Table of Contents

 

 

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2013

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 0-7977

 

 

NORDSON CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Ohio   34-0590250
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

28601 Clemens Road

Westlake, Ohio

  44145
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(440) 892-1580

(Telephone Number)

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

Common Shares, without par value

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

None

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Shares, without par value, as of July 31, 2013: 64,223,928

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     3   

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

     3   

C ONDENSED C ONSOLIDATED S TATEMENTS OF I NCOME

     3   

C ONDENSED C ONSOLIDATED S TATEMENTS OF C OMPREHENSIVE I NCOME

     4   

C ONDENSED C ONSOLIDATED B ALANCE S HEETS

     5   

C ONDENSED C ONSOLIDATED S TATEMENT OF C ASH F LOWS

     6   

N OTES TO C ONDENSED C ONSOLIDATED F INANCIAL S TATEMENTS

     7   

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     20   

Overview

     20   

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     20   

Results of Operations

     21   

Financial Condition

     24   

Outlook

     26   

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     26   

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     27   

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

     27   

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     27   

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

     27   

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

     28   

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

     28   

SIGNATURES

     29   

CERTIFICATIONS

  

 

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Nordson Corporation

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

(In thousands, except for per share data)

        

Sales

   $ 402,960      $ 379,872      $ 1,132,103      $ 970,901   

Operating costs and expenses:

        

Cost of sales

     177,877        156,658        492,853        386,645   

Cost of sales—restructuring

     —          —          —          2,040   

Selling and administrative expenses

     131,544        124,555        401,241        347,666   

Severance and restructuring

     323        121        1,027        2,668   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     309,744        281,334        895,121        739,019   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     93,216        98,538        236,982        231,882   

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     (3,353     (2,796     (11,045     (6,925

Interest and investment income

     112        109        304        375   

Other—net

     2,699       (716 )     934       413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (542 )     (3,403 )     (9,807 )     (6,137
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     92,674        95,135        227,175        225,745   

Income taxes

     27,250       28,441       65,135       68,602   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 65,424     $ 66,694     $ 162,040     $ 157,143   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average common shares

     64,137        64,029        64,242        64,507   

Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, nonvested stock, and deferred stock-based compensation

     717       696       681       670   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average common shares and common share equivalents

     64,854       64,725       64,923       65,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.02     $ 1.04     $ 2.52     $ 2.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.01     $ 1.03     $ 2.50     $ 2.41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.15     $ 0.125     $ 0.45     $ 0.375   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nordson Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

(In thousands)

        

Net income

   $ 65,424     $ 66,694      $ 162,040     $ 157,143   

Components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (5,133 )     (14,451     (9,716 )     (21,513

Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses

     2,687       2,153        8,213       7,038   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive loss

     (2,446 )     (12,298     (1,503 )     (14,475
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

   $ 62,978     $ 54,396      $ 160,537     $ 142,668   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nordson Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     July 31, 2013     October 31, 2012  

(In thousands)

    

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 75,368      $ 41,239   

Marketable securities

     —          279   

Receivables - net

     295,074        324,563   

Inventories - net

     183,855        169,585   

Deferred income taxes

     31,608        29,929   

Prepaid expenses

     22,979        21,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     608,884        586,623   

Property, plant and equipment - net

     189,180        174,931   

Goodwill

     818,160        812,817   

Intangible assets - net

     210,344        227,891   

Other assets

     28,112        27,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,854,680      $ 1,829,515   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Notes payable

   $ 5,083      $ 50,001   

Accounts payable

     60,558        62,869   

Income taxes payable

     21,023        27,354   

Accrued liabilities

     104,358        121,950   

Customer advanced payments

     20,539        20,894   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     5,668        55,668   

Current obligations under capital leases

     5,173        4,948   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     222,402        343,684   

Long-term debt

     548,232        528,041   

Deferred income taxes

     38,141        26,159   

Pension obligations

     153,142        161,399   

Postretirement obligations

     70,765        69,851   

Other long-term liabilities

     32,356        30,611   

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common shares

     12,253        12,253   

Capital in excess of stated value

     299,128        287,581   

Retained earnings

     1,314,356        1,181,245   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (105,729     (104,226

Common shares in treasury, at cost

     (730,366     (707,083
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     789,642        669,770   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,854,680      $ 1,829,515   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nordson Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

Nine Months Ended

   July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

(In thousands)

    

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 162,040      $ 157,143   

Depreciation and amortization

     39,555        25,519   

Non-cash stock compensation

     8,779        7,675   

Deferred income taxes

     4,186        3,512   

Other non-cash expense

     1,626        1,231   

(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

     (1,886     365   

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

     (3,192     (1,248

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     (16,524     (16,622
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     194,584        177,575   

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (34,569     (21,550

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     3,760        1,229   

Proceeds from sale of product lines

     —          2,213   

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

     (1,231     (405,202

Investment in equity affiliate

     (1,116     —     

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

     277        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (32,879     (423,310

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

     5,033        250,000   

Repayment of short-term borrowings

     (50,000     (200,031

Proceeds from long-term debt

     118,925        372,975   

Repayment of long-term debt

     (148,734     (48,456

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (3,995     (3,634

Issuance of common shares

     5,124        3,191   

Purchase of treasury shares

     (28,831     (86,982

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

     3,192        1,248   

Dividends paid

     (28,930     (24,189
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (128,216     264,122   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     640        (2,156
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     34,129        16,231   

Cash and cash equivalents:

    

Beginning of year

     41,239        37,408   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of quarter

   $ 75,368      $ 53,639   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nordson Corporation

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

July 31, 2013

NOTE REGARDING AMOUNTS AND FISCAL YEAR REFERENCES

In this quarterly report, all amounts related to United States dollars and foreign currency and to the number of Nordson Corporation’s common shares, except for per share earnings and dividend amounts, are expressed in thousands.

Unless otherwise noted, all references to years relate to our fiscal year ending October 31.

 

1.   Significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation . The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012.

Basis of consolidation . The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50% or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

Revenue recognition . Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.

A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements. Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available. Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price (BESP) is used if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, and, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory. Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet. Revenues deferred in 2013 and 2012 were not material.

Earnings per share . Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as nonvested (restricted) stock and deferred stock-based compensation. Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, and the three months ended July 31, 2012, no options for common shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the nine months ended July 31, 2012, the number of options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share was 100. Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, executive officers and selected other key employees receive common share awards based on corporate performance measures over three-year performance periods. Awards for which performance measures have not been met were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

 

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Nordson Corporation

 

2.   Recently issued accounting standards

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance amending the way companies test for goodwill impairment. Companies will have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine the existence of events or circumstances that lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, companies determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. This guidance is effective for us beginning in 2013. Adoption of this guidance could change our annual process for goodwill impairment testing, but will not impact the financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) requiring new disclosures for reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income. Companies are required to present these disclosures either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. This guidance is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2014, with early adoption permitted. It will only be a change in disclosure, so we do not believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

3.   Acquisitions

2013 acquisition

On November 8, 2012, we purchased certain assets of Kodama Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., a Japanese licensed distributor of EDI Holdings, Inc, (EDI), which we acquired in 2012. This operation provides die sales to extrusion processors, web converters, and OEMs in Japan and Taiwan and carries out final manufacturing steps on new equipment to enhance die performance and accommodate local requirements. The acquisition date fair value was $1,335, which consisted of cash transferred of $1,231 and a holdback liability of $104. Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, identifiable intangible assets of $912 were recorded. The identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of $847 of customer relationships that are being amortized over 9 years and $65 of technology being amortized over 9 years. This operation is being reported in our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment. Assuming this acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2012, pro-forma results would not have been materially different.

2012 acquisitions

On June 14, 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of EDI, a provider of slot coating and flat polymer extrusion dies for plastic processors and web converters headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. EDI is being reported in our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment.

On June 21, 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Xaloy Superior Holdings, Inc. (Xaloy), a manufacturer of melt delivery components for injection and extrusion machinery in the global plastic processing industry headquartered in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Xaloy is being reported in our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment.

On August 1, 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc. (SEE), a manufacturer of precision dispense systems and fluid dispense valves headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan. SEE is being reported in our Industrial Coating Systems segment.

The total purchase price of these acquisitions was allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon management’s estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. To the extent the purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, such excess was allocated to goodwill. The following table summarizes the combined purchase price allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the transaction dates.

 

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Nordson Corporation

 

Estimated fair market values:       

Current assets

   $ 70,391   

Non-current assets

     58,275   

Intangible assets subject to amortization

     122,216   

Goodwill

     271,501   

Current liabilities

     (31,426

Non-current liabilities

     (34,059
  

 

 

 
     456,898   
Less cash acquired      (8,403
  

 

 

 

Purchase price

   $     448,495   
  

 

 

 

The intangible assets consist of customer lists of $48,350, which are being amortized over a weighted average life of 9 years; technology assets of $25,740 which are being amortized over a weighted average life of 15 years; trade names of $43,710 which are being amortized over a weighted average life of 15 years; and non-compete agreements of $4,416, which are being amortized over a weighted average life of 2 years. The goodwill of $24,058 associated with the SEE acquisition is tax deductible, while none of the goodwill associated with the EDI and Xaloy acquisitions is tax deductible.

 

4.   Inventories

At July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, inventories consisted of the following:

 

     July 31, 2013     October 31, 2012  

Raw materials and component parts

   $ 72,858      $ 71,189   

Work-in-process

     26,697        22,159   

Finished goods

     113,397        103,552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     212,952        196,900   

Obsolescence and other reserves

     (22,381     (20,505

LIFO reserve

     (6,716     (6,810
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Inventories—net

   $ 183,855      $ 169,585   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Nordson Corporation

 

5.   Goodwill and other intangible assets

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 by operating segment are as follows:

 

     Adhesive
Dispensing
Systems
     Advanced
Technology
Systems
     Industrial
Coating
Systems
     Total  

Balance at October 31, 2012

   $ 284,411       $ 505,159       $ 23,247       $ 812,817   

Adjustments

     4,013         —           811         4,824   

Currency effect

     288         231         —           519   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at July 31, 2013

   $ 288,712       $ 505,390       $ 24,058       $ 818,160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The adjustments to goodwill for the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment resulted from changes to the purchase price and finalization of the purchase price allocations of EDI and Xaloy. The adjustments to goodwill for the Industrial Coating Systems segment resulted from changes to the purchase price and finalization of the purchase price allocation of SEE.

Accumulated impairment losses, which were recorded in 2009, were $232,789 at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012. Of these losses, $229,173 related to the Advanced Technology Systems segment, and $3,616 related to the Industrial Coating Systems segment.

Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:

 

     July 31, 2013  
     Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net Book
Value
 

Customer relationships

   $ 125,842       $ 25,481       $ 100,361   

Patent/technology costs

     68,164         19,295         48,869   

Trade name

     65,795         6,768         59,027   

Non-compete agreements

     9,383         7,635         1,748   

Other

     1,393         1,054         339   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 270,577       $ 60,233       $ 210,344   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       October 31, 2012  
     Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net Book
Value
 

Customer relationships

   $ 126,086       $ 18,167       $ 107,919   

Patent/technology costs

     68,892         15,678         53,214   

Trade name

     65,911         3,716         62,195   

Non-compete agreements

     9,337         5,234         4,103   

Other

     1,432         972         460   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 271,658       $ 43,767       $ 227,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization expense for the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $5,550 and $3,506, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $17,034 and $8,850, respectively.

 

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Nordson Corporation

 

6.   Pension and other postretirement plans

The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 were:

 

     U.S.     International  

Three months ended

   July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

Service cost

   $ 2,070      $ 2,095      $ 516      $ 372   

Interest cost

     3,057        3,148        709        738   

Expected return on plan assets

     (3,737     (3,683     (373     (381

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

     38        (76     (19     (25

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     3,431        3,504        347        139   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefit cost

   $ 4,859      $ 4,988      $ 1,180      $ 843   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     U.S.     International  

Nine months ended

   July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

Service cost

   $ 6,692      $ 5,578      $ 1,586      $ 1,127   

Interest cost

     9,235        9,013        2,147        2,255   

Expected return on plan assets

     (11,401     (11,082     (1,133     (1,157

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

     117        257        (62     (73

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     10,496        8,756        1,049        422   

Settlement loss

     —          682        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefit cost

   $ 15,139      $ 13,204      $ 3,587      $ 2,574   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the nine months ended July 31, 2012, net periodic pension cost included a settlement loss of $682 as a result of the termination of a U.S. pension plan.

The components of other postretirement benefit cost were:

 

     U.S.     International  

Three months ended

   July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

Service cost

   $ 187      $ 159      $ 8      $ 7   

Interest cost

     592        425        10        11   

Amortization of prior service credit

     (118     (146     —          —     

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     477        2        (1     (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefit cost

   $ 1,138      $ 440      $ 17      $ 14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     U.S.     International  

Nine months ended

   July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

Service cost

   $ 859      $ 887      $ 26      $ 21   

Interest cost

     1,948        2,069        29        31   

Amortization of prior service credit

     (355     (438     —          —     

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     1,584        1,342        (3     (11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefit cost

   $ 4,036      $ 3,860      $ 52      $ 41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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7.   Income taxes

We record our interim provision for income taxes based on our estimated annual effective tax rate, as well as certain items discrete to the current period. The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2013 were 29.4% and 28.7%, respectively.

During the three months ending July 31, 2013, we recorded a favorable provision to return adjustment related to 2012 that reduced income taxes by $430; additionally, we recorded a tax benefit of $215 related to an adjustment to deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction in the United Kingdom.

During the nine months ending July 31, 2013 we recorded a favorable adjustment to unrecognized tax benefits of $900 primarily related to expiration of certain foreign statutes of limitations. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted which retroactively reinstated and extended the Federal Research and Development Tax Credit (Federal R&D Tax Credit) from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and extended certain other tax provisions. As a result, the Company’s income tax provision for the nine months ending July 31, 2013 includes a discrete tax benefit of $1,700 related to 2012.

The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2012 were 29.9% and 30.4%, respectively. During the three months ending July 31, 2012, we recorded a favorable provision to return adjustment related to 2011 that reduced income taxes by $400; additionally, we recorded a tax benefit of $175 related to an adjustment of deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction in the United Kingdom. During the nine months ending July 31, 2012, we recorded tax expense of $325 related to an adjustment to deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction in Japan.

 

8.   Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012 consisted of:

 

     July 31,
2013
    October 31, 2012  

Translation adjustments

   $ 16,518      $ 26,234   

Pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments

     (122,247     (130,460
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (105,729   $ (104,226
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9.   Stock-based compensation

The amended and restated 2004 long-term performance plan, approved by our shareholders in 2008, (the “2008 Plan”) provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, nonvested (restricted) stock, stock purchase rights, stock equivalent units, cash awards and other stock or performance-based incentives. The number of common shares available for grant of awards is 2.5 percent of the number of common shares outstanding as of the first day of each year.

At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 26, 2013, our shareholders approved the 2012 Stock Incentive and Award Plan (the “2012 Plan”). The 2012 Plan provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, nonvested (restricted) stock, performance shares, stock purchase rights, stock equivalent units, cash awards and other stock or performance-based incentives. A maximum of 2,900 common shares is available for grant under the Plan, inclusive of shares available to be granted under the 2008 Plan immediately prior to shareholder approval of the 2012 Plan.

Stock Options

Nonqualified or incentive stock options may be granted to our employees and directors. Generally, options granted to employees may be exercised beginning one year from the date of grant at a rate not exceeding 25 percent per year and expire 10 years from the date of grant. Vesting accelerates upon the occurrence of events that involve or may result in a change of control. Option exercises are satisfied through the issuance of treasury shares on a first-in, first-out basis.

We recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $1,244 and $966 in the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Corresponding amounts for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 were $3,647 and $2,837, respectively.

 

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The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the nine months ended July 31, 2013:

 

     Number of
Options
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price Per
Share
     Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Term
 

Outstanding at October 31, 2012

     1,764      $ 28.35         

Granted

     283      $ 61.61         

Exercised

     (239   $ 21.68         

Forfeited or expired

     (14   $ 47.96         
  

 

 

         

Outstanding at July 31, 2013

     1,794      $ 34.33       $ 67,892         6.3 years   
  

 

 

         

Vested or expected to vest at July 31, 2013

     1,745      $ 33.91       $ 66,732         6.2 years   

Exercisable at July 31, 2013

     987      $ 24.93       $ 46,605         4.9 years   

At July 31, 2013, there was $10,826 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options. That cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.

The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

Nine months ended

   July 31, 2013    July 31, 2012

Expected volatility

   45.3%-46.9%    45.4%-46.9%

Expected dividend yield

   0.97%-1.01%    1.20%

Risk-free interest rate

   0.75%-0.90%    1.03%-1.23%

Expected life of the option (in years)

   5.4-6.1    5.4-6.1

The weighted-average expected volatility used to value the 2013 and 2012 options was 46.3%, and 46.2%, respectively.

Historical information was the primary basis for the selection of the expected volatility, expected dividend yield and the expected lives of the options. The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon yields of U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life of the option being valued.

The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $24.12 and $17.03, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $2,235 and $786, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $10,590 and $5,463, respectively.

Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $5,124 and $3,191, respectively. The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $3,192 and $1,248, respectively.

 

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Nonvested Common Shares

We have grants of nonvested (restricted) shares to employees and directors. These shares may not be transferred for a designated period of time (generally one to three years) defined at the date of grant.

For employee recipients, in the event of termination of employment due to early retirement, nonvested shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and other nonvested shares are forfeited on a pro-rata basis. In the event of termination of employment due to retirement at normal retirement age (age 65) nonvested shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and, for other nonvested shares, the restriction period will terminate and the shares will vest and be transferable. Restrictions lapse in the event of a recipient’s disability or death. Termination for any other reason prior to the lapse of any restrictions results in forfeiture of the shares.

For non-employee directors, all restrictions lapse in the event of disability or death of the non-employee director. Termination of service as a director for any other reason within one year of date of grant results in a pro-rata forfeiture of shares.

As shares are issued, deferred share-based compensation equivalent to the fair market value on the date of grant is charged to shareholders’ equity and subsequently amortized over the vesting period. Tax benefits arising from the lapse of restrictions on the shares are recognized when realized and credited to capital in excess of stated value.

The following table summarizes activity related to nonvested shares during the nine months ended July 31, 2013:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 

Nonvested shares at October 31, 2012

     100      $ 40.58   

Granted

     36      $ 62.08   

Vested

     (50   $ 35.27   

Forfeited

     (2   $ 48.18   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested shares at July 31, 2013

     84      $ 52.77   
  

 

 

   

As of July 31, 2013, there was $2,388 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The amount charged to expense related to nonvested stock was $752 and $424 in the three months ended July 31, 2012 and 2012, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, the amounts were $1,888 and $1,311, respectively.

Directors Deferred Compensation

Non-employee directors may defer all or part of their compensation until retirement. Compensation may be deferred as cash or as share equivalent units. Deferred cash amounts are recorded as liabilities. Additional share equivalent units are earned when common share dividends are declared.

The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during the nine months ended July 31, 2013:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 

Outstanding at October 31, 2012

     200      $ 19.44   

Deferrals

     1      $ 69.39   

Restricted stock units vested

     11      $ 45.20   

Dividend equivalents

     1      $ 66.75   

Distributions

     (48   $ 16.75   
  

 

 

   

Outstanding at July 31, 2013

     165      $ 22.52   
  

 

 

   

 

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The amount charged to expense related to director deferred compensation for the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $43 and $68, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, the corresponding amounts were $152 and $193, respectively.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, executive officers and selected other key employees receive common share awards based on corporate performance measures over three-year performance periods. Awards vary based on the degree to which corporate performance exceeds predetermined threshold, target and maximum performance levels at the end of a performance period. No award will occur unless certain threshold performance objectives are exceeded.

The amount of compensation expense is based upon current performance projections for each three-year period and the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered. The calculations are also based upon the grant date fair value determined using the closing market price of common stock at the grant date, reduced by the implied value of dividends not to be paid. This value was $59.59 per share for 2013, $42.12 per share for 2012 and $42.02 per share for 2011. The amount charged to expense for the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $334 and $1,175, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, the corresponding amounts were $2,601 and $3,065, respectively. The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at July 31, 2013 was $7,096.

 

10.   Warranties

We offer warranty to our customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. A typical warranty program requires that we repair or replace defective products within a specified time period (generally one year) from the date of delivery or first use. We record an estimate for future warranty-related costs based on actual historical return rates. Based on analysis of return rates and other factors, the adequacy of our warranty provisions are adjusted as necessary. The liability for warranty costs is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

     July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

Beginning balance

   $ 8,929      $ 6,723   

Accruals for warranties

     5,609        4,397   

Warranty assumed from acquisitions

     —          1,605   

Warranty payments

     (5,964     (4,630

Currency effect

     (44     (254
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 8,530      $ 7,841   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

11.   Severance and restructuring costs

During the three months ended July 31, 2013, we recognized severance costs of $58 in the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment and $265 in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. Costs for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $315 in the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment and $712 in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. These costs were associated with restructuring initiatives to optimize global operations. Severance costs associated with these initiatives are expected to be approximately $76 for the remainder of the current year.

In 2011, we announced a restructuring of the Georgia operations of our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment in order to optimize operations and better serve our customers. The restructuring involved the expansion of our facility in Duluth and construction of a new facility in Swainsboro, where operations from our existing Swainsboro facility, as well as facilities in Norcross and Dawsonville, were transferred. A credit to expense of $19 was recorded in the three months ended July 31, 2012, and expense of $925 was recorded in the nine months ended July 31, 2012. In addition, $2,916 of expenses related to production inefficiencies and moving costs were incurred in the nine months ended July 31, 2012. Of this amount, $2,040 was recorded in cost of sales, and $876 was recorded in severance and restructuring costs.

 

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In order to optimize Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment operations in Germany, a restructuring initiative was taken in 2011 that resulted in severance costs of $11 and $177 during the three and nine months, respectively, ended July 31, 2012.

In addition, in order to optimize Industrial Coating Systems operations in Ohio, a restructuring initiative was undertaken in 2012 that resulted in severance costs of $129 and $690 in the three and nine months, respectively, ended July 31, 2012.

 

12.   Operating segments

We conduct business across three primary business segments: Adhesive Dispensing Systems, Advanced Technology Systems, and Industrial Coating Systems. The composition of segments and measure of segment profitability is consistent with that used by our chief operating decision maker. The primary measure used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing performance is operating profit, which equals sales less cost of sales and certain operating expenses. Items below the operating profit line of the Consolidated Statement of Income (interest and investment income, interest expense and other income/expense) are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by our chief operating decision maker and are not presented by operating segment. The accounting policies of the segments are generally the same as those described in Note 1, Significant Accounting Policies, of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012.

The following table presents sales and operating profits of our reportable segments:

 

     Adhesive
Dispensing
Systems
    Advanced
Technology
Systems
    Industrial
Coating
Systems
    Corporate     Total  

Three months ended July 31, 2013

          

Net external sales

   $ 195,992      $ 150,280      $ 56,688      $ —        $ 402,960   

Operating profit (loss)

     50,998 (d)      42,465 (a)      7,585        (7,832     93,216   

Three months ended July 31, 2012

          

Net external sales

   $ 175,175      $ 153,073      $ 51,624      $ —        $ 379,872   

Operating profit (loss)

     52,266 (b)      49,867        7,082 (c)      (10,677     98,538   

Nine months ended July 31, 2013

          

Net external sales

   $ 575,750      $ 388,990      $ 167,363      $ —        $ 1,132,103   

Operating profit (loss)

     146,011 (d)      96,310 (a)      22,896        (28,235     236,982   

Nine months ended July 31, 2012

          

Net external sales

   $ 469,045      $ 368,178      $ 133,678      $ —        $ 970,901   

Operating profit (loss)

     151,011 (b)      94,550        13,582 (c)      (27,261     231,882   

 

(a) Includes $265 and $712 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, respectively.
(b) Includes a credit of $8 for severance and restructuring costs in the three months ended July, 31, 2012. Includes $4,018 of cost of goods sold – restructuring and severance and restructuring costs in the nine months ended July 31, 2012.
(c) Includes $129 and $690 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2012, respectively.
(d) Includes $58 and $315 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, respectively.

 

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A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:

 

Three months ended

   July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

Total profit for reportable segments

   $ 93,216      $ 98,538   

Interest expense

     (3,353     (2,796

Interest and investment income

     112        109   

Other-net

     2,699        (716
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   $ 92,674      $ 95,135   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
                

Nine months ended

   July 31, 2013     July 31, 2012  

Total profit for reportable segments

   $ 236,982      $ 231,882   

Interest expense

     (11,045     (6,925

Interest and investment income

     304        375   

Other-net

     934        413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   $ 227,175      $ 225,745   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

We had significant sales in the following geographic regions:

 

Three months ended

   July 31, 2013      July 31, 2012  

United States

   $ 115,809       $ 100,974   

Americas

     28,017         28,041   

Europe

     103,877         95,259   

Japan

     26,704         30,619   

Asia Pacific

     128,553         124,979   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net external sales

   $ 402,960       $ 379,872   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended

   July 31, 2013      July 31, 2012  

United States

   $ 341,926       $ 261,823   

Americas

     91,851         74,167   

Europe

     297,708         273,272   

Japan

     93,914         90,658   

Asia Pacific

     306,704         270,981   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net external sales

   $ 1,132,103       $ 970,901   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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13.   Fair value measurements

The inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are classified into the following categories:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2013:

 

     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

           

Rabbi trust (a)

   $ 13,517       $ —         $ 13,517       $ —     

Forward exchange contracts (b)

     1,661         —           1,661         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value

   $ 15,178       $ —         $ 15,178       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Deferred compensation plans (c)

   $ 6,887       $ 6,887       $ —         $ —     

Forward exchange contracts (b)

     2,878         —           2,878         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities at fair value

   $ 9,765       $ 6,887       $ 2,878       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) We maintain a rabbi trust that serves as an investment to shadow our deferred compensation plan liability. The investment assets of the trust consist of life insurance policies for which we recognize income or expense based upon changes in cash surrender value.
(b) We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk of foreign currency exposures resulting from receivables, payables, intercompany receivables, intercompany payables and loans denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange contracts are valued using market exchange rates. Foreign exchange contracts are not designated as hedges.
(c) Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100% of their salary and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90% of their long-term incentive compensation, into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Deferrals can be allocated to various market performance measurement funds. Changes in the value of compensation deferred under these plans are recognized each period based on the fair value of the underlying measurement funds.

 

14.   Financial instruments

We operate internationally and enter into intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Consequently, we are subject to market risk arising from exchange rate movements between the dates foreign currencies are recorded and the dates they are settled. We regularly use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce our risks related to most of these transactions. These contracts usually have maturities of 90 days or less and generally require us to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. dollars at maturity, at rates stated in the contracts. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are recorded in “Other – net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position. For the three months ended July 31, 2013, we recognized losses of $1,313 on foreign exchange contracts and gains of $1,402 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the three months ended July 31, 2012, we recognized losses of $3,464 on foreign exchange contracts and gains of $2,796 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013, we recognized losses of $1,887 on foreign exchange contracts and losses of $571 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the nine months ended July 31, 2012, we recognized losses of $3,452 on foreign exchange contracts and gains of $2,657 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.

 

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We had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at July 31, 2013:

 

     Sell      Buy  
     Notional
Amounts
     Fair Market
Value
     Notional
Amounts
     Fair Market
Value
 

Euro

   $ 42,225       $ 43,356       $ 127,504       $ 127,601   

British pound

     17,693         16,797         28,749         28,602   

Japanese yen

     11,384         11,391         9,076         9,082   

Australian dollar

     228         225         8,980         8,293   

Hong Kong dollar

     645         645         31,202         31,214   

Singapore dollar

     395         393         9,442         9,221   

Others

     5,678         5,727         22,740         22,749   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 78,248       $ 78,534       $ 237,693       $ 236,762   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at July 31, 2013, other than receivables and accounts payable, are shown in the table below. The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

     Carrying
Amount
    Fair
Value
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 75,368      $ 75,368   

Notes payable

     5,083        5,083   

Long-term debt, including current maturities

     553,900        539,212   

Foreign exchange contracts (net)

     (1,217     (1,217

We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of financial instruments:

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents and notes payable are valued at their carrying amounts due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.

 

   

Long-term debt is valued by discounting future cash flows at currently available rates for borrowing arrangements with similar terms and conditions, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

 

   

Foreign exchange contracts are valued using observable market based inputs, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

 

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15.   Contingencies

We are involved in pending or potential litigation regarding environmental, product liability, patent, contract, employee and other matters arising from the normal course of business. Including the environmental matter discussed below, it is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that resolutions of these matters are not expected to result in a material effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.

We have voluntarily agreed with the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin and other Potentially Responsible Parties to share costs associated with the remediation of the City of New Richmond municipal landfill (the “Site”) and the construction of a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. Our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $668 at July 31, 2013 and $750 at October 31, 2012. The liability for environmental remediation represents management’s best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable undiscounted costs related to known remediation obligations. The accuracy of our estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional requirements that may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently, our liability could be greater than our current estimate. However, we do not expect that the costs associated with remediation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

16.   Subsequent events

On August 30, 2013, we completed the previously announced acquisition of 100% of Munster, Germany based Kreyenborg Group’s Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH (“Kreyenborg”). Kreyenborg broadens our existing offering of screen changers, pumps and valves, critical components in the polymer processing melt stream for extrusion processes, and expands the product portfolio to include pelletizers, the key component in polymer compounding, recycling and related processes. The acquired companies employ approximately 270 people, have additional operations in Shanghai, China, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Georgia, USA, and will operate as part of our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment. Revenues for fiscal year 2012 were approximately Euro 62,000. We acquired Kreyenborg on a cash-free and debt-free basis for an aggregate purchase price of Euro 135,000, subject to certain adjustments. This acquisition was financed using a Euro 100,000 loan facility entered into on August 23, 2013 and existing cash.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is Management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations for the periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Overview

Founded in 1954, Nordson Corporation delivers precision technology solutions to help customers succeed worldwide. We engineer, manufacture and market differentiated products and systems used for dispensing and processing adhesives, coatings, plastics, sealants and biomaterials, and for managing fluids, testing and inspecting for quality, and treating surfaces. These products are supported with extensive application expertise and direct global sales and service. We serve a wide variety of consumer non-durable, consumer durable and technology end markets including packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation, building and construction, and general product assembly and finishing. We have approximately 5,550 employees and direct operations in more than 30 countries.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated unaudited interim financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report are the responsibility of management. The financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and contain certain amounts that were based upon management’s best estimates, judgments and assumptions that were believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare financial statements. Estimates are based on historical experience and assumptions believed to be reasonable under current facts and circumstances. Actual amounts and results could differ from these estimates used by management.

 

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A comprehensive discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies and management estimates and significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the financial statements is included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012. There have been no significant changes in critical accounting policies, management estimates or accounting policies followed since the year ended  October 31, 2012.

Results of Operations

Sales

Worldwide sales for the three months ended July 31, 2013 were $402,960, an increase of $23,088, or 6.1%, from sales of $379,872 for the comparable period of 2012. Sales volume increased 6.7%, which was driven primarily by the first-year effect of acquisitions, and was offset by unfavorable currency effects by 0.6%. Sales increased over the prior year third quarter in both the Adhesive Dispensing Systems and Industrial Coating Systems segments, while partially offset by lower sales in the Advanced Technology Systems segment.

Sales of the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment for the three months ended July 31, 2013 were $195,992, an increase of 11.9% from the comparable period of 2012. Sales volume increased 12.9%, consisting of 0.4% organic volume and 12.5% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Unfavorable currency effects reduced sales by 1.0%. Sales volume, inclusive of acquisitions, increased in the United States, Asia Pacific, Japan and Europe regions. Growth in paper board packaging and certain durable goods markets was partially offset by softness in plastics processing and disposable hygiene product markets.

Sales of the Advanced Technology Systems segment for the three months ended July 31, 2013 were $150,280, a reduction of 1.8% compared to $153,073 for the three months ended July 31, 2012. Sales volume was lower by 1.5%, and currency effects reduced sales by 0.3%. Within this segment, sales volume increases in the United States, Europe and Japan were offset by decreases in the Americas and Asia Pacific regions. Growth in mobile device assembly, printed circuit board assembly, and medical equipment markets was offset by softness in semiconductor packaging and industrial assembly end markets.

Sales of the Industrial Coating Systems segment for the three months ended July 31, 2013 were $56,688, an increase of 9.8% over the three months ended July 31, 2012. Sales volume growth of 10.4% consisted primarily of the first-year effect of an acquisition. Unfavorable currency effects reduced sales by 0.6%. Sales volume, inclusive of acquisitions, increased in the United States, Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Growth in some consumer and industrial durable goods markets was offset by softness in large dollar systems supporting automotive OEMs and container coating markets.

Sales outside the United States accounted for 71.3% of total company sales in the three months ended July 31, 2013, compared to 73.4% in the comparable period of 2012. On a geographic basis, sales in the United States increased 14.7% for the three months ended July 31, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. This increase in sales volume consisted of 15.9% from the first-year effect of acquisitions, offset by a 1.2% reduction in organic volume. Sales in Europe increased 9.0%, consisting of a volume increase of 6.2% and 2.8% of favorable currency effects. This increase in sales volume consisted of 2.1% organic growth and 4.1% from acquisitions. Sales in Japan were down 12.8% from the comparable period of the prior year, which consisted primarily of unfavorable changes in the Japanese Yen that reduced sales by 18.7% and was partially offset by an increase in sales volume of 5.9% during the third quarter. This increase in sales volume consisted of 2.3% organic volume and 3.6% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Total sales volume in the Asia Pacific region was up 2.3%, and currency effects increased sales by 0.6%. This increase in sales volume consisted of 3.8% from the first-year effect of acquisitions offset by a reduction of 1.5% in organic volume. Sales in the Americas region remained flat compared to the same period of 2012.

Worldwide sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $1,132,103, an increase of $161,202, or 16.6%, over sales of $970,901 for the comparable period of 2012. Sales volume increased 17.6%, consisting of organic growth of 4.4% and 13.2% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Unfavorable currency effects reduced sales by 1.0%. Year-to-date organic growth generated sales increases in all three operating segments and all geographic regions.

Sales of the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $575,750, an increase of $106,705, or 22.7%, over the comparable period of 2012. Sales volume increased 24.3%, consisting of 0.2% organic growth and 24.1% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Unfavorable currency effects reduced sales by 1.6%. Sales volume, inclusive of acquisitions, increased in all geographic regions. Growth in paper board packaging, disposable hygiene products and certain durable goods markets was partially offset by softness in plastics processing markets.

 

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Sales of the Advanced Technology Systems segment for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $388,990 compared to $368,178 in the comparable period of 2012, an increase of $20,812, or 5.7%. Organic sales volume increased 6.0%, and unfavorable currency effects reduced sales by 0.3%. Within the segment, sales volume increased in the United States, Americas, Europe and Japan regions. Growth in mobile device assembly, printed circuit board assembly and medical equipment markets was offset by softness in semiconductor packaging and industrial assembly end markets.

Sales of the Industrial Coating Systems segment for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $167,363, an increase of $33,685, or 25.2%, over the comparable period of 2012. Sales volume increased 26.1%, consisting of 15.0% organic growth and 11.1% from the first-year effect of an acquisition. Unfavorable currency effects reduced sales by 1.0%. Sales volume, inclusive of acquisitions, increased in the United States, Americas, Asia Pacific and Japan regions. Organic volume growth continued to be driven by consumer and industrial durable goods manufacturers.

Sales outside the United States accounted for 69.8% of sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2013, compared to 73.0% in the comparable period of 2012. On a geographic basis, sales in the United States increased 30.6% for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2012. This increase in sales volume consisted of 3.6% organic growth and 27.0% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Sales in the Americas region were up 23.8%, consisting of 24.5% volume offset by unfavorable currency effects of 0.7%. This increase in sales volume consisted of 11.5% organic growth and 13.0% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Sales in Europe increased 8.9%, consisting of a volume increase of 8.3% and favorable currency effects of 0.6%. This increase in sales volume consisted of 1.7% organic growth and 6.6% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Sales in Japan increased 3.6% from the comparable period of the prior year, consisting of volume of 17.5%, offset by unfavorable changes in the Japanese Yen that reduced sales by 13.9%. This increase in sales volume consisted of 7.8% organic volume and 9.7% from the first-year effect of acquisitions. Sales in the Asia Pacific region increased 13.2%, consisting of 12.6% volume and 0.6% from currency effects. This increase in sales volume consisted of 5.0% organic volume growth and 7.6% growth from the first-year effect of acquisitions.

Operating Profit

Cost of sales for the three months ended July 31, 2013 were $177,877, up from $156,658 in 2012. Cost of sales, including costs classified as restructuring, for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $492,853, up from $388,685 in 2012. The prior year nine-month amount included restructuring costs of $2,040 associated with the transfer of production and start-up activities related to our United States Adhesive Dispensing Systems plant consolidation initiative. The gross profit percentage was 55.9% for the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 56.5% for the nine months ended July 31, 2013, as compared to 58.8% for the three months ended July 31, 2012 and 60.0% for the nine months ended July 31, 2012. The reductions in gross margin were primarily a result of lower product line margins relating to our 2012 acquisitions, as well as a higher mix of systems revenue in our legacy business.

Selling and administrative expenses, excluding severance and restructuring costs, for the three months ended July 31, 2013 were $131,544, an increase of 5.6% as compared to $124,555 for the comparable period of 2012. Selling and administrative expenses for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $401,241, an increase of 15.4% as compared to $347,666 for the comparable period of 2012. The increases were primarily a result of the first-year effect of 2012 acquisitions, as well as higher compensation expenses related to increased employment levels worldwide and spending for initiatives that are intended to generate future growth and improve performance.

Selling and administrative expenses, excluding severance and restructuring costs, for the three months ended July 31, 2013 as a percent of sales were 32.6% compared to 32.8% during the three months ended July 31, 2012. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013, these expenses as a percent of sales were reduced to 35.4% from 35.8% for the same period of 2012.

During the three months ended July 31, 2013, we recognized severance costs of $323 which consisted of $265 in the Advanced Technology Systems segment and $58 in the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment. During the nine months ended July 31, 2013, we recognized severance costs of $315 in the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment and $712 in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. These costs were associated with implementing restructuring initiatives to optimize global operations. Severance costs associated with these initiatives are expected to be approximately $76 for the remainder of the current year.

 

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Severance and restructuring costs of $121 and $2,668 were recorded in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2012, respectively. These costs were associated with the Adhesive Dispensing Systems’ United States plant consolidation initiative and a 2012 Industrial Coating Systems initiative.

Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 23.1% for the three months ended July 31, 2013, down from 25.9% for the comparable period of 2012. Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 20.9% for the nine months ended July 31, 2013, down from 23.9% for the comparable period of 2012. These changes were primarily due to the dilutive effect of our 2012 acquisitions, as well as a higher mix of systems revenue in our legacy business.

For the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment, operating profit as a percent of sales declined to 26.0% for the three months ended July 31, 2013 from 29.8% in 2012 and to 25.4% for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 from 32.2% for the comparable period of 2012. The decreases were primarily due to the dilutive effect of our 2012 acquisitions.

For the Advanced Technology Systems segment, operating profit as a percent of sales for the three months ended July 31, 2013 declined to 28.3% from 32.6% for the three months ended July 31, 2012. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013, operating profit as a percent of sales was 24.8%, down from 25.7% last year. The declines were partially due to a higher mix of engineered systems serving mobile electronic device customers and incremental spending on initiatives that are intended to drive growth in future periods.

For the Industrial Coating Systems segment, operating profit as a percent of sales was 13.4% for the three months ended July 31, 2013, compared to 13.7% for the three months ended July 31, 2012. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013, operating profit was 13.7% of sales, up from 10.2% in the same period of 2012. The year-to-date increase is primarily due to better absorption of fixed expenses, as well as the accretive effect of a 2012 acquisition.

Interest and Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense for the three months ended July 31, 2013 was $3,353, up from $2,796 for the three months ended July 31, 2012. Interest expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 was $11,045, up from $6,925 for the nine months ended July 31, 2012. These increases were due to higher borrowing levels resulting primarily from our acquisitions in 2012.

Other income was $2,699 for the three months ended July 31, 2013, compared to other expense of $716 in the comparable period of the prior year. Included in those amounts were the gain on sale of real estate in China of $2,106 in 2013 and foreign exchange losses of $668 in 2012. Other income for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 was $934, compared to other income of $413 for the nine months ended July 31, 2012, due primarily to the gain on sale of real estate in China.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ending July 31, 2013 were 29.4% and 28.7%, compared to 29.9% and 30.4% for the comparable periods ending July 31, 2012.

The tax rate for the three months ending July 31, 2013 was impacted by a favorable provision to return adjustment related to 2012 that reduced income taxes by $430; additionally, we recorded a tax benefit of $215 related to an adjustment to deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction in the United Kingdom.

During the three months ending January 31, 2013 we recorded a favorable adjustment to unrecognized tax benefits of $900 primarily related to expiration of certain foreign statutes of limitations. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted which retroactively reinstated and extended the Federal Research and Development Tax Credit (Federal R&D Tax Credit) from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and extended certain other tax provisions. As a result, the Company’s income tax provision for the nine months ending July 31, 2013 includes a discrete tax benefit of $1,700 related to 2012.

The tax rate for the three months ended July 31, 2012, was impacted by a favorable adjustment related to our 2011 tax provision that reduced income taxes by $400, and a favorable adjustment to deferred taxes related to a tax rate reduction in the United Kingdom that reduced income taxes by $175. During the nine months ending July 31, 2012, we recorded tax expense of $325 related to an adjustment to deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction in Japan.

 

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Net Income

Net income for the three months ended July 31, 2013 was $65,424, or $1.01 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $66,694, or $1.03 per share on a diluted basis in the same period of 2012. This represented a 1.9% decline in both net income and earnings per share. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013, net income was $162,040, or $2.50 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $157,143, or $2.41 per share for the nine months ended July 31, 2012. This represented a 3.1% increase in net income and a 3.7% increase in earnings per share. The percentage increase in earnings per share is more than the percentage increase in net income due to a lower number of shares outstanding in the current year as result of share repurchases.

Foreign Currency Effects

The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on sales and operating results cannot be precisely measured due to fluctuating selling prices, sales volume, product mix and cost structures in each country where we operate. As a general rule, a weakening of the United States dollar relative to foreign currencies has a favorable effect on sales and net income, while a strengthening of the dollar has a detrimental effect.

In the aggregate, average exchange rates for 2013 used to translate international sales and operating results into U.S. dollars compared unfavorably with average exchange rates existing during 2012. The strengthening of the United States dollar relative to the Japanese Yen has been the primary cause to the unfavorable currency translation effects during 2013. If transactions for the three months ended July 31, 2013 were translated at exchange rates in effect during the same period of 2012, sales would have been approximately $2,400 higher while third-party costs and expenses would have been approximately $1,300 higher. If transactions for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 were translated at exchange rates in effect during the same period of 2012, sales would have been approximately $9,700 higher and third party costs would have been approximately $5,400 higher.

Financial Condition

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the nine months ended July 31, 2013, cash and cash equivalents increased $34,129. Cash provided by operations during this period was $194,584, compared to $177,575 for the nine months ended July 31, 2012. Cash of $214,300 for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 was generated from net income adjusted for non-cash income and expenses (consisting of depreciation and amortization, non-cash stock compensation, deferred income taxes, other non-cash expense and gain on sale of property, plant and equipment) as compared to $195,445 in the same period of the prior year. Changes in operating assets and liabilities, including the tax benefit from the exercise of stock options, used $19,716 of cash in the first nine months of 2013, compared to $17,870 in the first nine months of 2012.

Cash used in investing activities was $32,879 for the nine months ended July 31, 2013, compared to $423,310 in the comparable period of last year, which included $405,202 for the acquisition of two businesses. Current year capital expenditures were $34,569, up from $21,550 in 2012. Significant expenditures in the current year included a new technical and laboratory facility in China, the purchase of a previously leased facility in the Netherlands and investments in global information systems. Proceeds of $3,760 from the sale of property, plant and equipment in 2013 related primarily to real estate sold in China during the third quarter. Cash of $1,231 was used in 2013 for the acquisition of certain assets of Kodama Chemical Industry Co., Ltd a licensed distributor of our EDI business in Japan, and cash of $1,116 was used for an equity investment. Cash of $2,213 was received in the nine months ended July 31, 2012 related to the sale of UV Curing graphic arts and lamps product lines that occurred in June 2010.

Cash used in financing activities was $128,216 for the nine months ended July 31, 2013, compared to cash provided by financing activities on $264,122 for the nine months ended July 31, 2012. In the current year, cash of $74,776 was used for net repayments of short-term borrowings and long-term debt. In the prior year, cash of $374,488 was provided by net of short-term borrowings and long-term debt related to acquisitions. During the nine months ended July 31, 2013, cash of $28,831 was used for the repurchase of common shares, and cash of $28,930 was used for dividend payments, and cash of $5,124 was received from the issuance of common stock related to stock option exercises.

 

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The following is a summary of significant changes in balance sheet captions from the end of fiscal 2012 to July 31, 2013. Receivables decreased $29,489 due to lower revenue volume than generated in the fourth quarter of 2012, which is consistent with the seasonality of our business. Inventories increased $14,270 to meet demand of expected order volume in the fourth quarter. Property, plant and equipment – net increased $14,249 primarily due to capital expenditures of $34,569 offset by depreciation of $22,521. The increase of $5,343 in goodwill related primarily to changes to the purchase price and finalization of the purchase price allocations of fiscal 2012 acquisitions. The decrease of $17,547 in intangible assets – net was primarily due to amortization, partially offset by adjustments related to our fiscal 2013 and 2012 acquisitions.

The decrease of $44,918 in notes payable from the end of fiscal 2012 to July 31, 2013 was due to the scheduled $50,000 repayment of a credit agreement with PNC, partially offset by borrowings in China to fund the purchase of a new technical and laboratory facility. The decrease of $6,331 in income taxes payable was primarily due to the timing of required tax payments. The $17,592 decrease in accrued liabilities is primarily due to payments of annual incentive compensation in the first quarter of the year and donations to the Nordson Corporation Foundation. Current maturities of long-term debt decreased as a result of the scheduled repayment of our $50,000 Prudential Senior note in February 2013. Long-term debt increased $20,191 primarily to fund the $50,000 notes payable and $50,000 Senior note repayments and our share repurchase program. The increase of $11,982 in long-term deferred income taxes was primarily due to amortization of goodwill for tax purposes and the tax effect of pension and postretirement amounts recorded in other comprehensive income. The decrease of $8,257 in long-term pension obligations was primarily due to contributions to our domestic plans.

In March 2012 the board of directors approved a repurchase program of up to $100,000, of which $58,984 was available as of July 31, 2013. Uses for repurchased shares include the funding of benefit programs including stock options, nonvested stock and 401(k) matching. Shares purchased are treated as treasury shares until used for such purposes. The repurchase program is being funded using cash from operations and proceeds from borrowings under our credit facilities. During the three months ended July 31, 2013, we repurchased 50 shares under this program for a total cost of $3,400, or $67.76 per share.

Subsequent to July 31, 2013, the board of directors authorized a new $200,000 share repurchase program. This new program replaced the $100,000 program approved by the board in March 2012.

Contractual Obligations

In 2012, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with a group of insurance companies under which we sold $200,000 of Senior Notes. The notes mature between July 2017 and July 2025 and bear interest at fixed rates between 2.27% and 3.13%. We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2013.

In 2011, we entered into a $500,000 five-year, unsecured multicurrency credit facility with a group of banks that may be increased to $750,000 under certain conditions. This facility contains customary events of default and covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and the maintenance of certain financial ratios. At July 31, 2013, $282,725 was outstanding under this facility, compared to $262,450 outstanding at October 31, 2012. We were in compliance with all debt covenants at July 31, 2013, and the amount we could borrow under the facility would not have been limited by any debt covenants.

In 2011, we entered into a $150,000 three-year Private Shelf Note agreement with New York Life Investment Management LLC. Borrowings under the agreement may be up to 12 years, with an average life of up to 10 years, and are unsecured. The interest rate on each borrowing can be fixed or floating and is based upon the market rate at the borrowing date. At July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, $69,444 was outstanding under this facility at a fixed rate of 2.21 percent per annum. We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2013, and the amount we could borrow would not have been limited by any debt covenants. Effective February 12, 2013, the amount of the facility was increased from $150,000 to $175, 000.

In addition, we have notes payable which our subsidiaries use for short-term financing needs.

 

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Outlook

We continue to move forward with caution regarding expectations for the balance of fiscal 2013, given persistent uncertainties related, for example, to the Eurozone’s economic recovery, U.S. deficit reduction issues, prospects for slowing growth in emerging markets and economists’ expectations for global GDP indicating a low-growth macroeconomic environment. Though the near-term global macroeconomic outlook remains unclear, our growth potential has been demonstrated over time from our capacity to build and enhance our core businesses by entering emerging markets and pursuing market adjacencies. We drive value for our customers through our application expertise, differentiated technology, and direct sales and service support. Our priorities also are focused on operational efficiencies by employing continuous improvement methodologies in our business processes. We expect these efforts will continue to provide more than sufficient cash from operations for meeting our liquidity needs and paying dividends to common shareholders, as well as enabling us to invest in the development of new applications and markets for our technologies. Our cash and available borrowing capacity will enable us to make other strategic investments.

For the fourth quarter of 2013, sales are expected to be in the range of $391,000 to $408,000, a decrease of 7% to 11% as compared to the fourth quarter a year ago. This outlook is inclusive of organic volume down 6% to 10%, and a negative 1% currency translation effect based on the current exchange rate environment. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.87 to $0.98.

Safe Harbor Statements Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Of 1995

This Form 10-Q, particularly “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to, among other things, income, earnings, cash flows, changes in operations, operating improvements, businesses in which we operate and the U.S. and global economies. Statements in this 10-Q that are not historical are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” and may be indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “supports,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “hope,” “forecast,” “management is of the opinion,” use of the future tense and similar words or phrases.

In light of these risks and uncertainties, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results are discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors in our 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information regarding our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates was disclosed in our 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012. The information disclosed has not changed materially in the interim period since then.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management with the participation of the principal executive officer (President and Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) has reviewed and evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of July 31, 2013. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the principal executive and financial officers, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of July 31, 2013 in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended July 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in pending or potential litigation regarding environmental, product liability, patent, contract, employee and other matters arising from the normal course of business. Including the environmental matter discussed below, it is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that resolutions of these matters are not expected to result in a material effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.

We have voluntarily agreed with the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin and other Potentially Responsible Parties to share costs associated with the remediation of the City of New Richmond municipal landfill (the “Site”) and constructing a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. Our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $668 at July 31, 2013 and $750 at October 31, 2012. The liability for environmental remediation represents management’s best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable undiscounted costs related to known remediation obligations. The accuracy of our estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional requirements that may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently, our liability could be greater than our current estimate. However, we do not expect that the costs associated with remediation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Information regarding our risk factors was disclosed in Form 10-K filed for the year ended October 31, 2012. The information disclosed has not changed materially in 2013.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table summarizes common stock repurchased by the Company during the three months ended July 31, 2013:

 

(In thousands, except for per share data)

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
     Average
Price Paid
per Share
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)
     Maximum Value of
Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans

or Programs
 

May 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013

     25       $ 68.07         24       $ 60,765   

June 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013

     26       $ 67.65         26       $ 58,984   

July 1, 2013 to July 31, 2013

     3       $ 70.18         —         $ 58,984   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

     54            50      
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(1) In March 2012 the board of directors approved a repurchase program of up to $100,000. Uses for repurchased shares include the funding of benefit programs including stock options, nonvested stock and 401(k) matching. Shares purchased are treated as treasury shares until used for such purposes. The repurchase program is being funded using cash from operations and proceeds from borrowings under our credit facilities.

Subsequent to July 31, 2013, the board of directors announced the authorization of a new share repurchase program of up to $200,000 which replaces the existing program.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number:

 

10.1    Sale and Purchase Agreement dated July 16, 2013 relating to Kreyenborg and BKG between Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG, Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH and Nordson Corporation
31.1    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the Chief Executive Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101    The following financial information from Nordson Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended July 31, 2013, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: September 5, 2013   Nordson Corporation
 

By:    /s/ GREGORY A. THAXTON

  Gregory A. Thaxton
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

Page 29

Exhibit 10.1

Sale and Purchase Agreement

relating to Kreyenborg and BKG

between

Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg

Pröbstingstrasse 32, D-48157 Münster, Federal Republic of Germany

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG

c/o Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg, Pröbstingstrasse 32, D-48157 Münster,

Federal Republic of Germany

- hereinafter sometimes individually referred to as “Seller”

and collectively referred to as “Sellers” -

and

Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH

c/o Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg, Pröbstingstrasse 32, D-48157 Münster,

Federal Republic of Germany

and

Nordson Corporation

28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145, United States of America

- hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Buyer” and/or as “Guarantor” -

- The Sellers, the Buyer (and the Guarantor, as the case may be)

and Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH hereinafter

individually referred to as “Party” , and collectively as Parties”-


Table of Contents

 

   Preamble    9

Section 1        

   Corporate Ownership/Structure    10

Section 2

   Sale and Transfer of Shares and Assets; Closing    14

Section 3

   Specific Provisions regarding the Sale of Assets    21

Section 4

   Conditions Precedent, Merger Control    24

Section 5

   Purchase Price    29

Section 6

   Guarantees with respect to the Shares and the Companies    34

Section 7

   Guarantees with respect to the Assets    56

Section 8

   Legal Consequences of a Breach of Guarantees    59

Section 9

   Taxes and Other Public Impositions    66

Section 10

   Guarantees of the Buyer    74

Section 11

   Other Duties; Legal Relationship Following Execution of the Agreement    75

Section 12

   Confidentiality    80

Section 13

   Covenant not to Compete    81

Section 14

   Non-Solicitation    82

Section 15

   Names of the Companies, Product Names and Domain Names    83

Section 16

   Forgotten Assets    85

Section 17

   Loans to Shareholders; Collaterals    85

Section 18

   Agreements to be executed prior to or at Closing; Current Account; Transfer of Pension Obligation    86

Section 19

   Exclusion and Waiver of all Other Claims, Specific Indemnification    89

Section 20

   Liability Cap    90

Section 21

   Taxes and Costs    91

Section 22

   Designation of new Buyer(s); Guarantee of Ultimate Parent    92

Section 23

   No right to set-off; Liability of the Sellers; Transfer of Rights and Obligations; Exercise of Rights; Payments by the Sellers as Reduction of the Purchase Price    93

Section 24

   Confidentiality; Statements to the Press    95

Section 25

   Notices    95

Section 26

   Arbitration    98

Section 27

   Miscellaneous    99

 

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List of Annexes

 

Annex

  

Content

Annex 1.7            

   List of Assets and Business Contracts

Annex 1.9

   Chart/Corporate Structure of the Kreyenborg/BKG Group

Annex 2.12.2

   Transfer agreement relating to the transfer of the Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH

Annex 2.12.3

   Shareholders’ resolutions (Gesellschafterbeschlüsse) of Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH, approving the transfer of the Shares

Annex 2.12.4

   Transfer agreement (template), relating to the transfer of the Assets and Business Contracts

Annex 2.12.9

   Transfer agreement, relating to the transfer of the partnership interest in Kreyenborg America LP

Annex 2.12.10

   Agreement relating to the termination of the lease agreement (Pachtvertrag) between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg GmbH (relating to the premises at Coermühle/Münster and the Assets) as of Closing (to be replaced by a new lease agreement with respect to the premises Coermühle/Münster as set out in Annex 2.12.14)

Annex 2.12.11

   Agreement relating to the termination of the lease agreement between BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG (relating to the premises at Hessenweg/Münster) as of Closing (to be replaced by a new lease agreement as set out in Annex 2.12.15)

Annex 2.12.12

   Long term lease agreement between Kreyenborg GmbH and Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG, relating to the premises at Coermühle/Münster used by Kreyenborg GmbH

Annex 2.12.13

   Long term lease agreement between BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, relating to the premises at Hessenweg/Münster used by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH

Annex 2.12.14

   Consultancy agreement (Beratervertrag) between Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Kreyenborg GmbH

Annex 2.12.15

   Existing pension obligation of Kreyenborg GmbH to Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg

Annex 2.12.16

   Bank Guarantee 1 (relating to claims except claims for Taxes under Section 9)

Annex 2.12.17

   Bank Guarantee 2 (relating exclusively to claims for Taxes under Section 9)

Annex 2.12.18

   Supply agreements between Kreyenborg Plant Technology GmbH & Co. KG and Bruckmann Steuerungstechnik GmbH on the one side, and Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH on the other side

 

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Annex

  

Content

Annex 2.12.19                

   Licence agreements between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG on the one side, and Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH on the other side, with respect to the JONYX software

Annex 2.12.21

   Shareholders’ resolutions of Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg GmbH, relating to the discharge of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann as managing directors

Annex 2.12.22

   Shareholders’ resolutions of Kreyenborg, Inc., and Kreyenborg America LP

Annex 5.1

   Allocation of the Purchase Price

Annex 5.2.1

   Details of the loans granted by any of the Companies to other companies of the Kreyenborg/BKG-Group

Annex 5.2.2

   Details of the lease amount not allocated to the real estate used by Kreyenborg GmbH (Coermühle/Münster)

Annex 5.3.1

   Documents relevant for the calculation of the Purchase Price at Closing

Annex 5.4

   Details of the bank account of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg (as account for payment of the Purchase Price after adjustments and deductions as provided for under Section 5.2)

Annex 6.1.3 (i)

   Corporate Documents/German Companies (transcripts of the commercial register, list of shareholders, articles of association)

Annex 6.1.3 (ii)

   Corporate Documents/US Companies (certificate of incorporation, by-laws/ partnership agreement and certificate of good standing)

Annex 6.1.5 (i)

   2012 Financial Statements

Annex 6.1.5 (ii)

   Management Accounts

Annex 6.1.6 (ii)

   Loans

Annex 6.1.7 (ii)

   Lease agreements (Leased Real Estate)

Annex 6.1.8 (i)

   Machines possibly to be replaced

Annex 6.1.9 (i)

   IP Rights

Annex 6.1.9 (ii)

   License agreements with respect to Owned IP Rights

Annex 6.1.9 (vi)

   Own IP Rights challenged or threatened in writing

Annex 6.1.9 (vii)

   Patent infringements

Annex 6.1.9 (viii)

   Payments to inventors (Erfindervergütungen)

Annex 6.1.11

   Insurance policies

Annex 6.1.12 (i) (a)

   Litigation regarding the Companies

Annex 6.1.12 (i) (b)

   Ligation regarding the Companies announced in writing

Annex 6.1.13 (iv)

   Obligations to any person or entity located in countries in which trade is currently not permitted under U.S. law

 

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Annex

  

Content

Annex 6.1.14 (i)    List of employees

Annex 6.1.14 (iii)

   Remuneration of Mr. Kreyenborg and Mr. Bruckmann as managing directors

Annex 6.1.14 (vi)

   Collective bargaining agreements

Annex 6.1.14 (x)

   Benefit Plans

Annex 6.1.14 (xi)

   Funding Plans

Annex 6.1.20

   Arrangement with key employees of the Companies regarding a performance bonus with a view to the transaction contemplated hereunder

Annex 7.1.2

   Litigation regarding the Assets

Annex 7.1.3 (i)

   IP Rights (as part of the Assets)

Annex 7.1.3 (ii)

   License agreements with respect to Owned IP Rights (as part of the Assets)

Annex 7.1.3 (vi)

   IP Rights (as parts of the Assets) challenged or threatened in writing

Annex 8.2.1 (i)

   Disclosed Documents (additional disclosures)

Annex 9.5 (ii)

   Understanding with the Tax authorities regarding the current value depreciation (Teilwertabschreibung) of trade liabilities of Kreyenborg, Inc.

Annex 9.5 (iii)

   Understanding with the Tax authorities regarding the payment of lease amounts by Kreyenborg GmbH to Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG

Annex 15.2 (a)

   Name and logo “Kreyenborg”

Annex 15.2 (b)

   List of domains

Annex 15.3

   License Agreement

Annex 17.2 (i)

   Guarantees issued by Kreyenborg GmbH in favour of other companies of the Kreyenborg/BKG-Group (to be released following Closing)

Annex 17.2 (ii)

   Guarantees issued by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in favour of other companies of the Kreyenborg/BKG-Group (to be released following Closing)

Annex 18.6

   Agreements between the Companies and the Sellers and/or Mr. Theodor Bruckmann and their affiliated companies which will be terminated at Closing

Annex 23.7

   Consent of Mrs. Elisabeth Maria Kreyenborg according to Section 1365 German Civil Code (BGB) (obtained as a matter of precaution only)

 

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List of Definitions

 

“2012 Financial Statements”    Section 6.1.5 (i)
“Affiliates”    Section 2.12.20
“Agreement”    Preamble
“Antitrust Authorities”    Section 4.3.2
“Antitrust Laws”    Section 4.3.2
“Assets”    Section 2.4 (i)
“Bank Guarantee 1”    Section 5.5.1 (i)
“Bank Guarantee 2”    Section 5.5.2 (i)
“Bank Guarantees”    Section 5.5.3 (i)
“Base Purchase Price”    Section 5.1
“Benefit Plans”    Section 6.1.14 (x)
“BKG Business”    Preamble
“Breach”    Sections 8.1.1 and 8.1.2
“Breach Notice”    Section 8.3
“Business”    Preamble
“Business Contracts”    Section 2.4 (ii)
“Business Day”    Section 27.3
“Buyer”    Cover page
“Buyer Conditions”    Section 4.1.2
“Buyers Appointed Tax Advisor”    Section 9.6.2
“Circumstances”    Section 4.1.2 (i)
“Closing”    Section 2.11
“Closing Actions”    Section 2.12
“Closing Date”    Section 2.11
“Closing Protocol”    Section 2.12.26
“Closing Statement”    Section 5.3.1
“Company”/“Companies”    Section 1.8
“Competitive Business Activity”    Section 13.1
“Company Know-how”    Section 6.9.1 (ii)
“Contracts”    Section 2.4 (ii)
“Corporate Documents”    Section 6.1.3
“Customer Orders”    Section 6.1.13 (ii)
“Damages”    Section 8.1.4
“Data Room CD-ROMs”    Section 8.2.3

 

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“Data Room Documents”    Section 8.2.1 (ii)
“Date of Signing”    Section 2.7
“Defendant”    Section 8.10.1
“Disclosed Information”    Section 8.2.1 (ii)
“Effective Date”    Section 2.5
“Employees”    Section 6.1.14 (i)
“Financial Statements”    Section 6.1.5 (ii)
“Funding Plans”    Section 6.1.14 (xi)
“GAAP”    Section 6.1.5 (i)
“Governmental Authorities”    Section 4.3.2
“Guarantees”    Section 17.2
“Guarantor”    Cover page
“Indemnifiable Tax”    Section 9.6.1
“IP Assets”    Section 7.1.3 (i)
“IP Rights”    Section 6.1.9 (i)
“KBG Names”    Section 15.3
“Knowledge of the Sellers”    Section 8.4
“Kreyenborg Business”    Preamble
“Leakage”    Section 6.1.18
“Leased Real Estate”    Section 6.1.7 (ii)
“Liability Cap”    Section 20.1
“License Agreement”    Section 15.3
“Liens”    Section 6.1.4 (iv)
“Litigation”    Section 6.1.12 (i)
“Management Accounts”    Section 6.1.5 (ii)
“Material Adverse Effect”    Section 4.1.2 (i)
“Material Agreements”    Section 6.1.13 (i)
“Mutual Condition”    Section 4.1.1
“Owned IP Rights”    Section 6.1.9 (i)
“Party”/“Parties”    Cover page
“Permits”    Section 6.1.10 (i)
“Proprietary Information”    Section 12.1
“Purchase Price”    Section 5.2
“Relevant Date”    Sections 5.5.1 (i) and 5.5.2 (ii)
“Restricted Territory”    Section 13.1
“Records”    Section 2.4 (i)
“Seller”/“Sellers”    Cover page
“Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor”    Section 9.6.2
“Sellers Conditions”    Section 4.1.3

 

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“Shares”    Section 1.8
“Signing Date”    Section 2.7
“Signing”    Section 2.7
“Supplier Orders”    Section 6.1.13 (ii)
“Tax Audit”    Section 9.6.1
“Tax Damages”    Section 9.3.1
“Tax Return”    Section 9.1.2
“Taxes”    Section 9.1.1
“Taxing Authority”    Section 9.1.2
“Third Party Claim”    Section 8.10.1
“VAT”    Section 5.6
“VAT Tax Group”    Section 9.2 (viii)

 

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Preamble

W HEREAS , Kreyenborg GmbH with registered offices at Münster, Westphalia, Federal Republic of Germany, itself and by its subsidiaries Kreyenborg, Inc. and Kreyenborg America LP in the United States of America, is active in the development, production and sale of filtration systems, pump technology and polymer valves (the “ Kreyenborg Business ”); and

W HEREAS , BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH with registered offices at Münster, Westphalia, Federal Republic of Germany, is active in the development, production and sale of pelletizing systems and centrifugal dryers (the “ BKG Business ”); and

W HEREAS , Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg as an ultimate shareholder of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and as the ultimate shareholder of Kreyenborg GmbH intends to sell the Kreyenborg Business and the BKG Business (jointly referred to as the “ Business ”) by a sale of 100 % of the shares in Kreyenborg GmbH (including the shares in Kreyenborg, Inc. and Kreyenborg America LP) and in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH (including the minority shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH) as well as certain Assets pertaining to the Business as specifically set out in this Agreement; and

W HEREAS , Nordson Corporation is a company organized under the laws of Ohio, United States of America, with offices at Westlake, Ohio, United States of America, being active, inter alia, in the development, production and sale of differentiated products and systems used for precision dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, fluids and other materials, plastic extrusion and injection molding, electronics testing and inspecting, and surface preparation; and

W HEREAS , Nordson Corporation (either itself or by its subsidiaries to be designated prior to Closing), is interested to acquire the Shares and Assets as set out in this Agreement; and

W HEREAS , the real estate (betriebsnotwendiger Grundbesitz) used by Kreyenborg GmbH in Münster is currently leased from Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG, and the real estate (betriebsnotwendiger Grundbesitz) used by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in Münster is currently leased from BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG; and

 

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W HEREAS , the aforesaid Companies shall continue leasing the aforementioned real estate following Closing under long-term lease agreements at market terms and conditions and as more specifically set out in this Agreement; and

W HEREAS , with effect as of the Closing, Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann will resign as managing directors of Kreyenborg GmbH and of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH;

N OW , THEREFORE , the Parties hereby enter into and agree upon this sale and purchase agreement (the “ Agreement ”):

Section 1

Corporate Ownership/Structure

 

1.1 Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is a limited partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft) organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany with registered offices at Münster (Federal Republic of Germany) and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the lower court (Amtsgericht) of Münster under HRA 1140. Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg is the sole limited partner (Kommanditist) of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG. The sole general partner (Komplementär) of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH with registered offices at Münster and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the lower court (Amtsgericht) of Münster under HRB 4406.

 

1.2 Kreyenborg GmbH

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is the sole shareholder of Kreyenborg GmbH, a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany with registered offices at Münster (Federal Republic of Germany) and

 

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registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the lower court (Amtsgericht) of Münster under HRB 2197. The registered share capital (Stammkapital) of the company amounts to nominal DM 500,000.00 in the aggregate. The registered share capital is held by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and is divided as follows:

 

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG:

  

One share (consecutive number 1) in the nominal amount of

     DM 500,000.00   
  

 

 

 

Registered share capital:

     DM 500,000.00   
  

 

 

 

The aforesaid share has been set out in the list of shareholders (Gesellschafterliste) dated 13 June 2005 which has been filed with the commercial register. The aforesaid share has been fully paid in (voll eingezahlt) and is non-assessable (keine Nachschußpflicht) .

 

1.3 Branches of Kreyenborg GmbH

Kreyenborg GmbH has established branches (Zweigniederlassungen) in Malaysia and Shanghai.

 

1.4 Kreyenborg, Inc.

Kreyenborg, Inc. is a company organized under the laws of the State of Georgia with offices at Roswell, Georgia (United States of America). Kreyenborg, Inc. is authorized to issue up to 500,000 shares of common stock, of which 500 shares have been issued. The issued share capital of Kreyenborg, Inc., therefore, consists of 500 shares of common stock with a par value of USD 1.00 each, which are held by Kreyenborg GmbH.

 

1.5 Kreyenborg America LP

Kreyenborg America LP is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Georgia with offices at Roswell, Georgia (United States of America). The partnership interest in Kreyenborg America LP is owned by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg (as limited partner) and by Kreyenborg, Inc. as general partner as follows:

 

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Mr. Jan- Udo Kreyenborg:

  

Interest as limited partner of 95 % with a capital contribution of

   USD  23,750.00   

Kreyenborg, Inc.:

  

Interest as general partner of 5 % with a capital contribution of

   USD 1,250.00   
  

 

 

 

Partnership interest (100 %):

   USD 25,000.00   
  

 

 

 

 

1.6 BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH

BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH is a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany with registered offices at Münster (Federal Republic of Germany) and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the lower court (Amtsgericht) Münster under HRB 4292. The registered share capital (Stammkapital) of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH amounts to nominal EUR 260,000.00 in the aggregate. The registered share capital is held by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann (and by the Company itself) and is divided as follows:

 

Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg:

  

One share (consecutive no. 3) in the nominal amount of

   EUR  104,000.00   

One share (consecutive no. 4) in the nominal amount of

   EUR 34,350.00   

One share (consecutive no. 5) in the nominal amount of

   EUR 35,300.00   

Mr. Theodor Bruckmann:

  

One share (consecutive no. 1.4) in the nominal amount of

   EUR 6,200.00   

One share (consecutive no. 2) in the nominal amount of

   EUR 52,000.00   

BGK Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH:

  

One share (consecutive no. 1.3) in the nominal amount of

   EUR 28,150.00   
  

 

 

 

Registered share capital:

   EUR 260,000.00   
  

 

 

 

 

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The aforesaid shares have been set out in the list of shareholders (Gesellschafterliste) dated 11 March 2013 and filed with the commercial register. The aforesaid shares are fully paid in (voll eingezahlt) and are non-assessable (keine Nachschußpflicht) .

 

1.7 Assets

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is the owner of certain assets (IP-rights and other fixed assets) pertaining to the Business as more specifically set out in Annex 1.7 .

 

1.8 Definition of “Companies” and “Shares”

BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH, Kreyenborg GmbH, Kreyenborg, Inc. and Kreyenborg America LP are individually referred to as “ Company ”, and collectively as “ Companies ”. The shares held by the relevant Seller or Company in the Companies (including the partnership interests in Kreyenborg America LP and including the Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH sold hereunder, unless otherwise specified herein) are jointly referred to as the “ Shares ”.

 

1.9 Chart/Corporate Structure

A chart showing the corporate structure of the entire Kreyenborg/BKG-Group (including the Companies) as of June 2013 is attached hereto as Annex 1.9 .

 

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Section 2

Sale and Transfer of Shares and Assets; Closing

 

2.1 Sale of the Shares in Kreyenborg GmbH

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG hereby sells to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby purchases, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Share (consecutive number 1) held by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG in Kreyenborg GmbH set out in Section 1.2 in the nominal amount of DM 500,000.00.

 

2.2 Sale of the Shares in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH

Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg hereby sells to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby purchases, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Shares (consecutive numbers 3, 4 and 5) held by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg, and all Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann (consecutive numbers 1.4 and 2) in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH set out in Section 1.6 in the aggregate nominal amount of EUR 231,850.00.

 

2.3 Sale of the partnership interest held by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg in Kreyenborg America LP

Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg hereby sells to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby purchases, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the partnership interest held by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg as limited partner in Kreyenborg America LP set out in Section 1.5 corresponding to 95 % of the entire partnership capital with a contribution pertaining to the partnership interest sold under this Section 2.3 of USD 23,750.00.

 

2.4 Sale of Assets and Business Contracts

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG hereby sells to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby purchases, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,

 

  (i)

all of the tangible and intangible assets held by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and used exclusively in the Business, including, but not limited to, the assets as described in

 

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  Section 1.7 and listed on Annex 1.7 and all documents, files and information relating to such assets that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form (the “ Records ”; and together with the respective tangible and intangible assets, the “ Assets ”), and

 

  (ii) the contracts and agreements, commitments, orders and binding offers (“ Contracts ”) entered into by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG that relate exclusively to the Business, including, but not limited to, the Contracts listed on Annex 1.7 and all Records related thereto (hereinafter referred to as the “ Business Contracts ”).

 

2.5 Effective Date

The sale of the Shares shall take place with economic effect (mit wirtschaftlicher Wirkung) as of 1 January 2013, 0.00 hours (the “ Effective Date ”). The sale of the Assets and Business Contracts shall take place with economic effect as of the Closing Date.

 

2.6 Rights and Obligations attached to the Shares; Dividends

The sale of the Shares includes all rights and obligations connected therewith, including the right to participate in the profits and losses of the Companies for periods from and including the business year 2012 and all subsequent periods. Dividends for the business year 2011 and previous periods have been distributed to the relevant Seller(s) or Companies, as the case may be, and are not sold to the Buyer.

 

2.7 Changes of the Assets until Closing

The Assets shall (i) include all assets pertaining exclusively to the Business and acquired by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG in the ordinary course of business between the date as of which Annex 1.7 specifying the Assets has been prepared and Closing, and (ii) exclude any tangible items lost, sold or disposed of since the date of signing of this Agreement (the “ Date of Signing ”, “ Signing ” or “ Signing Date ”) through the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business.

 

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2.8 Transfers and Assignments

 

2.8.1 Subject to the condition precedent (aufschiebende Bedingung) that the Closing Protocol set out in Section 2.12.26 has been executed, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG hereby transfers and assigns to the Buyer (or to any new buyer designated by the Buyer in accordance with Section 22.1, as the case may be) the Share (consecutive no. 1) in Kreyenborg GmbH in the nominal amount of DM 500,000.00 as set out in Section 1.2, including all rights pertaining to such Share as described in Section 2.6. The Buyer hereby accepts the aforesaid transfer and assignment.

 

2.8.2 Subject to the condition precedent that the Closing Protocol set out in Section 2.12.26 has been executed, Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg hereby transfers and assigns to the Buyer (or any new buyer designated by the Buyer in accordance with Section 22.1, as the case may be) the Shares (consecutive nos. 3, 4 and 5) in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in the aggregate nominal amount of EUR 173,650.00 as set out in Section 1.6, including all rights pertaining to such Shares as described in Section 2.6. The Buyer hereby accepts the aforesaid transfer and assignment.

 

2.8.3 Subject to the condition precedent that the Closing Protocol set out in Section 2.12.26 has been executed, Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg hereby transfers and assigns to the Buyer (or any new buyer designated by the Buyer in accordance with Section 22.1, as the case may be) the partnership interest held by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg in Kreyenborg America LP as set out in Section 1.5, including all rights pertaining to such partnership interest as described in Section 2.6. The Buyer hereby accepts the aforesaid transfer and assignment. The aforesaid transfer and assignment shall be repeated and confirmed at Closing in a form compliant with US legal requirements applicable to such transfer and assignment.

 

2.8.4 The fulfilment of the conditions precedent set out in this Section 2.8 shall be evidenced by the Closing Protocol, notwithstanding the right of each Party to submit any other evidence that the conditions precedent properly occurred. The Parties are obliged to inform the acting notary without undue delay if the conditions precedent have been fulfilled (and if the transfer of the Share held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH has been effected) in order to enable the acting notary to prepare and file updated versions of the relevant list of shareholders (Gesellschafterlisten) with the electronic commercial register.

 

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2.9 Additional separate Transfer Agreements to be executed at Closing

The Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH as set out in Section 1.6 in the aggregate nominal amount of EUR 58,200.00, the Assets and the Business Contracts are not transferred by virtue of this Agreement, but shall be transferred to the Buyer (or any new buyer designated by the Buyer in accordance with Section 22.1, as the case may be) by separate transfer agreements to be executed at the Closing Date.

 

2.10 Transfers to be effected concurrently against payment of the Purchase Price

The transfer of the Shares, the Assets and the Business Contracts shall in each case become effective only concurrently ( Zug um Zug ) against full payment of the Purchase Price as set forth in Section 5.

 

2.11 Closing

The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder shall take place on the first Business Day of the month after which the Mutual Condition has been satisfied, and each Buyer Condition and each Sellers Condition has been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms thereof; provided, however, that if such Business Day is five or fewer Business Days prior to the end of such month, the Closing shall take place on the first Business Day of the month following the month the first Business Day of which would have been the relevant Business Day according to the first sentence, or any other day mutually agreed by the Buyer and the Sellers (the “ Closing ” or the “ Closing Date ”). Closing shall take place at the offices of FRANZ RECHTSANWÄLTE Partnerschaftsgesellschaft, Kaistrasse 16A, D-40221 Düsseldorf, Federal Republic of Germany, or at such other time and/or place the Parties mutually agree.

 

2.12 Closing Actions

At Closing, the following actions shall be taken, and the following declarations shall be made and received (the “ Closing Actions ”):

 

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  2.12.1 Submission of a nihil-obstat letter of the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) or other evidence that the relevant time period has been elapsed without any decision of the Federal Cartel Office by the Buyer;

 

  2.12.2 Delivery of the transfer agreement relating to the transfer of the Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.2 and of the written consent of Mr. Theodor Bruckmann to such transfer, with Mr. Bruckmann’s signature certified by a notary public;

 

  2.12.3 Submission of shareholders’ resolutions (Gesellschafterbeschlüsse) of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and Kreyenborg GmbH by which the transfer of the Shares in these Companies contemplated under this Agreement will be approved, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.3 ;

 

  2.12.4 Execution of the transfer agreement relating to the Assets and Business Contracts substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.4 ;

 

  2.12.5 Delivery of the share certificate, relating to the Shares in Kreyenborg, Inc. owned by Kreyenborg GmbH;

 

  2.12.6 Resignation of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg as managing director of Kreyenborg GmbH;

 

  2.12.7 Resignations of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann as managing directors of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH;

 

  2.12.8 Resignation of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg as director, president and treasurer of Kreyenborg, Inc.;

 

  2.12.9 Execution of a transfer agreement relating to the transfer of the partnership interest in Kreyenborg America LP to the Buyer substantially in the form as set out in Annex 2.12.9 ;

 

  2.12.10 Execution of a termination agreement contemplating the termination as of the Closing Date of the operational lease agreement (Pachtvertrag) between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg GmbH, substantially in the form set out in Annex 2.12.10 ;

 

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  2.12.11 Execution of a termination agreement, relating to a termination as of the Closing Date of the lease agreement between BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG regarding the premises used by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in Hessenweg/Münster, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.11 ;

 

  2.12.12 Execution of a long-term lease agreement between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg GmbH, relating to the premises used by Kreyenborg GmbH in Coermühle/Münster, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.12 ;

 

  2.12.13 Execution of a long-term lease agreement between BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH, relating to the premises used by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in Hessenweg/Münster, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.13 ;

 

  2.12.14 Execution of a consultancy agreement (Beratervertrag) between Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Kreyenborg GmbH substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.14 ;

 

  2.12.15 Submission of documents evidencing that the existing pension obligation of Kreyenborg GmbH to Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg set out in Annex 2.12.15 has been transferred to another legal entity outside the Companies prior to Closing against payment of an amount of EUR 1,401,731.00 by Kreyenborg GmbH to such entity as provided for under Section 18.8;

 

  2.12.16 Submission of the Bank Guarantee 1 substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.16 ;

 

  2.12.17 Submission of the Bank Guarantee 2 substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.17 ;

 

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  2.12.18 Execution of supply agreements between Kreyenborg Plant Technology GmbH & Co. KG and Bruckmann Steuerungstechnik GmbH on the one side, and Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH on the other side, as set out in Annex 2.12.18 .

 

  2.12.19 Execution of licence agreements between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG on the one side, and Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH on the other side, with respect to the JONYX software, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.19 ;

 

  2.12.20 Execution of termination agreements, relating to the termination of agreements between the Companies and the Sellers, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann and/or any of their affiliated companies (verbundene Unternehmen) as defined in Sections 15 et seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz) - “ Affiliates ”) as set out in Section 18.6 (other than the termination agreements already included in Sections 2.12.10 and 2.12.11);

 

  2.12.21 Execution of shareholders’ resolutions (Gesellschafterbeschlüsse) of Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH & Co. KG, relating to an unqualified discharge (uneingeschränkte Entlastung) of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann as managing directors (Geschäftsführer) of the aforesaid Companies for all periods up to and including the Closing Date substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.21 ;

 

  2.12.22 Execution of a shareholders’ resolution of Kreyenborg, Inc., relating to an unqualified discharge (uneingeschränkte Entlastung) of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg as director, president and treasurer of Kreyenborg, Inc. and of Kreyenborg America LP, relating to an unqualified discharge (uneingeschränkte Entlastung) of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg as limited partner of Kreyenborg America LP for all periods up to and including the Closing Date, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.22 ;

 

  2.12.23 Payment of the Purchase Price as adjusted in accordance with Section 5.2 and less the amount of the loan, including interest accrued thereon, granted by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH to Mr. Theodor Bruckmann as set out in Section 17.1;

 

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  2.12.24 Payment of the amount of the loan, including interest accrued thereon, granted by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH to Mr. Theodor Bruckmann as set out in Section 17.1 by the Buyer to BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH for the account of Mr. Theodor Bruckmann;

 

  2.12.25 Repayment of the loans by the relevant company of the Kreyenborg/BKG-Group to the relevant Company as set out in Section 5.2.1;

 

  2.12.26 Execution by all Parties of a written document (the “ Closing Protocol ”) confirming that (i) the Mutual Condition has been fulfilled; (ii) all Buyer Conditions and all Sellers’ Conditions have been fulfilled or waived; (iii) all Closing Actions have been performed or waived; and (iv) the Closing has occurred.

Section 3

Specific Provisions regarding the Sale of Assets

 

3.1 IP Rights as part of the Assets

 

3.1.1

After the Closing, the Buyer may, at its own discretion, record the assignment of the registered intellectual property rights listed in Annex 1.7 (including any intellectual property rights issued and/or being issued upon applications being part of the listed intellectual property rights) to the Buyer or any of its Affiliates. To the extent legally possible, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG shall, on the Buyer’s written request, sign the respective confirmations of assignment which the Buyer reasonably requires. The costs of this recordation of assignment shall be borne by the Buyer. After Closing, the Buyer shall exclusively be responsible for the further prosecution and maintenance of the registered intellectual property rights listed in Annex 1.7 and shall bear all costs related thereto. The Buyer shall indemnify and keep harmless Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG from any costs, expenses and damages in the event any third person shall assess any claims regarding the aforesaid intellectual property rights against Kreyenborg

 

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  Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG instead of the Buyer or its Affiliates (including the Companies) as the actual owner the aforesaid intellectual property rights after the Closing Date; provided, however, that the Sellers shall remain liable to the Buyer for any third party claims relating to intellectual property as provided in this Agreement.

 

3.1.2 With respect to the patents nos. EP0915729B1 and AT199700465A jointly owned by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, following Closing, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG will undertake best efforts to obtain the consent of Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft for a transfer of the ownership to the Buyer or, at the option of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG, to Kreyenborg GmbH. If such consent cannot be obtained, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is entitled to waive any and all rights pertaining to the aforesaid patents, including in particular, without limitation, to refrain from paying the relevant patent fees, without any claims of the Buyer.

 

3.2 Fixed Assets

 

3.2.1 At Closing or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG shall grant to the Buyer, and the Buyer shall assume physical possession of the Assets. If the Assets are in the possession of a third party, the Parties hereby agree to notify such third party as regards the transfer of title to such Assets to the Buyer.

 

3.2.2 The title to, and the risk of loss of, the Assets, the benefits and the charges or similar costs associated therewith shall pass and transfer from Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG to the Buyer with economic effect among the Parties as of Closing.

 

3.2.3 The Parties undertake to do all acts and sign, execute and deliver any documents which are necessary or appropriate to implement the transfer, assignment, conveyance and setting over to the Buyer of all rights, title and interest of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG in the Assets.

 

3.2.4

If and to the extent that any consent or agreement of any third party is required for the transfer of any Assets, the transfer of the relevant Asset shall not take effect, until that consent or agreement has been obtained and each of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and the Buyer shall (each at

 

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  its own expense) use its reasonable commercial efforts to obtain it as soon as possible. After Closing, and until such time as any consent or agreement referred to in the preceding sentence is obtained, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG shall, to the extent legally possible, be deemed to hold such Assets for the benefit and burden of the Buyer.

 

3.3 Business Contracts

 

3.3.1 Immediately following Closing, the Parties will use best efforts and cooperate to obtain all necessary consents from the respective third persons who are a party to any Business Contract to transfer such contractual relationships from Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG to the Buyer; provided, however, that no Party to this Agreement shall be required to incur any liability or pay any consideration in connection therewith or consent to any material amendment to the terms and conditions of the Business Contracts.

 

3.3.2

If and to the extent that the consents to the transfer of the contractual relationships as described in Section 3.3.1 cannot be obtained, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG will, in respect of the external relationships (im Außenverhältnis), remain the party to the relevant contractual relationship. For the purpose of their internal relationship (im Innenverhältnis), the Parties will behave and treat each other as if the transfer had effectively taken place on the Closing Date and shall co-operate in any reasonable and mutually acceptable form (to the extent legally permitted) in order to put the Buyer or its Affiliate and Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG economically in the same position they would have been in, if the respective Business Contract had been assigned, including any sub-licensing, sub-leasing or sub-contracting to the Buyer or its Affiliate, provided that all costs related therewith shall be borne by the Buyer. Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG will provide to the Buyer or its Affiliate the financial and business benefits of such non-assigned Business Contract and enforce, at the request and at the sole expense of the Buyer or its Affiliate, for the account of the Buyer or its Affiliate, any rights of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG arising from any such non-assignable Business Contract (including the right to elect to terminate in accordance with the terms thereof upon the instruction of the Buyer). After the Closing, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG shall not amend any non-assignable Business Contract without the prior written consent of the Buyer; Section 3.3.3 shall remain unaffected. The Buyer shall

 

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  provide to Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG all services necessary to properly perform each of the non-assignable Business Contracts at no cost for Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG. The Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG from and against any liability arising out of or in connection with such non-assignable Business Contract, unless such liability has been caused by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG by not applying the standards used in its own affairs (Sorgfalt wie in eigenen Angelegenheiten) .

 

3.3.3 Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG shall be entitled to terminate any Business Contract which had not been transferred due to a lack of consent by the other contractual party with effect as of the next applicable termination date.

Section 4

Conditions Precedent; Merger Control

 

4.1 Conditions Precedent

 

4.1.1 The Closing of the transaction contemplated hereunder by the Buyer and the Sellers shall be conditional upon the following condition precedent (aufschiebende Bedingung) (the “ Mutual Condition ”):

The Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) issuing a nihil-obstat-letter or the time-periods for a prohibition of the merger project pursuant to Section 40 GWB elapsed without any decision issued by the Federal Cartel Office.

 

4.1.2 The Closing of the transaction contemplated hereunder by the Buyer shall be conditional upon the fulfilment or waiver by the Buyer of the following conditions precedent (aufschiebende Bedingungen) (the “ Buyer Conditions ”):

 

  (i)

After the Signing Date, no “ Circumstances ” ( i.e. , single event, occurrence or circumstance, or cumulative series of events, occurrences or circumstances) have occurred that (a) are materially adverse to the financial condition, business, assets, properties or results of operation of the Companies taken as a whole that result in actual and determinable damages of the Companies exceeding EUR 10,000,000.00 or (b)

 

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  assuming Circumstances would constitute a breach of any guarantee of the Sellers under this Agreement resulting in actual and determinable damages of the Companies, or, if relating to a risk disclosed by the Sellers according to Section 8.2, would increase the disclosed risk (for the avoidance of doubt, here only the increase of the disclosed risk shall be counted) by cumulated actual and determinable damages exceeding in total EUR 10,000,000.00 (“ Material Adverse Effect ”); provided, however, that in all cases (a) damages recoverable from any insurance of the Companies or any other enforceable (rechtlich durchsetzbar) claim against third parties, (b) damages resulting from any change of legislation, (c) damages resulting from any change, state of facts or effects within or relating to the competitive environment of the Companies or the Assets and the Business Contracts, or (d) any change, state of facts or effects relating to the economy in general or the markets on which the Companies are active shall not be taken into account.

 

  (ii) Execution of the transfer agreement relating to the transfer of the Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.2 and delivery of the written consent of Mr. Bruckmann to such transfer with Mr. Theodor Bruckmann’ s signature certified by a notary public;

 

  (iii) Delivery of a resolution of the shareholders of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH consenting to the sale and transfer of the shares in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH to the Buyer substantially in the form as set out in Annex 2.12.3 ;

 

  (iv) Execution of the transfer agreement relating to the confirmation of the transfer of the limited partnership interest held by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg in Kreyenborg America LP, including the consent of Kreyenborg, Inc. as the general partner, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.9 , by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg;

 

  (v) Execution of the transfer agreement relating to the Assets and Business Contracts, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.4 , by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG;

 

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  (vi) Execution of the termination agreement relating to the termination of the operational lease agreement (Pachtvertrag) between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg GmbH, regarding (a) the premises used by Kreyenborg GmbH in Coermühle/Münster, and (b) the Assets and Business Contracts, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.10 , by all the parties thereof;

 

  (vii) Execution of the termination agreement relating to the termination of the lease agreement between BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG regarding the premises used by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in Hessenweg/Münster, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.11 , by all the parties thereof;

 

  (viii) Execution of the long-term lease agreement between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg GmbH relating to the premises used by Kreyenborg GmbH in Coermühle/Münster, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.12 , by all the parties thereof;

 

  (ix) Execution of the long-term lease agreement between BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH relating to the premises used by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in Hessenweg/Münster, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.13 , by all the parties thereof;

 

  (x) Submission of documents evidencing that the existing pension obligation of Kreyenborg GmbH to Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg set out in Annex 2.12.15 has been transferred to another legal entity outside the Companies prior to Closing against payment of an amount of EUR 1,401,731.00 by Kreyenborg GmbH to such entity as provided for under Section 18.8;

 

  (xi) Submission of the Bank Guarantees by the Sellers to the Buyer, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.16 and Annex 2.12.17 .

 

4.1.3 The Closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder by the Sellers shall be conditional upon the fulfilment or waiver by the Sellers of the following conditions precedent (aufschiebende Bedingungen) (the “ Sellers Conditions ”):

 

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  (i) Execution of the transfer agreement relating to the transfers of the Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.2 , by the Buyer; and

 

  (ii) Execution of the transfer agreement relating to the Assets and Business Contracts, substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.4 , by the Buyer.

 

4.2 Long Stop Dates

 

4.2.1 In the event the Mutual Condition is not fulfilled until 30 November 2013 or until a later point of time to be determined mutually by the Parties, the Sellers as well as the Buyer may withdraw from this Agreement by written notification of the Buyer to the Sellers or of the Sellers to the Buyer, as the case may be, however, without seeking compensation for damages for breach and non-performance of this Agreement.

 

4.2.2 In the event any Buyer Condition other than the condition set forth in Section 4.1.2 (i) was neither fulfilled by the Sellers nor waived by the Buyer at its sole discretion until 31 December 2013, the Buyer may withdraw from this Agreement by written notification to the Sellers and seek compensation for damages (as defined in Sections 249 et seq. German Civil Code/ BGB ) for breach and non-performance of this Agreement.

 

4.2.3 In the event any Sellers Condition was neither fulfilled by the Buyer nor waived by the Sellers at their sole discretion until 31 December 2013, the Sellers may withdraw from this Agreement by written notification to the Buyer and seek compensation for damages (as defined in Sections 249 et seq. German Civil Code/ BGB ) for breach and non-performance of this Agreement.

 

4.3 Merger Control and Other Filings

 

4.3.1 According to the common understanding of the Parties, it is the Buyer’s duty to file, based on the information related to the Companies provided by the Sellers and with the support of the Sellers, for clearance by all competent Governmental Authorities as required by applicable Laws to implement this Agreement as early as possible.

 

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4.3.2 Subject to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Sellers and the Buyer shall cooperate in good faith in determining as soon as possible which filings are required to be made prior to the Closing Date with, and which consents, approvals, permits, or authorizations are required to be obtained prior to the Closing Date from the European Commission, the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) and any other Governmental Authority (“ Antitrust Authorities ”) responsible for the regulation and administration of filings in respect of Council Regulation No. 139/2004 of the European Community, the German Act Against Restraints of Competition, as amended (Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen or GWB) and all other laws that prohibit, restrict, or regulate foreign investment, or restraints of competition in any jurisdiction (“ Antitrust Laws ”) and any other court, tribunal, governmental authority, governmental body or other regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission of any government of any country or any private or governmental arbitration or conciliation authority or similar body, and any body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial or legislative authority or power of any nature (“ Governmental Authorities ”) in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein. The Sellers shall supply to the Buyer’s legal advisor without undue delay all information related to the Business that is necessary for the preparation of any notification by the Buyer, provided that the Buyer’s legal advisor shall not be permitted to share any confidential information of the Business, the Sellers and its Affiliates and their respective businesses with the Buyer.

 

4.3.3 The Buyer shall make within the later of (i) five (5) Business Days following the date hereof, and (ii) five (5) Business Days following the day on which the Sellers provided the Buyer all information related to the Business that is necessary for the preparation of the notification pursuant to any Antitrust Laws, any necessary filings of a notification pursuant to any Antitrust Law with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and deliver to the Antitrust Authorities without delay any additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to any Antitrust Law.

 

4.3.4

Provided that the Sellers’ legal advisor shall not be permitted to share any confidential information of the Buyer and its Affiliates and their respective businesses with the Sellers, prior to any filing, the Buyer shall provide to the Sellers’ legal advisor the opportunity to review and comment on draft submissions to Antitrust Authorities and deliver to the Sellers’ legal advisor

 

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  without delay copies of any correspondence with the Antitrust Authorities. The Sellers shall contact any Antitrust Authority only after prior consultation with the Buyer. The Buyer and the Sellers’ legal advisor shall participate at any meetings or conferences of the Sellers or the Buyer, as the case may be, with any Antitrust Authority; provided, however, that the Sellers’ legal advisor shall not be authorized to make any statements before or towards the Antitrust Authorities, neither oral nor in writing, without the Buyer’s prior consent.

 

4.3.5 The Sellers and the Buyer shall take all actions necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under any Antitrust Law as soon as practicable. The Buyer may not withdraw (zurücknehmen) filings with the Antitrust Authorities unless such withdrawal is based on the fact that the competent merger control authority indicates that it will not grant its approval, or that such approval will only be granted under conditions.

 

4.3.6 The Sellers and the Buyer shall take all actions necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under any Antitrust Law as soon as practicable; provided, however, that if the Antitrust Authorities are prepared to grant their approval only subject to compliance with specific conditions or obligations to be imposed on the Buyer or any of its Affiliates, the Buyer shall not be obligated to accept the imposition of any conditions or obligations.

Section 5

Purchase Price

 

5.1 Purchase Price

The purchase price for the Shares, the Assets and Business Contracts sold hereunder amounts to

EUR 143,252,572.00

(in words: Euro one hundred forty three million two hundred fifty two thousand

five hundred seventy two)

in the aggregate (the “ Base Purchase Price ”), and shall be allocated to the Shares, the Assets and the Business Contracts as set out in Annex 5.1 .

 

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5.2 Adjustments of the Base Purchase Price at Closing

The Base Purchase Price shall be adjusted at Closing as follows and shall be, following such adjustments, the “ Purchase Price ”:

 

  5.2.1 To the extent loans have been granted by any of the Companies to other companies of the Kreyenborg/BKG-Group (as set out in the chart attached hereto as Annex 1.9 ), the aggregate amount of such loans (plus interest accrued thereon) that has been actually repaid to the Companies after the Effective Date and before or at the Closing shall be treated as “cash”, shall increase the Base Purchase Price, and shall be paid by the Buyer at Closing to the Sellers. The Sellers will ensure that the loans (plus interest accrued thereon) will be repaid before or at the Closing by the receiving company of the Kreyenborg/BKG-Group to the relevant Company. The loans are set out in Annex 5.2.1 .

 

  5.2.2 With a view to the existing lease agreement between Kreyenborg GmbH and Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG, the amounts paid by Kreyenborg GmbH to Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG for the period between 1 January 2013 and Closing shall partially reduce the Base Purchase Price as more specifically calculated and set out in Annex 5.2.2 .

 

  5.2.3 The aggregate amount of any gross amount severance, bonus, change in control payment, salary, benefit, fee or any other payment (including both the company and employee portion of any Taxes and social security contributions to be paid or withheld by any of the Companies in connection with such payments) paid or payable by any Company to any managing directors, employees, consultants or officers of any Company in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall reduce the Base Purchase Price.

For the avoidance of doubt, except as explicitly set out in this Section 5.2, no further adjustments to the Base Purchase Price shall be made.

 

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5.3 Closing Statement

 

5.3.1 The Sellers shall submit to the Buyer no later than five (5) Business Days prior to Closing a calculation of the amounts set out in Section 5.2 (the “ Closing Statement ”) and all relevant documents showing the basis for such calculation as specified in Annex 5.3.1 . Such Closing Statement shall be authoritative for the calculation of the Purchase Price to be paid at Closing in the absence of manifest mathematical error; however, the right to object as provided in Section 5.3.2 following Closing shall remain unaffected.

 

5.3.2 The Buyer is entitled to review the Closing Statement within two (2) weeks following Closing. If the Buyer does not notify the Sellers of any objections against the Closing Statement within that period, the Closing Statement shall be final and binding between the Parties. If objections have been notified within that period and if the dispute cannot be settled by the Parties within one (1) month following receipt of such notification by the Sellers, the Closing Statement shall be finally determined by an accounting firm acting as expert (Schiedsgutachter) within the meaning of Sections 317 et seq. German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) and to be appointed by the board (Vorstand) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer) at Düsseldorf upon request of either Party, unless determined unanimously by the Parties. Any difference between the Purchase Price paid at the Closing Date and the Purchase Price determined as set out above shall be paid by the relevant Party to the relevant other Party within ten (10) Business Days following the Closing Statement becoming final and binding.

 

5.4 Payment of the Purchase Price; Account of the Sellers

The Purchase Price shall become due and payable at Closing and shall be transferred in Euros in immediately available funds, without any deductions or withholdings and without any costs, charges and expenses for the Sellers to the account of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg, details of which are set out in Annex 5.4 . By payment irrevocably received on the aforesaid account, the Buyer shall be released from its payment obligations under this Section 5 with regard to all Sellers. The aforesaid account of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg shall also be the relevant account for all other payments to be made to the Sellers under this Agreement, unless any other account has been designated by the Sellers to the Buyer in this Agreement (including the Annexes) or at least five (5) Business Days prior to the relevant amount becoming due and payable.

 

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5.5 Bank Guarantees

 

5.5.1 Bank Guarantee for Claims except Claims for Taxes

 

(i) At Closing, the Sellers shall deliver to the Buyer a bank guarantee (Bürgschaft) in the aggregate amount of EUR 14,325,257.00 and in the form set forth in Annex 2.12.16 issued by HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG (or any comparable German Bank) as security for claims of the Buyer against the Sellers out of and in connection with this Agreement and its implementation, except claims out of Section 9 (Taxes) (the “ Bank Guarantee 1 ”).

 

(ii) The Bank Guarantee 1 shall be returned to the Sellers after the expiry of eighteen (18) months following Closing (the “ Relevant Date ”) if and to the extent the Buyer has not asserted any claim against the Sellers prior to the Relevant Date.

 

5.5.2 Bank Guarantee for Claims out of Section 9 (Taxes)

 

(i) At Closing, the Sellers shall deliver to the Buyer a bank guarantee (Bürgschaft) in the aggregate amount of EUR 3,000,000.00 and in the form set forth in Annex 2.12.17 issued by HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG (or any comparable German Bank) as security exclusively (ausschließlich) for claims of the Buyer against the Sellers out of Section 9 (Taxes) (the “ Bank Guarantee 2 ”).

 

(ii) The Bank Guarantee 2 shall be returned to the Sellers three (3) months after the earlier of:

 

  (a) the relevant tax assessment (Steuerbescheid) for the Companies by which the reservation as to verification (Vorbehalt der Nachprüfung) of tax assessments regarding corporate income tax (Körperschaftsteuer) and trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) for Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH for the fiscal years 2009 until 2012 is cancelled, became final and binding (bestandskräftig), or

 

  (b) the reservation as to verification with regard to the aforesaid tax assessments expired according to § 164 IV German General Tax Code (Abgabenordnung)

 

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(the dates under (a) and (b) also the “ Relevant Date ” with respect to the Bank Guarantee 2), if and to the extent the Buyer has not asserted any claim against the Sellers based on Section 9 prior to the Relevant Date pursuant to this Section 5.5.2 (ii).

 

5.5.3 Joint Provisions for all Bank Guarantees

 

(i) The bank issuing the Bank Guarantee 1 and the Bank Guarantee 2 (jointly referred to as the “ Bank Guarantees ”) shall pay to the Buyer upon the Buyer’s request any amount (i) explicitly recognized (ausdrücklich anerkannt) by the Sellers as being owed to the Buyer in writing (Schriftform) , (ii) awarded to the Buyer by final arbitration award (Schiedsspruch) , or (iii) agreed between the Sellers and the Buyer in a settlement or otherwise and in writing.

 

(ii) For “asserting” any claim under the Bank Guarantees it shall suffice that the Buyer notifies in writing prior to the applicable Relevant Date a claim to the Sellers (or one of the Sellers), summarizing the facts and circumstances on which such claim is allegedly based, and specifying the estimated amount (if possible at the time). However, if the Buyer does not initiate arbitration proceedings against the Sellers with respect to the asserted amounts at least within three months after the applicable Relevant Date, the Bank Guarantee shall expire and shall be returned immediately to the Sellers after the end of the three months period.

 

(iii) If the Buyer has asserted any claims against the Sellers prior to the applicable Relevant Date, and the cumulated amount of such claims is lower than the amount of the relevant Bank Guarantee in place, the relevant Bank Guarantee shall be replaced after the applicable Relevant Date by a new bank guarantee in the aggregate amount of such claims. The bank guarantees shall be exchanged by the Parties concurrently (Zug-um-Zug) .

 

(iv) To the extent the Sellers have paid to the Buyer any amounts claimed by the Buyer and secured under any of the Bank Guarantees, the relevant Bank Guarantee (i) shall be returned to the Sellers concurrently (Zug-um-Zug) against payment of the secured amount if the amount claimed corresponds to or exceeds the secured amount, or (ii) be reduced by such amounts paid and be replaced concurrently (Zug-um-Zug) by a new bank guarantee in the amount of the difference between the amount of the original Bank Guarantee and the amount paid to the Buyer (provided that the relevant period in Section 5.5.1 (ii) and Section 5.5.2 (ii) has not already expired with respect to such remaining amount).

 

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5.6 Value Added Tax

The Parties assume that the transaction as contemplated by this Agreement is a sale of one business going concern, and no value added tax (Umsatzsteuer) (“ VAT ”) is payable in connection with this transaction, neither according to German laws nor under any other applicable tax laws. If this assumption is incorrect, the Buyer shall pay any VAT, as applicable, in addition to the Purchase Price, following receipt of Sellers’ invoice reflecting the VAT as required by the applicable laws.

Section 6

Guarantees with respect to the Shares and the Companies

 

6.1 Guarantees of the Sellers

The Sellers hereby guarantee by way of an independent guarantee ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen, Section 311 para 1 German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) ) and subject to the restrictions and limitations contained in this Agreement, in particular, but not limited to, the time limitations, the de-minimis and maximum amounts set out in Sections 8 and 20, that the following facts and circumstances detailed in this Section 6 below are true and correct as of the Date of Signing and the Closing Date; provided, however that where specifically indicated that the respective guarantee is true and correct as of the Date of Signing, such guarantee is deemed to be given only as of the Date of Signing.

 

6.1.1 Capacity; Consents; Conflicts; Defaults

 

  (i) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Sellers and constitutes a valid, legal and binding obligation of each Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

  (ii)

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of Germany, and has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this

 

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  Agreement by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG, the performance of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG have been duly authorized by all requisite actions.

 

  (iii) Except for clearance under Anti-Trust Laws, neither the Sellers nor any of the Companies are under any obligation to make any filing with or to obtain any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority pursuant to any applicable laws as a condition to the lawful consummation of this Agreement or the other agreements, documents or instruments contemplated by this Agreement or the continuation of the Company’s business after the consummation hereof.

 

  (iv) No consent, approval, or authorization of any person is required in connection with the execution or performance of this Agreement by any Seller or the other agreements, documents, and instruments contemplated herein by any Seller or the continuation of the Business by the Buyer and the Companies following the consummation hereof.

 

  (v) As of the Date of Signing, neither the execution of this Agreement by the Sellers, nor the performance of the Sellers’ obligations hereunder, (a) violates, conflicts with, or constitutes a default under, any of the terms of the organizational documents of any of the Companies or of any shareholder agreement among the shareholders of any Company, or (b) violates, or conflicts with, or constitutes a default under any order, judgment, or decree of any Governmental Authority by which any of the Companies is bound, (c) results in the creation or imposition of any encumbrance in favour of any third person upon any of the assets of the Business, (d) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, violates any applicable law, or (e) constitutes an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, will result in such violation, conflict, default, acceleration, or creation or imposition of Liens.

 

6.1.2 Organization; Corporate Ownership

 

  (i)

The Companies are duly established and validly existing under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction where they are incorporated. The information given under Section 1 concerning the corporate ownership of the

 

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  Companies is complete and correct. Except for (a) the Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH which are owned by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann, (b) the Shares held by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH in this Company which are owned by this Company itself (eigene Anteile) , and (c) the partnership interest held by Kreyenborg, Inc. in Kreyenborg America LP which is owned by Kreyenborg, Inc., the Sellers are the sole shareholders of the Shares as specified in Section 1. Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg is duly entitled to sell the Shares held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

  (ii) There are no controlling and/or profit and loss pooling agreements (Beherrschungs- und/oder Gewinnabführungsverträge) or similar agreements (Unternehmensverträge) between the Companies and the Sellers. For the avoidance of doubt, the operational lease agreement between Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg GmbH which will be terminated at Closing shall not be regarded as an agreement within the meaning of this Section 6.1.2 (ii).

 

  (iii) Except as set outlined in Section 1 hereof, none of the Companies has any subsidiaries or holds any participation in any person. Except as set forth in Section 1.3, none of the Companies has any branches or representative offices.

 

6.1.3 Corporate Documents

The corporate documents attached as Annex 6.1.3 (i) through (ii)  (in case of the German companies: transcript of the commercial register (Handelsregisterauszug) , list of shareholders (Gesellschafterliste) and articles of association (Gesellschaftsvertrag) , in case of Kreyenborg, Inc. and Kreyenborg America LP: certificate of incorporation, by-laws or partnership agreement, as the case may be, and certificate of good standing - hereinafter referred to as the “ Corporate Documents ”) are authentic copies of the Corporate Documents. No resolutions or other statements to amend the Corporate Documents have been made, and no filings with any commercial register (or with an equivalent corporate authority) in respect of any Company are pending.

 

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6.1.4 Shares

 

  (i) The Shares have been validly issued in compliance with applicable law. Except as set out in Section 6.1.2 (i), the Sellers hold full and unrestricted legal title (uneingeschränkte rechtliche Inhaberschaft) to the Shares. The Shares are not pledged (verpfändet) , attached (gepfändet) , or otherwise encumbered (belastet) with any third party rights and are not subject to any (a) trust arrangement (Treuhandverhältnis) , silent partnership (stille Beteiligung) , sub-participation (Unterbeteiligung), or similar arrangement or any rights of any person; (b) pending transfer or other disposition (Verfügung) ; (c) sale, contribution or other contractual arrangement creating an obligation to transfer or encumber; or (d) shareholders’ resolution providing for their redemption (Einziehung) .

 

  (ii) The Shares of each Company constitute the entire issued share capital of such Company. In case of Kreyenborg America LP, contributions to the partnership capital have been made in the aggregate nominal amount of USD 25,000.00. Other than the Shares, there are no other shares of or participations in any Company. No shares or participations of any kind have been issued or authorized by any of the Companies. Neither the Sellers, any Affiliates of the Sellers, nor any third party has any pre-emptive right (Vorkaufsrecht) , right of first refusal (Vorerwerbsrecht) , subscription right (Bezugsrecht) , option right (Optionsrecht) , conversion right (Wandlungsrecht) or similar right in respect of the Shares. There are no agreements which require the allotment, issue or transfer of any debentures in or securities of the Companies. There are no options, offers, tag along rights, drag along rights, warrants, subscriptions or agreements or rights of any kind to subscribe for, assume or purchase any shares or participation in any Company. There are no commitments or obligations to issue or grant any shares or participation in any Company, and neither the Companies nor their current or future shareholders have any obligations to grant such rights or to enter into any such commitments.

 

  (iii) The Shares are fully paid up (voll eingezahlt), in case of Kreyenborg America LP in an agreed amount of USD 25,000.00. All contributions have been made in compliance with applicable law and have not been repaid or returned, in whole or in part, whether open or disguised, directly or indirectly. There are no obligations to make further contributions (keine Nachschusspflichten) .

 

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  (iv) Upon the sale and transfer of the Shares as contemplated in this Agreement, the Buyer will acquire the entire ownership of and any and all existing rights, interests, and participations in the Companies and will have the unrestricted and entire legal ownership (Eigentum) of the Shares, free and clear of any encumbrance with third party rights, including liens, pledges, easements, attachments, mortgages of any kind (“ Liens ”).

 

6.1.5 Financial Statements

 

  (i) The financial statements consisting of income statement and balance sheet of each of the Companies for the business year ending 31 December 2012 (jointly referred to as the “ 2012 Financial Statements ”) attached hereto as
Annex 6.1.5 (i)  have been prepared in accordance with the statutory provisions and generally accepted bookkeeping and accounting principles applied in the relevant jurisdiction (the relevant “ GAAP ”). The 2012 Financial Statements were prepared using accounting practices consistent with past accounting practices of the relevant Company and present a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities (Vermögenslage) , the financial position (Finanzlage) and earnings position (Ertragslage) of the relevant Company as of the relevant balance sheet date.

 

  (ii) The management accounts (Betriebswirtschaftliche Auswertungen – “BWA”) of Kreyenborg GmbH and of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH for the period 1 January 2013 through 30 June 2013 (jointly referred to as the “ Management Accounts ”, and together with the 2012 Financial Statements the “ Financial Statements ”) are attached hereto as Annex 6.1.5 (ii)  and have been prepared in accordance with past practice of the relevant Company, but are not subject to any audit procedures and may not be qualified as (interim) financial statements in any respect. The Management Accounts have been prepared solely for internal controlling purposes, and the Sellers do not guarantee that the Management Accounts comply with German GAAP. The Management Accounts deviate in particular, but not limited to, due to the following reasons from year-end financial statements:

 

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  (a) The revaluation of selective provisions are not prepared at month end in the relevant Management Accounts;

 

  (b) revenues and costs might not recognized in line with German GAAP in the relevant Management Accounts as mandatory cut off procedures for the preparation of statutory financial statements are not conducted on a monthly basis in the Management Accounts;

 

  (c) balance sheet items and profit and loss lines might be reclassified not in line with German GAAP in the Management Accounts to allow for better control of the business operations.

Subject to the qualifications as set out above and subject to normal year-end adjustments, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, the Management Accounts do not materially misstate the financial position (Finanzlage) and earnings position (Ertragslage) of the relevant Company as of the relevant date of these Management Accounts.

 

6.1.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities or Loans

 

  (i) As of the Date of Signing, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no Company has any liabilities or obligations, whether accrued or contingent, except (a) to the extent accrued for in the Financial Statements; (b) incurred since 31 December 2012 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or (c) liabilities which are not required to be recorded on a balance sheet according to applicable GAAP.

 

  (ii) Except as set out in this Agreement or as disclosed in Annex 6.1.6 (ii) , there are no loans or comparable long-term liabilities, including any interest due thereon, and including any loans from or to any current or former shareholder, director, or employee of any of the Companies on the one side to or from a Company on the other side. For the avoidance of doubt, trade payables at arm’s length owed by a Company to the Sellers or Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or any of their other subsidiaries or Affiliates shall not be regarded as “loans” within the meaning of this clause.

 

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6.1.7 Real Estate

 

  (i) None of the Companies owns any real estate.

 

  (ii) Annex 6.1.7 (ii)  contains a list of all lease agreements relating to real estate or facilities used by the Companies and correctly states for each such piece of real estate the location, the landlord and the date of the respective lease agreement (the real estate listed or to be listed in Annex 6.1.7 (ii)  the “ Leased Real Estate ”). To the Knowledge of the Sellers, as of the Date of Signing, lease agreements listed or to be listed in Annex 6.1.7 (ii) are valid and binding. No real estate other than the Leased Real Estate is currently used by any of the Companies, nor has any Company any obligations under any other lease agreement or agreement relating to the use of any real property that is not listed in Annex 6.1.7 (ii) . To the Knowledge of the Sellers, there is no material violation of the lease agreements set out in Annex 6.1.7 (ii) .

 

  (iii) To the Knowledge of the Sellers (a) in the opinion of the Sellers, using a prudent business man’s standards, the Leased Real Estate is suitable and sufficient for conducting the business of the Companies as currently conducted; (b) the Leased Real Estate has all easements and rights of ingress and egress necessary for utilities and services and for all operations currently conducted by the Company occupying the respective Leased Real Estate; (c) there are no claims of adverse possession nor of any set of facts which might give rise to such claim with respect to any of the Leased Real Estate. There is no pending or threatened in writing condemnation, expropriation, or similar proceeding against any of the Leased Real Estate and to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there is no reason to assume that such a proceeding is threatened. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, there is no pending or threatened expressly or in writing action by any Governmental Authority that may change or affect the zoning or land use planning classification of any of the Leased Real Estate. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, all buildings, structures, and fixtures on the Leased Real Estate are in all material respects in appropriate operating condition and materially in a state of appropriate maintenance and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, are materially suitable for the purposes for which they are presently being used, and are in compliance with and meet all of the conditions of all building permits.

 

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6.1.8 Assets; Inventories

 

  (i) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, the Companies own or have the right to use all the tangible and intangible assets (including inventories) which are necessary for carrying out the Business. With the exception of the machines set out in Annex 6.1.8 (i) , the assets, including the inventories, are in a condition which is, in both cases, adequate to carry on the Business in the ordinary course of business and in the same fashion and manner as currently conducted. As of the Closing Date, each of the Companies will have a level of inventories consistent with past practice.

 

  (ii) The Companies have good and marketable ownership of title, free of any encumbrances or rights of third parties within the meaning of Sections 435 et seq. German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) of the tangible assets listed in the Financial Statements, except customary retention of title clauses (Eigentumsvorbehalte) or transfers of ownership by way of security (Sicherungsübereignungen) entered into in the ordinary course of business.

 

  (iii) The tangible and intangible assets that are owned, licensed from third Persons or used by the Companies based on any other enforceable right, together with the Assets, constitute all the operating assets necessary to conduct the Business as currently conducted.

 

6.1.9 IP Rights

 

  (i) Annex 6.1.9 (i)  includes for each Company a correct and complete list of all patents (Patente) , utility models (Gebrauchsmuster) , designs (Geschmacksmuster) , trademarks (Marken) , domain names (Domainnamen) and applications with respect to such rights (the “ IP Rights ”) owned by the respective Company, and correctly states for each such IP Right the type, subject matter, applicable register or other identification data and encumbrances (the IP Rights listed or to be listed in Annex 6.1.9 (i)  the “ Owned IP Rights ”). For the avoidance of doubt, where indicated on Annex 6.1.9 (i)  that an Owned IP Right is jointly owned with an other Person, the guarantees set out in this Section 6.1.9 shall apply only to the share of the relevant Company in such co-Owned IP-Right.

 

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  (ii) Except as shown in Annex 6.1.9 (ii) , neither the Companies nor the Sellers have entered into license agreements as licensor with respect to any of the Owned IP Rights or any know-how gained internally or developed internally and used by any of the Companies (“ Company Know-how ”). With the exception of the name and logo “Kreyenborg”, the domain names containing the name “Kreyenborg” and the IP Rights forming part of the Assets to be sold as part of this Agreement and with the exception of the JONYX software which is known to the Buyer, neither the Sellers nor any of their Affiliates (not including the Companies) hold or own any intellectual property rights required for the business of each of the Companies as currently conducted.

 

  (iii) Except where set out in Annex 6.1.9 (i)  that an Owned IP Right is jointly owned with another Person, each Company is the unrestricted legal owner of its Owned IP Rights and Company Know-how, and no Owned IP Right or Company Know-how is (a) encumbered with any rights of any third party, including, without limitation, any Sellers or any Sellers’ Affiliates; or (b) subject to any non-registered or otherwise pending transfer or other disposition or any sale, contribution or other contractual arrangement creating an obligation to transfer or to create, change or abolish any encumbrances.

 

  (iv) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no former or current employee, contractor or consultant of any of the Companies, no Seller, no Affiliate of any Seller and no former or current employee, contractor or consultant of any of the Sellers or their respective Affiliates (other than the Companies) owns or has any rights in or to any Owned IP Rights or any Company Know-how.

 

  (v) Each Company and/or the Sellers (a) have properly maintained and are continuing until the Closing to properly maintain the Owned IP Rights to the extent required for the continuation of the Business, in particular in relation to applications in a timely manner for renewals and the payment when due of all registration and renewal fees as well as all annuities, and (b) have undertaken best efforts and will undertake best efforts to keep, respectively, in confidence all know how relating to the Owned IP Rights, the Company Know-how and the Companies’ business.

 

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  (vi) Except as set out in Annex 6.1.9 (vi) , before and including as of the Date of Signing, the Owned IP Rights have not been challenged (angegriffen) by any third party and no such challenge has been threatened in writing. Except as set out in Annex 6.1.9 (vi) , none of the Owned IP Rights is subject to any pending judgment, injunction, order or decree issued against the Sellers or any Company restricting the use thereof by it or restricting the licensing thereof by it to any third party.

 

  (vii) Except as disclosed in Annex 6.1.9 (vii) , to the Knowledge of the Sellers, prior to the Closing Date, no Company infringed any intellectual property rights of any Person, and no such infringement has been asserted in writing.

 

  (viii) Except as disclosed in Annex 6.1.9 (viii) , the Companies have paid all payments due to inventors under the Laws on Inventions of Employees (Arbeitnehmererfindungsgesetz) .

 

6.1.10 Permits; Compliance; Public Subsidies

 

  (i) (a) Each Company holds all material permits, licenses and other public law approvals (öffentlich-rechtliche Erlaubnisse) which are necessary to conduct its business (the “ Permits ”); (b) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, on the Date of Signing, the Permits are in full force and effect (bestandskräftig) , have not, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, been challenged (angefochten) by any third party, and to the Knowledge of the Sellers there are no circumstances which would justify such a challenge; and (c) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, as of the Date of Signing, none of the Companies has been notified in writing about the initiation of any proceedings regarding a revocation (Widerruf) or withdrawal (Rücknahme) of any Permit.

 

  (ii) Each Company is and within the last three (3) years prior to the date of Signing of this Agreement has been in compliance with (a) the Permits (including without limitation any ancillary provisions (Nebenbestimmungen) thereto); (b) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, all applicable laws, rules and regulations; and (c) orders, decrees or rulings of, or restrictions imposed by, any court or authority.

 

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  (iii) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in the termination of any Permit held by any of the Companies.

 

  (iv) There are no public grants (Zuschüsse) , allowances, aids and other subsidies (Subventionen) in whatever form received by the Companies within the period of three (3) years prior to the Date of Signing of this Agreement.

 

6.1.11 Insurance

With the exception of the insurance agreements listed in Annex 6.1.11 and with the exception of vehicle insurances and employee related insurances, the Companies are not a party to any other material insurance agreement. All premiums due under the aforesaid insurance agreements have been duly paid and, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there has been no breach of any material obligation of any Company under the insurance agreements.

 

6.1.12 Litigation; Product Liability

 

  (i) Except as listed in Annex 6.1.12 (i) (a), as of the Date of Signing the Companies are not involved in any litigation, including arbitration proceedings, criminal proceedings or investigations or administrative proceedings in dispute with a value in dispute higher than EUR 25,000.00 (“ Litigation ”). Except for the facts described in Annex 6.1.12 (i) (b) , as of the Date of Signing no other Litigation was announced in writing. For the avoidance of doubt, Litigation includes employment related litigation.

 

  (ii) With the exception of warranty claims (Reklamationen) in the ordinary course of business for which sufficient warranty reserves (Rückstellungen) have been in made in the Financial Statements, as of the Date of Signing to the Knowledge of the Sellers the products designed, manufactured or distributed and the services rendered by the Companies to or for third parties do not suffer from any defects which give or could give rise to any product liability or warranty claims of a third party vis-à-vis a Company, and as of the Date of Signing to the Knowledge of the Sellers no such claims have been raised in writing against any Company.

 

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6.1.13 Agreements

 

  (i) Material Agreements ” shall mean any Contract as described below in this Section 6.1.13, to which any Company is bound as of the Signing Date and under which as of the Date of Signing, any of the Companies has any liabilities (other than “passive” warranty obligations during the warranty period where the customer has not asserted any warranty claim) or any obligations to perform:

 

  (a) agreements for joint ventures, strategic alliances, joint development of products and other forms of cooperation;

 

  (b) credit agreements with any Company as a lender or borrower and other instruments evidencing financial indebtedness of any Company, except for loans granted to employees of the Companies;

 

  (c) guarantees, suretyships (Bürgschaften) , letters of comfort (Patronatserklärungen) , performance or warranty bonds and similar instruments issued by any third party (including, without limitation, the Sellers and the Sellers’ Affiliates) to secure any indebtedness or other obligation of a Company, or by any Company, to secure any indebtedness or other obligation of a Company, of any of their Affiliates or any other person (in both cases not including the Guarantees set out in Section 17.2);

 

  (d) agreements regarding swaps, options, forward sales or purchases, futures and other financial derivatives and combinations thereof;

 

  (e) agreements to sell or otherwise dispose of any assets with a fair market or replacement value in excess of EUR 50,000.00;

 

  (f) agreements relating to capital expenditures involving an amount exceeding EUR 75,000.00;

 

  (g) lease agreements (other than the real estate lease agreements under Section 6.1.7 (ii) above) with any Company as lessor or lessee involving an annual rent (without ancillary costs) in excess of EUR 25,000.00;

 

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  (h) license agreements with any Company as licensee or licensor (excluding licenses for standard software and licenses granted to customers in the ordinary course of business);

 

  (i) agreements with the top-ten-customers (by turnover) in the fiscal year 2012 (including only framework agreements, not single orders);

 

  (j) agreements with top-ten-suppliers of any goods or services (by turnover) in the fiscal year 2012 (including only framework agreements, not single orders);

 

  (k) consultancy agreements (Beraterverträge) providing for an annual remuneration in excess of EUR 25,000.00;

 

  (l) any agreements with the Sellers, the Sellers’ Affiliates or any of their related parties, unless such agreements (i) will be terminated as of Closing as set out in Section 18.6 or (ii) will be entered into as provided for in this Agreement prior to or at Closing;

 

  (m) any Contract which is outside of the ordinary course of business;

 

  (n) any Contract which authorizes others to act on behalf of any Company (other than managing directors and Prokuristen entered into the commercial register);

 

  (o) any Contract regarding the disposition of accounts receivable (other than the disposition of one single account receivable of less than EUR 10,000.00); and

 

  (p) any Contract restricting a Company from carrying on its business or any part thereof anywhere in the world.

 

  The aforesaid threshold amounts shall in each case not include VAT, if applicable.

 

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  (ii) Other than orders of customers (“ Customer Orders ”) and orders of the Companies to suppliers (“ Supplier Orders ”), all Material Agreements have been provided by the Sellers to the Buyer prior to the date hereof and complete copies thereof are Data Room Documents except for the list of authorizations (lit. (n) above) which is included in Annex 8.2.1 (i) . None of the Companies is bound by any Contract that qualifies as a Material Agreement and that is not a Data Room Document (except for Customer Orders and Supplier Orders).

 

  (iii) As of the Date of Signing, no party to a Material Agreement, nor any customer or supplier has given written notice of termination or indicated in writing that it will give notice of termination, and to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no circumstances – except a change of control due to the implementation of this Agreement – exist which give any party to a Material Agreement the right to terminate or modify such Material Agreement. As of the Date of Signing, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no Company is in default (Verzug) under or has materially breached (Verletzung einer wesentlichen Vertragspflicht) any Material Agreement under which any contracting person has any remaining rights or obligations. Except as set forth in any Contract that is a Data Room Document, no consent is required under any Material Agreement in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for such Material Agreement to remain in full force and effect, and no person is entitled to terminate any such Material Agreement based on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  (iv) Annex 6.1.13 (iv) is a complete and correct list of any and all payment obligations (Zahlungsverpflichtungen) , deliveries (Lieferungen) and outstanding service obligations (noch ausstehende Dienstleistungen) of any of the Companies after the date hereof arising out of any contracts entered into by any of the Companies with any person who is resident in or is an entity located or registered in a jurisdiction in which trade is not permitted currently by U.S. law. For purposes of this provision, the jurisdictions in which trade is not permitted currently by U.S. law are Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. For the avoidance of doubt, Annex 6.1.13 (iv)  does not include contractual or statutory warranty obligations of the Companies or claims of customers in the aforesaid countries for maintenance support based on existing agreements.

 

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6.1.14 Employees and Pensions

 

  (i) Annex 6.1.14 (i)  contains an anonymous list of all individuals employed full-time, part-time, temporarily or as an apprentice, including inactive employees such as those on short term disability, long term disability, workers compensation, maternity leave, pregnancy leave, adoption leave, parental leave, sick leave or any other leave of absence defined under applicable employment laws and managing directors, but excluding Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann (“ Employees ”) employed by the Companies as of the date indicated in the relevant lists for each Company, such lists stating details of their position, length of service, age, total current annual compensation (irrespective if agreed with the Employee in writing or otherwise agreed or granted or applicable and including the monthly fixed salary and any other additional remuneration paid monthly, bonus, commissions, company cars or other compensation in money or compensation in kind exceeding the amount of EUR 1,000.00 per year), the actuarial value of accrued pension rights as of 31 December 2012 (whether vested or unvested), and special termination protection (besonderer Kündigungsschutz) , if any.

 

  (ii) Except for the Employees listed on Annex 6.1.14 (i) , no Employees are or will, as a result of facts, events or circumstances existing or having occurred on or before the Signing Date, by operation of law or unilateral declaration of such person, become employees of any Company or the Buyer. None of the employees from temporary employment agencies will become an employee of any of the Companies.

 

  (iii) As of the Date of Signing, none of the Employees, Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg or Mr. Theodor Bruckmann are entitled to receiving any compensation other than indicated on Annex 6.1.14 (i)  and Annex 6.1.14 (iii) , and none of the Companies has promised or committed to pay to any Employees or Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg or Mr. Theodor Bruckmann after the Date of Signing any compensation that is not listed on Annex 6.1.14 (i)  and Annex 6.1.14 (iii) .

 

  (iv) Other than indicated on Annex 6.1.14 (i) , none of the Companies has any apprentices, full time employees, part time employees or employees with a fixed term of employment. None of the Employees has a partial retirement agreement or has applied for a partial retirement agreement. There are no freelancers retained by any of the Companies.

 

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  (v) All loan employees used by the Companies are employed in accordance with all applicable laws, and have been duly remunerated in compliance with the applicable laws. To the Knowledge of Sellers, each Company has materially complied with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, judgments, decrees or injunctions of any Governmental Authority in all matters involving its Employees, consultants or independent contractors, including but not limited to compliance with the principle of equal treatment.

 

  (vi) None of the Companies has any works council or similar employee representation body, or is or was any Company a member in any employers’ associations. Except as described in Annex 6.1.14 (vi) , none of the Companies is subject to any collective bargaining agreement (Tarifvertrag) , shop agreement (Betriebsvereinbarungen) , collective promise (Gesamtzusagen) , or other contract, agreement, or commitment with any labour union, works council, or other body of employee representation.

 

  (vii) There are no disputes between any of the Companies and any current or former Employee of any of the Companies, and no such disputes have been threatened in writing. During the past five years, there has not been any significant matter under discussion by the any of the Companies with any body of employee representation, or any strike, work stoppage, or any labour dispute relating to Employees.

 

  (viii) With the exception of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, none of the employees have indicated in writing an intention to terminate his or her employment as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  (ix) There are no severance entitlements or entitlements to other payments (other than pension payments) resulting from the termination of employment of current or former employees.

 

  (x)

Annex 6.1.14 (x)  (a) includes for each Company all agreements and other commitments, whether of an individual or collective nature,

 

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  regarding pensions (betriebliche Altersversorgung) under which such Company has any obligations and (b) lists every pension, retirement, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, severance pay, bonus or other incentive plan payments, any health plan (except for any mandatory contributions to the statutory health insurance), life or insurance plan or any other employee benefit plan or fringe benefit plan, irrespective if currently or previously adopted, written or unwritten, whether arrived at through individual agreement, collective bargaining or otherwise, accrued for in whole or in part, maintained, funded, or contributed to by any of the Companies (collectively, the “ Benefit Plans ”). Benefit Plans include benefits for Employees, former employees of the Companies, retirees, directors, independent contractors and any dependents or spouses thereof and any person who can claim any benefits from any of the Companies. All pension liabilities of each of the Companies arising from any pension promise of any Company or any Benefit Plan are accurately reflected on Annex 6.1.14 (i)  or Annex 6.1.14 (x) .

 

  (xi) Except as set forth on Annex 6.1.14 (x) , none of the Companies maintains or contributes to any Benefit Plans, nor has any of the Companies taken any action to obligate it under, or to institute any such plan. Annex 6.1.14 (xi) is a complete list with all cover insurance and other funding models maintained by any of the Companies for the funding and coverage of any Benefit Plans (the “ Funding Plans ”). All Benefit Plans have been maintained, funded and administered in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, except where such noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability. None of the Companies has any outstanding contributions, liabilities or obligations with respect to its Benefit Plans and Funding Plans.

 

  (xii) Each of the Companies has retained and paid any and all contributions required to be made by it to pension, social, health or other insurance for all of its Employees and for all persons, whether considered independent or as employees of the respective Company, for which it is required by law to retain and make such contribution or payments.

 

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6.1.15 Insolvency

No insolvency, bankruptcy or composition proceedings have been, or have been threatened in writing to be, opened over the assets of the Companies or any Seller, and to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there are no circumstances which would require or justify the opening of or application for such proceedings. Neither the Companies nor any Seller is illiquid (zahlungsunfähig) or over-indebted (überschuldet) and, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, as of the date hereof, there are no reasons to assume that any of the Companies or Sellers will be overindebted or insolvent. No order has been made and no resolution has been passed for the winding-up of any of the Companies or for a provisional liquidator to be appointed in respect of any of the Companies, and no proceedings have been initiated against any Company under applicable composition, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws.

 

6.1.16 Environmental

To the Knowledge of the Sellers, the properties and facilities used or operated by the Companies at any time prior to the Signing Date are not polluted or contaminated in a manner that violates any environmental laws. The relevant Company or the relevant Seller, as the case may be, has not received any written notification asserting a contamination or potential contamination of the relevant property. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, there are no circumstances that could give rise to any environmental liability of any Company.

 

6.1.17 Absence of Material Changes

Since 1 January 2013, each Company has conducted its business in the ordinary course (im gewöhnlichen Geschäftsbetrieb) consistent with past practice of the respective Company, and no Company has:

 

  (i) changed its accounting (including, without limitation, valuation and consolidation) policies or procedures, including any method of calculating bad debt, contingency or other reserves for accounting or financial reporting;

 

  (ii) made any write off or write down of or any determination to write-off or down any of its assets except for the usual write-offs in accordance with depreciation (Abschreibung für Abnutzung) , consistent with past practice;

 

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  (iii) incurred any liabilities of any kind other than trade accounts payable, liabilities reserved for in the Management Accounts or other liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (iv) accelerated the payment of any trade accounts receivable (compared to past practice) or paid any trade accounts payable before the respective due date;

 

  (v) waived, canceled, sold, or otherwise disposed of, for less than the face amount thereof, any claim or right which it had against any person inconsistent with past practice;

 

  (vi) delayed or otherwise deferred the payment of any liabilities, whether current or long term, or failed to pay any liability on a timely basis, in each case if inconsistent with past practice;

 

  (vii) with the exception of the acquisition of the Gildemeister milling machine which is known to the Buyer, made capital expenditures in a total amount in excess of EUR 100,000.00;

 

  (viii) delayed or otherwise deferred any material capital expenditures provided for in its budget or outside the ordinary course of business;

 

  (ix) sold, transferred, assigned, encumbered or otherwise disposed of or liquidated any of its assets, or entered into any transaction or incurred any obligation to sell, transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of any assets, other than dispositions in the ordinary course of its business;

 

  (x) increased or committed to increase the remuneration of any of its directors or employees (as regards directors and employees who are not a Seller or relatives of a Seller, outside usual increases made in accordance with past practice and within the ordinary course of business);

 

  (xi) entered into any agreement or other transaction with any Seller, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann, any of their Affiliates, or any person that is a related party to any Seller, any Affiliate of a Seller or Mr. Bruckmann (other than Contracts explicitly referred to in this Agreement);

 

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  (xii) suffered any material destruction, damage, or loss not covered by insurance; or

 

  (xiii) suffered any Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.1.18 No Leakage

No Leakage, as defined hereinafter, has occurred between 1 January 2013 and the Signing Date. “ Leakage ” means:

 

  (i) except for payments made under (a) the existing lease agreements between Kreyenborg GmbH and Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG relating to the real estate Coermühle/Münster and the Assets, and (b) the existing lease agreement between BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG relating to the real estate Hessenweg/Münster, any dividend or distribution declared, promised, made or paid (whether actual or deemed), or any repayment of share capital, loan capital, other securities or any other return of capital by any Company to the Sellers;

 

  (ii) any payments made or loans or any kind of benefits granted to, or assets transferred to or liabilities assumed for the benefit of, any of the Sellers, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or any of their respective Affiliates (but not including the Companies) or persons related to any of the Sellers, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or any of their Affiliates by any Company other than (a) in the amounts set forth in the managing director employment agreements between the Companies and Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann which are Data Room Documents, (b) for deliveries of goods and services in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice between any of the Companies on the one side, and the Sellers and/or any of its subsidiaries (including the other Sellers) on the other side, (c) any payments made with the express written (e-mail sufficient) consent of the Buyer, (d) any payments made in accordance with this Section 6.1.18 or (e) payments otherwise provided for under this Agreement, including in particular payments under Section 18.8;

 

  (iii) issuing any additional shares or rights, options, or calls with respect to any shares or other interests or participation in any Company and any change whatsoever in the equity ( Eigenkapital as defined in Section 266 (3) A German Commercial Code/ HGB ) structure of any Company;

 

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  (iv) the waiver by any Company of any amount owed to any Company by any of the Sellers, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann, any Affiliates of any Seller or of Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or any persons related to any Seller, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or any of their respective Affiliates, other than as provided for under this Agreement;

 

  (v) the payment of, or incurring of any obligation to pay, any salary, bonus, severance, transaction bonus, fees or other sums to any employee, consultant or officer of any Company (other than any Seller or any of their respective Affiliates) other than payments shown on Annex 6.1.14 (i)  and;

 

  (vi) the creation, assumption or increase of any indebtedness other than short term trading indebtedness incurred or arising in the ordinary course of business, or forgiving or discharging in whole or in part any outstanding loans or advances, other than advances to employees and consultants for travel and other expenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (vii) guaranteeing any indebtedness for borrowed money, issuing or selling any debt securities, creating, extending, granting or issuing any lien over any properties or assets (other than in the ordinary course of business, in particular in connection with the license or sale of any of products or services to customers);

 

  (viii) assuming, guaranteeing or otherwise becoming directly or indirectly liable with respect to any liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether direct or indirect, or as guarantor or otherwise) of any other person, except in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (ix) any payments made, or sums incurred, by any Company to any third party other than payments made, or sums incurred, in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (x) the agreement or understanding to do any of the above items (i) to (ix);

 

  (xi) any Tax that may become payable as a consequence of items (i) to (x) above.

 

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6.1.19 No Unlawful Business Practices; Regulatory Compliance

 

(i) Neither any of the Companies nor any of their directors, officers, employees or agents or any other person acting on behalf of any such person has (a) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful payments relating to any political activity or (b) made any unlawful payment to any government official or employee or any political party or campaign or violated any provision of the German Criminal Code, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act of 2011 or the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in Business Transactions.

 

(ii) Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH have complied with all applicable German export and foreign trade laws.

 

6.1.20 Finders’ Fees and Management Incentives

The Companies have not (i) incurred any obligation for brokerage or finders’ fees, agents’ commissions or similar payments to be made in connection with this transaction; or (ii) – except for a performance bonus of the managing director of BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH, Mr. Ralf Simon, and of other key employees of the Companies as provided in the agreements attached as Annex 6.1.20 with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder – paid or promised to their officers, directors or employees any bonus or other special incentives in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated therein.

 

6.2 No Guarantees for Projections, etc. and Other Documents

Without limiting the foregoing, the Buyer hereby acknowledges that the Sellers give no representation, warranty or guaranty of whatsoever nature with respect to any projections, estimates or budgets, business plans, forecasts, and the like delivered or made available to the Buyer (irrespective whether orally or documented and in particular, but not limited to, contained in the information memorandum and the information provided during the management presentations) of future revenues, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows or future financial condition (or any component thereof) or the future business operations of the Companies.

 

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6.3 No other Guarantees, Representations and Warranties/Limitation of Remedies

Except for the guarantees contained in this Section 6, the Buyer does not request, and the Sellers do not make any other express or implied guarantee, representation or warranty to the Buyers. The Parties agree that the guarantees set forth above are only designated for the specific remedies set forth in Section 8, and that these guarantees shall not serve to provide the Buyers with any other claims than those set forth in this Agreement. The guarantees set out in Section 6 shall be deemed to be independent guarantees (selbständige Garantien) , and shall under no circumstances be construed as representations of the Sellers with respect to the quality of the purchase object within the meaning of Section 443 German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (Garantie für die Beschaffenheit der Sache). Therefore, the application of Section 444 German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) is hereby unanimously waived and excluded by the Parties.

Section 7

Guarantees with respect to the Assets

 

7.1 Guarantees of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG

Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG hereby guarantees by way of an independent guarantee (selbständiges Garantieversprechen , Section 311 para 1 German Civil Code/ Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) and subject to the restrictions and limitations contained in this Agreement, in particular, but not limited to, the time limitations, the de-minimis and maximum amounts set out in Sections 8 and 20, that the following facts and circumstances detailed in this Section 7 below are true and correct as of the Date of Signing and the Closing Date; provided, however that where specifically indicated that the respective guarantee is true and correct as of the Date of Signing, such guarantee is deemed to be given only as of the Date of Signing.

 

7.1.1 Assets

 

  (i)

With the exception of (a) the patents nos. DE102010000925.3, EP11701217.9, JP2012-548451 and US13/522,169 jointly owned by

 

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  Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Seebach GmbH, and (b) the patents nos. EP0915729B1 and AT199700465A jointly owned by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is the sole owner of all of the Assets and holds good and marketable title to all the Assets, free of any encumbrances, charges or any third party rights. Except as set out under (a) and (b) above, there are no restrictions with regard to the sale and transfer of any of the Assets to the Buyer according to this Agreement. With the exception of the patents nos. DE102010000925.3, EP11701217.9, JP2012-548451 and US13/522,169 referred to above under (a), no rights of preemption (Vorkaufsrechte) , rights of first refusal (Erwerbsrechte) or similar third party rights exist in case of a sale or a disposition of the Assets. The Assets are not subject to any sale, contribution or other contractual arrangement creating an obligation to transfer or other disposition.

 

  (ii) The tangible Assets are in a good working order and repair (normal tear and wear excepted), and each item is fit for its use intended by Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG.

 

7.1.2 Litigation

Except as listed in Annex 7.1.2 , as of the Date of Signing, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is not involved in any Litigation, in each case relating to the Assets. Except for the facts described in Annex 7.1.2 , as of the Date of Signing no other Litigation relating to any of the Assets was announced in writing or is, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened.

 

7.1.3 IP Rights

 

  (i) Annex 7.1.3 (i)  includes a correct and complete list of all Assets that are patents (Patente) , utility models (Gebrauchsmuster) , designs (Geschmacksmuster) , trademarks (Marken) , domain names (Domainnamen) and applications with respect to such rights and correctly states in each case the type, subject matter, applicable register or other identification data and encumbrances (the intellectual property rights listed or to be listed on Annex 7.1.3 (i) and the related know-how, the “ IP Assets ”).

 

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  (ii) Except as shown on Annex 7.1.3 (ii) , Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG has not entered into any license agreement as licensor as regards any IP Assets.

 

  (iii) No IP Asset is subject to any non-registered or otherwise pending transfer or other disposition or any sale, contribution or other contractual arrangement creating an obligation to transfer or to create, change or abolish any encumbrances.

 

  (iv) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no former or current employee, contractor or consultant of any of the Companies, no Seller, no Affiliate of any Seller and no former or current employee, contractor or consultant of any of the Sellers or their respective Affiliates (other than the Companies) owns or has any rights in or to the IP Assets.

 

  (v) Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG has properly maintained and is continuing until the Closing to properly maintain the IP Assets to the extent required for the continuation of the Business of the Companies, in particular in relation to applications in a timely manner for renewals and the payment when due of all registration and renewal fees as well as all annuities, and has undertaken best efforts and will undertake best efforts to keep, respectively, in confidence all know-how relating to the IP Assets.

 

  (vi) Except as set out in Annex 7.1.3 (vi) , before and including as of the Date of Signing, no IP Asset has been challenged (angegriffen) by any third party and no such challenge has been threatened in writing. Except as set out in Annex 7.1.3 (vi) , none of the IP Assets is subject to any pending judgment, injunction, order or decree issued against Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG or any Company restricting the use thereof by it or restricting the licensing thereof by it to any third party.

 

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7.1.4 No Change

Since 1 January 2013 and until the Date of Signing, there has not been any material adverse change to any of the Assets.

 

7.2 Reference to certain Subsections of Section 6

The provisions of Sections 6.2 and 6.3 shall also apply to the guarantees set out in this Section 7.

Section 8

Legal Consequences of a Breach of Guarantees

 

8.1 Breach of Guarantees

 

8.1.1 In case any guarantee of the Sellers pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement is breached (a “ Breach ”), the Sellers shall put the Buyer or, at the Buyer’s option, an Affiliate of the Buyer or the relevant Company into the same position that they would have been in had the respective Breach not occurred (Naturalrestitution) , provided, however, that the Buyer shall have the right to claim immediately compensation of damages in cash under the conditions set out in Section 8.1.3 below.

 

8.1.2 In case any guarantee of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement is breached (also a “ Breach ”), Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG shall put the Buyer or, at the Buyer’s option, an Affiliate of the Buyer or the relevant Company into the same position that they would have been in had the respective Breach not occurred (Naturalrestitution) , provided, however, that the Buyer shall have the right to claim immediately compensation of damages in cash under the conditions set out in Section 8.1.3 below.

 

8.1.3

If and to the extent remediation in kind (i) is not possible or (ii) has not been effected by the relevant Seller within a period of sixty days following delivery of a Breach Notice relating to the respective remediation as set out in Section 8.3, the Buyer shall be entitled to request from the Sellers compensation in cash

 

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  (Schadensersatz in Geld) . In the event a Damage is related to a Third Party Claim or if the remediation otherwise involves a third party as counterpart of the Buyer or the relevant Company, as the case may be (and only in these cases), the Buyer may elect, in its sole discretion, that the Sellers shall not be given the opportunity to remediate the respective Damage in kind (Naturalrestitution) , but compensate the relevant Damage in cash, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement.

 

8.1.4 For the purposes of determining the liability of the Sellers for any Breach under this Section 8, Section 249 et seq. of the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) shall apply, and the term “damage” (Schaden) within the meaning of Section 249 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB) shall include any and all direct, indirect and consequential damages (mittelbare Schäden oder Folgeschäden) , losses, costs, liabilities, claim, expenses, costs of defence or litigation, reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants and other experts as provided in the relevant paragraphs of the German Civil Code; provided, however, that (i) internal costs of the Buyer, its Affiliates and the Companies in connection with any such damages, (ii) any lost profits (entgangener Gewinn) and (iii) any claims for damages calculated on a basis of multiples or on the argument that the Purchase Price was calculated upon incorrect assumptions shall be excluded (collectively, “ Damages ”).

 

8.2 Knowledge of the Buyer

 

8.2.1 Claims for a Breach shall be excluded if and to the extent the fact that results in the Breach

 

  (i) has been disclosed to the Buyer in this Agreement and the Annexes thereto, including Annex 8.2.1 (i)  (additional disclosures), or

 

  (ii) has been included in any of the documents stored on the Data Room CD-ROM (as more specifically described in Section 8.2.3) (the “ Data Room Documents ”); provided, however, that any information contained in the Data Room Documents shall be regarded as having been disclosed only if the fact(s) resulting in a Breach are readily discernible from the relevant document revealing or containing the respective fact(s) (aus dem Dokument selbst ersichtlich oder eindeutig ableitbar) ; all such information, collectively and in parts, referred to as “ Disclosed Information ”.

 

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8.2.2 Any Disclosed Information shall be deemed to be disclosed for all of the Sellers’ guarantees, irrespective whether such disclosure has been made with respect to a specific item or guarantee. If and to the extent a fact has been addressed in this Agreement or in any of the Annexes hereto and also in any Data Room Document, and if and to the extent any of this information is contradictory, the information which excludes the liability of the Sellers to the utmost extent shall prevail.

 

8.2.3 For evidence purposes, the Parties have jointly deposited two CD-ROMs prepared by IntraLinks, containing all Data Room Documents and an index thereto (the “ Data Room CD-ROMs” ) with the acting notary. The acting notary is hereby instructed jointly by the Sellers and the Buyer to seal these CD-ROMs and to keep the CD-ROMs and refrain from handing them over to either Party or any third party. The acting notary shall be permitted, however, to (i) provide either Party at such Party’s specific written request with copies of any documents included on the CD-ROMs, provided that the acting notary shall immediately upon receipt send a copy of such request to the other Party, and (ii) open the seals in the presence of both Parties (or their Representatives) and provide the Parties (or their Representatives) with an opportunity to inspect and review the documents on the CD-ROMs. If a Party intends to inspect and review the documents on the sealed CD-ROMs, it shall notify the other Party in writing thereof (with a copy to the acting notary) at least five (5) Business Days in advance. If the other Party, despite being duly notified, does not show up for the inspection and review, the presence of such Party at the opening, inspection or review is not required. After every opening of the CD-ROM, the acting notary shall affix a new seal. Unsealed copies of the CD-ROMs shall be delivered to each of the Parties.

 

8.3 Breach Notice

If the Buyer becomes aware after the Closing Date of any Breach, the Buyer shall give the relevant Seller a written notice (the “ Breach Notice ”). The Breach Notice shall state the nature of the Breach, the facts and circumstances on which it is based and, to the extent possible, the estimated or final amount of Damages resulting therefrom. To the extent available, the Breach Notice shall be accompanied by supporting documentation and evidence. For the avoidance of doubt, the Sellers shall be under no obligation to comment on a Breach Notice, and the fact that no comments have been made shall not be construed as an acknowledgement of any claim and shall not have any comparable legal effect.

 

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8.4 Knowledge of the Sellers

If and to the extent any guarantees given under Section 6 are based upon the “ Knowledge of the Sellers ”, only the actual knowledge (positive Kenntnis) of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann, Mr. Jan Ostgathe, Mr. Ralf Simon, Mr. Bernd Bakenecker and Mr. Alexander Brück shall be relevant. If and to the extent any guarantees given under Section 7 are based upon the “ Knowledge of the Sellers ”, only the actual knowledge (positive Kenntnis) of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg as managing director of the general partner of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and of Mr. Jan Ostgathe shall be relevant. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the aforesaid individuals shall be obliged to carry out any kind of enquiry or investigation with a view to this Section.

 

8.5 Exclusion of Claims

The Buyer shall not have any claim for Damages under Section 8.1 or 8.2, as the case may be, if and to the extent

 

  (i) a reserve for the respective Damage is accrued for in the Financial Statements;

 

  (ii) in case of matters related to deliveries and services (Lieferungen und Leistungen) , to the extent general provisions (Pauschalrückstellungen) made in the Financial Statements can be dissolved; or

 

  (iii) the Damage is recoverable from a third person, including insurance, provided, however, that if and to the extent the Buyer or the relevant Company has a claim against a third person for compensation of the respective Damage or of parts thereof, (a) the Buyer shall use reasonable efforts, and procure that the relevant Company uses reasonable efforts, to enforce such claim, and (b) during the time period such claim against the third person is being enforced, the statute of limitation of the respective claim of the Buyer under this Agreement is being suspended (die Verjährung wird gehemmt) .

 

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8.6 Mitigation of Damages; Compensation of Damages by Advantages

The Sellers shall not be liable for, and the Buyer shall not be entitled to bring any claim under or in connection with this Agreement if and to the extent that (i) the Damage results from a failure of the Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including, after Closing, the Companies) to avoid or to mitigate damages pursuant to Section 254 German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) , and/or (ii) the relevant Damage is compensated by any financial advantage of the Buyer or any of its Affiliates, including, after Closing, the Companies (Prinzip der Vorteilsanrechnung) .

 

8.7 No “Double Recovery”

Where one and the same set of facts (Sachverhalt) qualifies under more than one provision entitling the Buyer to a claim or remedy under this Agreement, the respective Damage shall be compensated only once (no double recovery). In particular, the foregoing shall apply if one and the same set of facts (Sachverhalt) qualifies under more than one of the Sellers’ guarantees.

 

8.8 De-minimis and Basket Amounts

 

8.8.1 Claims of the Buyer resulting from a violation of guarantees under Sections 6 and 7 shall be excluded, unless each individual claim arising from any single occurrence or item, or series of related occurrences or items resulting from a common cause (gleiche oder gleichartige Ursache) exceeds EUR 25,000.00, and the total amount of all claims exceeds EUR 250,000.00. In the event the aggregate amount of the claims exceeds EUR 250,000.00, the Buyer shall be entitled to recover the Damages exceeding EUR 250,000.00 (Freibetrag, nicht Freigrenze) .

 

8.8.2 The limitations set forth in this Section 8.8 shall not apply in cases of fraud (Arglist) or willful misconduct (Vorsatz), provided that the burden of proof for fraud or willful misconduct shall be completely with the Buyer.

 

8.8.3 The limitations set forth in this Section 8.8 shall also not apply to any Breaches by the Sellers of the guarantees in Sections 6.1.1 to 6.1.4, 6.1.18 (no Leakage) and 7.1.1, provided that in such cases, the aggregate liability of the Sellers shall under no circumstances exceed the Purchase Price.

 

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8.9 Statute of Limitation

Claims resulting from the violation of guarantees under Section 8 shall become time-barred (verjährt) 18 months following Closing, except for claims for Breach of Sections 6.1.1 to 6.1.4, 6.1.16 (Environmental) and 7.1.1 which shall be time barred with the expiration of five (5) years as of the Closing Date.

 

8.10 Procedure in Case of Third Party Claims

 

8.10.1 In the event a third party asserts a claim or files a lawsuit against the Buyer and/or the Companies (“ Defendant ”) in connection with a Breach for which the Buyer may claim remediation or compensation from the Sellers under this Agreement (a “ Third Party Claim ”), the Buyer shall provide to the Sellers promptly a Breach Notice accompanied by a copy of the Third Party Claim and all other available information as regards the allegations of the third party claimant and provide the Sellers with the opportunity to present to the Buyer the Sellers’ position as regards the Third Party Claim.

 

8.10.2 The Buyer shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to settle any Third Party Claim; provided, however, that in the internal relationship between the Buyer and the Sellers, no settlement of any Third Party Claim with any third-party claimant shall be determinative for the existence or validity of the respective Third Party Claim or the amount of Damages relating to such matter, unless the Sellers explicitly consent to the respective settlement. In particular, the Sellers shall not be precluded from asserting that the Buyer failed to comply with its obligation to mitigate damages. If the Sellers consent to any settlement of the Buyer or the respective Company with the third party claimant, no Seller will have any power or authority to object to the amount or validity of any claim by the Buyer with respect to such settlement.

 

8.10.3 The Buyer can, at its sole discretion, ask the Sellers in writing if the Sellers wish to participate in the defence of the Third Party Claim. If the Sellers notify the Buyer in writing within ten (10) Business Days that the Sellers wish to participate in the defence, the following shall apply:

 

  (i)

The Buyer shall procure that the Sellers get the opportunity to defend the Defendant against the Third Party Claim. The Sellers shall have the right to defend the Defendant with all appropriate measures and shall have the sole power to direct and control such defence at any time during the

 

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  proceedings. In particular, the Sellers may participate in, and direct all negotiations and correspondence, appoint and instruct counsel and request that the Third Party Claim be litigated or settled according to their instructions. In defending the Third Party Claim, the Sellers shall reasonably take into account the interests of the Buyer and the Companies.

 

  (ii) The Buyer shall procure that the Defendant will fully cooperate with the Sellers in view of the defence of the Third Party Claim, provide the Sellers and their representatives (including, for the avoidance of doubt, their counsel and advisors) at Sellers’ cost copies of all relevant business records and documents and permit the Sellers and their representatives to consult with the directors, employees and representatives of the Buyer and/or the Companies.

 

  (iii) All costs and expenses incurred by the Sellers in defending such claim shall be borne by the Sellers, unless if it turns out that the Sellers had not been in breach of any guarantee relating to the Third Party Claim in which case such costs and expenses shall be borne by the Buyer and shall be reimbursed to the Sellers.

 

  (iv) For the avoidance of doubt, the fact that the Sellers assume according to this Section 8.10.3 the defence of any Third Party Claim does not lead to any kind of acknowledgement of the responsibility of the Sellers to indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Companies) from any such Third Party Claim.

 

8.10.4 If the Buyer chooses to defend any Third Party Claim without any involvement of the Sellers as set out in Section 8.10.3, the Buyer shall duly defend the Third Party Claim, keep the Sellers informed about the status of the claim and duly consider any requests of the Sellers regarding the defence of the Third Party Claim. Section 8.10.1 shall remain unaffected.

 

8.11 Non Leakage

In the event of a non-compliance with or breach of the no Leakage clauses in Section 6.1.18 and/or Section 11.2.5 (xxv), upon request of the Buyer, the Sellers shall pay to the Buyer (or, if so directed by the Buyer, to a Company), Euro for Euro, i.e., an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount which, if received by the relevant Company, would put the relevant Company into the same financial position it was in, had there not been any non-compliance or breach of the no Leakage clauses in Section 6.1.18 and/or Section 11.2.5 (xxv).

 

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Section 9

Taxes and Other Public Impositions

 

9.1 Definitions

 

9.1.1 For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Taxes ” shall include:

 

  (i) any federal, state, local and foreign taxes (Steuern) within the meaning of Section 3 German General Tax Code ( Abgabenordnung ) or any similar taxes under the laws of any other jurisdiction, including without limitation any joint or secondary liability for taxes;

 

  (ii) any contributions (Beiträge) , including, but not limited to, social security contributions (Sozialabgaben) ; and

 

  (iii) any other public duties (Abgaben) ;

and in each case including any supplementary claims (steuerliche Nebenleistungen) , interest (Zinsen) , surcharges (Zuschläge) , fees, duties, levies, imposts, customs or other assessments together with any penalties, additions to tax, fines or other additional amounts imposed thereon or related thereto.

 

9.1.2 For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Tax Return ” shall mean any return, declaration, report, statement, claim for refund and other document of, relating to, or required to be filed in respect of, any and all Taxes required to be filed with any Taxing Authority, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and any amendment thereto, and including reports in connection with the withholding and remittance of Taxes. “ Taxing Authority ” shall mean any taxing or other authority competent to impose any liability in respect of Tax or responsible for the administration or collection of Tax or enforcement of any law in relation to Tax, social security contribution or public duties.

 

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9.2 Tax Filings and Payment Until the Closing Date

The Sellers hereby guarantee to the Buyer by way of an independent promise of guarantee pursuant to Section 311 para 1 German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) , within the scope and subject to the requirements and limitations contained in this Section 9, and with effect as of the relevant date as specified hereinafter, that

 

  (i) the Companies have duly and timely filed, and will duly and timely (taking into consideration extensions of time allowed by the competent Taxing Authorities) file until the Closing Date, all Tax Returns that are required to be filed on or before the Closing Date;

 

  (ii) the Companies have paid, and will pay until the Closing Date, all Taxes that are due and payable on or before the Closing Date;

 

  (iii) as of the Closing Date, each of the Companies has withheld or collected and, when due, paid to the appropriate Tax authorities (or is properly holding for such timely payment) all Taxes required by law to be withheld or collected by them;

 

  (iv) the Companies have always satisfied their obligations in accordance with the laws in relation to the conservation of documents;

 

  (v) as of the Date of Signing, there is (a) no claim for Taxes being asserted or that has been previously asserted against any Company that has resulted in a Lien against the property of the respective Company, and there is no Lien for Taxes, other than Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable, (b) no audit of any Tax Return of any Company being conducted by a Taxing Authority, and (c) no extension of any statute of limitations on the assessment of any Taxes granted to any Company currently in effect;

 

  (vi) as of the Date of Signing, none of the Companies has been informed by any Taxing Authority in any jurisdiction that the jurisdiction believes that such entity was required to file any Tax Return that was not filed;

 

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  (vii) as of the Closing Date, none of the Companies has made any commitment or entered into any agreement or taken any action resulting in Tax deferral or in a Tax deferred liability; and

 

  (viii) as of the Closing Date, except with regard to the VAT tax group of Kreyenborg GmbH with Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG (the “ VAT Tax Group ”), none of the Companies is a party to or bound by any profit transfer, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement, and as of the Closing Date, the VAT Tax Group will be effectively terminated.

 

9.3 Liability for Taxes

 

9.3.1 The Sellers shall compensate the Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Companies) all Damages (as set out in Section 8.1.4) caused by, in connection or arising out of:

 

  (i) any and all Taxes imposed on any of the Companies and allocated to any time period before the Effective Date, including to Tax assessment periods (steuerliche Veranlagungszeiträume) ending on or before the Effective Date; and

 

  (ii) any and all Taxes of Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG imposed on Kreyenborg GmbH or for which Kreyenborg GmbH is held liable

(hereinafter “ Tax Damages ”). For the avoidance of doubt, Section 8 shall not be applicable for this Section 9.

 

9.3.2 The liability of the Sellers for Tax Damages shall be excluded if and to the extent such Tax Damages

 

  (i) are reserved for in the 2012 Financial Statements;

 

  (ii) are payable to any of the Companies by a third person based on a valid and enforceable claim for repayment or indemnification against a third party (including a Taxing Authority);

 

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  (iii) are the result of a reorganization or other measures initiated by the Buyer after the Closing Date, in particular by measures having retroactive effect on periods ending on or before the Effective Date;

 

  (iv) can be offset against future Tax reductions (Steuerminderungen) arising after the Effective Date out of the circumstance triggering the Tax indemnification claim, e.g., resulting from the lengthening of depreciation periods or higher depreciation allowances (Phasenverschiebung) ; any such Tax benefit shall be computed as a lump sum on the basis of the potential Tax savings during the first five years following the Effective Date and corresponding to the Tax liability, using the actual Tax rates for the relevant periods (or where the Tax rates are not yet known the Tax rates applicable at the time of computation) and discounted at an interest rate of 6 %.

 

9.3.3 Tax Damages owed by the Sellers under this Section 9 shall be paid within ten (10) Business Days following written notice by the Buyer, provided that (i) the payment of such amounts to the Taxing Authority is due; and (ii) the Sellers shall not be required to make any payment earlier than five (5) Business Days before such Taxes are due to the Taxing Authority. If any appeal is being filed in connection with any Tax that is a Tax Damage, payment of such Tax to the Taxing Authority will be considered due not earlier than on the date such Tax has been finally determined (bestandskräftig) by either the Taxing Authority or a competent court; provided, however, that the Taxing Authority has granted relief from paying the assessed Tax until such Tax becomes final and binding. If this is not the case, the Sellers shall make a respective advance payment to the Buyer, provided that the relevant Company irrevocably assigns and transfers its right for repayment of the contested Taxes to the Sellers as collateral for any claim for repayment. If the final amount that is a Tax Damage is lower than the advance indemnification payment by the Sellers, the difference shall be reimbursed by the Buyer, including all interest earned thereon, if any.

 

9.4 Tax Filings after the Closing Date

The Buyer shall prepare and make all Tax Returns for the Companies required to be filed by or on behalf of the Companies after the Closing Date and not yet filed. Tax Returns relating to periods until the Effective Date shall be prepared on a basis consistent with those prepared for prior tax assessment periods, unless mandatory applicable Tax laws require otherwise. To the extent such Tax

 

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Returns relate to periods until and including the Effective Date, the Buyer shall make such Tax Returns available at least thirty (30) Business Days prior to the due date of such Tax Returns to the Sellers for review. The Sellers shall have the opportunity to provide to the Buyer within fifteen (15) Business Days following receipt of the draft Tax Return suggestions and the Buyer shall cause the Companies to observe the Sellers’ suggestions when finalizing and filing the respective Tax Return, except if and to the extent such suggestions are not in compliance with applicable mandatory Tax laws. For the avoidance of doubt, a suggestion based on minority opinions in the legal literature shall also be regarded as being in compliance with mandatory applicable Tax law for purposes of this Section 9, unless such opinion is totally inappropriate (unvertretbar) ; provided that such a Tax position was or will be fully disclosed to the Taxing Authorities in the respective Tax Return (Offenlegung gegenüber den Finanzbehörden) as required by the applicable Tax laws.

 

9.5 Tax Covenants

The Buyer covenants to the Sellers that, except if required by mandatory Tax laws or the Taxing Authorities, the Buyer will not initiate, and, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, cause the Companies not to initiate

 

  (i) any Tax election or the change of any Tax election, the amendment of any Tax Return or the taking of any Tax position on any Tax Return, the taking of any action, the omitting to taking any action or the entering into any transaction, merger, or restructuring that results in any increased Tax of any of the Sellers, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or any of their Affiliates (other than the Companies), including any Tax Damages;

 

  (ii) the change or challenge of the understanding made between Kreyenborg GmbH and the Taxing Authority during the tax field audit conducted in 2009/2010 and set out in Annex 9.5 (ii)  with respect to the current value depreciation (Teilwertabschreibung) of trade liabilities of Kreyenborg, Inc.;

 

  (iii) the change or challenge of the understanding made between Kreyenborg GmbH and the Tax authority during the tax field audit conducted in 2009/2010 as set out in Annex 9.5 (iii)  with respect to the payment of the lease amounts by Kreyenborg GmbH to Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG regarding the real estate and Assets used by Kreyenborg GmbH;

 

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  (iv) any election under Section 338(h)(10) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (and any corresponding elections under state, local or foreign laws) to treat the purchase of the Shares of Kreyenborg, Inc. and/or Kreyenborg America LP as a purchase of assets for U.S. income tax purposes.

 

9.6 Procedure in Case of Tax Audits and Other Proceedings

 

9.6.1 Following the Closing Date, the Buyer shall promptly notify the Sellers of any Tax Audit or administrative or judicial proceeding that is announced or commenced and relating to any of the Companies and any Tax period ending on or before 31 December 2012, including in particular, without limitation, tax audits (Betriebsprüfungen) (“ Tax Audit ”). Such notice shall be made in writing and contain all facts and information describing the subject matter of the Tax Audit or the asserted Tax liability, if any, in reasonable detail, include copies of any notice or other document received from any Taxing Authority with respect of such Tax Audit and the asserted Tax liability of any of the Companies and contain complete information as regards all facts available to the Buyer and the Companies relating to the Tax Audit and in particular to any Taxes that potentially generate a Tax Damage (an “ Indemnifiable Tax ”).

 

9.6.2

Upon the Sellers’ request and at the Sellers’ expense, the Buyer will cause the Companies to retain the services of Sellers’ tax advisor Heinrichs Rose & Collegen Wirtschaftsprüfer Steuerberater Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts, Münster (Westphalia), (“ Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor ”) to assist with information and documentation requests of the Taxing Authorities relating to any Indemnifiable Taxes and in connection with any Tax Audit of any Tax period ending on or before 31 December 2012. In the event of a Tax Audit of any Tax period ending on or before 31 December 2012, the Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor shall have the opportunity to actively participate in every meeting with the Tax Authorities (including the first meeting and until the final discussions (Schlussbesprechnung) ), in presence of and in partnership with the tax advisor of the Buyer (“ Buyer’s Appointed Tax Advisor ”), and provide supporting documents, arguments, facts, etc. to defend the pre Closing Date tax treatment of the matter under review. The Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor shall constantly coordinate with the Buyer’s Appointed Tax Advisor, and participate

 

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  in all discussions and communications with the Taxing Authorities. The Buyer shall cause the Companies to observe (befolgen) in all oral and written communication with the Taxing Authorities all suggestions of the Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor, except if and to the extent (ausgenommen soweit) such suggestions are not in compliance with the applicable mandatory Tax laws.

 

9.6.3 In the event the Sellers choose not to have Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor participate in the meetings with the Tax Authorities, and during the course of a Tax Audit, the Taxing Authorities raise any issues with respect to any Indemnifiable Taxes, the Buyer shall provide prompt notice to the Sellers, giving the Sellers the opportunity to provide supporting documents, arguments, facts, etc. to defend the pre Closing Date tax treatment of the matter under review. The Buyer shall cause the Companies to use such documents and arguments provided by the Sellers in the discussions with the Taxing Authorities, except if and to the extent such supporting documents and arguments provided by the Sellers are not in compliance with the applicable mandatory Tax laws.

 

9.6.4 In the event of a proposed settlement of an Indemnifiable Tax matter, the Buyer shall consult with the Sellers (or Sellers’ designated representative) and seek the Sellers’ consent, that should not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor strongly recommends (nachdrücklich empfehlen) to enter into the proposed settlement, then the Sellers cannot withhold their consent for that settlement. If an appeal against the proposed handling of the respective Indemnifiable Tax is estimated to have less than a 50 % chance of success in the sole and unreviewable professional opinion of Sellers Appointed Tax Advisor, withholding the consent for the proposed settlement shall be deemed unreasonable.

 

9.6.5 If the Sellers shall request that the relevant Company files an appeal against a decision of the Taxing Authorities relating to an Indemnifiable Tax, the Buyer shall cause the relevant Company to file such appeal, except if and to the extent the arguments provided by the Sellers to supporting their position with respect to such Indemnifiable Tax do not comply with applicable mandatory Tax laws. The Buyer’s Appointed Tax Advisor shall be involved in all aspects of any appeal, Section 9.6.2 shall apply accordingly. The Sellers shall bear their own costs related to any participation in such an appeal, the costs of their advisors, the procedural costs of any appeal or procedure initiated upon their request as well as the costs of the respective Company related to such appeal or procedure requested by the Sellers.

 

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9.7 Tax Refunds

If a Company will receive a Tax refund relating to any period ending on or before the Effective Date (to the extent not reflected in the 2012 Financial Statements as an asset), the amount of such Tax refund less the amount of any Tax liability and administrative costs of any of the Companies related directly to such refund shall be paid by the Buyer to the Sellers without undue delay; provided, however, that losses recognized by the Taxing Authorities, including losses carried backwards, shall not be deemed a refund, and no refund shall be payable in the event the assessment generating the refund also generates an increase of the tax basis of any Company in any time period after 31 December 2012. The Buyer shall promptly notify the Sellers of any Tax refund relating to any period ending on or before the Effective Date.

 

9.8 Non-Compliance; No Deductions; Limitation Period

 

9.8.1 If the Buyer does not substantially comply with its obligations pursuant to Sections 9.4 and/or 9.6, the Sellers (i) shall not be liable for any such Taxes that any of them may owe or any reduction of any of their Tax assets as a result of such non-compliance, and (ii) shall have a claim against the Buyer to the extent such non-compliance results in Taxes of the Sellers, Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or any of their Affiliates (not including the Companies) which would not have occurred if the obligations of the Buyer under these Sections 9.4 and/or 9.6 had been properly complied with.

 

9.8.2 The liability of the Sellers for Taxes pursuant this Section 9 shall not be subject to any deductions or limitations, provided, however, that the aggregate liability of the Sellers under this Agreement shall not exceed under any circumstances the Purchase Price.

 

9.8.3 Claims of the Buyer relating to Taxes under this Section 9 shall become time-barred within six months after the relevant Tax liability became final and binding (bestandskräftig) .

 

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Section 10

Guarantees of the Buyer

The Buyer hereby guarantees by way of an independent guarantee (selbständiges Garantieversprechen, Section 311 para 1 German Civil Code/ Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) that the following is true and correct as of the Signing Date and as of the Closing Date:

 

10.1 Authorization of the Buyer

 

10.1.1 The Buyer is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Ohio and has all corporate powers required to carry on its business as presently conducted.

 

10.1.2 The execution and performance by the Buyer of this Agreement are within the Buyer’s corporate powers, do not violate the articles of association, by-laws or other relevant corporate rules of the Buyer and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Buyer.

 

10.1.3 Assuming compliance with any applicable requirements under Antitrust Laws and other regulatory laws and except for any required approvals that have to be filed for based on information relating to the Companies and their business, the execution and performance of this Agreement by the Buyer require no approval or consent by any Governmental Authority and do not violate any applicable law or decision by any Governmental Authority binding on the Buyer.

 

10.1.4 As of the date hereof, there is no lawsuit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or to the Buyer’s Knowledge, threatened in writing against the Buyer before any court, arbitrator or governmental authority which challenges or seeks to prevent, alter or materially delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

10.2 Financial Capability

The Buyer has sufficient immediately available funds or binding and unconditional financing commitments to enable it to make all payments required to be made by it under this Agreement.

 

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Section 11

Other Duties; Legal Relationship

Following Execution of the Agreement

 

11.1 Books and Records of the Companies

After the Closing, the Sellers and the Buyer shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, provide to each other and to their respective officers, employees, counsel and other representatives, upon request, reasonable access for inspection and copying of all information and documents existing as of the Closing Date and relating to the Companies and the Business and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make their respective personnel reasonably available for interviews, depositions and testimony in any legal matter concerning transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the operations or activities relating to the Companies and the Business and as otherwise may be necessary or desirable to enable the Party requesting such assistance to: (i) comply with any reporting, filing or other requirements imposed by any Governmental Authority, (ii) assert or defend any action or allegation in any litigation or arbitration or in any administrative or legal proceeding, including actions or allegations that one Party to this Agreement has asserted against the other, or (iii) perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Party requesting such information or assistance shall reimburse the other Party for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Party in providing such information and in rendering such assistance. The access to information and documents contemplated by this Section 11.1 shall be during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior notice and shall be subject to such reasonable limitations as the Party having custody or control thereof may impose to preserve the confidentiality of information contained therein. Each Party hereto agrees for a period extending five years after the Closing Date not to destroy or otherwise dispose of any such books, records and other data unless such Party shall first offer in writing to surrender such books, records and other data to the other Party and such other Party shall not agree in writing to take possession thereof during the ten-day period after such offer is made.

 

11.2 Conduct of Business between Signing and Closing

 

11.2.1 For the time period between the Signing Date and the Closing Date, the Sellers shall conduct the business of the Companies, and cause the Companies to conduct their businesses, in the ordinary course (im gewöhnlichen Geschäftsgang) consistent with past practice and shall cause the Companies to preserve their ongoing business organizations and relationships with third parties.

 

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11.2.2 The Sellers will cause the Companies, to the extent required to fulfill the obligations of a prudent and reasonable businessman, each to (i) pay all of its debts and Taxes when due, except to the extent such debts or Taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established, (ii) pay or perform its other obligations when due, and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts consistent with past practice to (a) preserve intact its present business organizations, (b) keep available the services of its present officers and key employees, and (c) preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, licensees, and others having business dealings with it, to the end that its goodwill and ongoing businesses will be unimpaired at the Closing Date.

 

11.2.3 The Sellers will promptly notify the Buyer of any change, occurrence or event not in the ordinary course of business of the Companies, and of any change, occurrence or event which, individually or in the aggregate with any other changes, occurrences and events, could have a material adverse effect on any of the Companies.

 

11.2.4 The Sellers will cause each of the Companies to assure that each of the Contracts entered into after the date hereof by it will not require the procurement of any consent, waiver or novation or provide for any material change in the obligations of any party in connection with, or terminate as a result of the consummation of, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

11.2.5 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for the period between the Signing Date and the Closing Date, the Sellers shall ensure that the Companies will not, without the prior written consent of the Buyer (e-mail sufficient),

 

  (i) adopt or propose any change in their certificate of incorporation, articles of association, by-laws or any other organizational documents;

 

  (ii) merge or consolidate with any other person, acquire, agree to acquire, dispose, agree to dispose of, or grant an option to purchase any assets or create an encumbrance on any assets, except in the ordinary course of business;

 

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  (iii) amend the terms of employment, grant any increase in wages, salaries, entitlements, bonus, or other remuneration of any employee or adopt or amend any employee or compensation benefit plan, or pay any special bonus or special remuneration to any employee or non-employee director, unless provided for in this Agreement with regard to transaction boni (Section 5.2.3 and Annex 6.1.20 );

 

  (iv) hire any employees, consultants or independent contractors, or enter into, or extend the term of, any employment or consulting Contract with any person, or enter into any collective bargaining agreement;

 

  (v) grant any severance or termination payment to any person or amend or modify any existing severance or termination agreement with any person, except in the ordinary course of business or as required by law;

 

  (vi) issue or sell any shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares, or issue, sell, grant or enter into any subscriptions, options, warrants, conversion or other rights, agreements, commitments, arrangements or understandings of any kind, contingently or otherwise, to purchase or otherwise acquire any such shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares;

 

  (vii) forgive, compromise, release, cancel or waive any claims or rights, or sell or otherwise dispose of any claims except for the face amount thereof, except in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (viii) transfer, assign, convey, or liquidate any assets or business or enter into any transaction or incur any liability or obligation related thereto, other than in the ordinary course of its business;

 

  (ix) delay or postpone the payment of any liabilities (compared to past practice), whether current or long term, or fail to pay any liability on a timely basis inconsistent with prior practice;

 

  (x) accelerate the payment of any trade accounts receivable (compared to past practice) or pay any trade accounts receivable before the respective due date;

 

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  (xi) pay any amount to any Affiliate, except payments within the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;  

 

  (xii) enter into any Contract that, if entered into before the Closing Date, would be a Material Contract (other than a customer Contract) or a customer Contract with an aggregate value exceeding EUR 100,000.00 or amend to the disadvantage of the respective Company, or terminate, any such Contract;  

 

  (xiii) terminate any Contract with any reseller, distributor, original equipment manufacturer or agent, where such termination would or could trigger any payment by the respective Company to such reseller, distributor, original equipment manufacturer or agent pursuant to the terms of such Contract or under law;  

 

  (xiv) incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money, issue or sell any debt securities or prepay any debt, except for borrowings and repayments incurred in the ordinary course of business;  

 

  (xv) make any loans or advances to, or any investments in or capital contributions to, any person, or forgive or discharge in whole or in part any outstanding loans or advances, other than advances to employees and consultants for travel and other expenses in the ordinary course of business;  

 

  (xvi) transfer or license to any person (including through a reseller agreement) any intellectual property relying to the Business, other than in the ordinary course of business in connection with the license or sale of any of the products or services to customers by a Company;  

 

  (xvii) sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of or create, extend, grant or issue any Lien over any properties or assets (other than in the ordinary course of business in connection with the license or sale of any of products or services to customers);  

 

  (xviii) enter into any operating lease pursuant to which the aggregate obligations exceed EUR 50,000.00;  

 

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  (xix) make any capital expenditures or commitments, capital additions or capital improvements or enter into any capital leases except in the ordinary course of business (and not in excess of EUR 50,000.00, in the aggregate);

 

  (xx) commence any legal proceeding other than for the routine collection of bills or in such cases where it in good faith determines that failure to commence a legal proceeding would result in the material impairment of a valuable aspect of its business, provided that the respective Company consults with the Buyer before the filing of such a legal proceeding;

 

  (xxi) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution or otherwise purchase or redeem, directly or indirectly, any shares;

 

  (xxii) change in any respect its accounting practices, policies or principles;

 

  (xxiii) incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether direct or indirect, or as guarantor or otherwise with respect to any liability or obligation of any other person), except in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xxiv) permit any of the Companies to enter into any agreement or arrangement with Seller or its Affiliates;

 

  (xxv) do or omit anything the result of which would constitute a Leakage; or

agree in writing to take any of the actions described in the foregoing clauses of this Section 11.2.5 or undertake intentionally and deliberately any action which could reasonably be expected to make any of the Sellers’ guarantees contained in this Agreement that are given as of the Closing Date untrue or incorrect.

 

11.2.6 In addition, during the period between the Signing Date and the Closing Date, Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG shall not enter without the prior written consent of the Buyer (e-mail sufficient) in any license agreement relating to any intellectual property that is an Asset.

 

11.2.7

The consent of the Buyer to the measures set out above shall be deemed to be granted and the respective Company shall be entitled to proceed with the

 

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  respective action if the relevant Seller notified the Buyer in writing (e-mail sufficient), and the Buyer did not notify the relevant Seller in writing (e-mail sufficient) of any objections within a period of five (5) Business Days after being provided with all relevant details necessary to make an informed decision concerning the respective inquired action.

 

11.2.8 For the avoidance of doubt, actions and measures provided for under this Agreement, including in particular, without limitation, (i) the execution of shareholders’ resolutions or similar undertakings in order to discharge (entlasten) Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann as managing directors of any of the Companies, as well as (ii) all actions required in order to transfer the existing pension obligation of Kreyenborg GmbH in favour of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg to another legal entity, shall be regarded as permitted actions pursuant to this Section 11.2.

Section 12

Confidentiality

 

12.1 “Proprietary Information”

For purposes hereof, “ Proprietary Information ” shall mean any information related to the Business, Companies and the Buyer and its Affiliates, including any information related to their respective business, organization, financial situation, operations, purchasing and sales activities, intellectual property, source codes, information relating to services, operating processes, procedures, price lists, customer lists, technology, designs, specifications, or other proprietary information of the business of the Companies and the Buyer and its Affiliates.

 

12.2 Confidentiality Undertaking

For a period of five years after the Closing Date, the Sellers shall treat any and all Proprietary Information as confidential and not disclose or make it available to any person unless it is or has been:

 

  (i) obtained legally and freely from a third party without restriction as to the disclosure of such information;

 

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  (ii) independently developed by the respective Seller at a prior time when the respective Seller was not an employee, independent contractor, board member or shareholder of any of the Companies and without the benefit of any of the Proprietary Information of any of the Companies;

 

  (iii) made public as required by applicable laws, court proceedings, or stock exchange regulations; or

 

  (iv) within the public domain or later becomes part of the public domain as a result of acts by someone other than any Seller.

 

12.3 Standard of Care

To the extent obliged to treat Proprietary Information as confidential, each Seller shall use the same degree of care as it uses with regard to its own proprietary information to prevent disclosure, use, or publication of the Proprietary Information.

Section 13

Covenant not to Compete

 

13.1 Covenant not to Compete

For a period of three years after Closing, none of the Sellers shall, directly or indirectly, engage in any Competitive Business Activity (as defined below) anywhere in the Restricted Territory (as defined below). For all purposes hereof, the term “ Competitive Business Activity ” shall mean: (i) engaging in, or managing or directing persons engaged in, any business that designs, develops, markets, licenses, distributes or sells any product which is substitutable for any product related to the Business and provided by any of the Companies on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) acquiring or having an ownership interest in any entity that designs, develops, markets, licenses, distributes or sells any product which is substitutable for any product related to the Business and provided by any of the Companies on or prior to the Closing Date (except for passive ownership of three per cent or less of any entity whose securities are listed on any major national or international stock exchange); (iii) participating in any capacity (whether as consultant, advisor, independent contractor, proprietor, partner, joint venturer or otherwise) in the financing, operation, management or

 

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control of any Person or business that designs, develops, licenses, markets, distributes or sells any product which is substitutable for any product related to the Business and provided by any of the Companies on or prior to the Closing Date; or (iv) utilizing knowledge of the Business or relationships with customers, suppliers or others to engage or facilitate others to design, develop, license, market, distribute or sell any product which is substitutable for any product related to the Business and provided by any of the Companies on or prior to the Closing Date, in the Restricted Territory. For all purposes hereof, the term “ Restricted Territory ” shall mean Germany, Europe, Russia, the United States of America, Malaysia and China.

 

13.2 Exceptions to the Covenant not to Compete

The covenant not to compete pursuant to Section 13.1 does not apply (i) if and to the extent Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg acts as consultant for the Companies or the Buyer or any of its Affiliates, and (ii) to the operations of Kreyenborg Plant Technology GmbH & Co. KG, BLS Integration GmbH & Co. KG and Bruckmann Steuerungstechnik GmbH as conducted at the Date of Closing.

 

13.3 Specific Use of Proprietary Information

 

13.3.1 Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann shall be permitted to use their professional expertise, customers contacts, supplier contacts and industry contacts and knowledge obtained during their activities as a managing director and shareholder of the Companies for activities that are not Competitive Business Activities; provided, however, that the use is in full compliance with the obligations pursuant to Section 12 hereof and this Section 13.

 

13.3.2 On a case-by-case basis, each of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann may request from the Buyer the permission to use a specific item of Proprietary Information for activities that are not Competitive Business Activities, and the Buyer will grant such permission at its sole discretion.

Section 14

Non-Solicitation

From and after the date hereof and for a period of three years after the Closing Date, the Sellers shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, recruit or hire (as an

 

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employee or contractor) any Employee of the Business who is currently employed by any of the Companies or induce any such Employee to terminate its employment or relationship with any of the Companies, the Buyer or any of its Affiliates. The placing of an advertisement for a position available to a member of the public generally and a hiring of an employee following such advertisement shall not constitute a breach of this Section 14.

Section 15

Names of the Companies, Product Names and Domain Names

 

15.1 Names of the Companies

 

15.1.1 The Companies shall be entitled to use their present names for a period of three months following Closing. Not later than at the end of this period, the Buyer undertakes to change the name of Kreyenborg GmbH to “Nordson Kreyenborg GmbH”, the name of Kreyenborg America L.P. to “Nordson Kreyenborg America, Inc.”, the name of Kreyenborg Inc. to “Nordson Kreyenborg, Inc.”, the names of the branch office in Shanghai (China) to “Nordson Kreyenborg (China) Ltd.”, the name of the branch office in Malaysia to “Nordson Kreyenborg Malaysia Ltd.” and the name of BKG Bruckmann Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH to “Nordson BKG GmbH”, or comparable other designations reflecting the envisaged combination of the two businesses.

 

15.1.2 Until the first anniversary of the Closing the Companies shall be entitled to use the name “Kreyenborg” as part of the names of the companies and branches set out in Section 15.1.1. By the first anniversary of the Closing, the Buyer undertakes to change the names of the companies and branches set out in Section 15.1.1 in a way that these names no longer contain the name “Kreyenborg” and the name “Bruckmann” or any similar names or abbreviations.

 

15.1.3 The Buyer hereby agrees and acknowledges that the name “Kreyenborg” is a genuine right of the Sellers, and that the name “Bruckmann” is a genuine name of Mr. Theodor Bruckmann, and the Buyer is not entitled to use the names “Kreyenborg” and/or “Bruckmann” or any variation(s) thereof other than explicitly provided for in this Section 15.

 

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15.2 Design and Logo “Kreyenborg” and Domain Names

The Parties are aware that all rights pertaining to the design and logo “Kreyenborg” as set out in Annex 15.2 (a)  as well as to the domain names set out in Annex 15.2 (b)  initially owned by Kreyenborg GmbH have been transferred to Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG (and thereafter to Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH) prior to Closing at no costs for Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH.

 

15.3 Non-exclusive License to use the Name, Logo and Domain Names

Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH grant to Kreyenborg GmbH (for so long as it remains a wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer) the non-exclusive, worldwide royalty-free license to use the name and logo “Kreyenborg” as set out in Annex 15.2 (a)  as well as the domain names “kreyenborg.de”, “kreyenborg.com” (the name, logo and domain names, together, the “ KBG Names ”) as more specifically set out in the license agreement attached as Annex 15.3 (the “ License Agreement ”). The Sellers and Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH shall not assume any liability of whatever nature with respect to the license and the use of the KBG Names by the Buyer and any of its subsidiaries and Affiliates (including, after Closing, the Companies), and the Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sellers or Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH, as the case may be, from any liability arising out of the violation of the intellectual property rights of any person (other than any Seller or any Affiliate or relative of any Seller) by the use of the KBG Names by the Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including, after Closing, the Companies).

 

15.4 Change of IP Addresses, etc.

 

15.4.1 The Buyer undertakes to change the IP-addresses, internet presences and other features of the Companies which presently include the names “Kreyenborg” and “Bruckmann” at the latest twelve (12) months after the Closing in order to ensure that the name “Kreyenborg” and “Bruckmann” or any similar name will no longer be included in these features, other than as permitted by the License Agreement and unless a longer term is required with respect to regulatory requirements.

 

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15.4.2 The Buyer undertakes that the Companies will establish on their internet websites a link to the businesses carried out by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg for a period of at least six months following Closing in order to enable customers of such businesses to be redirected to the relevant website at no costs for the Sellers.

 

15.4.3 The Buyer ensures that the Companies will forward all e-mails addressed to the email address
“j-u.kreyenborg@kreyenborg.de” and “j.kreyenborg@kreyenborg.de” to the e-mail address j.kreyenborg@versanet.de of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg without undue delay for a period of six months after Closing. To the extent such e-mails contain business items only, Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg undertakes to redirect Business related e-mails to the Buyer and to delete such e-mails immediately thereafter.

Section 16

Forgotten Assets

If, after the Closing Date, a Party becomes aware of or identifies any tangible or intangible asset pertaining exclusively to the Business that is owned by any Seller prior to the Closing Date, such Party shall promptly provide the other Party with written notice of such matter, and the Sellers shall arrange without undue delay for the sale and/or transfer of such asset to the Buyer at no cost for the Buyer.

Section 17

Loans to Shareholders; Collaterals

 

17.1 Loans to Shareholders

The loan granted by BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH to Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in an amount of originally EUR 110,000.00 (with a remaining value (including interest accrued) of EUR 36,666.00 as of 26 June 2013) will be repaid at Closing by way of a payment of the relevant amount out of the Purchase Price by the Buyer to BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH for the account of Mr. Theodor Bruckmann.

 

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17.2 Release of Guarantees

Kreyenborg GmbH issued a guarantee (Bürgschaft) in favour of Kreyenborg Plant Technology GmbH & Co. KG details of which are set out in Annex 17.2 (i) . BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg GmbH & Co. KG issued a guarantee (Bürgschaft) in favour of BLS Integration GmbH & Co. KG details of which are set out in Annex 17.2 (ii) . With respect to the aforesaid guarantees (the “ Guarantees ”), the following shall apply:

 

17.2.1 The Sellers shall procure that Kreyenborg Plant Technology GmbH & Co. KG and BLS Integration GmbH, as the case may be, will indemnify and hold harmless the Companies set out above from any liability incurred in connection with the relevant Guarantee.

 

17.2.2 The Sellers will use their best efforts to replace the Guarantees with new guarantees at the costs and expenses of the Sellers not later than three months following the Closing. Until that date, the Sellers shall submit to the Buyer the original guarantee letters together with written statements issued by the relevant creditors that no further claim will be made against the relevant Companies out of or in connection with the Guarantees.

 

17.2.3 If a release of the Guarantees cannot be achieved until the aforesaid date, e.g. due to a missing consent of the relevant creditor, the Sellers shall, at their own costs and expenses, submit to the Buyer upon request of the Buyer appropriate other securities, e.g. bank guarantees (Rückbürgschaften) of a first class German bank in order to ensure that the Companies will economically be released from their obligations under the Guarantees.

Section 18

Agreements to be executed prior to or at Closing;

Current Account; Transfer of Pension Obligation

 

18.1 Lease Agreement Coermühle/Münster

The Parties will ensure that at Closing Kreyenborg GmbH and Kreyenborg Vewaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG will enter into and agree upon the long-term lease agreement regarding the premises at Coermühle/Münster substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.12 .

 

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18.2 Lease Agreement Hessenweg/Münster

The Parties will ensure that at Closing, BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH and BKI Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG will enter into and agree upon the long-term lease agreement regarding the premises at Hessenweg/Münster substantially as set out in Annex 2.12.13 .

 

18.3 Supply Agreements

The Parties will ensure that at Closing, Kreyenborg Plant Technology GmbH & Co. KG and Bruckmann Steuerungstechnik GmbH on the one side, and Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH on the other side, enter into and agree upon supply agreements as set out in Annex 2.12.18.

 

18.4 JONYX Software

The Parties will ensure that Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG on the one side, and Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH on the other side, will enter into and agree upon licence agreements with respect to the JONYX software as set out in Annex 2.12.19 .

 

18.5 Insurance Protection

The Parties agree that the insurance protection of the Companies as presently in place will be terminated with effect as of the Closing Date. The Buyer will ensure sufficient insurance protection for periods following Closing at its own risk and account.

 

18.6 Termination of Agreements as of Closing

The Parties confirm, and the Parties will instruct the Companies accordingly that, unless specifically agreed in this Agreement, the agreements between the Companies and the Sellers and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann or other subsidiaries of the Sellers or Mr. Theodor Bruckmann listed in Annex 18.6 , including in particular, without limitation, the existing lease agreements relating to the production sites at Coermühle and Hessenweg in Münster as well as the service agreements of Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg and Mr. Theodor Bruckmann as managing directors of the Companies, will be terminated by mutual agreement with effect as of the Closing Date.

 

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18.7 Current Account (Verrechnungskonto)

At Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG and Kreyenborg GmbH, a current account (Verrechnungskonto) is kept by which payments relating to the lease of real estate and the Assets as well as VAT (in particular payments and reimbursements with a view to the existing VAT group (umsatzsteuerliche Organschaft) between these Companies) are booked and settled. The Parties hereby agree that this current account shall be maintained in accordance with past practice following Closing as long as bookings have to be made for periods until Closing, and that the Parties shall keep each other continuously informed about the status of the current account. Any balance due under the current account shall be paid by the relevant company to the other company within ten (10) Business Days upon notification of such payment obligation by the other relevant company. Upon fulfilling of all payment and filing requirements for pre-Closing periods, there shall be no more obligation to maintain these accounts.

 

18.8 Transfer of Pension Obligation

Prior to Closing, the existing pension obligation of Kreyenborg GmbH to Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg set out in
Annex 2.12.15 will be transferred to another legal entity outside the Companies (which shall not be sold hereunder) to be designated by Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg concurrently (Zug um Zug) against payment of an amount of
EUR 1,401,731.00 (corresponding to the net present value (Teilwert) of the pension obligation as of 31 December 2012 in an amount of EUR 1,338,377.00 as set out in the report of WIMA Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftsmathematik mbH dated 17 January 2013) plus the increase of this net present value for the period between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2013 in an amount of EUR 63,354.00. The aforesaid payment has already been taken into account in the calculation of the Base Purchase Price and shall, therefore, not be regarded as a Leakage.

 

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18.9 Cooperation of the Parties

The rights of the Parties under this Agreement notwithstanding, from the Closing onwards the Sellers and the Buyer shall cooperate, and shall procure that their Affiliates cooperate, with reasonable efforts to provide for a smooth and expedient transition of the Business to the Buyer.

Section 19

Exclusion and Waiver of all Other Claims, Specific Indemnification

 

19.1 Exclusion and Waiver of all Other Claims

Except as explicitly stated in this Agreement, in particular under Section 4.2, Section 8, Section 9, Section 17.2 and Section 19 and apart from claims for specific performance (Erfüllungsansprüche) (and any claims for damages if the claim for specific performance is not complied with), and to the extent permissible under mandatory law, any other claims or remedies of the Buyer are hereby waived and excluded, including in particular, without limitation, claims based on pre-contractual fault (culpa in contrahendo) , breach of contract (positive Vertragsverletzung or Pflichtverletzung aus dem Schuldverhältnis), frustration (Störung der Geschäftsgrundlage) or reduction of the purchase price (Minderung) , including in particular, without limitation, any rights and claims based on Sections 241 para 2, 311 para 2 and 3, 323 et seq., 313, 434 et seq. German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) , unless this Agreement explicitly provides for such a right. Any right to withdraw (Rücktrittsrecht) from this Agreement or right of rescission (Anfechtung) - regardless of its legal basis - is hereby waived and excluded, unless this Agreement explicitly provides for such a right to withdraw or a right of rescission (Anfechtung) . Furthermore, the Buyer hereby waives any and all claims resulting from liability in tort (deliktische Ansprüche) against the Sellers. The aforesaid waiver shall not apply to any rights or remedies for fraud (Arglist) or willful misconduct (Vorsatz) .

 

19.2 Specific Indemnification

The Sellers shall indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Companies) from and against any claims and Damages caused by or arising out of:

 

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  (i) the pension obligation of Kreyenborg GmbH towards Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any pension payable to Mr. Kreyenborg by any Company and any costs related thereto; and

 

  (ii) the Agreements listed in Annex 18.6 or their termination, provided that claims arising out of these Agreements and their implementation relating to periods until Closing shall remain unaffected and shall not lead to any indemnification claim under this Section.

 

19.3 Limitation Periods

 

19.3.1 Claims resulting from the violation of or non-compliance with the Sellers’ main obligations (Hauptleistungspflichten) pursuant to this Agreement and claims relating to the violation by a Seller of the obligations provided in Section 12 (Confidentiality) shall become time-barred (verjährt) five years following the Closing.

 

19.3.2 Claims based on Section 19.2 (i) shall become time-barred (verjährt) thirty years following the Closing.

 

19.3.3 Claims pursuant to Section 19.2 (ii) and any claims relating to any non-compliance with or violation by any Seller of any covenants provided in this Agreement (other than a Breach of guarantees and other than Section 12 (Confidentiality)) shall become time-barred (verjährt) three years following the Closing.

Section 20

Liability Cap

 

20.1 Liability Cap

The Sellers’ liability for any and all claims arising out of and in connection with this Agreement and its implementation, including in particular, without limitation, claims under Sections 6, 7, 8 and 19, are limited to a total amount of EUR 14,325,257.00 (the “ Liability Cap ”), unless specifically, explicitly and exhaustively (abschließend) agreed to the contrary in Sections 20.2 and 20.3.

 

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20.2 Exceptions to the Liability Cap

The Liability Cap shall not apply to:

 

  (i) claims for specific performance (Erfüllungsansprüche), including as regards the main obligations of the Sellers under this Agreement (Hauptleistungspflichten) ,

 

  (ii) any breaches by the Sellers of the guarantees in Sections 6.1.1 to 6.1.4 (title guarantees with respect to the Companies), 6.1.18 (no Leakage) and 7.1.1 (title guarantees with respect to the Assets),

 

  (iii) claims under Section 11.2.5 (xxv) (no Leakage),

 

  (iv) claims under Section 9 (Taxes), and

 

  (v) claims under Section 19.2,

provided that for all cases (i) to (v), the aggregate liability of the Sellers shall under no circumstances exceed the Purchase Price.

 

20.3 Fraud and Willful Misconduct

The Liability Cap shall also not apply in cases of fraud (Arglist) or willful misconduct (Vorsatz), provided that the burden of proof for fraud or willful misconduct shall be completely with the Buyer.

Section 21

Taxes and Costs

 

21.1 Costs and Expenses of each Party

Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, execution and implementation of this Agreement, including any and all professional fees of their advisors and including costs of representation (Stellvertretung) .

 

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21.2 Costs and Taxes relating to the Transfer of the Shares; Merger Control Costs

Any and all costs for the transfer of the Shares sold according to this Agreement, and of the transfer of the Assets and the Business Contracts, including any registration costs, costs of merger control proceedings, transaction taxes or property acquisition taxes shall be borne by the Buyer.

 

21.3 Capital Gains Taxes

Capital gains taxes (Steuern auf einen Veräußerungsgewinn) arising out of the sale of the Shares and the Assets and the Business Contracts as set out under this Agreement shall be borne by the relevant Seller (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any capital gains taxes relating to the sale of the Share held by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann in BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH will be borne by Mr. Theodor Bruckmann).

 

21.4 Notarial Fees

Notarial fees out of and in connection with this Agreement and the transfer of the Shares shall be borne by the Buyer.

Section 22

Designation of new Buyer(s); Guarantee of Ultimate Parent

 

22.1 Designation of new Buyer(s)

The Buyer shall be entitled to designate no later than ten (10) Business Days prior to Closing vis-à-vis the Sellers one or more wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Buyer (for the avoidance of doubt, not including the Companies) as the buyer(s) pursuant to this Agreement. Such designated entity/ies shall then be the Buyer(s) under this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been the Buyer(s) with all its rights and obligations as of the date hereof, and the original Buyer shall then become the Buyers’ Guarantor pursuant to Section 22.3 below and shall then remain a Party to this Agreement as Guarantor.

 

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22.2 Requirements for Designation

The designation shall be made by way of a joint notice, or by way of a notarial instrument (if requested by either Party), signed by the original Buyer and the designated Buyer(s), indicating (i) for which Shares and/or Assets and the Business Contracts the new buyer(s) shall become the Buyers under this Agreement, provided that the Shares of a single Company and all Assets and Business Contracts, respectively, may only be allocated to a single new buyer, unless specifically agreed to the contrary by the Sellers, and (ii) the addresses of the new buyers being relevant under Section 25, and shall be sent to the Sellers with a copy to the acting notary.

 

22.3 Guarantor

With respect to all claims of the Sellers against one, several or all of the Buyers (designated in accordance with Section 22.1) out of and in connection with this Agreement and its implementation, Nordson Corporation hereby assumes the independent guarantee as primary obligor (Selbständiges Garantieversprechen, Section 311 para 1 German Civil Code/ Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) . Nordson Corporation and the Buyers, as the case may be, shall be jointly and severally liable (gesamtschuldnerische Haftung) .

Section 23

No right to set-off; Liability of the Sellers;

Transfer of Rights and Obligations; Exercise of Rights;

Payments by the Sellers as Reduction of the Purchase Price

 

23.1 No Rights to Set off/No Rights of Retention

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither Party to this Agreement shall be entitled to set off (aufrechnen) or net off (verrechnen) its claims against any claims of the respective other Party or to exercise any rights of retention (Zurückbehaltungsrecht) , except for claims which are undisputed or res iudicata.

 

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23.2 Liability of the Sellers

The Sellers shall be jointly and severally liable (gesamtschuldnerische Haftung) for all claims for payment of the Buyer against any of the Sellers out of and in connection with this Agreement and its implementation.

 

23.3 Transfer of Rights and Obligations

This Agreement as well as the rights and obligations resulting therefrom shall not be transferable either in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the respective other Party by way of a legal transaction.

 

23.4 Exercise of Rights of Several Buyers

If and to the extent this Agreement provides for more than one Buyer or a Buyer and the Guarantor being entitled to exercise a right out of and in connection with this Agreement, the Buyers and/or the Guarantor, as the case may be, may exercise such rights only jointly (gemeinsam) and accordingly (einheitlich) .

 

23.5 Exercise of Rights of the Sellers

If and to the extent this Agreement provides for more than one Seller being entitled to exercise a right out of and in connection with this Agreement, such Sellers may exercise their rights out of and in connection with this Agreement and its implementation only jointly (gemeinsam) and accordingly (einheitlich) .

 

23.6 Payments by the Sellers as Reduction of the Purchase Price

Any payments made by any of the Sellers to the Buyer and/or the Companies under this Agreement shall be qualified and treated as a reduction of the Purchase Price.

 

23.7 Consent of Mrs. Elisabeth Maria Kreyenborg

The consent of Mrs. Elisabeth Maria Kreyenborg according to Section 1365 German Civil Code (BGB) has been obtained as a matter of precaution and is attached hereto as Annex 23.7 .

 

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Section 24

Confidentiality; Statements to the Press

 

24.1 Confidentiality

The Parties will treat the existence and the content of this Agreement confidential vis-à-vis third parties if and to the extent they are not obliged to disclose or if the disclosure is necessary for the conclusion and/or the implementation of this Agreement. The Parties shall take all reasonable measures even in such case to guarantee the confidentiality with regard to the existence and the content of this Agreement to the maximum possible extent. The obligation of the Parties under Section 24.1 shall terminate on the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything of the foregoing, the Buyer and its Affiliates shall be permitted to make any and all filings and announcements they are required to make by applicable laws, without the consent of the Sellers.

 

24.2 Statements to the Press

The Parties shall agree on any statements to the press (other than the announcements the Buyer and its Affiliates are required to make in accordance with applicable laws) and any additional information to be communicated to the press or any other third party if and to the extent the sale of the Shares and/or Assets and Business Contracts is concerned.

Section 25

Notices

 

25.1 Addresses

Notices in connection with this Agreement shall be sent exclusively to the following addresses:

Notices to the Sellers:

Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg

Pröbstingstrasse 32

D-48157 Münster

Germany

e-mail: j.kreyenborg@versanet.de

 

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Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG

Att.: Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg

Pröbstingstrasse 32

D-48157 Münster

Germany

e-mail: j.kreyenborg@versanet.de

Notices to Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH:

Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH

Att.: Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg

Pröbstingstrasse 32

D-48157 Münster

Germany

e-mail: j.kreyenborg@versanet.de

in case of notices to the Sellers and/or to Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH with a courtesy copy to:

FRANZ RECHTSANWÄLTE Partnerschaftsgesellschaft

Att. Dr. André Kowalski

Kaistrasse 16A

D-40221 Düsseldorf

Germany

Fax: +49 211 157676 76

e-mail: kowalski@franzlegal.com

Notices to the Buyer (including any buyer designated in accordance with Section 22.1):

Nordson Corporation

Att. Mr. Robert Veillette

Vice President and General Counsel

28601 Clemens Road

Westlake, Ohio 44145

United States of America

e-mail: rveillette@nordson.com

 

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in case of notices to the Buyer (including any buyer designated in accordance with Section 22.1) with a courtesy copy to:

Jones Day

Att: Adriane Sturm

Prinzregentenstrasse 11

D-80538 Munich

Germany

Fax: +49 89 20 60 42 293

Email: austurm@jonesday.com

 

25.2 Changes of Addresses

The above-mentioned addresses shall continue to be effective until a Party notifies the other Parties of any changes by registered mail.

 

25.3 Form of Notices

All notices or any other notifications shall be made in writing (Textform oder Schriftform) , delivered by hand, registered mail or by courier using an internationally recognized courier company, or by fax or by way of pdf-email attachment, provided that such email attachment bears the letterhead of the sending Party and a signature, and to the above-mentioned addresses.

 

25.4 Effectiveness of Notices

A notice shall be effective upon receipt and the opportunity to obtain knowledge of contents (Zugang) by the respective Party pursuant to Section 25.3 and shall be deemed to have occurred (i) at delivery, if delivered by hand, registered mail or courier, (ii) at transmission, if delivered by facsimile, provided that the person sending the facsimile shall have received a transmission receipt confirming a successful transmission thereof, (iii) at transmission if delivered by pdf-email attachment, provided that the person sending the email shall not have received an out-of-office reply and shall have received a transmission receipt confirming a successful transmission thereof.

 

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25.5 Notices to One of the Sellers or One of Several Buyers

Notices to one of the Sellers or to Kreyenborg Verwaltungs-GmbH shall be deemed to be served properly also if they have been served only to Mr. Jan-Udo Kreyenborg. Notices to one of the Buyers shall be deemed to be served properly also if they have been served to Nordson Corporation. The right of the other Parties to effect formal services also at the addresses of the other Buyers or of the Guarantor shall remain unaffected.

Section 26

Arbitration

 

26.1 Arbitration

Any and all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and its implementation or its validity shall be finally settled in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the German Institution of Arbitration e.V. (DIS Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit e.V . ) in its respective version without recourse to the ordinary courts of law. The arbitration tribunal consists of three (3) arbitrators which shall be admitted to the bar in Germany (Zulassung als Rechtsanwalt) and shall have a substantial experience in M&A transactions. The arbitration tribunal shall also decide on the validity, legality and interpretation of the arbitration clause itself.

 

26.2 Place of Arbitration; Language

The arbitration proceedings shall take place in Düsseldorf and shall be conducted in the English language. The right of each party to submit documents as evidence in any other language without official translation shall remain unaffected.

 

26.3 Multi-Party Arbitration

For the purposes of this arbitration clause and of the arbitration proceedings, the Sellers on one side, and the Buyers and the Guarantor on the other side shall be deemed to be one and the same party and shall be under the obligation to act accordingly.

 

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26.4 Ordinary Courts

The ordinary courts of Münster (Westphalia), Germany, shall have jurisdiction for all disputes arising out of and in connection with this Agreement and its implementation which do not fall into the competence of the arbitration tribunal.

Section 27

Miscellaneous

 

27.1 Applicable Law

This Agreement shall exclusively be subject to and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. The provisions of the International Convention of the Sale of Goods and any similar international uniform laws shall not apply.

 

27.2 Amendments or Supplements to this Agreement

Amendments or supplements to this Agreement shall be made in writing and with express reference to this Agreement unless any other form is required. The same shall apply with respect to any change of this clause itself.

 

27.3 Definition of “Business Day”

Business Day ” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks in the city of Düsseldorf and in Cleveland, Ohio, are open for the transaction of normal banking business.

 

27.4 Headings; Term “including” and similar Terms

The headings and sub-headings of the sections contained herein are for convenience and reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning, construction or interpretation of any of the provisions hereof. The words “including,” “include”, “in particular” and terms of a similar effect shall not be deemed to limit the general effect of the words that precede them.

 

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27.5 Annexes

All Annexes are integral parts of this Agreement.

 

27.6 Language of this Agreement; Interpretation

This Agreement is executed in the English language. Where a German term has been inserted in parenthesis or italics it alone (and not the English term to which it relates) shall be authoritative for the purpose of the interpretation of the relevant English term in this Agreement.

 

27.7 Exclusion of Section 203 German Civil Code

With respect to all claims out of and in connection with this Agreement and its implementation, Section 203 German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) shall not apply, unless the Parties agree in writing that the expiry period shall be suspended based on pending settlement negotiations.

 

27.8 Severability Clause

Should any provision of this Agreement in whole or in part be or become invalid, impracticable or unenforceable, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby. In such a case, the invalid, impracticable or unenforceable provision shall be deemed to be replaced by a provision which, to the extent admissible according to the applicable laws, comes closest to the purpose of the invalid, impracticable or unenforceable provision. The same shall apply with respect to any omissions contained in this Agreement.

*     *     *

 

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EXHIBIT 31.1

Nordson Corporation

CERTIFICATIONS

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael F. Hilton, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nordson Corporation;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: September 5, 2013

 

/s/ Michael F. Hilton

Michael F. Hilton

President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

Nordson Corporation

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Gregory A. Thaxton, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nordson Corporation;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: September 5, 2013

 

 /s/ Gregory A. Thaxton

Gregory A. Thaxton
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 32.1

Nordson Corporation

Certification

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), I, Michael F. Hilton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nordson Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the “ Company ”), do hereby certify that:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2013 of the Company (the “ Form 10-Q ”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. Information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: September 5, 2013  

 /s/ Michael F. Hilton

  Michael F. Hilton
  President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 32.2

Nordson Corporation

Certification

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), I, Gregory A. Thaxton, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Nordson Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the “ Company ”), do hereby certify that:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2013 of the Company (the “ Form 10-Q ”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. Information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: September 5, 2013  

 /s/ Gregory A. Thaxton

  Gregory A. Thaxton
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer