immediately before such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization, own, directly or indirectly, immediately following such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation or reorganization (the “ Company Surviving Corporation ”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities of the Company immediately before such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization; and

(ii) the individuals who were members of the Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company Surviving Corporation, or a corporation Beneficially Owning, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting securities of the Company Surviving Corporation, and

(iii) no Person, other than (A) the Company, (B) any Related Entity, (C) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization, was maintained by the Company, the Company Surviving Corporation, or any Related Entity or (D) any Person who, together with its Affiliates, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization had Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Company, owns, together with its Affiliates, Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding Voting Securities

(a transaction described in clauses (b)(i) through (b)(iii) above is referred to herein as a “ Non-Control Transaction ”); or

(c) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company to any Person (other than (A) a transfer or distribution to a Related Entity, or (B) a transfer or distribution to the Company’s shareholders of the stock of a Related Entity or any other assets).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “ Subject Person ”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Company as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities of the Company by the Company which, by reducing the number of Voting Securities of the Company then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change of Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company and (1) before such share acquisition by the Company the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any new or additional Voting Securities of the Company in a related transaction or (2) after such share acquisition by the Company the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any new or additional Voting Securities of the Company which in either case increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Company Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change of Control shall be deemed to occur.

Solely for purposes of this Section 2.9, (1) “ Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and (2) “ control ” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise. Any Relative (for this purpose, “ Relative ” means a spouse, child, parent, parent of spouse, sibling or grandchild) of an individual shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such individual for this purpose. None of the Company or any Person controlled by the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any holder of Shares.

2.10. “ Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or a subcommittee thereof, or such other committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

2.11. “ Company Surviving Corporation ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.9(b)(i).

2.12. “ Consultant ” means an independent contractor who performs services for the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate in a capacity other than as an Employee or Director.

2.13. “ Director ” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.14. “ Disaffiliation ” means a Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s ceasing to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason (including as a result of a public offering, or a spin-off or sale by the Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary or Affiliate) or a sale of a division of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate.

2.15. “ Dividend Equivalents ” means the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends that would otherwise be paid on the Shares subject to an Award but that have not been issued or delivered, as described in Article XI.

2.16. “ Effective Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1.

 

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2.17. “ Employee ” means any person designated as an employee of the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate on the payroll records thereof. An Employee shall not include any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor, a consultant, or any employee of an employment, consulting, or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as a common-law employee of the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate during such period. As further provided in Section 18.4, for purposes of the Plan, upon approval by the Committee, the term Employee may also include Employees whose employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate has been terminated subsequent to being granted an Award under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, a Director who would otherwise be an “Employee” within the meaning of this Section 2.17 shall be considered an Employee for purposes of the Plan.

2.18. “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.

2.19. “ Fair Market Value ” means, if the Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, as of any given date, the closing price for a Share on such date on the Applicable Exchange, or if Shares were not traded on the Applicable Exchange on such measurement date, then on the next preceding date on which Shares are traded, all as reported by such source as the Committee may select. If the Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion.

2.20. “ Fiscal Year ” means the calendar year, or such other consecutive twelve-month period as the Committee may select.

2.21. “ Freestanding SAR ” means an SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Article VII.

2.22. “ Good Reason ” shall have the definition given such term in a Participant’s Award Agreement, or in the absence of any such definition, as determined in good faith by the Committee.

2.23. “ Grant Price ” means the price established at the time of grant of an SAR pursuant to Article VII, used to determine whether there is any payment due upon exercise of the SAR.

2.24. “ Insider ” means an individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, director or ten percent (10%) Beneficial Owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

2.25. “ Non-Control Acquisition ” means an acquisition (whether by merger, stock purchase, asset purchase or otherwise) by (a) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (i) the Company or (ii) any corporation or other Person of which fifty percent (50%) or more of its total value or total voting power of its Voting Securities or equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (a “ Related Entity ”); (b) the Company

 

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or any Related Entity; (c) any Person in connection with a Non-Control Transaction; or (d) any Person that owns, together with its Affiliates, Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company on the Effective Date.

2.26. “ Non-Control Transaction ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.9(b).

2.27. “ Non-Employee Director ” means a Director who is not an Employee.

2.28. “ Notice ” means notice provided by a Participant to the Company in a manner prescribed by the Committee.

2.29. “ Option ” or “ Stock Option ” means a Stock Option, as described in Article VI.

2.30. “ Option Price ” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.

2.31. “ Other Share-Based Award ” means an equity-based or equity-related Award described in Section 10.1, granted in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Article X.

2.32. “ Participant ” means any eligible individual as set forth in Article V who holds one or more outstanding Awards.

2.33. “ Performance Period ” means the period of time during which the performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to, or the amount or entitlement to, an Award.

2.34. “ Performance Share ” means an Award of a performance share granted to a Participant, as described in Article IX.

2.35. “ Performance Unit ” means an Award of a performance unit granted to a Participant, as described in Article IX.

2.36. “ Person ” means “person” as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, including any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity or any group of persons.

2.37. “ Restricted Stock ” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article VIII.

2.38. “ Restricted Stock Unit ” means an Award, whose value is equal to a Share, granted to a Participant pursuant to Article VIII.

2.39. “ Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

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2.40. “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as it may be amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.

2.41. “ Share ” means an Ordinary Share of the Company (including any new, additional or different stock or securities resulting from any change in corporate capitalization as listed in Section 4.3).

2.42. “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award, granted alone (a “ Freestanding SAR ”) or in connection with a related Option (a “ Tandem SAR ”), designated as an SAR, pursuant to the terms of Article VII.

2.43. “ Subject Person ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.9.

2.44. “Subplan” means additional incentive compensation plans as may be established by the Board within the parameters and in accordance with the overall terms and provisions of the Plan as may be needed to facilitate local administration of the Plan in any jurisdiction in which the Company, Subsidiary, or Affiliate operate in and to conform the Plan to the legal requirements of any such jurisdiction or to allow for favorable tax treatment under any applicable provision of tax law.

2.45. “ Subsidiary ” means any present or future corporation which is or would be a subsidiary of the Company as determined by the Committee.

2.46. “ Substitute Awards ” means Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, options or other awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to grant future options or other awards, by a company acquired by the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate or with which the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate combines, or otherwise in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization involving the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.

2.47. “ Tandem SAR ” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option pursuant to Article VII.

2.48. “ Termination ” means the time when a Participant ceases the performance of services for the Company, any Affiliate or Subsidiary, as applicable, for any reason, with or without Cause, including a Termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or Retirement, but excluding (a) a Termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment (or commencement of service) or continuing employment (or service) of a Participant by the Company, Affiliate or any Subsidiary, (b) at the discretion of the Committee, a Termination that results in a temporary severance, and (c) at the discretion of the Committee, a Termination of an Employee that is immediately followed by the Participant’s service as a Non-Employee Director.

2.49. “ Voting Securities ” shall mean, with respect to any Person that is a corporation, all outstanding voting securities of such Person entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

 

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ARTICLE III.

ADMINISTRATION

3.1. General . The Committee shall have exclusive authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan including but not limited to authorizing and administering Subplans all in accordance with its terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights, duties and responsibilities of the Committee under the Plan, including establishing procedures to be followed by the Committee, but excluding matters which under any applicable law, regulation or rule, including any exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3), are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. If and to the extent that the Committee does not exist or cannot function, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee, subject to the limitations set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.

3.2. Committee . The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors.

3.3. Authority of the Committee . The Committee shall have full discretionary authority to grant or, when so restricted by applicable law, recommend the Board to grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, Awards to those individuals who are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. Except as limited by law or by the Articles of Association of the Company, and subject to the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power, in accordance with the other terms and provisions of the Plan, to:

(a) select Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants who may receive Awards under the Plan and become Participants;

(b) determine eligibility for participation in the Plan and decide all questions concerning eligibility for, and the amount of, Awards under the Plan;

(c) determine the sizes and types of Awards;

(d) determine the terms and conditions of Awards, including the Option Prices of Options and the Grant Prices of SARs;

(e) grant Awards as an alternative to, or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or payable under, other bonus or compensation plans, arrangements or policies of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate;

(f) grant Substitute Awards on such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe;

(g) make all determinations under the Plan concerning Termination of any Participant’s employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, including whether such Termination occurs by reason of Cause, Good Reason, disability, retirement or in connection with a Change of Control and whether a leave constitutes a Termination;

 

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(h) determine whether a Change of Control shall have occurred;

(i) construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan, including any Award Agreement;

(j) establish and administer any terms, conditions, restrictions, limitations, forfeiture, vesting or exercise schedule, and other provisions of or relating to any Award;

(k) establish and administer any performance goals in connection with any Awards, including performance criteria and applicable Performance Periods, determine the extent to which any performance goals and/or other terms and conditions of an Award are attained or are not attained;

(l) construe any ambiguous provisions, correct any defects, supply any omissions and reconcile any inconsistencies in the Plan and/or any Award Agreement or any other instrument relating to any Awards;

(m) establish, adopt, amend, waive and/or rescind rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines, forms and/or instruments for the Plan’s operation or administration;

(n) make all valuation determinations relating to Awards and the payment or settlement thereof;

(o) grant waivers of terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations under the Plan or applicable to any Award, or accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Award;

(p) subject to the provisions of Article XV, amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award and/or adjust the number and/or class of shares of stock subject to any outstanding Award;

(q) at any time and from time to time after the granting of an Award, specify such additional terms, conditions and restrictions with respect to such Award as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with any and all applicable laws or rules, including terms, restrictions and conditions for compliance with applicable securities laws or listing rules, methods of withholding or providing for the payment of required taxes and restrictions regarding a Participant’s ability to exercise Options through a cashless (broker-assisted) exercise;

(r) offer to buy out an Award previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish with and communicate to the Participant at the time such offer is made;

(s) determine whether, and to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares or other property or canceled or suspended;

(t) establish any “blackout” period that the Committee in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable; and

 

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(u) exercise all such other authorities, take all such other actions and make all such other determinations as it deems necessary or advisable for the proper operation and/or administration of the Plan.

3.4. Award Agreements . The Committee shall, subject to applicable laws and rules, determine the date an Award is granted. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement; however , two or more Awards granted to a single Participant may be combined in a single Award Agreement. An Award Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of an Award; provided , however , that (a) the Committee may, but need not, require as a condition to any Award Agreement’s effectiveness, that such Award Agreement be executed on behalf of the Company and/or by the Participant to whom the Award evidenced thereby shall have been granted (including by electronic signature or other electronic indication of acceptance), and such executed Award Agreement be delivered to the Company, and (b) no person shall have any rights under any Award unless and until the Participant to whom such Award shall have been granted has complied with the applicable terms and conditions of the Award. The Committee shall prescribe the form of all Award Agreements, and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, shall determine the content of all Award Agreements. Any Award Agreement may be supplemented or amended in writing from time to time as approved by the Committee; provided that the terms and conditions of any such Award Agreement as supplemented or amended are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy concerning the terms of an Award, the records of the Committee or its designee shall be determinative.

3.5. Discretionary Authority; Decisions Binding . The Committee shall have full discretionary authority in all matters related to the discharge of its responsibilities and the exercise of its authority under the Plan. All determinations, decisions, actions and interpretations by the Committee with respect to the Plan and any Award Agreement, and all related orders and resolutions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Participants, the Company and its shareholders, any Subsidiary or Affiliate and all persons having or claiming to have any right or interest in or under the Plan and/or any Award Agreement. The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant to making or taking such decisions, determinations, actions and interpretations, including the recommendations or advice of any Director or officer or employee of the Company, any director, officer or employee of a Subsidiary or Affiliate and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as the Committee may select. A Participant or other holder of an Award may contest a decision or action by the Committee with respect to such person or Award only on the grounds that such decision or action was arbitrary or capricious or was unlawful, and any review of such decision or action shall be limited to determining whether the Committee’s decision or action was arbitrary or capricious or was unlawful.

3.6. Attorneys; Consultants . The Committee may consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ such other attorneys and/or consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers, agents and other persons, any of whom may be an Employee, as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate. The Committee, the Company and its officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. The Committee shall not incur any liability for any action taken in good faith in reliance upon the advice of such counsel or other persons.

 

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3.7. Delegation of Administration . Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, including any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3), or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may, in its discretion, allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under this Article III to any one or more of its members and/or delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers under this Article III to any person or persons selected by it; provided , however , that the Committee may not delegate its authority to correct defects, omissions or inconsistencies in the Plan. Any such authority delegated or allocated by the Committee under this Section 3.7 shall be exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and any rules, regulations or administrative guidelines that may from time to time be established by the Committee, and any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

ARTICLE IV.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

4.1. Number of Shares Available for Grants . The shares of stock subject to Awards granted under the Plan shall be Shares. Such Shares subject to the Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares (which will not be subject to preemptive rights) or previously issued shares acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the total number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 9,500 Shares.

4.2. Rules for Calculating Shares Delivered . If (a) any Shares are subject to an Option, SAR, or other Award which for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been fully exercised or satisfied, or are subject to any Restricted Stock Award (including any Shares subject to a Participant’s Restricted Stock Award that are repurchased by the Company at the Participant’s cost), Restricted Stock Unit Award or other Award granted under the Plan which are forfeited, or (b) any Award based on Shares is settled for cash, expires or otherwise terminates without the issuance of such Shares, the Shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of any such expiration, termination, cancellation, forfeiture or cash settlement, be available for delivery in connection with future Awards under the Plan. If the Option Price of any Option and/or tax withholding obligations relating to any Award are satisfied by delivering Shares to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number of Shares issued net of the Shares delivered or attested to shall be deemed delivered for purposes of the limits set forth in Section 4.1. To the extent any Shares subject to an Award are withheld to satisfy the Option Price (in the case of an Option) and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to such Award, such Shares shall not be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of the limits set forth in Section 4.1. Upon the exercise of a SAR, only the number of Shares, if any, issued upon such exercise shall reduce the number of Shares available for delivery under the Plan. Any Shares delivered under the Plan upon exercise or satisfaction of Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares available for delivery under the Plan.

4.3. Adjustment Provisions . In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, share combination or exchange, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company (each a “ Share Change ”), or a merger, amalgamation, consolidation,

 

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acquisition of property or shares, separation, spin-off, split-up, other distribution of stock or property (including any extraordinary cash or stock dividend), reorganization, stock rights offering, liquidation, Disaffiliation, or similar event affecting the Company or any Subsidiary (each, a “ Corporate Transaction ”), the Committee or the Board shall make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (A) the aggregate number, class and kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan, (B) the number, class and kind of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards; and (C) the Option Price, Grant Price or other price of securities subject to outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and, to the extent applicable, other Awards; provided , however , that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. In the case of Corporate Transactions, such adjustments may include, without limitation, (1) the cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such Awards, as determined by the Committee or the Board in its discretion (it being understood that in the case of a Corporate Transaction with respect to which holders of Shares receive consideration other than publicly traded equity securities of the ultimate surviving entity, any such determination by the Committee that the value of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall for this purpose be deemed to be equal to the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration being paid for each Share pursuant to such Corporate Transaction over the exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (2) the substitution of other property (including, without limitation, cash or other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company) for the Shares subject to outstanding Awards; and (3) in connection with any Disaffiliation, arranging for the assumption of Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other property or other securities (including other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company), by the affected Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division or by the entity that controls such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division following such Disaffiliation (as well as any corresponding adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities). The Committee shall also make appropriate adjustments and modifications in the terms of any outstanding Awards to reflect, or related to, any such events, adjustments, substitutions or changes. All determinations of the Committee as to adjustments, substitutions and changes, if any, under this Section 4.3 shall be conclusive and binding on the Participants.

4.4. No Limitation on Corporate Actions . The existence of the Plan and any Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in its capital structure or business structure, any merger or consolidation, any issuance of debt, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Shares, additional shares of capital stock or other securities or subscription rights thereto, any dissolution or liquidation, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

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ARTICLE V.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

5.1. Eligibility . Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall be eligible to become Participants and receive Awards in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

5.2. Actual Participation . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select Participants from all eligible Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award.

ARTICLE VI.

STOCK OPTIONS

6.1. Grant of Options . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee may grant an Option or provide for the grant of an Option, either from time to time in the discretion of the Committee or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events, including the achievement of performance goals, the satisfaction of an event or condition within the control of the recipient of the Option or within the control of others. The granting of an Option shall take place when the Committee (or its designee) by resolution, written consent or other appropriate action determines to grant such Option for a particular number of Shares to a particular Participant at a particular Option Price, or such later date as the Committee (or such designee) shall provide in such resolution, consent or action.

6.2. Award Agreement . Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which the Option shall become exercisable and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine, which are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

6.3. Option Price . The Option Price for each Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that Substitute Awards or Awards granted in connection with an adjustment provided for in Section 4.3, in the form of stock options, shall have an Option Price per Share that is intended to maintain the economic value of the Award that was replaced or adjusted, as determined by the Committee.

6.4. Duration of Options . Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant and set forth in the Award Agreement.

6.5. Exercise of Options . Options shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance determine and set forth in the Award Agreement, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Option or Participant. An Award Agreement may provide that the period of time over which an Option may be exercised shall be automatically extended if on the scheduled expiration date of such

 

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Option the Participant’s exercise of such Option would violate an applicable law; provided , however , that during such extended exercise period the Option may only be exercised to the extent the Option was exercisable in accordance with its terms immediately prior to such scheduled expiration date; provided further , however , that such extended exercise period shall end not later than thirty (30) days after the exercise of such Option first would no longer violate such law.

6.6. Payment . Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, in a form specified or accepted by the Committee, or by complying with any alternative exercise procedures that may be authorized by the Committee, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for such Shares, which shall include applicable taxes, if any, in accordance with Article XVI. The Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full by certified or bank check or such other instrument as the Committee may accept. If approved by the Committee, and subject to any such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may prescribe and to the extent permitted by applicable law, payment of the Option Price, in full or in part, may also be made as follows:

(a) Payment may be made in the form of unrestricted and unencumbered Shares (by actual delivery of such Shares or by attestation) already owned by the Participant exercising such Option, or by such Participant and his or her spouse jointly (based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised); provided , however , that such already owned Shares must have been either held by the Participant for at least six (6) months at the time of exercise or purchased on the open market.

(b) Payment may be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company, together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay the Option Price, and, if requested, the amount of any federal, state, local or non-United States withholding taxes. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms.

(c) Payment may be made by instructing the Committee to withhold a number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant pursuant to the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the product of: (i) Option Price multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares in respect of which the Option shall have been exercised.

(d) Payment may be made by any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its discretion.

Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 6.6 and satisfaction of tax obligations in accordance with Article XVI, the Company shall deliver to the Participant exercising an Option, in the Participant’s name,

 

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evidence of book entry Shares, or, upon the Participant’s request, Share certificates, in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option, subject to Section 18.10. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods described above shall be paid in United States dollars.

6.8. Rights as a Shareholder . No Participant or other person shall become the beneficial owner of any Shares subject to an Option, nor have any rights to dividends or other rights of a shareholder with respect to any such Shares, until the Participant has actually received such Shares following exercise of his or her Option in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

6.9. Termination of Employment or Service . Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, an Option may be exercised only to the extent that it is then exercisable, and if at all times during the period beginning with the date of granting of such Option and ending on the date of exercise of such Option the Participant is an Employee or Non-Employee Director, and shall terminate 120 days following the Termination of the Participant. An Option shall cease to become exercisable 120 days following a Termination of the holder thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.9 to the contrary, the Committee may determine in its discretion that an Option may be exercised following any such Termination, whether or not exercisable at the time of such Termination; provided , however , that in no event may an Option be exercised after the expiration date of such Option specified in the applicable Award Agreement, except as determined by the Committee.

ARTICLE VII.

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

7.1. Grant of SARs . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee may grant an SAR (a) in connection and simultaneously with the grant of an Option (a Tandem SAR) or (b) independent of, and unrelated to, an Option (a Freestanding SAR). The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Shares to which an SAR pertains (subject to Article IV) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to any SAR.

7.2. Grant Price The Grant Price for each SAR shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, subject to the limitations of this Section 7.2. The Grant Price for each Freestanding SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such Freestanding SAR is granted, except in the case of Substitute Awards or Awards granted in connection with an adjustment provided for in Section 4.3. The Grant Price of a Tandem SAR shall be equal to the Option Price of the related Option.

7.3. Exercise of Tandem SARs . Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only when and to the extent the related Option is exercisable and may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which the related Option is then exercisable. A Tandem SAR shall entitle a Participant to elect, in the

 

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manner set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, in lieu of exercising his or her unexercised related Option for all or a portion of the Shares for which such Option is then exercisable pursuant to its terms, to surrender such Option to the Company with respect to any or all of such Shares and to receive from the Company in exchange therefor a payment described in Section 7.7. An Option with respect to which a Participant has elected to exercise a Tandem SAR shall, to the extent of the Shares covered by such exercise, be canceled automatically and surrendered to the Company. Such Option shall thereafter remain exercisable according to its terms only with respect to the number of Shares as to which it would otherwise be exercisable, less the number of Shares with respect to which such Tandem SAR has been so exercised.

7.4. Exercise of Freestanding SARs . Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, in accordance with the Plan, determines and sets forth in the Award Agreement. An Agreement may provide that the period of time over which a Freestanding SAR may be exercised shall be automatically extended if on the scheduled expiration date of such SAR the Participant’s exercise of such SAR would violate an applicable law; provided , however , that during such extended exercise period the SAR may only be exercised to the extent the SAR was exercisable in accordance with its terms immediately prior to such scheduled expiration date; provided further , however , that such extended exercise period shall end not later than thirty (30) days after the exercise of such SAR first would no longer violate such law.

7.5. Award Agreement . Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains, the Grant Price, the term of the SAR, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in accordance with the Plan.

7.6. Term of SARs . The term of an SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided , however , that the term of any Tandem SAR shall be the same as the related Option.

7.7. Payment of SAR Amount . An election to exercise SARs shall be deemed to have been made on the date of Notice of such election to the Company. Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

(a) The excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price of the SAR; by

(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.7 to the contrary, the Committee may establish and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement a maximum amount per Share that will be payable upon the exercise of an SAR. At the discretion of the Committee, such payment upon exercise of an SAR shall be in cash, in Shares of equivalent Fair Market Value, or in some combination thereof.

7.8. Rights as a Shareholder . A Participant receiving an SAR shall have the rights of a Shareholder only as to Shares, if any, actually issued to such Participant upon satisfaction or

 

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achievement of the terms and conditions of the Award, and in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, and not with respect to Shares to which such Award relates but which are not actually issued to such Participant.

7.9. Termination of Employment or Service . Each SAR Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR following such Participant’s Termination, if at all; provided , however , that in no event may a SAR be exercised after the expiration date of such SAR specified in the applicable Award Agreement, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 6.5 (in the case of Tandem SARs) or in the last sentence of Section 7.4 (in the case of Freestanding SARs). Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for Termination.

ARTICLE VIII.

RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

8.1. Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units to Participants in such amounts as the Committee shall determine. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article VIII and the Award Agreement, upon delivery of Shares of Restricted Stock to a Participant, or creation of a book entry evidencing a Participant’s ownership of Shares of Restricted Stock, pursuant to Section 8.6, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Shares, subject to the terms and restrictions set forth in this Article VIII or the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Committee. Restricted Stock Units shall be similar to Restricted Stock, except no Shares are actually awarded to a Participant who is granted Restricted Stock Units on the date of grant, and such Participant shall have no rights of a shareholder with respect to such Restricted Stock Units.

8.2. Award Agreement . Each Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock or the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine in accordance with the Plan. Any Restricted Stock Award must be accepted by the Participant within a period of ninety (90) days (or such shorter period as determined by the Committee at the time of award) after the award date, by executing such Restricted Stock Award Agreement and providing the Committee or its designee a copy of such executed Award Agreement and payment of the applicable purchase price of such Shares of Restricted Stock, if any, as determined by the Committee.

8.3. Nontransferability of Restricted Stock . Except as provided in this Article VIII, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, encumbered, alienated, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction established by the Committee and specified in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

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8.4. Period of Restriction and Other Restrictions . The Period of Restriction shall lapse based on continuing service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant or continuing employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, the achievement of performance goals, the satisfaction of other conditions or restrictions or upon the occurrence of other events, in each case, as determined by the Committee, at its discretion, and stated in the Award Agreement.

8.5. Delivery of Shares, Payment of Restricted Stock Units . Subject to Section 18.10, after the last day of the Period of Restriction applicable to a Participant’s Shares of Restricted Stock, and after all conditions and restrictions applicable to such Shares of Restricted Stock have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable withholding tax obligations), pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement, such Shares of Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by such Participant. After the last day of the Period of Restriction applicable to a Participant’s Restricted Stock Units, and after all conditions and restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock Units have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable withholding tax obligations), pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement, such Restricted Stock Units shall be settled by delivery of Shares, a cash payment determined by reference to the then-current Fair Market Value of Shares or a combination of Shares and such cash payment as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or otherwise.

8.6. Forms of Restricted Stock Awards . Each Participant who receives an Award of Shares of Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares covered by such Award registered in the name of such Participant, which certificate or certificates may contain an appropriate legend. The Committee may require a Participant who receives a certificate or certificates evidencing a Restricted Stock Award to immediately deposit such certificate or certificates, together with a stock power or other appropriate instrument of transfer, endorsed in blank by the Participant, with signatures guaranteed in accordance with the Exchange Act if required by the Committee, with the Secretary of the Company or an escrow holder as provided in the immediately following sentence. The Secretary of the Company or such escrow holder as the Committee may appoint shall retain physical custody of each certificate representing a Restricted Stock Award until the Period of Restriction and any other restrictions imposed by the Committee or under the Award Agreement with respect to the Shares evidenced by such certificate expire or shall have been removed. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that a Participant’s ownership of Shares of Restricted Stock prior to the lapse of the Period of Restriction or any other applicable restrictions shall, in lieu of such certificates, be evidenced by a “book entry” ( i.e. , a computerized or manual entry) in the records of the Company or its designated agent in the name of the Participant who has received such Award. Such records of the Company or such agent shall, absent manifest error, be binding on all Participants who receive Restricted Stock Awards evidenced in such manner. The holding of Shares of Restricted Stock by the Company or such an escrow holder, or the use of book entries to evidence the ownership of Shares of Restricted Stock, in accordance with this Section 8.6, shall not affect the rights of Participants as owners of the Shares of Restricted Stock awarded to them, nor affect the restrictions applicable to such shares under the Award Agreement or the Plan, including the Period of Restriction.

 

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8.7. Voting Rights . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Committee, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock may be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units.

8.8. Dividends and Other Distributions . During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be credited with any cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares while they are so held, unless determined otherwise by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may apply any restrictions to such dividends that the Committee deems appropriate. Except as set forth in the Award Agreement, in the event of (a) any adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, or (b) any shares or securities are received as a dividend, or an extraordinary dividend is paid in cash, on Shares of Restricted Stock, any new or additional Shares or securities or any extraordinary dividends paid in cash received by a recipient of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including the Period of Restriction, as relate to the original Shares of Restricted Stock.

8.9. Termination of Employment or Service . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.9, during the Period of Restriction, any Restricted Stock Units and/or Shares of Restricted Stock held by a Participant shall be forfeited and revert to the Company (or, if Shares of Restricted Sock were sold to the Participant, the Participant shall be required to resell such Shares to the Company at cost) upon the Participant’s Termination or the failure to meet or satisfy any applicable performance goals or other terms, conditions and restrictions to the extent set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Each applicable Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which, if any, the Participant shall have the right to retain Restricted Stock Units and/or Shares of Restricted Stock following such Participant’s Termination. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the applicable Award Agreement, need not be uniform among all such Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for, or circumstances of, such Termination.

ARTICLE IX.

PERFORMANCE UNITS, PERFORMANCE SHARES, AND CASH-BASED AWARDS

9.1. Grant of Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards . Subject to the terms of the Plan, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and/or Cash-Based Awards may be granted to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee, in accordance with the Plan. A Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award entitles the Participant who receives such Award to receive Shares or cash upon the attainment of applicable performance goals for the applicable Performance Period, and/or satisfaction of other terms and conditions, in each case determined by the Committee, and which may be set forth in the Award Agreement. Such entitlements of a Participant with respect to his or her outstanding Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award shall be reflected by a bookkeeping entry in the records of the Company, unless otherwise provided by the Award Agreement. The terms and conditions of such Awards shall be consistent with the Plan and set forth in the Award

 

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Agreement and need not be uniform among all such Awards or all Participants receiving such Awards.

9.2. Earned Performance Shares, Performance Units and Cash-Based Awards . Performance Shares, Performance Units and Cash-Based Awards shall become earned, in whole or in part, based upon the attainment of performance goals specified by the Committee and/or the occurrence of any event or events and/or satisfaction of such terms and conditions, including a Change of Control, as the Committee shall determine, either at or after the Grant Date. The Committee shall determine the extent to which any applicable performance goals and/or other terms and conditions of a Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award are attained or not attained following conclusion of the applicable Performance Period. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive any such performance goals and/or other terms and conditions relating to any such Award.

9.3. Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards . Payment of earned Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards shall be as determined by the Committee and as set forth in the Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof) which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units, Performance Shares or Cash-Based Awards following conclusion of the Performance Period and the Committee’s determination of attainment of applicable performance goals and/or other terms and conditions in accordance with Section 9.2. Such Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions that may be imposed by the Committee, including a Period of Restriction or mandatory deferral. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payment of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the Award.

9.4. Rights as a Shareholder . A Participant receiving a Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to Shares, if any, actually received by the Participant upon satisfaction or achievement of the terms and conditions of such Award and not with respect to Shares subject to the Award but not actually issued to such Participant.

9.5. Termination of Employment or Service . Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain Performance Units, Performance Shares and/or Cash-Based Award following such Participant’s Termination. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the applicable Award Agreement, need not be uniform among all such Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for Termination.

ARTICLE X.

OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS

10.1. Other Share-Based Awards . The Committee may grant types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan (including the grant or

 

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offer for sale of unrestricted Shares), in such amounts (subject to Article IV) and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. Such Other Share-Based Awards may involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares and may include Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions in which the Participants are located.

10.2. Value of Other Share-Based Awards . Each Other Share-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Shares or units based on Shares, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may establish performance goals in its discretion, and any such performance goals shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the number and/or value of Other Share-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which such performance goals are met.

10.3. Payment of Other Share-Based Awards . Payment, if any, with respect to an Other Share-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, as set forth in the Award Agreement, in cash or Shares as the Committee determines.

10.4. Termination of Employment or Service . The Committee shall determine the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive Other Share-Based Awards following the Participant’s Termination, if at all. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, such provisions may be included in the applicable Award Agreement, but need not be uniform among all Other Share-Based Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for Termination.

ARTICLE XI.

DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

11.1. Dividend Equivalents . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, no adjustment shall be made in the Shares issuable or taken into account under Awards on account of cash dividends that may be paid or other rights that may be issued to the holders of Shares prior to issuance of such Shares under such Award. The Committee may grant Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on Shares that are subject to any Award, including any Award the payment or settlement of which is deferred pursuant to Section 18.6. Dividend Equivalents may be credited as of the dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award becomes payable or terminates or expires. Dividend Equivalents may be subject to any limitations and/or restrictions determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time, and shall be paid at such times, as may be determined by the Committee.

 

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ARTICLE XII.

TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS; BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

12.1. Transferability of Awards . Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.5 or Section 12.2 or a Participant’s Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee, no Award granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided that the Committee may permit further transferability, on a general or a specific basis, and may impose conditions and limitations on any permitted transferability, subject to any applicable Period of Restriction. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee, or unless the Committee decides to permit further transferability, subject any applicable Period of Restriction, all Awards granted to a Participant under the Plan, and all rights with respect to such Awards, shall be exercisable or available during his or her lifetime only by or to such Participant. With respect to those Awards, if any, that are permitted to be transferred to another individual, references in the Plan to exercise or payment related to such Awards by or to the Participant shall be deemed to include, as determined by the Committee, the Participant’s permitted transferee. In the event any Award is exercised by or otherwise paid to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of the estate of a deceased Participant, or such a Participant’s beneficiary, or the transferee of an Award, in any such case, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified from time to time by the Committee, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Shares thereunder unless and until the Company is satisfied, as determined in the discretion of the Committee, that the person or persons exercising such Award, or to receive such payment, are the duly appointed legal representative of the deceased Participant’s estate or the proper legatees or distributees thereof or the named beneficiary of such Participant, or the valid transferee of such Award, as applicable. Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance of an Award that does not comply with this Section 12.1 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.

12.2. Beneficiary Designation . Each Participant may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries who shall be permitted to exercise his or her Option or SAR or to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of the Participant’s death before he or she fully exercises his or her Option or SAR or receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such beneficiary designation, a Participant’s unexercised Option or SAR, or amounts due but remaining unpaid to such Participant, at the Participant’s death, shall be exercised or paid as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

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ARTICLE XIII.

RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS

13.1. Rights or Claims . No person shall have any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. The liability of the Company and any Subsidiary or Affiliate under the Plan is limited to the obligations expressly set forth in the Plan, and no term or provision of the Plan may be construed to impose any further or additional duties, obligations, or costs on the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate thereof or the Board or the Committee not expressly set forth in the Plan. The grant of an Award under the Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in the Plan as being applicable to such type of Award, or to all Awards, or as are expressly set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the existence of the Plan nor anything contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall be deemed to:

 

  (a) Give any Employee or Non-Employee Director the right to be retained in the service of the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary, whether in any particular position, at any particular rate of compensation, for any particular period of time or otherwise;

 

  (b) Restrict in any way the right of the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary to terminate, change or modify any Employee’s employment or any Non-Employee Director’s service as a Director at any time with or without Cause;

 

  (c) Confer on any Consultant any right of continued relationship with the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary, or alter any relationship between them, including any right of the Company or an Affiliate or Subsidiary to terminate, change or modify its relationship with a Consultant;

 

  (d) Constitute a contract of employment or service between the Company or any Affiliate or Subsidiary and any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant, nor shall it constitute a right to remain in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate or Subsidiary;

 

  (e) Give any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant the right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Shares, or in any combination thereof, from the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant bonuses, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment; or

 

  (f) Give any Participant any rights whatsoever with respect to an Award except as specifically provided in the Plan and the Award Agreement.

13.2. Adoption of the Plan . The adoption of the Plan shall not be deemed to give any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant or any other individual any right to be selected

 

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as a Participant or to be granted an Award, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

13.3. Vesting . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, a Participant’s right or entitlement to exercise or otherwise vest in any Award not exercisable or vested at the time of grant shall only result from continued services as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant or continued employment, as the case may be, with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or satisfaction of any other performance goals or other conditions or restrictions applicable, by its terms, to such Award, except, in each such case, as the Committee may, in its discretion, expressly determine otherwise.

13.4. No Effects on Benefits . Payments and other compensation received by a Participant under an Award are not part of such Participant’s normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including calculating termination, indemnity, severance, resignation, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments under any laws, plans, contracts, arrangements or otherwise. No claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from the termination of the Plan or diminution in value of any Award or Shares purchased or otherwise received under the Plan.

13.5. One or More Types of Awards . A particular type of Award may be granted to a Participant either alone or in addition to other Awards under the Plan.

ARTICLE XIV.

CHANGE OF CONTROL

14.1. Treatment of Outstanding Awards . In the event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited by any applicable laws, rules or regulations or otherwise provided in any applicable Award Agreement, as in effect prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, specifically with respect to a Change of Control:

(a) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that any Options, SARs and Other Share-Based Awards (if applicable) which are outstanding shall become exercisable as determined by the Committee, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Award Agreement.

(b) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that restrictions, performance goals or other conditions applicable to Restricted Stock Units, Shares of Restricted Stock and Other Share-Based Awards previously awarded to Participants shall be canceled or deemed achieved, the Period of Restriction applicable thereto shall terminate, and restrictions on transfer, sale, assignment, pledge or other disposition applicable to any such Shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse, in each case, to the extent provided by the Committee, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Award Agreement.

 

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(c) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that any Awards which are outstanding shall, in whole or in part, immediately become vested and nonforfeitable.

(d) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that the target payment opportunities attainable under any outstanding Awards of Performance Units, Performance Shares, Cash-Based Awards and other Awards shall be deemed to have been fully or partially earned for any Performance Period(s), as determined by the Committee, immediately prior to the effective date of the Change of Control.

(e) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that any Award the payment or settlement of which was deferred under Section 18.6 or otherwise may be paid or distributed immediately prior to the Change of Control, except as otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with Section 16.1(f).

(f) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, that any outstanding Award shall be adjusted by substituting for each Share subject to such Award immediately prior to the transaction resulting in the Change of Control the consideration (whether stock or other securities of the surviving corporation or any successor corporation to the Company, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or that may be issuable by another corporation that is a party to the transaction resulting in the Change of Control) received in such transaction by holders of Shares for each Share held on the closing or effective date of such transaction, in which event the aggregate Option Price or Grant Price, as applicable, of the Award shall remain the same; provided , however , that if such consideration received in such transaction is not solely stock of a successor, surviving or other corporation, the Committee may provide for the consideration to be received upon exercise or payment of an Award, for each Share subject to such Award, to be solely stock or other securities of the successor, surviving or other corporation, as applicable, equal in fair market value, as determined by the Committee, to the per-Share consideration received by holders of Shares in such transaction.

(g) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, that any outstanding Award (or portion thereof) shall be converted into a right to receive cash, on or as soon as practicable following the closing date or expiration date of the transaction resulting in the Change of Control in an amount equal to the highest value of the consideration to be received in connection with such transaction for one Share, or, if higher, the highest Fair Market Value of a Share during the thirty (30) consecutive business days immediately prior to the closing date or expiration date of such transaction, less the per-Share Option Price, Grant Price or outstanding

 

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unpaid purchase price, as applicable to the Award, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to such Award, or the applicable portion thereof.

(h) The Committee may, in its discretion, provide that an Award can or cannot be exercised after, or will otherwise terminate or not terminate as of, a Change of Control.

14.2. No Implied Rights; Other Limitations . No Participant shall have any right to prevent the consummation of any of the acts described in Section 4.3 or 14.1 affecting the number of Shares available to, or other entitlement of, such Participant under the Plan or such Participant’s Award. Any actions or determinations of the Committee under this Article XVI need not be uniform as to all outstanding Awards, nor treat all Participants identically.

ARTICLE XV.

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION

15.1. Amendment, Modification, and Termination . The Board may, at any time and with or without prior notice, amend, alter, suspend, or terminate the Plan, and the Committee may, to the extent permitted by the Plan, amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, including any Award Agreement, in each case, retroactively or prospectively; provided , however , that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall be made, without first obtaining approval of the shareholders of the Company (where such approval is necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation or rule (including the applicable regulations and rules of the SEC and any national securities exchange)), which would:

(a) except as is provided in Section 4.3, increase the maximum number of Shares which may be sold or awarded under the Plan;

(b) except as is provided in Section 4.3, decrease the minimum Option Price or Grant Price requirements of Section 7.2, respectively;

(c) change the class of persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan;

(d) extend the duration of the Plan or the period during which Options or SARs may be exercised under Section 6.4 or 7.6, as applicable; or

(e) otherwise require shareholder approval to comply with any applicable law, regulation or rule (including the applicable regulations and rules of the SEC and any national securities exchange).

In addition, no such amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan or any Award theretofore granted, including any Award Agreement, shall be made which would materially impair the previously accrued rights of a Participant under any outstanding Award without the written consent of such Participant, provided , however , that the Board may amend or alter the Plan and the Committee may amend or alter any Award, including any Agreement, either retroactively or prospectively, without the consent of the applicable Participant, (x) so as to preserve or come within any exemptions from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act,

 

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pursuant to the rules and releases promulgated by the SEC (including Rule 16b-3), or (y) if the Board or the Committee determines in its discretion that such amendment or alteration either (I) is required or advisable for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy, comply with or meet the requirements of any law, regulation, rule or accounting standard or (II) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or that such diminishment has been or will be adequately compensated.

ARTICLE XVI.

TAX WITHHOLDING AND OTHER TAX MATTERS

16.1. Tax Withholding . The Company and/or any Subsidiary or Affiliate are authorized to withhold from any Award granted or payment due under the Plan the amount of all taxes due in respect of such Award or payment and take any such other action as may be necessary or appropriate, as determined by the Committee, to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income or wages of a Participant for tax purposes with respect to any Award, such Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding the payment of, any taxes or social security (or similar) contributions of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or satisfactory arrangements (as determined by the Committee in its discretion), and the Company and the Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to such Participant, whether or not under the Plan.

16.2. Withholding or Tendering Shares . Without limiting the generality of Section 16.1, the Committee may in its discretion permit a Participant to satisfy or arrange to satisfy, in whole or in part, the tax obligations incident to an Award by: (a) electing to have the Company withhold Shares or other property otherwise deliverable to such Participant pursuant to his or her Award ( provided , however , that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy required withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income) and/or (b) tendering to the Company Shares owned by such Participant (or by such Participant and his or her spouse jointly) and purchased or held for the requisite period of time as may be required to avoid the Company’s or the Affiliates’ or Subsidiaries’ incurring an adverse accounting charge, based, in each case, on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the payment date as determined by the Committee. All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for settlement of withholding obligations with Shares or otherwise.

16.3. Restrictions . The satisfaction of tax obligations pursuant to this Article XVI shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose, including any restrictions required by applicable law or the rules and regulations of the SEC, and shall be construed consistent with an intent to comply with any such applicable laws, rule and regulations.

 

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16.4. No Guarantee of Favorable Tax Treatment . The Company does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under any provision of any applicable law. The Company shall not be liable to any Participant for any tax, interest, or penalties the Participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise, or payment of any Award under the Plan.

ARTICLE XVII.

LIMITS OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

17.1. Limits of Liability .

(a) Any liability of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate to any Participant with respect to any Award shall be based solely upon contractual obligations created by the Plan and the Award Agreement.

(b) None of the Company, any Subsidiary, any Affiliate, any member of the Board or the Committee or any other person participating in any determination of any question under the Plan, or in the interpretation, administration or application of the Plan, shall have any liability, in the absence of bad faith, to any party for any action taken or not taken in connection with the Plan, except as may expressly be provided by statute.

(c) Each member of the Committee, while serving as such, shall be considered to be acting in his or her capacity as a director of the Company. Members of the Board of Directors and members of the Committee acting under the Plan shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the advice of counsel and shall incur no liability except for gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of their duties.

(d) The Company shall not be liable to a Participant or any other person as to: (i) the non-issuance of Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having relevant jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Committee or the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, and (ii) any tax consequence expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Option or other Award.

17.2. Indemnification . Subject to the requirements of applicable law, each individual who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Article III, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of the individual’s own willful

 

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misconduct or except as provided by statute. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individual may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Association, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify or hold harmless such individual.

ARTICLE XVIII.

MISCELLANEOUS

18.1. Drafting Context . Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. The words “Article,” “Section,” and “paragraph” herein shall refer to provisions of the Plan, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” herein shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of similar import, unless the context otherwise requires. The headings and captions appearing herein are inserted only as a matter of convenience. They do not define, limit, construe, or describe the scope or intent of the provisions of the Plan.

18.2. Forfeiture Events .

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee shall have the authority to determine (and may so provide in any Agreement) that a Participant’s (including his or her estate’s, beneficiary’s or transferee’s) rights (including the right to exercise any Option or SAR), payments and benefits with respect to any Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment in the event of the Participant’s Termination for Cause or due to voluntary resignation; serious misconduct; violation of the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s policies; breach of fiduciary duty; unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate; breach of applicable noncompetition, nonsolicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants; or other conduct or activity that is in competition with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or otherwise detrimental to the business, reputation or interests of the Company and/or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; or upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the applicable Award Agreement (in any such case, whether or not the Participant is then an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant). The determination of whether a Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances are described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be made by the Committee in its discretion, and pending any such determination, the Committee shall have the authority to suspend the exercise, payment, delivery or settlement of all or any portion of such Participant’s outstanding Awards pending an investigation of the matter.

(b) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement (x) due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and any Participant who knowingly engaged in such misconduct, was grossly negligent in engaging in such misconduct, knowingly failed to prevent such misconduct or was grossly negligent in failing to prevent such misconduct,

 

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shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve- (12-) month period following the public issuance or Exchange Act filing (whichever first occurred) of the financial document that contained such material noncompliance, and (y) the Committee may in its discretion provide that if the amount earned under any Participant’s Award is reduced by such restatement, such Participant shall reimburse the Company the amount of any such reduction previously paid in settlement of such Award.

18.3. Severability . In the event 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.

18.4. Transfer, Leave of Absence . The Committee shall have the discretion to determine the effects upon any Award, upon an individual’s status as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant for purposes of the Plan (including whether a Participant shall be deemed to have experienced a Termination or other change in status) and upon the exercisability, vesting, termination or expiration of any Award in the case of: (a) any Participant who is employed by an entity that ceases to be an Affiliate or Subsidiary (whether due to a spin-off or otherwise), (b) any transfer of a Participant between locations of employment with the Company, an Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary or between the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary or between Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (c) any leave of absence of a Participant, (d) any change in a Participant’s status from an Employee to a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, or vice versa, (e) any increase or decrease in the scope of engagement of a Participant; and (f) upon approval by the Committee, any Employee who experiences a Termination but becomes employed by a partnership, joint venture, corporation or other entity not meeting the requirements of an Affiliate or Subsidiary.

18.5. Exercise and Payment of Awards . An Award shall be deemed exercised or claimed when the Secretary of the Company or any other Company official or other person designated by the Committee for such purpose receives appropriate written notice from a Participant, in form acceptable to the Committee, together with payment of the applicable Option Price, Grant Price or other purchase price, if any, and compliance with Article XVI, in accordance with the Plan and such Participant’s Award Agreement.

18.6. Deferrals . Subject to applicable law, the Committee may from time to time establish procedures pursuant to which a Participant may defer on an elective or mandatory basis receipt of all or a portion of the cash or Shares subject to an Award on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, including those of any deferred compensation plan of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate specified by the Committee for such purpose.

18.7. Loans . The Company may, in the discretion of the Committee, extend one or more loans to Participants in connection with the exercise or receipt of an Award granted to any such Participant; provided , however , that the Company shall not extend loans to any Participant if prohibited by law or the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Company’s securities are listed. The terms and conditions of any such loan shall be established by the Committee.

 

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18.8. No Effect on Other Plans . Neither the adoption of the Plan nor anything contained herein shall affect any other compensation or incentive plans or arrangements of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or prevent or limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for their directors, officers, eligible employees or consultants or grant or assume options or other rights otherwise than under the Plan.

18.9. Section 16 of Exchange Act . The provisions and operation of the Plan are intended to ensure that no transaction under the Plan is subject to (and not exempt from) the short-swing profit recovery rules of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Unless otherwise stated in the Award Agreement, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award granted to an Insider shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule, and the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such limitations.

18.10. Requirements of Law; Limitations on Awards .

(a) The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

(b) If at any time the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration and/or qualification of Shares upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the sale or purchase of Shares hereunder, the Company shall have no obligation to allow the grant, exercise or payment of any Award, or to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under the Plan, in whole or in part, unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent and/or approval shall have been effected or obtained, or otherwise provided for, free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

(c) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of Shares pursuant to an Award is or may be in the circumstances unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act, or otherwise with respect to Shares or Awards and the right to exercise or payment of any Option or Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of such counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.

(d) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 18.10, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all Shares available before such suspension and as to the Shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no suspension shall extend the term of any Award.

 

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(e) The Committee may require each person receiving Shares in connection with any Award under the Plan to represent and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring such Shares for investment without a view to the distribution thereof, and/or provide such other representations and agreements as the Committee may prescribe. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, may impose such restrictions on the ownership and transferability of the Shares purchasable or otherwise receivable by any person under any Award as it deems appropriate. Any such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, and the certificates evidencing such shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any such restrictions.

(f) An Award and any Shares received upon the exercise or payment of an Award shall be subject to such other transfer and/or ownership restrictions and/or legending requirements as the Committee may establish in its discretion and may be referred to on the certificates evidencing such Shares, including restrictions under applicable securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

18.11. Participants Deemed to Accept Plan . By accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming under or through any such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Board, the Committee or the Company, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

18.12. Governing Law . The Plan and, except as provided below or in an applicable subplan, each Award Agreement to a Participant shall be governed by the laws of the State of Israel, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, Participants are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts in Tel-Aviv, Israel, to resolve any and all issues that may arise out of or relate to the Plan or any related Award Agreement.

18.13. Plan Unfunded . The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the issuance of Shares or the payment of cash upon exercise or payment of any Award. Proceeds from the sale of Shares pursuant to Options or other Awards granted under the Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.

18.14. Administration Costs . The Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Shares pursuant to any Options or other Awards granted hereunder.

18.15. Uncertificated Shares . To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Shares, the transfer of such Shares may nevertheless be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange.

 

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18.16. No Fractional Shares . An Option or other Award shall not be exercisable with respect to a fractional Share or the lesser of fifty (50) shares or the full number of Shares then subject to the Option or other Award. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon the exercise or payment of an Option or other Award and any such fractions shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.

18.17. Data Protection . By participating in the Plan, each Participant consents to the collection, processing, transmission and storage by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, in any form whatsoever, of any data of a professional or personal nature which is necessary for the purposes of administering the Plan. The Company may share such information with any Subsidiary or Affiliate, any trustee, its registrars, brokers, other third-party administrator or any person who obtains control of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or any division respectively thereof.

18.18. Right of Offset . The Company and the Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall have the right to offset against the obligations to make payment or issue any Shares to any Participant under the Plan, any outstanding amounts (including travel and entertainment advance balances, loans, tax withholding amounts paid by the employer or amounts repayable to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate pursuant to tax equalization, housing, automobile or other employee programs) such Participant then owes to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate and any amounts the Committee otherwise deems appropriate pursuant to any tax equalization policy or agreement.

18.19. Participants . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws or practices of countries in which the Company, any Affiliate, and/or any Subsidiary operates or has Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to:

 

  (a) Determine which Affiliates and Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan;

 

  (b) Determine which Employees, Non-Employee Directors and/or Consultants are eligible to participate in the Plan;

 

  (c) Grant Awards (including substitutes for Awards), and modify the terms and conditions of any Awards, on such terms and conditions as the Committee determines necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by individuals otherwise eligible to so participate, or otherwise to comply with applicable laws or conform to applicable requirements or practices of the applicable jurisdictions;

 

  (d) Establish subplans and adopt or modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable. Any subplans and modifications to Plan terms and procedures established under this Section 18.19 by the Committee shall be attached to the Plan as appendices; and

 

  (e) Take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals.

 

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Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate any applicable law.

* * *

 

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APPENDIX A — ISRAEL

TO THE

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

2011 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

1. GENERAL

 

1.1. This appendix (the: “ Appendix ”) shall apply only to Israeli Participants (as defined below). The provisions specified hereunder shall form an integral part of the CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (hereinafter: the “ Plan ”, the “ Company ”), which applies to the issuance of Awards to employees, directors, consultants and service provides of the Company or its Affiliates.

 

1.2. This Appendix is effective with respect to Awards granted as of 30 days from the date it was submitted with the ITA and shall comply with Section 102 (as defined below).

 

1.3. This Appendix is to be read as a continuation of the Plan and only modifies Awards granted to Israeli Participants (as defined below) so that they comply with the requirements set by the Israeli law in general, and in particular with the provisions of Section 102 (as specified herein), as may be amended or replaced from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, this Appendix does not add to or modify the Plan in respect of any other category of Participants.

 

1.4. The Plan and this Appendix are complimentary to each other and shall be deemed as one. Subject to section 1.3 above, in any case of contradiction, whether explicit or implied, between any definitions and/or provisions of this Appendix and the Plan, the provisions set out in this Appendix shall prevail.

 

1.5. Any capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Appendix shall be construed according to the interpretation given to it in the Plan.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

 

2.1. Affiliate ” means any “employing company” within the meaning of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance.

 

2.2. Approved 102 Award ” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 102(b) of the Ordinance and held in trust by a Trustee for the benefit of the Israeli Participant.

 

2.3.

Award ” notwithstanding Section 2.3 of the Plan, for the purpose of this Appendix, Award means an Award to purchase one or more Shares of the Company or Stock

 

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  Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards.

 

2.4. Capital Gain Award (CGA) ” means an Approved 102 Award elected and designated by the Company to qualify under the capital gain tax treatment in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(b)(2) of the Ordinance.

 

2.5. Controlling Shareholder ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 102 of the Ordinance.

 

2.6. Employee ” means an Israeli Participant who is employed by the Company or its Affiliates, including an individual who is serving as a director or an office holder, but excluding any Controlling Shareholder.

 

2.7. Israeli Participant ” means a person who is a resident of the state of Israel or who is deemed to be a resident of the state of Israel for Israeli tax purposes, and receives or holds an Award under the Plan and this Appendix.

 

2.8. ITA ” means the Israeli Tax Authorities.

 

2.9. Ordinary Income Award (OIA) ” means an Approved 102 Award elected and designated by the Company to qualify under the ordinary income tax treatment in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(b)(1) of the Ordinance.

 

2.10. 102 Award ” means any Award granted to Employees pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance.

 

2.11. 3(i) Award ” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 3(i) of the Ordinance to any person who is a Non- Employee.

 

2.12. Israeli Award Agreement ” notwithstanding Section 2.4 of the Plan, for the purpose of this Appendix, Israeli Award Agreement shall mean a written agreement entered into and signed by the Company and an Israeli Participant that sets out the terms and conditions of an Award.

 

2.13. Non-Employee ” means an Israeli Participant who is a consultant, adviser, service provider, Controlling Shareholder or any other person who is not an Employee.

 

2.14. Ordinance ” means the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance [New Version] 1961 as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

 

2.15. Ordinary Share ” means an ordinary share of, par value NIS 0.01 of the Company.

 

2.16. Section 102 ” means section 102 of the Ordinance, the Income Tax Rules (Tax Relief for Issuance of Shares to Employees), 2003, and any other rules, regulations,, orders or procedures promulgated thereunder as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

 

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2.17. Trustee ” means any person appointed by the Company to serve as a trustee and approved by the ITA, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance.

 

2.18. Unapproved 102 Award ” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 102(c) of the Ordinance and not held in trust by a Trustee.

 

3. ISSUANCE OF AWARDS

 

3.1. Notwithstanding Article V of the Plan and in addition thereto, any Israeli Participants eligible for participation in the Plan and this Appendix as Israeli Participants shall include any Employee and/or Non-Employee of the Company or of any of the Company’s Affiliates; provided, however , that (i) Employees may only be granted 102 Awards; and (ii) Non-Employees and/or Controlling Shareholders may only be granted 3(i) Awards.

 

3.2. The Company may designate Awards granted to Employees pursuant to Section 102 as Unapproved 102 Awards or Approved 102 Awards.

 

3.3. The grant of Approved 102 Awards shall be made under this Appendix, and shall be conditioned upon the approval of this Appendix by the ITA.

 

3.4. Approved 102 Awards may either be classified as Capital Gain Awards (“ CGAs ”) or Ordinary Income Awards (“ OIAs ”).

 

3.5. No Approved 102 Awards may be granted under this Appendix to any eligible Employee, unless and until, the Company’s election of the type of Approved 102 Awards as CGA or OIA granted to Employees (the “ Election ”), is appropriately filed with the ITA. Such Election shall become effective beginning the first date of grant of an Approved 102 Award under this Appendix and shall remain in effect until the end of the year following the year during which the Company first granted Approved 102 Awards. The Election shall obligate the Company to grant only the type of Approved 102 Award it has elected, and shall apply to all Israeli Participants who were granted Approved 102 Awards during the period indicated herein, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(g) of the Ordinance. For the avoidance of doubt, such Election shall not prevent the Company from granting Unapproved 102 Awards simultaneously.

 

3.6. All Approved 102 Awards must be held in trust by a Trustee, as described in Section 4 below .

 

3.7. For the avoidance of doubt, the designation of Unapproved 102 Awards and Approved 102 Awards shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 102.

 

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4. TRUSTEE

 

4.1. The terms and conditions applicable to the trust relating to Section 102 shall be set forth in an agreement signed by the Company and the Trustee (the “ Trust Agreement ”).

 

4.2. Approved 102 Awards which shall be granted under this Appendix and/or any Ordinary Shares allocated or issued upon exercise or vesting of such Approved 102 Awards and/or other shares received subsequently following any realization of rights, including without limitation bonus shares, shall be allocated or issued to the Trustee and held for the benefit of the Employee for such period of time as required by Section 102 (the “ Holding Period ”). In case the requirements for Approved 102 Awards are not met, then the Approved 102 Awards shall be regarded as Unapproved 102 Awards, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102.

 

4.3. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Trustee shall not release any Ordinary Shares allocated or issued upon exercise or vesting of Approved 102 Awards prior to the full payment of the Employee’s tax liabilities, if any, arising from Approved 102 Awards which were granted to him/her and/or any Ordinary Shares allocated or issued upon exercise or vesting of such Awards.

 

4.4. With respect to any Approved 102 Award, subject to the provisions of Section 102, an Israeli Participant shall not sell or release from trust any Share received upon the exercise or vesting of an Approved 102 Award and/or any share received subsequently following any realization of rights, including without limitation, bonus shares, until the lapse of the Holding Period required under Section 102. Notwithstanding the above, if any such sale or release occurs during the Holding Period, the sanctions under Section 102 shall apply to and shall be borne solely by such Israeli Participant.

 

4.5. Upon receipt of any Approved 102 Award, the Employee will sign an undertaking to release the Trustee from any liability in respect of any action or decision duly taken and bona fide executed in relation with this Appendix, or any Approved 102 Award or Ordinary Share granted to him thereunder.

 

5. THE AWARDS

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan and in addition thereto, the terms and conditions upon which the Awards shall be issued and exercised or vest, as applicable, shall be as specified in the Israeli Award Agreement to be executed pursuant to the Plan and to this Appendix. Each Israeli Award Agreement shall be subject to Section 102 or Section 3(i) of the Ordinance, as applicable, and shall state, inter alia, the number of Ordinary Shares to which the Award relates, the type of Award granted thereunder (whether a CGA, OIA, Unapproved 102 Award or a 3(i) Award), and any applicable vesting provisions and exercise price that may be payable.

 

6. FAIR MARKET VALUE

 

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Without derogating from Section 2.19 of the Plan and solely for the purpose of determining the tax liability pursuant to Section 102(b)(3) of the Ordinance, if at the date of grant of any CGA, the Company’s Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system or if the Company’s Shares will be registered for trading within ninety (90) days following the date of grant of the CGAs, the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares at the date of grant shall be determined in accordance with the average value of the Company’s Shares on the thirty (30) trading days preceding the date of grant or on the thirty (30) trading days following the date of registration for trading, as the case may be.

7. EXERCISE OF AWARDS THAT ARE OPTIONS TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES

Awards that represent options to purchase Ordinary Shares shall be exercised by the Israeli Participant by giving a written or electronic notice to the Company and/or to any third party designated by the Company (the “ Representative ”), in such form and method as may be determined by the Company and, when applicable, by the Trustee, in accordance with the requirements of Section 102, which exercise shall be effective upon receipt of such notice by the Company and/or the Representative and the payment of the exercise price for the number of Ordinary Shares with respect to which the Award is being exercised, at the Company’s or the Representative’s principal office. The notice shall specify the number of Ordinary Shares with respect to which the Award is being exercised.

 

8. ASSIGNABILITY AND SALE OF AWARDS

 

8.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, no Award or any right with respect thereto, or purchasable hereunder, whether fully paid or not, shall be assignable, transferable or given as collateral or any right with respect to them given to any third party whatsoever, and during the lifetime of the Israeli Participant each and all of such Israeli Participant’s rights with respect to an Award shall belong only to the Israeli Participant.

Any such action made directly or indirectly, for an immediate validation or for a future one, shall be void.

 

8.2. As long as Awards or Ordinary Shares purchased or issued hereunder are held by the Trustee on behalf of the Israeli Participant, all rights of the Israeli Participant over the Awards and/or Ordinary Shares are personal, can not be transferred, assigned, pledged or mortgaged, other than by will or laws of descent and distribution, provided that the transferee thereof shall be subject to the provisions of Section 102 as would have been applicable to the deceased Participant were he or she to have survived.

 

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9. INTEGRATION OF SECTION 102 AND TAX ASSESSING OFFICER’S PERMIT

 

9.1. With regards to Approved 102 Awards, the provisions of the Plan and/or the Appendix and/or the Israeli Award Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Section 102 and the Tax Assessing Officer’s permit and/or any pre-rulings obtained by the ITA, and the said provisions, permit and/or pre-rulings shall be deemed an integral part of the Plan and of the Appendix and of the Israeli Award Agreement.

 

9.2. Any provision of Section 102 and/or the said permit and/or pre-rulings which is necessary in order to receive and/or to keep any tax benefit pursuant to Section 102, which is not expressly specified in the Plan or the Appendix or the Israeli Award Agreement, shall be considered binding upon the Company and the Israeli Participants.

 

10. DIVIDEND

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan and solely for the purpose of Awards granted under this Appendix, with respect to all Ordinary Shares (but excluding, for avoidance of any doubt, any unexercised Awards) allocated or issued upon the exercise or vesting of Awards purchased or received, as applicable, by the Israeli Participant and held by the Israeli Participant or by the Trustee, as the case may be, the Israeli Participant shall be entitled to receive dividends, if any, in accordance with the quantity of such Shares, subject to the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association (and all amendments thereto) and subject to any applicable taxation on distribution of dividends, and when applicable subject to the provisions of Section 102.

 

11. TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

11.1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article XVI of the Plan and solely for the purpose of Awards granted under this Appendix, any tax consequences arising from the grant, exercise or vesting of any Award, from the payment for Ordinary Shares covered thereby or from any other event or act (of the Company, and/or its Affiliates, and the Trustee or the Israeli Participant), hereunder, shall be borne solely by the Israeli Participant. The Company and/or its Affiliates, and/or the Trustee shall withhold taxes according to the requirements under the applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including withholding taxes at source. Furthermore, the Israeli Participant shall agree to indemnify the Company and/or its Affiliates and/or the Trustee and hold them harmless against and from any and all liability for any such tax or interest or penalty thereon, including without limitation, liabilities relating to the necessity to withhold, or to have withheld, any such tax from any payment made to the Israeli Participant.

 

11.2. The Company and/or, when applicable, the Trustee shall not be required to release any share certificate to a Israeli Participant until all required payments have been fully made.

 

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11.3. With respect to Unapproved 102 Award, if the Israeli Participant ceases to be employed by the Company or any Affiliate, the Israeli Participant shall extend to the Company and/or its Affiliate a security or guarantee for the payment of tax due at the time of sale of Shares, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 and the rules, regulation or orders promulgated thereunder.

 

12. ISRAELI PARTICIPANT’S UNDERTAKINGS

By receiving Awards under the Plan and this Appendix, the Israeli Participant (1) agrees and acknowledges that he or she have received and read the Plan, the Appendix and the Israeli Award Agreement; (2) undertakes to comply with all the provisions set forth in: Section 102 (including provisions regarding the applicable Tax Track that the Company has selected) or Section 3(i), as applicable, the Plan, the Appendix, the Israeli Award Agreement and the Trust Agreement; and (3) if the Awards are granted under Section 102, the Israeli Participant undertakes, subject to the provisions of Section 102, not to sell or release the Shares from trust before the end of the Holding Period.

 

13. TERM OF PLAN AND APPENDIX

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article XV of the Plan and in addition thereto, the Company shall obtain all approvals for the adoption of this Appendix or for any amendment to this Appendix as are necessary to comply with (i) any applicable law, including without limitation U.S. securities laws and the securities laws of any other jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to Israeli Participant under this Appendix, (ii) any national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded, and (iii) any applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

14. GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION

This Appendix shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Israel applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. The competent courts in Tel Aviv shall have sole jurisdiction in any matters pertaining to this Appendix.

* * *

 

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APPENDIX B — UNITED STATES

TO THE

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

2011 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

1. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR U.S. TAXPAYERS

 

1.1. This Appendix (this “ Appendix ”) to the CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Plan ”) was adopted by the Board pursuant to Section 18.19 of the Plan. This Appendix shall become effective on the Effective Date.

 

1.2. The provisions specified hereunder apply only to persons who are subject to U.S. federal income tax (any such person, a “ U.S. Taxpayer ”).

 

1.3. This Appendix is to be read as a continuation of the Plan and only applies with respect to Options and other Awards granted under the Plan to U.S. Taxpayers. The purpose of this Appendix is to establish certain rules and limitations applicable to Options and other Awards that may be granted or issued under the Plan to U.S. Taxpayers from time to time, in compliance with applicable tax, securities and other applicable laws currently in force. For the avoidance of doubt, this Appendix does not add to or modify the Plan in respect of any other category of Israeli Participants (as defined in Appendix A to the Plan).

 

1.4. The Plan and this Appendix are complimentary to each other and shall be deemed as one. Subject to section 1.3 above, in any case of contradiction, whether explicit or implied, between any definitions and/or provisions of this Appendix and the Plan, the provisions set out in this Appendix shall prevail.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan. The following additional definitions will apply to grants made pursuant to this Appendix, provided , however , that to the extent that such definitions are provided for in the Plan and this Appendix, the definitions in this Appendix shall apply to Awards granted to U.S. Taxpayers:

 

2.1. Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.

 

2.2.

Fair Market Value ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan; provided , however , that, with respect to ISOs, for purposes of Section 6.3 of the Plan and Sections 3.4 and 3.5 of this Appendix, such fair market value shall be determined subject to


  Section 422(c)(7) of the Code, and, in any case, the Committee shall determine Fair Market Value in a manner that satisfies the applicable requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

2.3. Incentive Stock Option ” or “ ISO ” means a right to purchase Shares under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Article VI of the Plan and which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and which is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.4. Nonqualified Stock Option ” or “ NQSO ” means a right to purchase Shares under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Article VI of the Plan and which is not intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or otherwise does not meet such requirements.

 

2.5. Subsidiary ” means any present or future corporation which is or would be a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company as the term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

3. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

 

3.1. Any Substitute Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to compliance with the ISO rules under Code Section 422 and the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Code Section 409A, where applicable.

 

3.2. The provisions of Section 4.2 of the Plan shall, in the case of ISOs, be subject to any limitations applicable thereto under the Code.

 

3.3. The total number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be the number of Shares set forth in Section 4.1 of the Plan, as adjusted pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Plan, but without application of the last sentence of such section.

 

3.4. The Committee shall determine any adjustment, substitution or change pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Plan after taking into account, among other things, to the extent applicable, the provisions of the Code applicable to Incentive Stock Options and the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

3.5. Each Award Agreement shall specify whether an Option is intended to be a ISO or an NQSO. To the extent that any Option granted to a U.S. Taxpayer does not qualify as an ISO (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Option, or the portion thereof which does not so qualify, shall constitute a separate NQSO.

 

3.6.

No ISO shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of its date of grant.

 

3.7. The last sentence of Section 6.5 shall not apply to ISOs.

 

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3.8. The right to make a payment of the Option Price of an Incentive Stock Option in the form of already owned Shares, under Section 6.6(a) of the Plan, may be authorized only as of the grant date of such Incentive Stock Option.

 

3.9. No ISO shall be granted to any individual otherwise eligible to participate in the Plan who is not an Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary on the date of granting of such Option. Any ISO granted under the Plan shall contain such terms and conditions, consistent with the Plan, as the Committee may determine to be necessary to qualify such Option as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. Any ISO granted under the Plan may be modified by the Committee to disqualify such Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code.

 

3.10. Notwithstanding any intent to grant ISOs, an Option granted under the Plan will not be considered an ISO to the extent that it, together with any other “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to subsection (d) of such Section) under the Plan and any other “incentive stock option” plans of the Company, any Subsidiary and any “parent corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code, are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year with respect to Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of $100,000 (or such other limit as may be required by the Code) as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.

 

3.11. No ISO shall be granted to an individual otherwise eligible to participate in the Plan who owns (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time the Option is granted, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Subsidiary or any “parent corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code. This restriction does not apply if at the time such ISO is granted the Option Price of the ISO is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such ISO is granted, and the ISO by its terms is not exercisable.

 

3.12. No ISO shall be granted to an individual otherwise eligible to participate in the Plan who owns (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time the Option is granted, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Subsidiary or any “parent corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code. This restriction does not apply if at the time such ISO is granted the Option Price of the ISO is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such ISO is granted, and the ISO by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from such date of grant.

 

3.13. No Option shall be granted pursuant to this Appendix unless the Option Price of such Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date of such Option.

 

3.14.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO: (i) the Tandem SAR will expire no later than

 

44


  the expiration of the related ISO; (ii) the value of the payment with respect to the Tandem SAR may not exceed the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised and the Option Price of the related ISO; and (iii) the Tandem SAR may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO exceeds the Option Price of the ISO.

 

3.15. No ISO or Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or in accordance with Section 12.2 of the Plan. Further, all ISOs and Tandem SARs granted in connection with ISOs granted to a Participant shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.

 

3.16. The Committee may require a Participant to give prompt written notice to the Company concerning any disposition of Shares received upon the exercise of an ISO within: (i) two (2) years from the date of granting such ISO to such Participant or (ii) one (1) year from the transfer of such Shares to such Participant or (iii) such other period as the Committee may from time to time determine. The Committee may direct that a Participant with respect to an ISO undertake in the applicable Award Agreement to give such written notice described in the preceding sentence, at such time and containing such information as the Committee may prescribe, and/or that the certificates evidencing Shares acquired by exercise of an ISO refer to such requirement to give such notice.

 

4. DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

4.1 It is the intention of the Company that no Award shall be deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A unless and to the extent that the Committee specifically determines otherwise as provided in section 4.2 of this Appendix, and the Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards shall be interpreted and administered accordingly.

 

4.2 The terms and conditions governing any Awards that the Committee determines will be subject to Section 409A of the Code, including any rules for payment, including elective or mandatory deferral of the payment or delivery of cash or Shares pursuant thereto, and any rules regarding treatment of such Awards in the event of a Change of Control, shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall be intended to comply in all respects with Section 409A of the Code, and the Plan and the terms and conditions of such Awards shall be interpreted and administered accordingly.

 

4.3 The Committee shall not extend the period to exercise an Option or Stock Appreciation Right to the extent that such extension would cause the Option or Stock Appreciation Right to become subject to Code Section 409A.

 

4.4 Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, each Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit, Performance Share, Cash-Based Award and/or Other Stock-Based Award shall be paid in full to the Participant no later than the fifteenth day of the third month after the end of the first calendar year in which such Award is no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Code Section 409A. If

 

45


the Committee provides in an Award Agreement that a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit, Performance Share, Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award is intended to be subject to Code Section 409A, the Award Agreement shall include terms that are intended to comply in all respects with Code Section 409A.

 

4.5 No Dividend Equivalents shall relate to Shares underlying an Option or SAR unless such Dividend Equivalent rights are explicitly set forth as a separate arrangement and do not cause any such Option or SAR to be subject to Code Section 409A.

 

4.6 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, no event or condition shall constitute a Change of Control with respect to an Award to the extent that, if it were, a 20% additional income tax would be imposed under Section 409A of the Code on the Participant who holds such Award; provided that, in such a case, the event or condition shall continue to constitute a Change of Control to the maximum extent possible (for example, if applicable, in respect of vesting without an acceleration of payment of such an Award) without causing the imposition of such 20% tax.

 

4.7 Although the Company intends to administer the Plan so that Awards will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Company does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Code Section 409A.

 

5. SECTION 83(B) ELECTION

If a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to an Award as of the date of transfer of Shares rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, such Participant shall deliver a copy of such election to the Company prior to filing such election with the United States Internal Revenue Service. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have any liability or responsibility relating to or arising out of the filing or not filing of any such election or any defects in its construction.

 

6. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

This Appendix shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Israel applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, Participants are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts in Tel-Aviv, Israel, to resolve any and all issues that may arise out of or relate to this Appendix or any related Award Agreement.

* * *

 

46

EXHIBIT 10.7

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

(“the Company”)

Date             

To

 

 

     

 

     

 

     

DEED OF RELEASE AND INDEMNITY

 

WHEREAS

   on the              day of              2010, the board of directors of the Company resolved to approve the Company’s undertaking to release and indemnify officers in the Company, in accordance with the Companies Law, 5759-1999 (hereinafter: “the Companies Law”) and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the release and indemnity as set forth in this deed; and

WHEREAS

   on the              day of              2010, the general meeting of the Company also ratified the aforesaid resolution in relation to directors in the Company; and

WHEREAS

   you are employed or were employed and/or are likely to be employed in the Company and/or you serve and/or served and/or are likely to serve as an officer in the Company and/or in subsidiaries as defined below, and the Company has undertaken to grant a deed of release and indemnity to officers as aforesaid.

Accordingly the Company confirms and irrevocable undertakes to you, subject to the provisions of any law and the provisions of this Deed of Indemnity as follows:

In this Deed:

 

“Companies Law” -

   the Companies Law, 5759-1999, according to the text thereof from time to time

“Securities Law” -

   Securities Law, 5728-1968 and/or foreign securities laws that may apply to the Company and/or the officers therein and in its subsidiaries, according to the text thereof from time to time.

“Officer” -

   within the meaning of this term under the Companies Law and regulations made pursuant thereto and/or in any other law which applies to the activities of the Company and the officers therein, including a director and including any employee and service provider to whom the board of directors of the Company may decide to grant this Deed of Release and Indemnity, who serves and/or served on behalf of the Company in subsidiaries and/or on their behalf in affiliated companies.

 

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“Subsidiary” or “subsidiaries” -

   Any body corporate in which the Company holds control, within the meaning of the term “control” in the Securities Law, 5728-1968, and for purposes of this Deed of Release and Indemnity — any affiliated company, as defined in the Securities Law, of the Company and/or another body corporate and including a private company under its control in which the officers acted as such in the Company and/or in a subsidiary in an affiliated company of the Company and/or in another body corporate.

“Affiliated company” -

   According to the meaning of this term under the Securities Law and for purposes of this Deed of Release and Indemnity — any other body corporate which is not the Company or a subsidiary, in which the Company and/or its subsidiary holds rights, directly or indirectly, or is an interested party therein.

“Act and/or any derivative thereof” -

   Any resolution and/or operation, whether by act or omission, including all the resolutions and operations performed or passed by you, and including those the time of which fell prior to the date your receiving this Deed of Release and Indemnity in periods in which you served as an officer in the Company and/or in subsidiaries as defined above.

“Securities” -

   Within the meaning of this term under Section 1 of the Companies Law.

“Administrative Proceeding” -

   A proceeding pursuant to Chapter H3 (imposition of monetary sanction by the Securities Authority), H4 (imposition of administrative means of enforcement by the administrative enforcement committee) and I1 (arrangement for avoiding the institution of proceedings or for stay of proceedings, which are contingent on conditions) of the Securities Law, as amended from time to time.

 

2


1. Release from liability

 

     The Company hereby releases you prospectively and retroactively, and also irrevocably, subject to the provisions of any law and the resolutions mentioned in the preamble, from any liability, in whole or in part, by virtue of any damage that may be sustained by it and/or and which was sustained by it, directly or indirectly, by virtue of a breach of the duty of care which you owe to it and to its subsidiaries and affiliates, as defined above, by your acts and/or any derivative thereof, in your capacity as an officer in the Company and/or on behalf of the Company in subsidiaries and/or affiliates as aforesaid.

 

     Nothing contained in this release clause shall derogate from the Company’s undertaking for indemnity as described below.

 

     The aforesaid release from a breach of the duty of care will not apply in any proceeding of “a counterclaim” by the Company against the officer in response to a lawsuit by the officer against the Company, except in circumstances in which the officer’s lawsuit is for the safeguarding of protective rights under labor laws the source of which lies in the law and/or in a personal employment agreement between him and the Company.

 

2. Undertaking for indemnity

 

  2.1 Without derogating from the Company’s right to indemnify you retroactively in accordance with what is permitted to it under the Company’s Articles, the Company hereby irrevocably undertakes to indemnify you in respect of any liability or expenses, as described below, that may be imposed on you or which you may incur due to one or more of the following:

 

  2.1.1 Your acts and/or a derivative thereof in your capacity as an officer in the Company (including an act and/or omission during the period in which you held office, which was or omitted prior to the date of this Deed of Indemnity);

 

  2.1.2 Your acts and/or a derivative thereof in your capacity as an officer, employee or agent of the Company and/or in subsidiaries and/or in affiliated companies (including an act and/or omission during the period of your term of office/employment, which was done or omitted prior to the date of this Deed of Indemnity);

 

  2.2 Grounds for indemnity

 

       The undertaking for indemnity as stated in Paragraph 2.1 above will apply in respect of any liability or expense that may be imposed on you by virtue of your holding office in the Company and/or in subsidiaries and affiliates, which is indemnifiable according to any law and in accordance with the Company’s Articles, as described below:

 

3


  2.2.1 Pecuniary liability that may be imposed on you in favor of another person pursuant to a judgment, including a judgment given in a compromise or an arbitrator’s award that was confirmed by a court, provided that such acts relate, directly or indirectly to one or more of the events mentioned in the Schedule to this Deed, including by virtue of acts you performed prior to the grant of this Deed of Release and Indemnity, which in the opinion of the board of directors of the Company, are foreseeable in light of the Company’s actual activities at the time the undertaking is given, provided that the maximum amount of indemnity in respect of all liabilities under this paragraph will not exceed the amount or the criterion mentioned in Paragraph 2.3.1 below, which the board of directors of the Company has determined are reasonable in the circumstances of the matter;

 

  2.2.2 Reasonable costs of litigation, including attorney’s fees, which you may be incur or be ordered by a court to pay, in a proceeding instituted by the Company or in its name or by another person, or in a criminal indictment of which you are acquitted, or in a criminal indictment of which you are convicted of an offense that does not require the proof of criminal intent ( mens rea ); in this paragraph “other person” — includes a case of a claim instituted against you by way of a derivative claim.

 

  2.2.3 Reasonable costs of litigation, including attorney’s fees, which may be incurred as a result of an investigation or proceeding conducted against you by an authority competent to conduct an investigation or proceeding, and which culminated without the filing of an indictment against you and without pecuniary liability being imposed on you as an alternative to a criminal proceeding, or which culminated without the filing of an indictment against you, but with the imposition of pecuniary liability as an alternative to a criminal proceeding on an offense that does not require the proof of criminal intent or in connection with a monetary sanction.

 

  2.2.4 A pecuniary liability which may be imposed on you in administrative proceeding as mentioned in Section 52BBB(a)(1)(a) of the Securities Law in respect of payment to all persons damaged by the breach.

 

  2.2.5 Expenses incurred by you in connection with an administrative proceeding conducted in your case, including reasonable costs of litigation, and including attorney’s fees.

 

  2.2.6 Liability or other expense which it is permissible to indemnify according to law.

 

  2.2.7 Subject to any law and for the avoidance of doubt, the Company does not release you from liability and will not indemnify you in respect of pecuniary liability that may be imposed on you in respect of one of the following:

 

4


  2.2.7.1 A breach of a fiduciary duty to the Company or to its subsidiaries, unless you acted in good faith and you had reasonable grounds for assuming that the act would not adversely affect the best interest of the Company and/or its subsidiaries.

 

  2.2.7.2 An intentional, careless breach of a duty of care or a breach committed recklessly without regard to the circumstances of the breach or the consequences thereof, except if committed solely due to negligence.

 

  2.2.7.3 An act committed with the intention of deriving an unlawful personal gain.

 

  2.2.7.4 A fine, a civil fine, a penalty that may be imposed on you or in respect of a monetary sanction that may be imposed on you.

 

  2.3 Maximum amount of indemnity :

 

  2.3.1 The amount of indemnity the Company will pay to all the officers in aggregate, pursuant to all the deeds of indemnity that may be issued to them by the Company in accordance with the resolutions mentioned in the preamble to this Deed of Release and Indemnity, in respect of liability as described in Paragraph 2.2.1 above, shall not exceed the higher of the following: (i) in relation to indemnity connected with an offering to the public of the Company’s securities — the cumulative amount of the proceeds deriving to the Company and/or to a shareholder who sold his shares, in the scope of such public offering; (ii) in relation to indemnity connected with all types of events, including in connection with an offering to the public of the Company’s securities, the higher of 50% of the Company’s consolidated equity capital as same stands according to the Company’s audited consolidated annual financial statements which were published to the public prior to payment in respect of the indemnity, and 30 million US dollars (hereinafter: “the Maximum Amount of Indemnity” ).

 

  2.3.2 It is hereby clarified that payment of the aforesaid indemnity does not affect your rights to receive insurance compensation in respect of the events specified in the Deed of Indemnity and/or reasonable costs of litigation as aforesaid, that are insured with an insurance company, if you receive same (you or the Company on your behalf) in the scope of insurance of the liability of officers in the Company. In the case in which you have received indemnity and you will be entitled to receive a reimbursement of indemnity from the insurer under an officer’s insurance policy in respect of the event that is the subject of the indemnity, the indemnity will be given in respect of the difference between the amount of the pecuniary liability that was imposed on you and/or the legal

 

5


       expenses you incurred or were ordered to pay, as aforesaid, and the amounts that will be received from the insurer in respect of that matter, provided that the amount of the indemnity for which the Company will be liable in respect of pecuniary liability as mentioned in Paragraph 2.1 above will not exceed the Maximum Amount of Indemnity pursuant to this Deed of Indemnity.

 

  2.3.3 It is expressly emphasized that the Company’s payments pursuant to this Deed will be “an additional layer” over and above the amount of any insurance compensation that may be paid by the insurer, to the extent that same is paid. If you bear any insured’s deductible in respect of the events specified in the Schedule to this Deed and/or in respect of expenses for a legal defense, the Company will indemnify you for the amount of the deductible which you paid. In addition, the Company’s obligation to indemnify you as stated in this Deed in respect of the deductible will not be affected if you are insured other than by the Company, provided that you will not be indemnified more than once as aforesaid. It is further emphasized that this obligation for indemnity is not a contract in favor of any third party, including any insurer, it is not assignable, and no third party, including any insurer, will have a right to demand the Company’s contribution to a payment for which an insurer is liable pursuant to an insurance agreement made with it, save and except the deductible specified in such agreement.

 

  2.3.4 If and to the extent that the total amounts of indemnity which the Company is called upon to pay to officers therein, as mentioned in Paragraph 2.1 above, should at any time exceed the Maximum Amount of Indemnity or the balance of the Maximum Amount of Indemnity (as applies for the time being) pursuant to Paragraph 2.3.1 above, the Maximum Amount of Indemnity or the balance thereof will be divided amongst the officers who will be entitled to indemnity in accordance with the resolutions mentioned in the preamble to this Deed of Release and Indemnity, in respect of demands submitted to the Company in accordance with deeds of release and indemnity and which have not been paid to them prior to such date (hereinafter: “the Entitled Officers” ) in a manner whereby the amount of indemnity each of the Entitled Officers will actually receive will be calculated on a basis of the ratio between the amount of the indemnifiable liability of each of the Entitled Officers and the amount of indemnifiable liability of all the Entitled Officers in aggregate.

 

  2.3.5 Where the Company has paid amounts of indemnity to officers in the Company in respect of pecuniary liability as referred to in Paragraph 2.1 above to the extent of the Maximum Amount of Indemnity, the Company will not bear additional amounts of indemnity in respect of pecuniary liability as referred to in Paragraph 2.1 above, unless payment of the additional amounts of indemnity are approved by the organs of the

 

6


       Company that are competent to approve such increase according to any law, at the date of payment of the additional amounts of indemnity and subject to an amendment to the Company’s Articles, if this required for the purpose according to any law.

 

  2.4 Interim payments :

 

  2.4.1 Upon the occurrence of an event in respect of which you are likely to be entitled to indemnity in accordance with the foregoing, the Company will, from time to time, place at your disposal the moneys required to cover the expenses and the various other payments connected with the handling of any legal proceeding against you that is connected with such event, including investigations proceedings, as well as mediation or arbitration proceedings, in a manner that you will not be required to pay or finance same yourself, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Deed of Indemnity.

 

  2.4.2 If the Company should pay you or make payment instead of you of any amounts in the scope of this Deed of Indemnity in connection with such legal proceeding, and it subsequently transpires that you are not entitled to indemnity from the Company for such amount, the provisions of Paragraph 2.11 below will apply.

 

  2.4.3 As part of its obligation, the Company will also provide collateral security that may be demanded and/or guarantees that you will be required to furnish in accordance with interlocutory decisions of a court and/or of an arbitrator, including for purpose of replacing attachments that have been imposed on your assets, subject to the restriction of the Maximum Amount of Indemnity.

 

  2.4.4 If any approval is required for a payment or for the providing of collateral security and guarantees as aforesaid, and such payment or arrangement is not approved for any reason, such payment or any part thereof that is not approved as aforesaid, shall be subject to the approval of the court and the Company will take reasonable steps to procure such approval and will bear all the expenses and the reasonable payments required for the obtaining thereof as aforesaid.

 

  2.5 Conditions of indemnity :

 

       Without derogating from the foregoing, the obligation for indemnity under this Deed is subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:

 

  2.5.1 There is no bar or impediment according law to indemnify you.

 

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  2.5.2 If this is permissible according to law, you will notify the Company in writing about any legal proceeding (including, without limitation, a demand of any sort, including an investigation by a competent authority, legal claim and/or civil claim, including a claim for monetary compensation and/or an application for a declaratory order) that may be commenced against you in connection with any event in respect of which the indemnity is likely to apply, and about any threat against you that may be delivered to you in writing in the scope of which you are accused of personal responsibility for pecuniary damage (hereinafter: “Legal Proceeding” ), and about circumstances that have been brought to your notice that are likely to lead to a Legal Proceeding being commenced, and you shall do so with due celerity after you first become aware of the fact and at a date that will leave reasonable time for responding to such proceeding as required according to any law (hereinafter: “the Indemnity Notice” ), and you shall deliver to the Company, or to whomever the Company may notify you, every document connected with such proceeding.

 

       The failure to deliver an Indemnity Notice in accordance with the foregoing, will not release the Company from its obligations under this Deed of Release and Indemnity, except in a case in which failure to deliver such Indemnity Notice materially affects the Company’s rights and its ability to defend in its name (in a case in which it is also sued in such proceeding) and/or in your name against the claim and to the extent of the aforesaid adverse effect.

 

  2.5.3 For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that upon the occurrence of an event in respect of which you are likely to be entitled to indemnity, and subject to the condition that this does not conflict with the terms of the Company’s officers’ insurance policy, you are entitled to enter into an engagement with an attorney of your choice, provided that his identity and the fee arrangement with him will be subject to the approval of the Company’s board of directors, which will not be unreasonably refused, and to the approval of the insurer under the Company’s officers’ insurance policy. Notice regarding the engagement of an attorney as stated in this paragraph shall be served on the Company within 14 days from the date on which the necessity for appointing such attorney becomes apparent. If you do not appoint an attorney up to the aforesaid time, the Company will be entitled to appoint an attorney for you, in its discretion, without derogating from the Company’s obligation for indemnity to you.

 

  2.5.4 If the Company appoints an attorney for you in accordance with the contents of Paragraph 2.5.3 above, and subject to the condition that this does not conflict with the terms of the Company’s officers’ insurance policy, the Company will be entitled to take over the handling of your defense against such Legal Proceeding, in whole but not in part, and/or to

 

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       entrust such handling to any attorney of status whom the Company may select for such purpose (apart from an attorney who is not acceptable to you on reasonable grounds) on its responsibility and at its expense. The Company and/or such attorney will act in the scope of the aforesaid handling in order to bring the abovementioned Legal Proceeding to an end; the attorney who has been appointed as aforesaid shall act and shall owe a fiduciary duty to the Company and to you. Where in your opinion or in the opinion of the attorney the fear arises of a conflict of interest, or where in your opinion or in the opinion of the attorney circumstances exist in which a conflict of interest is likely to arise between you and the Company and/or between you and another officer who is a party to the proceeding, in your defense against such Legal Proceeding and/or if your objection to the attorney the Company has appointed is based on other reasonable grounds, you shall give notice and/or you will be notified about this by the appointed attorney, as the case may be, in regard to such conflict of interest and you will be entitled to appoint an attorney on your own behalf to handle your defense (provided that his appointment shall first be approved in writing by the Company) and the provisions of this Deed of Release and Indemnity will apply to the reasonable costs you will have in connection with the appointment of the attorney and the handling as aforesaid. Notwithstanding the contents of this paragraph, if the directors and officers’ insurance policy in the Company applies to such matter, the officer and the Company shall act in accordance with the provisions of the policy in all aspects connected with differences of opinion with the insurer regarding the identity of the representing lawyer, if the provisions of the policy necessitates this, in a manner that entrusting the handling to another representing lawyer will not allow the insurer to be released from its liability under the policy or to reduce same in any way.

 

  2.5.5 Upon your request, the Company and/or the attorney it has chosen for you, will report from time to time (to a reasonable extent and at a reasonable frequency) regarding the manner of your defense.

 

  2.5.6 The Company will not be entitled to bring the aforesaid Legal Proceeding to an end by way of a compromise and/or settlement and/or compromise agreement and/or settlement agreement where as a result thereof you will be required to pay amounts for which you will not be indemnified under this Deed of Indemnity and which will also not be fully paid in the scope of the insurance of liability of officer in the Company that will be purchased, if purchased, by the Company and/or its subsidiary/ies, except with your prior written consent to the compromise that is reached. In addition, the Company will not be entitled to bring the dispute that is the subject of the aforesaid Legal Proceeding for decision by way of a arbitration or conciliation or mediation, except with your prior written consent thereto, provided that you will not unreasonably withhold your consent to this. For the avoidance of doubt, even if the dispute in the Legal Proceeding is referred for resolution by way of arbitration or

 

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  conciliation or mediation or in any other way, the Company will bear all the expenses connected therewith in accordance with this Deed of Indemnity, to the extent that it is liable for this by law in a regular Legal Proceeding.

 

  2.5.7 The Company will be entitled to compromise in regard to pecuniary liability or for the deciding the dispute by way of arbitration or conciliation or mediation in connection with pecuniary liability only if the claim against you and/or the threat of a claim against you is withdrawn in full.

 

  2.5.8 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be entitled to bring the aforesaid Legal Proceeding to an end by way of a compromise and/or settlement and/or to refer the dispute that is the subject of the aforesaid Legal Proceeding for decision by way of arbitration and/or conciliation or mediation, in cases of criminal charges against you and/or proceedings in which the remedy applied for is not pecuniary and/or proceedings the consequences of which are likely to damage your good name or the good name or reputation of the shareholder on whose behalf you were appointed, in accordance with the Company’s Articles to your position, unless you give your prior written notice thereto. You may refuse to give your consent as referred to in this subparagraph in your sole discretion and without being required to give reasons for your disagreement.

 

  2.6 Cooperation with the Company

 

  2.6.1 At the Company’s request, you will sign any document empowering it or any attorney as aforesaid to handle your defense in such Legal Proceeding in your name and to represent you in all matters connected therewith, in accordance with the foregoing. In addition, at the Company’s request, and to the extent this is permissible according to law, you will immediately deliver to the Company and/or to a third party in accordance with the Company’s instructions, any document and/or power of attorney that may be requested from you for purposes of handling your defense in accordance with this Deed of Indemnity.

 

  2.6.2 You will cooperate with the Company and/or with any attorney as aforesaid in any reasonable manner that may be requested from you by either of them in the scope of their handling connected with such Legal Proceeding, provided that the Company will attend to covering all the expenses and the various other payments referred to in Paragraph 2.2 above, which are connected therewith, in a manner that you will not be required to pay or finance same yourself, and without this derogating from the indemnity promised to you in accordance with the contents of this Deed of Indemnity, and all subject to the contents of this Deed of Indemnity.

 

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  2.6.3 In addition, you undertake to comply with all the instructions of the insurers pursuant to any policy for liability of officers which the Company and/or you have entered into in connection with a defense in the Legal Proceeding, as may be required by any of them in the scope of their handling of the matter connected with such Legal Proceeding.

 

  2.7 Cover of liability

 

       Whether or not the Company acts according to what is described in Paragraph 2.5.4 above, it will attend to the cover of all the expenses and the various other payments mentioned in Paragraph 2.2 above in a manner that you will not be required to pay or finance same yourself, without this derogating from the indemnity promised to you in accordance with the contents of this Deed and/or the insurance policy the Company may purchase from time to time, if any, and all subject to the contents of this Deed of Indemnity.

 

  2.8 Non-applicability of the indemnity

 

  2.8.1 The Company will be not obliged to indemnify you pursuant to this Deed of Indemnity in respect of an amount that may be paid by you pursuant to the conditions of a compromise settlement in a Legal Proceeding which you have chosen to conduct yourself, unless the Company has agreed in writing to such compromise or to the holding of such arbitration, as the case may be, but the Company will not unreasonably withhold such consent by it.

 

  2.8.2 In addition, the indemnity will not apply in the event of your pleading guilty to a criminal charge on an offense that does not require the proof of criminal intent, unless the Company has received prior written notice of your intention to plead guilty to such offense.

 

  2.8.3 The Company will not be required to pay moneys pursuant to this Deed which were actually paid to you or for you or in your stead in any manner in the scope of insurance (which the Company purchased) or any undertaking for indemnity of any other person apart from the Company, except an amount that is in excess of the amount that was paid pursuant to the insurance policy and/or the other indemnity agreement. Nothing in the foregoing in this paragraph shall derogate from your rights in regard to the Company bearing the insured’s deductible specified in the policy and/or the transfer of insurance compensation the Company has received from insurers in respect of your liability and/or legal expenses that you have incurred.

 

  2.8.4 In addition, if the indemnity pursuant to this Deed is in respect of your holding office in subsidiaries and affiliates, then the indemnity under this Deed will apply only after the exhausting of all your rights in the framework of an insurance policy effected by the relevant subsidiary and/or affiliated company and/or pursuant to an advance undertaking for

 

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       indemnity or pursuant to a permit for indemnity in the subsidiaries and affiliates, if and to the extent that same exist.

 

       For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that the amount of indemnity pursuant to this Deed will apply over and above (and in addition to) the amount that will be paid (if and to the extent that it is paid) in the scope of insurance the subsidiary has effected and/or an indemnity that has been given by such subsidiary.

 

       If your request to receive indemnity and/or insurance cover in respect of an act you performed in your capacity in the subsidiary and which is likely to be indemnifiable under this Deed of Indemnity, is rejected by the subsidiary or the insurance company of the subsidiary and/or the affiliate, as the case may be, the Company will make payment to you in accordance with this Deed of Indemnity of amounts to which you will be entitled in accordance with this Deed of Indemnity, if you are entitled to such amounts, and you undertake that you will assign in favor of the Company your rights to receive amounts from the subsidiary and/or the affiliate and/or pursuant to the insurance policy of the subsidiary and/or the affiliate, and you will authorize the Company to collect these amounts in your name, to the extent that such authorization is required for the fulfillment of the provisions of this paragraph. In this regard you undertake to sign any document that may be required by the Company for purposes of the assignment of your aforesaid rights and the authorization to the Company to collect the aforesaid amounts in your name.

 

       For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that nothing contained in this Deed of Indemnity shall confer on the subsidiary and/or on any other third party any rights as against the Company, including, but without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, a right to claim and/or demand any payment from the Company as a contribution towards indemnity and/or as a contribution towards insurance cover that may be given to you by the subsidiary in respect of an act you performed in the capacity of your function in the subsidiary.

 

  2.9 Payment of the indemnity

 

     Upon your request for making payment in connection with any event under this Deed, the Company will perform all the operations required according to law for the payment thereof, and will act for arranging any approval that may be required in connection therewith, if required. If any such approval is required for the aforesaid payment, and such payment is not approved in accordance therewith for any reason, such payment, or any part thereof that is not approved as aforesaid, will be subject to the approval of the court and the Company will take steps to obtain it.

 

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  2.10 Period of indemnity and release

 

       The release and the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Deed will remain available to you and/or to your estate and/or for the benefit of alternate directors who were duly appointed by you, without limitation of time, and even after termination of your employment in the Company and/or your serving as an officer in the Company and/or your serving as an officer in subsidiaries and/or affiliates, as the case may be, provided that the acts in respect of which the release or the undertaking for indemnity are given were performed during the period of your employment in the Company and/or the period in which you served as an officer in the Company and/or in subsidiaries of the Company, and without being dependent on the date of discovery of the event in respect of which you are entitled to a release and/or to indemnity under this Deed of Indemnity.

 

  2.11 Refunding of amounts of indemnity that have been paid

 

       If the Company should pay you or on your behalf any amounts in the scope of this Deed in connection with a Legal Proceeding as aforesaid, including by way of providing the legal representation as aforesaid, and thereafter it becomes apparent that you are not entitled to indemnity from the Company for such amounts, these amounts will be deemed to be a loan that was given to you by the Company, plus interest at the minimum rate that will be specified from time to time according to law as not constituting a benefit liable for tax in the hands of the recipient of the loan, and you will be obliged to repay these amounts to the Company when called upon in writing by it to do so, and according to a schedule of payments the Company will prescribe.

 

3. Insurance

 

  3.1 The Company will cause a situation, to the extent that the insurance market allows this, that you will be insured in the scope of a directors and officers liability policy, with one of the leading insurance companies in Israel or abroad, in the Company’s discretion and in accordance with the provisions of the law.

 

  3.2 The aforesaid insurance shall provide you with cover during the entire period you serve as an officer and also after you cease to serve as an officer, as described in Paragraph 3.3 below. The insurance cover will apply to any act or omission against which it is customary to insure officers under normal conditions of insurance as applicable at that time, amongst the leading companies in the national economy and within the framework of the law, whether such acts or omissions were performed or occurred in Israel or abroad, and whether the claim was instituted or is conducted in Israel or abroad.

 

  3.3 The Company undertakes to do its best in order to maintain the validity of the insurance in limits of liability appropriate to the case and for an insurance period throughout the entire period in which you hold office and also for a

 

13


       period of 7 years from the date of cessation of your holding of office, and to renew the insurance policies on due date and to bear all the premium expenses and any other ancillary or related expense.

 

  3.4 The Company’s undertaking pursuant to Paragraphs 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 above is contingent upon the approval of the shareholders of the Company, as required from time to time according to law.

 

  3.5 It is hereby clarified that you are obliged to cooperate with the insurance company, to disclose any information that may be required and to comply with all the provisions of the policy in connection with defending of claims.

 

4. Miscellaneous

 

  4.1 The Company undertakes to notify you, as soon as possible, about any event in respect of which the indemnity is likely to apply.

 

  4.2 In this Deed of Indemnity, including the Schedule to this Deed of Indemnity, everything appearing in the masculine gender shall also include the feminine.

 

  4.3 The terms and expressions in this Deed of Indemnity shall be interpreted in accordance with Companies Law, and, where there is no definition in the Companies Law, according to the Securities Law, 5728-1968. The Schedule to this Deed of Indemnity constitutes an integral part hereof.

 

  4.4 The Company’s obligations under this Deed shall be interpreted broadly and in a manner intended for the fulfillment thereof, to the extent permitted according to law, for the goal for which same were intended. If it should be held that any of the provisions of this Deed of Release and Indemnity are unenforceable and/or invalid for any reason and/or in a case of a conflict between any provision in this Deed and a legal provision that cannot be stipulated upon or altered or added to, the aforesaid legal provision shall prevail, but this shall not have the effect of prejudicing or derogating from the force and validity of the remaining provisions of this Deed.

 

  4.5 This Deed of Release and Indemnity will come into force upon your signing a copy hereof at the place designated for the purpose and delivery of the signed copy to the Company. It is hereby agreed that if you received a previous undertaking from the Company for release and indemnity, your agreement to accept this Deed of Release and Indemnity constitutes your irrevocable agreement and consent to the cancellation of the previous undertaking.

 

  4.6 The Company will be entitled, in its sole discretion and at any time, to cancel its undertaking for indemnity and release pursuant to this Deed, or to decrease the Maximum Amount of Indemnity in accordance herewith, or to reduce the events to which it applies, whether in relation to all the officers or in relation to some of them to the extent that it relates to events that will occur after the date

 

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       of the change — provided that the officer has been given prior written notice of such intention at least 60 days before the date on which the resolution will come into force. For the avoidance of any doubt, it is hereby clarified that any resolution as aforesaid, which has the effect of worsening the terms and conditions of this Deed or of revoking it, will be of no retroactive applicability of any sort, and the Deed of Indemnity prior to the changes therein or the cancellation thereof, as the case may be, will continue to be of force and validity in all respects in relation to any event which occurred prior to the alteration or the cancellation, even if the proceeding in respect thereof was instituted against the officer after the alteration or cancellation of the Deed of Indemnity.

 

  4.7 In every other case, this Deed of Release and Indemnity may not be changed or altered, except [by a document] signed by the Company and by you.

 

  4.8 This Deed of Indemnity does not derogate from the Company’s right to decide on retroactive indemnity in accordance with the provisions of any law, and the undertaking to indemnify you in accordance with this Deed does not derogate from the release granted to you by the Company in accordance with the foregoing.

 

  4.9 For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby specified that this Deed of Release and Indemnity does not constitute a contract in favor of a third party and it is not assignable. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of death (G-d forbid), this Deed of Release and Indemnity will apply to you, your successors-in-title according to the provisions of any law, including to your estate.

 

  4.10 No waiver, procrastination, failure to take action or grant of an extension of time by the Company or by you will in any circumstances be construed as a waiver and will not affect the rights and obligations of the parties under this Deed of Release and Indemnity and/or according to any law, and will not prevent any such party from taking all the legal and other steps that are required for realizing the rights of such party as aforesaid.

 

  4.11 The law which shall govern this Deed of Indemnity is the Israeli law, and the competent court in Tel Aviv will have sole jurisdiction to adjudicate on disputes arising from the implementation of this Deed of Release and Indemnity.

 

  4.12 This Deed constitutes sole and fully exhaustive consent to all the terms and conditions and provisions that apply to the contractual arrangement between the Company and the officer in relation to the matters dealt with herein. This document supersedes any agreement, declaration, accord and understanding made, if made, between the Company and the officer on the matters mentioned in this Deed, whether verbal or in writing, prior to this Deed being signed.

 

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  4.13 The parties to this Deed declare that they have carefully read this Deed of Release and Indemnity and they are signing it of their own free will and volition having understood the contents hereof.

In witness whereof the Company has hereunto signed, through its authorized signatories who have been duly appointed.

 

     

 

      The Company

I confirm receipt of this Deed and confirm my consent to all the terms and conditions hereof.

 

     

 

      Signature of officer

Date:                             

 

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SCHEDULE

Subject to the provisions of the law, the following are the events which are determining for purposes of Paragraph 2.2.1:

 

1. The issue of securities (including an issue of securities that does not come to actual fruition) in Israel and abroad, including and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, an offer of securities to the public pursuant to a prospectus, a private placement, sale offer, issue of bonus shares or offer of securities in any other way, including, but without limitation, a prospectus for an initial public offering on the NASDAQ exchange, which the Company intends publishing in 2011.

 

2. Implementing of a tender offer and/or a sale offer and any proceeding, opinion, document and/or report in connection therewith.

 

3. An event arising from the fact of the Company being a public company or arising from the fact that its shares were offered to the public or arising from the fact that the shares of the Company are traded on a stock exchange in Israel or abroad.

 

4. A transaction or operation within the meaning thereof under Section 1 of the Companies Law, whether in the ordinary course of the Company’s business or not in the ordinary course of business of the Company and/or a subsidiary of the Company, including a transaction with an interested party, negotiations for entering into a transaction or operation, transfer, sale, leasehold, letting, purchase or pledge of assets or liabilities (including securities), or the grant or receipt of a right in respect of any of them, receiving and granting credit and the giving or receiving of collateral security, including contracting under finance agreements with banks and/or other financial entities for purposes of financing transactions or contractual arrangements that are implemented, and any act or exercise of discretion directly or indirectly connected with such transaction or operation, whether such transactions and/or operations are closed and completed or are not closed and completed for any reason.

 

5. Any act of an officer in the Company and/or in its subsidiaries in the fields of transactions which it implements, including related services, investment in companies in branches that are close or allied to the activities of the Company and the remaining activities of the Company and the integrated corporations that are permissible or will be permissible for them according to law.

 

6. A report or notice lodged according to the Companies Law or the Securities Law, including regulations made pursuant thereto, or according to rules or directives currently applied by on a Stock Exchange in Israel or abroad, or according to a law of another country which regulates similar matters and/or the failure to submit such report or notice.

 

7. Deliberation on and passing of resolutions and giving a report and disclosure in the Company’s reports, including the giving of an assessment regarding the effectiveness of the internal audit and additional matters included in the report of the board of directors of the Company, and the making of declarations and relating to the financial statements.


8. Preparation and signing of the financial statements of the Company and the subsidiaries, consolidated or separate, as the case may be, and the approval thereof, as well as in connection with business plans or forecasts.

 

9. Any act or a derivative thereof connected with the adopting of financial reporting according to international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and accepted accounting principles in the USA (US GAAP) or any financial reporting standards practiced by the Company or its subsidiaries.

 

10. Any act and/or resolution regarding a distribution, as defined in the Companies Law, including a distribution with the approval of a court, including the purchase of the Company’s shares, provided that the indemnity in respect of such act is permissible according to law, and also any claim or demand in connection with a distribution of dividends to the shareholders of the Company.

 

11. A change in the structure of the Company, or its reorganization, or any resolution pertaining thereto, including, but without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, a merger, split, alteration of the Company’s capital, establishment of subsidiaries, dissolution and sale thereof, allotment or distribution.

 

12. Amendments, alterations and formulation of arrangements between the Company and the shareholders, debenture holders, banks and/or creditors of the Company or of companies held by it, including amendments to deeds of trust and to debentures and the draft and settlement documents in their entirety.

 

13. Acts and their derivatives connected with the issue of licenses, building permits or approvals, including approvals and/or exemptions in regard to restraint of trade.

 

14. Any claim or demand in connection with the activities of the Company and its subsidiaries, their businesses, contractual engagements, its structure and so forth, including an operation or a resolution on subjects related, directly or directly, to restraint of trade, including restrictive arrangements, mergers and monopolies.

 

15. Participation in tenders and/or the holding of tenders.

 

16. A remark, statement including an expression of view or opinion made in good faith by the officer in the course of his function and by virtue of his function, including in negotiations and contractual arrangements with suppliers or customers, and including in the scope of meetings of management, the board of directors or any of its committees.

 

17. An act or a derivative thereof that is contrary to the Company’s Articles or Memorandum.

 

18. An act or a derivative thereof or a resolution in connection with an employer-employee relationship, including negotiations, contractual arrangements and implementation of personal employment agreements or collective labor agreements, promotion and advancement of employees, benefits to employees, including the handling of arrangements for pensions, provident funds, retirement or savings funds, loans to employees and the allotment of securities to employees.

 

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19. An act or a derivative thereof or a resolution pertaining to safety and hygiene at work, whether it is alleged that same caused bodily damage or caused damage to property, an act or a derivative thereof or a resolution relating to conditions of employment, including conditions of employment at the Company’s various sites (including everything connected with the equipment at the disposal of the employees and the tasks assigned to them, and in particular in relation, directly and/or indirectly, to allegations connected with exposure to silica).

 

20. Any claim or demand made by a third party suffering from physical injury and/or physical damage or damage to a business or personal asset, including loss of use thereof in the course of an act or omission attributed to the Company, or to its employees, agents or other persons, respectively, who act or purport to act on behalf of the Company.

 

21. Any claim or demand made or instituted by purchasers, owners, lessors, lessees or other occupiers of properties of the Company, in respect of damage or loss connected with the use of the aforesaid assets or properties.

 

22. Any act or failure in the effecting of insurance arrangements and/or in risk management, including any claim or demand connected with an alleged act or omission which caused the failure to effect proper insurance arrangements and also any matter connected with negotiations relating to insurance agreements, entering into insurance agreements, terms and conditions of the insurance policies and the activation of insurance policies.

 

23. The formulation of work plans, including costing, marketing, distribution, directives or lack of directives to employees, customers, distributors, processors, end users of the Company’s products and to suppliers, and cooperation with competitors or with any third parties.

 

24. Resolutions or acts or derivatives thereof pertaining to the environment, including to hazardous substances, and a claim or demand connected with circumstances that prima facie give rise to any sort of violation of the environmental laws, regulations, environmental licenses, permits, or additional approvals required according to the environmental laws, including and/or which cause environmental disturbance, including noise.

 

25. Resolutions and/or acts or derivatives thereof pertaining to the Consumer Protection Law, 5741-1981 and/or orders and/or regulations pursuant thereto, as well as any other law having a consumer character, and secondary legislation that may apply by virtue thereof, whether existing at the time of the grant of this Deed of Release and Indemnity, or in the future, and/or under any foreign law in this field.

 

26. An act and/or any derivative thereof relating to negotiations, closing and implementation of contracts of whatsoever nature with suppliers, distributors, agents, franchisees and so forth of the products that are marketed and/or sold by the Company or which are used by it.

 

27. Negotiations, closing and implementation of agreements with manpower contractors, services contractors, building contractors, renovations contractors, etc.

 

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28. Any administrative, public, judicial act, orders, judgments, claims, demands, letters of demand, directives, arguments, investigations, proceedings or notices regarding a lack of compliance or a breach of an act of an administrative authority or other body, in Israel or abroad, alleging the non-fulfillment of provisions of a law, regulation, order, ordinance, rule, custom, instruction, licensing, directive, policy and/or judgment by the Company and/or the officers in the Company in the scope of their functions in the Company.

 

29. The giving of information, representations, opinions, a report, notice and lodging of an application with authorities of the State and other authorities, including any authority that is competent according to any law in Israel or abroad and including, but without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, the Companies Law, including regulations made pursuant thereto, or according to the provisions of the tax laws which apply to the Company, and the documentation required according to any law.

 

30. An infringement that has been committed or has been alleged to have been committed or abuse of intellectual property rights of a third party including, but without limitation, patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights, etc.

 

31. Acts or derivatives thereof that are connected with the Company’s intellectual property and the protection thereof, including registration or enforcement of intellectual property rights and the defending of claims in relation thereto.

 

32. The management of the Company’s investment portfolio and the maintaining of the bank accounts in which the Company operates at banks and the execution of operations or their derivatives, including everything pertaining to transactions in foreign currency (including deposits in foreign currency), securities (including a buyback transaction of securities and the loaning and borrowing of securities), loans and credit frameworks, charge cards, bank guarantees, letters of credit, investment counseling agreements, including with portfolio managers, hedging transactions, options, futures contracts, derivatives, swap transactions, and so forth.

 

33. The realizing of a personal guarantee given by the officer to the Company, as security for the obligations and/or declarations of the Company.

 

34. The failure to conduct full and proper due diligence processes in relation to the Company’s investments, which led to a loss of the investments, in whole or in part, and/or to damage to the business of the Company and/or to the breach of an undertaking to a third party.

 

35. Events and acts or derivatives thereof in connection with investments which the Company makes in various corporations, before or after the making of the investment, including for purposes of entering into a transaction, the implementation thereof, development thereof, monitoring and supervision over it.

 

36. Pecuniary liability imposed on an officer in respect of acts in which he took part on behalf of the Company, vis-à-vis various State institutions.

 

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37. Pecuniary liability imposed on the officer in respect of a claim of third parties against the officer in respect of deficient or misleading disclosure, verbally or in writing, to existing and/or potential investors in the Company, including in the case of a merger of the Company with another company.

 

38. A claim or demand in connection with matters requiring disclosure in a prospectus, including in any draft thereof and where disclosure as required under any law was not given.

 

39. Any claim and/or demand in relation to non-disclosure or failure to supply any sort of information at the time required according to law and/or in connection with a misleading or faulty disclosure of such information, to third parties, and included in this to the holders of the Company’s securities and/or potential holders of securities, including in regard to a public offering, allotment, distribution, purchase, holding and/or connection with securities of the Company and/or any other investment activity involving and/or affecting the Company’s securities.

 

40. Any claim and/or demand in relation to non-disclosure or a failure to provide any type of information within the time required according to law and/or in connection with misleading and/or faulty disclosure of such information, to third parties and including Income Tax, Value Added Tax, National Insurance, the Investment Center, the Ministry for the Environment, local authorities and any governmental, institutional entity and/or trade union and/or otherwise.

 

41. Non-compliance with the requirements of any law, including in connection with the supply and distribution of products (including failure to meet relevant standards, failure to give warnings as required, as forth), for the manufacture, development thereof, for contractual arrangements with third parties, restraints of trade.

 

42. Credit risks.

 

43. A breach of the provisions of any agreement to which the Company is a party, whether actually committed or alleged to have been committed.

 

44. An act or a derivative thereof relating to a tax liability of the Company and/or a subsidiary and/or the shareholders of any of them.

 

45. Any claim and/or demand that is made directly or indirectly in connection with a default, in whole or in part, by the Company and/or by the officers, the managers and the employees of the Company, with regard to a payment, reporting thereof and/or documenting of documents, by one of the State authorities, a foreign authority, a municipal authority and/or any other payment required according to the laws of the State of Israel, including payments of Income Tax, Sales Tax, Land Appreciation Tax, transfer taxes, excise tax, Value Added Tax, stamp duty, customs duties, National Insurance, salaries and/or a withholding of salary for employees and/or other withholdings, including any type of interest and increments in respect of linkage.

 

46. Events that have affected or are likely to have a material impact on the profits of the Company or its property or its rights or its obligations.

 

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47. Any act connected with voting in the held companies.

 

48. Any claim and/or demand instituted by a lender or creditor or anyone alleging to be a lender or creditor, in regard to moneys that were lent by them and/or the Company’s debts to them.

 

49. Each of the events mentioned above in connection with the officer serving on behalf of the Company as an officer in the subsidiaries and/or affiliated companies, and in relation to any country in the world.

 

     Every provision in this Schedule above which relates to the performance of a particular act shall be interpreted as also relating to the non-performance and/or the failure to perform such act, unless the context of the particular provision does not allow for such interpretation.

 

50. Any event and/or operation which is indemnifiable pursuant to the Law for Efficiency of Enforcement Proceedings in the Securities Authority (Amendments to Legislation), 5771-2011.

* * *

 

6

EXHIBIT 10.8

LAND USE AGREEMENT

made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 20 th day of July 2011

 

Between:

   CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.
  

Pvte. Co. 51-143950

of Kibbutz Sdot Yam

   (hereinafter: “the Company” )
   of the one part ;

And:

   SDOT YAM COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY LTD.
  

Pvte. Co. 57-0003509

of Kibbutz Sdot Yam

   (hereinafter: “the Kibbutz” )
   of the other part;

 

WHEREAS

   The Kibbutz owns the rights in the Land (as defined below); and

WHEREAS

   The Company conducts its business and operates a plant which is located on the Land (including storage areas); and

WHEREAS

   The Company wishes to receive permission from the Kibbutz to use the Land for the period and on the conditions as set forth in this Agreement, and the Kibbutz agrees to grant the Company a license to use the Land as aforesaid, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

Now therefore it is declared and agreed by the parties as follows :

 

1. Preamble, appendices and definitions

 

  1.1 The preamble to this Agreement and the appendices hereto constitute an integral part hereof.

 

  1.2 Headings to clauses in this Agreement are solely for the ease of reading and no significance shall be accorded to them in the interpretation of this Agreement or any of the provisions hereof.

 

  1.3 In this Agreement the following terms will have the meaning opposite them, unless otherwise expressly stated.

 

  1.3.1 “The Buildings” — the Buildings which stand on the Land and constitute the Company’s plant and the installations thereof (including storage areas and offices), in accordance with the drawing attached to this Agreement as Appendix A .

 

  1.3.2 “The index” — the Consumer Price Index, including fruit and vegetables, which is published by the Central Bureau of Statistics and/or any other index that may be specified by the Central Bureau of Statistics and may come in its stead and/or replace it.

 


  1.3.3 “Purpose of the license” — the operation of the plant including everything connected therewith and required for the purpose, at present and in the future, in the Company’s discretion, for purposes of operating the plant, activities of the Company’s head office, the storage of raw materials and finished products and for offices, in accordance with the various types of uses in the division into areas and the existing buildings at the date of signing of this Agreement as described in Paragraph 5.2 of the appraisal attached to this Agreement as Appendix B and the drawing attached to this Agreement as Appendix A and the uses that will be possible by virtue of additional construction, if and to the extent that additional construction is performed in accordance with the provisions of Clause 7 of this Agreement.

 

  1.3.4 “The plant” — the Company’s plant which at present engages in the development, manufacture, distribution and marketing of quartz surfaces; semi-precious stones and additional associated products, whether produced at present or as will be produced by the Company in the future.

 

  1.3.5 “The Land” or “the License Areas” — areas possessing different features and uses, as described in the appraisal attached to this Agreement as Appendix B and as marked on the drawing attached to this Agreement as Appendix A , including the Buildings and everything else built thereon and permanently affixed thereto at the date of signing of this Agreement.

 

  1.3.6 “Later Projects” — (a) the construction that was performed by the Company for enlarging the plant in a westerly direction for the benefit of the MBD project ( “MBD” ), (b) the establishment of a silos farm and the establishment of polyester still containment pallets ( “Silos and Still Containment Pallets” ), and (c) the establishment of a hothouse in the eastern area ( “Hothouse” ).

 

2. Condition precedent

 

  2.1 It is agreed between the parties that this Agreement is subject to the closing and completion of the public offering, as this term is defined below and will come into force only at the date of the closing and completion of the public offering, which will be deemed below: “Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent” )

 

  2.2 For the removal of doubt, it is clarified that until the time at which the Condition Precedent is fulfilled, this Agreement will be of no validity. If the Condition Precedent is not fulfilled on or before December 31, 2011, this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void in all respects as if it had never been signed.

 

  2.3 “Completion of the public offering” for purposes of this Agreement will be deemed to be the date on which the Seller receives the first moneys that will be raised by it in an initial public offering of the Seller’s shares on a stock exchange in the USA (NASDAQ or NYSE).

 

3. The license

 

  3.1 Subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Kibbutz hereby permits the Company to make use of the License Areas, including the Buildings, with the status of a licensee, during the license period and solely for the purpose of the license.

 

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  3.2 The Company undertakes not to use and not to allow the use of the License Areas (including the Buildings) or any part thereof, for any other purpose apart from the purpose of the license, except with the prior written consent of the Kibbutz. Included in this and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, the Company undertakes not to alter the use made at the date of signing of this Agreement of any of the Buildings and/or the License Areas, unless such alteration is made in accordance with the planning and building laws, the leasehold agreements between the Kibbutz and the Israel Lands Administration and the Caesarea Development Corporation and the outline plans which apply to the Land.

 

  3.3 Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a lease relationship between the parties, whether protected tenancy or unprotected tenancy. The Company’s rights pursuant to this Agreement in the License Areas (including the Buildings) are temporary rights of use only (during the license period as defined below), as described in this Agreement.

 

  3.4

Without prejudice to the foregoing, for the removal of doubt it is clarified by the Kibbutz that the Land is an area which was vacated after 26 th Av 5728 (August 20, 1968) of any tenant entitled to occupy it, and has not been leased under key money.

The licensee (including the Company) and/or a lessee have also not paid and will not pay the Kibbutz key money or any other payment likely to be construed as key money, including, and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, in respect of works, alterations, improvements and/or enhancements which have been made or which may be made on the Land and in the Buildings prior to the License Period and/or during the course thereof.

The license to use which is granted under this Agreement shall not be protected by the Tenants Protection Law (Consolidated Version), 5732-1973 or pursuant to the remaining tenants protection laws and regulations and the aforesaid laws and regulations will not apply to the license, to the Company, to the Land and the Buildings and to this Agreement.

 

  3.5 The Kibbutz will be solely responsible for compliance with all the provisions of the planning and building laws in the License Areas and for the purpose of the license, except in relation to the Later Projects. Likewise, the Kibbutz will be responsible for arranging and regulating all the rights, the licenses and the permits for the Company’s use of the License Areas for the purpose of the license, and included in this it will be responsible for the payments that will be demanded for such arrangement and regulation (including, without limitation, a betterment levy) and including all fines that may apply (apart from fines that may apply in relation to the Later Projects), if and to the extent that same apply, if any of the aforesaid rights, licenses and/or permits have not been arranged.

Without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, the Company hereby expressly and irrevocably waives in advance any monetary demand and/or claim (including, without limitation, compensation and indemnity for any pecuniary damage suffered by it) which it had and/or which it has and/or which it may have, to the extent that it had and/or has and/or will have such demand and/or claim

 

3


against the Kibbutz, all in relation to any obstacle it may have in connection with use of the License Areas or any of them, during the entire License Period and subsequent thereto, as a result of the absence of any permit, license or right to make use of the License Areas (including the Buildings) for the purpose of the License.

 

  3.6 Without derogating from the foregoing, the Company hereby expressly and irrevocably waives in advance any allegation and/or demand which it had and/or has and/or may have, to the extent that it had and/or has and/or may have same, throughout the entire License Period and subsequent thereto, in relation to any defect and/or blemish and/or non-conformity in the License Areas and/or the Buildings, except a latent defect and/or latent non-conformity. Nothing contained in this clause shall derogate from any allegation or demand of the Company, past, present and future, in connection with the obligations of the Kibbutz to it in relation to the License Areas and/or in connection with any other agreement between it and the Kibbutz.

 

4. The License Period and the scope and extent of the License Areas

 

  4.1

The License Period pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement is for a period of 20 (twenty) years, commencing from the 1 st of the month following the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent ( “the License Period” ).

 

  4.2 The License Areas will be fixed throughout the entire License Period and the Company will not be entitled to reduce same and/or to return any areas to the Kibbutz. The Company will be obliged to pay the full user fees as stated in this Agreement, for the full License Areas, even in a situation in which — for any reason whatsoever — it does not make any use of the areas of the License Period.

However it is agreed that the foregoing in this sub-clause will not apply to Area E (as described in Appendix A ) in respect of which each of the two parties may cancel the license (or with respect to any part thereof) by way of prior written notice of one year. If the license is cancelled in respect of Area E (in relation to any part thereof) as aforesaid, the provisions of Clause 10 below shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the area in relation to which the license has been cancelled. In addition, in the event that the license has been cancelled in relation to the aforesaid Area E (or any part thereof) — the User Fees which the Company will pay the Kibbutz will be reduced by an amount of NIS 3 per month for every sq.m. of Area E which is actually returned to the Kibbutz, commencing from the date the area is actually returned to the Kibbutz.

 

  4.3

The Company undertakes not to assign and/or transfer its rights in the License Areas pursuant to this Agreement, or any portion thereof, in whole or in part, to another or to others, in any manner whatsoever; and not to make over and/or transfer and/or allow any use of any sort in the License Areas or in any part thereof (including the Buildings), to another or to others, in any manner whatsoever, including as a licensee, whether for consideration or otherwise — except in the manner stated in Clause 4.5 below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will be entitled to assign all its rights and obligations under this Agreement as a consequence of a merger of the Company with a third party (to that party into which it is merged) and/or a sale of most or all its assets (to that party to whom the assets are sold) — without the necessity for obtaining approval from the Kibbutz,

 

4


  subject to the condition that any such assignment will be conditional upon the assignee undertaking in writing to assume all the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed that the grant of a license to use the License Areas or any part thereof (including the Buildings), to corporations under the control of the Company and/or which control the Company and/or which are controlled by the controlling shareholders in the Company ( “Permitted Transferee” ) will not require the Kibbutz’s approval, on condition that the Permitted Transferee has delivered a deed of undertaking to the Kibbutz in which it undertakes to fulfill all the obligations imposed on the Company pursuant to this Agreement, without this prejudicing the force and validity of the Company’s obligations to the Kibbutz (including payment of the user fees as stated in this Agreement) which shall remain in force, jointly and severally with the obligations of the Permitted Transferee as aforesaid.

 

  4.4 The Company hereby further undertakes not to encumber and/or pledge its rights, in whole or in part, and/or to grant any other right to any third party in the License Areas, or in any part thereof, to another or to others, in any manner whatsoever, unless it has received the prior written consent thereto of the Kibbutz. Nothing contained in this clause shall derogate from the provisions of Clause 4.3 above.

 

  4.5 Without derogating from the contents of Clauses 4.1 to 4.3 above and notwithstanding the contents of Clause 4.2, the Company will be entitled to refer to the Kibbutz in writing at any time with an application to return any areas forming part of the License Areas to the Kibbutz, coupled with mentioning the time at which the Company wishes to return such areas to the Kibbutz. The Kibbutz will be given a period of three months from the date of the Company’s referral in which to consider the application — and to give notice whether or not it agrees thereto, all in its full and sole discretion and without there being any obligation upon it to give reasons for its decision.

Should the Kibbutz decide within three months not to accede to such application by the Company for the return of areas forming part of the License Areas, or not to take any decision in relation to such application by the Company within three months, the Company will be entitled to look for another entity for the aforesaid area it offered to return to the Kibbutz, where the identity of such other entity shall be agreed by the Kibbutz and approved expressly and in writing, and to allow it the status of a sub-licensee in the aforesaid area — provided that the Company shall continue to be liable for all its obligations to the Kibbutz under this Agreement in respect of the aforesaid area (including and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, full payment of the amounts it is obliged to pay the Kibbutz under this Agreement in connection with that area). Should the Kibbutz decide to accede to the Company’s aforesaid application, the license in respect of that area in relation to which the Company requested to cancel the license will be cancelled at the time specified in the Company’s application, and the provisions of Clause 10 below shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the area in relation to which the license was cancelled.

 

  4.6 In a case in which the Company requests the Kibbutz to place additional areas at its disposal — the Kibbutz will consider doing so (including the price asked for such additional areas and all the remaining conditions for placing same at the disposal of the Company).

 

5


5. User fees

 

  5.1 The Company undertakes to pay the Kibbutz for the use of the License Areas during the License Period, user fees as specified below, together with V.A.T. as prescribed by law according to the rate thereof at the time each payment is made, ( “the User Fees” ).

 

  5.1.1 In respect of each month of the year 2011 that is included in the License Period — a sum of NIS 900,000 [nine hundred thousand] per month (which is NIS 10,800,000 [ten million eight hundred thousand] on an annual calculation). For the removal of doubt it is clarified that the aforesaid amounts with respect to the 2011 year will not bear linkage differentials to the index.

 

  5.1.2 In respect of the 2012 year — a sum of NIS 1,050,000 [one million and fifty thousand] per month (which is NIS 12,600,000 [twelve million six hundred thousand] per annum). For the removal of doubt it is clarified that the aforesaid amounts with respect to the 2012 year will not bear linkage differentials to the index.

 

  5.1.3 Commencing from January 1, 2013 and throughout the entire remainder of the License Period — a sum of NIS 1,075,000 [one million and seventy-five thousand] (which is NIS 12,900,000 [twelve million nine hundred thousand] per annum), plus linkage differentials to the index as described below, which are fair and reasonable user fees for the License Areas as determined by consent by two independent real estate appraisers who were engaged —one on behalf of Sdot Yam and the other on behalf of CaesarStone and as stated in the appraisal which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix B .

 

  5.2 Commencing from January 1, 2013 (the first day of January 2013), the User Fees which will be payable by the Company will be revised upwards (only), once every six months (in other words commencing on January 1, 2013 and every six months thereafter), in the event of a rise in the Consumer Price Index, as against the basic index. At every such date, if it transpires that the new index (as defined below) is higher than the basic index (as defined below), the User Fees which the Company will pay to the Kibbutz commencing from that date onwards will increase by the percentage by which the new index has risen as against the basic index. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that a decrease in the index below the basic index will not entitle the Company to a reduction in the amount of the User Fees payable.

For purposes of the foregoing, “the basic index” means the index that was known on January 1, 2011 (the first day of January 2011); “the new index” means the index last published prior to the date of the calculation. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that it has been agreed between the parties that the User Fees in the years 2011 and 2012 will not bear linkage differentials to the index and that commencing from the first day of January 2013 onwards, the User Fees will be updated by the full rise in the index as from the first day of January 2011.

 

  5.3

The User Fees will be paid by the Company to the Kibbutz as follows: up to the start of each year ( “the Forthcoming Year” ), CaesarStone will transfer 12 checks payable to payee only to Sdot Yam each of which in an amount equivalent to 1/12 of the User Fees as specified above for the Forthcoming Year, and the due date for

 

6


  payment of each check shall be the first of each calendar month in the Forthcoming Year. The abovementioned linkage differentials shall be paid not later than January 31 of each year in respect of the preceding year. Transfer of the checks as aforesaid to Sdot Yam will be deemed for all intents and purposes to be payment by the Company to the Kibbutz, except in a case in which the checks are not met upon presentation for payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the User Fees for the first calendar year of the License Period will be transferred to the Kibbutz by the Company in checks postdated to the 1 st of each month starting from the commencement of the License Period immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement (and will be until the end of the first calendar year only).

 

  5.4 Commencing from January 1, 2021, during every License Period (but not later than once every three years), the Kibbutz will be entitled to appoint a real estate appraiser (whose identity shall be agreed by the Company, and if his identity is not agreed within 30 days from the date the Kibbutz applied to the Company in writing, the Kibbutz will appoint the real estate appraiser out of the recommended list of real estate appraisers of Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M., as prevailing at that time) in order for him to assess the fair and reasonable User Fees for the License Areas. In the event that such real estate appraiser is appointed as aforesaid, the User Fees will be updated in accordance with the real estate appraiser’s decision.

 

  5.5 In addition to the foregoing, in a case in which there is a substantial change in the scale and extent of the payments payable by the Kibbutz, as at the date of signing of this Agreement, to the Caesarea Development Corporation and/or to the Israel Lands Administration, with respect to Land (after the Kibbutz has made maximum efforts in the circumstances of the matter in order to avoid such a situation) — the Kibbutz will be entitled to appoint a real estate appraiser as referred to in Clause 5.4 above commencing from January 1, 2018.

 

  5.6 Without derogating from and/or without prejudice to any remedy or relief available to the Kibbutz pursuant to this Agreement and/or according to any law, each payment of User Fees which is not paid on due date in accordance with Clause 5.3 shall bear penalty interest at the rate of interest prevailing for the time being at Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M. in respect of an exceeding of an approved credit framework in current business accounts, commencing from the elapse of 10 days from the date intended for the payment of each such payment and up to the date of actual payment thereof.

 

6. Taxes and payments

 

  6.1 All the taxes, fees, levies, payments and rates, governmental, municipal, local and/or other, which are imposed on lessees and/or users in relation to the License Areas and/or the Buildings and/or for the purpose of the license, as well as all the remaining payments which apply according to law to lessees and/or users, including and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, payments of rates, local committee taxes, electricity, water, communications and so forth, which exist at the time of signing of this Agreement and/or which may be imposed in the future, shall be borne by the Company and shall be paid by it regularly and on due date — all on condition that this does not impose on the Company an additional obligation for payment in respect of services regulated pursuant to the Agreement for the Providing of Services and Division of Expenses between the Company and the Kibbutz which was signed on the date of signing of this Agreement.

 

7


  6.2 On a demand by the Kibbutz, the Company shall furnish the Kibbutz with certificates and receipts indicating the making of all of the payments which the Company is liable to pay as aforesaid.

 

  6.3 The Kibbutz will be entitled (but not obliged), to pay any amount the obligation for payment of which is imposed on the Company according to this Agreement and has not been paid by it within 30 days from the date on which such amount was supposed to be paid, provided that the Kibbutz shall give the Company written notice of its intention to make such payment at least 14 days in advance.

The Company shall refund to the Kibbutz any payment that may be paid by it as aforesaid, together with interest at the rate mentioned in Clause 5.6 above, reckoned from the date such amount was paid by the Kibbutz and up to the date of reimbursement thereof to the Kibbutz by the Company.

 

  6.4 Subject to the provisions of Clause 7 below in regard to additional construction on the Land, the Kibbutz shall bear the payment of the taxes, fees, levies and any payments in relation to the License Areas, which apply to a land owner and/or long leasehold lessee, including, but without limitation, leasehold fees to the Lands Administration and payments to the Caesarea Development Corporation — whether existing at present or which may exist in the future, and it agrees that if a new tax and/or new fee and/or new levy and/or any other payment which by its nature applies to owners and/or leasehold lessees of land ( “the New Tax” ) should be imposed by the government and/or any authority or other body, then the Kibbutz will pay the New Tax.

 

7. Additional building construction on the Land

 

  7.1 In a case in which the Company wishes to carry out additional building construction and/or any other improvements in the License Areas (including the Buildings) ( “the Additional Construction” ), then the following will apply:

 

  7.1.1 The Company will notify the Kibbutz in writing of its desire to carry out Additional Construction (in respect of industrial areas — construction to an envelope level only at customary standards, and in respect of offices — full building construction at normal and customary standards), and the objects and the scope and extent thereof.

 

  7.1.2 Within a reasonable time the Kibbutz will take steps to obtain the necessary licenses and/or permits for purposes of performing such building construction.

 

  7.1.3 In addition, subject to obtaining a building permit and any other approval and/or permit and/or license required according to law, the Kibbutz will, within a reasonable time and by coordination with the Company, perform the additional building construction out of moneys of a loan with which the Company will provide it according to market conditions (in an amount to cover the full Additional Construction — including the full planning costs that include the issue of the building permits and/or payment of levies and fees in respect thereof), the execution and the financial expenses during the period of construction) ( “the Loan” ).

 

8


  7.1.4 Commencing from the date on which the areas of the Additional Construction are delivered to the Company, the User Fees which the Company will pay the Kibbutz shall increase by amounts that will be derived from the level of User Fees specified in this Agreement (and all the remaining contents of Clauses 5.1 to 5.4 above) in respect of the areas of the Additional Construction ( “Additional User Fees for the Additional Construction” ).

 

  7.1.5 The Loan will be repaid by the Kibbutz solely by way of a full set-off against the Additional User Fees for the Additional Construction, and only against that, until the Loan has been repaid, including the full interest in respect thereof (or if at the date of termination of the License Period the full Loan has not yet been repaid, the balance of the Loan which has not yet been repaid will be fully discharged on the date of termination of the License Period). For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that the User Fees specified in Clauses 5.1 to 5.4 above will under no circumstances be reduced, and the Company will not be entitled to set off any amounts against them, including on account of repayment of the amounts of the Loan it will provide to the Kibbutz as aforesaid for purposes of performing the Additional Construction.

 

  7.2 In the event that the Company should wish to perform Additional Construction and/or any other improvements in the License Areas and/or in the Buildings, which are not for purposes of offices and/or are in excess of building construction at the level of an envelope with respect to industrial areas ( “the Works” ), including all other Works which do not lead to an increment in the User Fees or which are not required for purposes of regulating the existing use of the License Areas and/or the Buildings — the Works will be performed by the Company and at its expense after receipt of a building permit and any other approval and/or permit and/or license that is required according to law (and without derogating from the provisions of Clause 3.5 above), subject to the condition that same are in accordance with the Purpose of the License and without this in any way altering the actual User Fees which the Company will pay to the Kibbutz as stated in this Agreement.

 

  7.3 The Company undertakes not to carry out and not to perform any alterations and/or repairs and/or enhancements and/or improvements and/or any constructional additions and/or demolition of buildings or part thereof and/or any other building construction work, of any sort whatsoever, in the License Areas, except in accordance with provisions of Clauses 7.1 and 7.2 above.

 

  7.4 All the results of the Additional Construction and/or the Works (for the removal of doubt — all the repairs, enhancements, improvements, alterations and additions) which are permanently affixed to the Land will have the status of being the sole property of the Kibbutz, and the Company will not be entitled to dismantle and/or remove same from the License Areas at any stage, including after the end of the License Period, and it will not be entitled to any payment in respect thereof from the Kibbutz and/or to any reduction in the User Fees specified in this Agreement (apart from repayment of the loan, as mentioned in Clause 7.1.3 above, if and to the extent that it is provided).

 

9


  7.5 Where any works have been performed contrary to the provisions of Clauses 7.1 or 7.2 above ( “Prohibited Work” ), then without derogating from the Kibbutz’s right to treat same as a material breach of this Agreement and without derogating from any other remedy available to the Kibbutz pursuant to this Agreement and/or according to any law, the Kibbutz will be entitled to demand from the Company to demolish the Prohibited Work and to restore the situation to its former condition (as applied prior to performance of the Works), and in such event the Company will be obliged to demolish the Prohibited Work and to perform all the repairs required in the License Areas that are necessary in order to return the License Areas to the Kibbutz in the condition they were prior to the Prohibited Works being performed.

 

8. Use of the License Areas and maintenance thereof

 

  8.1 The Company undertakes to allow the authorized entity on behalf of the Kibbutz, about whom the Kibbutz will notify the Company in writing and/or the legal representatives of the Kibbutz, to enter upon the License Areas (including the Buildings) at any reasonable time, by prior arrangement with the Company, in order to inspect and examine the state of the License Areas and the conformance of the activities in the License Areas to the purpose of the license.

 

  8.2 Subject to the provisions of Clause 3.5 above, the Company is responsible for the fulfillment and performance of any law, regulation, order or bylaw, in connection with the License Areas (including the Buildings).

 

  8.3 The Company undertakes to do its best in order to prevent any eyesore and/or nuisance and/or damage and/or inconvenience being created as a result of the use of the License Areas (including the Buildings) for persons who are on the Kibbutz and/or to any of their property (apart from inconvenience, eyesore and/or nuisance caused by virtue of the activities of the Company’s plant, which are at standards that are substantially similar to the standards applied at the Company’s plant in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone and subject to the differences which currently exist as between the plants). Included in this and without derogating from the foregoing, the Company undertakes, subject to the character of the activities in the plant, to meticulously maintain the cleanliness of the License Areas and their immediate surrounds.

 

  8.4 The Company undertakes to use only the access roads to the License Areas for vehicles and cartage vehicles and at the places designated for this, and not to use vehicles, motorized or other, which might damage the access roads to the License Areas and to the parking areas.

 

  8.5 The Company will be fully and exclusively responsible to all the governmental, municipal and local institutions and authorities and to any other competent authorities, and also to the Kibbutz, for the payment of all the fines and/or the compensation resulting from non-compliance with the provisions of this Clause 8.

 

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9. Licensing and licenses

 

  9.1 Subject to what is stated in Clause 3.5 above, the Company declares that it is conversant with the conditions required for purposes of obtaining the licenses and permits that are necessary according to any law and from all the governmental, municipal, and local institutions and authorities, and any other competent authority, for operating its business in the License Areas — and it hereby undertakes to obtain any license required by it and to see to it that its business is conducted throughout the entire License Period in conformity with any license and permit required by any relevant authority. The Company shall at its expense bear all the payments required for obtaining the abovementioned licenses and permits.

 

  9.2 Subject to what is stated in Clause 3.5 above, if any competent authority should make the issue of a license and/or permit for operating the plant in the License Areas conditional upon the performing of works within the Buildings, the Company will be obliged to do so at its expense and in this regard the provisions of Clause 7 will apply, mutatis mutandis.

 

  9.3 Subject to what is stated in Clause 3.5 above, it is hereby agreed that the Kibbutz is not responsible to the Company for obtaining any licenses or permits from the competent authorities that are necessary in connection with the operation of the Company’s business in the License Areas, but, at the Company’s request, the Kibbutz will do everything it can in order to assist the Company in obtaining such approvals or licenses, in return for an appropriate payment.

 

10. The Later Projects

In relation to the Later Projects the following provisions will apply and in the event of a conflict between them and any of the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Clause 10 will take precedence and will prevail:

 

  10.1 MBD — the provisions of Clause 7.1 above (including an increase of the User Fees and a setoff of the construction and licensing costs against the increment in the User Fees) will apply to the construction of the MBD, including everything connected with the obtaining of all the permits connected with and/or required for such construction.

 

  10.2 Silos and Still Containment Pallets — the construction of the Silos and Still Containment Pallets, including everything connected with obtaining all the permits connected with and/or required for purposes of such construction, shall be governed by the provisions of Clause 7.2 above (including payments that may be demanded, if demanded, in order to obtain a permit for exceptional use in these areas, and which shall be borne by the Company without setoff against the User Fees, but excluding payment of a betterment levy, if same should apply, which shall be borne by the Kibbutz, shall be paid by the Company and setoff against the User Fees fixed in this Agreement).

 

  10.3

Hothouses — the Company will be entitled at any time during the License Period, to dismantle the hothouses. Where the Company has in practice dismantled the hothouses (and has not built any construction in place thereof), the User Fees

 

11


  stipulated in this Agreement shall be reduced by an amount which reflects the difference between fair and reasonable user fees for the area of the hothouses as against fair and proper user fees for an open area — in respect of the area of the hothouses.

 

11. Liability and insurance

 

  11.1 The Kibbutz, including any of its members and residents, any of the office-bearers in the Kibbutz and anyone acting on behalf of or for the Kibbutz (collectively: “the Kibbutz Individuals” ), will not be responsible in any way and vis-à-vis any party, for any bodily damage and/or damage to property and/or loss and/or expense of whatsoever nature, which may be incurred by the Company and/or any of the officers therein and/or any of its employees and/or anyone engaged by it (including Kibbutz members whom the Kibbutz places at the disposal of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the manpower agreement between the Kibbutz and the Company) and/or any of its agents and/or any of its customers and/or any of its visitors and/or any other person who may for any reason be in the License Areas (including the Buildings), in respect of anything connected with and/or relating to and/or arising from the permission for use which is granted to the Company under this Agreement and/or due to any use that may actually be made by any entity in the License Areas (including the Buildings), except in respect of a malicious act or negligence on the part of the Kibbutz and/or any of the Kibbutz Individuals (in their activities other than as Kibbutz appointees pursuant to the Manpower Agreement between the Kibbutz and the Company, which was signed at the time of signing of this Agreement, in relation to which the aforesaid manpower agreement shall apply) and/or in respect of a breach of this Agreement by the Kibbutz .

 

  11.2

The Company undertakes to compensate the Kibbutz and to hold it harmless, including any of the Kibbutz Individuals ( “the Indemnified Persons” ) by way of full compensation and indemnity, for any amount any of the Indemnified Persons may be ordered to pay pursuant to a final judgment (including costs of the suit and also including reasonable attorney’s fees that any of the Indemnified Persons may be required to incur) and in respect of any liability imposed on any of the Indemnified Persons due to any matter or thing that is under the Company’s responsibility according to any law and/or in respect of liability that may be imposed on any of the Indemnified Persons by virtue of any bodily damage and/or damage to property and/or loss and/or expense that was sustained by any entity, including the Kibbutz and/or any of the Kibbutz Individuals and/or the Company and/or any of the officers therein and/or any of its employees and/or any of those engaged by it (including Kibbutz members whom the Kibbutz places at the Company’s disposal in accordance with the provisions of the manpower agreement between the Kibbutz and the Company) and/or any of its agents and/or any of its customers and/or any of its visitors and/or any other person who may for any reason be in the License Areas (including the Buildings) during the License Period, except in respect of a malicious act or omission on the part of the Kibbutz and/or any of the Kibbutz Individuals and/or in respect of a breach of this Agreement by the Kibbutz. The indemnity under this clause is subject to the Kibbutz delivering to the Company, shortly after the receipt thereof, the demand and/or the claim that may be filed, and that it enables the Company to conduct the defense against any such claim, including through attorneys on its behalf (and at the Company’s

 

12


  expense), and that it shall fully cooperate with it and will not compromise and/or conduct negotiations towards a compromise without obtaining the Company’s prior written consent.

 

  11.3 Without derogating in any way from anything in the foregoing, the Company undertakes to purchase from a recognized insurance company having a good reputation in Israel and to maintain throughout the entire License Period , insurance policies for itself and any third party, including insurance of the Buildings and the contents of the Buildings at their full replacement value, against the normal risks in extended fire insurance, as well as liability insurance according to law for accidental physical damage ( “the Insurance Policy” ) to such extent of cover (per event and per period), and on such conditions that will not be materially inferior to the terms and conditions of the Company’s existing insurance policies at the date of signing of this Agreement, and which are attached to this Agreement as Appendix C . The Company undertakes to pay the full premiums in connection with the Insurance Policy on time and according to due date and to fully comply with all the remaining terms and conditions of the Insurance Policy.

 

  11.4 The Kibbutz, including any of the Kibbutz Individuals, will be included as additional insureds in the Policy for the Building (subject to the condition that the insurance compensation under the Policy for the Building, in a case that an insurance event has occurred, will be paid to the Company and will serve solely for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Building), and in the Company’s third party policy. An express condition shall also be included in the insurance policy pursuant to which the insurer is not entitled to cancel the policies and/or to reduce the extent of cover under them and/or not to renew same, unless the insurer has notified the Kibbutz by registered mail of its intention to do so at least 60 days in advance. The insurance policy shall also include an express clause regarding a waiver by the insurer of its right of subrogation against the Kibbutz, including any of its members and residents and any of the office-bearers in the Kibbutz.

 

  11.5 The Company shall send a copy of all the insurance policies for inspection and perusal by the Kibbutz.

 

  11.6 For the removal of doubt it is clarified that nothing in the foregoing in regard to the insurance policies has the effect of in any way eliminating and/or reducing the Company’s responsibility and its liability as set forth in this Clause 10 and/or of imposing any obligation and/or responsibility on the Kibbutz in a case in which the insurance policies are insufficient to cover the damage that is supposed to be covered by the insurance policy, or in the event that it should become apparent that certain damage is not covered under the insurance policy.

 

12. Vacation

 

  12.1

At the end of the License Period or in a case in which the license should terminate before the end of the License Period for any reason ( “the Date of Vacation” ), the Company undertakes to return the License Areas to the Kibbutz (including the Buildings), where same are completely empty and vacant of any person and article which is not permanently affixed to the Land, and where the envelope of the Buildings is in good condition, apart from wear and tear arising from reasonable use. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that notwithstanding the foregoing,

 

13


  means of production, assets and installations which are connected to the Buildings and which are not permanently affixed to the Land, shall remain the Company’s property and shall be taken away by it.

 

  12.2 Vacation of the License Areas and the Date of Vacation constitute fundamental terms and conditions of this Agreement. If any License Areas or any part thereof are not in good order and condition at the Date of Vacation, excluding reasonable wear and tear, the Kibbutz may, after having given the Company written notice at least 10 days in advance in which the Company fails to repair the damage and/or the fault and/or the breakdown, repair any damage and/or fault and/or breakdown at the Company’s expense, and the Company shall refund to the Kibbutz any reasonable amount it has incurred for this purpose.

 

  12.3 If the Company has not vacated the License Areas or any part thereof on the Date of Vacation, then without prejudice to alternative and/or additional remedies available to the Kibbutz according to the provisions of this Agreement and/or according to any law, the Company shall pay the Kibbutz agreed damages to an extent of twice the User Fees specified in this Agreement in respect of each day of default in vacation, commencing from the Date of Vacation specified in this Agreement and up to the date of actual vacation — without the Kibbutz required to prove damage and/or loss of anticipated profits due to non-vacation of the License Areas on due date. The aforesaid amount is assessed in advance by the parties, at the time of signing of this Agreement, as being fair and reasonable and fixed compensation in respect of a default in vacating the License Areas. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that payment of the aforesaid compensation does not and will not constitute consent to an extension of the License Period and/or as permission to the Company being late in vacating the License Areas.

 

13. Remedies for breaches

 

  13.1 Without derogating from what is contained further on in this clause and from the specific remedies appearing in this Agreement and in addition to the foregoing, the provisions of the Contracts Law (Remedies for Breach of Contract), 5731-1971 will apply to a breach of this Agreement.

 

  13.2 The parties declare that any breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement which is not rectified notwithstanding notice of 30 days calling for the rectification thereof, will be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement.

 

14. General

 

  14.1 It is hereby expressly declared and agreed that the Company will not be deemed to have breached the Agreement or as being a party who has not fulfilled any of the conditions hereof, if it is not possible to make use of the License Areas, for the Purpose of the License, as a consequence of “ force majeure ” over which the Company has no control. “ Force majeure ” for purposes of the foregoing shall include, inter alia , natural disasters, weather damage and a state of emergency from the security aspect, and a final and unappealable decision of a competent judicial authority prohibiting use of any area of the License Areas for the purpose of the License — in relation to such area only.

 

14


  14.2 The Company undertakes that at its expense it will finance the cost of performing all the works required for altering the access road to the Kibbutz, including everything entailed therein and arising therefrom, with the objective of separating between the entrance to the Kibbutz and the entrance to the plant — all up to an amount of NIS 3.3 million plus V.A.T. The access road project will be managed by the Kibbutz until the completion thereof, on a basis that an inspector who shall be appointed by the Company shall be added to the management team.

 

  14.3 In accordance with an agreement between the Company and the Kibbutz, the Company will pay a sum of NIS 200,000 plus V.A.T. in respect of asphalt paving in the area for storage of gondolas which was performed on a requisition by the Kibbutz, and this amount will be setoff in 48 equal monthly payments against monthly payments of the User Fees which the Company will pay to the Kibbutz in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, commencing from January 1, 2013 and until December 31, 2016.

 

  14.4 The Company undertakes that during the License Period a production line (quartz slabs) which currently exists at the plant (the Company’s plant at the Kibbutz) will not be closed down, unless all the Company’s other production lines in Israel are closed down prior thereto. It is further agreed that the Company’s head office will remain at the Kibbutz during the License Period.

 

  14.5 This Agreement shall be binding on the parties and on their successors-in-title.

 

  14.6 This Agreement is not intended to confer rights on any third parties, except with respect to the Kibbutz Individuals as expressly mentioned in Clause 10 above, unless otherwise expressly stated.

 

  14.7 This Agreement contains and expresses all the terms and conditions that have been agreed between the parties. No promises, consents, agreements, undertakings or representations, verbal or in writing, in regard to the subject matter of this Agreement, which were given or made by either of the parties prior to this Agreement being entered into, will be of any validity, and as from the date of signing of this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void in all respects. In addition and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, it is hereby agreed between the parties that the existing license agreement that was signed between the parties on January 1, 2001, including any addendum thereto, will terminate on the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent. It is further agreed, without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, that the Company hereby expressly and irrevocably waives its demand to receive any refund of money from the Kibbutz in respect of investments and/or building construction and/or improvements which the Company has made at its expense in the License Areas prior to the date of signing of this License Agreement, including as stated in Appendix D which is attached to this Agreement, and that the Kibbutz confirms that it does not have and/or that it waives any financial demands against the Company that are connected with the license agreement that was signed between the parties on January 1, 2001. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that nothing in the foregoing shall have the effect of altering any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

15


  14.8 No alteration, amendment or addition to this Agreement shall be of any validity unless drawn up in writing under the signature of all the parties.

 

  14.9 Failure to take action in a case or cases of a breach or breaches will not be deemed to be acquiescence to or a waiver of any of the rights of the parties to this Agreement, and no like inference shall be drawn therefrom in regard to similar instances or in regard to other instances.

 

  14.10 No waiver, extension of time, indulgence or failure to exercise a right under this Agreement will be of any force and validity, unless drawn up in an express and signed document, and even in such case shall apply only to the instance specifically mentioned in such document and shall not derogate from other rights of any party pursuant to this Agreement.

 

  14.11 This Agreement and the performance hereof by the parties shall be determined, interpreted and regulated according to the laws of the State of Israel. The competent courts in Tel Aviv and they alone will have exclusive jurisdiction in regard to any disputes connected with this Agreement.

 

15. Addresses and notices

The addresses of the parties are as set forth at the head of this Agreement (or any other address that may be given by one of the parties in writing to the other parties). Any notice sent by any party to another according to the aforesaid addresses shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee: (a) if sent by registered mail — three (3) business days after the day of posting; (b) if sent by facsimile or by e-mail, one business day after the transmission, provided that the sending party has confirmation of the notice having been transmitted to the addressee.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

       

Sdot Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd.

    CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.
By         By    
       
And           And      

 

16


APPENDICES

Appendix A — Drawing of the Land

Appendix B — Opinions of Chartered Real Estate Appraisers

Appendix C — The Insurance Policies

Appendix D — The Company’s Investments in the License Areas prior to the Date of

Signing of this Agreement

 

17


APPENDIX A

(Drawing of the Land)

 


APPENDIX B

 

Z.C. Measurements & Engineering Ltd.

 

Property Appraisal; Measurements and Civic Engineering

  Urban Economic Management & Consulting Ltd.

October 5, 2010

Expert Opinion

Estimate of the Fair Rental

Part of Blocks 10636, 10637, 10638

Land of the CaesarStone Plant

Kibbutz Sdot Yam

 

59 Herbert Samuel Street, Hadera 38362,   67 Yigal Alon Street, Tel Aviv 67443, Toyota House,
tel. 04-6249578, Fax 04-6342218   Building B
13 Ben-Gurion Street, Herzlia 46785,   Tel. 03-5611444, Fax 03-5628866,
tel. 09-9543385, Fax 09-9543386   e-mail: erez@zc-eng.co.il
e-mail: brillis@bezeqint.net  

 

1


Contents

 

         Page  
  Details of experts   

1

  Purpose of opinion      5   

2

  Date of visit to property      5   

3

  Effective date of opinion      5   

4

  Details of property      5   

5

  Description of environs and property      6   

6

  Property rights      7   

7

  Planning situation and permits      8   

8

  Principles applied in opinion      9   

9

  Factors and considerations leading to opinion      10   

10

  Appraisal      10   

 

2


Details of the education of Mr. Yitzak Bril:

 

1. B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from Haifa University

 

2. Graduate of the P.P.B. program in Financing and Accounting, New York University.

 

3. Graduate of Real Estate Appraisal and Property Management the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology.

 

4. Certified Real Estate Appraiser.

My experience:

 

1. Cash flow manager, INTECH, USA.

 

2. Deputy CFO, Ramla Municipality.

 

3. Ministry of Justice — Real Estate Appraisal Division.

 

4. Owner of a private office dealing with Urban Economic subjects and Real Estate Appraisal.

Planning and Building Committees and other professional occupations:

 

1. Included in the experts list of the Haifa District Court.

 

2. Appraiser of the Local Hadera Planning and Building Committee and of the Gezer Regional Committee.

 

3. Deciding appraiser of the Haifa Planning and Building Local Committee.

 

4. Member of the Accounting Standardization Committee of the Israeli Real Estate Appraisers Association.

 

5. Deciding appraiser on behalf of the Central Region Appeals Committee.

Details of the experience and education of Mr. Erez Cohen:

 

2008    -      

Chairman, Israeli Real Estate Appraisers Association.

L.L.B degree, Ono Academic Campus.

2005    -   Deputy Chairman, the Appraisers Chamber.
2004    -   Law studies, Kiryat Ono Academic Campus.
2003    -   Examiner in practical appraisal tests on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
2002    -   Chairman, Continuing Education Committee of the Israeli Real Estate Appraisers Association; member of the Association s Committee.
2000    -   Graduate, Expert Witnesses course.
1999    -   Graduate, Arbitration and Mediation course.
1996    -   Studies towards Masters Degree — Urban Studies at the Department of Geography, the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
1993    -   Real Estate trainee, on real estate appraisals of large companies — Mashav, Nesher, Amot Clal, etc.
1993    -   Real Estate Appraisers license no. 324, dated April 24, 1993.
1990    -   B.A. Tel Aviv University, Department of Geography and Political Science. Graduate of a course of Real Estate Appraisal and Property Management at the Tel Aviv branch of the Haifa Technion.

In the course of work I draw up appraisals of considerable scope, and also advise the following organizations:

 

   

Consultant to the Nesher Cement Company.

 

   

Consultant to the APAX Fund on the acquisitions of Bezeq and Tnuva.

 

   

Consultant to Clal Industries.

 

   

Preparation of appraisals as expert on behalf of the courts.

 

   

Consultant to the Eilat Municipality on property improvement, following urban construction plans and registration.

 

3


Membership of organizations:

 

1. Member of the Israeli Real Estate Appraisers Association.

 

2. Member of the Commercial and Industrial Club.

 

3. Founding subscriber of the “Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem” football team.

 

Consultant to Isrotel Hotels.

 

Preparation of appraisals for financial reports in accordance with IFRS accounting standards.

 

4


re: Estimate of the Fair rental

Part of Blocks 10636, 10637, 10638, Compound of the Works of CaesarStone, Kibbutz Sdot Yam

 

1. Purpose of this opinion :

We the undersigned were requested by Mr. Gili Amir, General Manager of real estate at Kibbutz Sdot Yam and by Mr. Eyal Attia, representative of the company Tenne Investment Management F.E. Ltd., CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd., to present our professional opinion on the subject of the value of the fair rental of the compound of the CaesarStone plant, according to a License Agreement dated January 1, 2010.

We declare that there is no interdependence whatever between the Kibbutz Sdot Yam and CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd., Tenne Investment Management F.E. Ltd. and ourselves concerning anything required for preparing this opinion.

For the purpose of estimating the fair rentals:

 

  We examined the real estate documents of the property which were furnished by the parties requisitioning the opinion.

 

  We checked out the plans applicable to the location at the offices of the local “ Hof Hacarmel ” Local Planning and Building Committee.

 

  We prepared a review of the value of the fair rentals, in the course of making the relevant adjustments.

 

2. Date of visit to the property :

Several visits were made during May-July 2010 by Mr. Yitzhak Bril and Mr. Erez Cohen — Real Estate Appraisers.

 

3. Effective date of the opinion :

January 1, 2010 — date of termination of contract according to the Agreement.

 

4. Details of the property :

 

Settlement :

   Kibbutz Sdot Yam

 

Registration details:

   Part of Blocks 10636, 10637, 10638.

 

Property classification:    

   Real estate of the CaesarStone plant.

 

5


5. Description of the environs and of the property :

 

  5.1 The environs:

 

  5.1.1 Kibbutz Sdot Yam was founded in its present location in 1940.

 

  5.1.2 The kibbutz is located near Caesarea, south of ancient Caesarea and about 2 km north of the Orot Rabin Power Station at the city of Hadera.

 

  5.1.3 The CaesarStone plant is located west of the entrance to Kibbutz Sdot Yam and on the east of the entrance road.

 

  5.2 Description of the property and of the works :

The CaesarStone company was founded in 1987 at Kibbutz Sdot Yam, near the remains of the ancient Roman town of Caesarea.

The company manufactures high-quality quartz slabs having various uses and applications.

The land in question serves the CaesarStone company within the confines of Kibbutz Sdot Yam. The plant is located in the northern part of Kibbutz Sdot Yam, close to the entrance to the kibbutz.

The area concerned is part of Blocks 10636, 10637, 10638.

The property concerned is of plain topography and has an irregular shape.

There are several areas used by the CaesarStone plant.

Description of the works areas, listing the area in sq.m. and its uses: -

(According to a chart dated November 19, 2009, carried out by HETZ HATSAFON

and according to visual inspection):

 

     Area B      Area C      Area D      Area E         
     (Ancillary buildings)      (western)      (eastern)      (eastern, open)      Total  

Undeveloped open area

              10,583         10,583   

Developed area with infrastructures

     22,599         27,985         9,426            60,010   

Hothouses for raw material storage

     3,851                  3,851   

Built-up area, industrial use

        1,025         16,269         5,738         23,032   

Built-up area, office use

     884         1,894         158            2,936   

Cumulative total

     27,334         30,904         25,853         16,321         100,412   

 

6


6. Property rights :

Property rights in the works areas do not uniformly apply to the entire area, due to different legal status of the various parts as listed below:

 

  6.1 An area of about 11,300 sq.m. out of the total works areas forms a part of the areas leased to the Kibbutz by the Caesarea Development Corporation. According to an agreement dated October 19, 1964 between the Caesarea Development Corporation and Kibbutz Sdot Yam, a kibbutz of the Hanoar Haoved Movement for Agricultural Settlement Ltd., the Caesarea Development Corporation Ltd. undertakes to register for the benefit of the kibbutz rights of sub-leasehold concerning grounds now held by the kibbutz. According to this agreement, the area was leased to the kibbutz under a sub-leasehold for 49 years starting October 1, 1953 until September 20, 2002, whereby on May 8, 2001 the kibbutz utilized the option it had for an additional period of 35 years. The designated use of the area was established as “for economic purposes of the kibbutz” and as detailed under the purpose of the lease stated in the 1953 agreement — “in order to set up residential buildings and other buildings required for economic purposes of the kibbutz and manufacturing works...” (i.e. “industry”). Despite what is stated in the agreement, the deeds of leasehold were never signed and hence the rights of the kibbutz to this area have not been registered in the Land Registry.

 

  6.2 Concerning an area of 10,750 sq.m. out of the total works areas, a separate lease agreement was signed with the Israel Lands Administration, dated July 7, 1978. According to this agreement, the kibbutz received a lease right to that area for the purpose of operating “a paving workshop” for a period of 49 years (from April 1962 up to the end of March 2011) with an option of an extension for 49 additional years.

 

  6.3 With respect to an area of about 13,550 sq.m. out of the total areas of the plant, no special agreement has been signed with the Lands Administration, so that it supposedly should come under the renewable three-year agreement which the kibbutz has with the Lands Administration, covering all grounds leased to the kibbutz by the Lands Administration. However, clause 2(A) of this agreement states that “this contract does not apply to areas used for industry...”, and therefore the said agreement does not apply to this area.

 

  6.4 It transpires that the subject of the rights of the kibbutz to this area has not yet been defined and there is as yet no specific agreement with the Lands Administration relating to this part of the works areas, so as to define and clarify the rights of the kibbutz to this area. However, it should be noted that the signature of the Land Administration on the plans listed in Paragraph 7 as owners of the land, expresses an agreement to the designation of the area and its use for industrial purposes, as stated in these plans.

 

  6.5 Currently the kibbutz is taking action to sign a long leasehold contract with the Lands Administration, which will also cover the land mentioned above in sub-Paragraph 6.3, and which will include an agreement of the designation of rights to these areas.

 

7


7.

Planning situation 1 :

 

  7.1 Planning status:

The property concerned is subject, among other matters, to the following plans:

 

  7.1.1 Plan HC/25 , published and validated in the Official Gazette 3240 on August 22, 1985.

According to this plan, the plot is classified as “economic structures” with the following construction directives:

Permitted construction percentage : 25%

No. stories : 2

 

  7.1.2 Plan MSH/39 , published and validated in the Official Gazette 3409 dated December 18, 1996.

Purpose of the plan:

 

  a. Registration of lands belonging to the Kibbutz Sdot Yam in the Land Registry according to the chart.

 

  b. Cancellation and consolidation of existing blocks and parcels and the fresh sub-division thereof in accordance with the existing situation and future developments.

 

  c. Establishment of goals and zones.

 

  d. Cancellation of existing roads and outlining new roads.

 

  e. Cancellation of designated areas.

 

  f. Cancellation of the provisions of former plans in everything concerning the division of the area for registration purposes. According to this plan the plot is classified as “kibbutz buildings”.

Kibbutz buildings — the area marked as designated for kibbutz buildings may be used for any of the following purposes in accordance with a detailed plan: cowsheds, milking parlor, barn, chicken coops, silo pits, warehouses, carpentry workshop, metal workshop, garage, shed, workshop and storage buildings as well as other structures and facilities for the housing of animals, preparation of animal feed, a generator and a fueling station for the purposes of this settlement only.

 

1  

The information in this chapter is based, inter alia, on planning information and urban construction plans as provided by the engineering department of the Hof Hacarmel Local Planning and Building Committee. The abovementioned building rights are based on an understanding and reasonable interpretation of the urban construction plans at the date of this opinion and they do not obligate the local planning and building committee. For the removal of doubt, it should be clarified that only after submitting an application for a building permit and after receiving the approval of the local planning and building committee will the building rights be established.

 

8


8. Principles applied in the opinion :

There are three possible approaches for estimating the fair rental for a real estate property:

 

  a. The market value approach.

 

  b. The cost approach.

 

  c. The income capitalization approach.

Under various market conditions each of these approaches could yield a different result. Under optimum market conditions applying each of the aforesaid approaches will yield closely similar results.

 

  a.

The Market Value Approach 2 3

This approach is based on an estimate of the fair rental for the appraised property, based on transactions in other properties which resemble it in location, character, level of risk involved and their marketability. The final appraisal is carried out by using the relevant comparative coefficients of the property concerned as against the benchmark transactions.

 

  b. The Cost Approach

The value of the property is appraised based on the expected cost of erecting another property which is similar to the appraised property. This means that the value obtained from this approach is the sum of the value of the land corresponding to its price on the free market, had it been empty and vacant in accordance with its zoning or its existing level of exploitation, plus the cost of re-erecting the structure and the entrepreneurial profit, i.e. the evaluation of the real estate value and derivation of the fair rental.

 

  c. The Income Capitalization Approach

The market value of the appraised property is estimated by capitalization of the income obtained, or which might be obtained from it over time, reflecting the fair rental.

The capitalization operation is carried out using an interest rate determined in accordance with the character of the property, the risk level involved in the current revenue and other factors.

In order to evaluate the appropriate use rates of the CaesarStone plant area, we used the Market Value approach as well as the Income Capitalization approach.

 

2  

Civil Appeal 161/79 – Minister of Finance v. Herbert Zilberstein, in the Supreme Court sitting as a Court of Civil Appeals. Civil Appeal 323/85 – State of Israel v. Avraham Eliahu Mizrahi, in the Supreme Court sitting as a Court of Civil Appeals.

3  

The Appraisal of Real Estate, 11 th edition.

 

9


9. Factors and considerations leading to the opinion :

In estimating the fair rentals, we took account among other matters of the following factors and considerations:

 

  9.1 Location of the kibbutz in the general fabric of the region and the level of environmental development existing in it.

 

  9.2 The area of the property, its shape, its height and its location within the kibbutz.

 

  9.3 Adjustment for the number of separate areas, their size and location.

 

  9.4 We took account of the fact that access to the property is from the kibbutz premises.

 

  9.5 The evaluation of industrial areas is based on a coefficient of 30% of the gross areas, including roads and passages, which are deducted from the open areas used by the plant.

 

  9.6 We took account of the fact that all the buildings were constructed under permit.

 

  9.7 The planning situation of the property — see details in the chapter “Planning Situation”.

 

  9.8 The state of the rights to the property.

 

  9.9 The rentals take account of the size of the leased areas.

 

  9.10 We took account of the various uses in the plant areas.

 

  9.11 We made reference and compared prices regarding the fair rentals, both with properties in the near neighborhood and with alternative properties in nearby industrial zones, applying the relevant adjustments.

 

  9.12 The effective date of this opinion is January 1, 2010.

 

10.

Appraisal 4 :

 

10.1 In light of the foregoing, the estimate of the appropriate value of the annual rent for the CaesarStone plant, as of the effective date of this opinion is the following:

NIS 12,900,000 (twelve million nine hundred thousand new shekels).

 

4  

Verba Volant, scripta manent

 

10


10.2 It should be noted that according to the contract of January 1, 2001 it was stated: “User fees will be linked to the rate of the dollar, whereby the basic dollar rate will be that known on the date of signing of this agreement (April 2004). It is agreed that if when the time comes to make any payment the dollar rate is lower than the basic dollar rate, then payment will be effected according to the basic dollar rate”.

 

10.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing in the sub-paragraph 10.2 above, it was agreed by the parties that the rent will be linked to the Consumer Price Index as published by the Central Bureau of Statistics.

We declare that we have no interest in the property and that this appraisal was drawn up according to our best professional understanding and the information submitted to us.

 

Yours truly,    Yours truly,

( — )

   ( — )

Yitzhak Bril

   Erez Cohen

Economist &
Real Estate Appraiser

   Real Estate Appraiser

[stamps]

 

11


APPENDIX C

BITUACH HAKLAI

 

CENTRAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.

941204 CaesarStone and/or Marble

   Copy for insured

SCHEDULE CONSTITUTING AN INTEGRAL PART OF AN ALL-RISKS INSURANCE POLICY — INDUSTRY

 

          US dollar  

Branch: 20 Policy: 92412041/10 Endorsements: 0

   Net premium      356,196.00   
   Registration fees      .00   

Name of insured:

   Policy fees      .00   

Even Kesar and/or as stated below: CAESARSTONE

   Levies      .00   

Address :     D.N. Menashe 38805

        .00   

Kibbutz Sdot Yam Postal Code: 38805

     

Insurance period: from April 1, 2010 at: 00:01

     

                                 until September 30, 2011 at: 24:00

     
     

 

 

 

I.D. /Priv. Co.:

   Total for payment      356,196.00   

For the policy owner’s attention:

The details mentioned in the schedule are based on the information given to the insurer in the application for effecting the insurance. The provisions of the Insurance Contract Law, 5741-1981 will apply to a non-compliance with the obligation to disclose a material matter.

 

Description of the cover

   Sum insured    Rate of
premium
   Annual
premium

** All risks in US dollars **

The cover is in accordance with the terms and conditions of an all-risks insurance policy – industry – edition 01/09

The cover will apply in the State of Israel and in the occupied areas only, unless otherwise expressly stated in the policy or in the Schedule.

Chapter 1 – All-risks insurance

Name of insured

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd. and/or CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Ltd. and/or Sdot Yam.

The insured premises

The premises of the plant at Kibbutz Sdot Yam

Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

The insured’s business

Production, import, export, marketing, installation at the customer’s site of CaesarStone, marble slabs, etc.

 

1


                   Rate of     Annual  

Description of the cover

          Sum insured      premium     premium  

Part A – loss or damage to property

          

The property insured

          

Immovable properties

        20,000,000         1.0670        21,340.00   

Infrastructure expenses

        1,000,000         1.0670        1,067.00   

Inventories

        25,000,000         1.0670        26,675.00   

Other assets

        86,000,000         1.0670        91,762.00   
     Total sum insured for Part A         132,000,000        
     

 

 

      
General extensions           Sum
insured
included
above
              

Reinstatement value

         In force           

Property off the premises

         Up to an amount not exceeding         500,000        

Additions to the insured property

         Up to an amount not exceeding         500,000        

Risk of the insured property

         Up to an amount not exceeding         25,000        

Assessment clause

         In respect of damage not exceeding         50,000        

Special expenses

         Up to an amount not exceeding         30,000        

Agreed limits of liability

          

Expenses for removal of demolition debris

         Up to an amount not exceeding         250,000        

Expenses for reconstruction of documents

         Up to an amount not exceeding         25,000        

Architects’ expenses

         Up to an amount not exceeding         250,000        

Loss of contents of tanks

         Up to an amount not exceeding         50,000        

Special extensions for Part A

          

Burglary and robbery

         Up to an amount not exceeding         200,000           1,000.00   

DIC

        1,000,000        
     Total insurance fees before discount        141,844.00   

Insured’s deductibles

          

Deductible — $10,000 except earthquake and other
natural damage

           30.00     -42,553.20   

Earthquake – as described in the policy form.

          

Other natural damage – 5% of the insurance compensation

     minimum      $ 10,000        
     maximum      $ 50,000        
             -45,000.00   
     Total Part A              54,290.80   

Loss of profits – Part B

          

Gross annual profit

        70,000,000         1.0670        74,690.00   

Period of indemnity – 12 months

          

Costs of preparing claim

  

     250,000         1.0670        267.00   

 

2


            Rate of     Annual  

Description of the cover

   Sum insured      premium     premium  

Insured’s deductible

          

The deductible for the loss of profits chapter will be:

          

Amount of compensation 200 hours, $200000, apart from earthquake and other natural damage as described in the policy.

          

* Discount

             -25,000.00   

Special conditions

          

Deductible in respect of natural damage in relation to consequential loss chapter will be 5% of the insurance compensation and not less than $50,000.

          

Total premium for consequential loss chapter

             49,957.00   

The cover under Chapter 1 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule, for which no cover was bought

          

Natural damage insurance (excluding earthquake) – Chapter A and B

          

Total sum insured Part A                132,000,000

     Included above           

Total sum insured Part B                70,250,000

     Included above           

 

 

 

Total insurance fees in respect of natural damage

          

Earthquake insurance (Part A             and Part B)

          

It is hereby declared and agreed that earthquake cover, if purchased, is limited to the area of the State of Israel only, unless otherwise expressly stated in the Schedule

          

Total sum insured part A                132,000,000

           .60     79,200.00   

Total sum insured part B                70,250,000

           .60     42,150.00   
          

 

 

 

Total insurance fees in respect of earthquake

             121,350,00   

Total insurance fees per annum Chapter 1 (Parts A + B)

             225,597.55   
          

 

 

 

Discount

             -51,601.00   

Special Discount

          

Special conditions for Policy No. 9241204110

Obligation for giving prior notice to the beneficiary

In every case in which this policy is subject to the giving of advance notice to any beneficiary (bank, etc....) this policy will be deemed to be void only from the end of the advance notice period specified in the Schedule and/or in any endorsement to the policy.

 

3


Description of the cover

   Sum insured      Rate of
premium
    Annual
premium
 

Chapter 2 – Terrorism risk insurance (over and above Property Tax)

  

 

Unless otherwise expressly stated in this chapter, if purchased, limited to properties located within the borders of the State of Israel on June 6, 1967 (the Green Line)

       

Part A – Loss or damage to property

       

Sum insured

     132000,000         .35     46,200.00   

Insured’s deductible 25000         in every insurance event

       

Part B – Loss of profits

       

The insurance basis

     70,250,000         .35     24,587.50   

Deductible         first 5 working days after occurrence of the insurance event.

       

It is hereby agreed and declared that the cover is restricted to limits of liability that shall not exceed a sum of $20,000,000 for one event and in total for the entire insurance period

       

Total insurance fees per annum (Parts A + B)

          70,787.50   
       

 

 

 

The cover under Chapter 2 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule, for which cover was not purchased

       

Chapter 3 – Insurance of Property in Transit

       

Property in transit         Limits of liability

        80,000        575.00   

The cover under the policy includes transportation by others.

       

Insured’s deductible for Chapter 3 $750 for each insurance event

       
       

 

 

 

Total for Chapter 3:

          575.00   

If the insured cargo is a product and/or receptacle made of glass, porcelain, marble or ceramics, the insured shall, in every insurance event as aforesaid, bear double the amount of the insurance’s deductible specified in the Schedule.

       

The cover under Chapter 3 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule for which cover was not purchased.

       

 

4


Description of the cover

   Sum insured      Rate of
premium
    Annual
premium
 

Chapter 4 – Electronic Hardware Insurance

       

Chapter 4: Electronic hardware not in force

       

Special extension

       

Chapter 5 – Insurance of Cash in Safe and in Transit

       

The moneys insured: cash in bank notes and in coins, checks, credit vouchers, bills, postal orders, postage stamps, account and revenue stamps, purchase vouchers, securities, shares and negotiable instruments of any type in the ownership of the insured and/or for which the insured is liable on the occurrence of the insurance event.

       

Money in safe and in transit

     200,000        

Cash:

       

Theft:

       

Total premium for money in safe and in transit

     200,000         1.00     2,000.00   

Insured’s deductible

       

It is hereby agreed and declared that the deductible for this chapter is 1,500 dollars for each insurance event.

       

Special conditions for Chapter 5

       

1. It is hereby agreed and declared that the cover granted pursuant to this policy is on the basis of first damage which is not subject to conditions of under-insurance.

       

2. It is hereby agreed and declared that liability is for each safe separately, according to limits of liability as selected by the insured and under all circumstances the maximum limited liability in a safe and/or in transit for cash and/or checks shall not exceed $100,000.

       

3. It is hereby agreed and declared that Members who deposit personal money in the safe of the Kibbutz are obliged to give details and to present the contents of the envelope to the person responsible for insurance / person responsible for the safe, coupled with the maintaining of suitable records.

       

4. Areas of transit = transit from one place to another in the ordinary course of business in the area of the State of Israel and the occupied areas. The abovementioned transit requires to be made only from the hour of 05:00 until 22:00 by the insured or a person employed in the insured’s business and was sent by the insured for transfer of the money – whose age shall not be less than 17 years.

       

Total for Chapter 5

          2,000.00   

The cover under Chapter 5 will not apply to chapters or sub-paragraphs mentioned in the Schedule for which cover was not purchased.

       

 

1


Description of the cover

   Sum insured    Rate of
premium
   Annual
premium

Chapter 6 – Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

        

 

Chapter 6:         Mechanical breakdown

     Not in force      

Total insurance fees for all chapters of the policy:

        247359.05   
     

 

 

 

 

Description of the cover

   Sum insured    Rate of
premium
   Annual
premium
 

Classification differences in terrorism chapter

           -10,112.00   

One-time discount

        

Total annual premium

        237,247.30   

for a period of 548 days

     356,196.00   

Bituach Haklai                                

Central Cooperative Society Ltd.                

Date of printing: May 25, 2010 (repeat printing on May 25, 2010)

Month of Bordeaux: 05/2010                     Keyed in by: 00291 confirmed by: 291

Copy for insured

Name of agent: Yishirim                                    

 

2


BITUACH HAKLAI

  

CENTRAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.

  

941204 CaesarStone and/or Marble

   Copy for insured

SCHEDULE CONSTITUTING AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIRD PARTY LIABILITY

INSURANCE POLICY – BUSINESS / INSTITUTIONAL

 

          US dollar  

Branch: 612 Policy: 92412041/10 Endorsements: 0

   Net premium      2,574.85   
   Registration fees      .00   

Name of insured:

   Policy fees      .00   

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd. and/or CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Ltd. and/or Sdot Yam:

   Levies      .00   

Address:    D.N. Menashe 38805

        .00   
                  Kibbutz Sdot Yam Postal Code: 38805      

Insuranceperiod: from April 1, 2010 at: 00:01

     

    until September 30, 2011 at: 24:00

     
     

 

 

 

I.D. /Priv. Co.:

   Total for payment      2,574.85   

For the policy owner’s attention:

The details mentioned in the schedule are based on the information given to the insurer in the application for effecting the insurance. The provisions of the Insurance Contract Law, 5741-1981 will apply to a non-compliance with the obligation to disclose a material matter.

 

Description of the cover

   Sum insured    Rate of premium    Annual premium

** All risks in US dollars **

The cover is in accordance with the terms and conditions of a third party liability

insurance policy – business / institutional – edition 01/09

The cover will apply in the State of Israel and in the occupied areas only, unless

otherwise expressly stated in the policy or in the Schedule.

Name of insured

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd. and/or CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Ltd. and/or Sdot Yam.

Business of the insured

This policy covers the insured in its capacity as a business trading in the area of the State, in the fields of activity mentioned below, including related activities and services of any sort:

Business: Production, import, export, marketing and installation at customer’s site of CaesarStone products, marble products, paving, etc.

 

- Other commercial activities

It is hereby agreed and declared that the insurance under this policy is extended to cover the insured’s lawful liability to a third party in respect of:


Description of the cover

  

Sum insured

   Rate of
premium
     Annual
premium
 

1.      The branch of the plant which is located in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone

           525.00   

Insurer’s limits of liability

        

a)      In respect of one occurrence of damage

      $ 10,000,000 .-      

b)      Total compensation during the insurance period

      $ 10,000,000 .-      

Insured’s excess

        
        

The insured will bear an amount equivalent to the first $2,500 in respect of any damage insured, where this amount is converted into shekels on the date of payment of the claim.

   

  
  

Total annual premium

        1,715.00   
  

for a period of 548 days

        2,574.85   

 

     

Bituach Haklai

Central Cooperative Society Ltd.

 

Date of printing: May 6, 2010

Month of Bordeaux: 05/2010

   Keyed in by: 00507 confirmed by: 507   
                    Copy for insured       Name of agent: Yishirim

 

2


APPENDIX D

 

Description

   Date of initial
operation
     Opening
balance cost
0
Opening balance
2010 in shekels
     Additions this  year
0

01.10-12.10
in shekels
     Total cost
0
T4+T6-T7
     Total project  

Construction of marketing and sales office — 2 nd floor

     Dec.1, 2008         3,777,184         0         3,777,184         Total 1   

Change of head office operations offices (Noam)

     Dec.1, 2008         173,302         0         173,302         Total 2   

Construction of Concetto changerooms and washrooms

     Dec.1, 2008         63,624         0         63,624         Total 3   

Construction of auxiliary materials and paints storeroom

     Dec.1, 2008         165,437         0         165,437         Total 5   

Change of R&D offices

     Dec.1, 2008         324,996         0         324,996         Total 6   

Drainage project

     Dec.1, 2008         429,697         0         429,697         Total 7   

Change of roof — raising height for silos

     Dec.15, 2008         965,290         0         965,290         Total 8   

Alteration of laboratory + sorting rooms and quality assurance

     Nov.11, 2008         262,119         0         262,119         Total 9   

Adapting east area for storage of finished products

     Sep. 30, 2007         2,479,983         0         2,479,983         Total 10   

Enlargement of samples plant + washrooms and change rooms + offices

     Mar. 1, 2008         2,304,645         49,819         2,354,464         Total 12   

Management office building + laboratory 2004-5

     Apr. 1, 2004         5,003,736         0         5,003,736         Total 21   

Construction of offices (accounts department of Kibbutz) and raw materials storeroom

     Nov. 1, 2009         n         0         #VALUE!         Total 22   
              0      
        17,502,674         49,819         17,552,493         Grand total   

Asphalting of eastern surface 2010

             Oct. 1, 2010            322,000         322,000      

Improvements and renovations to buildings 2010

     Jan.-Oct., 2010         113,380         134,853         248,233      

Overall total

        17,616,054         506,672         18,122,726      

 

Exhibit 10.9

ADDENDUM TO LAND USE AGREEMENT

DATE JULY 20, 2011 (“THE ADDENDUM”)

Made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 13 th day of February 2012

 

Between:   CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 51-1439507
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Company” )

of the one part ;

 

And:   SDOT YAM AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 57-0003509
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Kibbutz” )

of the other part ;

 

WHEREAS:   The parties entered into a license agreement dated July 20, 2011 which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix A ( “the Agreement” ); and
WHEREAS   The parties wish to amend the provisions of the Agreement, as set forth in this Addendum;

Now therefore it is declared and agreed by the parties as follows:

 

1. This Addendum constitutes an integral part of the Agreement.

 

2. Clause 2.2 of the Agreement will be amended by inserting “December 31, 2012” in place of “December 31, 2011”.

 

3. Apart from the aforesaid amendment, all the provisions of the Agreement will continue to apply without any change whatsoever.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

Kibbutz Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Enterprises Ltd.    CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.
by          ( - )    by          ( - )
and        ( - )    and        ( - )

EXHIBIT 10.10

AGREEMENT FOR THE PROVIDING OF MANPOWER SERVICES

Made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 20 th day of July 2011

 

Between: Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd., Pvte. Co. 51-143950-7

of Kibbutz Sdot Yam D.N. 38805

( “the Company” )

of the one part ;

 

And: Caesarstone Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd., Pvte. Co. 570003509

of Kibbutz Sdot Yam, D.N. 38805

( “the Kibbutz” )

on the other part ;

WHEREAS The Company is desirous that the Kibbutz place manpower at its disposal from amongst the Kibbutz members and/or candidates to be accepted as Kibbutz members (members and candidates whose services will be made available to the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement are jointly referred to as: “the Kibbutz’s Appointees” ), for purposes of performing various functions connected with the Company’s activities; and

WHEREAS The Kibbutz has agreed to place manpower services at the disposal of the Company from amongst the Kibbutz’s Appointees as aforesaid, subject to all the provisions of this Agreement below; and

WHEREAS The parties wish to define, regulate and to put into writing the relationship between them on all aspects connected with the providing of the abovementioned services;

Now therefore it is declared, stipulated and agreed between the parties as follows :

 

1. Preamble and appendices

 

  1.1 The preamble to this Agreement constitutes an integral part hereof.

 

  1.2 The headings in this Agreement have been inserted solely for the sake of convenience and will not serve for the interpretation of the Agreement.

 

  1.3 The following appendices are attached to this Agreement which constitute an integral part hereof:

 

1


  1.3.2 Appendix A : A confidentiality, safeguarding of intellectual property and non-competition agreement which has been signed and/or will be signed by each of the Kibbutz’s Appointees (the present appointees and also those who will come in the future).

 

  1.3.3 Appendix B : A letter of consent that will be signed by each the Kibbutz Appointees (the present appointees as also those who will come in the future) containing the consent of the Kibbutz’s Appointee to his being employed in the framework of the providing by the Kibbutz of the manpower services, as well as a waiver of allegations in respect of the period of his employment in accordance with the old agreement (as defined below), including everything connected with the terms of his employment and his seniority of employment.

 

  1.3.4 Appendix C : The companies employers insurance of the Company as exists at present.

 

2. Declarations and undertakings by the Kibbutz

The Kibbutz declares and undertakes to the Company that:

 

  2.1 It has the ability to comply with all the obligations it has assumed under this Agreement.

 

  2.2 There is no bar or impediment to its contracting under this Agreement and/or to the fulfillment of any obligation it has assumed under this Agreement, or according to law, agreement or prior undertaking to which it is a party.

 

  2.3 All the necessary resolutions in accordance with its documents of incorporation and according to any law have been passed by it for purposes of its entering into this Agreement.

 

  2.4 This Agreement does not conflict with and/or is not contrary to any agreement and/or other accord to which it is a party and does not constitute a breach of any obligation which it owes.

 

  2.5. The Kibbutz’s Appointees will perform their function with dedication, skill and loyalty to the Company’s satisfaction, in accordance with the Company’s instructions and directives, as in force from time to time, and to the extent that same apply to the general body of the Company’s employees.

 

3. Declarations and undertakings by the Company

The Company declares and undertakes to the Kibbutz that:

 

2


  3.1 It has the ability to comply with all the obligations it has assumed under this Agreement.

 

  3.2 There is no bar or impediment to its contracting under this Agreement and/or to the fulfillment of any obligation it has assumed under this Agreement, or according to law, agreement or a prior undertaking to which it is a party.

 

  3.3 All the necessary resolutions in accordance with its documents of incorporation and according to any law have been passed by it for purposes of its entering into this Agreement.

 

  3.4 This Agreement does not conflict with and/or is not contrary to any agreement and/or other accord to which it is a party and does not constitute a breach of any obligation which it owes.

 

4. Placing of Kibbutz’s Appointees at the Company’s disposal

 

  4.1 On the date of coming into force (as this term is defined in Clause 7.1 below), the Kibbutz will place the Kibbutz’s Appointees at the disposal of the Company, for purposes of their performing various functions connected with the Company’s activities to the scale and extent as described in a separate appendix that shall be drawn up separately from this Agreement ( “the Initial Schedule” ). The scale and extent of the Kibbutz’s Appointees who will be placed at the Company’s disposal will vary from time to time, during the entire duration of this Agreement, according to the Company’s needs and based on the contents of Clauses 4.2, 4.3 and 4.8 below and and updated schedules will be drawn in accordance therewith from time to time.

 

  4.2 In every case in which new and/or additional workers are required by the Company in Israel in the future (including officers — as the term is defined in the Companies Law, 5759-1999), apart from those who are employed in the Company as at the date of signing of this Agreement, the Company will notify the Human Resources manager at the Kibbutz in advance of its intention to take on a new worker and/or to replace an existing worker, and with regard to the job requirements from such worker, and will allow the Kibbutz to put forward a suitable candidate/s for the job from amongst the Kibbutz members within 14 days from the date of the Company’s aforesaid request. In a case in which the Company notifies the Kibbutz that what is involved is a sensitive enlisting of a worker, the Kibbutz will not publicly announce or publish matters about the job in the Kibbutz and the Human Resources manager at the Kibbutz will take steps to find candidates from amongst the Kibbutz members in the course of keeping the fact of the enlistment secret. In every case in which the candidates whom the Kibbutz puts forward for the job have similar talents and qualifications to the talents and qualifications of candidates for the job who are not amongst the Kibbutz members, the Company will give preference to taking on the candidate whom the Kibbutz puts forward.

 

3


  4.3 In the event that the Company wishes to reduce the number of persons employed by it in certain jobs, which are held both by Kibbutz’s Appointees and also by employees who are not Kibbutz’s Appointees, preference will be given to retaining the Kibbutz’s Appointees in the Company over a Company employee who is not amongst the Kibbutz’s Appointees, in a situation in which they have similar talents and qualifications.

 

  4.4 The Company will appoint a person who will maintain regular contact with the Human Resources manager of the Kibbutz ( “the Liaison Officer” ) for purposes of fulfilling the Company’s obligations as stated in Clause 4 above. The right is reserved to the Company to replace the Liaison Officer from time to time in its sole discretion, provided that it notifies the Kibbutz of the identity of the new Liaison Officer.

 

  4.5 For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby clarified that in the course of their work and their being present in the Company’s premises, the Kibbutz’s Appointees will be subject to their superiors as shall be notified to them by the Company, and to all the Company’s instructions and directives, as in force from time to time, and to the extent that same apply to the general body of the Company’s employees.

 

  4.6 The parties will take steps to procure the signature of all the Kibbutz’s Appointees who are taken on in the future to a confidentiality, safeguarding of intellectual property and non-competition agreement in the text attached to this Agreement as Appendix A . For the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that the obligations for confidentiality, safeguarding of intellectual property and non-competition of the Kibbutz’s Appointees vis-à-vis the Company will be solely in accordance with the contents of Appendix B.

 

  4.7 It is hereby agreed that throughout the entire period of this Agreement and so long as this Agreement is in force, the Company will not be entitled to employ in any manner and/or to accept any services from and/or to set up any other business connection, direct or indirect, with any of the Kibbutz’s Appointees, other than through the Kibbutz itself, unless it has received prior written consent thereto from the Kibbutz.

 

  4.8 Each of the parties (and also every Kibbutz Appointee for himself) will be entitled to terminate the services of any Kibbutz Appointee after giving the other party notice of 30 days in advance (and with respect to a senior member of management of the Company — by notice of 60 days in advance). In addition the Company will have the possibility of terminating the services of a Kibbutz Appointee forthwith in circumstances which would have allowed dismissal according to law without prior notice if there had been a relationship of employer-employee between the Company and that Kibbutz Appointee. Such notice regarding termination of the services of a Kibbutz Appointee shall be given by the notifying party in writing, as follows: (a) if the notifying party is the Company — to the Kibbutz Appointee and to the Human Resources manager at the Kibbutz, and in the absence of anyone holding such position — to the Kibbutz secretariat; (b) if the notifying party is the

 

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Kibbutz — to the Kibbutz Appointee and to the Company’s Human Resources manager; (c) if the notifying party is the Kibbutz Appointee — to the Human Resources managers of the Kibbutz and of the Company. In a case in which the notifying party is the Company — prior to termination of the services of such Kibbutz Appointee, a sort of appeal hearing will be held for the Kibbutz Appointee before his superior in the Company and/or the Company’s Human Resources manager, and if termination of his services are demanded by the Kibbutz — also by the Human Resources manager of the Kibbutz, and in accordance with the results thereof, the Company will decide whether to terminate the services of the Kibbutz Appointee.

 

5. The consideration

 

  5.1 For the placing by the Kibbutz of the Kibbutz’s Appointees at the Company’s disposal, the Company will, throughout the entire period of this Agreement, pay the Kibbutz each and every month as described below, an amount that will be agreed between the Company and the Kibbutz in respect of each of the Kibbutz’s Appointees.

 

  5.2 It is agreed that the amounts that will be paid to the Kibbutz in respect of each of the Kibbutz’s Appointees as at the date of coming into force (as this term is defined in Clause 7.1 below), will be as described in the Initial Schedule.

 

  5.3 The amounts specified in Clause 5.2 above will be updated from time to time, in accordance with the number of Kibbutz’s Appointees who actually serve in the Company (that is to say in every case of an addition and/or reduction in the Kibbutz’s Appointees), as also in every case of an update of the amounts payable to the Kibbutz in respect of any Kibbutz Appointee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement (and for the avoidance of doubt it is clarified that it will not be possible to reduce any of the amounts that will be specified in the Initial Schedule in respect of each of the Kibbutz’s Appointees included in the Initial Scheducle, except with the consent of the Kibbutz, other than in the circumstances mentioned in Clause 5.9 below). In the event of the addition of any Kibbutz Appointee for providing services to the Company, the payment which the Company will pay the Kibbutz in respect of such person will be determined by agreement between the parties, based on the provisions of Clause 5.5 of this Agreement.

 

  5.4

V.A.T. at the rate thereof according to law on the date each payment is made shall be added to the abovementioned amounts, and same shall be paid to the Kibbutz once each calendar month, not later than the 10 th of each month (in respect of the Kibbutz’s Appointees who were provided to the Company in the preceding month), against a valid tax invoice, confirmation of maintaining of books and a certificate regarding deduction of tax at source (or in the alternative, tax at source will be deducted from each payment in accordance with the provisions of the law). For the removal of doubt, it is clarified that the Company will not deduct value of use (in respect of a car, cellular telephone and so forth that will be provided by the Company to any of the Kibbutz’s Appointees), from the payments that will be

 

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transferred to the Kibbutz and that the contributions and deductions in connection with benefits that are given to the Kibbutz members themselves will be made by the Kibbutz and on its responsibility.

 

  5.5 Without derogating from the foregoing, it is agreed that the amounts which the Company will pay the Kibbutz for placing the Kibbutz’s Appointees at the disposal of the Company and in connection with termination of the services of such persons, will be based on the principle of full equality between the Company’s full cost in respect of employing Kibbutz Appointees and the full actual cost to the Company in respect of the employment (and termination of employment) of an employee who is not a Kibbutz member, who works in a job as similar as possible in the Company and having similar talents and qualifications ( “the Principle of Equality” ). For purposes of applying the aforesaid Principle of Equality, the following elements will, inter alia , be taken into account: the scale and extent of the job, seniority, gross salary, ancillary conditions (including any bonuses and any additional payments), social conditions and payments (including contributions for pension, managers insurance, continuing education fund, provident fund, severance pay, and so forth), salary updates once every period and so forth and any other future payment pursuant to the law. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that in relation to the Kibbutz’s Appointees who serve in the Company as at the date of signing of this Agreement, as will be specified in the Initial Schedule, in the event that the amounts specified in the Initial Schedule which the Company pays to the Kibbutz in respect of their services — deviate from the Principle of Equality, the amounts mentioned in the Initial Schedule will continue to be paid.

 

  5.6 For purposes of monitoring the matters aforesaid, in respect of each Kibbutz Appointee the Kibbutz will provide to the Company, the Company will prepare an internal “shadow pay-slip” each month pursuant to which the payment to the Kibbutz will be made by the Company in respect of the services of every Kibbutz Appointee, and which reflects the full employer’s cost which the Company would have paid to the Kibbutz Appointee had he been its employee. The Kibbutz shall employ the Kibbutz’s Appointees according to any law, and the full tax and/or any other compulsory payment which is imposed on employers in connection with the employment of the Kibbutz’s Appointees shall be paid by the Kibbutz (including in respect of charging the various benefits to the employee, such as: car, telephone, meals and so forth, pension contributions, continuing education fund contributions, etc.). Recording of days of leave and of sick leave in respect of each Kibbutz Appointee shall be performed by the Company for the Kibbutz.

 

  5.7 Without derogating from the foregoing, it is clarified that “the shadow pay-slips” will be drawn up by the Company for and on behalf of the Kibbutz and that same will not have the effect of altering the payments which are paid as at the date of signing of this Agreement to Kibbutz Appointees who serve in the Company and as specified in the Initial Schedule..

 

  5.8

It is agreed by the parties that once each year a three-cornered meeting will be held between: (1) the Company’s Human Resources manager; (2) the Human Resources manager of the Kibbutz; and (3) each of the Kibbutz workers, with the objective of

 

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  investigating whether there is room for making a revision (upwards only) of the amounts that are payable to the Kibbutz in respect of such Kibbutz Appointee. Subject to the Principle of Equality, the decision as to whether to increase the amounts payable in respect of any Kibbutz Appointee shall be according to the Company’s sole discretion.

 

  5.9 It is further agreed by the parties that any sweeping change in the terms of employment and/or payments payable to the general body of the Company’s employees of a particular grade or echelon, will also apply in relation to the Kibbutz’s Appointees who belong to the same grade or echelon and the amounts payable to the Kibbutz in respect of them shall be updated accordingly.

 

  5.10 Upon termination of the services of any Kibbutz Appointee, the Company will pay the Kibbutz a close-off of accounts payment, which will be calculated according to the payments the Company paid the Kibbutz in respect of the services of that Kibbutz Appointee, along with payment for the remaining days of leave and recuperation leave of that worker. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that the Company will not pay the Kibbutz any payment of severance pay or any other payment in connection therewith in relation to the termination of the services of any Kibbutz Appointee. Nothing in the foregoing shall derogate from the payment of all the monthly amounts as mentioned in Appendix A (including under the column “Severance pay”).

 

6. Training of a professional reserve

 

  6.1

During the period of the Agreement, in order to encourage young Kibbutz members (and/or sons and daughters of Kibbutz members) who are potential Kibbutz Appointees (as defined below) to embark on professional studies that are suitable for work in the Company in the future, the Company will pay the Kibbutz an annual amount of up to NIS 250,000 plus V.A.T. as prescribed by law, linked to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as against the index known on October 21, 2010 ( “the Amount of Contribution” ). The Amount of Contribution will serve as the Company’s participation in the costs of suitable professional studies as aforesaid and in living expenses during the period of study of potential Kibbutz Appointees ( “the Objective of the Payment” ). The Amount of Contribution will be paid against payments the Kibbutz actually incurred in respect of the Objective of the Payment and against the furnishing of a valid tax invoice. The Amount of Contribution will be paid each and every month, not later than the 10 th of each month in respect of the preceding month. “Potential Kibbutz Appointees” means youngsters who will be found by a team comprised of Kibbutz representatives and representatives of the Company as being suitable candidates to serve as Kibbutz Appointees in the future.

 

  6.2

In addition, the Company will give preference to integrating the Potential Kibbutz Appointees into work in the Company during the vacation period from studies, and to their integration into permanent employment in the Company at the end of the studies, including appropriate possibilities of advancement — all in accordance with

 

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  the Company’s needs as apply from time to time and taking the full gamut of the relevant considerations into account.

 

7. Period of the Agreement

 

  7.1 This Agreement will come into force on January 1, 2011 ( “the Date of Coming into Force” ), and will be for a period of 10 years, commencing from the Date of Coming into Force (i.e. until December 31, 2020) ( “the First Agreement Period” ) and will automatically renew each time for an additional period of one year ( “the Additional Agreement Period” and collectively with the First Agreement Period: “the Agreement Period” ), unless one of the parties notifies the other in advance and in writing of its desire to terminate the Agreement, at least 6 months before the end of the Agreement Period (or the end of any Additional Agreement Period, as the case may be).

 

  7.2 It is agreed by the parties that on the Date of Coming into Force the manpower agreement that was signed between the parties on March 13, 2001 and the appendix amending that agreement dated December 25, 2006 ( “the Old Agreement” ) will be cancelled. The parties declare that they do not have any allegations and/or claims and/or demands against one another in respect of any thing or matter connected with and/or related to and/or arising from the Old Agreement and/or from the cancellation thereof as aforesaid, and if any of the parties have such allegations and/or claims and/or demands, such party irrevocably waives same by its signing this Agreement, all without prejudice to the obligations of the Kibbutz workers as stated in Appendix C to this Agreement.

 

  7.3 Notwithstanding the contents of Clause 7.1 above, each party will be entitled to terminate this Agreement by way of giving notice that shall be in writing 90 days in advance to the other party, in each of the following situations: (a) a liquidation order and/or a receivership order, provisional or permanent, has been granted against the other party, which has not been set aside within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date on which it was granted; (b) an application has been filed against the other party for the appointment of a liquidator and/or receiver and/or trustee and/or special manager, and the application has not been withdrawn or set aside within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of its filing; (c) an application has been filed by and/or against the other party for a stay of proceedings and/or for an arrangement with creditors (within the meaning of the term under Section 350 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999) and the application has not been withdrawn or set aside within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of its filing; (d) an attachment has been imposed on a significant asset of the other party and the attachment has not been removed within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date on which it was imposed, and by virtue thereof an impediment is likely to arise for the party on whom the attachment was imposed preventing it from performing its obligations under this Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby clarified that cancellation of the Agreement by either of the parties in accordance with the provisions set forth above shall not

 

8


derogate from any other remedy available to such party pursuant to this Agreement and/or according to any law.

 

8. Absence of employer-employee relationship

 

  8.1 The Kibbutz hereby declares that it will supply services to the Company through the Kibbutz’s Appointees, and will fulfill its remaining obligations under this Agreement as an independent contractor, and that there is not and there will not be any employer-employee relationship between the Company and any of the Kibbutz’s Appointees and/or the Kibbutz itself, all without prejudice to the obligations of the Kibbutz’s Appointees as stated in Appendix C to this Agreement.

 

  8.2 The Kibbutz undertakes not to make an allegation at any time against the Company and/or against any of the Kibbutz’s Appointees to the effect that the Kibbutz’s Appointees are employees of the Company and it will not claim any payment from the Company in reliance on allegations regarding the existence of an employer-employee relationship between the Kibbutz’s Appointees and the Company. The Kibbutz declares that the posting of the Kibbutz’s Appointees by the Kibbutz to provide services to the Company in accordance with this Agreement emanates from their membership of the cooperative society of the Kibbutz or their being candidates for membership of the cooperative society, and is included in the framework of their work on the Kibbutz, for and on behalf of the Kibbutz or in the scope of fulfilling their obligations to the Kibbutz — all in accordance with the Kibbutz bylaws and in the framework of the relationship between the Kibbutz’s Appointees and the Kibbutz.

 

  8.3 It is further clarified that the Kibbutz and/or the Kibbutz workers and/or anyone on their behalf will not be entitled to any payment and/or benefit and/or other bonus which are usual in the relationship between an employee and an employer according to law, statute, case law, custom or usage at the Company, including social conditions that are compulsory according to law and including severance pay. The Kibbutz shall exclusively bear all the debts and obligations vis-à-vis the Kibbutz’s Appointees which are imposed on an employer vis-à-vis his employee (according to the law that applies to the matter) in everything connected with performance of the services by the Kibbutz’s Appointees in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Accordingly, all the payments to the Kibbutz’s Appointees (including, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, wages, social rights, contributions to retirement allowance ( tagmulim ) and pension, deductions and payments to Income Tax and National Insurance, expenses for traveling to and from work and any other social payments (to the extent that same apply according to the law which applies to the matter), and all the taxes and levies imposed on an employer as such with respect to the Kibbutz’s Appointees who will be placed at the Company’s disposal, shall be borne by the Kibbutz and by it alone, and shall be paid by it in full and on due date, and the Company will not be liable for this in any manner or form.

 

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  8.4 Only the provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the relationship between the Kibbutz, the Kibbutz’s Appointees and/or anyone on their behalf, on the one hand, and the Company on the other. No provisions of collective agreements and/or arrangements and/or any provisions which are according to custom or law, which apply to the Company’s relationship with its employees, in whole or in part, shall apply to the Kibbutz, the Kibbutz’s Appointees and/or anyone on their behalf.

 

  8.5 Without derogating from the foregoing, the Kibbutz shall indemnify the Company, immediately upon the Company’s first demand, for any amount the Company may be obliged to pay as a consequence of any liability that may be imposed on it due to a ruling, decision or final judgment the execution of which has not been stayed by a competent judicial instance, that, notwithstanding the contents of this Agreement or any prior agreement between the Kibbutz and the Company, an employer-employee relationship existed between the Company and the Kibbutz, the Kibbutz’s Appointees who are serving the Company as at the date of signing of this Agreement, Kibbutz Appointees who served in the Company at any time prior to the signing of this Agreement (whether they were called “Kibbutz Appointees” or were called anything else) and/or who will serve in the Company after the date of signing of this Agreement and/or anyone on their behalf. The amount of such indemnity shall include any compensation, expense, payment, compulsory payment, damage, loss, tax or levy, as well as legal expenses and attorneys’ fees in respect of any judicial proceeding to which the Company may be a party — provided that a fair and proper opportunity shall be given to the Kibbutz, if it has an interest or a need for this, to conduct the proceeding and to defend against it.

 

  8.6 Notwithstanding everything contained in this Clause 8 above, the Kibbutz shall be given the possibility, in its sole discretion, to order a transition, at any time during the period of this Agreement, of Kibbutz Appointees (either of all the Kibbutz’s Appointees or of some of them, in the sole discretion of the Kibbutz) from a format of being employed for providing of manpower services by the Kibbutz as stated above in this Agreement, to a format of direct employment by the Company in the scope of an employer-employee relationship (and through pay-slips).

In a case in which the Kibbutz so orders, the transition shall be implemented within 30 days, in accordance with the abovementioned principles and in a manner that the cost the Company will have in respect of employing such Kibbutz Appointee (including all the contributions and the social rights) will be equivalent to the cost the Company would have had in respect of receiving the services of such Kibbutz Appointee by him being placed at its disposal by the Kibbutz in accordance with this Agreement.

For the removal of doubt it is clarified that a Kibbutz Appointee, in regard to whom the Kibbutz gives notice of its decision that he will be employed directly by the Company as an employee, will be deemed to be an employee of the Company, from the date of the Kibbutz’s notice, in all respects, including, and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, in regard to entitlement to severance pay commencing from that date.

 

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It is further clarified that the Kibbutz shall bear any payment that is due to such Kibbutz Appointee in respect of the period preceding the date of his employment as an employee of the Company ( inter alia for severance pay, balance of vacation leave, recuperation leave and so forth, including accumulation and the seniority deriving from these payments according to the amount thereof at the date of payment thereof), and it shall indemnify the Company in respect of any payment the Company may be compelled to make in practice in respect of the foregoing (provided that the Company shall not make such payment except on an instruction from the Kibbutz and/or pursuant to a binding judicial decision and/or a binding decision of a competent authority).

 

  8.7 Without derogating from everything stated above in this Clause 8: (a) the Company undertakes that to the extent that the insurance market makes this possible, to include all the Kibbutz’s Appointees, throughout the entire period of this Agreement, under the employers liability insurance it holds and which applies to its employees; and (b) the Company’s liability to each of the Kibbutz’s Appointees for bodily damage and/or according to the Law for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, 5758-1998, shall for all intents and purposes be the same as the liability to anyone who is an employee of the Company for all intents and purposes.

 

9. Miscellaneous

 

  9.1 The provisions of the Contracts Law (Remedies for Breach of Contract), 5731-1971 shall apply to breaches of this Agreement. The parties agree that Clauses 4, 5, 7, 8, including all the sub-clauses thereof, constitute basic and fundamental conditions of this Agreement, a breach of which constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

 

  9.2 The terms and conditions of this Agreement fully reflect everything that has been stipulated and agreed between the parties with respect to Kibbutz Appointees being placed at the Company’s disposal, and the parties will not be bound by any promises, representations, declarations, documents and/or agreements, verbal or in writing, that were made prior to signing of this Agreement, if and to the extent that same were made.

 

  9.3 Any alteration, waiver, grant of an extension of time and so forth which are not according to the provisions of this Agreement will be devoid of any validity, unless they are drawn up in writing and signed by the parties. No lateness in the exercise of rights, the grant of an extension of time, procrastination and so forth will be deemed to be a waiver of any sort or form, unless drawn up in writing and signed by the parties.

 

  9.4 The parties between themselves determine that the courts in Tel Aviv will have sole local jurisdiction in regard to all matters arising from this Agreement, and the binding law in regard to this Agreement shall be the Israeli law.

 

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10. Notices and addresses

The addresses of the parties are as set forth in the head of this Agreement of Principles (or any other address that may be given by one of the parties in writing to the other parties). Any notice sent by any party to another according to the aforesaid addresses will be deemed to have been received by the addressee: (a) if sent by registered mail — three (3) business days after the date of posting; (b) if sent by facsimile or by e-mail, one business day after the transmission, provided that the sending party has confirmation regarding transmission of the notice to the addressee.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

 

Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd.

     

 

Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.

 

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APPENDIX A

CONFIDENTIALITY, OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

This Appendix A constitutes an appendix to the Agreement for the Providing of Manpower Services between Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd. (hereinafter: “the Company” ) and             ( “the Kibbutz” ) and is signed by Mr.             , I.D. No.             ( “the Kibbutz Appointees” ).

By my signature below I confirm as follows:

 

1. Confidentiality and intellectual property

 

  1.1 Throughout the entire period of my being employed by the Kibbutz at the Company and subsequent thereto, without limitation of time, I will not transfer and will not disclose to any body and/or person, whether directly or indirectly, the confidential information (as defined below), in whole or in part, of the Company or of anyone on its behalf, which comes into my possession as a consequence of or in the course of my work in the Company, and I undertake to perform any reasonable act in order that the confidential information, in whole or in part, will not be passed on to others, except with the Company’s written consent to do so. “Confidential Information” means — information and/or data and/or programs and/or a detail/s, whether by photography, printing, transcription, verbally and/or by magnetic tape, on a computer diskette, on a computer or any other apparatus and means which could store information relating directly and/or indirectly to the Company, including subsidiaries or affiliates and/or to its business and/or to work methods and/or to developments and/or inventions of any sort, which are not part of the public domain and the secrecy of which confers on the proprietor thereof an advantage over his competitors, including, without limitation — information and technical and engineering know-how, know-how developments, information and software of the Company, including research, product design, characterization, algorithms, software, hardware, inventions, processes, drawings, future products, configurations, price lists, calculations, lists of customers and suppliers, business connections, methods of operation, and marketing and business management methods, which even if in themselves form part of the public domain, the manner of their implementation by the proprietor is special and is kept secret by it, and including information of supplies and/or customers of the Company which the Company is obliged and/or will be obliged to keep confidential.

 

2. I am aware that use of the Confidential Information other than in accordance with my undertakings in this Deed of Undertaking is likely to cause the Company immense commercial damage.

 

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3. Intellectual property

 

  3.1 Without derogating from the Company’s rights pursuant to any law and/or agreement, I agree that all the discoveries, ideas, developments, inventions (whether patentable or not), copyright, methods, plans, data, processes, technologies, drawings, specifications, documentation, records and so forth ( “the Developments and Inventions” ), which I have discovered and/or may discover, which I have developed and/or may develop, have invented and/or may invent, have created and/or may create, ideas I have formulated and/or may formulate, as a consequence of my employment by the Kibbutz at the Company or in the course of my employment by the Kibbutz at the Company or by means of the Company’s property, whether alone or together with others, are the entire and exclusive property of the Company, and I will not have any right in connection therewith. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that I will not be entitled in respect of the Developments and Inventions to any consideration of whatsoever nature, including royalties pursuant to Chapter 8 of the Patents Law, 5727-1967. I further agree that if formal or additional action is required from me, in connection with the Developments and Inventions, and so forth, for purposes of realization of my abovementioned undertaking and agreement, including for purposes of formal transfer of the title to the Developments and Inventions to the Company, such as an assignment of the rights in any of the Developments and Inventions, etc. — I will perform such action immediately upon the Company’s request.

 

  3.2 I undertake to disclose and to transfer to the Company all information and detail in connection with the Developments and the Inventions, and to assist the Company, at its expense, in doing everything necessary for purposes of registering patents, designs, copyright and any other intellectual property connected with the Developments and the Inventions, in the name of the Company, anywhere in the world, and to assist it, to the best of my ability, in protecting such rights.

 

  3.3 Upon termination of my employment by the Kibbutz at the Company, I will immediately deliver to the Company all documentation and/or document, whether in writing or on other information-storing media (hereinafter: “the Document” ) which is connected with and/or relates to and/or contains Confidential Information which has come into my possession in the course of and for purposes of my employment and I will not retain in my possession and/or in the possession of any other body and/or person any copy of the Document/s.

 

4. Non-competition and non-solicitation

 

  4.1 I undertake, during the period of my employment by the Kibbutz at the Company and for a period of 12 months thereafter ( “Period of Non-Competition” ), not to engage, directly or indirectly, whether as a self-employed person or as a salaried employee, as a partner, officer, employee, consultant, shareholder, joint venturer, representative, trustee, director, licensee and/or otherwise, whether alone or jointly with or through others, in any business that could constitute competition, directly or indirectly, with the Company’s field of business.

 

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  4.2 During the period of non-competition I undertake (a) not to solicit, to apply to or assist any person or entity which is not the Company, to refer to or maintain any contact with any manager, director, other officer or employee, partner, contractor, sub-contractor or consultant of the Company, with the objective of inducing them to terminate their contractual arrangement with the Company; (b) not to employ and not to assist in employing of any manager, director, other officer or employee, partner, contractor, sub-contractor or consultant of the Company, who is employed or was employed by the Company during the period of non-competition.

 

  4.3 During the entire period of non-competition I undertake that unless I receive the Company’s prior written approval thereto, not to refer to or to maintain any contact and not to refer to and not to perform, myself and/or together with another/others and/or through another/others, any work for customers of the Company and/or with its suppliers and/or its business partners, present or future, and/or its distributors and/or its representatives and agents and/or its advisors, in a manner that will cause me to compete, whether directly or indirectly, with the business of the Company.

 

  4.4 I declare and confirm that I am aware (a) that the Company’s activities (including affiliated companies and/or subsidiaries) is of an international nature (b) and that the restraints of non-competition are reasonable in the circumstances of the matter and are intended reasonably to protect the activities of the Company.

 

  4.5 I declare and undertake that during the period of my employment by the Kibbutz at the Company and subsequent thereto, without limitation of time, I will not act or take steps that are likely to cause, or to assist any other person or entity, directly or indirectly, in causing any damage to the goodwill of the Company.

 

  4.6 If the scale and extent of the period of one or more of my undertakings in this appendix is held to exceed the scope and extent and/or the period that are permitted according to law, such undertaking shall be read as if the maximum scope and extent and/or period permitted according to law are specified therein.

 

5. I declare and undertake that I am aware of the fact that a breach of my above undertakings, or any part thereof, is likely to cause very severe and irreparable damage to the Company, its customers, and to companies, corporations and/or bodies connected with them, for which monetary compensation will not constitute a proper remedy and relief, and accordingly, without derogating from any other remedy according to law, including, and without derogation, pursuant to the Commercial Torts Law, 5759-1999, I am aware of the fact that in the event of a breach of any of my undertakings pursuant to this Deed of Undertaking, the Company will be able to apply to the competent court for the issue against me of interlocutory injunctions and/or other interlocutory orders, with the aim of preventing and/or halting the breach.

 

6. For the removal of doubt I hereby declare and confirm that my undertakings pursuant to this appendix will also apply after termination of my employment by the Kibbutz at the Company, for any reason.

 

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I have read the foregoing, have understood the contents of this Deed of Undertaking and I confirm everything stated therein.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed:

 

 

The Employee

 

 

         Date

 

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APPENDIX B

LETTER OF UNDERTAKING OF THE KIBBUTZ APPOINTEES

I             , I.D.             , the undersigned, after all my rights and obligations in respect of my employment by Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd. ( “the Kibbutz” ) at Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd. ( “the Company” ) have been clarified and explained to me to my satisfaction, declare and undertake as follows:

 

1. I have been employed by the Kibbutz at the Company since             and I currently serve in the function of             .

 

2. I declare that in connection with the period of my employment up to the date of signing of this Letter of Undertaking by me, I do not have any allegations and/or claims and/or monetary demands against the Company or anyone on its behalf in respect of any thing and matter connected with and/or relating to and/or arising from my employment, and to the extent that I do have such allegations and/or claims and/or demands, I irrevocably waive same by my signing this Letter of Undertaking. Nothing contained in this paragraph has the effect of constituting any waiver of my rights and of what is due to me, to the extent that anything is due and/or may be due to me, according to any law, in connection with bodily damage and/or pursuant to the Law for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, 5758-1998.

 

3. I am aware and I hereby declare that I am employed by the Kibbutz at the Company as aforesaid, and that everything due to me in respect of my aforesaid employment, including payments due to me according to any law, are satisfied and paid to me by the Kibbutz alone; that there is not and will not be any relationship of employer-employee between me and the Company; and that I will not claim any payment from the Company in reliance on allegations relating to the existence of an employer-employee relationship between me and the Company.

I have read the foregoing, have understood the contents of this Letter of Undertaking and I confirm everything stated therein.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed:

 

 

The Employee

 

 

         Date

 

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APPENDIX C

THE COMPANY’S EMPLOYERS INSURANCE POLICY

 

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EXHIBIT 10.11

AGREEMENT FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES AND DIVISION

OF EXPENSES

made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 20 th day of July 2011

 

Between: CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.

Pvte. Co. 51-143950

of Kibbutz Sdot Yam

(hereinafter: “the Company” )

of the one part;

 

And: SDOT YAM COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY LTD.

Pvte. Co. 57-0003509

of Kibbutz Sdot Yam

(hereinafter: “the Kibbutz” )

of the other part;

 

WHEREAS The offices of the Company’s management, as also one of its production plants, are located on land which lies in the areas of Kibbutz Sdot Yam; and

 

WHEREAS In light of the foregoing, the Company wishes to receive various services from the Kibbutz as described in this Agreement; and the Kibbutz agrees to provide the Company with the services, all in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS In addition the parties wish to stipulate various arrangements in relation to expenses and various charges pertaining to the use the Company will make of the Land and the Buildings which are located in the areas of the Kibbutz; and

 

WHEREAS The parties wish to define, regulate and to put into writing the relationship between them on all matters connected with the providing of the services;

Now therefore it is declared, stipulated and agreed between the parties as follows:

 

1. Preamble, appendices and conditions

 

  1.1 The preamble and the appendices to this Agreement constitute an integral part hereof.

 

  1.2 The headings in this Agreement have been inserted solely for convenience and will not be used in the interpretation of the Agreement.


  1.3 In this Agreement: “the Company’s Lands” — areas of the Land and the Buildings which have been allocated for the exclusive use of the Company on Kibbutz Sdot Yam, pursuant to a license agreement between it and the Kibbutz dated March 31, 2011.

 

2. Declarations and undertakings by the Kibbutz

The Kibbutz declares and undertakes to the Company that:

 

  2.1 It possesses the suitable know-how, skill, expertise and qualifications, the technical instrumentation and the manpower that is suitable for providing the services as stated in this Agreement, and that it will fulfill all its obligations as specified in this Agreement in the best possible manner and at a high professional standard.

 

  2.2 It will attend to obtaining all the licenses and permits that are required according to law, to the extent that same are required, for performing the services, and will comply with all requirements and provisions of the law which are necessary by virtue of it being a service provider. In addition, the Kibbutz undertakes that it will transfer for the perusal of the Company, at the Company’s request, any permit required in connection with the performances of the services as aforesaid, and on the Company’s request will also furnish it with a copy corresponding to the original of every such permit.

 

  2.3 It has the ability of complying with all the obligations it has assumed under this Agreement.

 

  2.4 There is no bar or impediment to its entering into this Agreement and/or to the fulfillment of any obligation it has assumed under this Agreement, pursuant to law, agreement or prior undertaking to which it is a party.

 

  2.5 All the necessary resolutions according to its documents of incorporation and according to any law for purposes of its entering into this Agreement have been passed.

 

  2.6 This Agreement does not conflict with and/or is not contrary to any agreement and/or other accord to which it is a party and does not constitute a breach of any obligation which it owes.

 

3. Declarations and undertakings by the Company

The Company declares and undertakes to the Kibbutz that:

 

  3.1 It has the capability of complying with all the obligations it has assumed under this Agreement.

 

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  3.2 There is no bar or impediment to its entering into this Agreement and/or to the fulfillment of any obligation it has assumed under this Agreement, pursuant to law, agreement or prior undertaking to which it is a party.

 

  3.3 All the necessary resolutions according to its documents of incorporation and according to any law for purposes of its entering into this Agreement have been passed.

 

  3.4 This Agreement does not conflict with and/or is not contrary to any agreement and/or other accord to which it is a party and does not constitute a breach of any obligation which it owes.

 

  3.5 It and anyone on its behalf will act in accordance with reasonable instructions they receive from time to time from the Kibbutz in all aspects pertaining to the services and do everything in their power in order to assist the Kibbutz in fulfilling its obligations as set forth in this Agreement, on condition that this does not have the effect of making the Company liable for additional expenses in excess of what is stated in this Agreement.

 

4. Condition precedent

 

  4.1 It is agreed between the parties that this Agreement is subject to the closing and completion of the public offering, as this term is defined below and will come into force only at the date of the closing and completion of the public offering, which will be deemed below: “Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent” )

 

  4.2 For the removal of doubt, it is clarified that until the time at which the Condition Precedent is fulfilled, this Agreement will be of no validity. If the Condition Precedent is not fulfilled on or before December 31, 2011, this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void in all respects as if it had never been signed.

 

  4.3 “Completion of the public offering” for purposes of this Agreement will be deemed to be the date on which the Seller receives the first moneys that will be raised by it in an initial public offering of the Seller’s shares on a stock exchange in the USA (NASDAQ or NYSE).

 

5. Payments and various expenses

The parties stipulate between them the set of arrangements described below:

 

  5.1 Local Committee

The Company will pay the Sdot Yam Local Committee local committee taxes in accordance with the provisions of the law in this regard including the provisions of the Local Councils Order (Regional Councils), 5718-1958. For the removal of doubt, the parties are aware and agree thereto that as at the year 2010 the amount of the local council taxes stands at a sum of NIS 453,578, while in 2011 the amount

 

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of the Local Committee taxes which the Company is obliged to pay to the Sdot Yam Local Committee stands at a sum of NIS 459,878. The provisions of this clause shall be deemed to be a contract in favor of a third party (the Sdot Yam Local Committee).

 

5.2 Guarding

The Company will pay the Sdot Yam Local Committee a guarding levy in accordance with the provisions of the law in this regard, including the provisions of “the guarding order” of the Hof Hacarmel Local Council. For the removal of doubt, the parties are aware and agree thereto that as at the year 2010 the amount of the guarding levy stands at a sum of NIS 70,557, while in 2011 the amount of the guarding levy which the Company is obliged to pay to the Sdot Yam Local Committee is a sum of NIS 72,306. The provisions of this clause will be deemed to be a contract in favor of a third party (the Sdot Yam Local Committee).

 

5.3 Rates

The parties will jointly apply to the Hof Carmel Regional Council with an application that the Council will collect the rates separately from the Company and from the Kibbutz, in the course of retaining the discount given to the Kibbutz at a rate of 2% of the rates, for the collection services which the Kibbutz performs (actually collection of the rates from the Company for the Council).

In the event that the Hof Carmel Regional Court does not accede to the aforesaid request to retain the discount that is given to the Kibbutz — the existing arrangement that applies prior to the date of signing of this Agreement will continue, pursuant to which the Kibbutz will collect the rates from the Company and will transfer the amounts it has collected to the Council. The Company undertakes that in such event it will transfer to the Kibbutz the full amounts of the rates which the Hof Carmel Regional Council will demand in connection with the Company’s Lands — all before the dates specified at law for payment of the rates and in a manner that will enable the Kibbutz to transfer the amounts to the Council in good time.

 

5.4 Water

The Company will pay the Kibbutz payments according to actual consumption (based on the meter that is installed) in accordance with the tariff of local councils for water for industry. The aforesaid payments will be paid to the Kibbutz once every calendar month, not later than according to conditions of current month + 60 for each month (in respect of the water the Company has consumed as aforesaid in the preceding month). For purposes of making the aforesaid payment, the Kibbutz will each month present the Company with the relevant data, at least 10 days before the due date of payment.

 

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  5.5 Sewerage fee

The Company undertakes to install at its expense, up to the date this Agreement comes into force, a meter for measuring the actual quantity of sewerage which the Company emits from the Company’s Lands ( “the Sewerage Meter” ).

The Company will pay the Kibbutz a proportionate share of the sewerage fee that the Kibbutz pays to the Hof Hacarmel Regional Council, according to the ratio between the Company’s sewerage consumption (in accordance with the measurement of the Sewerage Meter) as against the total sewerage consumption for which the Kibbutz pays the Council. The aforesaid payments will be paid to the Kibbutz once every calendar month, not later than according to conditions of current month + 60 for each month (in respect of the quantity of sewerage the Company has emitted as aforesaid in the preceding month). For purposes of making the aforesaid payment, the Kibbutz will present the Company with the relevant data each month, at least 10 days before the due date of payment.

 

  5.6 Garbage removal

For the removal of doubt it is clarified that the Company will continue to make payment directly to the Hof Carmel Regional Council of the full payments in respect of garbage removal from the Company’s Lands.

 

  5.7 Guarding at the gates of the plant

The sole and exclusive obligation is imposed on the Company to perform guarding in all the Company’s Lands, including the entrances to these areas — all at the Company’s expense and to such scale and extent as the Company deems fit.

 

  5.8 Water infrastructures

For the removal of doubt it is clarified that in the costing of the amounts which the Company pays to third parties for the water it consumes in all the Company’s Lands, full payment for infrastructures and water are also grossed up and therefore the Company does not have and will not have any demand in this regard from the Kibbutz.

 

  5.9 Sewerage infrastructures

For the handling and the maintenance works which the Kibbutz performs on the sewerage infrastructures within the Kibbutz areas that are not the Company’s Lands, the Company will pay the Kibbutz an amount of 70 agorot plus V.A.T. for every cu.m of sewerage actually emitted by the Company (according to a measurement of the Sewerage Meter), with this being in light of the fact that the sewerage the Company produces flows through the sewerage infrastructure of the Kibbutz. The aforesaid amount will be linked to the rise in the Consumer Price

 

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Index as against the known index on October 21, 2010. The aforesaid payment shall be paid to the Kibbutz once every calendar month, not later than according to conditions of current month + 60 for each month (in respect of the quantity of sewerage the Company emitted as aforesaid in the preceding month). For purposes of making the aforesaid payment, the Kibbutz will present the Company with the relevant data each month, at least 10 days before the due date of payment.

In the event of their being a necessity for renovation (as distinct from maintenance) of the sewerage infrastructures on the Kibbutz which are not in the Company’s Lands — the plant will pay the Kibbutz the proportionate share of the cost of the renovation actually incurred by the Kibbutz, according to the quantity of sewerage actually emitted by the Company (in the period of 12 months prior to the start of the renovation) according to a measurement taken from the total quantity of sewerage emitted by the Kibbutz and the Company jointly during that period.

For the removal of doubt it is clarified that the Company will be responsible for treatment and handling of the sewerage infrastructures on the Company’s Lands at its own expense.

The Company further undertakes to see to it that all sewerage which it emits through the sewerage infrastructures on the Kibbutz will meet the standards specified by law.

 

  5.10 Electricity

The parties agree that the present arrangement which applies prior to the signing of this Agreement will continue, pursuant to which the Company pays the full electricity account for the electricity consumption of the Company and the Kibbutz, and debits the Kibbutz with its proportionate share — according to a measurement of the meters that are located in the joint telephone exchange (while in regard to the electricity which reaches the Concetto Building the arrangement is the opposite — the Kibbutz pays the full electricity account for electricity consumption of the Company and the Kibbutz for electricity which reaches the Concetto Building, and debits the Company with its proportionate share — in accordance with the measurement of the meters that are located in the Concetto Building).

 

6. Services

The Kibbutz will supply the Company with the services listed below ( “the Services” ) against the consideration specified opposite each of the Services below:

 

  6.1 Beautification services

The Company hereby brings the Kibbutz the possibility of performing all the beautification works in the Company’s Lands — against a price and on conditions identical to those at which the executing contractor who will be employed by the Company at the time of realization of the possibility by the Kibbutz will perform

 

6


the works, and subject to a period of advance notice that must be given to the contractor who performs the work in accordance with the agreement with him (to the extent that same exists). The Kibbutz will be entitled to realize the aforesaid possibility at any time that may be chosen during the period of this Agreement, subject to a period of advance notice to the executing contractor as stated above — by means of sending a written notice to the Company. Nothing in the foregoing shall preclude the Company being able to reduce the scale and extent of the beautification services or to cancel same by way of notice identical to that which applies to the contractor who performs the work prior to the start of execution thereof by the Kibbutz — provided that in every case of an enlargement or renewal of the works, the Kibbutz will be given the possibility to elect to perform same itself under the conditions set forth above.

 

  6.2 Postal services

The Kibbutz will continue to allow the Company to use the services of the post office at the Kibbutz. In return for this the Company will pay the Kibbutz an amount of NIS 5,000 plus V.A.T. per month as a contribution towards the cost of maintaining the office. The aforesaid amount will be linked to the rise in the Consumer Price Index as against the known index on October 21, 2010. The aforesaid payment shall be paid to the Kibbutz once per calendar month, not later than according to conditions of current month + 60 for each month. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that in addition to the abovementioned payment, the Company will pay all the payments in respect of the actual use of postal services (stamps, envelopes, and so forth).

 

  6.3 Meals

The Company will pay the Kibbutz an amount of NIS 28 plus V.A.T. for every meal an employee of the Company and anyone on behalf of the Company eats in the Kibbutz dining room. The aforesaid amount will be linked to the rise in the Consumer Price Index as against the known index on October 21, 2010. The aforesaid payments will be paid to the Kibbutz once each calendar month, not later than according to conditions of current month + 60 in respect of each month. For purposes of making the aforesaid payment, the Kibbutz will each month present the relevant data, at least 10 days before the due date of payment.

If the Company should elect from time to time to order other food supply from the Kibbutz (for example, and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, sandwiches for the Company’s employees), if such food is ordered for the Company and/or anyone on its behalf, the Company will pay the Kibbutz the price that will be agreed upon between the parties in advance for each type of food that will be supplied to the Company as aforesaid.

The Company undertakes that in the first calendar year following the date of coming into force, it will pay the Kibbutz for at least 24,000 meals in the Kibbutz dining room, and that if the Company does not consume such quantity — it will in

 

7


any event pay the Kibbutz for such quantity of meals ( “Minimum Number of Meals” ). Thereafter, once each year, not later than January 15 of each calendar year, the Company will be entitled to notify the Kibbutz in writing of a change in the Minimum Number of Meals for that year (provided that if the Minimum Number of Meals of which the Company will give notice is low, in a manner that in the opinion of the Kibbutz the continued supply of the meals to the Company is not economic for the Kibbutz, the Kibbutz will be entitled to notify the Company, by way of written notice that shall be given within 30 days from the date of the Company’s notice, that it is ceasing the supply of meals to the Company — and in such case the supply of meals to the Company by the Kibbutz will be stopped within 3 months from the date of the Kibbutz’s notice). If the Company has not given notice of a change in the Minimum Number of Meals with respect to a given year, then the Minimum Number of Meals which was in force in the previous year will continue to be binding on the Company.

 

  6.4 It is hereby further agreed that, without derogating from the foregoing, in any event during the period of this Agreement in which the Company wishes to contract with any third party under an agreement whereby the said third party will supply meals to the Company’s employees who are in the confines of the Land and the Buildings in the area of the Kibbutz, such contractual arrangement will be subject to the giving of a right of first refusal to the Kibbutz in the manner specified below: the Company shall send the Kibbutz a detailed description of the service requested by it, the price it will agree to pay and the remaining commercial and other conditions ( “the Work” and “the Work Offer” ). The Kibbutz shall notify the Company within 10 days from receipt of the Company’s notice whether it is prepared to perform the Work in accordance with the conditions of the Work Offer. If the Kibbutz has given notice that it is prepared to perform the Work and that it will perform same in accordance with the Company’s requests — the Kibbutz shall perform the Work in accordance with all the conditions of the Work Offer. If the Kibbutz gives notice that it is not interested in performing the Work and/or has not given a reply within the aforesaid period of time, the Company will entrust the Work to a third party of its choice, in accordance with substantive conditions of the Work Offer. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that in every case of any material change in the conditions of the Work Offer (including timetables, prices, specifications, volumes and so forth), the Company will be obliged to perform the entire process described above once again vis-à-vis the Kibbutz. Without derogating from the remaining provisions of this Agreement, if in the Company’s reasonable discretion, at any time after the Kibbutz has taken upon itself the providing of the services pursuant to this clause, it deviates from the standards demanded by the Company and has not rectified the deviation within 30 days from the date it was called upon to do so — the Company will be entitled to terminate the supply of such services by the Kibbutz.

Use of vehicles

The Company and the Kibbutz will be entitled to make use of the vehicles of the other party, after coordination with the other party and all on condition that such

 

8


use is permissible according to the provisions of any relevant agreement (including agreements with operating lease companies of the vehicles) and the provisions of the law. In every case of such use of vehicles of the other party, the using party shall pay the other party a payment according to the Heshev price list. The accounting in this regard will be made between the parties once per month.

 

  6.5 Use of the fueling station at the Kibbutz

The Company will recommend to all its employees to refuel (including with diesel) only at the fuel station located on the Kibbutz and shall issue an internal directive to the effect that it is prohibited for the Company’s employees to refuel (including diesel) at gas stations located within a radius of 5 kilometers from the Kibbutz, except in the case of a breakdown at the Sdot Yam station or in another emergency situation. For the refueling at the Kibbutz’s fuel station the Company will pay the Kibbutz the amounts it actually pays to the Dor Alon Company or to another company with which the Company has an arrangement (in its sole discretion) and as shall be in force from time to time. As at the 2010 year, the prices which the Company pays Dor Alon are as set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement. The aforesaid amount shall be paid to the Kibbutz once each calendar month, not later than according to conditions of current month + 60 for each month (in respect of the quantity of fuel the Company used in the previous month). For purposes of making the aforesaid payment, the Kibbutz will present the Company each month with the relevant data, at least 10 days before the due date of payment.

 

  6.6 Laundry

The Kibbutz shall, throughout the entire period of this Agreement, exclusively supply all the laundry services the Company requires for the Company’s employees who work on the Company’s Lands. The laundry services include: laundering of clothing, basic folding and packaging of the clothing in separate parcels for each employee in a manner that the employee’s number appears on each parcel. For the removal of doubt it is hereby clarified that the Company will not be entitled, throughout the entire period of this Agreement, to establish a laundry and/or contract, directly and/or indirectly, with any other supplier who supplies laundry services for employees of the Company on the Company’s Lands.

The Company will pay the Kibbutz a market price which currently stands at NIS 7.90 plus V.A.T. for each kilogram of laundry which it utilizes. The aforesaid amount will be linked to the rise in the Consumer Price Index as against the known index on the date of signing of this Agreement. For purposes of the making of the aforesaid payment, the Kibbutz shall each month present the Company with the relevant data, at least 10 days before the due date of payment.

If the Company should elect from time to time to requisition additional laundry services from the Kibbutz, over and above the laundry services (for example dry cleaning, ironing), the Company will pay the Kibbutz a price that will be agreed between the parties in advance for each type of such services.

 

9


  6.7 Metalwork workshop

The Company hereby grants the metal workshop at the Kibbutz a right of first refusal, throughout the entire period of this Agreement, in respect of all the metal works of whatsoever nature, which the Company may require in Israel (and for removal of doubt including at the Company’s plants at the Kibbutz and in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone), as follows: in every case in which the Company requires any metal work, the Company will send the manager of the metalwork workshop at the Kibbutz a detailed description of the work and signed price quotation it has received for performing the work from a metalwork workshop in Israel ( “the Work Offer” ). The Kibbutz shall respond as quickly as possible and not later than 7 days, unless the Company has given notice that it requires a speedier response from the time of receipt of the Work Offer in the course of which the Kibbutz will be obliged to notify the Company whether it is prepared to perform the work in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Work Offer. If the Kibbutz has given notice that it is prepared to perform the work and that it will perform same in accordance with the Company’s requirements, the Kibbutz will perform the work in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Work Offer. If the Kibbutz has given notice that it is not interested in performing the work and/or does not give a reply within the aforesaid period of time, the Company will perform the work at the metalwork workshop which sent it the Work Offer (and not at any other metalwork workshop), in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Work Offer. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that in every case of any change in the terms and conditions of the Work Offer (including timetables, prices, specifications, volumes and so forth), the Company will be obliged to perform the entire process described above once again vis-à-vis the Kibbutz metalwork workshop. It is further clarified that if the Kibbutz metalwork workshop is incorporated in any manner which is not within the framework of the Kibbutz, the provisions of this clause will be deemed to be a contract in favor of a third party (the Kibbutz metalwork workshop in the form in which it is actually incorporated). It is clarified that the provisions of this clause will apply during the period of the Agreement and as long as the metalwork workshop is under the control of the Kibbutz, directly or indirectly (also in a case of its incorporation in any form which is? not within the framework of the Kibbutz).

 

  6.8 Festive function

The Company hereby grants the Kibbutz’s events gardens ( Gan Gili, Al Hayam, Kochav Hayam and any other events garden there may be, if any, in the future in the areas of the Kibbutz and under the Kibbutz’s control, directly or indirectly), a right of first refusal, throughout the entire period of this Agreement, for the holding of any festive events of any sort and everything connected therewith, ancillary and relating thereto — of the Company in Israel (and for the removal of doubt, including events the Company may stage for its employees and members of their families, suppliers, customers, guests from abroad, and so forth), as follows:

 

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In every case in which the Company wishes to stage any event, the Company will send to an entity at the Kibbutz as directed by the Kibbutz(and until such time as the Kibbutz otherwise directs, to the manager of Kef Yam ) a detailed description of the event it wishes to stage and a signed price quotation it has received for holding the event from another events garden in Israel ( “the Event Offer” ). The Kibbutz will be given a period of seven days from the date of receipt of the Event Offer in the course of which the Kibbutz will be obliged to notify the Company whether it is prepared to perform the event in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Event Offer in one of the Kibbutz’s events gardens (which is suitable for the event, if there is such). If the Kibbutz gives notice that it is prepared to perform the event, the Kibbutz will perform the event in such events garden in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Event Offer. Should the Kibbutz give notice that it is not interested in performing the event and/or if it does not give a reply within the aforesaid period of time, the Company will perform the event in the events garden which sent it the Event Offer (and not in any other events garden), in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Event Offer. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that in every case of any change in the terms and conditions of the Event Offer (including timetables, prices, specifications, volumes, and so forth), the Company will be obliged to perform the entire process described above once again vis-à-vis the Kibbutz. It is further clarified that if any of the events gardens that are located in the areas of the Kibbutz is incorporated in any manner which is not within the framework of the Kibbutz, the provisions of this clause will be deemed to be a contract in favor of the third party (the events gardens of the Kibbutz as same are actually incorporated). It is clarified that the provisions of this clause will apply during the period of the Agreement and as long as the events garden to whom the provisions of the clause apply are in the Kibbutz’s control, directly or indirectly (also in a case of their being incorporated in any form which is not within the framework of the Kibbutz).

 

7. General provisions

 

  7.1 The Company will not be entitled to reduce the types of services that will be supplied to it by the Kibbutz as stated above, except the scale and extent of the utilization of services which will be given in accordance with its actual needs, as described above.

 

  7.2 The Company will appoint a person or several persons on its behalf who will maintain contact with the Kibbutz on all matters connected with the receiving of the services ( “the Liaison Officer” ). The right is reserved to the Company to replace the Liaison Officer from time to time in its sole discretion, provided that it notifies the Kibbutz about the identity of the new Liaison Officer.

 

  7.3 In a case in which the Company requests the Kibbutz to supply it additional services or to increase the scale and extent of the services being provided to the Company, the parties will jointly consider this, including the specifying of fair service fees for such additional services.

 

11


  7.4 All the amounts specified in this Agreement as being linked to the index will be revised upwards (only), once every six months, in the event of a rise in the Consumer Price Index, as against the known index on October 21, 2010. Price rises in excess thereof will be discussed and agreed upon by the parties, to the extent necessary.

 

  7.5 It is recorded and agreed by the parties that the Kibbutz will be entitled to contract with sub-suppliers, sub-contractors and any other third parties, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the necessity for giving notice and/or any reasons to the Company, for purposes of supplying the services to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, subject to the condition that the Kibbutz shall be the party that at all times bears full responsibility for the supply of the services, the standard of performance thereof, the quality thereof and the compliance thereof with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and that the Company shall in no manner be liable for any payment and/or expense of any sort to any of the sub-suppliers with whom the Kibbutz has contracted. The Company will not be liable in any circumstances to any third party for any obligation, whether express or implied, financial or otherwise, and will not be responsible to any third party in any manner or sense.

 

8. Period of the Agreement

 

  8.1 This Agreement will come into force on the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent ( “the Date of Coming into Force” ) and will be for a period of 8 years commencing from the Date of Coming into Force ( “the First Agreement Period” ) and shall automatically be renewed each time for an additional period of one year ( “the Additional Agreement Period” and jointly with the First Agreement Period “the Agreement Period” ), unless one of the parties gives written notice to the other in advance of its desire to terminate the Agreement, at least 6 months before the end of the Agreement Period, or before the end of an Additional Agreement Period.

 

  8.2 It is agreed between the parties that on the Date of Coming into Force, the services agreement that was signed between the parties on December 25, 2006 ( “the Old Agreement” ) will be cancelled. The parties declare that they do not have any allegations and/or claims and/or demands against one another in respect of any matter or thing connected with and/or relating to and/or arising from the Old Agreement and/or from its cancellation as aforesaid, and if either of the parties does have allegations and/or claims and/or demands as aforesaid, it irrevocably waives same by its signature to this Agreement.

 

  8.3

Notwithstanding the aforesaid, each party will be entitled to terminate this Agreement by way of giving notice that shall be in writing to the other party 45 days in advance, in each of the following situations: (a) a liquidation order and/or a receivership order, provisional or permanent, has been granted against the other party, which has not been set aside within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date on which it was granted; (b) an application has been filed against the other

 

12


  party for the appointment of a liquidator and/or receiver and/or trustee and/or special manager, and the application has not been withdrawn or set aside within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of its filing; (c) an application has been filed by and/or against the other party for a stay of proceedings and/or for an arrangement with creditors (within the meaning of the term under Section 350 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999) and the application has not been withdrawn or set aside within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of its filing; (d) an attachment has been imposed on a significant asset of the other party and the attachment has not been removed within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date on which it was imposed, and by virtue thereof an impediment is likely to arise for the party on whom the attachment was imposed preventing it from performing its obligations under this Agreement.

In addition to the foregoing, in a case in which the Kibbutz has committed a material breach of its obligations under this Agreement in relation to any of the services mentioned in Clause 6 above, and has failed to cure the breach within thirty (30) days from the date on which it was called upon in writing to do so by the Company, provided that in such written notice the Company shall expressly state that if the breach is not cured within the aforesaid time, it will immediately cease to utilize the aforesaid service from the Kibbutz, the Company will be entitled to notify the Kibbutz in writing that it has indeed decided to cease using the aforesaid service from the Kibbutz — and from that time this Agreement will not apply in relation to the aforesaid type of service. For the removal of doubt it is hereby clarified that cessation of the using of any specific service, as aforesaid, does not derogate from the obligations of the parties in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, on all matters connected with the supply and performance of the other services which have not been stopped.

 

9. Non-existence of employer-employee relationship

 

  9.1 The Kibbutz shall supply the services to the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement as an independent contractor. No relationship of employer-employee exists or will exist between the Company and the Kibbutz and/or anyone on behalf of the Kibbutz who takes part in providing the services and/or any portion thereof.

 

  9.2 The Kibbutz undertakes not to allege at any time against the Company that anyone on behalf of the Kibbutz who takes part in providing the services is/are an employee/s of the Company and it will not claim any payment from the Company in reliance on allegations regarding the existence of an employer-employee relationship between the Company and any such person.

 

  9.3 It is further clarified that the Kibbutz and/or anyone on behalf of the Kibbutz who takes part in providing the services will not be entitled to any payment and/or benefit and/or other bonus which are customary in a relationship between an employee and an employer, pursuant to law, statute, case law, custom or usage at the Company, including social conditions that are obligatory according to law, and

 

13


including severance pay. All the payments to anyone on behalf of the Kibbutz who takes part in providing the services to the Company (including, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, wages, social rights, deductions and income tax and national insurance payments, expenses for traveling to and from work and any other social payment) and all the taxes and levies that are imposed on an employer in such capacity, shall be borne by the Kibbutz and/or by any other third party with whom the Kibbutz may contract as stated in Clause 7.5 below [sic], and the Company will not be liable for this in any manner or form.

 

  9.4 Without derogating from the foregoing, the Kibbutz shall indemnify the Company, immediately upon the Company’s first demand, for any amount the Company may be obliged to pay as a consequence of any liability that may be imposed on it due to a ruling, decision or final judgment the execution of which has not been stayed by a competent judicial instance, that notwithstanding the contents of this Agreement an employer-employee relationship existed between the Kibbutz, and/or any one on behalf of the Kibbutz who took part in the provision of services to the Company. The amount of such indemnity shall include any compensation, expense, payment, compulsory payment, damage, loss, tax or levy, as well as legal expenses and attorneys’ fees in respect of any judicial proceeding to which the Company may be a party — provided that a fair and proper opportunity shall be given to the Kibbutz, if it has an interest or a need for this, to conduct the proceeding and to defend against it.

 

10. Liability and insurance

 

  10.1 The Kibbutz will be liable to the Company and to any third party, to the extent that such liability is imposed on it according to law, for any damage and/or loss and/or expense (collectively in this Clause 10: “Damage” ), direct or indirect, that may be caused to the body and/or property and/or business of a person and/or corporation, which derive from an act or omission of the Kibbutz and/or its employees and/or anyone on its behalf in the course or as a consequence of performing the services pursuant to this Agreement, and the Kibbutz undertakes to take all the necessary measures to prevent such damage.

 

  10.2 The Kibbutz undertakes to indemnify the Company and/or to hold the Company harmless, immediately upon the Company’s first demand for it to do so, in respect of any damage that may be actually incurred by the Company and/or anyone on its behalf and the liability for which is imposed on the Kibbutz as stated in Clause 10.1 above.

 

  10.3

In addition to the foregoing, in every case in which any allegation and/or claim and/or demand of any third party is raised against the Company and/or anyone on its behalf, in respect of any damage caused to the third party and the liability for which is imposed on the Kibbutz as stated in Clause 10.1 above, the Kibbutz shall bear the full liability and responsibility for any such damage, provided that in every such case the Company shall refer to the Kibbutz in writing (and at a time that will make it possible to perform the matters set forth below), accompanied by a copy of

 

14


  the demand and/or claim it has received and will enable the Kibbutz to defend, in the Company’s name, at the expense of the Kibbutz (and to the extent necessary to attorneys on its behalf, provided that such attorneys shall be experienced attorneys suitable for handling the subject) against any such demand or claim.

 

  10.4 The Kibbutz shall purchase and maintain insurances throughout the entire period of this Agreement to cover the risks connected with performance of the services that are the subject of this Agreement, which shall be reasonable insurance in the circumstances of the matter.

 

11. Miscellaneous

 

  11.1 It is hereby expressly agreed that the consideration specified in this Agreement in respect of the performance of the services constitutes the entire payment to which the Kibbutz will be entitled in respect of the supply of the services during the agreement period and that the Kibbutz, and/or anyone on its behalf, will not be entitled to additional consideration and/or to any right in connection with the supply of the services and/or in connection with this Agreement, including in connection with the termination hereof, in excess of this stipulated consideration.

 

  11.2 The Company will not be entitled in any manner to transfer (and/or to encumber and/or pledge) any of its obligations and its rights under this Agreement to any third party.

 

  11.3 The provisions of the Contracts Law (Remedies for Breach of Contract), 5731-1971, shall apply to breaches of this Agreement.

 

  11.4 The terms and conditions of this Agreement fully reflect everything that has been stipulated and agreed between the parties in regard to the matters regulated herein, and the parties will not be bound by any promises, representations, declarations, documents and/or agreements, verbal or in writing, which were made prior to the signing of this Agreement, if made.

 

  11.5 Any alteration, waiver, grant of an extension of time and so forth which are not according to the provisions of this Agreement will be devoid of any validity, unless they are drawn up in writing and signed by the parties. No lateness in the exercise of rights, the grant of an extension of time, procrastination and so forth will be deemed to be a waiver of any sort or form, unless drawn up in writing and signed by the parties.

 

  11.5 The parties between themselves determine that the courts in the Tel Aviv district will have sole local jurisdiction in regard to all matters arising from this Agreement, and the binding law in regard to this Agreement shall be the Israeli law.

 

12. Notices and addresses

 

15


The addresses of the parties are as set forth in the head of this Agreement of Principles (or any other address that may be given by one of the parties in writing to the other parties. Any notice sent by any party to another according to the aforesaid addresses will be deemed to have been received by the addressee: (a) if sent by registered mail — three (3) business days after the date of posting; (b) if sent by facsimile or by e-mail, one business day after the transmission, provided that the sending party has confirmation regarding transmission of the notice to the addressee.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

             
CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.                                        CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.

by                                                             

    by                                                             

and                                                          

    and                                                          

 

16


APPENDIX A

Fuel Prices Dor Alon

 

Terms of payment

      Jan 1, ’10     Feb 1, ’10     Mar 1, ’10      Apr 1, ’10     May 2, ’10     Jun 1, ’10     Jul 1, ’10     Aug 1, ’10  
current month
+ 30 days
  Discount gas (agorot) incl.
VAT
    0.44        0.44        0.44         0.45        0.45        0.45        0.45        0.45   
current month
+ 60 days
  Discount diesel oil (ag.)
incl. VAT
    4.9        5.2        5.4         5.4        5.6        5.6        5.6        5.6   
current month
+ 60 days
  Discount on bulk (NIS)     4,450        4,450        4,600         4,600        4,850        4,850        4,850        5,300   
   

Date

  Jan 1, ’10     Feb 1, ’10     Mar 1, ’10      Apr 1, ’10     May 2, ’10                    
Basic price  

Gas (agorot) inclusive

    6.57        6.56        6.68         6.75        6.82        6.48        6.64        6.6   
Recommended
price
 

Diesel oil (agr.) inclusive

    11.17        11.24        11.44         11.65        11.97        11.84        12.24        12.3   
Apparatus
price
  Bulk (NIS)     9,516.97        9,577.32        9,749.73         9,930.76        10,206.63        10,094.56        10,439.38        10,491.11   
   

Final price

  Jan 1, ’10     Feb 1, ’10     Mar 1, ’10      Apr 1, ’10     May 2 ’10     Jun 2, ’10     Jul 3, ’10     Aug 3, ’10  
Net price for
payment
 

Gas (agorot) inclusive

    1.67        1.36        1.28         1.35        1.22        0.88        1.04        1   
Net price for
payment
 

Diesel oil at station (agorot) inclusive

    6.27        6.04        6.04         6.25        6.37        6.24        6.64        6.70   
Net price for
payment
 

Bulk (NIS)

    5,067        5,127        5,150         5,331        5,357        5,245        5,589        5,191   

Exhibit 10.12

ADDENDUM TO SERVICES AND DIVISION OF EXPENSES AGREEMENT

DATE JULY 20, 2011 (“THE ADDENDUM”)

Made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 13 th day of February 2012

 

Between:   CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 51-1439507
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Company” )

of the one part ;

 

And:   SDOT YAM AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 57-0003509
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Kibbutz” )

of the other part ;

 

WHEREAS:   The parties entered into an agreement between them for the provision of services and a division of expenses dated July 20, 2011 which is attached to this Agreement in Appendix A ( “the Agreement” ); and
WHEREAS   The parties wish to amend the provisions of the Agreement, as set forth in this Addendum;

Now therefore it is declared and agreed by the parties as follows:

 

1. This Addendum constitutes an integral part of the Agreement.

 

2. Clause 4.2 of the Agreement will be amended by inserting “December 31, 2012” in place of “December 31, 2011”.

 

3. Apart from the aforesaid amendment, all the provisions of the Agreement will continue to apply without any change whatsoever.


In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

Kibbutz Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Enterprises Ltd.    CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.
by          ( - )    by          ( - )
And       ( - )    and        ( - )

 

2

EXHIBIT 10.13

AGREEMENT FOR ARRANGING ADDITIONAL ACCORDS

Made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 20 th day of July 2011

 

Between: KIBBUTZ SDOT YAM

Sdot Yam Business, Maintenance and Management Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.

CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Limited Partnership

Sdot Yam Plants Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd. (formerly CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.)

Kef-Yam Ltd.

Caesarea Doors Limited Partnership [in liquidation]

Members of Sdot Yam Ltd.

all of Kibbutz Sdot Yam

Telephone: 04-6109250; fax: 04-6361659

(Collectively: “Sdot Yam” )

of the one part;

 

And: CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD. Pvte. Co. 51-143950

of Kibbutz Sdot Yam

Telephone: 04-6109217; fax: 04-6364400

( “CaesarStone” )

of the other part;

 

WHEREAS: An agreement of principle was signed between the parties on October 21, 2010 ( “the Agreement of Principles” ); and

 

WHEREAS: According to the provisions of Clause 7.1 of the Agreement of Principles, the detailed agreements as same are defined in the Agreement of Principles were signed between the parties; and

 

WHEREAS: The parties wish to regulate between themselves a number of additional matters which do not find expression in the detailed agreements, and concurrent therewith to cancel the Agreement of Principles, as more fully described in this Agreement;

Now therefore it is declared, stipulated and agreed by the parties as follows:

 

1. Preamble

 

  1.1 The preamble to this Agreement constitutes an integral part hereof.

 

1


  1.2 Headings in this Agreement have been inserted solely for convenience and no use shall be made thereof in the interpretation of the Agreement.

 

2. Condition precedent

 

  2.1 It is agreed by the parties that this Agreement be subject to completion of the public offering as this term is defined below and the Agreement will come into force on the date of completion of offering, which will be deemed below to be: “the Date of Fulfillment of the Condition Precedent” .

 

  2.2 For the removal of doubt it is clarified that until the fulfillment of the condition precedent there will be no validity to this Agreement. If the condition precedent is not fulfilled by December 31, 2011, this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void in all respects as though it had never been signed.

 

  2.3 Completion of the public offering ” for purposes of this Agreement shall be deemed to be the date on which the Company receives the first moneys that will be raised by an initial public offering of the Company’s shares on a stock exchange in the USA (the NASDAQ or the NYSE).

 

3. Non-competition

It is agreed between the parties that as long as Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society or anyone on its behalf jointly hold more than 10% of the share capital of CaesarStone, such entities will not compete, directly or indirectly, with the field of activities of CaesarStone.

 

4. New lands in Israel

During a period 7 years commencing on October 21, 2010 and terminating on October 20, 2017, in a case in which CaesarStone wishes to purchase and/or take on leasehold and/or to take on as a lessee additional lands in the Bar-Lev Industrial Zone and/or anywhere else in Israel, in order to erect a plant and/or a new production line thereon ( “the New Land” ), the provisions set forth below will apply:

 

  4.1 Sdot Yam will, at its expense, purchase the New Land (instead of same being found by the parties jointly in accordance with the Company’s requirements), and it shall erect on the New Land, at its expense, the building (at reasonable timetables and in light of the Company’s needs), to the level of an envelope and the normal standards and according to definitions and needs of the Company in this regard.

 

  4.2 CaesarStone shall be the party which, at its expense, performs all the building construction and the necessary adjustments and adaptations for its specific needs (over and above the level of envelope).

 

2


  4.3 Sdot Yam will lease the New Land to CaesarStone (including the envelope building that will be erected on it as stated above), under a long-term lease at market conditions and prices.

 

  4.4 The remaining principles of the license / lease agreement that was signed by the parties in relation to the New Land will be similar in essence to the principles of the license / lease agreement that was signed between Sdot Yam and CaesarStone on March 31, 2011, in relation to the lands of the Bar-Lev Plant.

 

5. Agreement of principles

It is agreed between the parties that the agreement of principles dated October 21, 2010 is replaced by the detailed agreements and this Agreement, and therefore it is made null and void in all respects.

 

6. Miscellaneous

 

  6.1 Breaches of this Agreement shall be governed by the provisions of the Contracts Law (Remedies for Breach of Contract), 5731-1971. The parties agree that Clauses 3, 4, 5 and 6, including all the sub-clauses thereof, constitute basic and fundamental terms and conditions of this Agreement, the breach of which constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

 

  6.2 This Agreement, as also all the detailed agreements, has been approved by the board of directors of CaesarStone and a meeting of its shareholders.

 

  6.3 This Agreement, as also all the detailed agreements, is not intended to confer rights on any third parties.

 

  6.4 This Agreement embodies and expresses all the principles agreed upon between the parties on the subjects mentioned herein. No promises, accords, agreements, undertakings or representations, verbal or in writing, in regard to the subject matter of this agreement of principles, which were given and made by any of the parties prior to this Agreement being entered into, will be of any force and effect, and from the date of signing of this Agreement will be deemed to be null and void for all intents and purposes. For the removal of doubt it is clarified that nothing contained in this clause has the effect of derogating from and/or prejudicing the force and validity of any of the provisions in the detailed agreements.

 

  6.5 No alteration, amendment or addition to this Agreement will be of any force and effect, unless drawn up in writing under the signature of all the parties.

 

  6.6 The refraining from acting in a case or cases of a breach or breaches will not be deemed to be acquiescence or a waiver of the rights of a party to this Agreement, and no like inference shall be drawn therefrom in relation to similar instances or in relation to other instances.

 

3


  6.7 Any waiver, extension of time, indulgence or failure to exercise a right under this Agreement will be of force and effect only if drawn up in an express and signed document, and even then will apply only to the case specified in such document and will not derogate from other rights of any party under this Agreement.

 

7. Notices and addresses

The addresses of the parties are as set forth in the head of this Agreement of Principles (or any other address that may be given by one of the parties in writing to the other parties). Any notice sent by any party to another according to the aforesaid addresses will be deemed to have been received by the addressee: (a) if sent by registered mail — three (3) business days after the date of posting; (b) if sent by facsimile or by e-mail, one business day after the transmission, provided that the sending party has confirmation regarding transmission of the notice to the addressee.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

               
Kibbutz Sdot Yam       CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.
Sdot Yam Business Maintenance & Management       by Yosef Shiran and Yair Averbuch
Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.      
CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Limited Partnership      
Sdot Yam Plants Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.      
Kef-Yam Ltd.      
CaesarStone Doors Limited Partnerships [in liquidation]      
Members of Sdot Yam Ltd.      
represented by Maxim Ohana, Eitan Shahar and Marcelle Shani      

 

4

Exhibit 10.14

ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT FOR THE ARRANGEMENT OF

ADDITIONAL ACCORDS

DATED JULY 19, 2011 (“THE ADDENDUM”)

Made and entered into at Kibbutz Sdot Yam on the 13 th day of February 2012

 

Between:   KIBBUTZ SDOT YAM
 

SDOT YAM BUSINESS, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT

COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY LTD.

  CAESARSTONE QUARTZ SURFACES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 

SDOT YAM AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY ENTERPRISES LTD.

(formerly CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.)

  KEF-YAM LTD.
  CAESAREA DOORS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP [IN LIQUIDATION]
  MEMBERS OF SDOT YAM LTD.
  all of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  (Collectively: “Sdot Yam” )

of the one part ;

 

And:   CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 51-143950
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “CaesarStone” )

of the other part ;

 

WHEREAS   The parties entered into an agreement for arranging additional accords dated July 19, 2011, which is attached to this Agreement as Appendix A ( the Agreement ) ; and
WHEREAS   The parties wish to amend the provisions of the Agreement, as set forth in this Addendum;

Now therefore it is declared and agreed by the parties as follows:

 

1. This Addendum constitutes an integral part of the Agreement.

 

2. Clause 2.2 of the Agreement will be amended by inserting “December 31, 2012” in place of “December 31, 2011”.

 

3. Apart from the aforesaid amendment, all the provisions of the Agreement will continue to apply without any change whatsoever.


In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

Kibbutz Sdot Yam    CaesarStone Sdot Yam

Sdot Yam Business, Maintenance and Management

Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.

  
CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces Limited Partnership   
Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Enterprises Ltd. (formerly CaesarStone Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.)   
Kef Yam Ltd.   
Caesarea Doors Limited Partnership [in liquidation]   
Members of Sdot Yam Ltd.   
by          ( - )    by          ( - )
and        ( - )    and        ( - )

 

2

EXHIBIT 10.15

 

 

CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

DATED JULY              , 2011

 

 


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the              th day of July, 2011 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and among CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd ., an Israeli company (the “ Company ”), Kibbutz Sdot-Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd . (the “ Kibbutz ”) and the Tene entities listed on Schedule A hereof (“ Tene ”, and together with the Kibbutz, the “ Existing Shareholders ”).

WHEREAS , the Company and the Existing Shareholders are parties to that certain Investment Agreement, dated July 4, 2006 (the “ Investment Agreement ”), which among other things provides for certain registration rights of the Existing Shareholders, as described in Section 15.5 thereto; and

WHEREAS , the Company and the Existing Shareholders desire to set forth the registration rights in a separate and independent agreement that will replace and cancel the provisions of Section 15.5 of the Investment Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE , the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions . In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.

“Articles” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association in effect, as such may be amended from time to time.

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in The City of New York and in Israel.

Commission ” or “ SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

Disclosure Package ” means, with respect to any offering of securities, (i) the preliminary prospectus, (ii) each free writing prospectus and (iii) all other information, in each case, that is deemed, under Rule 159 promulgated under the Securities Act, to have been conveyed to purchasers of securities at the time of sale of such securities (including a contract of sale).

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Form F-3 ” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC that permits incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.

Holder ” means any holder of Registrable Securities who is a party to this Agreement.

“Initiating Holder” means the Holder (together with any of its affiliates that are Holders) who properly initiates a registration request under Section 2 or 3 of this Agreement.

 

1


IPO ” means the initial public offering of the Company’s Ordinary Shares including a sale of shares by the Existing Shareholders pursuant to an effective registration under the Securities Act

Majority Interest ” means the holders representing at least 50.1% of the voting power of the then issued and outstanding Registrable Securities, calculated on an as converted basis, voting as a single class.

Ordinary Shares ” means the Ordinary Shares, NIS 1.00 par value per share, of the Company.

“Preferred Shares” means the Preferred Shares, par value NIS 1.00 per share, of the Company.

Person ” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership or other incorporated entity.

Registrable Securities ” means any and all of the following: (i) Ordinary Shares held by the Kibbutz; (ii) any Ordinary Shares issuable or issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares held by Tene; (iii) any Ordinary Shares held by Tene or (iv) any Ordinary Shares issued and issuable with respect to any such shares described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above by way of a share dividend or share split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization; provided , however , that the following shall not be deemed Registrable Securities: (i) any Ordinary Shares sold in a registered sale pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (including Ordinary Shares sold in an IPO, including as part of the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) or sold pursuant to Rule 144 thereunder or that may be sold (as confirmed by an unqualified opinion to counsel of the Company) without restriction as to volume or otherwise pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act; (ii) shares sold in a transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned in accordance with the provisions herein; or (iii) Ordinary Shares acquired by the Kibbutz or Tene from a third party except in a transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are assigned in accordance with the provisions herein.

Registration Expenses ” means the expenses so described in Section 11 hereof.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act (or any comparable successor rules).

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions, and share transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder, except for the fees and disbursements of the selling Holder counsel borne and paid by the Company as provided in Section 11 .

2. Demand Registrations .

(a) Following the Closing of the IPO, but subject to the terms of any “lock-up agreement” entered into with an underwriter (unless waived by such underwriter), a Holder may request that the Company register under the Securities Act all or any portion of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder, having an anticipated aggregate offering price, net of Selling Expenses, of not less than US$5,000,000. Upon receipt of such request, the Company shall within seven (7) days deliver notice of such

 

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request to all Holders (the “Demand Notice ”), if any, who shall then have seven (7) days to notify the Company in writing of their desire to be included in such registration. If the request for registration contemplates an underwritten public offering, the Company shall state such in the written notice and in such event the right of any holder of Registrable Securities to participate in such registration shall be conditioned upon their participation in such underwritten public offering and the inclusion of their Registrable Securities in the underwritten public offering to the extent provided herein. Subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) below, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement as promptly as practicable, but not later than sixty (60) days after such Demand Notice (subject, however, to the Company’s independent auditors providing any required consent), and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to effect registration pursuant to a request of a Holder under this Section 2 : (i) more than two (2) times for each of the Kibbutz and Tene separately, (ii) during the period that is thirty (30) days before the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of a Company-initiated registration or Company Underwritten Offering (as defined below), provided, however, that the Company is actively employing reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be filed and to become effective or to cause such Company Underwritten Offering to be effected, and provided, further that nothing in this subparagraph (ii) shall derogate from the Company’s obligations under Section 5 hereof, (iii) during the period that is one hundred and eighty (180) days following the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration or Company Underwritten Offering, or (iv) if the Initiating Holder proposes to dispose of Registrable Securities that may be immediately registered on Form F-3 pursuant to a request made pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

(c) If the Company shall furnish to such Holders a letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors a Potential Material Event (as defined below) has occurred (a “ Management Letter ”), the Company’s obligation to use its reasonable best efforts to effect such registration under Section 2(c) shall be deferred from the date of receipt of the Management Letter until such Holders receive written notice from the Company that such Potential Material Event either has been disclosed to the public or no longer constitutes a Potential Material Event, such period not to exceed sixty (60) days, and any time periods with respect to filing or effectiveness thereof shall be tolled correspondingly. A registration will not count as a requested registration under this Section 2 until the registration statement relating to such registration has been declared effective by the Commission and the shares have been registered for trade.

For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Potential Material Event ” means any of the following: (a) the possession by the Company of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential, or (b) any significant acquisition, corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company which would, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors, be adversely affected by disclosure in a registration statement at such time.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, including the provisions of Section 2(a) or Section 3 , but subject to Section 2(e) below, if a requested registration under Section 2 or Section 3 involves an underwritten public offering and the managing underwriter(s) of such offering determine(s) that the number of securities sought to be offered should be limited due to market conditions, then the number of securities to be included in such underwritten public offering shall be reduced to a number deemed satisfactory by such managing underwriter with shares being excluded in the following sequence: (i)  first , all shares sought to be registered by the Company for its own account; and (ii)  second , all other Registrable Securities. If there is a reduction of the number of Registrable Securities, without limiting the preceding sentence, such reduction with respect to the selling Holders shall be made on a pro rata basis (based upon the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders and subject to the priorities set forth in the preceding sentence).

 

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(e) Notwithstanding Section 2(d) above, if the Company registers Registrable Securities at the request of a Holder pursuant to Section 2(a) above, then if the requested registration involves an underwritten public offering and the managing underwriter of such offering determines that the number of securities sought to be offered should be limited due to market conditions, then all the Registrable Securities held by Tene on such date, shall be first registered before all other securities. If the Registrable Securities held by Tene are registered based on the priority set forth in this Section 2(e) , then it shall be deemed as if Tene had been the Initiating Holder for purposes of such registration under Section 2(a) even if the request for registration under Section 2(a) had originally been initiated by the Kibbutz.

3. Form F-3 .

(a) At any time when the Company is eligible to use a Form F-3 registration statement, if the Company receives a request from a Holder that the Company file a Form F-3 registration statement with respect to outstanding Registrable Securities of such Holders having an anticipated aggregate offering price, net of Selling Expenses, of at least US$1,000,000, then the Company shall (i) within ten (10) days after the date such request is given, provide a Demand Notice to all Holders other than the Initiating Holders; and (ii) as soon as practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the date such request is given by the Initiating Holders, file such Form F-3 registration statement under the Securities Act covering all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holders, as specified by notice given by such Holder to the Company within fifteen (15) days of the date the Demand Notice is given, and in each case, subject to the limitations of Section 3(b) and Section 3(c) .

(b) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect promptly, subject to the provisions of Section 3(c) below, the registration of all shares on Form F-3 to the extent requested by such Holder or Holders; provided , however , that the provisions of Section 2(c) shall also apply to this Section 3 .

(c) The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to a request of a Holder under this Section 3 (i) more than two (2) times during any twelve (12)-month period, (ii) during the period that is thirty (30) days before the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of a Company-initiated registration or Company Underwritten Offering, provided, however, that the Company is actively employing in reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be filed and to become effective or to cause such Company Underwritten Offering to be effected and provided, further that nothing in this subparagraph (ii) shall derogate from the Company’s obligations under Section 5 hereof, or (iii) during the period that is ninety (90) days following the effective date of a Company-initiated registration or Company Underwritten Offering (as such period may be extended pursuant to FINRA Rule 2711(f) in connection with any such offering).

4. Underwriting Requirements .

(a) If, pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 , the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to the applicable Section, and the Company shall include such information in the Demand Notice. The underwriter(s) shall be selected by the Initiating Holders and shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. In such event (and in the event any Holder wants to participate pursuant to Section 5 in a Company registration of Ordinary Shares which the Company intends to distribute by means of an underwriting), the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company as provided in Section 6(g) ) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting.

 

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(b) For purposes of Sections 2 and 3 , a registration shall not be counted as “effected” if, as a result of an exercise of the underwriter’s cutback provisions in Section 2(d) or Section 2(e) , fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities the Initiating Holder requested to include in such registration statement are not actually included.

5. Piggyback Registration .

(a) If at any time the Company proposes to file (i) a prospectus supplement to an effective shelf registration statement, or (ii) a registration statement, other than a shelf registration statement for a delayed or continuous offering pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”), in either case, for the sale of Ordinary Shares for its own account to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public or in a “bought deal” or “registered direct offering” with one or more investment banks (collectively, a “ Company Underwritten Offering ”) then as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days prior to the filing of (x) any preliminary prospectus supplement relating to such Company Underwritten Offering pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, (y) the prospectus supplement relating to such Company Underwritten Offering pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (if no preliminary prospectus supplement is used) or (z) such registration statement, as the case may be, the Company shall give notice of such proposed Company Underwritten Offering to the Holders and such notice shall offer the Holders the opportunity to include in such Company Underwritten Offering such number of Registrable Securities (the “ Included Registrable Securities ”) as each such Holder may request in writing. The notice required to be provided in this Section 5(a) to Holders shall be provided on a Business Day and receipt of such notice shall be confirmed by such Holder. Each such Holder shall then have twenty (20) days after receiving such notice to request inclusion of Registrable Securities in the Company Underwritten Offering, except that such Holder shall have one (1) Business Day after such Holder confirms receipt of the notice to request inclusion of Registrable Securities in the Company Underwritten Offering in the case of a “bought deal”, “registered direct offering” or “overnight transaction” where no preliminary prospectus is used. If no request for inclusion from a Holder is received within the specified time, such Holder shall have no further right to participate in such Company Underwritten Offering.

(b) Unless the Company qualifies as a well-known seasoned issuer (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (a “ WKSI ”) (i) the Company shall give each Holder twenty (20) days notice prior to filing a Shelf Registration Statement and, upon the written request of any Holder, received within fifteen (15) days of such notice, the Company shall include in such Shelf Registration Statement a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included without naming the Holder as a selling shareholder and including only a generic description of the holder of such securities (“ Undesignated Registrable Securities ”), (ii) the Company shall not be required to give notice to any Holder in connection with a filing pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) unless such Holder provided such notice to the Company pursuant to this Section 5(b) and included Undesignated Registrable Securities in the Shelf Registration Statement related to such filing, and (iii) at the request of a Holder given more than thirty (30) days before the Company’s good faith estimate of a Company Underwritten Offering (or such shorter period to which the Company in its sole discretion consents), the Company shall file a post-effective amendment or, if available, a prospectus supplement to a Company Shelf Registration Statement to include such Undesignated Registrable Securities as any Holder may request, provided (x) that the Company is actively employing in reasonable best efforts to effect such Company Underwritten Offering, and (y) the Company shall not be required to effect a post-effective amendment more than twice in any 12-month period.

 

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(c) In connection with any Company Underwritten Offering conducted pursuant to this Section 5 , if the Company is advised by any managing underwriter of the Company’s securities being offered in such Company Underwritten Offering that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be sold by Persons other than the Company (collectively, the “ Selling Shareholders ”) is greater than the amount which can be offered without adversely affecting the offering, the Company may reduce the amount offered for the accounts of Selling Shareholders (including Selling Shareholders holding Registrable Securities) to a number (if any) deemed satisfactory by such managing underwriter with shares being excluded in the following sequence: (i)  first , all the Registrable Securities, provided that Tene shall be granted preferred registration rights over the other Holders such that it shall be permitted to include the number of Registrable Securities which reflect a ratio that assumes that Tene holds twice as many Registrable Securities as it actually holds in the event that market conditions require a limitation on the number of shares to be included. For the sake of clarity should Tene hold 10% of the Registrable Securities it shall be permitted pursuant to this Section 6(c)(i) to have included in the such Company Underwritten Offering an amount of Registrable Securities to reflect 20% of such Company Underwritten Offering, and (ii)  second , all shares sought to be registered by the Company for its own account. If there is a reduction of the number of Registrable Securities, without limiting the preceding sentence, such reduction with respect to the Selling Shareholders shall be made on a pro rata basis (based upon the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders and subject to the priorities set forth in the preceding sentence).

(d) The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration or Company Underwritten Offering initiated by it under this Section 5 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not the Holders have elected to include shares in such registration.

6. Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of any of the Holders under the Securities Act, the Company will, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to such securities, which form shall comply as to form with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the Commission to be filed therewith, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and, in the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2 or 3 , keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to one hundred and twenty (120) days or, if earlier, until the distribution contemplated in the registration statement has been completed;

(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;

(c) furnish to each selling Holder whose Registrable Shares are being registered such number of copies of such registration statement, any amendments thereto, any documents incorporated by reference therein, the prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such selling Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such selling Holder and covered by the registration;

(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under the securities or state “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as each selling Holder may reasonably request; provided that the Company shall not be required to register or qualify the securities in any such states or jurisdictions which require it to qualify to do business, subject itself to taxation or consent to general service of process therein;

 

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(e) within a reasonable time before each filing of the registration statement or prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto with the Commission, upon request of the Holders furnish to counsel selected by the Holders copies of such documents proposed to be filed;

(f) make available to each selling Holder, any managing underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent or representative retained by the selling Holders or underwriter (collectively, the “ Inspectors ”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “ Records ”), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement, in each case, as necessary or advisable to verify the accuracy of the information in such registration statement and to conduct appropriate due diligence in connection therewith, subject, in each case, to such confidentiality agreements as the Company shall reasonably request;

(g) enter into any reasonable underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, required by the proposed managing underwriter or underwriter(s) for the selling Holders; each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement;

(h) cause the securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on the securities exchange or quoted on the quotation system on which the similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or quoted (or, if the Ordinary Shares are not yet listed or quoted, then on such exchange or quotation system as the selling Holders and the Company shall determine);

(i) appoint a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(j) notify each selling Holder, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such registration statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed; and

(k) after such registration statement becomes effective, notify each selling Holder of any request by the SEC that the Company amend or supplement such registration statement or prospectus.

7. Termination of Registration Rights . The right of any Holder to request registration or inclusion of Registrable Securities in any registration pursuant to Sections 2 , 3 , 4 or 5 shall terminate upon the lapse of seven (7) years from the date of the Company’s IPO or when all of such Holder’s Registrable Securities could be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

8. Lock-Up Agreements . The Company and each Holder hereby agree that if requested by the managing underwriter(s), the Company and such Holder will enter into a customary “lock-up agreement” with the managing underwriter(s) pursuant to which the Company and such Holder will agree not to sell or transfer any securities or any interest in securities of the Company during a period of up to one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date of the final prospectus related to the Company’s IPO and ninety (90) days following the date of the final prospectus related to any offering conducted pursuant to Section 2 , 3 or 5 hereof, subject to extension in connection with any earnings release or other release of material information pursuant to FINRA Rule 2711(f) to the extent applicable . In addition, no Holder may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such person (a) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any customary underwriting agreement and (b) provides any relevant information and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

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9. Confidentiality . Each Holder agrees that any information obtained pursuant to (x) the provisions of this Agreement or (y) that certain Management Letter issued to the Holder, if applicable, on even date herewith, will be held in strict confidence, will not be disclosed or exposed to any person or entity without the prior written consent of the Company and will not be used for any purpose, other than with respect to exercise of such Holder’s rights as a shareholder in the Company; unless such confidential information (a) is known or becomes known to the public in general, (b) is or has been independently developed or conceived by such Holder without use of the Company’s confidential information, or (c) is or has been made known or disclosed to such Holder by a third party without a breach of any obligation of confidentiality such third party may have to the Company and without any restrictions as to its disclosure; provided , however , that such Holder may disclose confidential information (i) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants, principals and officers and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring its investment in the Company, if such persons are bound by confidentially provisions; (ii) to any partner, member, or shareholder of such Holder in the framework of reports to such partner, member, or shareholder in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Holder informs such Person that such information is confidential and directs such Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information and such Holder is responsible for any breach of the provisions of this paragraph; or (iii) as may otherwise be required by law, provided that such Holder promptly notifies the Company of such disclosure and takes reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure.

10. Delay of Registration . No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any registration pursuant to this Agreement as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of Sections 2 , 3 , 4 or 5 .

11. Expenses . All expenses incurred in effecting a registration provided for in Sections 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 , including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and for one U.S. counsel and one Israeli counsel (together, the “ Selling Special Counsel ”) for the Holders participating in such registration as a group (selected by a majority in interest of the Holders participating in the registration), underwriting expenses (other than share transfer taxes, underwritten discounts or commissions), expenses of any audits incident to or required by any such registration (all of such expenses referred to collectively, as the “ Registration Expenses ”), shall be paid by the Company. All underwriting discounts, selling commissions, and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder (except for the Selling Special Counsel) relating to Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne and paid by the Holders, pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities registered on their behalf.

12. Furnish Information . It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that such Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as is reasonably required to effect the registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities.

13. Indemnification .

(a) Incident to any registration statement referred to in this Agreement, and subject to applicable law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each selling Holder that are included in the registration and the partners, and the shareholders, partners, directors, officers, employee, agents, and legal

 

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counsel and accountants for each such Holder, and each person who controls such Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (a “ Controlling Person ”), from and against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages or liabilities, joint or several (including any investigation, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted), as the same are incurred to which they, or any of them, may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law, or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, expenses, damages or liabilities (or action in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act (including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus or the Disclosure Package), (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, any state securities or “blue sky” laws or any rule or regulation thereunder in connection with such registration. The Company shall not be liable to any indemnified party, however , in any such case, to the extent that any such liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, preliminary or final prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an indemnified party specifically for use therein.

(b) Subject to applicable law, each selling Holder included in such registration being effected shall, severally and jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company (including its directors and officers, employees and agents), legal counsel and accountants of the Company, any other selling Holder included in such registration, and each person who controls the Company or such other Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities, joint or several, to which they, or any of them, may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law, or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act (including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus or the Disclosure Package), (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in the case of both (i) and (ii) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in such registration statement, preliminary or final prospectus, amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus or the Disclosure Package, in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such selling Holder specifically for use therein. In no event, however, shall the liability of any selling Holder for indemnification under this Section 13 in its capacity as a seller of Registrable Securities exceed the amount equal to the gross proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) to such selling Holder of the securities sold in any such registration, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such selling Holder.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 13 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 13 , notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent such action and such failure results in material prejudice to the indemnifying party and forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be

 

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entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, except as provided in the next sentence, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election to so assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s rights in the prior sentence, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ its own counsel (and one local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. No indemnifying party shall, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general circumstances or allegations, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties. An indemnifying party shall not be liable under this Section 13 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by such indemnifying party. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or compromise unless such settlement or compromise (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 13 for any reason is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under this Section 13 , in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and the selling Holders in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the selling Holders 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 or the selling Holders and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) The Company, the selling Holders and the underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 13 were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. In no event, however, shall a selling Holder be required to contribute any amount under this Section 13(e) in excess of the gross proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) received by such selling Holder from its sale of Registrable Securities under such registration statement, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such selling Holder. No Person found 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 found guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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(f) The indemnification and contribution provided for in this Section 13 will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified parties or any officer, director, employee, agent or controlling person of the indemnified parties.

14. Compliance with Rule 144 . In the event that the Company (a) registers a class of securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, or (b) shall commence to file reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts thereafter to file with the Commission such information as is required under the Exchange Act for so long as there are Holders (and at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements); and at all times from and after ninety (90) days following the effective date of the first registration filed by the Company for the IPO, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to take all action as may be required as a condition to the availability of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon request a written statement executed by the Company as to the steps it has taken to comply with the current public information requirement of Rule 144 (or such comparable successor rules) (at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements).

15. Amendments . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only with the written consent of the Company and the Majority Interest (which shall also include the consent of each of the Kibbbutz or Tene, respectively, for so long as either of them hold at least 20% of the outstanding Registrable Securities). Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 15 shall be binding on all parties hereto, regardless of whether any such party has consented thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any right granted specifically to Tene may not be amended or terminated and the observance of such right may not be waived without, in addition to the requirement set forth in this Section 15 , the written consent of Tene.

16. Transferability of Registration Rights . The registration rights contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto, provided , however , that registration rights conferred herein on the Holders hereunder shall only inure to the benefit of a transferee of Registrable Securities if (i) duly transferred in accordance with the Company’s Articles, (ii) immediately after such assignment or other transfer, such transferee will hold ten thousand (10,000) Registrable Securities (subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization affecting such shares), and (iii) each subsequent Holder agrees in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement in order to acquire the rights granted pursuant hereto.

17. Effectiveness . Upon effectiveness this Agreement, Section 15.5 of the Investment Agreement shall be terminated and shall be considered null and void, with no further action to be taken by any party to such agreement. This Agreement and all rights and obligations set forth herein shall become effective upon the closing of an IPO, provided that such closing of an IPO shall occur on or before 31.12.2011. For the removal of doubt in the event that the closing of an IPO shall not occur on or before 31.12.2011 this Agreement shall be considered null and void and treated as if it was never entered into by the parties hereto and the provisions of Section 15.5 of the Investment Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

18. Miscellaneous .

(a) All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt or: (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b), if sent by electronic mail or facsimile (with electronic confirmation

 

11


of receipt) on the recipient’s next Business Day, (c) five (5) Business Days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) two (2) Business Days after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next Business Day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their address as set forth in the signature page, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 18 .

(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Israel, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. Any dispute arising under or in relation to this Agreement shall be resolved exclusively in the competent court for Tel Aviv-Jaffa district, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court.

(c) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(d) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision and shall not in any manner affect or render illegal, invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

(d) This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matters hereof and supersedes all prior agreements (including Section 15.5 of the Investment Agreement), understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

12


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY
CAESARSTONE SDOT-YAM LTD.
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

Address :

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam,

MP Menashe, Israel 38805

Facsimile: +972-4- 636-4400

Attention: Joseph Shiran, CEO

EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS

 

KIBBUTZ SDOT YAM     TENE SURFACES INVESTMENTS
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE     LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
SOCIETY LTD.    
    TENE QUARTZ SURFACES
    INVESTMENTS (PARALLEL)
    LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By:          
Name:          
Title:          
      By:    
      Name:    
      Title:    
Address :      
_______________,      
__________________, Israel      
Facsimile: +972-__- ____-________     Address :
Attention: _____________________     _______________,
    ___________________, Israel
    Facsimile: +972-__- ____-________
    Attention:    

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Schedule A

Tene Entities

 

   

Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments Limited Partnership

 

   

Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments (Parallel) Limited Partnership

 

14


Exhibit 10.16

Extension of Registration Rights Agreement dated July 21, 2011

THIS EXTENTION is made as of the 13th day of February, 2012

By and Among:                

(1) CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD, an Israeli Company (the “ Company ”)

(2) Kibbutz Sdot Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. (the “ Kibbutz ”); and

(3) The Tene entities listed below

(“ Tene ” and together with the Kibbutz, the “ Existing Shareholders ”)

Recitals:        

WHEREAS, the Company, the Kibbutz and Tene are parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated July 21, 2011 (the “ Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the effectiveness of the Agreement is subject to the closing of an IPO (as such term is defined in the Agreement) prior to December 31, 2011;

WHEREAS, the parties wish to extend the term of the aforementioned suspension condition until December 31, 2012, pursuant to the terms of this Extension set forth below;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Notwithstanding Section 17 to the Agreement, the Agreement shall become effective upon the closing of an IPO before December 31, 2012, and shall not be considered void prior thereto.

 

2. Pursuant to Section 1 above, Section 17 to the Agreement shall be amended, so that references to “December 31, 2011”, shall be deleted replaced with “December 31, 2012”.

 

3. Except as specifically amended herein, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and with the same force and effect as prior to the date of this Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Extension has been executed by the parties as of the date set forth above.

 

 

Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd
By:
Name:
Title:

 

Kibbutz Sdot Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd.
By:
Name:
Title:


 

 

Tene Surfaces Investments Limited Partnership
Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments (Parallel) Limited Partnership
By:
Name:
Title:

Exhibit 10.16

Extension of Registration Rights Agreement dated July 21, 2011

THIS EXTENTION is made as of the 13th day of February, 2012

By and Among:

 

(1) CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD, an Israeli Company (the “ Company ”)

 

(2) Kibbutz Sdot Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. (the “ Kibbutz ”); and

 

(3) The Tene entities listed below

(“ Tene ” and together with the Kibbutz, the “ Existing Shareholders ”)

Recitals:

 

WHEREAS,   the Company, the Kibbutz and Tene are parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated July 21, 2011 (the “ Agreement ”); and
WHEREAS,   the effectiveness of the Agreement is subject to the closing of an IPO (as such term is defined in the Agreement) prior to December 31, 2011;
WHEREAS,   the parties wish to extend the term of the aforementioned suspension condition until December 31, 2012, pursuant to the terms of this Extension set forth below;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Notwithstanding Section 17 to the Agreement, the Agreement shall become effective upon the closing of an IPO before December 31, 2012, and shall not be considered void prior thereto.

 

2. Pursuant to Section 1 above, Section 17 to the Agreement shall be amended, so that references to “December 31, 2011”, shall be deleted replaced with “December 31, 2012”.

 

3. Except as specifically amended herein, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and with the same force and effect as prior to the date of this Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Extension has been executed by the parties as of the date set forth above.

 

 

Caesarstone Sdot Yam Ltd
By:
Name:
Title:

 

 

Kibbutz Sdot Yam Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd.
By:
Name:
Title:


 

Tene Surfaces Investments Limited Partnership
Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments (Parallel) Limited Partnership
By:
Name:
Title:

EXHIBIT 10.17

TENE NON-COMPETE COMMITMENT

July 18, 2011

To

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

We hereby undertake that as long as we hold, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of your share capital, we will not compete, directly or indirectly, with the field of your activities.

This undertaking will become effective on and subject to the completion of an IPO by you before December 31, 2011.

 

In witness hereof we have hereunto signed:

 

Tene Kibbutz Investments Management Ltd

 

Tene Investment In Quartz Surfaces LLP

 

Tene Investment In Quartz Surfaces B. (Parallel) LLP

 

1

Exhibit 10.18

February 7, 2012

To

CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

Further to our letter of July 18, 2011, which is attached hereto as Appendix A ( “the Letter of Undertaking” ), we wish to amend the second paragraph in a manner that instead of “December 31, 2011” the words “December 31, 2012” shall be substituted.

Apart from the aforesaid amendment, all the provisions of the Letter of Undertaking will continue to apply without any change whatsoever.

In witness whereof we have hereunto signed:

Tene Management of Investment in Kibutzim Ltd

Tene Surfaces Investments Limited Partnership

Tene Quartz Surfaces Investments (Parallel) Limited Partnership

Exhibit 10.19

ARRANGEMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES IN RESPECT OF

BUILDING WORKS AT SDOT YAM

Made and entered into on the 4 th day of January 2012

 

Between:   SDOT YAM AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 57-0003509
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Kibbutz” )

of the one part;

 

And:   CAESARSTONE SDOT YAM LTD.
  Pvte. Co. 51-1439507
  of Kibbutz Sdot Yam
  ( “the Company” )

of the other part;

 

WHEREAS:    The Company holds a right of use of land at Sdot Yam and in the buildings which stand on the land (hereinafter: “the Land” ), pursuant to a license agreement dated January 1, 2001 which was amended on December 25, 2006, and which would be replaced by a license agreement dated June 20, 2011 (hereinafter: “the 2011 License Agreement” ) if a public offering of the Company’s shares were to be completed by December 31, 2012 ( “Completion of the Public Offering” ); and
WHEREAS:    The Land, as same stood on July 20, 2011 (in relation to which the right of license was regulated pursuant to the 2011 License Agreement, including payments of user fees), also contains building construction which was performed for purposes of the MBD project and an asphalt-laying project in the area for storage of gondolas ( “the MBD Project” and “the Gondolas Project” respectively); and
WHEREAS:    The user fees which the Company pays the Kibbutz as at the year 2011 for the Land also includes user fees for the MBD Project and for the Gondolas Project; and
WHEREAS:    Further to the agreements between the parties, the parties wish to regulate between themselves the refund of expenses the Company had in connection with constructing the envelope for the MBD Project and the Gondolas Project;

Now therefore it is agreed, stipulated and declared by the parties as follows:

 

1.

It is hereby agreed between the parties that the amount of the expenses which the Kibbutz is obliged to refund to the Company in respect of the MBD Project is a sum of NIS 725,006 ( “the MBD Expenses” ). It is agreed that the MBD Expenses will be refunded by the


  Kibbutz to the Company by way of a set-off against the user fees which the Company will pay the Kibbutz in respect of the Land, as same shall apply from time to time in accordance with the agreements between the parties, with this being in a sum of NIS 82,901 per annum over a period of 8.75 years commencing from January 1, 2012.

 

2. It is hereby agreed between the parties that the amount of the expenses in connection with the Gondolas Project which the Kibbutz is obliged to repay to the Company is a sum of NIS 172,000 ( “the Gondolas Expenses” ). It is agreed that the Gondolas Expenses will be repaid to the Company by the Kibbutz by way of a set-off against the user fees which the Company will pay the Kibbutz in respect of the Land, as same may apply from time to time in accordance with the agreements between the parties, over a period of 4 years commencing from January 1, 2012, with this being in a sum of NIS 43,000 per annum.

 

3. It is clarified that if there is a contradiction between this arrangement and the provisions of Clauses 10.1 and/or 14.3 of the 2011 License Agreement (to the extent that the 2011 License Agreement comes into force), the provisions of this arrangement shall take precedence and shall prevail.

 

4. It is agreed between the parties that this arrangement is binding on the parties from the date of the signing hereof by them, without any condition precedent, including completion of the public offering.

In witness whereof the parties have hereunto signed:

 

Sdot Yam Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd.    CaesarStone Sdot Yam Ltd.

Signature:        Kibbutz Sdot Yam Farm

                                         ( - )      ( - )

   Signature:        ( - )      ( - )
By:            Marcella Shani and Eitan Shachar    By:          Yair Orbon / Yossi Shiran
Position:  Treasurer        +        Farm Manager    Position: CFO            CEO
Date:                 December 31, 2011    Date:                    January 25, 2012

 

2

EXHIBIT 21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

     Jurisdiction of

NAME

  

Incorporation/Organization

Caesarstone Australia PTY Limited

   Australia

Caesarstone South East Asia PTE LTD

   Singapore

Caesarstone Canada Inc.

   Canada

Caesarstone USA, Inc.

   United States

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated February 16, 2012 in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 and related Prospectus of Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. dated February 16, 2012.

 

  /s/ Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer
 

By: Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer

 

A Member of Ernst & Young Global

Haifa, Israel

February 16, 2012

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated February 6, 2012, with respect to the financial statements of Caesarstone Australia Pty Ltd included in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 and related Prospectus of Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. dated February 15, 2012.

 

/s/ Grant Thornton Australia Ltd
By: Grant Thornton Australia Ltd

Melbourne, Australia

February 15, 2012

EXHIBIT 23.4

LOGO

July 6, 2011

**Via Email**

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.

Kibbutz Sdot-Yam

MP Menashe, 37804

Israel

CONSENT OF FREEDONIA CUSTOM RESEARCH, INC.

Freedonia Custom Research, Inc. (“Freedonia”) hereby consents to the references to Freedonia’s name in CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd.’s (the “Company”) Registration Statement on Form F-1 (as may be amended or supplemented) to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”) and the quotation by the Company in the Registration Statement of research data, information, charts and graphs from Freedonia’s report prepared on behalf of the Company. Freedonia also hereby consents to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

FREEDONIA CUSTOM RESEARCH, INC.
By:   /s/ Andrew W. Fauver
 

Andrew W. Fauver

President

July 6, 2011

Freedonia Custom Research, Inc. 767 Beta Drive Cleveland, Ohio 44143

Toll Free: (US) 800.927.5900 International: 440.684.9600 Fax: 440.646.0484

Web: www.freedoniagroup.com • E-mail: info@freedoniagroup.com

EXHIBIT 23.5

CONSENT

We hereby consent to the reference in the registration statement on Form F-1 of the Company and any amendments thereto to (i) our firm’s name, (ii) our reports relating to the valuation as of December 31, 2007, December 31, 2008, September 30, 2009 and December 25, 2009 of the preferred share option granted to Tene Investment Funds on December 26, 2006, and (iii) our reports relating to the valuation as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 of the share-based award granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 1, 2009.

Very truly yours,

LAOR CONSULTING AND INVESTMENTS LTD.
/s/ Laor Consulting and Investments Ltd.

Elykhin, Israel

June 14, 2011

EXHIBIT 23.6

CONSENT

We hereby consent to the reference in the registration statement on Form F-1 of the Company and any amendments thereto to (i) our firm’s name, and (ii) our report relating to the valuation as of December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2009 of the share-based award granted to the former chief executive officer of the Company’s Australian subsidiary, CaesarStone Australia Pty Limited, on March 31, 2008.

Very truly yours,

Variance Economic Consulting Ltd.
/s/ Variance Economic Consulting Ltd.

January 4, 2011

Ramat Gan, Israel

Exhibit 99.1

Consent of Director Nominee

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. (the “Company”) has filed a Registration Statement on Form F-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering of its ordinary shares. In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named and described as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in such Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time and to the filing or attachment of this consent with such Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

   
      /s/ Irit Ben-Dov
      Irit Ben-Dov
     

November 21, 2011

Exhibit 99.2

Consent of Director Nominee

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. (the “Company”) has filed a Registration Statement on Form F-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering of its ordinary shares. In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named and described as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in such Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time and to the filing or attachment of this consent with such Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

   
      /s/ Ofer Borovsky
      Ofer Borovsky
     

November 17, 2011