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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2013

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

MALIBU BOATS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   3730   46-4024640

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary standard industrial

classification code number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

(865) 458-5478

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

 

 

Jack D. Springer

Chief Executive Officer

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

(865) 458-5478

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

 

 

Copies to:

 

J. Chase Cole, Esq.

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

511 Union Street, Suite 2100

Nashville, Tennessee 37219

(615) 244-6380

 

Anna T. Pinedo, Esq.

Morrison & Foerster LLP

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

(212) 468-8179

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

  Proposed Maximum Aggregate  

Offering Price(1)(2)

 

Amount of

  Registration Fee(3)  

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value

  $115,000,000   $14,812

 

 

(1) Includes shares of Class A Common Stock to be sold by the selling stockholders and shares to be sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ allotment option.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.
(3) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act based on the proposed maximum offering price.

 

 

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

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated December 13, 2013

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

            Shares

 

LOGO

MALIBU BOATS, INC.

Class A Common Stock

 

 

This is the initial public offering of Class A Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. No public market currently exists for our shares. Malibu Boats, Inc. is a newly-formed holding company that will hold an interest in, and be the sole managing member of, Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC.

We are selling              shares of our Class A Common Stock and the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering              shares of our Class A Common Stock. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the selling stockholders. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to purchase equity interests in Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC from our existing owners. We expect that the initial public offering price will be between $             and $             per share. We have applied to list our Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “MBUU.”

Immediately following this offering, the holders of our Class A Common Stock will collectively own 100% of the economic interest in Malibu Boats, Inc., which will own approximately     % of the economic interest in Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC. Immediately following this offering, the holders of our Class A Common Stock will collectively have approximately     % of the voting power of Malibu Boats, Inc., and holders of our Class B Common Stock will collectively have approximately     % of the voting power of Malibu Boats, Inc.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act and, as such, may elect to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements after this offering.

Investing in our Class A Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 18.

 

 

 

     Per
Share
     Total  

Initial public offering price

   $                    $                

Underwriting discounts and commissions

   $         $     

Proceeds to us, before expenses

   $         $     

Proceeds to selling stockholders, before expenses

   $         $     

 

 

We and the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to              additional shares of Class A Common Stock to cover over-allotments.

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

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock to purchasers on or about                     , 2014.

 

 

 

RAYMOND JAMES   WELLS FARGO SECURITIES

 

 

 

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY   BMO CAPITAL MARKETS

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2014.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

RISK FACTORS

     18   

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     35   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     36   

DIVIDEND POLICY

     38   

CAPITALIZATION

     39   

DILUTION

     40   

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     43   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     51   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     54   

BUSINESS

     70   

HISTORY AND FORMATION TRANSACTIONS

     88   

MANAGEMENT

     95   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     106   

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

     113   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     117   

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     122   

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

     125   

UNDERWRITING

     130   

LEGAL MATTERS

     136   

EXPERTS

     136   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     136   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS

     A-1   

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf in connection with this offering. We have not, the selling stockholders have not and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, the selling stockholders are not and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to permit a public offering of the Class A Common Stock or possession or distribution of this prospectus in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus applicable to that jurisdiction.

 

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Unless otherwise expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires:

 

  Ÿ  

we use the terms “Malibu Boats,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references to refer (1) prior to the consummation of the offering transactions described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” to Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, or the LLC, and its consolidated subsidiaries and (2) after the offering transactions described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” to Malibu Boats, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries;

 

  Ÿ  

we refer to the owners of membership interests in the LLC immediately prior to the offering transactions, collectively, as our “existing owners”;

 

  Ÿ  

references to “fiscal year” refer to the fiscal year of Malibu Boats, which ends on June 30. Fiscal years 2012 and 2013 for the LLC ended on June 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Fiscal year 2014 will end on June 30, 2014;

 

  Ÿ  

we use the term “performance sport boat category” to refer to our industry category, primarily consisting of fiberglass boats equipped with inboard propulsion and ranging from 19 feet to 26 feet in length, which we believe most closely corresponds to (1) the inboard ski/wakeboard category, as defined and tracked by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, or NMMA, and (2) the inboard skiboat category, as defined and tracked by Statistical Surveys, Inc., or SSI; and

 

  Ÿ  

references to certain market and industry data presented in this prospectus are determined as follows: (1) U.S. boat sales and unit volume for the overall powerboat industry and any powerboat category during any calendar year are based on retail boat market data from the NMMA; (2) U.S. market share and unit volume for the overall powerboat industry and any powerboat category during any calendar year ended December 31 are based on comparable same-state retail boat registration data from SSI, as reported by the 50 states for which data was available as of the date of this prospectus; (3) U.S. market share and unit volume for the overall powerboat industry and any powerboat category during any interim period ended June 30, including our fiscal year, are based on comparable same-state retail boat registration data from SSI, as reported by the 47 states for which data was available as of the date of this prospectus; (4) U.S. market share and unit volume for the overall powerboat industry and any powerboat category during any interim period ended September 30 are based on comparable same-state retail boat registration data from SSI, as reported by the 47 states for which data was available as of the date of this prospectus; and (5) market share among U.S. manufacturers of exports to international markets of boats in any powerboat category for any period is based on data from the Port Import Export Reporting Service, available through September 30, 2013, and excludes such data for Australia and New Zealand.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. We include a glossary of some of the terms used in this prospectus as Appendix A. Before investing in our Class A Common Stock, you should read this entire prospectus, including the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and the notes thereto.

Our Company

We are a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of performance sport boats, having the #1 market share position in the United States since 2010. Our boats are used for water sports, including water skiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing, as well as general recreational boating. Since inception in 1982, we believe we have been a consistent innovator in the powerboat industry, designing products that appeal to an expanding range of recreational boaters and water sports enthusiasts whose passion for boating and water sports is a key aspect of their lifestyle. We believe many of our innovations, such as our proprietary Surf Gate technology launched in 2012, expand the market for our products by introducing consumers to new and exciting recreational activities. We believe that our boats are increasingly versatile, allowing consumers to use them for a wide range of activities that enhance the experience of a day on the water with family and friends. We believe that the performance, quality, value and multi-purpose features of our boats position us to achieve our goal of increasing our market share in the expanding recreational boating market.

We sell our high performance boats under two brands—Malibu and Axis Wake Research, or Axis. Our flagship Malibu brand boats offer our latest innovations in performance, comfort and convenience, and are designed for consumers seeking a premium boating experience. Retail prices of our Malibu boats typically range from $55,000 to $120,000. We launched our Axis brand of boats in 2009 to appeal to consumers who desire a more affordable product but still demand high performance, functional simplicity and the option to upgrade key features. Retail prices of our Axis boats typically range from $40,000 to $75,000.

All of our boats are built and tested at our corporate headquarters near Knoxville, Tennessee. Our boats are constructed of fiberglass, equipped with inboard propulsion systems and available in a range of sizes and hull designs. We employ experienced product development and engineering teams that enable us to offer a range of models across each of our brands while consistently introducing innovative features in our product offerings. Our engineering team closely collaborates with our manufacturing personnel in order to improve product quality and process efficiencies. The results of this collaboration are reflected in our achievement of higher margins than those of any public company in the powerboat industry and receipt of numerous industry awards, including the Watersports Industry Association’s Innovation of the Year in 2010 and 2013.

We sell our boats through a dealer network that we believe is the strongest in the performance sport boat category. As of September 30, 2013, our distribution channel consisted of 116 independent dealers in North America operating in 139 locations and 49 independent dealer locations across 36 countries outside of North America. Our boats are the exclusive performance sport boats offered by the majority of our dealers. Additionally, we have an exclusive licensee in Australia that we believe is the largest performance sport boat manufacturer in that country. Our

 

 

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dealer base is an important part of our consumers’ experience, our marketing efforts and our brands. We devote significant time and resources to find, develop and improve the performance of our dealers and believe our dealer network gives us a distinct competitive advantage.

We have experienced significant growth in net sales and profitability over the last several years. For our fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, net sales and adjusted EBITDA were $167.0 million and $31.8 million, respectively, reflecting compound annual growth rates, or CAGRs, of 29.2% and 100.3%, respectively, over the period since fiscal year 2011. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our net sales and adjusted EBITDA were $43.3 million and $8.2 million, an increase of 30.6% and 48.4%, respectively, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Our Strengths

#1 Market Share Position in Performance Sport Boat Category. We held the number one market share position in the United States among manufacturers of performance sport boats for 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We have grown our U.S. market share from 23.2% in 2008, the year prior to the arrival of our current Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to 30.6% in 2012. The following table reflects our U.S. market share in the performance sport boat category compared to the market share of our competitors for the periods shown:

 

Manufacturer/Brand(s)

   U.S. Market Share in Performance Sport Boat  Category  
   2008     2012     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 

Malibu Boats/Malibu and Axis

     23.2     30.6     32.9

MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC/MasterCraft

     23.8        21.7        19.7   

Correct Craft, Inc./Nautique

     15.2        14.5        15.5   

Skier’s Choice, Inc./Supra and Moomba

     16.5        14.7        12.9   

All others

     21.3        18.5        19.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0

In addition, our 40.1% market share of performance sport boat exports to international markets in the 12 months ended September 30, 2013 was the highest among U.S. manufacturers.

Performance Sport Boat Category Taking Share. As the recovery in the general economy and overall powerboat industry has continued, the performance sport boat category in which we participate has experienced one of the highest growth rates. New unit sales of performance sport boats in the United States increased by 13% from 2011 to 2012, while new unit sales of all other powerboats in the United States increased 10% over the same period. This trend continued in 2013, as new unit sales of performance sport boats and all other powerboats in the United States increased by 11% and 2%, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We believe this is largely attributable to increased innovation in the features, designs and layouts of performance sport boats, which has improved the performance, functionality and versatility of these boats versus other recreational powerboats, particularly the larger category of sterndrive boats. We believe that we have been at the forefront of product innovation and will continue to appeal to a broader consumer base that values our boats not only for water sports, but also for general recreational boating and leisure activities. We believe that our market-leading position within our expanding category will create continued growth opportunities for us.

 

 

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Poised to Take Advantage of the Performance Sport Boat Market Recovery. With our leading and growing market share in our category, we believe that we are well-positioned to take advantage of the ongoing recovery in the powerboat market. While the performance sport boat category grew 13% in 2012, new unit sales remained significantly below historical peaks. As illustrated in the chart below, the 5,500 new units sold in 2012 were 53% below the average annual new unit sales volume of 11,714 observed between 2001 and 2007 and 58% below the 13,100 new units sold in 2006. While there is no guarantee that the market will continue to grow or return to historical sales levels, we believe we are in the early stages of a recovery that presents significant opportunity for growth.

 

LOGO

Even if the performance sport boat market does not reach previous peak levels, we believe that our #1 market share position in a category that is growing faster than the overall powerboat industry, our investments in the Company during and subsequent to the economic downturn, and our innovative product offering should drive superior performance.

Industry-leading Product Design and Innovation. We believe that our innovation in the design of new boat models and new features has been a key to our success, helping us increase our market share within our category and generally broaden the appeal of our products among recreational boaters. As a result of the features we have introduced, we believe that our boats are used for an increasingly wide range of activities and are increasingly easier to use, while maintaining the high performance characteristics that consumers expect. Additionally, by introducing new boat models in a range of price points, sizes, bow and hull designs, and optional performance features, we have enhanced consumers’ ability to select a boat suited to their individual preferences. Our commitment to, and consistency in, developing new boat models and introducing new features are reflected in several notable achievements, including:

 

  Ÿ  

release of our patented Surf Gate technology in 2012, which allows users to surf on either side of the boat’s wake, generates a better quality surf wave and was the Watersports Industry Association’s Innovation of the Year in 2013;

 

 

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  Ÿ  

launch of the Axis brand of boats in 2009, designed from the ground up to be an entry-level product, which has already captured a 6.0% share of the U.S. market in our category; and

 

  Ÿ  

introduction of the patented Power Wedge in 2006, which gives boaters the ability to customize the size and shape of the boat’s wake with the push of a button.

Strong Dealer Network. We have worked diligently with our dealers to develop the strongest distribution network in the performance sport boat category. We believe that our distribution network of 139 North American dealer locations and 49 international dealer locations allows us to distribute our products more broadly and effectively than our competitors. For fiscal year 2013, our dealers held the #1 market share position for the performance sport boat category in 75 of 133 U.S. markets. We have nominal dealer concentration, with our largest dealer responsible for less than 6.0% of our unit volume and our top ten dealers representing 36.1% of our unit volume in fiscal year 2013. We continually review our geographic coverage to identify opportunities for expansion and improvement, and have added 33 new North American dealer locations in the past five years to address previously underserved markets. In addition, we have strengthened our dealer network by replacing 36 dealer locations in the past five years, 18 of which were converted from selling one of our competitor’s products.

Highly Recognized Brands . We believe our Malibu and Axis brands are widely recognized in the powerboat industry, which helps us reach a growing number of target consumers. For over 30 years, our Malibu brand has generated a loyal following of recreational boaters and water sports enthusiasts who value the brand’s premium performance and features. Our Axis brand has grown rapidly as consumers have been drawn to its more affordable price point and available optional features. We believe that the appeal of our high performance and innovative products with athletes and enthusiasts contributes to our brand awareness with dealers and with consumers. We are able to build on this brand recognition and support through a series of marketing initiatives coordinated with our dealers or executed directly by us. Many of our marketing efforts are conducted on a grass-roots level domestically and internationally. Key grass-roots initiatives include: production and distribution of water sports videos; online and social marketing; on-the-water events; athlete, tournament and water sport facility sponsorships; and participation and product placement at important industry events. Additionally, our boats, their innovative features, our sponsored athletes and our dealers all frequently win industry awards, which we believe further boosts our brand recognition and reputation for excellence. We believe our marketing strategies and accomplishments enhance our profile in the industry, strengthen our credibility with consumers and dealers and increase the appeal of our brands.

Compelling Margins and Cash Flow. Our margins are higher than those of any public company in the powerboat industry. In recent years, we have implemented a number of initiatives to reduce our cost base and improve the efficiency of our manufacturing process. Re-engineering the manufacturing process in our Tennessee facility has reduced labor hours per boat produced, and close collaboration between our product development and manufacturing teams has improved production throughput and product quality. Further, vertical integration of tower and tower accessory production has allowed us to increase incremental margin per boat sold. As a result of these and other initiatives, adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2013 grew 59.9% on net sales growth of 18.5%, as compared to fiscal year 2012. Our high margins, combined with our low capital expenditure requirements and a highly efficient working capital cycle, allow us to generate significant excess cash flow. We believe our strong cash flow increases our financial stability and provides us with more flexibility to invest in growth initiatives.

 

 

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Highly Experienced Management Team. Our experienced management team has demonstrated its ability to identify, create and integrate new product innovations, improve financial performance, optimize operations, enhance our distribution model and recruit top industry talent. Our Chief Executive Officer, Jack Springer, joined Malibu Boats in 2009 and has assembled an executive team with strong, complementary talents and experience. This team has led a workforce that we believe has produced superior results, including market share gains, sales growth and profitability improvement in each year since 2009.

Our Strategy

We intend to capitalize on the ongoing recovery in the powerboat market through the following strategies:

Continue to Develop New and Innovative Products in Our Core Markets. We intend to continue developing and introducing new and innovative products—both new boat models to better address a broader range of consumers and new features to deliver better performance, functionality, convenience, comfort and safety to our consumers. We believe that new products and features are important to the growth of our market share, the continued expansion of our category and our ability to maintain attractive margins.

Our product development strategy consists of a two-pronged approach. First, we seek to introduce new boat models to target unaddressed or underserved segments of the performance sport boat category, while also updating and refreshing our existing boat models regularly. For example, we introduced Axis-branded boats starting in 2009 to address the entry-level segment of our category, and we launched the Malibu Wakesetter MXZ product line in 2012 to enter the premium “picklefork” bow design segment of our market. Second, we seek to develop and integrate innovative new features into our boats, such as Surf Gate, Malibu Touch Command and Power Wedge. We intend to continue releasing new products and features multiple times during the year, which we believe enhances our reputation as a leading-edge boat manufacturer and provides us with a competitive advantage.

Capture Additional Share from Adjacent Boating Categories. Our culture of innovation has enabled us to expand the market for our products by attracting consumers from other categories, most notably from the sterndrive category. We intend to continue to enhance the performance, comfort and versatility of our products in order to further target crossover consumers seeking high-performance powerboats for general recreational activity. For example, we believe that one of our newest boat models, the Wakesetter 24MXZ, appeals to a broader range of recreational boaters by offering the performance benefits of our products, including superior drivability and water sports versatility, while also providing greater seating capacity, a roomy, plush interior and extensive storage space to allow an increased number of family and friends to spend time together on the water.

Further Strengthen Our Dealer Network. Our goal is to achieve and maintain leading market share in each of the markets in which we operate. We continually assess our distribution network and take the actions necessary to achieve our goal. We intend to strengthen our current footprint by selectively recruiting market-leading dealers who currently sell our competitors’ products. In addition, we plan to continue expanding our dealer network in certain geographic areas to increase consumer access and service in markets where it makes strategic sense. In the past five years, we have added 33 new dealer locations in the United States and Canada to provide incremental geographic coverage. We believe our targeted initiatives to enhance and grow our dealer network will increase unit sales in the future.

 

 

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Accelerate International Expansion. Based on our U.S. leadership position, brand recognition, diverse, innovative product offering and distribution strengths, we believe that we are well-positioned to increase our international sales. Our 40.1% market share of performance sport boat exports to international markets in the 12 months ended September 30, 2013 was the highest among U.S. manufacturers. Our unit sales outside of North America, however, represented less than 5.0% of our total sales volume in fiscal year 2013. We believe we will increase our international sales both by promoting our products in developed markets where we have a well-established dealer base, such as Western Europe, and by penetrating new and emerging markets where we expect rising consumer incomes to increase demand for recreational products, such as Asia and South America.

Our Market Opportunity

During 2012, retail sales of new powerboats in the United States totaled $5.8 billion. Of the powerboat categories defined and tracked by the NMMA, our core market corresponds most directly to the inboard ski/wakeboard category, which we refer to as the performance sport boat category. We believe our addressable market also includes similar and adjacent powerboat categories identified by the NMMA, including sterndrive boats, outboard boats and jet boats. For 2012, retail sales of new performance sport boats, sterndrive boats, outboard boats and jet boats in the United States were $375 million, $883 million, $2.6 billion and $160 million, respectively. As a result, we believe the total addressable market for our products in the United States alone is over $4 billion.

We believe we are well-positioned to benefit from several trends underway in our addressable market, including:

 

  Ÿ  

improving macroeconomic environment driving increased consumer demand for boats;

 

  Ÿ  

improved dealer inventory positions; and

 

  Ÿ  

increasing ages of used boats driving new boat sales.

For more information, see “Business—Market Opportunity.”

Our Structure

Malibu Boats, Inc. intends to use a portion of the proceeds from this offering to purchase newly-issued units of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, or the LLC Units, from the LLC for an aggregate of $             million. The LLC will use these proceeds (1) to pay down substantially all of the amounts owed on our credit facilities and term loans, (2) to pay Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, a fee of $3.75 million upon the consummation of this offering in connection with the termination of our management agreement and (3) for other general corporate purposes, as further described under “Use of Proceeds.” Malibu Boats, Inc. will use all of the remaining proceeds from this offering, or $             million (or $             million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders), to purchase LLC Units from existing owners, as described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure—Offering Transactions.” After the offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. will hold          LLC Units, representing a     % equity interest in the LLC.

Malibu Boats, Inc. is a Delaware corporation formed to serve as a holding company that will hold an interest in the LLC. Malibu Boats, Inc. has not engaged in any business or other activities

 

 

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other than in connection with its formation. The board of directors of Malibu Boats, Inc. includes four affiliates of the LLC. Our five director nominees who have been appointed and have agreed to become directors immediately following the completion of this offering are independent under the corporate governance standards under the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. For more information, see “Management—Executive Officers and Directors.” Following this offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. will remain a holding company with an equity interest in the LLC. Malibu Boats, Inc. will become the sole managing member of the LLC, will operate and control all of its business and affairs and will consolidate its financial results. The limited liability company agreement of the LLC will be amended and restated to, among other things, modify its capital structure by replacing the different classes of interests currently held by our existing owners with a single new class of LLC Units and to provide that the conduct, control and management of the LLC shall be vested exclusively in Malibu Boats, Inc., as sole managing member. The other members of the LLC will not have the right to remove the sole managing member for any reason.

We and our existing owners will also enter into an exchange agreement under which (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement) they will have the right to exchange their LLC Units for shares of our Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Exchange Agreement.”

Holders of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common stock will have voting power over Malibu Boats, Inc., the sole managing member of the LLC, at a level that is consistent with their overall equity ownership of our business. In connection with the offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. will issue to each holder of a LLC Unit, for nominal consideration, one share of Class B Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. each of which provides its owner with no economic rights but entitles the holder to one vote on matters presented to stockholders of Malibu Boats, Inc. for each LLC Unit held by such holder, as described in “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights.” Holders of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

As a result of these transactions:

 

  Ÿ  

the investors in this offering will collectively own              shares of our Class A Common Stock (or              shares of Class A Common Stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders);

 

  Ÿ  

our existing owners will hold          LLC Units, representing     % of the economic interest in the LLC (or              LLC Units, representing     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders);

 

  Ÿ  

the investors in this offering will collectively have     % of the voting power in Malibu Boats, Inc. (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders);

 

 

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  Ÿ  

our existing owners, through their holdings of our Class B Common Stock, will collectively have     % of the voting power in Malibu Boats, Inc. (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders); and

 

  Ÿ  

Malibu Boats, Inc. will hold          LLC Units (or          LLC Units if the underwriters exercise in full their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders), representing     % of the economic interest in the LLC (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) and will exercise exclusive control over the LLC, as its sole managing member.

We intend to enter into a voting agreement with certain affiliates. Under the voting agreement, Black Canyon Management LLC will be entitled to nominate to our board of directors a number of designees equal to (1) 20% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors at such time as long as Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together beneficially own 15% or more of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, and (2) 10% of the total number of directors comprising the board of directors at such time as long as Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together beneficially own more than 5% but less than 15% of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. For purposes of calculating the number of directors that Black Canyon Management LLC is entitled to nominate pursuant to this formula, any fractional amounts would be rounded up to the nearest whole number and the calculation would be made on a pro forma basis, taking into account any increase in the size of the board of directors (e.g., one and one-third (1  1 / 3 ) directors equates to two directors). In addition, Black Canyon Management LLC will have the right to remove and replace its director-designees at any time and for any reason and to nominate any individual(s) to fill any such vacancies. Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson will be required to vote any of their LLC Units in favor of the director or directors nominated by Black Canyon Management LLC. After the offering, Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together will beneficially own    % of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

 

 

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The diagram below depicts our organizational structure immediately following this offering and assumes all the shares offered hereby are sold, including the over-allotment:

 

LOGO

In connection with the offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. will enter into a tax receivable agreement with our existing owners that provides for the payment from time to time by Malibu Boats, Inc. to our existing owners of 85% of the amount of the benefits, if any, that Malibu Boats, Inc. is deemed to realize as a result of (1) increases in tax basis resulting from the purchases or exchanges of LLC Units and (2) certain other tax benefits related to our entering into the tax receivable agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the tax receivable agreement. The actual increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the tax receivable agreement, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of the purchases or exchanges, the price of shares of our Class A Common Stock at the time of the purchase or exchange, the extent to which such purchases or exchanges are taxable, and the amount and timing of our income. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.”

 

 

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Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act. For as long as we are an “emerging growth company,” we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding stockholder advisory “say-on-pay” votes on executive compensation and stockholder advisory votes on golden parachute compensation.

Under the JOBS Act, we will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of:

 

  Ÿ  

the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenue of $1 billion or more;

 

  Ÿ  

the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering;

 

  Ÿ  

the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt; and

 

  Ÿ  

the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Exchange Act (we will qualify as a large accelerated filer as of the first day of the first fiscal year after we have (1) more than $700 million in outstanding common equity held by our non-affiliates and (2) been public for at least 12 months; the value of our outstanding common equity will be measured each year on the last day of our second fiscal quarter).

The JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can utilize the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act, we have chosen to “opt out” of such extended transition period and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” Under the JOBS Act, our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

Summary of Risk Factors

Our business is subject to risks, as discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18. You should carefully consider all of the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section before investing in our Class A Common Stock. In particular, the following factors may have an adverse effect on our business, which could cause a decrease in the price of our Class A Common Stock and result in a loss of all or a portion of your investment:

 

  Ÿ  

general economic conditions, particularly in the United States, affect our industry, demand for our products, and our business and results of operations;

 

  Ÿ  

our annual and quarterly financial results are subject to significant fluctuations depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control;

 

 

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  Ÿ  

we depend on our network of independent dealers, face increasing competition for dealers and have little control over their activities;

 

  Ÿ  

our success depends, in part, upon the financial health of our dealers and their continued access to financing;

 

  Ÿ  

we may be required to repurchase inventory of certain dealers;

 

  Ÿ  

if we fail to manage our manufacturing levels while still addressing the seasonal retail pattern for our products, our business and margins may suffer;

 

  Ÿ  

we have a large fixed cost base that will affect our profitability if our sales decrease;

 

  Ÿ  

our industry is characterized by intense competition, which affects our sales and profits;

 

  Ÿ  

our sales may be adversely impacted by increased consumer preference for used boats or the supply of new boats by competitors in excess of demand; and

 

  Ÿ  

our sales and profitability depend, in part, on the successful introduction of new products.

Corporate and Other Information

We were originally formed as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware in 2006. Following this offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. will be a holding company with an equity interest in the LLC. Our principal executive offices are located at 5075 Kimberly Way, Loudon, Tennessee 37774. Our telephone number is (865) 458-5478. Our website address is www.malibuboats.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and the information that can be accessed through our website is not part of this prospectus, and investors should not rely on any such information in deciding whether to purchase our Class A Common Stock.

This prospectus includes our trademarks, such as “Surf Gate” and “Wakesetter,” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are the property of Malibu Boats. This prospectus also contains trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names.

Conflicts of Interest

SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., one of the underwriters in this offering, is expected to receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering in connection with the repayment of a portion of our credit facilities and term loans. See “Use of Proceeds.” Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, Rule 5121. As required by FINRA Rule 5121, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. will not confirm sales to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the specific written approval of the accountholder. See “Underwriting—Conflicts of Interest.”

 

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Class A Common Stock offered by us

             shares.

 

Class A Common Stock offered by selling stockholders

             shares.

 

Overallotment option offered by us and selling stockholders

             shares.

 

Class A Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering

             shares (or              shares if all outstanding LLC Units held by our existing owners were exchanged for newly-issued shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis).

 

Class B Common Stock outstanding after the offering

             shares, or one share for every holder of LLC Units.

 

Price per share of Class A Common Stock

$        

 

Use of proceeds

The proceeds to Malibu Boats, Inc. from this offering, before deducting underwriting discounts, will be approximately $         million (or $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders).

 

  Malibu Boats, Inc. intends to use $         million of these proceeds to purchase LLC Units from the LLC, and will cause the LLC to use these proceeds (1) to pay down substantially all of the amounts owed on our credit facilities and term loans, (2) to pay Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, a fee of $3.75 million upon the consummation of this offering in connection with the termination of our management agreement and (3) for other general corporate purposes. Management will have significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds of the offering. See “Use of Proceeds.” We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock offered by the selling stockholders.

 

 

Malibu Boats, Inc. intends to use all of the remaining proceeds from this offering, or $         million, (or $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners, as described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure—Offering Transactions.” We will only purchase LLC Units from members of senior management, however, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional

 

 

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shares of Class A Common Stock. We will not retain any of the proceeds used to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners. See “Principal and Selling Stockholders” for information regarding the proceeds from this offering that will be paid to our named executive officers.

 

Voting rights

Holders of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common stock will have voting power over Malibu Boats, Inc., the sole managing member of the LLC, at a level that is consistent with their overall equity ownership of our business. Each share of our Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by stockholders generally.

 

  After the offering, each existing owner of the LLC will hold one share of Class B Common Stock. The shares of Class B Common Stock have no economic rights but entitle the holder to a number of votes on matters presented to stockholders of Malibu Boats, Inc. that is equal to the aggregate number of LLC Units held by such holder. See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights.”

 

  Holders of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

  We intend to enter into a voting agreement with certain affiliates. Under the voting agreement, Black Canyon Management LLC will be entitled to nominate to our board of directors up to 20% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Voting Agreement.”

 

Exchange rights of holders of LLC Units

Prior to the closing of this offering, we will enter into an exchange agreement with our existing owners so that they may (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement) exchange their LLC Units for shares of Class A Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election.

 

Risk factors

Investing in our Class A Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any shares, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in our Class A Common Stock in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18.

 

 

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Proposed Nasdaq symbol

MBUU

In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and the other information based thereon does not reflect:

 

  Ÿ  

             shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders;

 

  Ÿ  

             shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exchange of              LLC Units (or, if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders,              shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exchange of              LLC Units); and

 

  Ÿ  

             shares of Class A Common Stock that will be available for future grant under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, or the Incentive Plan, which will become effective on the date of the completion of this offering.

 

 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The summary historical consolidated financial data and other data of the LLC below should be read together with “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” “Selected Consolidated Financial Data,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes, all included elsewhere in this prospectus.

We have derived the consolidated statement of income data for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the consolidated statement of income data for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2013 from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Certain of the measures set forth below are not measures recognized under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. For a discussion of management’s reasons for presenting such data and a reconciliation to comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, see “—GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2012     2013     2012     2013  
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Consolidated statement of income data:

          

Net sales

   $ 99,984      $ 140,892      $ 167,012      $ 33,159        $43,304   

Cost of sales

     83,730        110,849        123,412        25,291        32,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     16,254        30,043        43,600        7,868        11,021   

Operating expenses:

          

Selling and marketing

     3,621        4,071        4,937        1,076        1,432   

General and administrative

     6,194        8,307        14,177        4,512        1,955   

Amortization

     5,178        5,178        5,178        1,294        1,294   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,261        12,487        19,308        986        6,340   

Other expense, net

     (1,804     (1,381     (1,324     (347     (1,161
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (543   $ 11,106      $ 17,984      $ 639        $  5,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per unit:

          

Class A Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.26      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class B Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.39      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class M Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.12      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Diluted (loss) earnings per unit:

          

Class A Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.25      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class B Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.39      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class M Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.12      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Supplemental pro forma net income available to Class A Common Stock per share (unaudited)(1):

          

Basic

       $          $     

Diluted

       $          $     

 

 

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     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months
Ended

September 30,
 
     2011     2012     2013     2012     2013  
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Consolidated balance sheet data:

          

Total assets

   $ 60,033      $ 64,725      $ 65,927      $ 59,447        $57,219   

Total liabilities

     45,566        39,280        45,913        48,726        89,755   

Total members’ equity (deficit)

     14,467        25,445        20,014        10,721        (32,536

Additional financial and other data:

          

Unit volume

     1,860        2,482        2,672        550        661   

Gross margin

     16.3     21.3     26.1     23.7     25.5

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

   $ 7,918      $ 19,863      $ 31,758      $ 5,496        $  8,155   

Adjusted EBITDA margin(2)

     7.9     14.1     19.0     16.6     18.8

 

(1) Pro forma basic and diluted net income per share were computed by dividing the pro forma net income attributable to the holders of Class A Common Stock by the              shares of Class A Common Stock that we will issue and sell in this offering (assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase an additional              shares of Class A Common Stock to cover over-allotments). The shares of Class B Common Stock do not share in our earnings and, therefore, are not included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding or net income available per share.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For definitions of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin and a reconciliation of each to net income, see “—GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures that are used by management as well as by investors, commercial bankers, industry analysts and other users of our financial statements.

We define adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash, non-recurring and non-operating expenses, including severance and relocation, management fees and expenses, certain professional fees and non-cash compensation expense. We define adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of net income as determined by GAAP. Management believes adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are useful because they allow management to evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period and against our peers without regard to our financing methods, capital structure and non-recurring and non-operating expenses. We exclude the items listed above from net income in arriving at adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures, the methods by which assets were acquired and other factors. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of our liquidity. Certain items excluded from adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historical costs of depreciable assets. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin should not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our computations of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

 

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The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income as determined in accordance with GAAP to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods indicated:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2012     2013         2012             2013      
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Consolidated statement of income data:

          

Net (loss) income

   $ (543   $ 11,106      $ 17,984      $ 639      $ 5,179   

Interest expense

     1,815        1,433        1,334        350        1,164   

Depreciation and amortization

     6,000        6,072        6,268        1,616        1,589   

Severance and relocation(1)

     112        181        192        192          

Management fees and expenses(2)

     27        87        2,896        2,099        22   

Professional fees(3)

     389        852        2,957        568        169   

Non-cash compensation expense(4)

     118        132        127        32        32   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 7,918      $ 19,863      $ 31,758      $ 5,496      $ 8,155   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

     7.9     14.1     19.0     16.6     18.8

 

(1) Represents one-time employment related expenses, including a severance payment to a former executive, and costs to relocate certain departments from California to our Tennessee facility.
(2) Represents management fees and expenses paid pursuant to our management agreement with Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, which will be terminated upon the consummation of this offering. A portion of the management fees in fiscal year 2013 and all of the management fees in the three months ended September 30, 2012 reflect the payment of management fees pursuant to an amendment to the management agreement in July 2012. For more information about the management fees, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Management Agreement.”
(3) Represents legal and advisory fees related to our refinancing activities and legal expenses related to our litigation with Pacific Coast Marine Windshields Ltd. and Nautique Boat Company, Inc. For more information about this litigation, see “Business—Legal Proceedings.”
(4) Represents equity-based incentives awarded to certain of our employees.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Class A Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as other information in this prospectus, before deciding whether to invest in shares of our Class A Common Stock. The occurrence of any of the events described below could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. In such an event, the trading price of our Class A Common Stock may decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

General economic conditions, particularly in the United States, affect our industry, demand for our products, and our business and results of operations.

General economic conditions continue to be challenging as the economy recovers from the effects of the financial crisis that led to the last recession in the United States. Demand for new performance sport boats has been significantly influenced by weak economic conditions, low consumer confidence and high unemployment and increased market volatility worldwide, especially in the United States. In times of economic uncertainty and contraction, consumers tend to have less discretionary income and to defer or avoid expenditures for discretionary items, such as our products. Sales of our products are highly sensitive to personal discretionary spending levels, and our success depends on general economic conditions and overall consumer confidence and personal income levels. Any deterioration in general economic conditions that diminishes consumer confidence or discretionary income may reduce our sales and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot predict the duration or strength of an economic recovery, either in the United States or in the specific markets where we sell our products.

Consumers often finance purchases of our products. Although consumer credit markets have improved, consumer credit market conditions continue to influence demand, especially for boats, and may continue to do so. There continue to be fewer lenders, tighter underwriting and loan approval criteria and greater down payment requirements than in the past. If credit conditions worsen, and adversely affect the ability of consumers to finance potential purchases at acceptable terms and interest rates, it could result in a decrease in the sales of our products.

Our annual and quarterly financial results are subject to significant fluctuations depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Our sales and operating results can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

  Ÿ  

seasonal consumer demand for our products;

 

  Ÿ  

discretionary spending habits;

 

  Ÿ  

changes in pricing in, or the availability of supply in, the used powerboat market;

 

  Ÿ  

variations in the timing and volume of our sales;

 

  Ÿ  

the timing of our expenditures in anticipation of future sales;

 

  Ÿ  

sales promotions by us and our competitors;

 

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  Ÿ  

changes in competitive and economic conditions generally;

 

  Ÿ  

consumer preferences and competition for consumers’ leisure time;

 

  Ÿ  

impact of unfavorable weather conditions;

 

  Ÿ  

changes in the cost or availability of our labor; and

 

  Ÿ  

increased fuel prices.

As a result, our results of operations may decline quickly and significantly in response to changes in order patterns or rapid decreases in demand for our products. We anticipate that fluctuations in operating results will continue in the future.

We depend on our network of independent dealers, face increasing competition for dealers and have little control over their activities.

Substantially all of our sales are derived from our network of independent dealers. We have agreements with the dealers in our network that typically provide for one-year terms, although some agreements have a term of up to three years. For fiscal year 2013, our top ten dealers accounted for 36.1% of our total units sold. The loss of a significant number of these dealers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The number of dealers supporting our products and the quality of their marketing and servicing efforts are essential to our ability to generate sales. Competition for dealers among performance sport boat manufacturers continues to increase based on the quality, price, value and availability of the manufacturer’s products, the manufacturer’s attention to customer service and the marketing support that the manufacturer provides to the dealers. We face intense competition from other performance sport boat manufacturers in attracting and retaining dealers, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or retain relationships with qualified and successful dealers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain or improve our relationship with our dealers or our market share position. A substantial deterioration in the number of dealers or quality of our network of dealers would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our success depends, in part, upon the financial health of our dealers and their continued access to financing.

Because we sell nearly all of our products through dealers, their financial health is critical to our success. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected if the financial health of the dealers that sell our products suffers. Their financial health may suffer for a variety of reasons, including a downturn in general economic conditions, rising interest rates, higher rents, increased labor costs and taxes, compliance with regulations and personal financial issues.

In addition, our dealers require adequate liquidity to finance their operations, including purchases of our products. Dealers are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could unfavorably affect their liquidity positions, including, among other things, continued access to adequate financing sources on a timely basis on reasonable terms. These sources of financing are vital to our ability to sell products through our distribution network. Access to floor plan financing generally facilitates our dealers’ ability to purchase boats from us, and their financed purchases reduce our working capital requirements. If floor plan financing were not available to our dealers, our sales and our working capital levels would be adversely affected. The availability and terms of financing offered by our dealers’ floor plan financing providers will continue to be influenced by:

 

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their ability to access certain capital markets and to fund their operations in a cost-effective manner;

 

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the performance of their overall credit portfolios;

 

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their willingness to accept the risks associated with lending to dealers; and

 

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the overall creditworthiness of those dealers.

We may be required to repurchase inventory of certain dealers.

Many of our dealers have floor plan financing arrangements with third-party finance companies that enable the dealers to purchase our products. In connection with these agreements, we may have an obligation to repurchase our products from a finance company under certain circumstances, and we may not have any control over the timing or amount of any repurchase obligation nor have access to capital on terms acceptable to us to satisfy any repurchase obligation. This obligation is triggered if a dealer defaults on its debt obligations to a finance company, the finance company repossesses the boat and the boat is returned to us. Our obligation to repurchase a repossessed boat for the unpaid balance of our original invoice price for the boat is subject to reduction or limitation based on the age and condition of the boat at the time of repurchase, and in certain cases by an aggregate cap on repurchase obligations associated with a particular floor financing program. If we were obligated to repurchase a significant number of units under any repurchase agreement, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

If we fail to manage our manufacturing levels while still addressing the seasonal retail pattern for our products, our business and margins may suffer.

The seasonality of retail demand for our products, together with our goal of balancing production throughout the year, requires us to manage our manufacturing and allocate our products to our dealer network to address anticipated retail demand. Our dealers must manage seasonal changes in consumer demand and inventory. If our dealers reduce their inventories in response to weakness in retail demand, we could be required to reduce our production, resulting in lower rates of absorption of fixed costs in our manufacturing and, therefore, lower margins. As a result, we must balance the economies of level production with the seasonal retail sales pattern experienced by our dealers. Failure to adjust manufacturing levels adequately may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We have a large fixed cost base that will affect our profitability if our sales decrease.

The fixed cost levels of operating a powerboat manufacturer can put pressure on profit margins when sales and production decline. Our profitability depends, in part, on our ability to spread fixed costs over a sufficiently large number of products sold and shipped, and if we make a decision to reduce our rate of production, gross or net margins could be negatively affected. Consequently, decreased demand or the need to reduce production can lower our ability to absorb fixed costs and materially impact our financial condition or results of operations.

Our industry is characterized by intense competition, which affects our sales and profits.

The performance sport boat category, and the powerboat industry as a whole, is highly competitive for consumers and dealers. We also compete against consumer demand for used boats. Competition affects our ability to succeed in both the markets we currently serve and new markets that we may enter in the future. Competition is based primarily on brand name, price, product selection and product performance. We compete with several large manufacturers that may have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do and who are represented by dealers in the markets in which we now operate and into which we plan to expand. We also compete with a

 

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variety of small, independent manufacturers. We cannot assure you that we will not face greater competition from existing large or small manufacturers or that we will be able to compete successfully with new competitors. Our failure to compete effectively with our current and future competitors would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our sales may be adversely impacted by increased consumer preference for used boats or the supply of new boats by competitors in excess of demand.

During the economic downturn, we observed a shift in consumer demand toward purchasing more used boats, primarily because prices for used boats are typically lower than retail prices for new boats. If this were to continue or occur again, it could have the effect of reducing demand among retail purchasers for our new boats. Also, while we have taken steps designed to balance production volumes for our boats with demand, our competitors could choose to reduce the price of their products, which could have the effect of reducing demand for our new boats. Reduced demand for new boats could lead to reduced sales by us, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our sales and profitability depend, in part, on the successful introduction of new products.

Market acceptance of our products depends on our technological innovation and our ability to implement technology in our boats. Our sales and profitability may be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in product development, such as an inability to develop viable or innovative new products. Our failure to introduce new technologies and product offerings that our markets desire could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, we have been able to achieve higher margins in part as a result of the introduction of new features or enhancements to our existing boat models. If we fail to introduce new features or those we introduce fail to gain market acceptance, our margins may suffer.

In addition, some of our direct competitors and indirect competitors may have significantly more resources to develop and patent new technologies. It is possible that our competitors will develop and patent equivalent or superior technologies and other products that compete with ours. They may assert these patents against us and we may be required to license these patents on unfavorable terms or cease using the technology covered by these patents, either of which would harm our competitive position and may materially adversely affect our business.

We also cannot be certain that our products or technologies have not infringed or will not infringe the proprietary rights of others. Any such infringement could cause third parties, including our competitors, to bring claims against us, resulting in significant costs and potential damages.

We compete with a variety of other activities for consumers’ scarce leisure time.

Our boats are used for recreational and sport purposes, and demand for our boats may be adversely affected by competition from other activities that occupy consumers’ leisure time and by changes in consumer life style, usage pattern or taste. Similarly, an overall decrease in consumer leisure time may reduce consumers’ willingness to purchase and enjoy our products.

Our success depends upon the continued strength of our brands and the value of our brands and sales of our products could be diminished if we, the athletes who use our products or the sports and activities in which our products are used, are associated with negative publicity.

We believe that our brands are significant contributors to the success of our business and that maintaining and enhancing our brands are important to expanding our consumer and dealer base. Failure to continue to protect our brands may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Negative publicity, including that resulting from severe injuries or death occurring in the sports and activities in which our products are used, could negatively affect our reputation and result in restrictions, recalls or bans on the use of our products. Further, actions taken by athletes associated with our products that harm the reputations of those athletes could also harm our brand image and adversely affect our financial condition. If the popularity of the sports and activities for which we design, manufacture and sell products were to decrease as a result of these risks or any negative publicity, sales of our products could decrease, which could have an adverse effect on our net revenue, profitability and operating results. In addition, if we become exposed to additional claims and litigation relating to the use of our products, our reputation may be adversely affected by such claims, whether or not successful, including by generating potential negative publicity about our products, which could adversely impact our business and financial condition.

We may not be able to execute our manufacturing strategy successfully, which could cause the profitability of our products to suffer.

Our manufacturing strategy is designed to improve product quality and increase productivity, while reducing costs and increasing flexibility to respond to ongoing changes in the marketplace. To implement this strategy, we must be successful in our continuous improvement efforts, which depend on the involvement of management, production employees and suppliers. Any inability to achieve these objectives could adversely impact the profitability of our products and our ability to deliver desirable products to our consumers.

Our ability to meet our manufacturing workforce needs is crucial to our results of operations and future sales and profitability.

We rely on the existence of an available hourly workforce to manufacture our boats. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain qualified employees to meet current or future manufacturing needs at a reasonable cost, or at all. Although none of our employees is currently covered by collective bargaining agreements, we cannot assure you that our employees will not elect to be represented by labor unions in the future. Additionally, competition for qualified employees could require us to pay higher wages to attract a sufficient number of employees. Significant increases in manufacturing workforce costs could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We rely on third-party suppliers and may be unable to obtain adequate raw materials and components.

We depend on third-party suppliers to provide components and raw materials essential to the construction of our boats. Historically, we have not entered into long-term agreements with our suppliers, but have developed 90-day forecast models with our major suppliers to minimize disruptions in our supply chain. While we believe that our relationships with our current suppliers are sufficient to provide the materials necessary to meet present production demand, we cannot assure you that these relationships will continue or that the quantity or quality of materials available from these suppliers will be sufficient to meet our future needs, irrespective of whether we successfully implement our growth strategy. In particular, the availability and cost of engines used in the manufacture of our boats are critical. For fiscal year 2013, we purchased nearly 100% of the engines for our boats from a single supplier. If we are required to replace this supplier or the supplier of any other key components or raw materials, it could cause a decrease in products available for sale or an increase in the cost of goods sold, either of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We depend upon key personnel and we may not be able to retain them nor to attract, assimilate and retain highly qualified employees in the future.

Our future success will depend in significant part upon the continued service of our senior management team and our continuing ability to attract, assimilate and retain highly qualified and skilled managerial, product development, manufacturing, marketing and other personnel. The loss of the services of any members of our senior management or other key personnel or the inability to hire or retained qualified personnel in the future could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may attempt to grow our business through acquisitions or strategic alliances and new partnerships, which we may not be successful in completing or integrating.

We may in the future explore acquisitions and strategic alliances that will enable us to acquire complementary skills and capabilities, offer new products, expand our consumer base, enter new product categories or geographic markets and obtain other competitive advantages. We cannot assure you, however, that we will identify acquisition candidates or strategic partners that are suitable to our business, obtain financing on satisfactory terms, complete acquisitions or strategic alliances or successfully integrate acquired operations into our existing operations. Once integrated, acquired operations may not achieve anticipate levels of sales or profitability, or otherwise perform as expected. Acquisitions also involve special risks, including risks associated with unanticipated challenges, liabilities and contingencies, and diversion of management attention and resources from our existing operations.

Our reliance upon patents, trademark laws and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient to protect our intellectual property from others who may sell similar products and may lead to costly litigation. We are currently, and may be in the future, party to lawsuits and other intellectual property rights claims that are expensive and time consuming.

We hold patents and trademarks relating to various aspects of our products and believe that proprietary technical know-how is important to our business. Proprietary rights relating to our products are protected from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that they are covered by valid and enforceable patents or trademarks or are maintained in confidence as trade secrets. We cannot be certain that we will be issued any patents from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us or that the claims allowed under any issued patents will be sufficiently broad to protect our technology. In the absence of enforceable patent or trademark protection, we may be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy our products, gain access to our trade secrets and know-how or diminish our brand through unauthorized use of our trademarks, all of which could adversely affect our business.

In addition, others may initiate litigation or other proceedings to challenge the validity of our patents, or allege that we infringe their patents, or they may use their resources to design comparable products that do not infringe our patents. We may incur substantial costs if our competitors initiate litigation to challenge the validity of our patents, or allege that we infringe their patents, or if we initiate any proceedings to protect our proprietary rights. Further, we may need to engage in future litigation to enforce intellectual property rights to protect trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights of others. If the outcome of any such litigation is unfavorable to us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We are currently a party to two legal proceedings arising from intellectual property matters. We are a plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging infringement by a competitor of our patent rights in certain wake surfing technology. We also are a defendant in a lawsuit alleging patent infringement and

 

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related claims in connection with windshields installed in our boats that we purchased from a third-party supplier. For more information, see “Business—Legal Proceedings.” Although we do not believe that either of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, we cannot predict their outcome, and an unfavorable outcome could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operation. Regardless of the outcome of such litigation or similar litigation in the future, it could significantly increase our costs and divert management’s attention from operation of our business, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Product liability, warranty and recall claims may materially affect our financial condition and damage our reputation.

We are engaged in a business that exposes us to claims for product liability and warranty claims in the event our products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in property damage, personal injury or death. Although we maintain product and general liability insurance of the types and in the amounts that we believe are customary for the industry, we are not fully insured against all such potential claims. We may experience legal claims in excess of our insurance coverage or claims that are not covered by insurance, either of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Adverse determination of material product liability and warranty claims made against us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and harm our reputation. In addition, if any of our products are, or are alleged to be, defective, we may be required to participate in a recall of that product if the defect or alleged defect relates to safety. These and other claims we face could be costly to us and require substantial management attention.

Our international markets require significant management attention, expose us to difficulties presented by international economic, political, legal and business factors, and may not be successful or produce desired levels of sales and profitability.

We currently sell our products throughout the world. Our total sales outside North America (including licensing royalties from our Australian licensee) were approximately 10% or less of our total revenue for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. International markets have, and will continue to be, a focus for sales growth. We believe many opportunities exist in the international markets, and over time we intend for international sales to comprise a larger percentage of our total revenue. Several factors, including weakened international economic conditions, could adversely affect such growth. The expansion of our existing international operations and entry into additional international markets require significant management attention. Some of the countries in which we market and our distributors or licensee sell our products are to some degree subject to political, economic or social instability. Our international operations expose us and our representatives, agents and distributors to risks inherent in operating in foreign jurisdictions. These risks include, but are not limited to:

 

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increased costs of customizing products for foreign countries;

 

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unfamiliarity with local demographics, consumer preferences and discretionary spending patterns;

 

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the imposition of additional foreign governmental controls or regulations, including rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters and regulations and other laws applicable to publicly-traded companies, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA;

 

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new or enhanced trade restrictions and restrictions on the activities of foreign agents, representatives and distributors;

 

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the imposition of increases in costly and lengthy import and export licensing and other compliance requirements, customs duties and tariffs, license obligations and other non-tariff barriers to trade;

 

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the relative strength of the U.S. dollar compared to local currency, making our products less price-competitive relative to products manufactured outside of the United States;

 

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laws and business practices favoring local companies;

 

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longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems; and

 

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difficulties in enforcing or defending intellectual property rights.

Our international operations may not produce desired levels of total sales, or one or more of the foregoing factors may harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

An increase in energy costs may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Higher energy costs result in increases in operating expenses at our manufacturing facility and in the expense of shipping products to our dealers. In addition, increases in energy costs may adversely affect the pricing and availability of petroleum-based raw materials, such as resins and foams, that are used in our products. Also, higher fuel prices may have an adverse effect on demand for our boats, as they increase the cost of ownership and operation.

We are subject to U.S. and other anti-corruption laws, trade controls, economic sanctions and similar laws and regulations, including those in the jurisdictions where we operate. Our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to civil, criminal and administrative penalties and harm our reputation.

Doing business on a worldwide basis requires us to comply with the laws and regulations of various foreign jurisdictions. These laws and regulations place restrictions on our operations, trade practices, partners and investment decisions. In particular, our operations are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption and trade control laws and regulations, such as the FCPA, export controls and economic sanctions programs, including those administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or the OFAC. As a result of doing business in foreign countries and with foreign partners, we are exposed to a heightened risk of violating anti-corruption and trade control laws and sanctions regulations.

The FCPA prohibits us from providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of obtaining or retaining business or securing any improper business advantage. It also requires us to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect our transactions.

Economic sanctions programs restrict our business dealings with certain sanctioned countries, persons and entities. In addition, because we act through dealers and distributors, we face the risk that our dealers, distributors or consumers might further distribute our products to a sanctioned person or entity, or an ultimate end-user in a sanctioned country, which might subject us to an investigation concerning compliance with OFAC or other sanctions regulations.

 

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Violations of anti-corruption and trade control laws and sanctions regulations are punishable by civil penalties, including fines, denial of export privileges, injunctions, asset seizures, debarment from government contracts and revocations or restrictions of licenses, as well as criminal fines and imprisonment. We cannot assure you that all of our local, strategic or joint partners will comply with these laws and regulations, in which case we could be held liable for actions taken inside or outside of the United States, even though our partners may not be subject to these laws. Such a violation could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition. Our continued international expansion, including in developing countries, and our development of new partnerships and joint venture relationships worldwide, could increase the risk of FCPA or OFAC violations in the future.

If we are unable to comply with environmental and other regulatory requirements, our business may be exposed to material liability or fines.

Our operations are subject to extensive regulation, including product safety, environmental and health and safety requirements, under various federal, state, local and foreign statutes, ordinances and regulations. While we believe that we are in material compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign regulatory requirements, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to comply with applicable regulatory requirements. The failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements could cause us to incur significant fines or penalties or could materially increase the cost of operations. In addition, legal requirements are constantly evolving, and changes in laws, regulations or policies, or changes in interpretations of the foregoing, could also increase our costs or create liabilities where none exists today.

As with boat construction in general, our manufacturing processes involve the use, handling, storage and contracting for recycling or disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. The failure to manage or dispose of such hazardous substances and wastes properly could expose us to material liability or fines. Also, the components to our boats may become subject to more stringent environmental regulations. For example, boat engines may be subject to more stringent emissions standards, which could increase the cost of our engines and our products, which, in turn, may reduce consumer demand for our products.

A natural disaster or other disruption at our manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on the continuous operation of manufacturing facilities in Tennessee and California. Any natural disaster or other serious disruption to our facilities due to fire, flood, earthquake or any other unforeseen circumstances could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The occurrence of any disruption at our manufacturing facilities may have an adverse effect on our productivity and profitability, during and after the period of the disruption. These disruptions may also cause personal injury and loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment and environmental damage. Although we maintain property, casualty and business interruption insurance of the types and in the amounts that we believe are customary for the industry, we are not fully insured against all potential natural disasters or other disruptions to our manufacturing facilities.

Increases in income tax rates or changes in income tax laws or enforcement could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

Changes in domestic and international tax legislation could expose us to additional tax liability. Although we monitor changes in tax laws and work to mitigate the impact of proposed changes, such changes may negatively impact our financial results. In addition, any increase in individual income

 

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tax rates, such as those implemented at the beginning of 2013, would negatively affect our potential consumers’ discretionary income and could decrease the demand for our products.

Our credit facilities contain covenants which may limit our operating flexibility; failure to comply with covenants may restrict our access to these.

In the past, we have relied upon our existing credit facilities to provide us with adequate liquidity to operate our business. The availability of borrowing amounts under our credit facilities are dependent upon compliance with the debt covenants set forth in our credit agreement. Violation of those covenants, whether as a result of operating losses or otherwise, could result in our lenders restricting or terminating our borrowing ability under our credit facilities. If our lenders reduce or terminate our access to amounts under our credit facilities, we may not have sufficient capital to fund our working capital and other needs and we may need to secure additional capital or financing to fund our operations or to repay outstanding debt under our credit facilities. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in ensuring our availability to amounts under our credit facilities or in connection with raising additional capital and that any amount, if raised, will be sufficient to meet our cash needs or on terms as favorable as have historically been available to us. If we are not able to maintain our borrowing availability under our credit facilities or raise additional capital when needed, our business and operations will be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure

Our only material asset after completion of this offering will be our interest in the LLC, and we are accordingly dependent upon distributions from the LLC to pay taxes, make payments under the tax receivable agreement or pay dividends.

Malibu Boats, Inc. is a holding company and has no material assets other than our ownership of LLC Units. Malibu Boats, Inc. will have no independent means of generating revenue. We intend to cause the LLC to make distributions to its unit holders in an amount sufficient to cover all applicable taxes at assumed tax rates, payments under the tax receivable agreement and dividends, if any, declared by us. To the extent that we need funds, and the LLC is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of its financing arrangements, or is otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition. For example, our credit agreement prohibits the LLC, Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Domestic International Sales Corp. from paying dividends or making distributions, subject to a number of exceptions, including distributions based on a member’s allocated taxable income, payments pursuant to stock option and other benefit plans, dividends and distributions within the loan parties and dividends payable solely in interests of classes of securities. In addition, after June 30, 2014, the LLC may make dividends and distributions of up to $4,000,000 in any fiscal year, subject to compliance with other financial covenants. We plan to enter an amendment to the credit agreement prior to the closing of the offering that will permit distributions to fund payments that are required under the tax receivable agreement.

We will be required to pay our existing owners for certain tax benefits we may claim arising in connection with this offering and related transactions, and the amounts we may pay could be significant.

Malibu Boats, Inc. intends to use a portion of the proceeds from this offering to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners. We will enter into a tax receivable agreement with our existing owners that provides for the payment by us to our existing owners of 85% of the tax benefits, if any, that we are deemed to realize as a result of (1) the increases in tax basis resulting from our purchases or exchanges of LLC Units and (2) certain other tax benefits related to our entering into

 

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the tax receivable agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the tax receivable agreement. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.”

We expect that the payments that we may make under the tax receivable agreement may be substantial. It is possible that future transactions or events could increase or decrease the actual tax benefits realized and the corresponding tax receivable agreement payments. There may be a material negative effect on our liquidity if distributions to us by the LLC are not sufficient to permit us to make payments under the tax receivable agreement after we have paid taxes. For example, we may have an obligation to make tax receivable agreement payments for a certain amount while receiving distributions from the LLC in a lesser amount, which would negatively affect our liquidity. The payments under the tax receivable agreement are not conditioned upon our existing owners’ continued ownership of us.

We are required to make a good faith effort to ensure that we have sufficient cash available to make any required payments under the tax receivable agreement. The limited liability company agreement of the LLC requires the LLC to make “tax distributions” which, in the ordinary course, will be sufficient to pay our actual tax liability and to fund required payments under the tax receivable agreement. If for any reason the LLC is not able to make a tax distribution in an amount that is sufficient to make any required payment under the tax receivable agreement or we otherwise lack sufficient funds, interest would accrue on any unpaid amounts at the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus 500 basis points until they are paid.

In certain cases, payments under the tax receivable agreement to our existing owners may be accelerated or significantly exceed the actual benefits we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the tax receivable agreement.

The tax receivable agreement provides that, in the event that we exercise our right to early termination of the tax receivable agreement, or in the event of a change in control or a material breach by us of our obligations under the tax receivable agreement, the tax receivable agreement will terminate, and we will be required to make a lump-sum payment equal to the present value of all forecasted future payments that would have otherwise been made under the tax receivable agreement, which lump-sum payment would be based on certain assumptions, including those relating to our future taxable income. The change in control payment and termination payments to the existing owners could be substantial and could exceed the actual tax benefits that we receive as a result of acquiring LLC Units from the existing owners because the amounts of such payments would be calculated assuming that we would have been able to use the potential tax benefits each year for the remainder of the amortization periods applicable to the basis increases, and that tax rates applicable to us would be the same as they were in the year of the termination. In these situations, our obligations under the tax receivable agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity. There can be no assurance that we will be able to finance our obligations under the tax receivable agreement.

Payments under the tax receivable agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that we determine. Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, to challenge a tax basis increase, Malibu Boats, Inc. will not be reimbursed for any payments previously made under the tax receivable agreement. As a result, in certain circumstances, payments could be made under the tax receivable agreement in excess of the benefits that Malibu Boats, Inc. actually realizes in respect of (1) the increases in tax basis resulting from our purchases or exchanges of LLC Units and (2) certain other tax benefits related to our entering into the tax receivable agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the tax receivable agreement.

 

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We intend to enter a voting agreement with Black Canyon Management LLC, which will provide it with rights to nominate a number of designees to our board of directors.

We intend to enter into a voting agreement with certain affiliates. Under the voting agreement, Black Canyon Management LLC will be entitled to nominate to our board of directors a number of designees equal to (1) 20% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors at such time as long as Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together beneficially own 15% or more of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, and (2) 10% of the total number of directors comprising the board of directors at such time as long as Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together beneficially own more than 5% but less than 15% of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. In addition, Black Canyon Management LLC will have the right to remove and replace its director-designees at any time and for any reason and to nominate any individuals to fill any such vacancies. Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson will be required to vote any of their LLC Units in favor of the director or directors nominated by Black Canyon Management LLC. Although affiliates of Black Canyon Management LLC are selling shares of Class A Common Stock in this offering and selling LLC Units to Malibu Boats, Inc., Black Canyon Management LLC will continue to own at least     % of the voting power (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class. It is possible that the interests of Black Canyon Management LLC may in some circumstances conflict with our interests and the interests of our other stockholders.

Risks Related to Our Offering

A significant portion of the proceeds from this offering will be used to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners, including members of our senior management if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option.

We intend to use $         million of the proceeds from this offering (or $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common stock from us and the selling stockholders) to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners, including members of our senior management, as described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure—Offering Transactions.” We will only purchase LLC Units from members of senior management, however, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock. We will not retain any of the proceeds used to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners.

Our stock price may be volatile and you may be unable to sell your shares at or above the offering price.

The offering price for our Class A Common Stock was determined by negotiations between us, the selling stockholders and representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market. The market price of our Class A Common Stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to the many risk factors listed in this section, and others beyond our control, including:

 

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general economic, market and industry conditions

 

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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations;

 

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addition or loss of consumers or dealers;

 

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actual or anticipated changes in our rate of growth relative to our competitors;

 

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additions or departures of key personnel;

 

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failure to introduce new products, or for those products to achieve market acceptance;

 

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disputes or other developments related to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain intellectual property protection for our technologies;

 

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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

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fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to us;

 

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changes in applicable laws or regulations;

 

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issuance of new or updated research or reports by securities analysts;

 

  Ÿ  

sales of our Class A Common Stock by us or our stockholders;

 

  Ÿ  

share price and volume fluctuations attributable to inconsistent trading volume levels of our shares; and

 

  Ÿ  

the expiration of contractual lock-up agreements with our executive officers, directors and stockholders.

Further, the stock markets may experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that can affect the market prices of equity securities. These fluctuations can be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions, interest rate changes or international currency fluctuations, could harm the market price of our Class A Common Stock.

If the market price of our Class A Common Stock after this offering does not exceed the offering price, you may not realize any return on your investment in us and may lose some or all of your investment. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could harm our business.

No public market for our Class A Common Stock currently exists and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained following this offering.

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

 

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If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our Class A Common Stock will depend on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts public about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish research or reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

Future sales of our Class A Common Stock in the public market could cause our share price to fall.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A Common Stock in the public market after this offering, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our Class A Common Stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. Upon the closing of this offering, we will have             shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

All of the Class A Common Stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act. Assuming the sale of all shares of Class A Common Stock in this offering, including all of the shares subject to the over-allotment option,             shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding after this offering will be restricted as a result of securities laws, lock-up agreements or other contractual restrictions that restrict transfers for at least 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain extensions.

Our senior management may invest or spend the proceeds of this offering in ways with which you may not agree, or in ways which may not yield a positive return.

The proceeds to Malibu Boats, Inc. from this offering, before deducting underwriting discounts, will be approximately $         million (or $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders). Malibu Boats, Inc. intends to use $         million of the net proceeds from this offering to purchase LLC Units from the LLC, and will cause the LLC to use these proceeds (1) to pay down substantially all of the amounts owed on our credit facilities and term loans, (2) to pay Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, a fee of $3.75 million upon the consummation of this offering in connection with the termination of our management agreement and (3) for other general corporate purposes. Our management team will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our results of operations or increase our market value.

Our governing documents and Delaware law could prevent a takeover that stockholders consider favorable and could also reduce the market price of our stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws to be effective upon the completion of this offering contain certain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions could also make it more difficult for stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions include, without limitation:

 

  Ÿ  

a classified board structure;

 

  Ÿ  

a requirement that stockholders must provide advance notice to propose nominations or have other business considered at a meeting of stockholders;

 

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  Ÿ  

supermajority stockholder approval to amend our bylaws or certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation; and

 

  Ÿ  

authorization of blank check preferred stock.

In addition, the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware general Corporate Law will govern us upon completion of this offering. These provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our outstanding Class A Common Stock, from engaging in certain business combinations without the approval of substantially all of our stockholders for a certain period of time.

These and other provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and under Delaware law could discourage potential takeover attempts, reduce the price that investors might be willing to pay for shares of our Class A Common Stock in the future and result in the market price being lower than it would be without these provisions. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Provisions” in this prospectus.

Because our initial public offering price is substantially higher than the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our outstanding Class A Common Stock, new investors will incur immediate and substantial dilution.

The offering price is substantially higher than the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our Class A Common Stock based on the expected total value of our total assets, less our goodwill and other intangible assets, less our total liabilities immediately following this offering. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock in this offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of $         per share in the price you pay for our Class A Common Stock compared to the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2013. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see “Dilution.”

We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our Class A Common Stock and, consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our Class A Common Stock appreciates.

We currently do not plan to declare or pay dividends on shares of our Class A Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on the shares you purchase in this offering will be if the market price of our Class A Common Stock appreciates and you sell your shares at a profit. We cannot assure you that the price of our Class A Common Stock in the market after this offering will ever exceed the price that you pay.

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Class A Common Stock less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to emerging public companies, which includes, among other things:

 

  Ÿ  

exemption from the auditor attestation requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

  Ÿ  

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements;

 

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  Ÿ  

exemption from the requirements of holding non-binding stockholder votes on executive compensation arrangement; and

 

  Ÿ  

exemption from any public rules requiring mandatory audit firm rotation and auditor discussion and analysis and, unless the SEC otherwise determines, any future audit rules that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

We could be an emerging growth company until the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary after our initial public or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have annual gross revenue of $1 billion or more, (2) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt or (3) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the federal securities laws. We will qualify as a large accelerated filer as of the first day of the first fiscal year after we have (a) more than $700 million in outstanding common equity held by our non-affiliates and (b) been public for at least 12 months. The value of our outstanding common equity will be measured each year on the last day of our second fiscal quarter.

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies are also permitted to elect to delay adoption of new or revised accounting standards until companies that are not subject to periodic reporting obligations are required to comply, if such accounting standards apply to non-reporting companies. We have made an irrevocable decision to opt out of this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

We cannot predict if investors will find our Class A Common Stock less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Class A Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be less active trading market for our Class A Common Stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

We will incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to comply with the laws and regulations affecting public companies, particularly after we are no longer an emerging growth company.

We have never operated as a public company. As a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an emerging growth company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting and corporate governance requirements, in order to comply with the rules and regulations imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and Nasdaq. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives and our legal and accounting compliance costs will increase. It is likely that we will need to hire additional staff in the areas of investor relations, legal and accounting to operate as a public company. We also expect that these new rules and regulations may make it more difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

For example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. In particular, as a public company, we will be required to perform system and process evaluations and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management and our independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial

 

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reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As described elsewhere in this prospectus, as an emerging growth company, we will not need to comply with the auditor attestation provisions of Section 404 for several years. Our testing, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses. Our compliance with Section 404 will require that we incur substantial accounting expense and management time on compliance-related issues. Moreover, if we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, or if we or our independent registered public accounting firm identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could cause our stock price to decline.

When the available exemptions under the JOBS Act, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, cease to apply, we expect to incur additional expenses and devote increased management effort toward ensuring compliance with them. We cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur as a result of becoming a public company or the timing of such costs.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our future financial position, sources of revenue, demand for our products, our strengths, business strategy and plans, prospective products or products under development, costs, timing and likelihood of success, gross margins, non-GAAP financial measures and management’s objectives for future operations. In particular, many of the statements under the headings “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” constitute forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” the negative of these terms, or by other similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, involving known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these factors, risks and uncertainties in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. These factors expressly qualify forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements for various reasons, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds of the sale by us of our Class A Common Stock in this offering will be $         million (or $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, which is the midpoint of the range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share would increase or decrease the net proceeds to us from the offering by $         (or $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders), assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use $         million of the net proceeds from this offering to purchase newly-issued LLC Units from the LLC, and we will cause the LLC to use these proceeds (1) to pay down substantially all of the amounts owed on our credit facilities and term loans, (2) to pay Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, a fee of $3.75 million upon the consummation of this offering in connection with the termination of our management agreement, as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Management Agreement” and (3) for other general corporate purposes. On July 16, 2013, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks led by SunTrust Bank that includes a revolving credit facility, swingline credit facility, letter of credit facility and term loans. The proceeds from the credit agreement, in conjunction with cash on the balance sheet, were used to repay our then-existing term and revolving loans, pay equity distributions of $53.8 million and deferred financing and related fees of $1.0 million. As of September 30, 2013, we had an aggregate total of $64.2 million outstanding under the term loans and the applicable rate for the term loans was 3.19%. The maturity date of the term loans is July 16, 2018. SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of one of the underwriters, will receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with FINRA Rule 5121. See “Underwriting—Conflicts of Interest.”

We intend to use all of the remaining proceeds from this offering, or $         million (or $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders), to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners at a purchase price per unit equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A Common Stock in this offering, as described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure—Offering Transactions.” We will only purchase LLC Units from members of senior management, however, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock. We will not retain any of the proceeds used to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners. See “Principal and Selling Stockholders” for information regarding the proceeds from this offering that will be paid to our directors and named executive officers.

Management will have significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds of the offering. The amount and timing of our actual spending for these purposes may vary significantly from our plans and will depend on a number of factors, including our future revenue, cash generated by operations and other factors described under the section “Risk Factors.” We may find it necessary or advisable to use portions of the proceeds for other purposes.

The selling stockholders may offer up to             shares of Class A Common Stock in the offering (or              shares of Class A Common Stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option

 

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to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders). We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. We will, however, bear the costs, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, associated with the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. For more information, see “Principal and Selling Stockholders.”

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Malibu Boats, Inc. has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its capital stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain all of our future earnings for use in the expansion and operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable law and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our credit facility restricts our ability to pay dividends on our capital stock in certain cases.

Following the offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. will be a holding company and will have no material assets other than its ownership of LLC Units. We intend to cause the LLC to make distributions to us in an amount sufficient to cover cash dividends, if any, declared by us. If the LLC makes such distributions to Malibu Boats, Inc., the other holders of LLC Units will be entitled to receive equivalent distributions on a pro rata basis.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The table below sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2013:

 

  Ÿ  

on a historical basis for the LLC; and

 

  Ÿ  

on a pro forma basis for Malibu Boats, Inc., giving effect to the transactions described under “History and Formation Transactions,” including the application of the proceeds from this offering as described in “Use of Proceeds” assuming the offering prices at the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus.

You should read this table together with “History and Formation Transactions,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    As of September 30, 2013  
    Actual     Pro Forma(1)  
    (Unaudited)  
    (In thousands, except share data)  

Cash

  $ 4,697      $                
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt, including current maturities

    64,243     

Total members’ deficit/stockholders’ equity:

   

Members’ equity

   

Class A Units, 37,000 units authorized, 36,742 units issued and outstanding

    (32,759  

Class B Units, 3,885 units authorized, issued and outstanding

    (7,800  

Class M Units, 2,658 units authorized, 1,549 units issued and outstanding

    (3,069  

Stockholders’ equity

   

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized on a pro forma basis;                 shares issued and outstanding on an as adjusted basis

        

Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 25,000,000 shares authorized on a pro forma basis;                 shares issued and outstanding on an as adjusted basis

        

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized on a pro forma basis;             shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

        

Additional paid-in capital

        

Accumulated earnings

    11,092     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total (deficit) equity

    (32,536  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total members’/stockholders’ (deficit) equity attributable to the Company

    (32,536  

Total capitalization

  $ 31,707      $     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, cash, additional paid-in capital, total members’/stockholders’ equity attributable to us, total equity and total capitalization by $        , assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in shares of our Class A Common Stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of Class A Common Stock and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of Class A Common Stock after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the per share offering price of the shares of Class A Common Stock is substantially in excess of the pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to our existing owners.

Our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2013 was $        , or $         per share of Class A Common Stock. Pro forma net tangible book value represents the amount of total tangible assets less total liabilities, and pro forma net tangible book value per share of Class A Common Stock represents pro forma net tangible book value divided by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, after giving effect to the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure” and assuming that all of the holders of LLC Units (other than Malibu Boats, Inc.) exchanged their LLC Units for newly-issued shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

After giving effect to the Offering Transactions, as described in “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure—Offering Transactions,” including the application of the proceeds from this offering as described in “Use of Proceeds,” and assuming an initial public offering price per share of $        , the mid-point of the range listed on the cover of this prospectus, our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2013 would have been $        , or $         per share of Class A Common Stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $         per share of Class A Common Stock to our existing owners and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $         per share of Class A Common Stock to investors in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution per share of Class A Common Stock, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us or the selling stockholders:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share of Class A Common Stock

      $               

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2013, before giving effect to this offering

   $                   

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to investors purchasing shares in this offering

   $        
  

 

 

    

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

      $     
     

 

 

 

Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to investors purchasing shares in this offering

      $     
     

 

 

 

A $1.00 increase in the initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $         and would increase dilution per share to new investors by approximately $        , assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same.

A $1.00 decrease in the initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $         and would decrease dilution per share to new investors by approximately $        , assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same.

 

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A $2.00 increase in the initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $         and would increase dilution per share to new investors by approximately $        , assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same.

A $2.00 decrease in the initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $         and would decrease dilution per share to new investors by approximately $        , assuming that the number shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same.

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering would be $         per share, and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to investors in this offering would be $         per share.

The table below summarizes on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of September 30, 2013, assuming that all of the holders of LLC Units (other than Malibu Boats, Inc.) exchanged their LLC Units for shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis:

 

  Ÿ  

the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchased from us;

 

  Ÿ  

the total consideration paid to us, assuming an initial public offering price of $         per share (before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering); and

 

  Ÿ  

the average price per share paid by existing owners and by new investors purchasing shares in this offering.

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average Price
Per Share
 
       Number    Percent     Amount      Percent    

Existing owners

               $                             $                

New investors

            
  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        100.0   $           100.0   $     
  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the total consideration paid to us by new investors by $         million and increase or decrease the percent of total consideration paid to us by new investors by approximately     %, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same.

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, the number of shares held by the existing owners after this offering would be reduced to     % of the total number of shares of our Class A Common Stock outstanding, and the number of shares held by new investors would be                     or     % of the total number of shares of our Class A Common Stock outstanding.

 

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Except as otherwise indicated, the amounts set forth above are based on             shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2013, and exclude:

 

  Ÿ  

             shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders;

 

  Ÿ  

             shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exchange of                      LLC Units; and

 

  Ÿ  

             shares of Class A Common Stock that will be available for future grant under our Incentive Plan, which will become effective on the date of the completion of this offering.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 and for the three months ended September 30, 2013 present our consolidated results of operations giving pro forma effect to the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure” and the use of the estimated net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds,” as if such transactions occurred on July 1, 2012. The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 presents our consolidated financial position giving pro forma effect to the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure” and the use of the estimated net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds,” as if such transaction occurred on September 30, 2013. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and upon assumptions that our management believes are reasonable in order to reflect, on a pro forma basis, the impact of these transactions on the historical financial information of the LLC.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information should be read together with “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, all included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information is included for informational purposes only and does not purport to reflect the results of operations or financial position of Malibu Boats, Inc. that would have occurred had we operated as a public company during the periods presented. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information should not be relied upon as being indicative of our results of operations or financial position had the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure” and the use of the estimated net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds” occurred on the dates assumed. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information also does not project our results of operations or financial position for any future period or date.

The pro forma adjustments principally give effect to:

 

  Ÿ  

the credit facilities and term loans from the syndicate of banks led by SunTrust Bank in the aggregate principal amount of $65 million entered into as of July 16, 2013;

 

  Ÿ  

the payment to Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, of $3.75 million upon the consummation of this offering in connection with the termination of our management agreement;

 

  Ÿ  

the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions;

 

  Ÿ  

the purchase by Malibu Boats, Inc. of LLC Units with the proceeds of this offering calculated at the midpoint of the range listed on the cover of this prospectus;

 

  Ÿ  

the offering and the estimated use of net proceeds as described under “Use of Proceeds”;

 

  Ÿ  

in the case of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income, a provision for corporate income taxes on the income attributable to Malibu Boats, Inc. at an effective rate of 34.4%, which includes a provision for U.S. federal income taxes and assumes the highest statutory rates apportioned to each state and local tax jurisdiction;

 

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  Ÿ  

adjustments that give effect to the tax receivable agreement as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement” and executed in connection with the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions; and

 

  Ÿ  

payments due to the existing owners as set forth in the tax receivable agreement equal to 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income and franchise tax that we actually realize (or are deemed to realize in the case of certain payments required to be made upon certain occurrences under the tax receivable agreement) as a result of the increases in the tax basis of the LLC’s assets attributable to Malibu Boats, Inc.’s purchase of LLC Units from the existing owners and of certain other tax benefits related to our entering into the tax receivable agreement.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information presented assumes no exercise by the underwriters of the option to purchase up to an additional              shares of Class A common stock from us or the selling stockholders. Further, the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information presented assumes that the shares of our Class A Common Stock to be sold in this offering are sold at $         per share of Class A Common Stock, which is the midpoint of the price range indicated on the front cover of this prospectus. For more information regarding how certain aspects of the Offering Transactions could be affected by an initial public offering price per share of our Class A Common Stock at the low-, mid- and high-points of the price range indicated on the front cover of this prospectus, see “Dilution.”

 

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MALIBU BOATS, INC.

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013

 

    Malibu Boats
Holdings, LLC
Historical (1)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments

(Unaudited)
          Malibu Boats,
Inc. (2) Pro
Forma
 
    (In thousands, except share data)  

Net sales

  $ 167,012      $                     $                

Cost of sales

    123,412         
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross profit

    43,600         

Operating expenses:

       

Selling and marketing

    4,937         

General and administrative

    14,177          (3  

Amortization

    5,178         
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

    19,308         

Other income (expenses):

       

Other

    10         

Interest expense

    (1,334       (4  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other expense

    (1,324      
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income before non-controlling interest and income taxes

    17,984         

Non-controlling interest

             (5  

Provision for income taxes

             (6  

Net income attributable to members and stockholders

  $ 17,984      $          $     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Basic earnings per unit:

       

Class A Units

  $ 0.43         

Class B Units

  $ 0.43         

Class M Units

  $ 0.43         

Diluted earnings per unit:

       

Class A Units

  $ 0.42         

Class B Units

  $ 0.42         

Class M Units

  $ 0.42         

Basic and diluted weighted average units used in computing earnings per unit:

       

Class A Units

    36,742         

Class B Units

    3,885         

Class M Units

    1,421         

Proforma earnings available to Class A Common Stock per share:

       

Basic

            

Dilutive

            

Proforma basic and diluted weighted average shares used in computing earnings per share:

       

Basic

        $   

Dilutive

        $   
        $   

 

(1)

We have historically operated our business through the LLC. As of June 30, 2013, the LLC held all of our assets and liabilities and Malibu Boats, Inc. did not have any assets or liabilities and did not conduct operations. Accordingly, the

 

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  unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 presents the historical results of the LLC as a starting point for the pro forma amounts.
(2) As a newly formed entity, Malibu Boats, Inc. will have no results of operations until the completion of this offering.
(3) Upon consummation of the offering, we will terminate our existing management agreement with Malibu Boats Investor, LLC. The adjustment represents the removal of the management fees incurred during the period.
(4) As described in “Use of Proceeds,” we will pay down substantially all of the amounts owned on our credit facilities and term loans with the proceeds from the offering. This adjustment represents the removal of interest expense associated with the term loans incurred during the period.
(5) After the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, as described in “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” our only material asset will be the ownership of             % of the LLC Units and our only business will be to act as the sole managing member of the LLC. Therefore, pursuant to FASB ASC 810, “Consolidations,” or ASC Topic 810, we will consolidate the financial results of the LLC into our financial statements. The ownership interests of the other members of the LLC will be accounted for as a non-controlling interest in our consolidated financial statements after this offering. Immediately following this offering, the non-controlling interest will be             %. Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest represents             %, or $             of net income of $             for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. These amounts have been determined based on an initial public offering price of $             , the mid-point of the range listed on the cover of this prospectus, and the assumption that the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is not exercised.
(6) Following the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, we will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, in addition to state, local and foreign taxes, with respect to our allocable share of any net taxable income of the LLC that will result in higher income taxes. As a result, the pro forma statement of income reflects an adjustment to our provision for corporate income taxes to reflect an effective rate of 34.4%, which includes provisions for U.S. federal income taxes and assumes the highest statutory rates apportioned to each state, local and/or foreign jurisdiction. State taxes, stock compensation and the domestic production activities deduction have impacted the effective rate calculation. The estimated effective tax rate for fiscal year 2014 is expected to range between 34.4% and 35.4%, which is consistent with the pro forma effective income tax rate.

 

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MALIBU BOATS, INC.

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

     Malibu Boats
Holdings, LLC
Historical (1)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
           Malibu Boats,
Inc. (2) Pro
Forma
 
     (In thousands, except share data)  

Net sales

   $ 43,304      $                      $                

Cost of sales

     32,283          
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Gross profit

     11,021          

Operating expenses:

         

Selling and marketing

     1,432          

General and adminstrative

     1,955           (3  

Amortization

     1,294          
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Operating income

     6,340          

Other income (expense):

         

Other

     3          

Interest expense

     (1,164        (4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other expense

     (1,161       
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income before non-controlling interest and provision for income taxes

     5,179          

Non-controlling interest

               (5  

Provision for income taxes

               (6  

Net income attributable to members and stockholders

   $ 5,179      $           $     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per unit:

         

Class A Units

   $ 0.12          

Class B Units

   $ 0.12          

Class M Units

   $ 0.12          

Basic and diluted weighted average units used in computing earnings per unit

         

Class A Units

     36,742          

Class B Units

     3,885          

Class M Units

     1,549          

Proforma earnings available to Class A Common Stock per share:

         

Basic

          $   

Dilutive

          $   

Proforma basic and diluted weighted average units used in computing earnings per share:

         

Basic

              

Dilutive

              

 

(1) We have historically operated our business through the LLC. As of September 30, 2013, the LLC held all of our assets and liabilities and Malibu Boats, Inc. did not have any assets or liabilities and did not conduct operations. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 presents the historical results of the LLC as a starting point for the pro forma amounts.
(2) As a newly formed entity, Malibu Boats, Inc. will have no results of operations until the completion of this offering.

 

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(3) Upon consummation of the offering, we will terminate our existing management agreement with Malibu Boats Investor, LLC. The adjustment represents the removal of the management fees incurred during the period.
(4) As described in “Use of Proceeds,” we will pay down substantially all of the amounts owned on our credit facilities and term loans with the proceeds from the offering. This adjustment represents the removal of interest expense associated with the term loans incurred during the period.
(5) After the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, as described in “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” our only material asset will be the ownership of             % of the LLC Units and our only business will be to act as the sole managing member of the LLC. Therefore, pursuant to ASC Topic 810 we will consolidate the financial results of the LLC into our financial statements. The ownership interests of the other members of the LLC will be accounted for as a non-controlling interest in our consolidated financial statements after this offering. Immediately following this offering, the non-controlling interest will be             %. Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest represents             %, or $             of net income of $             for the three months ended September 30, 2013. These amounts have been determined based on an initial public offering price of $             , the mid-point of the range listed on the cover of this prospectus, and the assumption that the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is not exercised.
(6) Following the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, we will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, in addition to state, local and foreign taxes, with respect to our allocable share of any net taxable income of the LLC that will result in higher income taxes. As a result, the pro forma statement of income reflects an adjustment to our provision for corporate income taxes to reflect an effective rate of 34.4%, which includes provisions for U.S. federal income taxes and assumes the highest statutory rates apportioned to each state, local and/or foreign jurisdiction. State taxes, stock compensation and the domestic production activities deduction have impacted the effective rate calculation. The estimated effective tax rate for fiscal year 2014 is expected to range between 34.4% and 35.4%, which is consistent with the pro forma effective income tax rate.

 

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MALIBU BOATS, INC.

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet

September 30, 2013

 

    Malibu Boats
Holdings,
LLC
Historical (1)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
      Malibu Boats,
Inc. (2)
Pro Forma
    (In thousands, except share data)

Assets:

       

Current assets:

       

Cash

  $ 4,697        (3) (4)  

Trade receivables, net

    6,653         

Inventories, net

    15,288         

Prepaid expenses

    418         
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Total current assets

    27,056         

Property and equipment, net

    7,230         

Goodwill

    5,718         

Other intangible assets, net

    16,241         

Debt issuance costs, net

    965        (5)  

Deferred tax asset

           (6)  

Other assets

    9         
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Total assets

    57,219         
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Liabilities:

       

Current liabilities:

       

Current maturities of long-term debt

    3,712        (5)  

Accounts payable

    13,944         

Accrued expenses

    11,426        (4)  
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Total current liabilities

    29,082         

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback

    142         

Payable pursuant to tax receivable agreement

           (6)  

Long-term debt, less current maturities

    60,531        (5)  
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Total liabilities

  $ 89,755         
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Equity:

       

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized;                 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

  $        (7)  

Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized;                 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

           (7)  

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized;                 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

           (7)  

Class A Units, 37,000 units authorized, 36,742 units issued and outstanding

    (32,759     (7)  

Class B Units, 3,885 units authorized, issued and outstanding

    (7,800     (7)  

Class M Units, 2,658 units authorized, 1,549 units issued and outstanding

    (3,069     (7)  

Additional paid-in capital

           (7)  

Accumulated earnings

    11,092         
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Total (deficit) equity

    (32,536      

Non-controlling interest

           (8)  
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Total members’ and stockholders’ (deficit) equity

    (32,536      
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 57,219         
 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

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(1) We have historically operated our business through the LLC. As of September 30, 2013, the LLC held all of our assets and liabilities and Malibu Boats, Inc. did not have any assets or liabilities and did not conduct operations. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 presents the historical financial condition of the LLC as a starting point for the pro forma amounts.

 

(2) As a newly formed entity, Malibu Boats, Inc. will have no material assets until the completion of this offering.

 

(3) Reflects the net effect on cash of the receipt of net proceeds of $     million, as described in “Use of Proceeds.”

 

(4) As described in “Use of Proceeds,” Malibu Boats, Inc. will pay Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, a non-recurring fee of $3.75 million upon the consummation of the offering in connection with the termination of our management agreement.

 

(5) As described in “Use of Proceeds,” we will pay down substantially all of the amounts owed on our credit facilities and term loans with the proceeds from the offering. In connection with the pay down, debt issuance costs associated with the term loans will be written off to interest expense.

 

(6) Reflects the effects of the tax receivable agreement, pursuant to which Malibu Boats, Inc. will be required to make cash payments to the existing owners equal to 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local tax that Malibu Boats, Inc. actually realizes, or, in some circumstances, is deemed to realize, as a result of certain future tax benefits to which Malibu Boats, Inc. may become entitled. These tax benefit payments are not necessarily conditioned upon one or more of the existing owners maintaining a continued ownership interest in either the LLC or Malibu Boats, Inc. Malibu Boats, Inc. expects to benefit from the remaining 15% of cash savings, if any, that it may actually realize.

 

     As a result, on a cumulative basis, the net effect of accounting for income taxes and the tax receivable agreement will be a net increase in stockholders’ equity of     % of the estimated realizable tax benefit. The amounts to be recorded for both the deferred tax assets and the liability for our obligations under the tax receivable agreement have been estimated. All of the effects of changes in any of our estimates after the date of the purchase will be included in net income. Similarly, the effect of subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates will be included in net income.

 

(7) Reflects (i) the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, as described under “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” (ii) the issuance of Class B Common Stock in connection with the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, and (iii) the issuance of Class A Common Stock in connection with this offering, net of offering expenses.

 

(8) After the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, as described in “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” our only material asset will be the ownership of     % of the LLC Units and our only business will be to act as the sole managing member of the LLC. Therefore, pursuant to ASC Topic 810, we will consolidate the financial results of the LLC into our financial statements. The ownership interests of the other members of the LLC will be accounted for as a non-controlling interest in our consolidated financial statements after this offering. Immediately following this offering, the non-controlling interest will be     %. This amount has been determined based on an initial public offering price of $     , the mid-point of the range listed on the cover of this prospectus, and the assumption that the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is not exercised.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The summary historical consolidated financial data and other data of the LLC below should be read together with “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes, all included elsewhere in this prospectus.

We have derived the consolidated statement of income data for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the consolidated statement of income data for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2013 from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Certain of the measures set forth below are not measures recognized under GAAP. For a discussion of management’s reasons for presenting such data and a reconciliation to comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, see “—GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. Additionally, our results of operations for the interim period ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for the full fiscal year.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months  Ended
September 30,
 
       2011     2012     2013     2012     2013  
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Consolidated statement of income data:

          

Net sales

   $ 99,984      $ 140,892      $ 167,012      $ 33,159        $43,304   

Cost of sales

     83,730        110,849        123,412        25,291        32,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     16,254        30,043        43,600        7,868        11,021   

Operating expenses:

          

Selling and marketing

     3,621        4,071        4,937        1,076        1,432   

General and administrative

     6,194        8,307        14,177        4,512        1,955   

Amortization

     5,178        5,178        5,178        1,294        1,294   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,261        12,487        19,308        986        6,340   

Other expense, net

     (1,804     (1,381     (1,324     (347     (1,161
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (543   $ 11,106      $ 17,984      $ 639        $  5,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per unit:

          

Class A Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.26      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class B Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.39      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class M Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.12      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Diluted (loss) earnings per unit:

          

Class A Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.25      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class B Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.39      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Class M Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.12      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12   

Supplemental pro forma net income available to Class A Common Stock per share (unaudited)(1):

          

Basic

       $          $     

Diluted

       $          $     

 

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     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months  Ended
September 30,
 
       2011     2012     2013     2012     2013  
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Consolidated balance sheet data:

          

Total assets

   $ 60,033      $ 64,725      $ 65,927      $ 59,447        $57,219   

Total liabilities

     45,566        39,280        45,913        48,726        89,755   

Total members’ equity (deficit)

     14,467        25,445        20,014        10,721        (32,536

Additional financial and other data:

          

Unit volume

     1,860        2,482        2,672        550        661   

Gross margin

     16.3     21.3     26.1     23.7     25.5

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

   $ 7,918      $ 19,863      $ 31,758      $ 5,496        $  8,155   

Adjusted EBITDA margin(2)

     7.9     14.1     19.0     16.6     18.8

 

(1) Pro forma basic and diluted net income per share were computed by dividing the pro forma net income attributable to the holders of Class A Common Stock by the              shares of Class A Common Stock that we will issue and sell in this offering (assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase an additional              shares of Class A Common Stock to cover over-allotments). The shares of Class B Common Stock do not share in our earnings and, therefore, are not included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding or net income available per share.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For definitions of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin and a reconciliation of each to net income, see “—GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures that are used by management as well as by investors, commercial bankers, industry analysts and other users of our financial statements.

We define adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash, non-recurring and non-operating expenses, including severance and relocation, management fees and expenses, certain professional fees and non-cash compensation expense. We define adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of net income as determined by GAAP. Management believes adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are useful because they allow management to evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period and against our peers without regard to our financing methods, capital structure and non-recurring and non-operating expenses. We exclude the items listed above from net income in arriving at adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures, the methods by which assets were acquired and other factors. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of our liquidity. Certain items excluded from adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historical costs of depreciable assets. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin should not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our computations of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

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The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income as determined in accordance with GAAP to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods indicated:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months  Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2012     2013         2012             2013      
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Consolidated statement of income data:

          

Net (loss) income

   $ (543   $ 11,106      $ 17,984      $ 639      $ 5,179   

Interest expense

     1,815        1,433        1,334        350        1,164   

Depreciation and amortization

     6,000        6,072        6,268        1,616        1,589   

Severance and relocation(1)

     112        181        192        192          

Management fees and expenses(2)

     27        87        2,896        2,099        22   

Professional fees(3)

     389        852        2,957        568        169   

Non-cash compensation expense(4)

     118        132        127        32        32   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 7,918      $ 19,863      $ 31,758      $ 5,496      $ 8,155   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

     7.9     14.1     19.0     16.6     18.8

 

(1) Represents one-time employment related expenses, including a severance payment to a former executive, and costs to relocate certain departments from California to our Tennessee facility.
(2) Represents management fees and expenses paid pursuant to our management agreement with Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, which will be terminated upon the consummation of this offering. A portion of the management fees in fiscal year 2013 and all of the management fees in the three months ended September 30, 2012 reflect the payment of management fees pursuant to an amendment to the management agreement in July 2012. For more information about the management fees, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Management Agreement.”
(3) Represents legal and advisory fees related to our refinancing activities and legal expenses related to our litigation with Pacific Coast Marine Windshields Ltd. and Nautique Boat Company, Inc. For more information about this litigation, see “Business—Legal Proceedings.”
(4) Represents equity-based incentives awarded to certain of our employees.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of performance sport boats, having the #1 market share position in the United States since 2010. Our boats are used for water sports, including water skiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing, as well as general recreational boating. Since inception in 1982, we have been a consistent innovator in the powerboat industry, designing products that appeal to an expanding range of recreational boaters and water sports enthusiasts whose passion for boating and water sports is a key aspect of their lifestyle. We believe many of our innovations, such as our proprietary Surf Gate technology launched in 2012, expand the market for our products by introducing consumers to new and exciting recreational activities. We believe that our boats are increasingly versatile, allowing consumers to use them for a wide range of activities that enhance the experience of a day on the water with family and friends. We believe that the performance, quality, value and multi-purpose features of our boats position us to achieve our goal of increasing our market share in the expanding recreational boating market.

We sell our boats through a dealer network that we believe is the strongest in the performance sport boat category. As of September 30, 2013, our distribution channel consisted of 116 independent dealers in North America operating 139 locations and 49 independent dealer locations across 36 countries outside of North America. Our boats are the exclusive performance sport boats offered by the majority of our dealers. Additionally, we have an exclusive licensee in Australia that we believe is the largest performance sport boat manufacturer in that country. Our dealer base is an important part of our consumers’ experience, our marketing efforts and our brands. We devote significant time and resources to find, develop and improve the performance of our dealers and believe our dealer network gives us a distinct competitive advantage.

We have undergone significant growth since we were founded in 1982 and began building custom ski boats in a small shop in Merced, California. In 2006, we were acquired by an investor group, including affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC, Horizon Holdings, LLC and then-current management. Beginning in 2009, under the leadership of new management, we implemented several measures designed to improve our cost structure, increase our operating leverage, enhance our product offerings and brands, and strengthen our dealer network. Jack Springer, our Chief Executive Officer, and Wayne Wilson, our Chief Financial Officer, helped lead us successfully through the volume declines experienced during the economic recession. Despite the downturn, we continued to build on our legacy of innovation and invested in product development and process improvements. For example, we:

 

  Ÿ  

introduced the Axis brand in 2009 for consumers seeking a performance sport boat at a more affordable price;

 

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acquired Titan Wake Accessories in 2009 in order to bring tower manufacturing in-house, and subsequently designed and introduced the G3 Tower;

 

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  Ÿ  

released the first picklefork bow design under the Malibu brand in 2012 to fill a specific gap within our product portfolio, quickly followed by two additional Malibu picklefork models;

 

  Ÿ  

enhanced our manufacturing efficiencies through process improvements and product engineering, including moving from batch to continuous flow manufacturing; and

 

  Ÿ  

introduced our patented Surf Gate technology in 2012, which allows users to surf on either side of the boat’s wake, generates a better quality surf wave and was the Watersports Industry Association’s Innovation of the Year in 2013.

In addition, we initiated a disciplined process of reviewing, assessing and expanding our dealer network. We grew our dealer network in North America by 33 dealer locations from 2009 to 2013 and also improved the overall performance of our dealers. During this period, we initiated a more disciplined approach of monitoring dealer inventory levels relative to market demand in order to align production levels more closely with retail sales levels at our dealers. As a result of these collective initiatives, we have a rationalized cost base with a high growth product portfolio that achieved fiscal year 2013 net sales and adjusted EBITDA of $167.0 million and $31.8 million, respectively, representing CAGRs of 29.2% and 100.3%, respectively, from fiscal year 2011. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our net sales and adjusted EBITDA were $43.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively, an increase of 30.6% and 48.4%, respectively, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012. For a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, see “Selected Consolidated Financial Data—GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

We believe that our results of operations and our growth prospects are affected by a number of factors, which we discuss below.

Economic Environment and Consumer Demand

Our product sales are impacted by general economic conditions, which affect the demand for our products, the demand for optional features, the availability of credit for our dealers and retail consumers, and overall consumer confidence. Consumer spending, especially purchases of discretionary items, tends to decline during recessionary periods and tends to increase during expansionary periods. The recreational boating industry was adversely affected by the economic downturn, and is now beginning to recover. IBISWorld projects U.S. powerboat manufacturer sales will grow at a CAGR of 6.5% between 2012 and 2017. In recent years, the performance sport boat category has grown faster than the overall powerboat market. In 2012, domestic sales of new performance sport boats increased by 13% compared to 2011, while new unit sales of all other powerboats grew 10% over the same period. More recently, for the states reporting registrations for January through September, new unit sales of performance sport boats increased 11% for the nine-month period in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, while new unit sales of all other powerboats increased 2% over the same period. While there is no guarantee that our market will continue to grow, we expect to benefit from the recovery in the boating industry and from improved consumer confidence levels.

New Product Development and Innovation

Our long-term revenue prospects are based in part on our ability to develop new products and technological enhancements that meet the demands of existing and new consumers. Developing and introducing new boat models and features that deliver improved performance and

 

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convenience is essential to leveraging the value of our Malibu and Axis brands. By introducing new boat models, we are able to appeal to a new and broader range of consumers and focus on underserved or adjacent segments of the broader powerboat category. We introduced nine new boat models since the beginning of model year 2011. We believe we also are able to capture additional value from the sale of each boat through the introduction of new features, which we believe permits us to raise average selling prices and enhances our margins. We allocate most of our product development costs to new model and feature designs, usually with a specific consumer base and market in mind. We use industry data to analyze our markets and evaluate revenue potential from each major project we undertake. Our product development cycle, or the time from initial concept to volume production, can be up to two years. As a result, our development costs, which may be significant, may not be offset by corresponding new sales during the same periods. Once new designs and technologies become available to our consumers, we typically realize revenue from these products from one year up to 15 years. We may not, however, realize our revenue expectations from each innovation. We believe our close communication with our consumers, dealers and sponsored athletes regarding their future product desires enhances the efficiency of our product development expenditures.

Product Mix

Historically, we have been successful in leveraging our robust product offering and features to enhance our sales growth and gross margins. Our product mix, as it relates to our brands, types of boats and features, not only makes our offerings attractive to consumers but also helps drive higher sales and margins. Typically, we are able to realize higher sales and margins when we sell larger boats compared to our smaller boats, our premium Malibu brand compared to our entry-level Axis brand and our boats that are fully-equipped with optional features. We will strive to continue to develop new features and models and maintain an attractive product mix that optimizes sales growth and margins.

Our Ability to Manage Manufacturing Costs, Sales Cycles and Inventory Levels

Our results of operations are affected by our ability to manage our manufacturing costs effectively and to respond to changing sales cycles. Our product costs vary based on the costs of supplies and raw materials, as well as labor costs. We have implemented various initiatives to reduce our cost base and improve the efficiency of our manufacturing process. For example, we re-engineered the manufacturing process in our Tennessee facility to reduce labor hours per boat produced and the amount of re-work required. We continuously monitor and review our manufacturing processes to identify improvements and create additional efficiencies. We rely on our insights into the market gleaned from dealer inventory levels, industry reports about anticipated demand for our products in the upcoming sales cycle and our own estimates and assumptions in formulating our manufacturing plan for the following fiscal year. Throughout our consumer sales cycle, which reaches its peak from March through August each year, we adjust our manufacturing activities in order to adapt to variability in demand.

Dealer Network, Dealer Financing and Incentives

We rely on our dealer network to distribute and sell our products. We believe we have developed the strongest distribution network in the performance sport boat category. To improve and expand our network and compete effectively for dealers, we regularly monitor and assess the performance of our dealers and evaluate dealer locations and geographic coverage in order to identify potential market opportunities. As a result of management’s strategic initiatives, we have sold an increasing number of units to dealers in new territories in the United States and Canada not previously covered prior to 2009. We intend to continue to add dealers in new territories in the United States as well as internationally, which we believe will result in increased unit sales.

 

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Our dealers are exposed to seasonal variations in consumer demand for boats. As discussed above under “—Our Ability to Manage Manufacturing Costs, Sales Cycles and Inventory Levels,” we address anticipated demand for our products and manage our manufacturing in order to mitigate seasonal variations. We also use our dealer incentive programs to encourage dealers to order in the off-season by providing floor plan financing relief, which typically permits dealers to take delivery of current model year boats between July 1 and April 30 on an interest-free basis for a specified period. We also offer our dealers other incentives, including rebates, seasonal discounts, promotional co-op arrangements and other allowances. We facilitate floor plan financing programs for many of our dealers by entering into repurchase agreements with certain third-party lenders, which enable our dealers, under certain circumstances, to establish lines of credit with the third-party lenders to purchase inventory. Under these floor plan financing programs, a dealer draws on the floor plan facility upon the purchase of our boats and the lender pays the invoice price of the boats. Since July 1, 2010, we have not repurchased any units from lenders. We will continue to review and refine our dealer incentive offerings and monitor any exposures arising under these arrangements.

Components of Results of Operations

Net Sales

We generate revenue from the sale of boats to our dealers. The substantial majority of our net sales are derived from the sale of boats, including optional features included at the time of the initial wholesale purchase of the boat. Net sales consists of the following:

 

  Ÿ  

Gross sales from:

 

  Ÿ  

Boat sales —sales of boats to our dealer network. In addition, nearly all of our boat sales include optional feature upgrades purchased by the consumer, such as Surf Gate, which increase the average selling price of our boats;

 

  Ÿ  

Trailers, parts and accessories sales— sales of boat trailers and replacement and aftermarket boat parts and accessories to our dealer network and Australian licensee; and

 

  Ÿ  

Royalty income —licensing fees and royalties that we earn as a result of our contractual relationship with our Australian licensee, which has the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute our products in Australia and New Zealand.

 

  Ÿ  

Net sales are net of:

 

  Ÿ  

Sales returns —primarily contractual repurchases of boats either repossessed by the floor plan financing provider from the dealer or returned by the dealer under our warranty program; and

 

  Ÿ  

Rebates, free flooring and discounts —incentives, including rebates and free flooring, we provide to our dealers based on sales of eligible products. If a dealer meets its annual commitment volume as well as other terms of the rebate program, the dealer is entitled to a specified rebate. Dealers who participate in our floor financing program may be entitled to have their flooring costs covered by us to promote dealer orders in the offseason. For more information, see “Business—Dealer Management.”

 

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Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales includes all of the costs to manufacture our products, including raw materials, components, supplies, direct labor and factory overhead. For components and accessories manufactured by third-party vendors, such costs represent the amounts invoiced by the vendors. Shipping costs and depreciation expense related to manufacturing equipment and facilities are also included in cost of sales. Warranty costs associated with the repair or replacement of our boats under warranty are also included in cost of sales.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses include selling and marketing, and general and administrative costs. Each of these items includes personnel and related expenses, supplies, non-manufacturing overhead, third-party professional fees and various other operating expenses. Further, selling and marketing expenditures include the cost of advertising and various promotional sales incentive programs. General and administrative costs include, among other things, product development and engineering expenditures.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense, net consists of interest expense and other income or expense, net. Interest expense consists of interest charged under our credit agreement.

Income Taxes

The LLC is currently taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, we have not been subject to entity-level federal income taxation, and the members of the LLC pay taxes with respect to their allocable share of our net taxable income. Following the reorganization and this offering, all of the earnings of Malibu Boats, Inc. will be subject to federal income taxation.

We will be subject to U.S. federal and state income tax in multiple jurisdictions. Some of these jurisdictions have higher statutory tax rates than others. Accordingly, our effective tax rates will vary depending on the relative proportion of income in various states, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We anticipate that our effective tax rate in fiscal year 2014 will be between 34.4% and 35.4%.

 

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Results of Operations

The table below sets forth our results of operations for the periods presented. Our financial results for these periods are not necessarily indicative of the financial results that we will achieve in future periods.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2012     2013     2012     2013  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Consolidated statement of income data:

          

Net sales

   $ 99,984      $ 140,892      $ 167,012      $ 33,159      $ 43,304   

Cost of sales

     83,730        110,849        123,412        25,291        32,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     16,254        30,043        43,600        7,868        11,021   

Operating expenses:

          

Selling and marketing

     3,621        4,071        4,937        1,076        1,432   

General and administrative

     6,194        8,307        14,177        4,512        1,955   

Amortization

     5,178        5,178        5,178        1,294        1,294   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,261        12,487        19,308        986        6,340   

Other expense, net

     (1,804     (1,381     (1,324     (347     (1,161
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (543   $ 11,106      $ 17,984      $ 639      $ 5,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other data:

          

Unit volume

     1,860        2,482        2,672        550        661   

The following table sets forth our gross profit as well as our operating and other income and expenses and other information for the periods presented, expressed as a percentage of net sales:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months  Ended
September 30,
 
            2011               2012               2013               2012               2013       

Net sales

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

     83.7        78.7        73.9        76.3        74.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     16.3        21.3        26.1        23.7        25.5   

Operating expenses:

          

Selling and marketing

     3.6        2.9        3.0        3.2        3.3   

General and administrative

     6.2        5.9        8.5        13.6        4.5   

Amortization

     5.2        3.7        3.1        3.9        3.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1.3        8.8        11.5        3.0        14.7   

Other expense, net

     (1.8     (1.0     (0.8     (1.0     (2.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (0.5 )%      7.8     10.7     2.0     12.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

Net Sales. Our net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $43.3 million, reflecting an increase of $10.1 million, or 30.6%, compared to the same period in 2012. Unit volume

 

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for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was 661, a 20.2% increase compared to the same period in 2012. The volume increase in 2013 was attributable to strong, continued consumer demand for our boats, bolstered by the introduction of our new models and features. Net sales per unit increased approximately 9% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily because of increased sales prices on new boat models and increased sales of larger boats, including the Wakesetter 24 MXZ, introduced in fiscal year 2013, and Axis A24, introduced early in fiscal year 2014, as well as increased sales of our Surf Gate system, which became available on the Axis brand during 2013.

Cost of Sales. Our cost of sales increased 27.6% to $32.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase in cost of sales resulted primarily from the 20.2% increase in unit volume and higher material cost per unit, driven by increased sales of higher-content boats such as the Wakesetter 24 MXZ.

Gross Profit . For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our gross profit increased 40.1% to $11.0 million compared to the same period during 2012. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased 170 basis points to 25.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. These increases resulted primarily from continued production efficiencies on increased volumes, higher average selling prices driven by price increases and increased sales of larger boats and optional features and continued product cost reduction efforts.

Operating Expenses. Selling and marketing expense increased $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012 primarily because of increased marketing costs associated with increased sales volumes. General and administrative expense decreased $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, largely attributable to reduced management fees paid to Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, in 2012. In light of the economic downturn, Malibu Boats Investor, LLC agreed to eliminate its management fees for the period from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012, in order to preserve our cash. Subsequently, we amended the management agreement to make a management fee payment in the amount of $2.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Other Expense, Net. Interest expense increased $0.8 million to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was driven by higher debt balances associated with our July 2013 refinancing.

Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013 to the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012

Net Sales. Our net sales for fiscal year 2013 were $167.0 million, an increase of $26.1 million, or 18.5%, compared to fiscal year 2012. Unit volume for fiscal year 2013 was 2,672, an 8% increase compared to fiscal year 2012. The volume increase was attributable to increased consumer demand for our products. Net sales per unit increased approximately 10% for fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012, primarily because of increased sales prices on new boat models and the introduction of two new boat models during fiscal year 2013, including our most expensive model, the Wakesetter 24 MXZ, as well as the introduction of our Surf Gate system as an option for consumers of our Malibu boats beginning in fiscal year 2013.

Cost of Sales. For fiscal year 2013, our cost of sales increased 11.3% to $123.4 million compared to fiscal year 2012. The increase in cost of sales resulted primarily from the 8% increase in unit volume and a richer mix of products sold with additional features, offset somewhat by continued realization of labor efficiencies.

 

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Gross Profit . For fiscal year 2013, our gross profit increased 45.1% to $43.6 million compared to fiscal year 2012. Our gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased 480 basis points to 26.1% for fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. These increases resulted primarily from continued production efficiencies on increased volumes, higher average selling prices driven by price increases and increased sales of new boat models and optional features, and continued product cost reductions.

Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses for fiscal year 2013 increased 38.4% to $24.3 million compared to fiscal year 2012. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales for fiscal year 2013 increased 200 basis points to 14.5% percent compared to fiscal year 2012. The increase in operating expenses for 2013 was primarily attributable to increased general and administrative expense, comprised of payments made pursuant to our management agreement with Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, which will be terminated upon the consummation of this offering, and increased legal expenditures related to ongoing litigation. In addition, dealer incentives and sales expenses increased during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 as a result of increased sales.

Other Expense, Net. Interest expense decreased by $0.1 million to $1.3 million in fiscal year 2013 compared to $1.4 million in fiscal year 2012. This decrease was a result of lower interest rates on our borrowings, despite our July 2012 refinancing of our credit facilities and subsequent higher average borrowing balances. For more information about the 2012 refinancing of our credit facilities, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013 to the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012—Financing Activities.” We experienced a modest decrease in other income over these periods, driven by a reduction in interest income.

Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012 to the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011

Net Sales. Our net sales for fiscal year 2012 were $140.9 million, an increase of $40.9 million, or 40.9%, compared to fiscal year 2011. Unit volume for fiscal year 2012 was 2,482, a 33% increase compared to fiscal year 2011. The volume increase was attributable to increased consumer demand for our products, including market growth and market share growth. Net sales per unit increased approximately 6% for fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011, primarily because of increased sales prices on new boat models and the introduction of our Wakesetter 22 MXZ, a larger premium priced model.

Cost of Sales. For fiscal year 2012, our cost of sales increased 32.4% to $110.8 million compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase in cost of sales resulted primarily from the 33% increase in unit volume and a richer mix of products sold with additional features, offset somewhat by continued realization of labor efficiencies.

Gross Profit . For fiscal year 2012, our gross profit increased 84.8% to $30.0 million compared to fiscal year 2011. Our gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased 510 basis points to 21.3% for fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. These increases resulted largely from the impact of new operational management who was able to achieve a combination of increased labor efficiencies, driven by higher volume and line optimization strategies, and decreased materials costs, attributable to reduced waste from enhanced process controls, among other items.

Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses for fiscal year 2012 increased 17.1% to $17.6 million compared to fiscal year 2011. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales for fiscal year 2012 decreased 250 basis points to 12.5% compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase in operating expenses for 2012 was broad-based across both general and administrative and selling and marketing expenses, but was primarily driven by increased expenditures on personnel, travel, consulting services and professional fees, including those related to ongoing litigation.

 

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Other Expense, Net. Interest expense decreased by $0.4 million to $1.4 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to $1.8 million in fiscal year 2011. This decrease was primarily a result of lower average borrowing balances under our former credit facility.

Quarterly Results of Operations

The table below sets forth our unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of income data for each of the five quarters in the period ended September 30, 2013. The unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of income data were prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In the opinion of management, the quarterly financial information reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this data. This information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period, and the results for any interim period may not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.

 

    Three Months Ended  
    June 30,
2011
    Sep. 30,
2011
    Dec. 31,
2011
    March 31,
2012
    June 30,
2012
    Sept. 30,
2012
    Dec. 31,
2012
    March 31,
2013
    June 30,
2013
    Sept. 30,
2013
 
    (In thousands)  

Net sales

  $ 38,428      $ 31,984      $ 33,568      $ 36,263      $ 39,077      $ 33,159      $ 37,818      $ 47,062      $ 48,973      $ 43,304   

Cost of sales

    32,023        25,716        26,730        28,755        29,648        25,291        28,524        34,562        35,035        32,283   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    6,405        6,268        6,838        7,508        9,429        7,868        9,294        12,500        13,938        11,021   

Operating expenses:

                   

Selling and marketing

    949        1,864        1,059        682        466        1,076        1,194        1,523        1,144        1,432   

General and administrative

    2,179        1,672        1,675        2,247        2,713        4,511        2,641        4,150        2,875        1,955   

Amortization

    1,294        1,294        1,294        1,295        1,295        1,294        1,294        1,295        1,295        1,294   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    4,422        4,830        4,028        4,224        4,474        6,881        5,129        6,968        5,314        4,681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    1,983        1,438        2,810        3,284        4,955        987        4,165        5,532        8,624        6,340   

Other expense, net

    (422     (372     (352     (301     (356     (346     (398     (332     (248     (1,161
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 1,561      $ 1,066      $ 2,458      $ 2,983      $ 4,599      $ 641      $ 3,767      $ 5,200      $ 8,376      $ 5,179   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of funds have been cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our credit agreement. Our primary use of funds has been for repayments under our credit arrangements, capital investments and cash distributions to members of the LLC. The following table summarizes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,     Three Months Ended
September 30,
(Unaudited)
 
     2011     2012     2013     2012     2013  
     (In thousands)  

Total cash provided by (used in):

          

Operating activities

   $ 6,613      $ 15,495      $ 25,899      $ 3,021      $ 7,740   

Investment activities

     (1,302     (2,651     (2,878     (314     (878

Financing activities

     (6,154     (7,132     (21,861     (8,601     (18,122
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash

   $ (843   $ 5,712      $ 1,160      $ (5,894   $ (11,260

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $7.7 million compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to an increase in net income of $4.5 million in connection with higher volumes and profit margins as a result of the introduction of a new boat, the Wakesetter 24 MXZ, and our new Surf Gate system. The change in working capital requirements for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, consisted principally of a $0.8 million increase in inventory purchases and accounts payable associated with increased volume and an increase of $0.2 million in prepaid expenses. These increases were offset by a $0.6 million decrease in accounts receivable as a result of the timing of collections and a $0.7 million decrease in accrued expenses attributable to our rebate accrual. The decrease in working capital was offset by an increase of $0.5 million for the write-off of debt issuance costs as a result of our refinancing in July 2013.

Investing Activities . Net cash used for investing activities was $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $0.6 million. Our cash used for investing activities for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 primarily related to investments in new property and equipment, including molds. Management expects our capital expenditures for fiscal year 2014 to be higher than typical at approximately $5.0 million, an increase from fiscal year 2013 capital expenditures of $2.9 million. This expected increase is primarily driven by investments to expand our Tennessee facility and increase production capacity to accommodate future growth.

Financing Activities . Net cash used for financing activities was $18.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $9.5 million. Our use of cash from financing activities for the three months ended September 30, 2013 primarily consisted of distributions to members of the LLC, including tax distributions, in the aggregate amount of $57.8 million financed by cash on hand as well as our July 2013 refinancing. Our use of cash from financing activities for the three months ended September 30, 2012 primarily consisted of distributions to members of the LLC, including tax distributions, that were financed by our July 2012 refinancing and cash on hand.

 

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Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013 to the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012

Operating Activities . Cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 was $25.9 million compared to $15.5 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. The increase in cash provided by operating activities primarily resulted from an increase in net income of $6.9 million, which was attributable to higher volumes and profit margins as a result of the introduction of a new, higher margin boat, the Wakesetter 24 MXZ, and our new Surf Gate system. The change in working capital requirements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 compared to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 consisted principally of a $3.5 million increase resulting from the timing of collections of accounts receivable offset by net cash used of $0.5 million for inventory purchases associated with higher volumes and related timing of accounts payable disbursements. Accrued expense increased $0.7 million as a result of additional warranty reserves for an increased number of warrantable boats, partially offset by a decrease in prepaid expense of $0.4 million resulting from the timing of recognition. The balance of the increase in cash provided from operating activities of $0.1 million was a result of increased depreciation expense attributable to new capital expenditures during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.

Investing Activities . Net cash used for investing activities was $2.9 million for fiscal year 2013 compared to $2.7 million for fiscal year 2012. Our cash used for investing activities for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 primarily related to the purchase of property and equipment.

Financing Activities . Net cash used for financing activities was $21.9 million for fiscal year 2013 compared to $7.1 million for fiscal year 2012. Our financing activities for fiscal year 2013 primarily consisted of distributions to members of the LLC financed by our July 2012 refinancing as well as ongoing tax distributions. The proceeds from the July 2012 refinancing were used to repay existing term and revolving loans that were due August 2012, pay equity distributions of $15.4 million, deferred financing and related fees of $0.7 million and management fees of $2.1 million in connection with the payment of management fees to Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, an affiliate, pursuant to an amendment to the management agreement in July 2012. Our financing activities for fiscal year 2012 primarily consisted of principal repayments of a prior credit facility.

Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012 to the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011

Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 was $15.5 million compared to $6.6 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to an increase in net income of $11.6 million resulting from higher volumes and profit margins in connection with the introduction of a new, higher margin boat, the Wakesetter 22 MXZ, as well as various initiatives to maximize manufacturing line efficiencies and improve the sourcing of materials. The change in working capital requirements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 compared to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 consisted principally of a $3.7 million decrease attributable to the timing of collections of accounts receivable and $0.2 million in net cash used for inventory purchases associated with higher volumes and timing of accounts payable disbursements for these purchases. Accrued expenses increased $0.9 million as a result of additional warranty reserves for increased number of warrantable boats and rebates. Further, prepaid expenses increased $0.2 million as a result of amortization of insurance costs and $0.1 million was attributable to increased depreciation expense on new capital expenditures during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

Investing Activities . Net cash used for investing activities was $2.7 million for fiscal year 2012 compared to $1.3 million for fiscal year 2011. Our cash used for investing activities for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 primarily related to the purchase of property and equipment.

 

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Financing Activities . Net cash used for financing activities was $7.1 million for fiscal year 2012 compared to $6.2 million for fiscal year 2011. Our financing activities for fiscal year 2012 and 2011 primarily consisted of principal repayments of a prior credit facility that was due August 2012.

Loans and Commitments

We have lending arrangements with several financial institutions pursuant to a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks led by SunTrust Bank. Borrowings under our credit agreement bear interest at a rate equal to either, at our option, Bank Prime or LIBOR plus the applicable margin, as defined in our credit agreement. As of September 30, 2013, our credit agreement included the following facilities:

 

  Ÿ  

Revolving Credit Facility . We have access to a revolving credit facility from a bank syndicate led by SunTrust Bank in the principal amount of $10 million due on or before July 16, 2018. As of September 30, 2013, we had no outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility.

 

  Ÿ  

Swingline Credit Facility . We received a swingline line of credit from SunTrust Bank in the principal amount of up to $2 million due on or before July 16, 2018. Any amounts drawn under the swingline line of credit reduce the capacity under the revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2013, we had no outstanding balance under the swingline facility.

 

  Ÿ  

Letter of Credit Facility . We have access to a letter of credit from SunTrust Bank in the principal amount of up to $3 million. Any amounts drawn under the letter of credit reduce the capacity under the revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2013, we had no drawn amounts from the line of credit.

 

  Ÿ  

Term Loans . We received a term loan from each of the banks in the syndicate in the aggregate principal amount of $65 million due on or before July 16, 2018. As of September 30, 2013, we had an aggregate total of $64.2 million outstanding under the term loans.

The applicable rate for the term loans was 3.19%, as of September 30, 2013. An increase or decrease of 1.0% in this applicable rate would have resulted in an increase or decrease of $0.3 million in our interest expense for fiscal year 2013.

Our credit agreement permits prepayment without any penalties. Our credit agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, and notice requirements for the occurrence of specific events such as pending or threatened labor disputes, litigation or judgments over a certain amount. Our credit agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants, which, among other things, place limits on our activities and those of our subsidiaries, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and additional liens on property and limit the future payment of dividends or distributions. For example, our credit agreement prohibits the LLC, Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Domestic International Sales Corp. from paying dividends or making distributions, subject to a number of exceptions, including distributions based on a member’s allocated taxable income, payments pursuant to stock option and other benefit plans, dividends and distributions within the loan parties and dividends payable solely in interests of classes of securities. In addition, after June 30, 2014, the LLC may make dividends and distributions of up to $4,000,000 in any fiscal year, subject to compliance with other financial covenants. We plan to enter an amendment to the credit agreement prior to the closing of the offering that will permit distributions to fund payments that are required under the tax receivable agreement. Our credit

 

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agreement specifies permitted liens, permitted investments and permitted debt. Affirmative covenants governing the timing of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting are also included in the credit agreement. Our lending arrangements are secured by substantially all of our assets pursuant to a security agreement. As of September, 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants in the credit agreement and security agreement.

Future Liquidity Needs

We believe that our existing cash, credit facilities and cash flows from our operating activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated future cash needs. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth rate and the timing and extent of operating expenses.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

As of September 30, 2013, our continuing contractual obligations were as follows:

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      Less than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More than
5 Years
 
     (In thousands)  

Long-term debt, including interest(1)

   $ 66,235       $ 3,773       $ 12,576       $ 49,886       $   

Notes payable-equipment, including interest

     57         57                           

Operating leases(2)

     30,117         1,877         3,753         3,847         20,640   

Purchase obligations(3)

     15,866         15,866                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 112,275       $ 21,573       $ 16,329       $ 53,733       $ 20,640   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Because interest rates under our credit agreement are based on LIBOR and are subject to fluctuation, future interest payments have been estimated based on an interest rate of 3.19%, which was the applicable rate for the term loans as of September 30, 2013. For more information about long-term debt, see “—Loans and Commitments.”
(2) We sold our two primary manufacturing and office facilities for a total of $18.3 million in 2008, which resulted in a gain of $0.7 million. Simultaneous with the sale, we entered into an agreement to lease back the buildings for an initial term of 20 years. The net gain of $0.2 million has been deferred and is being amortized in proportion to rent charged over the initial lease term.
(3) As part of the normal course of business, we enter into purchase orders from a variety of suppliers, primarily for raw materials, in order to manage our various operating needs. The majority of the orders are expected to be purchased throughout fiscal year 2014.

Our dealers have arrangements with certain finance companies to provide secured floor plan financing for the purchase of our products. These arrangements indirectly provide liquidity to us by financing dealer purchases of our products, thereby minimizing the use of our working capital in the form of accounts receivable. A majority of our sales are financed under similar arrangements, pursuant to which we receive payment within a few days of shipment of the product. We have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by the finance companies if a dealer defaults on its debt obligations to a finance company and the boat is returned to us, subject to certain limitations. Our financial exposure under these agreements is limited to the difference between the amounts unpaid by the dealer with respect to the repossessed product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product. No losses have been incurred under these agreements in the past three fiscal years. An adverse change in retail sales, however, could require us to repurchase repossessed units upon an event of default by any of our dealers, subject to the annual limitation.

 

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Seasonality

Our dealers experience seasonality in their business. Retail demand for boats is seasonal, with a significant majority of sales occurring during peak boating season, which coincides with our first and fourth fiscal quarters. In order to minimize the impact of this seasonality on our business, we manage our manufacturing processes and structure dealer incentives, including offering free flooring incentives and seasonal promotions and tying our volume rebates to consistent ordering patterns, to encourage dealers to purchase our products throughout the year. As a result of these efforts, our operating results are less sensitive to seasonal variations than retail sales of our products. For fiscal year 2013, our quarterly net sales as a percentage of annual net sales were 19.9%, 22.6%, 28.2% and 29.3% for the first through fourth fiscal quarters, respectively.

Inflation

The market prices of certain materials and components used in manufacturing our products, especially resins that are made with hydrocarbon feedstocks, copper, aluminum and stainless steel, can be volatile. Historically, however, inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations. Significant increases in inflation, particularly those related to wages and increases in the cost of raw materials, could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

New boat buyers often finance their purchases. Inflation typically results in higher interest rates that could translate into an increased cost of boat ownership. Should inflation and increased interest rates occur, prospective consumers may choose to forego or delay their purchases or buy a less expensive boat in the event credit is not available to finance their boat purchases.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These principles require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and cash flows, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Our estimates include those related to goodwill, revenue recognition, rebates, equity-based compensation, product repurchases and warranty claims. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and our actual results, our future financial statements will be affected.

We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, the accounting policies listed below involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, we believe these are the most critical to understand and evaluate fully our financial condition and results of operations.

Goodwill

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill amounts are not amortized, but rather are evaluated for potential impairment on an annual basis, as of June 30, unless circumstances indicate the need for impairment testing between the annual tests in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board

 

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Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” If this assessment indicates the possibility of impairment, the income approach to test for goodwill impairment would be used unless circumstances indicate that a better estimate of fair value was available. Under the income approach, management calculates the fair value of each reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets including goodwill assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets including goodwill exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then management determines the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then we would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. We did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012 and 2013.

Revenue Recognition

We generally manufacture products based on specific orders from dealers and often ship completed products only after receiving credit approval from third-party financial institutions or those participating in floor financing programs. Revenue associated with sales to dealers financed through either source is primarily recorded when all of the following conditions have been met:

 

  Ÿ  

an order for a product has been received;

 

  Ÿ  

a common carrier signs the delivery ticket accepting responsibility for the product; and

 

  Ÿ  

the product is removed from our property for delivery.

These conditions are generally met when title passes, which is when boats are shipped to dealers in accordance with shipping terms, which are primarily free on board shipping point.

Dealers generally have no rights to return unsold boats. From time to time, however, we may accept returns in limited circumstances and at our discretion under our warranty policy. We may be obligated to accept returns of unsold boats under our repurchase commitment to floor financing providers.

Revenue from boat part sales is recorded as the product is shipped from our location, which is a free on board shipping point. Revenue associated with sales of materials, parts, boats or engine products sold under our exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreement with our Australian licensee are recognized under free-on-board port of disembarkment terms, the point at which the risks of ownership and loss pass to the licensee. We also earn royalties from our Australian licensee, which are accrued on a monthly basis based on the licensee’s gross sales. Royalties earned are paid to us on a quarterly basis.

Rebates, Promotions, Floor Financing and Incentives

We provide for various structured dealer rebate and sales promotions incentives, which are recognized as a reduction in net sales, at the time of sale to the dealer. Examples of such programs include rebates, seasonal discounts, promotional co-op arrangements and other allowances. Dealer rebates and sales promotion expenses are estimated based on current programs and historical achievement and/or usage rates. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if dealer achievement or other items vary from historical trends. Free floor financing incentives are estimated at the time of sale to the dealer based on the expected expense to us over the term of the free flooring period and are recognized as a reduction in sales.

 

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Equity-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation, which includes profits interests granted to employees and directors pursuant to the LLC’s current limited liability company agreement in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” or ASC Topic 718. ASC Topic 718 requires that all stock-based compensation be recognized as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured at the grant date fair value of the award.

Repurchase Commitments

In connection with our dealers’ wholesale floor plan financing of boats, we have entered into repurchase agreements with various lending institutions. The repurchase commitment is on an individual unit basis with a term from the date it is financed by the lending institution through payment date by the dealer, generally not exceeding two and a half years. Such agreements are customary in the industry and our exposure to loss under such agreements is limited by the resale value of the inventory which is required to be repurchased. No units were repurchased for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 or the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013.

Product Warranties

We provide a limited warranty for a period of up to three years for our products. Our standard warranties require us or our dealers to repair or replace defective products during the warranty period at no cost to the consumer. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our basic limited warranty and records as a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary. We utilize historical trends and analytical tools to assist in determining the appropriate warranty liability.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial condition through adverse changes in financial market prices and rates and inflation. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in our results of operations and cash flows. In the ordinary course of business, we are primarily exposed to interest rate risks. We manage our exposure to these market risks through regular operating and financing activities. We have also attempted to reduce our market risks through hedging instruments such as interest rate swaps.

 

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BUSINESS

Our Company

We are a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of performance sport boats, having the #1 market share position in the United States since 2010. Our boats are used for water sports, including water skiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing, as well as general recreational boating. Since inception in 1982, we believe we have been a consistent innovator in the powerboat industry, designing products that appeal to an expanding range of recreational boaters and water sports enthusiasts whose passion for boating and water sports is a key aspect of their lifestyle. We believe many of our innovations, such as our proprietary Surf Gate technology launched in 2012, expand the market for our products by introducing consumers to new and exciting recreational activities. We believe that our boats are increasingly versatile, allowing consumers to use them for a wide range of activities that enhance the experience of a day on the water with family and friends. We believe that the performance, quality, value and multi-purpose features of our boats position us to achieve our goal of increasing our market share in the expanding recreational boating market.

We sell our high performance boats under two brands—Malibu and Axis. Our flagship Malibu brand boats offer our latest innovations in performance, comfort and convenience, and are designed for consumers seeking a premium boating experience. Retail prices of our Malibu boats typically range from $55,000 to $120,000. We launched our Axis brand of boats in 2009 to appeal to consumers who desire a more affordable product but still demand high performance, functional simplicity and the option to upgrade key features. Retail prices of our Axis boats typically range from $40,000 to $75,000.

All of our boats are built and tested at our corporate headquarters near Knoxville, Tennessee. Our boats are constructed of fiberglass, equipped with inboard propulsion systems and available in a range of sizes and hull designs. We employ experienced product development and engineering teams that enable us to offer a range of models across each of our brands while consistently introducing innovative features in our product offerings. Our engineering team closely collaborates with our manufacturing personnel in order to improve product quality and process efficiencies. The results of this collaboration are reflected in our achievement of higher margins than those of any public company in the powerboat industry and receipt of numerous industry awards, including the Watersports Industry Association’s Innovation of the Year in 2010 and 2013.

We sell our boats through a dealer network that we believe is the strongest in the performance sport boat category. As of September 30, 2013, our distribution channel consisted of 116 independent dealers in North America operating 139 locations in North America and 49 independent dealer locations across 36 countries outside of North America. Our boats are the exclusive performance sport boats offered by the majority of our dealers. Additionally, we have an exclusive licensee in Australia that we believe is the largest performance sport boat manufacturer in that country. Our dealer base is an important part of our consumers’ experience, our marketing efforts and our brands. We devote significant time and resources to find, develop and improve the performance of our dealers and believe our dealer network gives us a distinct competitive advantage.

We have experienced significant growth in net sales and profitability over the last several years. For fiscal year 2013, net sales and adjusted EBITDA were $167.0 million and $31.8 million, respectively, reflecting CAGRs of 29.2% and 100.3%, respectively, over the period since fiscal year 2011. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our net sales and adjusted EBITDA were $43.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively, an increase of 30.6% and 48.4%, respectively, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.

 

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Our Market Opportunity

During 2012, retail sales of new powerboats in the United States totaled $5.8 billion. Of the powerboat categories defined and tracked by the NMMA, our core market corresponds most directly to the inboard ski/wakeboard category, which we refer to as the performance sport boat category. We believe our addressable market also includes similar and adjacent powerboat categories identified by the NMMA, which totaled over $4 billion of sales in 2012. The following table illustrates the size of our addressable market in units and retail sales for 2012:

 

Powerboat Category

   Unit Sales      Retail Sales  
     (Dollars in millions)  

Outboard

     128,800       $ 2,626   

Sterndrive

     16,500         883   

Performance sport boat

     5,500         375   

Jet boat

     4,500         160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total addressable market

     155,300       $ 4,044   

We believe we are well-positioned to benefit from several trends underway in our addressable market, including:

Improving Macroeconomic Environment Driving Increased Consumer Demand for Boats . Following the economic downturn, the recreational boating industry has grown and is projected to continue to recover. While domestic sales of new performance sport boats in 2012 grew to approximately 5,500 units, they remained 58% below the category’s 2006 sales volume of 13,100. IBISWorld projects that total U.S. powerboat manufacturer sales will grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2012 to 2017. While there is no guarantee that these projected growth rates will be achieved in the future, we believe the recreational boating industry has significant opportunity for growth from increased consumer demand and will continue to benefit from improved economic conditions.

Improved Dealer Inventory Positions . Boat manufacturers in our addressable market and industry-wide have been focused on clearing aged inventory from the retail channel over the past few years, driving the current inventory of new boats that are over a year old at dealerships to normalized and healthy levels. If retail sales levels continue to improve, we expect our dealers to place more wholesale orders from us in order to meet this demand. Lower dealer inventory positions also mitigate the potential effects of a decline in retail sales on wholesale volumes.

Increasing Ages of Used Boats Driving New Boat Sales . In 2012, new powerboats accounted for approximately one out of six powerboat sales in the United States compared to an average of approximately one out of four between 2002 and 2008. We believe the shift toward purchasing more used boats during the economic downturn helped cause the average age of powerboats in use to increase from 15 years in 1997 to over 20 years today. As the powerboat industry continues its ongoing recovery and older boats reach the end of their usable lives, we expect consumer purchases of new boats to shift back toward historic levels benefiting new boat manufacturers.

 

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Our Strengths

#1 Market Share Position in Performance Sport Boat Category. We held the number one market share position in the United States among manufacturers of performance sport boats for 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We have grown our U.S. market share from 23.2% in 2008, the year prior to the arrival of our current Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to 30.6% in 2012. The following table reflects our U.S. market share in the performance sport boat category compared to the market share of our competitors for the periods shown:

 

Manufacturer/Brand(s)

   U.S. Market Share in Performance Sport Boat  Category  
           2008                     2012             Nine Months  Ended
September 30, 2013
 

Malibu Boats/Malibu and Axis

     23.2     30.6     32.9

MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC/MasterCraft

     23.8        21.7        19.7   

Correct Craft, Inc./Nautique

     15.2        14.5        15.5   

Skier’s Choice, Inc./Supra and Moomba

     16.5        14.7        12.9   

All others

     21.3        18.5        19.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0

In addition, our 40.1% market share of performance sport boat exports to international markets in the 12 months ended September 30, 2013 was the highest among U.S. manufacturers.

Performance Sport Boat Category Taking Share. As the recovery in the general economy and overall powerboat industry has continued, the performance sport boat category in which we participate has experienced one of the highest growth rates. New unit sales of performance sport boats in the United States increased by 13% from 2011 to 2012, while new unit sales of all other powerboats in the United States increased 10% over the same period. This trend continued in 2013, as new unit sales of performance sport boats and all other powerboats in the United States increased by 11% and 2%, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We believe this is largely attributable to increased innovation in the features, designs and layouts of performance sport boats, which has improved the performance, functionality and versatility of these boats versus other recreational powerboats, particularly the larger category of sterndrive boats. We believe that we have been at the forefront of product innovation and will continue to appeal to a broader consumer base that values our boats not only for water sports, but also for general recreational boating and leisure activities. We believe that our market-leading position within our expanding category will create continued growth opportunities for us.

 

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Poised to Take Advantage of the Performance Sport Boat Market Recovery. With our leading and growing market share in our category, we believe that we are well-positioned to take advantage of the ongoing recovery in the powerboat market. While the performance sport boat category grew 13% in 2012, new unit sales remained significantly below historical peaks. As illustrated in the chart below, the 5,500 new units sold in 2012 were 53% below the average annual new unit sales volume of 11,714 observed between 2001 and 2007 and 58% below the 13,100 new units sold in 2006. While there is no guarantee that the market will continue to grow or return to historical sales levels, we believe we are in the early stages of a recovery that presents significant opportunity for growth.

 

LOGO

Even if the performance sport boat market does not reach previous peak levels, we believe that our #1 market share position in a category that is growing faster than the overall powerboat industry, our investments in the Company during and subsequent to the economic downturn, and our innovative product offering should drive superior performance.

Industry-leading Product Design and Innovation. We believe that our innovation in the design of new boat models and new features has been a key to our success, helping us increase our market share within our category and generally broaden the appeal of our products among recreational boaters. As a result of the features we have introduced, we believe that our boats are used for an increasingly wide range of activities and are increasingly easier to use, while maintaining the high performance characteristics that consumers expect. Additionally, by introducing new boat models in a range of price points, sizes, bow and hull designs, and optional performance features, we have enhanced consumers’ ability to select a boat suited to their individual preferences. Our commitment to, and consistency in, developing new boat models and introducing new features are reflected in several notable achievements, including:

 

  Ÿ  

release of our patented Surf Gate technology in 2012, which allows users to surf on either side of the boat’s wake, generates a better quality surf wave and was the Watersports Industry Association’s Innovation of the Year in 2013;

 

  Ÿ  

launch of the Axis brand of boats in 2009, designed from the ground up to be an entry-level product, which has already captured a 6.0% share of the U.S. market in our category; and

 

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  Ÿ  

introduction of the patented Power Wedge in 2006, which gives boaters the ability to customize the size and shape of the boat’s wake with the push of a button.

Strong Dealer Network. We have worked diligently with our dealers to develop the strongest distribution network in the performance sport boat category. We believe that our distribution network of 139 North American dealer locations and 49 international dealer locations allows us to distribute our products more broadly and effectively than our competitors. For fiscal year 2013, our dealers held the #1 market share position for the performance sport boat category in 75 of 133 U.S. markets. We have nominal dealer concentration, with our largest dealer responsible for less than 6.0% of our unit volume and our top ten dealers representing 36.1% of our unit volume in fiscal year 2013. We continually review our geographic coverage to identify opportunities for expansion and improvement, and have added 33 new dealer locations in the past five years to address previously underserved markets. In addition, we have strengthened our dealer network by replacing 36 dealer locations in the past five years, 18 of which were converted from selling one of our competitor’s products.

Highly Recognized Brands . We believe our Malibu and Axis brands are widely recognized in the powerboat industry, which helps us reach a growing number of target consumers. For over 30 years, our Malibu brand has generated a loyal following of recreational boaters and water sports enthusiasts who value the brand’s premium performance and features. Our Axis brand has grown rapidly as consumers have been drawn to its more affordable price point and available optional features. We believe that the appeal of our high performance and innovative products with athletes and enthusiasts contributes to our brand awareness with dealers and with consumers. We are able to build on this brand recognition and support through a series of marketing initiatives coordinated with our dealers or executed directly by us. Many of our marketing efforts are conducted on a grass-roots level domestically and internationally. Key grass-roots initiatives include: production and distribution of water sports videos; online and social marketing; on-the-water events; athlete, tournament and water sport facility sponsorships; and participation and product placement at important industry events. Additionally, our boats, their innovative features, our sponsored athletes and our dealers all frequently win industry awards, which we believe further boosts our brand recognition and reputation for excellence. We believe our marketing strategies and accomplishments enhance our profile in the industry, strengthen our credibility with consumers and dealers and increase the appeal of our brands.

Compelling Margins and Cash Flow. Our margins are higher than those of any public company in the powerboat industry. In recent years, we have implemented a number of initiatives to reduce our cost base and improve the efficiency of our manufacturing process. Re-engineering the manufacturing process in our Tennessee facility has reduced labor hours per boat produced, and close collaboration between our product development and manufacturing teams has improved production throughput and product quality. Further, vertical integration of tower and tower accessory production has allowed us to increase incremental margin per boat sold. As a result of these and other initiatives, adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2013 grew 59.9% on net sales growth of 18.5%, as compared to fiscal year 2012. Our high margins, combined with our low capital expenditure requirements and a highly efficient working capital cycle, allow us to generate significant excess cash flow. We believe our strong cash flow increases our financial stability and provides us with more flexibility to invest in growth initiatives.

Highly Experienced Management Team. Our experienced management team has demonstrated its ability to identify, create and integrate new product innovations, improve financial performance, optimize operations, enhance our distribution model and recruit top industry talent. Our Chief Executive Officer, Jack Springer, joined Malibu Boats in 2009 and has assembled an executive team with strong, complementary talents and experience. This team has

 

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led a workforce that we believe has produced superior results, including market share gains, sales growth and profitability improvement in each year since 2009.

Our Strategy

We intend to capitalize on the ongoing recovery in the powerboat market through the following strategies:

Continue to Develop New and Innovative Products in Our Core Markets. We intend to continue developing and introducing new and innovative products—both new boat models to better address a broader range of consumers and new features to deliver better performance, functionality, convenience, comfort and safety to our consumers. We believe that new products and features are important to the growth of our market share, the continued expansion of our category and our ability to maintain attractive margins.

Our product development strategy consists of a two-pronged approach. First, we seek to introduce new boat models to target unaddressed or underserved segments of the performance sport boat category, while also updating and refreshing our existing boat models regularly. For example, we introduced Axis-branded boats starting in 2009 to address the entry-level segment of our category, and we launched the Malibu Wakesetter MXZ product line in 2012 to enter the premium “picklefork” bow design segment of our market. Second, we seek to develop and integrate innovative new features into our boats, such as Surf Gate, Malibu Touch Command and Power Wedge. We intend to continue releasing new products and features multiple times during the year, which we believe enhances our reputation as a leading-edge boat manufacturer and provides us with a competitive advantage.

Capture Additional Share from Adjacent Boating Categories. Our culture of innovation has enabled us to expand the market for our products by attracting consumers from other categories, most notably from the sterndrive category. We intend to continue to enhance the performance, comfort and versatility of our products in order to further target crossover consumers seeking high-performance powerboats for general recreational activity. For example, we believe that one of our newest boat models, the Wakesetter 24MXZ, appeals to a broader range of recreational boaters by offering the performance benefits of our products, including superior drivability and water sports versatility, while also providing greater seating capacity, a roomy, plush interior and extensive storage space to allow an increased number of family and friends to spend time together on the water.

Further Strengthen Our Dealer Network. Our goal is to achieve and maintain leading market share in each of the markets in which we operate. We continually assess our distribution network and take the actions necessary to achieve our goal. We intend to strengthen our current footprint by selectively recruiting market-leading dealers who currently sell our competitors’ products. In addition, we plan to continue expanding our dealer network in certain geographic areas to increase consumer access and service in markets where it makes strategic sense. In the past five years, we have added 33 new dealer locations in the United States and Canada to provide incremental geographic coverage. We believe our targeted initiatives to enhance and grow our dealer network will increase unit sales in the future.

Accelerate International Expansion. Based on our U.S. leadership position, brand recognition, diverse, innovative product offering and distribution strengths, we believe that we are well-positioned to increase our international sales. Our 40.1% market share of performance sport boat exports to international markets in the 12 months ended September 30, 2013 was the highest among U.S. manufacturers. Our unit sales outside of North America, however, represented less

 

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than 5.0% of our total sales volume in fiscal year 2013. We believe we will increase our international sales both by promoting our products in developed markets where we have a well-established dealer base, such as Western Europe, and by penetrating new and emerging markets where we expect rising consumer incomes to increase demand for recreational products, such as Asia and South America.

We have taken a number of steps to enhance our international presence and our ability to drive sales in developed and emerging markets. Over the past three fiscal years, we added eight new international dealers, bringing our total number of dealer locations to 49 outside of North America. Historically, the majority of our boats have been distributed to international markets through third parties. In 2013, we restructured our agreements with those parties to provide for direct sales coverage of key markets, including Central America, South America, Asia (excluding the Middle East) and most of Africa. In Australia, we work closely with a licensed manufacturer to maintain and grow what we believe is our leading market share position while also pursuing opportunities to improve our unit economics. To better manage and optimize international sales, we have added dedicated company resources and increased our sales and marketing activity, including international dealer meetings, dealer service schools, regional marketing campaigns and promotional visits by water sport athletes.

Our Products and Brands

We design, manufacture and sell performance sport boats that we believe deliver superior performance for water sports, including wakeboarding, water skiing and wake surfing, as well as general recreational boating. We market our boats under two brands:

 

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Malibu , our flagship brand, dates to our inception in 1982, primarily targeting consumers seeking a premium boating experience and offering our latest innovations in performance, comfort and convenience; and

 

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Axis , which we launched as a new brand in 2009, targets a younger demographic and provides them with a more affordably priced, entry-level boat that provides high performance, functional simplicity and the option to upgrade key features.

In addition, we offer various accessories and aftermarket parts.

Boat Models

We believe our boats are renowned for their performance, design, innovative technology, quality and ability to provide consumers a high-quality boating experience at varying price points. We currently offer a number of performance sport boat models across our two brands, which provide consumers with a variety of options across length, hull type, bow type, horsepower and seating capacity in addition to customizable designs and features available for upgrade across our models. The following table provides an overview of our most popular product offerings by brand:

 

Brand

  Series   Number of
Models
  Lengths   Hull Types   Bow Types   Maximum
Power
  Maximum
Capacity
(persons)
  Retail  Price
Range

(In thousands)
 

Malibu

  Wakesetter   7   20’-25’   Wake,

Cut Diamond,

Diamond

  Traditional,

Picklefork

  555 hp   13-18     $55-$120   

Malibu

  Response   3   20’-21’   Cut Diamond   Traditional   450 hp   8-9     $35-$70   

Axis

  Axis   4   20’-24’   Wake   Picklefork   450 hp   11-17     $40-$75   

 

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  Ÿ  

Malibu Wakesetter. Introduced in 1998, the Wakesetter series is our premium boat series and the top selling series within the performance sport boat category. The Wakesetter series is designed for consumers seeking the highest-performance water sport and boating experience. Wakesetter offers consumers a highly-customizable boat with our most innovative technologies, premium features, newest graphics, color options and interior finishes. Demonstrating Wakesetter’s industry-leading performance and market position, the Wakesetter 23 LSV model was the best-selling boat in the performance sport boat category for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 and the Wakesetter 22 MXZ model was the official performance sport boat of the 2013 Red Bull Wake Open.

 

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Malibu Response . The Response series, created in 1995, was designed for consumers who desire a high-performance water ski boat. Primarily because of its direct drive engine setup, the Response series produces the smallest wake of any of our boats and is designed to accommodate both professional and recreational skiers by allowing for a range of speeds and line lengths. Demonstrating Response’s reputation for high-performance and quality, the Response TXI model is the boat of choice for Regina Jaquess, the holder of the women’s slalom world record.

 

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Axis . After the continued success with our Wakesetter series, we identified a market opportunity in entry-level performance sport boats and, in 2009, launched our Axis brand. We designed Axis for consumers who desire a lower price point, but who still demand high performance, functional simplicity and the option to upgrade their boats to have key features such as Surf Gate. The Axis series currently has four available models and we plan to refine these models continually as well as add new ones as we build out the brand. We believe the Axis series successfully provides consumers with a high quality water sport and boating experience at an attractive price, as evidenced by its #6 market position in the performance sport boat category after only four years on the market.

Innovative Features

In addition to the standard features included on all of our boats, we offer consumers the ability to upgrade our base models by adding certain of our full line of innovative features designed to enhance performance, functionality and the overall boating experience. Our innovative features drive our high average selling prices. Some of these include:

 

  Ÿ  

Surf Gate . Introduced in July 2012 and initially patented in September 2013, Surf Gate is available as an optional feature on all Malibu Wakesetter models and Axis brand boats. Surf Gate has revolutionized the increasingly popular sport of wake surfing. Prior to Surf Gate, boaters needed to empty ballast tanks on one side of the boat and shift passengers around to lean the boat to create a larger, more pronounced surf-quality wake. By employing precisely engineered and electronically controlled panels, Surf Gate alleviates this time-consuming and cumbersome process, allowing boaters to easily surf behind an evenly weighted boat without the need to wait for ballast changes. Recent enhancements to Surf Gate have improved upon the system’s actuators, allowing for easier and faster transfer, as well as the installation of an indicator horn and optional light signaling, which alert riders to wave transfers. In 2013, the Watersports Industry Association named Surf Gate as Innovation of the Year.

 

  Ÿ  

Manual Wedge/Power Wedge . Our patented Manual Wedge and Power Wedge allow riders to customize their wakes by simulating up to 1,200 pounds of ballast weight in the transom of their boats. Used in conjunction with Surf Gate, wake surfers are able to customize the size and shape of the wave. The Manual Wedge is available on all Malibu and Axis brand

 

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boats. Unlike our Manual Wedge, the Power Wedge, available exclusively on our Malibu line, is fully automated and integrated within the Malibu Touch Command system, increasing functionality and ease-of-use for the driver.

 

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G3 Tower. Our G3 Towers, available on Malibu brand boats, are fully customizable with speakers, power lights and racks, enhancing the overall style, performance and functionality of our boats. Our G3 Tower can easily be folded down by one person with its weightless, gas spring-assisted design, making the G3 Tower safe and easy to store. We are the only manufacturer of performance sport boats that produces towers in-house, allowing us to control this critical design element of our boats.

 

  Ÿ  

Electronic Dashboard Controls . Every boat in our Wakesetter series is equipped with our MaliView and Malibu Touch Command systems, which function as an electronic command center that enhances the driver’s experience by providing simple and quick control of all systems on board, including the Power Wedge and Surf Gate systems, rider presets, music, lighting and navigation.

We also offer an array of less technological, but nonetheless value-added boat features such as gelcoat upgrades, upholstery upgrades, engine drivetrain enhancements (such as silent exhaust tips, propeller upgrades and closed cooling engine configuration), sound system upgrades, Bimini tops, boat covers and trailers which further increase the level of customization afforded to consumers.

Our Dealer Network

We rely on independent dealers to sell our products. We establish performance criteria that our dealers must meet as part of their dealer agreements to ensure our dealer network remains the strongest in the industry. As a member of our network, dealers in North America may qualify for floor plan financing programs, rebates, seasonal discounts, promotional co-op payments and other allowances. We believe our dealer network is the most extensive in the performance sport boat category. The majority of our dealers, including eight in our top ten markets, are exclusive to Malibu and Axis brand boats within the performance sport boat category, highlighting the commitment of our key dealers to our boats.

North America

In North America, we had a total of 139 dealer locations as of September 30, 2013. Of these locations, 16% sell our products exclusively, 60% are multi-line locations that only carry non-competitive brands and products and 24% sell our brands as well as other performance sport boat brands. Approximately 35% of our dealer locations have been with us for over ten years. For fiscal year 2013, our dealers held the #1 market share position for the performance sport boat category in 75 of 133 U.S. markets.

We consistently review our distribution network to identify opportunities to expand our geographic footprint and improve our coverage of the market. Over the past five years, we have added 33 new dealer locations to serve previously underserved markets in North America, and these new dealers have sold over 475 additional units over the last five fiscal years. In addition, we have strengthened our dealer network by replacing 36 dealer locations in the past five years, 18 of which were converted from selling one of our competitor’s products. We believe our outstanding dealer network allows us to distribute our products more efficiently than our competitors.

We do not have a significant concentration of sales among our dealers. For fiscal year 2013, our top ten dealers accounted for 36.1% of our units sold and none of our dealers accounted for more than 6.0% of our total sales volume.

 

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We believe that our strong market position in each region of the United States will help us capitalize on growth opportunities as our industry continues to recover from the economic downturn. In particular, we expect to generate continued growth in the southwestern United States (which includes California), a region that experienced the most pronounced decline in sales of new performance sport boats and where we have our highest regional market share. The following graph provides a comparison of the number of units sold by U.S. geographic region during fiscal year 2006, when the market was generally at its pre-recession peak, and fiscal year 2013, as well as our U.S. market share in the performance sport boat category for fiscal year 2013:

 

LOGO

International

Less than 5.0% of our unit volume for fiscal year 2013 was generated outside of North America. For these international sales, we rely in part on our relationship with an independent representative, which is responsible for dealer arrangements in Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. We have had a relationship with this independent representative for over 17 years and offer the representative a discount based on the sale of eligible products. In 2013, we restructured our agreement with this representative and our Australian licensee to allow for direct coverage by us of Central America, South America and most of Asia and Africa. In Europe, we had a total of 31 independent dealer locations in 20 countries as of September 30, 2013. In Asia, 12 independent dealer locations marketed our boats in 11 countries as of September 30, 2013. In the rest of the world (other than Australia), we engaged six independent dealer locations in five countries as of September 30, 2013. In Australia, as discussed below, we have a direct relationship with a licensee.

Australia License

Our Malibu and Axis lines have been manufactured and sold in Australia by an exclusive licensee, Malibu Boats Pty Ltd, since 1995. This licensing arrangement has contributed significantly to our large market share in the Australian market, where we believe our brands outsold our most significant competitors at a three-to-one ratio during the 12 months ended September 30, 2013.

 

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We entered into an Exclusive Manufacture and Distribution Agreement with Malibu Boats Pty Ltd. in 2006, as subsequently amended. The agreement has a term of 15 years, with a 15-year automatic renewal period, and is generally terminable for cause with 30 days’ prior notice. Pursuant to the agreement, Malibu Boats Pty Ltd has the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute Malibu and Axis products and spare parts in Australia and New Zealand. We sell to Malibu Boats Pty Ltd certain materials that it requires to manufacture Malibu and Axis products and we also sell complete boats for resale in the covered territory. Further, we have granted a license to Malibu Boats Pty Ltd to display our trademarks and brand names on the products it manufactures under the agreement. We also provide Malibu Boats Pty Ltd with certain marketing assistance. On a quarterly basis, we receive royalties on the gross revenue from the sale of Malibu and Axis products sold by Malibu Boats Pty Ltd. Pursuant to the agreement, Malibu Boats Pty Ltd agrees to, among other things:

 

  Ÿ  

refrain from selling or distributing any of our competitors’ products;

 

  Ÿ  

maintain design and quality control standards prescribed by us;

 

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promote and demonstrate Malibu and Axis products to consumers; and

 

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indemnify us for certain claims.

Dealer Management

Our relationship with our dealers is governed through dealer agreements. Each dealer agreement has a finite term lasting between one and three years. Our dealer agreements also are typically terminable without cause by the dealer at any time and by us with 90 days’ prior notice. We may also generally terminate these agreements immediately for cause upon certain events. Pursuant to our dealer agreements, the dealers typically agree to, among other things:

 

  Ÿ  

represent our products at specified boat shows;

 

  Ÿ  

market our products only to retail end users in a specific geographic territory;

 

  Ÿ  

promote and demonstrate our products to consumers;

 

  Ÿ  

place a specified minimum number of orders of our products during the term of the agreement in exchange for rebate eligibility that varies according to the level of volume they commit to purchase;

 

  Ÿ  

provide us with regular updates regarding the number and type of our products in their inventory;

 

  Ÿ  

maintain a service department to service our products, and perform all appropriate warranty service and repairs; and

 

  Ÿ  

indemnify us for certain claims.

Our dealer network, including all additions, renewals, non-renewals or terminations, is managed by our sales personnel. Our sales team operates using a semi-annual dealer review process involving our senior management team. Each individual dealer is reviewed semi-annually with a broad assessment across multiple key elements, including the dealer’s geographic region, market share and customer service ratings, to identify underperforming dealers for remediation and to manage the transition process when non-renewal or termination is a necessary step.

 

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We have developed a system of financial incentives for our dealers based on customer satisfaction and achievement of best practices. Our dealer incentive program has been refined through nearly 30 years of experience and provides the following key elements:

 

  Ÿ  

Rebates . Our dealers agree to an annual commitment volume that places each dealer into a certain rebate tier and determines its prospective rebate percentage. If a dealer meets its annual commitment volume as well as other terms of the rebate program, the dealer is entitled to the specified rebate. Failure to meet the commitment volume may result in partial or complete forfeiture of the dealer’s rebate.

 

  Ÿ  

Co-op . Dealers of the Malibu product line may earn certain co-op reimbursements upon reaching a specified level of qualifying expenditures.

 

  Ÿ  

Free flooring . Our dealers that take delivery of current model year boats in the offseason, typically July through April, are entitled to have us pay the interest to floor the boat until the earlier of (1) the sale of the unit or (2) a date near the end of the current model year. This program is an additional incentive to encourage dealers to order in the offseason and helps us balance our seasonal production.

Our dealer incentive programs are also structured to promote more evenly distributed ordering throughout the fiscal year, which allows us to achieve better level-loading of our production and thereby generate plant operating efficiencies. In addition, these programs offer further rewards for dealers who are exclusive to Malibu and Axis in our performance sport boat category.

Floor Plan Financing

Our North American dealers often purchase boats through floor plan financing programs with third-party floor plan financing providers. During fiscal year 2013, approximately 80% of our domestic shipments were made pursuant to floor plan financing programs through which our dealers participate. These programs allow dealers to establish lines of credit with third-party lenders to purchase inventory. Under these programs, a dealer draws on the floor plan facility upon the purchase of our boats and the lender pays the invoice price of the boats. As is typical in our industry, we have entered into repurchase agreements with certain floor plan financing providers to our dealers. Under the terms of these arrangements, in the event a lender repossesses a boat from a dealer that has defaulted on its floor financing arrangement and is able to deliver the repossessed boat to us, we are obligated to repurchase the boat from the lender. Our obligation to repurchase such repossessed products for the unpaid balance of our original invoice price for the boat is subject to reduction or limitation based on the age and condition of the boat at the time of repurchase, and in certain cases by an aggregate cap on repurchase obligations associated with a particular floor financing program.

Our exposure under repurchase agreements with third-party lenders is mitigated by our ability to reposition inventory with a new dealer in the event that a repurchase event occurs. The primary cost to us of a repurchase event is any loss on the resale of a repurchased unit, which is often less than 10.0% of the repurchase amount. Since July 1, 2010, we have repurchased zero units under repurchase agreements.

Marketing and Sales

As of September 30, 2013, we employed seven specialized and dedicated sales professionals. We believe that providing a high level of service to our dealers and end consumers is essential to maintaining our excellent reputation. Our sales personnel receive training on the latest Malibu

 

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Boats products and technologies, as well as training on our competitors’ products and technologies, and attend trade shows to increase their market knowledge. This training is then passed along to our dealers to ensure a consistent marketing message and leverage our marketing expenditures. We enjoy strong brand awareness, as evidenced by our substantial market share.

Our marketing strategy focuses on strengthening and promoting the Malibu and Axis brands in the recreational boating marketplace. An important element of our marketing strategy involves specialized promotions at competitive water sports events, and individual and team sponsorships. Our leading position in the performance sport boat category is supported by our sponsorship of some of the most prestigious water sports competitions, including the Red Bull Wake Open, Malibu Open and World Wakeboard Association Riders Experience, which we believe positively influences the purchasing habits of enthusiasts and other consumers seeking high-performance products. These events feature the most popular figures in water sports, drawing large audiences of enthusiasts to a variety of sites around the country. Further, we sponsor a team of elite male and female athletes from the professional water sports tours. Team Malibu includes legendary wakeboarders such as Phil Soven, named “King of Wake” at the 2013 Surf Expo, Dallas Friday, winner of the 2004 ESPY for “Best Female Action Sports Athlete,” Raph Derome, winner of WakeWorld.com’s “Rail Rider of the Year” for 2013, and Amber Wing, winner of TransWorld’s “Best Women’s Rider” for 2013. We believe that the performance of our products has been demonstrated by, and our brands benefit from, the success of professional athletes who use our products.

In addition to our website and traditional marketing channels, such as print advertising and tradeshows, we maintain an active digital advertising and social media platform, including use of Facebook and Twitter to increase brand awareness, foster loyalty and build a community of users. In addition, we benefit from the various Malibu and Axis user-generated videos and photos that are uploaded to websites including YouTube, Vimeo and Instagram. As strategies and marketing plans are developed for our products, our internal marketing and communications group works to ensure brand cohesion and consistency. We believe that our marketing initiatives, as well as our strategic focus on product innovation, performance and quality attracts aspiring and enthusiast consumers to our brands and products.

Product Development and Engineering

We are strategically and financially committed to innovation, as reflected in our dedicated product development and engineering group and evidenced by our track record of new product introduction. Our product development and engineering group spans both our Tennessee headquarters and our California facility and comprises 11 professionals. These individuals bring to our product development efforts significant expertise across core disciplines, including boat design, computer-aided design, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. They are responsible for execution of all facets of our new product strategy, including designing new and refreshed boat models and new features, engineering these designs for manufacturing and integrating new features into our boats. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer are actively involved in the product development process and integration into manufacturing.

We take a disciplined approach to the management of our product development strategy. We use a formalized phase gate process, overseen by a dedicated project manager, to develop, evaluate and implement new product ideas for both boat models and innovative features. Application of the phase gate process requires management to establish an overall timeline that is sub-divided into milestones, or “gates,” for product development. Setting milestones at certain intervals in the product development process ensures that each phase of development occurs in an organized manner and enables management to become aware of and address any issues in timely fashion,

 

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which facilitates on-time, on-target release of new products with expected return on investment. Extensive testing and coordination with our manufacturing group are important elements of our product development process, which we believe enable us to minimize the risk associated with the release of new products. Our phase gate process also facilitates our introduction of new boat models and features throughout the year, which we believe provides us with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Finally, in addition to our process for managing new product introductions in a given fiscal year, we also engage in longer-term product lifecycle and product portfolio planning.

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing efforts are led by our Chief Operating Officer, who brings 30 years of experience in the manufacture of performance sport boats, supported by a workforce of 365 employees as of September 30, 2013. We manufacture all of our boats at our Tennessee facility, and we manufacture towers, tower accessories and stainless steel and aluminum billet at our California facility.

Our boats are built through a continuous flow manufacturing process that encompasses fabrication, assembly, quality management and testing. Each boat is produced over a seven-day cycle that includes the fabrication of the hull and deck through gelcoat application and fiberglass lamination, grinding and hole cutting, installation of components, rigging, finishing, detailing and on-the-water testing. We manufacture certain components and subassemblies for our boats, such as upholstery, stainless steel and aluminum billet and towers. We procure other components, such as engines and electronic controls, from third-party vendors and install them on the boat.

We acquired our tower and tower accessory manufacturing capability in 2009 through the acquisition of certain assets of Titan Wake Accessories, which had been one of our suppliers. Tower-related manufacturing occurs in our Merced-based machine shop, where we use multiple computer-controlled machines to cut all of the aluminum parts required for tower assembly. We are the only performance sport boat company that manufacturers towers in-house. We believe that the vertical integration of these components is a distinct competitive advantage that allows us to control key design elements of our boats and generate higher margins.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our operations, and our efforts in this regard have resulted in higher gross margins. Specifically, we have increased labor efficiency, reduced cost of materials and reduced warranty claims. Our production engineers evaluate and seek to optimize the configuration of our production line given our production volumes and model mix. We use disciplined mold maintenance procedures to maintain the usable life of our molds and to reduce surface defects that would require rework. We have instituted scrap material reduction and recovery processes, both internally and with our supplier base, helping to manage our material costs. Finally, we have implemented a quality management system to ensure that proper procedures and control measures are in place to deliver consistent, high-quality product, especially as our production volumes have increased.

We focus on worker safety in our operations. From July 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013, we recorded 762,094 consecutive man-hours without a lost-time accident in our Tennessee facility, an accomplishment that has reduced workers’ compensation claims and warranty costs, as our most experienced employees continue to remain on the job.

Suppliers

We purchase a wide variety of raw materials from our supplier base, including resins, fiberglass, hydrocarbon feedstocks and steel, as well as product parts and components, such as engines and electronic controls, through a sales order process.

 

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We belong to Independent Boat Buildings, Inc., or IBBI, a 22-member marine purchasing cooperative and sit on its board of directors. Membership in IBBI is limited to top-tier manufacturers and is not only helpful for procuring materials, but also helps us stay abreast of technological developments and industry best practices. Although we purchase certain supplies, such as fiberglass and resins, through the IBBI cooperative agreement, we maintain informal arrangements with third-party suppliers outside of the IBBI agreement for other raw materials and components, which we believe ensures that our boats are constructed using the best available components and raw materials.

We have not experienced any material shortages in any of our raw materials, product parts or components. Temporary shortages, when they do occur, usually involve manufacturers of these products adjusting model mixes, introducing new product lines or limiting production in response to an industry-wide reduction in boat demand.

The most significant component used in manufacturing our boats, based on cost, are engines. We maintain a strong and long-standing relationship with our primary supplier of engines, and we have also developed a relationship with a second supplier from whom we expect to source approximately 10% of our engines for fiscal year 2014. As is typical in our industry, our engine suppliers are marinizers of engines that they procure from larger engine block manufacturers, such as General Motors Corporation.

Insurance and Product Warranties

We carry various insurance policies, including policies to cover general products liability, workers’ compensation and other casualty and property risks, to protect against certain risks of loss consistent with the exposures associated with the nature and scope of our operations. Our policies are generally based on our safety record as well as market trends in the insurance industry and are subject to certain deductibles, limits and policy terms and conditions.

We provide limited product warranties, generally covering periods from 12 to 36 months for Malibu brand boats and 12 to 24 months for Axis brand boats. During the warranty period, we reimburse dealers and Malibu Boats authorized service facilities for all or a portion of the cost of repair or replacement performed on the products (mainly composed of parts or accessories provided by us and labor costs incurred by dealers or Malibu Boats authorized service facilities). Some materials, components or parts of the boat that are not covered by our limited product warranties are separately warranted by their manufacturers or suppliers. These other warranties include warranties covering engines and trailers, among other components.

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of patent, trademark and copyright protection, trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our rights in our brand, products and proprietary technology. This is an important part of our business and we intend to continue protecting our intellectual property. We currently hold 13 U.S. patents, with two additional patents in Canada and Australia, and have seven patents pending (12 patent applications are pending in various countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe).

We own 26 registered trademarks in various countries around the world, and we have made applications for four additional registrations. Such trademarks may endure in perpetuity on a country-by-country basis, provided that we comply with all statutory maintenance requirements, including continued use of each trademark in each such country. We currently do not own any registered copyrights.

 

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Competition

The powerboat industry, including the performance sport boat category, is highly competitive for consumers and dealers. Competition affects our ability to succeed in the markets we currently serve and new markets that we may enter in the future. We compete with several large manufacturers that may have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. We compete with large manufacturers who are represented by dealers in the markets in which we now operate and into which we plan to expand. We also compete with a wide variety of small, independent manufacturers. Competition in our industry is based primarily on brand name, price and product performance. For more information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our industry is characterized by intense competition, which affects our sales and profits.”

Environmental, Safety and Regulatory Matters

Certain materials used in our manufacturing, including the resins used in production of our boats, are toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive and are classified by the federal and state governments as “hazardous materials.” Control of these substances is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, and state pollution control agencies. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, standards limit the amount of emissions to which an employee may be exposed without the need for respiratory protection or upgraded plant ventilation. Our facilities are regularly inspected by OSHA and by state and local inspection agencies and departments. We believe that our facilities comply in all material aspects with these regulations. Although capital expenditures related to compliance with environmental laws are expected to increase, we do not currently anticipate any material expenditure will be required to continue to comply with existing environmental or safety regulations in connection with our existing manufacturing facilities.

Powerboats sold in the United States must be manufactured to meet the standards of certification required by the United States Coast Guard. In addition, boats manufactured for sale in the European Community must be certified to meet the European Community’s imported manufactured products standards. These certifications specify standards for the design and construction of powerboats. We believe that all of our boats meet these standards. In addition, safety of recreational boats is subject to federal regulation under the Boat Safety Act of 1971, which requires boat manufacturers to recall products for replacement of parts or components that have demonstrated defects affecting safety. We have instituted recalls for defective component parts produced by certain of our third-party suppliers. None of the recalls has had a material adverse effect on our Company.

The EPA has adopted regulations stipulating that many marine propulsion engines meet an air emission standard that requires fitting a catalytic converter to the engine. These regulations also require, among other things, that engine manufacturers provide a warranty that their engines meet EPA emission standards. The engines used in our products are subject to these regulations. This regulation has increased the cost to manufacture our products.

Employees

We believe we maintain excellent relations with our employees, treating them as business partners and focusing on building careers. As of September 30, 2013, more than 20% of our employees had been with us for ten or more years. As of September 30, 2013, we employed 408 people, 333 of whom work at our facilities in Tennessee, 68 of whom work at our California site and seven who work remotely. As of September 30, 2013, approximately 16% of our employees

 

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were salaried and 84% were hourly workers. None of our employees are represented by a labor union and, since our founding in 1982, we have never experienced a labor-related work stoppage. Since 2012, we have engaged an outside consultant to assist with employee training, in order to provide our employees a path for upward mobility and develop leadership skills applicable to their day-to-day responsibilities.

Facilities

Tennessee

Our boats are manufactured and tested on the lake at the site of our 144,000 square-foot primary manufacturing facility located in Loudon, Tennessee. Our primary facility is leased pursuant to a lease agreement that has a term through March 31, 2028, with the option to extend for three additional terms of ten years each. We also lease:

 

  Ÿ  

23,460 square feet of warehouse and office space located in Loudon pursuant to a lease agreement that has a term through December 31, 2014, with an additional renewal term of two years; and

 

  Ÿ  

approximately 20,000 square feet of warehouse space in Lenoir City, Tennessee pursuant to a lease agreement currently in effect for renewable two-month periods through July 31, 2014.

We also own 16.7 acres of land in Loudon, Tennessee that is available for future expansion of our operations.

California

We lease a 150,000 square-foot facility in Merced, California pursuant to a lease agreement that has a term through March 31, 2028, with the option to extend for three additional terms of ten years each. Our Merced site houses both our product development team that focus on design innovations as well as our tower and tower accessory manufacturing operations. The components assembled at this site are delivered to our facilities in Tennessee and our Australian partner.

Legal Proceedings

The nature of our business ordinarily results in a certain amount of claims, litigation and legal and administrative proceedings. Although we have developed policies and procedures to minimize the impact of legal noncompliance and other disputes, litigation and regulatory actions present an ongoing risk. Our insurance has deductibles and will likely not cover all litigation or other proceedings or the costs of defense. When and as we determine we have meritorious defenses to the claims asserted against us, we vigorously defend against such claims. We will consider settlement of claims when, in management’s judgment and in consultation with counsel, it is in the best interests of the Company to do so. Although we are not currently involved in any outstanding litigation that we believe, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, we cannot predict the outcome of any pending litigation, and an unfavorable outcome could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

On August 27, 2010, Pacific Coast Marine Windshields Ltd., or PCMW, filed suit against us and certain third parties, including Marine Hardware, Inc., a third-party supplier of windshields to us. PCMW was a significant supplier of windshields to us through 2008, when we sought an

 

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alternative vendor of windshields in response to defective product supplied by PCMW. PCMW’s latest amended complaint alleges, among other things, infringement of a design patent and two utility patents related to marine windshields, copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets. We denied any liability arising from the causes of action alleged by PCMW and filed a counter claim alleging PCMW’s infringement of one of our patents, conversion of two of the patents asserted against us, unfair competition and breach of contract. In December 2012, the court granted partial summary judgment in our favor, holding that we did not infringe the design patent asserted against us. While PCMW has appealed the court’s decision, it has dismissed all remaining claims against us, other than the claims of copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets. The remaining matters are stayed pending resolution of PCMW’s appeal. We believe that PCMW’s claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit at both the trial court and appellate levels.

On October 31, 2013, we filed suit against Nautique Boat Company, Inc., or Nautique, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee claiming infringement of two of our patents. These patents relate to our proprietary wake surfing technology. This lawsuit is a re-filing of a California patent infringement lawsuit against Nautique that we dismissed without prejudice on October 31, 2013. Nautique filed for declaratory judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, claiming that it has not infringed the patents involved in the suit. In this lawsuit, we allege that Nautique manufactured, used, promoted, offered for sale and sold boats with certain equipment in violation of our patent rights. We intend to vigorously pursue this litigation to enforce our rights in the patented technology.

 

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HISTORY AND FORMATION TRANSACTIONS

Company History

In 1982, a group of six friends who shared a common passion for waterskiing decided to start building custom ski boats in a small shop in Merced, California. Robert Alkema founded the Company and chose the Malibu Boats brand name. During our first year of operation, Malibu Boats built two boats per week using a single-hull design and each boat, with its blended gel coat design, had a distinct California flair. Only two years later, we were building over 400 boats per year. By 1988, the California plant was manufacturing at full capacity. To satisfy increased demand, we opened a second plant in Tennessee and by the end of 1988 were building almost 1,000 boats annually. That year also marked the year we received our first Product Excellence award from Powerboat magazine.

Growth continued throughout the early 1990s and, in 1992, we built a new production facility near Knoxville, Tennessee to accommodate increased demand east of the Mississippi. During that time, we became the first boat manufacturer to use computers in our initial boat designs and introduced a new, patented, fiberglass engine chassis system that eliminated vibration and noise associated with the drivetrain.

Water sports evolved in the late 1990s and wakeboarding quickly gained in popularity. To capitalize on this growing trend, we introduced the WakeSetter model and the wakeboarding-focused Manual Wedge feature, which created an enhanced, “rampy” wake without the need for ballast tanks.

In 1999, we sponsored The Malibu Open water ski championships, which quickly became a premier event for slalom, trick and jump waterskiing. Shortly thereafter, the Malibu Just Ride wakeboard series, the first wakeboard-specific event that did not include water skiing, kicked off in the United States in 2001.

By 2003, we had captured the leading market share position in the performance sport boat category.

In 2006, we were acquired by an investor group, including affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC, Horizon Holdings, LLC and then-current management. In 2008 and 2009, we, like almost every manufacturer in the marine industry, experienced significant volume declines as a result of the global recession. In the midst of the recession, in May 2009, Jack Springer took over as our interim Chief Executive Officer and became Chief Executive Officer in February 2010. Wayne Wilson became our Chief Financial Officer in November 2009. In 2011, Ritchie Anderson joined our senior management team as Vice President of Operations and was later named Chief Operating Officer. This highly talented team with complementary skill sets has been instrumental in leading our company out of the recession, achieving #1 market share and developing our strategies for continued growth.

Organizational Structure

Malibu Boats Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on November 1, 2013 to serve as a holding company that will hold an interest in Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC. The certificate of incorporation of Malibu Boats, Inc. authorizes two classes of common stock, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each having the terms described in “Description of Capital Stock.” In addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes shares of undesignated preferred stock, the rights, preferences and privileges of which may be designated from time to time by our

 

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board of directors. The board of directors of Malibu Boats, Inc. will include four affiliates of the LLC. We expect that, prior to closing of this offering, five additional directors who are independent under the corporate governance standards under the rules of Nasdaq and the Exchange Act will be appointed to the board of directors. For more information, see “Management—Executive Officers and Directors.”

Following this offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. will remain a holding company with a controlling equity interest in the LLC. Malibu Boats, Inc. will operate and control all of the business and affairs and will consolidate the financial results of the LLC. Prior to the closing of the offering, the limited liability company agreement of the LLC will be amended and restated to, among other things, modify its capital structure by replacing the different classes of interests currently held by our existing owners with a single new class of LLC Units. We and our existing owners will also enter into an exchange agreement under which (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement) they will have the right to exchange their LLC Units for shares of our Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. In addition, pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of the LLC, Malibu Boats, Inc., as managing member of the LLC, will have the right to require all members to exchange their LLC Units for Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the exchange agreement, subject to the consent of Black Canyon Management LLC and the holders of a majority of outstanding LLC Units other than those held by Malibu Boats, Inc.

 

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The following diagram depicts our organizational structure immediately following this offering and assumes all the shares offered hereby are sold, including the over-allotment:

 

LOGO

Recapitalization

Immediately prior to the offering, LLC Units will be allocated among our existing owners pursuant to the distribution provisions of the former limited liability company agreement of the LLC based upon the liquidation value of the LLC, assuming it was liquidated at the time of this offering with a value implied by the initial public offering price of the shares of Class A Common Stock sold in this offering. Immediately prior to the offering, there will be              LLC Units issued and outstanding.

We refer to the foregoing transactions as the “Recapitalization.”

 

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Holders of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common stock will have voting power over Malibu Boats, Inc., the sole managing member of the LLC, at a level that is consistent with their overall equity ownership of our business. In connection with the Recapitalization, Malibu Boats, Inc. will issue to each existing owner, for nominal consideration, one share of Class B Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc., each of which provides its owner with no economic rights but entitles the holder to one vote on matters presented to stockholders of Malibu Boats, Inc. for each LLC Unit held by such holder, as described in “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights.” Holders of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

We and the holders of LLC Units will enter into an exchange agreement under which, subject to the terms of the exchange agreement, they (or certain permitted transferees thereof) have the right to exchange their LLC Units for shares of our Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Exchange Agreement.”

Offering Transactions

At the time of this offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. intends to purchase newly-issued LLC Units from the LLC and outstanding LLC Units from our existing owners, in each case at a purchase price per unit equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A Common Stock in this offering. We will only purchase LLC Units from members of senior management, however, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock. We will not retain any of the proceeds used to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners. The LLC will bear or reimburse Malibu Boats, Inc. for all of the expenses of this offering, including the underwriters’ fees. See “Principal and Selling Stockholders” for information regarding the proceeds from this offering that will be paid to our named executive officers.

Further, immediately prior to the offering, two beneficial owners of LLC Units will merge with and into two newly-formed subsidiaries of Malibu Boats, Inc. As a result of these mergers, the sole stockholders of each of the two merging entities will receive shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for shares of capital stock of the merging entities. The two former sole stockholders of the merging entities will be selling stockholders in this offering.

As described above, we intend to use a portion of the proceeds from this offering to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners. In addition, the holders of LLC Units (other than Malibu Boats, Inc.) may (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement) exchange their LLC Units for shares of Class A Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. on a one-for-one basis, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. As a result of both the initial purchase of LLC Units from the existing owners and subsequent purchases or exchanges, Malibu Boats, Inc. will become entitled to a proportionate share of the existing tax basis of the assets of the LLC at such time. In addition, the initial purchase of LLC Units from the existing owners and subsequent purchases or exchanges are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the assets of the LLC that otherwise would not have been available. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amount of tax that Malibu Boats, Inc. would otherwise be required to pay in the future. These increases in tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets. We will enter into a tax receivable agreement with our existing owners that provides for the payment by Malibu Boats, Inc. to our existing owners of 85% of the amount of the benefits, if any, that Malibu Boats, Inc. is deemed to

 

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realize as a result of (1) increases in tax basis and (2) certain other tax benefits related to our entering into the tax receivable agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the tax receivable agreement. These payment obligations are obligations of Malibu Boats, Inc. and not of the LLC. We estimate that the tax basis of the assets of the LLC at the time of this offering will be $        . Of such tax basis,     % will be attributable to Malibu Boats, Inc. (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) and     % will be attributable to our existing owners (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders). For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.”

In connection with its acquisition of LLC Units, Malibu Boats, Inc. will become the sole managing member of the LLC and, through the LLC, operate our business. Accordingly, although Malibu Boats Inc. will initially have a     % economic interest in the LLC, Malibu Boats, Inc. will have 100% of the voting power and control the management of the LLC after the close of this offering. We refer to the foregoing transactions as the “Offering Transactions.” As a result of the Offering Transactions:

 

  Ÿ  

the investors in this offering will collectively own              shares of our Class A Common Stock (or              shares of Class A Common Stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders);

 

  Ÿ  

Malibu Boats, Inc. will hold              LLC Units (or              LLC Units if the underwriters exercise in full their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders), representing     % of the economic interest in the LLC (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders);

 

  Ÿ  

our existing owners will hold              LLC Units, representing     % of the economic interest in the LLC (or              LLC Units, representing     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders);

 

  Ÿ  

the investors in this offering will collectively have     % of the voting power in Malibu Boats, Inc. (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders); and

 

  Ÿ  

our existing owners, through their holdings of our Class B Common Stock, will collectively have     % of the voting power in Malibu Boats, Inc. (or     % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders).

Our post-offering organizational structure will allow our existing owners to retain their equity ownership in the LLC, an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the form of LLC Units. Investors in this offering will, by contrast, hold their equity ownership in Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation that is a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the form of shares of Class A Common Stock. We believe that our existing owners generally will find it advantageous to hold their equity interests in an entity that is not taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our existing owners, like Malibu Boats, Inc., will incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their proportionate share of any taxable income of the LLC.

 

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As noted above, prior to the closing of the offering, we will enter into an exchange agreement with our existing owners that entitles them to exchange their LLC Units for shares of our Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. The exchange agreement will provide, however, that such exchanges must be for a minimum of the lesser of 1,000 LLC Units or such lesser amount as we determine to be acceptable. The exchange agreement will also provide that an existing owner will not have the right to exchange LLC Units if Malibu Boats, Inc. determines that such exchange would be prohibited by law or regulation or would violate other agreements with Malibu Boats, Inc. to which the existing owner may be subject or any of our written policies. The exchange agreement will also provide that Malibu Boats, Inc. may impose additional restrictions on exchanges that it determines to be necessary or advisable so that the LLC is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of the LLC, Malibu Boats, Inc., as managing member of the LLC, will have the right to require all members to exchange their LLC Units for Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the exchange agreement, subject to the consent of Black Canyon Management LLC and the holders of a majority of outstanding LLC Units other than those held by Malibu Boats, Inc.

Our existing owners will also hold shares of Class B Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. Although these shares have no economic rights, they will allow our existing owners to exercise voting power over Malibu Boats, Inc., the managing member of the LLC, at a level that is consistent with their overall equity ownership of our business. Under the certificate of incorporation of Malibu Boats, Inc., each holder of Class B Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each LLC Unit held by such holders. Accordingly, as our existing owners sell LLC Units to us as part of the Offering Transactions or subsequently exchange LLC Units for shares of Class A Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. pursuant to the exchange agreement, the voting power afforded to them by their shares of Class B Common Stock is automatically and correspondingly reduced.

Holding Company Structure

Malibu Boats, Inc. will be a holding company with a controlling equity interest in the LLC. As the sole managing member of the LLC, Malibu Boats, Inc. will operate and control all of the business and affairs of the LLC and, through the LLC, conduct our business.

Malibu Boats, Inc. will consolidate the financial results of the LLC, and the ownership interest of the other members of the LLC will be reflected as a non-controlling interest in Malibu Boats, Inc.’s consolidated financial statements.

Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of the LLC, Malibu Boats, Inc. will have the right to determine when distributions will be made to the members of the LLC and the amount of any such distributions. If Malibu Boats, Inc. authorizes a distribution, such distribution will be made to the members of the LLC (including Malibu Boats, Inc.) pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective limited liability company interests.

The holders of LLC Units, including Malibu Boats, Inc., will incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their proportionate share of any taxable income of the LLC. Net profits and net losses of the LLC will generally be allocated to its members (including Malibu Boats, Inc.) pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective limited liability company interests. The limited liability company agreement will provide for cash distributions to the holders of LLC Units if Malibu Boats, Inc. determines that the taxable income of the LLC will give rise to taxable income for its members. In accordance with the limited liability company agreement, we intend to cause the LLC to make cash distributions to the holders of LLC Units for purposes of funding their tax

 

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obligations in respect of the income of the LLC that is allocated to them. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the taxable income of the LLC allocable to such holder of LLC Units multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in Los Angeles, California (taking into account the nondeductibility of certain expenses and the character of our income). For purposes of determining the taxable income of the LLC, such determination will be made by generally disregarding any adjustment to the taxable income of any member of the LLC that arises under the tax basis adjustment rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and is attributable to the acquisition by such member of an interest in the LLC in a sale or exchange transaction. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement.”

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers, Directors and Director Nominees

The following table sets forth certain information about our executive officers, directors and persons who are not yet directors but have been appointed and agreed to become directors immediately following the completion of this offering, whom we refer to as our director nominees:

 

Name

   Age   

Principal Position

Jack D. Springer

   52   

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Wayne R. Wilson

   33   

Chief Financial Officer

Ritchie L. Anderson

   48   

Chief Operating Officer

Dan L. Gasper

   51   

Vice President of Product Design

Deborah S. Kent

   49   

Vice President of Human Resources

Michael K. Hooks

   51   

Chairman of the Board and Director

Mark W. Lanigan

   53   

Director

Phillip S. Estes

   54   

Director

James R. Buch

   60   

Director Nominee

Ivar S. Chhina

   51   

Director Nominee

Michael J. Connolly

   48   

Director Nominee

Peter E. Murphy

   51   

Director Nominee

John E. Stokely

   61   

Director Nominee

There are no family relationships between or among any of our executive officers, directors or director nominees. Set forth below is additional information concerning our executive officers, directors and director nominees.

Jack D. Springer, Chief Executive Officer and Director . Mr. Springer was our interim Chief Executive Officer beginning in May 2009 and became our Chief Executive Officer in February 2010. From June 2003 to February 2010, Mr. Springer was a partner and managing director with Qorval, LLC, a private consultancy that provides strategic leadership and executive management across various industries. As a result of his role with Qorval, Mr. Springer has served as Chief Executive Officer at Diamondback Tactical LLLP, a manufacturer of tactical armor systems for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and defense contractors, as Chief Restructuring Offer of American Plastics, Inc., a thermoform plastics manufacturer for the restaurant and hospitality industry and as interim Chief Executive Officer of Allen White Inc., a furniture manufacturer and wholesaler. While at Qorval, Mr. Springer was also Chief Integration Officer at Nautic Global Group from 2004 to 2007, during which time he was responsible for the integration of two boat manufacturers. Mr. Springer received a B.A. in Accountancy from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Based on his perspective and experience as our Chief Executive Officer, as well as his depth of his experience in the boat manufacturing industry and as a chief executive, we believe that Mr. Springer is qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Wayne R. Wilson, Chief Financial Officer . Mr. Wilson has served as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2009. From September 2008 to November 2009, Mr. Wilson served on the LLC’s executive board. Prior to joining Malibu Boats, Mr. Wilson was a vice president of Black Canyon Capital LLC where he was employed since its founding in 2004. While at Black Canyon Capital, he was responsible for due diligence and execution of numerous acquisitions and financings. Prior to joining Black Canyon Capital, Mr. Wilson was an investment banker at Credit Suisse First Boston,

 

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where he gained experience advising and financing companies across a range of industries. Mr. Wilson received a B.A. in Business Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Ritchie L. Anderson, Chief Operating Officer . Mr. Anderson has served as our Chief Operating Officer since September 2013 and joined Malibu Boats in July 2011 as our Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining Malibu Boats, Mr. Anderson was Vice President of Operations at MasterCraft Boat Company, where he spent 28 years in production management. While at MasterCraft, he held various roles in operations that included management responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain, quality, customer service, environmental and safety. Mr. Anderson has 30 years of experience in the boat manufacturing industry.

Dan L. Gasper, Vice President of Product Design . Mr. Gasper has served as our Vice President of Product Design since September 2013. Mr. Gasper joined Malibu in 1988 and has worked in manufacturing, quality, engineering and design. He has been designing our products for nearly 25 years and has led our design efforts for over a decade.

Deborah S. Kent, Vice President of Human Resources . Ms. Kent has served as our Vice President of Human Resources since September 2013 after joining Malibu Boats in January 2011 as our Director of Human Resources. Prior to that, Ms. Kent was Vice President of Human Resources at IdleAire, Inc., a company that provides in-cab services to truckers through centralized systems at truck stops around the United States, where she began serving as the Director of Employment and Employee Relations in 2004. Ms. Kent received a B.S. in Education from East Central University and a M.S. in Adult Education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Michael K. Hooks, Chairman of the Board and Director . Mr. Hooks has been a director of the LLC since 2006. He was a co-founder and has been a managing director of Black Canyon Capital LLC since 2004. Previously, Mr. Hooks was a co-head of the Los Angeles office of Credit Suisse First Boston and a managing director in the Los Angeles office of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Hooks also serves on the boards of directors of JDC Healthcare, Saunders & Associates and TASI Holdings, each of which is a private company. He previously served on the boards of directors of Virgin America, Logan’s Roadhouse and Switchcraft, each of which is a private company, as well as the Supervisory Board of Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology, at the time a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Hooks received a degree in Economics from Princeton University and an M.B.A. with distinction from the Wharton School of Business. Based on his extensive experience as an investment banker advising companies on their financing and strategic alternatives, his experience as a private equity manager working with companies and their management teams to grow and improve their businesses, and his deep knowledge of Malibu Boats given his seven-year tenure as a board member, we believe Mr. Hooks is qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Mark W. Lanigan, Director . Mr. Lanigan has been a director of the LLC since 2006. He was a co-founder and has been a managing director of Black Canyon Capital LLC since 2004. Mr. Lanigan was formerly a co-head of the Los Angeles office and a member of the Investment Banking Executive Board of Credit Suisse First Boston and head of the Los Angeles office of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He also serves on the boards of directors of JDC Healthcare and Saunders & Associates, and previously served on the boards of directors of Virgin America and Archway Marketing Services, all of which are private companies. Mr. Lanigan graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Economics from Colgate University and received a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. We believe Mr. Lanigan is qualified to serve on our board of directors based on his extensive experience as an investment banker advising companies on their financing and strategic alternatives, his experience as a private equity manager working with companies and their management teams to grow and improve their businesses, and his deep knowledge of Malibu Boats given his seven-year tenure as a board member.

 

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Phillip S. Estes, Director . Mr. Estes has been a director of the LLC since 2006. He co-founded Horizon Holdings, LLC, which has acquired 14 companies in the food and beverage and consumer products industries since its formation in 1989. Mr. Estes also serves on the boards of Horizon Food Group, Inc., California Optical Corp., Healthy Food Ingredients, Inc., Modify Industries, Inc. and Bandworks, LLC, all of which are private companies. He has also served on the board of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, a boating industry trade association, since 2007. Prior to founding Horizon Holdings, Mr. Estes was a vice president in the corporate finance department of Drexel Burnham Lambert. He received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma. Based on his extensive experience investing in and advising manufacturing companies, his deep knowledge of Malibu Boats given his seven-year tenure as a member of our board, his service on the board of the NMMA and his enthusiasm for our business as a life-long active boater, we believe Mr. Estes is qualified to serve on our board.

James R. Buch, Director Nominee . Mr. Buch will become a member of our board of directors prior to the closing of this offering. Since 2012, he has served as president and chief executive officer of Lynx Grills, a manufacturer of grills and outdoor kitchen products for residential consumers. In 2011 and 2012, Mr. Buch was interim president and chief executive officer of Sunbrite TV, a manufacturer of high-definition televisions, and he was a consultant and operating advisor to various private equity and investment firms from 2008 to 2010, assisting businesses on multiple fronts, including growth strategies, restructuring and business model assessment. Mr. Buch has also served and continues to serve on board and advisory councils for a number of private and nonprofit organizations. He received a bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. from California State University - Fullerton. Based on his extensive leadership and advisory experience with manufacturers of consumer products, we believe Mr. Buch is qualified to serve on our board.

Ivar S. Chhina, Director Nominee . Mr. Chhina will become a member of our board of directors prior to the closing of this offering. Now retired, from 2009 to 2011, he served as the chief financial officer and executive vice president for Recreational Equipment, Inc., a national retailer of recreational equipment and apparel, and previously served on its board from 2006 to 2009, where he was chair of its audit and finance committee as well as board vice chair. From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Chhina was chairman and chief executive officer, chief operating officer and chief restructuring officer of Interdent, Inc., a health care services company. From 1991 to 2001, Mr. Chhina held senior executive, finance and operational roles with several portfolio companies of Mehta & Company, a private equity firm for which he was an operating partner and is currently a venture partner. Mr. Chhina also serves on the board of Northwestern Management Services LLC, as an advisor to the managing member of JDC Management, LLC, on the board and audit and finance committee of the Pacific Science Center, and as a director and chair of the finance committee of the Washington chapter of The Nature Conservancy, all of which are private companies. Previously, he held executive positions and directorships with several companies and has served on and chaired boards and committees of charitable and educational entities. Mr. Chhina received an M.A. in international policy studies from the Middlebury College Monterey Institute and a dual B.A. in economics and political science from the University of Nevada - Reno. We believe Mr. Chhina is qualified to serve on our board of directors based on his knowledge of the recreational products industry and extensive experience advising, operating and directing businesses across multiple industries.

Michael J. Connolly, Director Nominee . Mr. Connolly will become a member of our board of directors prior to the closing of this offering. He is the founder and managing partner of Fourth Street Capital Partners, a private equity partnership specializing in venture capital, middle market growth equity, distressed securities and value-added commercial real estate. In addition, Mr. Connolly is chief executive officer and sole director of Motorini, Inc., which operates a motorcycle dealership and service provider. From 2007 to 2013, he was a partner with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., a private equity firm. Previously, Mr. Connolly was an investment banker at UBS Securities, LLC and served as managing director

 

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and co-head of the Los Angeles investment banking office, and a senior vice president at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette. He is also on the boards of Cascade Bancorp (Nasdaq: CACB) and FP Holdings, LP, a private company, is a director and member of the compensation, nominating and governance and loan committees of the Bank of the Cascades, and is chair of the advisory board of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California - Berkeley. Based on his extensive experience as an investment banker advising companies on their strategic alternatives and his experience as a private equity manager working with companies and their management teams to grow and improve their businesses, we believe Mr. Connolly is qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Peter E. Murphy, Director Nominee . Mr. Murphy will become a member of our board of directors prior to the closing of this offering. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Wentworth Capital Management, a private investment and venture capital firm focused on media, technology and branded consumer businesses. From 2009 to 2011, he served as president of strategy & development of Caesars Entertainment, where he was responsible for corporate strategy and growth, mergers and acquisitions, corporate development and real estate development around the world. From 2007 to 2008, Mr. Murphy served as an operating partner at Apollo Global Management and, prior to that, he spent 18 years in senior executive roles with The Walt Disney Company, including chief strategic officer of Disney and chief financial officer of ABC, Inc. Mr. Murphy is currently a board member and chairman of the audit committee of Tribune Company, chairman of the board of Revel Entertainment and is a board advisor to DECA TV, all of which are currently private companies. He has previously served on the boards of Dial Global and Fisher Communications. Mr. Murphy received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Dartmouth College. We believe Mr. Murphy is qualified to serve on our board because of his long history as an executive and director of national and international companies and experience facilitating international growth and strategy.

John E. Stokely, Director Nominee . Mr. Stokely will become a member of our board of directors prior to the closing of this offering. He has been the lead independent director of Pool Corporation (Nasdaq: POOL) since 2000. In addition, Mr. Stokely was president, chief executive officer and chair of the board of Richfood Holdings, Inc., a food retailer and wholesale grocery distributor, and served as president of JES, Inc., an investment and consulting firm. Mr. Stokely is also a director, governance committee member and audit committee chair for both ACI Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACIW) and Imperial Sugar Company. Previously, he also served on the boards and committees of a number of other publicly traded companies, including AMF Bowling, O’Charley’s Inc., Performance Food Group and Nash-Finch Company. Mr. Stokely received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee. We believe Mr. Stokely is qualified to serve on our board because of his extensive experience as a director of publicly-traded companies engaged in a variety of industries, strategic insights, distribution experience and senior leadership experience.

Our board of directors currently consists of Messrs. Hooks, Lanigan, Springer and Estes. Our five director nominees have been appointed and have agreed to become directors prior to the closing of this offering, at which time the size of our board of directors will be increased to nine directors.

 

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Prior to the closing of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following election. Effective upon the closing of this offering, our directors will divided among the three classes as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

The Class I directors will be Messrs.             ,             and             , and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2014;

 

  Ÿ  

The Class II directors will be Messrs.             ,             and             , and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2015;

 

  Ÿ  

The Class III directors will be Messrs.             ,             and             , and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2016.

We intend to enter into a voting agreement with certain affiliates. Under the voting agreement, Black Canyon Management LLC will be entitled to nominate to our board of directors up to 20% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors. Black Canyon Management LLC nominated Messrs. Hooks and Lanigan to our board of directors pursuant to the voting agreement. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Voting Agreement.”

Director Independence

Upon the completion of this offering, we expect that our Class A Common Stock will be listed on Nasdaq. Under the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq, independent directors must compose a majority of our board of directors within one year of listing on Nasdaq. In addition, applicable Nasdaq rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of our audit and compensation committees must be independent within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq rules. Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Applicable Nasdaq rules also require that director nominees must be selected, or recommended for selection by our board of directors, either by (1) a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors or (2) independent directors constituting a majority of our independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate.

The board of directors has reviewed the independence of our directors, as well as our director nominees who will join the board of directors upon the closing of the offering, based on the corporate governance standards of Nasdaq. Based on this review, the board of directors determined that each of Messrs. Buch, Chhina, Connolly, Murphy and Stokely is independent within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of Nasdaq. In making this determination, our board of directors considered the relationships that each of these non-employee directors has with Malibu Boats and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock held by each non-employee director. As required under applicable Nasdaq rules, we anticipate that our independent directors will meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present.

Board Committees

Prior to the closing of this offering, our board of directors will establish an audit committee and a compensation committee that will have the composition and responsibilities described below. Our board of directors may establish additional committees from time to time, in accordance with our bylaws.

 

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Audit Committee

Our audit committee will initially be comprised of Messrs. Chhina (chair), Buch and Stokely. In compliance with Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, one member of the audit committee will be independent as of the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, a majority of the members of the audit committee will be independent directors within 90 days of the date of effectiveness and all of the members of the audit committee will be independent directors within 12 months of the date of effectiveness.

Our audit committee will oversee our corporate accounting and financial reporting process. Among other matters, the audit committee will:

 

  Ÿ  

evaluate the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance;

 

  Ÿ  

determine the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

  Ÿ  

review and approve the scope of the annual audit and the audit fee;

 

  Ÿ  

discuss with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit and the review of our quarterly financial statements;

 

  Ÿ  

approve the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any proposed permissible non-audit services;

 

  Ÿ  

review our critical accounting policies and estimates; and

 

  Ÿ  

annually review the audit committee charter and the committee’s performance.

Effective upon the completion of this offering, the audit committee will operate under a written charter adopted by the board that satisfies the applicable standards of Nasdaq.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee will initially be comprised of Messrs. Murphy (chair) and Connolly. In compliance with Nasdaq rules, one member of the compensation committee will be independent at the time of listing on Nasdaq, a majority of the members of the compensation committee will be independent directors within 90 days of listing and all of the members of the compensation committee will be independent directors within 12 months of listing.

Our compensation committee will review and recommend policies relating to the compensation and benefits of our officers and employees. The compensation committee will review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer and other executive officers, evaluate the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives, and make recommendations to the board of directors regarding compensation of these officers based on such evaluations. The compensation committee will administer the issuance of stock options and other awards under our stock plans. The compensation committee will review and evaluate, at least annually, the performance of the compensation committee. Effective upon the completion of this offering, the compensation committee will operate under a written charter adopted by the board of directors that satisfies the applicable standards of Nasdaq.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our executive officers currently serves or in the past year has served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our board of directors will adopt a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our employees, directors and officers. Any waiver of the code may be made only by our board of directors and will be promptly disclosed as required by applicable U.S. federal securities laws and Nasdaq corporate governance rules.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our board of directors will adopt corporate governance guidelines in accordance with applicable Nasdaq corporate governance rules.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation we paid or accrued for the last two years with respect to each of our “Named Executive Officers”—our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers at June 30, 2013 and whose total compensation for fiscal year 2013 exceeded $100,000:

 

Name and Principal
Position

  Year
(1)
    Salary     Bonus     Stock
Awards

(2)
    Option
Awards
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(3)
    Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
    All Other
Compensation
(4)
    Total  

Jack Springer

    2013      $ 328,077      $      $      $      $ 330,842      $      $ 2,600      $ 661,519   

Chief Executive Officer

    2012        285,577                             245,513               2,600        533,690   

Wayne Wilson

    2013      $ 190,481      $      $      $      $ 161,361      $      $ 19,600      $ 371,442   

Chief Financial Officer

    2012        181,731                             96,571               19,600        297,902   

Ritchie Anderson

    2013      $ 155,308      $      $      $      $ 125,176      $      $ 19,600      $ 300,084   

Chief Operating Officer

    2012        147,116               144,133                             19,600        310,849   

Dan Gasper

    2013      $ 99,423      $      $      $      $ 63,675      $      $ 2,600      $ 165,698   

Vice President of Product Design

    2012        96,554                             22,048               2,600        121,202   

Deborah Kent

    2013      $ 95,926      $      $      $      $ 10,000      $      $      $ 105,926   

Vice President of Human Resources

    2012        91,731               55,310               3,500                      150,541   

 

(1) Reflects fiscal years ended June 30.
(2) Reflects the grant date fair value of Class M Units of the LLC, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For more information, see “—Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.”
(3) For Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson, reflects a performance-based cash bonus that was earned pursuant to the executive officer’s then-effective employment agreement, based on the achievement of corporate and individual goals established by our board of directors. For Mr. Gasper and Ms. Kent, reflects a performance-based cash bonus that was earned based on the achievement of corporate and individual goals.

 

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(4) For Messrs. Springer, Wilson, Anderson and Gasper, includes $2,600 for use of a company boat and, for Messrs. Wilson and Anderson, also includes $17,000 for an automobile and fuel allowance.

Existing Employment Agreements

Executive employment agreements with our named executive officers in effect during fiscal year 2013 provided for base salary, annual and long-term bonus opportunities and participation in our benefit plans.

Employment Agreements

Mr. Springer

In connection with the offering, we will enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Springer. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Springer will be entitled to receive $385,000 in annual base salary and will be eligible for a cash incentive bonus of up to 75% of his annual base salary based upon the achievement of performance criteria established by the compensation committee of our board of directors in its sole discretion. Mr. Springer is also eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans and vacation programs and will be provided with the use of a company-owned boat and, at his election, either an automobile allowance or use of a company-owned automobile. For information relating to potential payments upon termination of Mr. Springer’s employment, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” Mr. Springer’s employment agreement includes non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions.

Mr. Wilson

In connection with the offering, we will enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Wilson. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Wilson will be entitled to receive $245,000 in annual base salary and will be eligible for a cash incentive bonus of up to 50% of his annual base salary based upon meeting performance criteria established by the compensation committee of our board of directors in its sole discretion. Mr. Wilson is also eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans and vacation programs and will be provided with the use of a company-owned boat and, at his election, either an automobile allowance or use of a company-owned automobile. For information relating to potential payments upon termination of Mr. Wilson’s employment, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” Mr. Wilson’s employment agreement includes non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions.

Mr. Anderson

In connection with the offering, we will enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Anderson. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Anderson will be entitled to receive $200,000 in annual base salary and will be eligible for a cash incentive bonus of up to 40% of his annual base salary based upon meeting performance criteria established by the compensation committee of our board of directors in its sole discretion. Mr. Anderson is also eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans and vacation programs and will be provided with the use of a company-owned boat and, at his election, either an automobile allowance or use of a company-owned automobile. For information relating to potential payments upon termination of Mr. Anderson’s employment, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” Mr. Anderson’s employment agreement includes non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions.

 

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Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Provisions will be included in the employment agreements with each of Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson relating to change in control or separation of service with us, which will provide that, in the event our board of directors terminates the executive’s employment without “cause” or the executive resigns for “good reason,” the executive will be entitled to receive, subject to certain limitations including the executive’s execution of a release, the executive’s annual base salary through the end of the applicable severance period. The “severance period” specified in each employment agreement is either (1) a period of 12 months following the effective date of the release if the executive is terminated without “cause” or terminates his employment for “good reason” after the one-year anniversary of the effective date of the employment agreement, or (2) a period of 12 months following the effective date of the release if the executive is terminated without “cause” or terminates his employment for “good reason” either (A) at any time within six months after a “change in control,” or (B) at any time on or before the one-year anniversary of the effective date of the employment agreement.

“Cause” is generally defined in the employment agreements to mean any of the following occurring during the executive’s employment:

  Ÿ  

commission of a knowing, intentional or reckless act or omission constituting theft, forgery, fraud, material dishonesty, misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty, or embezzlement against us;

 

  Ÿ  

conviction or plea of nolo contendre to any felony or to any other crime of moral turpitude;

 

  Ÿ  

knowingly or intentionally causing our financial statements to fail to materially comply with generally accounting principles;

 

  Ÿ  

unlawful use or possession of any illegal drug or narcotic while on our premises or while performing the executive’s duties;

 

  Ÿ  

willful refusal to comply with lawful requests made of the executive by our board of directors, which, if curable, is not cured within five days after the executive receives written notice from the board of directors of such willful refusal;

 

  Ÿ  

gross negligence in the performance of the executive’s duties, which, if curable, is not fully cured within 30 days after the executive receives written notice from the board of directors of such gross negligence;

 

  Ÿ  

material violation of our policies, which, if curable, is not fully cured within 30 days after the executive receives written notice from the board of directors of such material violation; or

 

  Ÿ  

a material breach of the employment agreement or another agreement with us, which, if curable, is not fully cured within 30 days after the executive receives written notice from the board of directors of such breach.

“Good reason” is defined in the employment agreements to mean the executive’s resignation from employment after the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  Ÿ  

a material diminution in the executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

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  Ÿ  

a material reduction in the executive’s aggregate compensation unless such reduction is concurrently made to all of our senior management; or

 

  Ÿ  

a material breach of any other material term of the executive’s employment agreement.

In each case, “good reason” will not exist unless our board of directors fails to cure the condition claimed to constitute good reason within 30 days following receipt of written notice from the executive of such condition and, within ten days thereafter, the executive terminates the executive’s employment as a result of such condition.

A “change in control” is deemed to occur under the employment agreements if:

 

  Ÿ  

any person or group of persons is or becomes a beneficial owner of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of our outstanding voting securities;

 

  Ÿ  

certain individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of our directors;

 

  Ÿ  

any merger or consolidation of the Company occurs where (1) the beneficial owners of voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the transaction do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity or (2) the directors immediately prior to the transaction do not immediately thereafter constitute a majority of the board of directors of the surviving entity;

 

  Ÿ  

our stockholders approve a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

  Ÿ  

an agreement is consummated for the sale of all or substantially all of our assets other than to an entity of which at least 50% of the combined voting securities are owned by our stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company prior to such sale.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The table below sets forth certain information concerning outstanding equity awards of Class M Units of the LLC as of June 30, 2013, which will be converted into LLC Units upon the consummation of the offering. Holders of Class M Units have the right to participate in distributions by the LLC but do not have voting rights.

 

Name

   Stock Awards  
   Number of Shares or Units of
Stock That Have Not Vested  (1)
     Market Value of Shares or Units of
Stock That Have Not  Vested (2)
 

Jack Springer (3)

     264,141       $ 52,828   

Wayne Wilson (4)

     104,016         20,803   

Ritchie Anderson (5)

     161,363         108,100   

Dan Gasper (6)

     7,818         1,564   

Deborah Kent (7)

     43,000         55,310   

 

(1) Pursuant to the terms of the Class M Units awarded to each of Messrs. Springer, Wilson, Anderson and Gasper and Ms. Kent, distributions from the LLC are payable with respect to such unvested Class M Units as if they are fully vested.
(2) Reflects the grant date fair value of Class M Units, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(3) All of Mr. Springer’s unvested Class M Units will vest on February 1, 2014.
(4) All of the unvested Class M Units awarded to Mr. Wilson vested on November 9, 2013.
(5) One-third of Mr. Anderson’s unvested Class M Units vested on July 1, 2013 and one-third will vest on each of July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015.
(6) All of the unvested Class M Units awarded to Mr. Gasper vested on December 2, 2013.
(7) All of Ms. Kent’s unvested Class M Units will vest upon a change in control, as defined in Ms. Kent’s Class M Unit membership unit agreement. The amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the LLC will clarify that this offering will not be deemed a change in control, as that term is used in the Class M membership unit agreements.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Our board of directors plans to adopt the Inventive Plan prior to the effective date of this offering for the benefit of the employees, directors and consultants who perform services for us. Awards granted under the Incentive Plan may consist of restricted stock, stock options, performance awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards. The Incentive Plan will limit the number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to awards to              shares of our Class A Common Stock.

Director Compensation

Our directors were appointed in connection with our formation in 2013. As a result, they did not receive any compensation for their service as a director for fiscal year 2013. Following this offering, we expect our non-employee directors to receive compensation that is commensurate with arrangements offered to directors of newly public companies. We have not compensated, nor do we expect to compensate, our employee directors for their service on our board of directors. We expect to reimburse all directors for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their service as directors, in accordance with our general expense reimbursement policies. Our independent directors will also be eligible to receive equity-based awards when, as and if determined by the compensation committee.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Party Transactions

Our board of directors reviews related party transactions for potential conflict of interest issues. Our board of directors intends to adopt a written related party transaction policy to be effective upon or prior to the completion of this offering to set forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy will cover any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, the amount involved exceeds $100,000 and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness or employment by us or a related person.

Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement

In connection with the offering, our existing owners, several of whom are directors and/or officers of Malibu Boats, Inc., will execute an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the LLC. As a result of the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, Malibu Boats, Inc. will hold LLC Units in the LLC and will be the sole managing member of the LLC. Accordingly, Malibu Boats, Inc. will operate and control all of the business and affairs of the LLC and, through the LLC and its operating entity subsidiaries, conduct our business. Holders of LLC Units will generally not have voting rights under the limited liability company agreement.

Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of the LLC as it will be in effect at the time of this offering, Malibu Boats, Inc. has the right to determine when distributions will be made to holders of LLC Units and the amount of any such distributions. If a distribution is authorized, such distribution will be made to the holders of LLC Units (including Malibu Boats, Inc.) pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective LLC Units.

The holders of LLC Units, including Malibu Boats, Inc., will incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their proportionate share of any taxable income of the LLC. Net profits and net losses of the LLC will generally be allocated to holders of LLC Units (including Malibu Boats, Inc.) pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective limited liability company interests. The limited liability company agreement of the LLC will provide for cash distributions, which we refer to as “tax distributions,” to the holders of LLC Units if Malibu Boats, Inc., as the sole managing member of the LLC, determines that the taxable income of the LLC will give rise to taxable income for the holders. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the taxable income of the LLC allocable to the holders of LLC Units multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in Los Angeles, California (taking into account the nondeductibility of certain expenses and the character of our income). For purposes of determining the taxable income of the LLC, such determination will be made by generally disregarding any adjustment to the taxable income of any member of the LLC that arises under the tax basis adjustment rules of the Code and is attributable to the acquisition by such member of an interest in the LLC in a sale or exchange transaction. Tax distributions will be made only to the extent all distributions from the LLC for the relevant year were insufficient to cover such tax liabilities.

The limited liability company agreement of the LLC will also provide that substantially all expenses incurred by or attributable to Malibu Boats, Inc. (such as expenses incurred in connection with this offering), but not including income tax expenses of Malibu Boats, Inc., will be borne by the LLC.

 

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The limited liability company agreement of the LLC will provide that, for so long as affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC own at least 5% of the number of LLC Units outstanding after the closing of this offering, the consent of Black Canyon Management LLC will be required for any amendments to the agreement that would (1) reduce the rights of a holder of LLC Units to receive tax distributions, except on a pro rata basis with other holders of LLC Units, (2) preclude or limit the rights of any member to exercise its rights under the exchange agreement, (3) require any member to make a capital contribution, (4) materially increase the obligations of any member under the limited liability company agreement, or (5) result in the LLC being treated as a corporation for tax purposes. If affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC own less than 5% of the number of LLC Units outstanding after the closing of this offering, however, then Black Canyon Management LLC will have the right to assign or transfer the foregoing rights to Horizon Holdings, LLC, provided that affiliates of Horizon Holdings, LLC own at least 5% of the number of LLC Units outstanding after the closing of this offering.

Exchange Agreement

Prior to the closing of the offering, we will enter into an exchange agreement with the existing owners of the LLC, several of whom are directors and/or officers of Malibu Boats, Inc. Under the exchange agreement, from and after the date of the closing of the offering, each existing owner (and certain permitted transferees thereof) may generally exchange its LLC Units for shares of Class A Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. Within the 180-day period following the closing of this offering, a holder of LLC Units may only exchange those LLC units for Class A Common Stock if such holder has executed a lock-up agreement. Further, an existing owner will not have the right to exchange LLC Units if Malibu Boats, Inc. determines that such exchange would be prohibited by law or regulation or would violate other agreements with Malibu Boats, Inc. to which the existing owner may be subject. As a holder exchanges its LLC Units, Malibu Boats, Inc.’s interest in the LLC will be correspondingly increased. Each existing owner will release Malibu Boats, Inc., the LLC and their respective affiliates, including affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC and Horizon Holdings, LLC, from any and all claims and actions that such owner has arising under or relating to such owner’s ownership of LLC Units.

Tax Receivable Agreement

As described in “History and Formation Transactions—Organizational Structure—Offering Transactions,” we intend to use a portion of the proceeds from this offering to purchase LLC Units from our existing owners. We will only purchase LLC Units from members of senior management, however, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock. In addition, the holders of LLC Units (other than Malibu Boats, Inc.) may (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement) exchange their LLC Units for shares of Class A Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications, or for cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. The LLC intends to make an election under Section 754 of the Code effective for each taxable year in which an exchange or purchase of LLC Units for shares

 

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of Class A Common Stock or cash occurs, which may result in an adjustment to the tax basis of the assets of the LLC at the time of an exchange or purchase of LLC Units. As a result of both this initial purchase of LLC Units from the existing owners and these subsequent purchases or exchanges, Malibu Boats, Inc., which we refer to as the “corporate taxpayer,” will become entitled to a proportionate share of the existing tax basis of the assets of the LLC at such time. In addition, the initial purchase of LLC Units from the existing owners and subsequent purchases or exchanges are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the assets of the LLC. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amount of tax that the corporate taxpayer would otherwise be required to pay in the future. These increases in tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets. The IRS may challenge all or part of the existing tax basis, tax basis increases and increased deductions, and a court could sustain such a challenge.

We will enter into a tax receivable agreement with our existing owners that provides for the payment from time to time by the corporate taxpayer to our existing owners of 85% of the amount of the benefits, if any, that the corporate taxpayer is deemed to realize as a result of (1) increases in tax basis resulting from the purchase or exchange of LLC Units and (2) certain other tax benefits related to our entering into the tax receivable agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the tax receivable agreement. These payment obligations are obligations of the corporate taxpayer and not of the LLC. For purposes of the agreement, the benefit deemed realized by the corporate taxpayer will be computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of the corporate taxpayer (calculated with certain assumptions) to the amount of such taxes that the corporate taxpayer would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the assets of the LLC as a result of the purchases or exchanges, and had the corporate taxpayer not entered into the tax receivable agreement. The term of the agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless the corporate taxpayer exercises its right to terminate the tax receivable agreement for an amount based on the agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement or the corporate taxpayer breaches any of its material obligations under the tax receivable agreement or there is a change in control, in which case all obligations will generally be accelerated and due as if the corporate taxpayer had exercised its right to terminate the agreement. Estimating the amount of payments that may be made under the tax receivable agreement is by its nature imprecise, insofar as the calculation of amounts payable depends on a variety of factors. The actual increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the agreement, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including:

 

  Ÿ  

the timing of purchases or exchanges —for instance, the increase in any tax deductions will vary depending on the fair value, which may fluctuate over time, of the depreciable or amortizable assets of the LLC at the time of each purchase or exchange;

 

  Ÿ  

the price of shares of our Class A Common Stock at the time of the purchase or exchange —the increase in any tax deductions, as well as the tax basis increase in other assets, of the LLC is directly related to the price of shares of our Class A Common Stock at the time of the purchase or exchange;

 

  Ÿ  

the extent to which such purchases or exchanges are taxable —if an exchange or purchase is not taxable for any reason, increased deductions will not be available; and

 

  Ÿ  

the amount and timing of our income —the corporate taxpayer will be required to pay 85% of the deemed benefits as and when deemed realized. If the corporate taxpayer does not have taxable income, the corporate taxpayer generally will not be required (absent a change of control or other circumstances requiring an early termination payment) to make payments under the tax receivable agreement for that taxable year because no benefit will

 

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have been realized. However, any tax benefits that do not result in realized benefits in a given tax year will likely generate tax attributes that may be utilized to generate benefits in previous or future tax years. The utilization of such tax attributes will result in payments under the tax receivable agreement.

We expect that the payments that we may make under the agreement may be substantial. Assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law, and that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize all tax benefits that are subject to the agreement, we expect that future payments under the agreement relating to the purchase by Malibu Boats, Inc. of LLC Units as part of the Offering Transactions to aggregate $         million (or $         million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) and to range over the next 15 years from approximately $         million to $         million per year (or range from approximately $         million to $         million per year if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) and decline thereafter. Future payments to our existing owners in respect of subsequent exchanges would be in addition to these amounts and are expected to be substantial. The foregoing numbers are merely estimates and the actual payments could differ materially. It is possible that future transactions or events could increase or decrease the actual tax benefits realized and the corresponding tax receivable agreement payments. There may be a material negative effect on our liquidity if distributions to Malibu Boats, Inc. by the LLC are not sufficient to permit Malibu Boats, Inc. to make payments under the agreement after it has paid taxes. The payments under the agreement are not conditioned upon our existing owners’ continued ownership of us.

The effects of the tax receivable agreement on our consolidated balance sheet as a result of our purchase of LLC Units with our proceeds from this offering will be as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

we will record an increase of $         million in deferred tax assets (or $         million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) for the estimated income tax effects of the increase in the tax basis of the assets owned by Malibu Boats, Inc. based on enacted federal and state tax rates at the date of the transaction. To the extent we estimate that we will not realize the full benefit represented by the deferred tax asset, based on an analysis of expected future earnings, we will reduce the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance;

 

  Ÿ  

we will record 85% of the estimated realizable tax benefit resulting from (1) the increase in tax basis resulting from the purchases or exchanges of LLC Units and (2) certain other tax benefits related to entering into the tax receivable agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the tax receivable agreement as an increase of $         million (or $         million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders) payable to related parties pursuant to the tax receivable agreement; and

 

  Ÿ  

we will record an increase to additional paid-in capital in an amount equal to the difference between the increase in deferred tax assets and the increase in liability due to existing owners under the tax receivable agreement.

The amounts to be recorded for both the deferred tax assets and the liability for our obligations under the tax receivable agreement have been estimated. All of the effects of changes in any of our estimates after the date of the purchase will be included in net income. Similarly, the effect of subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates will be included in net income.

 

 

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The tax receivable agreement provides that, upon certain mergers, asset sales or other forms of business combinations or other changes of control, we (or our successor) would owe to the existing owners of LLC Units a lump-sum payment equal to the present value of all forecasted future payments that would have otherwise been made under the tax receivable agreement which would be based on certain assumptions, including a deemed exchange of LLC Units and that we would have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the deductions arising from the increased tax basis and other tax benefits related to entering into the tax receivable agreement. Decisions made in the course of running our businesses, such as with respect to mergers, asset sales or other forms of business combinations or other changes of control, may influence the timing and amount of payments that are received by an exchanging or selling existing owner under the tax receivable agreement. We are also entitled to an election to terminate the tax receivable agreement, which, if made, would obligate us to make early termination payments to the existing owners. The change of control payment and termination payments could be substantial and may exceed the actual tax benefits that we receive as a result of acquiring LLC Units from existing owners because the amounts of such payments would be calculated assuming that we would have been able to use the potential tax benefits each year for the remainder of the amortization periods applicable to the basis increases, and that tax rates applicable to us would be the same as they were in the year of the termination. An existing owner of LLC Units may also elect to unilaterally terminate the tax receivable agreement with respect to such existing owner, which would obligate us to pay to such existing owner certain payments for tax benefits received through the taxable year of the election.

Payments generally will be due under the tax receivable agreement within five business days following the finalization of the schedule with respect to which the payment obligation is calculated, although interest on such payments will begin to accrue at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 100 basis points from the due date (without extensions) of the applicable tax return until such payment due date. Any late payments under the tax receivable agreement generally will accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points.

Payments under the tax receivable agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that we will determine. Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge a tax basis increase, the corporate taxpayer will not be reimbursed for any payments previously made under the agreement. As a result, in certain circumstances, payments could be made under the agreement in excess of the benefits that the corporate taxpayer actually realizes in respect of the tax attributes subject to the agreement.

Voting Agreement

In connection with the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions, we intend to enter into a voting agreement with certain affiliates. Under the voting agreement, Black Canyon Management LLC will be entitled to nominate to our board of directors a number of designees equal to (1) 20% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors at such time as long as Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together beneficially own 15% or more of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, and (2) 10% of the total number of directors comprising the board of directors at such time as long as Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together beneficially own more than 5% but less than 15% of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. For purposes of calculating the number of directors that Black Canyon Management LLC is entitled to nominate pursuant to this formula, any fractional amounts would be rounded up to the nearest whole number and the calculation would be made on a pro forma basis, taking into account any increase in the size of the board of directors

 

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(e.g., one and one-third (1  1 / 3 ) directors equates to two directors). In addition, Black Canyon Management LLC will have the right to remove and replace its director-designees at any time and for any reason and to nominate any individual(s) to fill any such vacancies. Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson will be required to vote any of their LLC Units in favor of the director or directors nominated by Black Canyon Management LLC. After the offering, Black Canyon Management LLC and its affiliates and Messrs. Springer, Wilson and Anderson together will beneficially own     % of the voting power of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

Management Agreement

Pursuant to a management agreement, dated as of August 7, 2006 and amended in 2009 and 2012, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the LLC agreed to pay to Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, a member of the LLC comprised principally of affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC and Horizon Holdings, LLC, the following, in exchange for management and advisory services:

 

  Ÿ  

reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses;

 

  Ÿ  

a one-time fee equal to $1,250,000 in connection with the LLC’s acquisition of the assets of Malibu Boats West, Inc. in 2006;

 

  Ÿ  

an annual management fee equal to $500,000 payable in quarterly installments from August 6, 2006 through June 30, 2008;

 

  Ÿ  

a quarterly management fee equal to $106,000 payable from July 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008;

 

  Ÿ  

a quarterly management fee equal to $62,500 payable from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008;

 

  Ÿ  

a one-time fee equal to $2,081,250 relating to the provision of management and advisory services by Malibu Boats Investor, LLC to the LLC during the period from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012; and

 

  Ÿ  

an annual management fee equal to $750,000 payable from January 1, 2013 through the remainder of the management agreement’s term.

The management agreement includes customary indemnification provisions in favor of Malibu Boats Investor, LLC and its affiliates. It is anticipated that we will enter into an agreement with Malibu Boats Investor, LLC that will result in the termination of the management agreement upon the completion of this offering. In connection with that agreement, we will pay Malibu Boats Investor, LLC a one-time termination fee of $3.75 million.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the offering, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with Black Canyon Management LLC and affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC that own LLC Units pursuant to which Black Canyon Management LLC may request registration or inclusion of shares of Class A Common Stock held by affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC in any registration of our Class A Common Stock in compliance with the Securities Act. In addition, the agreement provides that, as soon as is practicable after the one-year anniversary of the closing of this offering, we must use all reasonable efforts to cause a resale shelf registration statement to become effective and remain effective until the eighth anniversary of this offering. The agreement will remain in effect until

 

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(1) there are no more securities registrable under the agreement outstanding or (2) termination of the agreement by both (A) Black Canyon Management LLC and (B) affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC owning two-thirds of the outstanding LLC Units. In addition, the limited liability company agreement of the LLC will give members that own securities we propose or are required to register with the SEC, pursuant to the registration rights agreement or otherwise, the right to include their securities in such registration, subject to the limitations set forth in the limited liability company agreement.

Executive Compensation and Employment Arrangements

For information on compensation arrangements with our executive officers and agreements with our executive officers containing compensation and termination provisions, see the section titled “Management—Employment Agreements.”

Directors and Officers Indemnification

Effective upon the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock—Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

 

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The tables below set forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our Class A Common Stock and of LLC Units by (1) each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of Malibu Boats, Inc., (2) each of our directors, director nominees and named executive officers, (3) all of our directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group, and (4) each of the selling stockholders.

The number of shares of our Class A Common Stock and of LLC Units outstanding and the percentage of beneficial ownership before this offering set forth below is based on the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock and LLC Units to be issued and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of this offering after giving effect to the Recapitalization and Offering Transactions. The number of shares of our Class A Common Stock and of LLC Units and the percentage of beneficial ownership after this offering set forth below is based on shares of our Class A Common Stock and LLC Units to be issued and outstanding immediately after the Offering Transactions. Beneficial ownership reflected in the table below includes the total shares or units held by the individual and his or her affiliates. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to our knowledge, each stockholder named in the following table possesses sole voting and investment power over the shares listed. Unless otherwise noted below, the address of each person listed on the table is c/o Malibu Boats, Inc., 5075 Kimberly Way, Loudon, Tennessee 37774.

 

      Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1)   Combined Voting Power (2)(3)
      Prior to the Offering
Transactions
    After the Offering
Transactions Assuming
Underwriters’ Option
is Not Exercised
  After the Offering
Transactions Assuming
Underwriters’ Option
is Exercised in Full
  Prior to the
Offering
Transactions (%)
  After the
Offering
Transactions
Assuming
Underwriters’
Option is Not
Exercised (%)
  After the
Offering
Transactions
Assuming
Underwriters’
Option is
Exercised
in Full (%)

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Number     %     Number   %   Number   %      

5% Stockholders

                 

Entities affiliated with Black Canyon Capital LLC(4)

                        

Entities affiliated with Horizon Holdings, LLC(5)

                           

Merced OKR, LLC(6)

                           

Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers

                 

Jack D. Springer

                           

Wayne R. Wilson

                           

Ritchie L. Anderson

                           

Dan L. Gasper

                           

Deborah S. Kent

                           

Michael K. Hooks(7)

                           

Mark W. Lanigan(8)

                           

Phillip S. Estes(9)

                           

James R. Buch

                           

Ivar S. Chhina

                           

Michael J. Connolly

                           

Peter E. Murphy

                           

John E. Stokely

                           

Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers as a Group (13 persons)

                 

 

    LLC Units Beneficially Owned(1)
    Prior to the Offering Transactions   After the Offering Transactions
Assuming Underwriters’
Option is Not Exercised
  After the Offering Transactions
Assuming Underwriters’
Option is Exercised in Full

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Number   %   Number   %   Number   %

5% Stockholders

           

Entities affiliated with Black Canyon Capital LLC(4)

           

Entities affiliated with Horizon Holdings, LLC(5)

           

Merced OKR, LLC(6)

           

Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers

           

Jack D. Springer

           

Wayne R. Wilson

           

Ritchie L. Anderson

           

 

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    LLC Units Beneficially Owned(1)
    Prior to the Offering Transactions   After the Offering Transactions
Assuming Underwriters’
Option is Not Exercised
  After the Offering Transactions
Assuming Underwriters’
Option is Exercised in Full

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Number   %   Number   %   Number   %

Dan L. Gasper

           

Deborah S. Kent

           

Michael K. Hooks(7)

           

Mark W. Lanigan(8)

           

Phillip S. Estes(9)

           

James R. Buch

           

Ivar S. Chhina

           

Michael J. Connolly

           

Peter E. Murphy

           

John E. Stokely

           

Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers as a Group (13 persons)

           

 

(1) Subject to the terms of the exchange agreement, the LLC Units are exchangeable for shares of our Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Exchange Agreement.” Beneficial ownership of LLC Units reflected in these tables has not been reflected as beneficial ownership of shares of our Class A Common Stock for which such units may be exchanged. Percentage of LLC Units after the Offering Transactions treats LLC Units held by Malibu Boats, Inc. as outstanding.
(2) Represents percentage of voting power of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of Malibu Boats, Inc. voting together as a single class. See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock.”
(3) Our existing owners will hold shares of our Class B Common Stock. Each holder of Class B Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each LLC Unit held by such holder. Accordingly, our existing owners collectively have a number of votes in Malibu Boats, Inc. that is equal to the aggregate number of LLC Units that they hold. See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights.”
(4)

Includes              LLC Units owned of record prior to the offering as follows: (i)              LLC Units by Black Canyon Direct Investment Fund L.P., or the BC Fund; (ii)              LLC Units by Black Canyon Investments L.P., or BC Investments; (iii)              LLC Units by Canyon Value Realization Fund, L.P., or the Canyon Fund; (iv)              LLC Units by Loudon Partners, LLC, or Loudon Partners; and (v)              LLC Units by The Canyon Value Realization Master Fund, L.P., or the Canyon Master Fund. BC Investments possesses the voting power and dispositive power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by the BC Fund and, pursuant to an agreement, with respect to the securities beneficially owned by each of the Canyon Fund and the Canyon Master Fund, and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the securities beneficially owned by each of those entities. Black Canyon Investments LLC, or BC GP, is the general partner of BC Investments and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the securities beneficially owned by BC Investments. As a managing member of BC GP, Black Canyon Capital LLC possesses the voting power with respect to the securities that are beneficially owned by BC GP. The investment committee of BC GP, comprised of Messrs. Hooks and Lanigan, both of whom are members of our board of directors, Joshua S. Friedman and Mitchell R. Julius, possesses the dispositive power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by BC GP and, therefore, no individual member of the committee is deemed to be the beneficial owner of the securities beneficially owned indirectly by BC GP. As manager of Loudon Partners, Paras Mehta, a managing director of Black Canyon Capital LLC, possesses the voting power with respect to the securities that are beneficially owned by Loudon Partners. The address for each of the foregoing entities is 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 11 th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90067.

In connection with the Offering Transactions, wholly-owned corporations of each of the BC Fund and the Canyon Master Fund will merge with and into two newly-formed limited liability subsidiaries of Malibu Boats, Inc. As a result of these mergers, each of the BC Fund and the Canyon Fund will receive shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for shares of capital stock of the former wholly-owned corporations. The BC Fund and the Canyon Master Fund will be selling stockholders in this offering.

(5) Includes              LLC Units owned of record prior to the offering as follows: (i)              LLC Units by Horizon Holdings, LLC; and (ii)              LLC Units by Malibu Holdings, L.P. Horizon Holdings, LLC is the general partner of Malibu Holdings, L.P. and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the securities beneficially owned by Malibu Holdings, L.P. Mr. Estes, one of our directors, and James Shorin share the voting power and dispositive power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by Horizon Holdings, LLC and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the securities beneficially owned by Horizon Holdings, LLC. The address of Horizon Holdings, LLC and Malibu Holdings, L.P. is 1 Bush Street, San Francisco, California 94104.

 

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(6) Robert R. Alkema possesses the voting power and dispositive power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by Merced OKR, LLC and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the securities beneficially owned by Merced OKR, LLC. The address of Merced OKR, LLC is 11204 Childs Avenue, Le Grand, California 95333.
(7) As a managing director of Black Canyon Capital LLC and a member of the BC GP investment committee, Mr. Hooks may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities beneficially owned by entities affiliated with Black Canyon Capital LLC. Mr. Hooks disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.
(8) As a managing director of Black Canyon Capital LLC and a member of the BC GP investment committee, Mr. Lanigan may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities beneficially owned by entities affiliated with Black Canyon Capital LLC. Mr. Lanigan disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.
(9) Mr. Estes may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities beneficially owned by entities affiliated with Horizon Holdings, LLC. Mr. Estes disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a summary of the rights of our Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and preferred stock and of certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. For more detailed information, please see our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Our certificate of incorporation provides for two classes of common stock. In addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes shares of undesignated preferred stock, the rights, preferences and privileges of which may be designated from time to time by our board of directors.

Our authorized capital stock consists of shares, all with a par value of $0.01 per share, of which:

 

  Ÿ  

100,000,000 shares are designated as Class A Common Stock;

 

  Ÿ  

25,000,000 shares are designated as Class B Common Stock; and

 

  Ÿ  

25,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

Holders of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common stock will have voting power over Malibu Boats, Inc., the sole managing member of the LLC, at a level that is consistent with their overall equity ownership of our business. Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to vote. Each holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the total number of LLC Units held by such holder multiplied by the exchange rate specified in the exchange agreement with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to vote. Accordingly, the holders of LLC Units collectively have a number of votes that is equal to the aggregate number of LLC Units that they hold. Subject to any rights that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, our Class A and Class B Common Stock vote as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or required by applicable law. Holders of our Class A and Class B Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Except in respect of matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, or as required by law, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our Class A Common Stock will be entitled to share equally, identically and ratably in any dividends that our board of directors may determine to issue from time to time. Holders of our Class B Common Stock do not have any right to receive dividends.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of our Class A Common Stock would be entitled to share ratably in our assets that

 

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are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of our debts and other liabilities. If we have any preferred stock outstanding at such time, holders of the preferred stock may be entitled to distribution and/or liquidation preferences. In either such case, we must pay the applicable distribution to the holders of our preferred stock before we may pay distributions to the holders of our Class A Common Stock. Holders of our Class B Common Stock do not have any right to receive a distribution upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

Other Rights

Holders of our Class A Common Stock will have no preemptive, conversion or other rights to subscribe for additional shares. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our Class A Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

Though we currently have no plans to issue any shares of preferred stock, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to designate and issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Our board of directors may also designate the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of each such series of preferred stock, any or all of which may be greater than or senior to those granted to the holders of common stock. Though the actual effect of any such issuance on the rights of the holders of common stock will not be known until our board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of preferred stock, the potential effects of such an issuance include:

 

  Ÿ  

diluting the voting power of the holders of common stock;

 

  Ÿ  

reducing the likelihood that holders of common stock will receive dividend payments;

 

  Ÿ  

reducing the likelihood that holders of common stock will receive payments in the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up; and

 

  Ÿ  

delaying, deterring or preventing a change-in-control or other corporate takeover.

Warrants

There are no outstanding warrants to purchase our Class A Common Stock.

Registration Rights

In connection with the offering, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with Black Canyon Management LLC and affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC that own LLC Units pursuant to which Black Canyon Management LLC may request registration or inclusion of shares of Class A Common Stock held by affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC in any registration of our Class A Common Stock in compliance with the Securities Act. In addition, the agreement provides that, as soon as is practicable after the one-year anniversary of the closing of this offering, we must use all reasonable efforts to cause a resale shelf registration statement to become effective and remain effective until the eighth anniversary of this offering. The agreement will remain in effect until (1) there are no more securities registrable under the agreement outstanding or (2) termination of the agreement by both (A) Black Canyon Management LLC and (B) affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC owning two-thirds of the outstanding LLC Units. In addition, the limited liability company agreement of the LLC will give members that own securities we propose or are required to register with the SEC, pursuant to the registration rights agreement or otherwise, the right to include their securities in such registration, subject to the limitations set forth in the limited liability company agreement.

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to be in Effect Upon the Completion of this Offering

Our certificate of incorporation to be in effect upon the completion of this offering will provide for our board of directors to be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws to be in effect upon the completion of this offering will provide that all stockholder actions must generally be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by a consent in writing, and that only the chair of the board or a majority of our board of directors may call a special meeting of stockholders.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws require a 66  2 / 3 % stockholder vote for the amendment or repeal of the bylaws or the provisions in our certificate of incorporation relating to the election and classification of directors The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the 66  2 / 3 % stockholder voting requirements will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Because our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.

These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or management. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of us. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. Such provisions could have the effect, however, of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

 

  Ÿ  

before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by

 

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the interested stockholder) those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

  Ÿ  

on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66  2 / 3 % of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:

 

  Ÿ  

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

  Ÿ  

any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

  Ÿ  

the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

We have adopted provisions in our certificate of incorporation that limit or eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties, except for liability that cannot be eliminated under the Delaware General Corporation Law. Accordingly, our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except with respect to of the following:

 

  Ÿ  

any breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

  Ÿ  

acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

  Ÿ  

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

  Ÿ  

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. If

 

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Delaware law is amended to authorize the further elimination or limiting of director liability, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law as so amended.

Our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws also provide that we shall indemnify our directors and executive officers and shall indemnify our other officers and employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that indemnification under our bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of indemnified parties. Our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in this capacity, regardless of whether our bylaws would permit indemnification.

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that are, in some cases, broader than the specific indemnification provisions provided by Delaware law and our governing documents, and may provide additional procedural protection. These agreements will require us, among other things, to:

 

  Ÿ  

indemnify officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise because of their status as officers and directors;

 

  Ÿ  

advance expenses, as incurred, to officers and directors in connection with a legal proceeding subject to limited exceptions; and

 

  Ÿ  

cover officers and directors under any general or directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by us.

We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the opinion of the SEC is that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

In addition, we intend to maintain standard policies of insurance under which coverage will be provided to our directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and to us with respect to payments which may be made by us to such directors and officers pursuant to the above indemnification provisions or otherwise as a matter of law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is             .

Exchange Listing

We have applied to list our Class A Common Stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “MBUU.”

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our Class A Common Stock. We cannot predict the effect, if any, future sales of shares of Class A Common Stock, or the availability for future sale of shares of Class A Common Stock, will have on the market price of shares of our Class A Common Stock prevailing from time to time. The sale of substantial amounts of shares of our Class A Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could harm the prevailing market price of shares of our Class A Common Stock.

Currently, 100 shares of our Class A Common Stock are outstanding and no shares of our Class B Common Stock are outstanding.

Upon completion of this offering we will have a total of              shares of our Class A Common Stock outstanding (or              shares of Class A Common Stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders). All of the shares of Class A Common Stock will have been sold in this offering and will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act by persons other than our “affiliates.” Under the Securities Act, an “affiliate” of an issuer is a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with that issuer.

In addition, subject to certain limitations and exceptions, pursuant to the terms of an exchange agreement we will enter into with our existing stockholders, holders of LLC Units may (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement) exchange LLC Units for shares of our Class A Common Stock or cash (except in the event of a change in control) at our election. In addition, pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of the LLC, Malibu Boats, Inc., as managing member of the LLC, will have the right to require all members to exchange their LLC Units for Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the exchange agreement, subject to the consent of Black Canyon Management LLC and the holders of a majority of outstanding LLC Units other than those held by Malibu Boats, Inc. Upon consummation of this offering, our existing stockholders will hold              LLC Units (or              LLC Units if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock from us and the selling stockholders), all of which will be exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for              shares of our Class A Common Stock, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications, or cash (except in the event of a change in control), at our election. The shares of Class A Common Stock we issue upon such exchanges would be “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 unless we register such issuances. We will enter into a registration rights agreement with Black Canyon Management LLC and affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC that own LLC Units, however, that will require us to register under the Securities Act              shares of Class A Common Stock. In addition, the limited liability company agreement of the LLC will give members that own securities we propose or are required to register with the SEC, pursuant to the registration rights agreement or otherwise, the right to include their securities in such registration, subject to the limitations set forth in the limited liability company agreement of the LLC. For more information, see “—Registration Rights” and “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.”

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as in effect on the date of this prospectus, a person who is one of our affiliates and has beneficially owned shares of our Class A Common Stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell within any three-month period, beginning on the date 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

  Ÿ  

1% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately              shares immediately after the completion of this offering; or

 

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  Ÿ  

the average weekly trading volume of our Class A Common Stock on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to a certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

In general, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as in effect on the date of this prospectus, a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, is entitled to sell the shares beginning on the 91st day after the date of this prospectus without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144, and will be subject only to the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, then such person is entitled to sell such shares without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144.

Rule 701

Any of our employees, officers, directors or consultants who purchased shares under a written compensatory plan or contract may be entitled to sell them in reliance on Rule 701. Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. Rule 701 further provides that non-affiliates may sell these shares in reliance on Rule 144 without complying with the holding period, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares are required to wait until 90 days after the date of this prospectus before selling those shares.

Lock-up Agreements

We and all of our directors and officers, as well as the other holders of substantially all shares of Class A Common Stock (including securities exchangeable or convertible into our Class A Common Stock) outstanding immediately prior to this offering, have agreed or will agree that, without the prior written consent of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC during the period from the date of this prospectus and ending on the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus (as such period may be extended under certain circumstances), we and they will not, among other things, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A Common Stock, options or warrants to purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our Class A Common Stock. This agreement is subject to certain exceptions. For additional information, see “Underwriting—Lock-up Agreements.”

Registration Rights

In connection with the offering, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with Black Canyon Management LLC and affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC that own LLC Units pursuant to which Black Canyon Management LLC may request registration or inclusion of shares of Class A Common Stock held by affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC in any registration of our Class A Common Stock in compliance with the Securities Act. In addition, the agreement provides that, as soon as is practicable after the one-year anniversary of the closing of this offering, we must use all reasonable efforts to cause a resale shelf registration statement to become effective and remain effective until the eighth anniversary of this offering. The agreement will remain in effect until there are no more securities registrable under the agreement outstanding, or upon termination by

 

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Black Canyon Management LLC and affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC that own LLC Units holders of two-thirds of the outstanding LLC Units. In addition, the limited liability company agreement of the LLC will give members that own securities we propose or are required to register with the SEC, pursuant to the registration rights agreement or otherwise, the right to include their securities in such registration, subject to the limitations set forth in the limited liability company agreement.

Registration Statements

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act covering all of the shares of our Class A Common Stock subject to equity awards issuable under the Incentive Plan. We expect to file this registration statement as soon as practicable after the completion of this offering. The shares registered on Form S-8 will be subject to Rule 144 limitations applicable to our affiliates and will not be eligible for resale until expiration of the lock-up agreements to which they are subject.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) with respect to the ownership and disposition of shares of our Class A Common Stock, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax considerations related thereto. This summary is based on current provisions of the Code, final, temporary or proposed U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and judicial opinions, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This summary is limited to non-U.S. holders who purchase our Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to this offering and who hold shares of our Class A Common Stock as capital assets (within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code).

This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular non-U.S. holder in light of that non-U.S. holder’s individual circumstances, nor does it address any aspects of U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws or tax considerations arising under the laws of any non-U.S., state or local jurisdiction. This discussion also does not address tax considerations applicable to a non-U.S. holder subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including without limitation:

 

  Ÿ  

banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions;

 

  Ÿ  

partnerships or other pass-through entities;

 

  Ÿ  

tax-exempt organizations;

 

  Ÿ  

tax-qualified retirement plans;

 

  Ÿ  

dealers in securities or currencies;

 

  Ÿ  

traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

 

  Ÿ  

U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

  Ÿ  

controlled foreign corporations;

 

  Ÿ  

passive foreign investment companies;

 

  Ÿ  

persons that own, or have owned, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our Class A Common Stock; and

 

  Ÿ  

persons that will hold Class A Common Stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle” or “conversion transaction” for tax purposes.

Accordingly, we urge prospective investors to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax considerations of acquiring, holding and disposing of shares of our Class A Common Stock.

 

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If a partnership (or entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of our Class A Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership (or member in such other entity) will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Any partner in a collaboration holding shares of our Class A Common Stock should consult its own tax advisors.

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX RULES OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

Definition of Non-U.S. Holder

In general, a “non-U.S. holder” is any beneficial owner of our Class A Common Stock that is not a U.S. person. A “U.S. person” is any of the following:

 

  Ÿ  

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

  Ÿ  

a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (or entity treated as such for U.S. federal income tax purposes);

 

  Ÿ  

an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

  Ÿ  

a trust if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Distributions on Our Class A Common Stock

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we currently do not anticipate paying dividends on our Class A Common Stock in the foreseeable future. If, however, we make cash or other property distributions on our Class A Common Stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current earnings and profits for that taxable year or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and will first be applied against and reduce a holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Class A Common Stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our Class A Common Stock and will be treated as described below under “—Gain on Sale or Other Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock.”

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our Class A Common Stock generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends, or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must furnish to us or our paying agent a valid IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) certifying, under penalties of perjury, such holder’s qualification for the reduced rate. This certification must be provided to us or our paying agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically.

 

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If a non-U.S. holder holds our Class A Common Stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and dividends paid on our Class A Common Stock are effectively connected with such holder’s U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from the aforementioned U.S. federal withholding tax. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. holder must furnish to us or our paying agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form).

Such effectively connected dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such holder were a resident of the United States. A non-U.S. holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of a portion of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year. Non-U.S. holders should consult any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

A non-U.S. holder that claims exemption from withholding or the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty generally will be required to satisfy applicable certification and other requirements prior to the distribution date. Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide us or our paying agent with the required certification may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty or applicability of other exemptions from withholding.

A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Gain on Sale or Other Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our Class A Common Stock unless:

 

  Ÿ  

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by the non-U.S. holder in the United States and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder maintained in the United States;

 

  Ÿ  

the non-U.S. holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

 

  Ÿ  

we are or have been a U.S. real property holding corporation, or a USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition and the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our Class A Common Stock, and our Class A Common Stock has ceased to be traded on an established securities market prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the sale or other disposition occurs. The determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other trade or business assets and our foreign real property interests.

We believe we currently are not, and we do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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Gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates generally in the same manner as if such holder were a resident of the United States. A non-U.S. holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of a portion of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year. Non-U.S. holders should consult any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat 30% rate (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) but may be offset by U.S. source capital losses (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. Non-U.S. holders should consult any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to, and the tax withheld with respect to, each non-U.S. holder. This information also may be made available under a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Backup withholding generally will not apply to distributions to a non-U.S. holder of our Class A Common Stock provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient.

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our Class A Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8ECI (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Withholding taxes may be imposed under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our Class A Common Stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each, as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is

 

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subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States owned foreign entities” (each, as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and a recent IRS Notice, withholding under FATCA generally will apply to payments of dividends on our Class A Common Stock made on or after July 1, 2014 and to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of such stock on or after January 1, 2017. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our Class A Common Stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated             , 2014, the underwriters named below have severally agreed to purchase from us and from the selling stockholders the following number of shares of Class A Common Stock:

 

Underwriter

   Number of Shares

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

  

BMO Capital Markets Corp

  
  

 

Total

  
  

 

The underwriters are offering the shares of Class A Common Stock subject to acceptance of the shares of Class A Common Stock and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriters to purchase and accept delivery of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered by this prospectus are subject to approval by their counsel of legal matters and to certain other conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters are obligated to purchase and accept delivery of all of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered by this prospectus, if any are purchased, other than those covered by the option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock described below.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares of Class A Common Stock

We and the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase in whole or in part at any time up to an aggregate of              additional shares of Class A Common Stock, at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount. If purchased, these additional shares of Class A Common Stock will be sold by the underwriters on the same terms as those on which the shares of Class A Common Stock offered by this prospectus are sold.

Commission and Discounts

The underwriters propose to offer shares of Class A Common Stock directly to the public at the public offering price indicated on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $         per share. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $         per share to other dealers. If all of the shares of Class A Common Stock are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriters may change the public offering price and the other selling terms.

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discount that we and the selling stockholders will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

     Per Class A
Common Stock
     Total Without
Over-Allotment
     Total With
Over-Allotment
 

Public offering price

   $                    $                    $                

Underwriting discount

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders

   $         $         $     

 

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We and the selling stockholders, severally and not jointly, estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $         million.

The selling stockholders may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against various liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

Lock-up Agreements

We, our directors, our executive officers and substantially all of our existing stockholders have agreed for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, not to directly or indirectly: (a) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or take any other action, whether through derivative contracts, options or otherwise to reduce their financial risk of holding any of our securities, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or any rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, any securities held or deemed to be beneficially owned by the person or entity without the prior written consent of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or (b) exercise or seek to exercise or effectuate in any manner any rights of any nature that the person or the entity has or may have hereafter to require us to register under the Securities Act, the sale, transfer or other disposition of any of our securities held or deemed to be beneficially owned by the person or entity, or to otherwise participate as a selling security holder in any manner in any registration by us under the Securities Act. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (a) the securities being offered in this prospectus, (b) exchanges of LLC Units for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the exchange agreement, (c) any grant or exercise of options or other similar awards pursuant to the Incentive Plan, (d) any transfer of securities to a person or entity that controls or is controlled by, or is under common control or management with, or is wholly-owned by a stockholder, (e) distributions of securities to limited or general partners, members or stockholders of our existing stockholders, or (f) dispositions of securities to a bona fide third party pursuant to a tender offer or any other transaction, including, without limitation, a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving a change in control of the Company, provided that the per share consideration for the securities transferred will be greater than the public offering price per share in this offering. Moreover, in the case of transfer pursuant to (d) or (e) above, any transferee or distribution recipient must agree to be bound by the foregoing restrictions on transfer.

In addition we have agreed that for 180 days after the date of this prospectus, we will not directly or indirectly without the prior written consent of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (a) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock, or sell or grant options with respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans existing on the date hereof), (b) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of Class A Common Stock, (c) file or cause to be filed a registration statement with respect to the registration of any shares of Class A Common Stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into our Class A Common Stock or any other securities or (d) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

 

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Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until this offering is completed, SEC rules may limit the ability of the underwriters and certain selling group members to bid for and purchase shares of Class A Common Stock. As an exception to these rules, the underwriters may engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of the shares of Class A Common Stock. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions, purchases to cover positions created by short sales and passive market making. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for purchase by the underwriters under the option to purchase additional Class A Common Stock. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock or purchasing shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares of Class A Common Stock to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares of Class A Common Stock compared to the price available under the option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock. The underwriters may also sell shares of Class A Common Stock in excess of the option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the shares of Class A Common Stock. The underwriters may also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the shares of Class A Common Stock in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed shares of Class A Common Stock to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the shares of Class A Common Stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the shares of Class A Common Stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the shares of Class A Common Stock.

In connection with this transaction, the underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions in the shares of Class A Common Stock, prior to the pricing and completion of this offering. Passive market making is permitted by Regulation M of the Securities Act and consists of displaying bids no higher than the bid prices of independent market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than these independent bids and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker’s average daily trading volume in the shares of Class A Common Stock during a specified period and must be discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market making may cause the price of the shares of Class A Common Stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of such transactions.

These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the shares of Class A Common Stock. As a result the price of the shares of Class A Common Stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters without notice at any time.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus may be made available in electronic format on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriters of the offering, or by its affiliates. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information

 

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contained in any other website maintained by the underwriters is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters in their capacity as underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Listing

We have applied to list our Class A Common Stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “MBUU.”

Affiliations

The underwriters and their affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking, financial advisory and other financial services to us and our affiliates for which it has received, and in the future may receive, advisory or transaction fees, as applicable, plus out-of-pocket expenses of the nature and in amounts customary in the industry for these financial services. In addition to investment banking services that the underwriters and their affiliates provide from time to time, we have banking and brokerage transactions in the ordinary course of business with the underwriter and its affiliates. It is expected that we will continue to use the underwriters and their affiliates for various services in the future.

Conflicts of Interest

SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., one of the underwriters in this offering, is expected to receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering in connection with the repayment of a portion of our credit facilities and term loans. See “Use of Proceeds.” Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. As required by FINRA Rule 5121, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. will not confirm sales to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the specific written approval of the accountholder.

Notice to Canadian Residents

Resale Restrictions

The distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock in Canada is being made only on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we and the selling stockholders prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of shares of Class A Common Stock are made. Any resale of the shares of Class A Common Stock in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the shares of Class A Common Stock.

Representations of Purchasers

By purchasing shares of Class A Common Stock in Canada and accepting a purchase confirmation a purchaser is representing to us, the selling stockholders and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

 

  Ÿ  

Further details concerning the legal authority for this information is available on request. the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the shares of Class A Common Stock without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws;

 

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  Ÿ  

where required by law, that the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent;

 

  Ÿ  

the purchaser has reviewed the text above under “—Resale Restrictions”; and

 

  Ÿ  

the purchaser acknowledges and consents to the provision of specified information concerning its purchase of the shares of Class A Common Stock to the regulatory authority that by law is entitled to collect the information.

Further details concerning the legal authority for this information is available on request.

Rights of Action—Ontario Purchasers Only

Under Ontario securities legislation, certain purchasers who purchase a security offered by this prospectus during the period of distribution will have a statutory right of action for damages, or while still the owner of the shares of Class A Common Stock, for rescission against us and the selling stockholders in the event that this prospectus contains a misrepresentation without regard to whether the purchaser relied on the misrepresentation. The right of action for damages is exercisable not later than the earlier of 180 days from the date the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the cause of action and three years from the date on which payment is made for the shares of Class A Common Stock. The right of action for rescission is exercisable not later than 180 days from the date on which payment is made for the shares of Class A Common Stock. If a purchaser elects to exercise the right of action for rescission, the purchaser will have no right of action for damages against us or the selling stockholders. In no case will the amount recoverable in any action exceed the price at which the shares of Class A Common Stock were offered to the purchaser and if the purchaser is shown to have purchased the securities with knowledge of the misrepresentation, we and the selling stockholders will have no liability. In the case of an action for damages, we and the selling stockholders will not be liable for all or any portion of the damages that are proven to not represent the depreciation in value of the shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of the misrepresentation relied upon. These rights are in addition to, and without derogation from, any other rights or remedies available at law to an Ontario purchaser. The foregoing is a summary of the rights available to an Ontario purchaser. Ontario purchasers should refer to the complete text of the relevant statutory provisions.

Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein and the selling stockholders are located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons are located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of shares of Class A Common Stock should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the shares of Class A Common Stock in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the shares of Class A Common Stock for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), each underwriters represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that

 

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Relevant Member State, or the Relevant Implementation Date, it has not made and will not make an offer of Securities to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of Securities to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

  Ÿ  

to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

  Ÿ  

to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

  Ÿ  

to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the manager for any such offer; or

 

  Ÿ  

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of our shares of Class A Common Stock shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or the underwriters of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of shares of Class A Common Stock to the public” in relation to any shares of Class A Common Stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares of Class A Common Stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares of Class A Common Stock, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

Notice to Investors in the United Kingdom

Each underwriter represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000, or FSMA) to persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling with Article 19(5) of FSMA (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or in circumstances in which section 21 of FSMA does not apply to the Company; and

 

  Ÿ  

it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares of Class A Common Stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the Class A Common Stock to be issued in this offering and certain other legal matters with respect to the offering will be passed upon for us by Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, Nashville, Tennessee. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Morrison & Foerster LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements appearing in this prospectus and registration statement have been audited by McGladrey LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to this offering of our Class A Common Stock. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, some items of which are contained in exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our Class A Common Stock, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits and the financial statements and notes filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement is this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit. The exhibits to the registration statement should be referenced for the complete contents of these contracts and documents. You may obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with this law, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference facilities and the website of the SEC referred to above.

 

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MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Income

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Members’ Equity

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

 

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LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors

Malibu Boats Holdings , LLC and Subsidiaries

Loudon, Tennessee

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Malibu Boats Holdings , LLC and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, members’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Malibu Boats Holdings , LLC and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Indianapolis, Indiana

December 13, 2013

 

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MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

     June 30,     September 30,
2013
(Unaudited)
    Pro Forma
Malibu Boats
Inc. As of
September 30,
2013

(Unaudited)
     2012     2013      

Assets

        

Current assets

        

Cash

   $ 14,797      $ 15,957      $ 4,697     

Trade receivables, less allowances of $254, $254 and $286 as of June 30, 2012, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively

     7,481        7,642        6,653     

Inventories, net

     9,123        11,639        15,288     

Prepaid expenses

     12        223        418     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total current assets

     31,413        35,461        27,056     

Property and equipment, net

     4,860        6,648        7,230     

Goodwill

     5,718        5,718        5,718     

Other intangible assets

     22,713        17,535        16,241     

Debt issuance costs, net

     15        531        965     

Deferred tax asset

                       

Other assets

     6        34        9     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total assets

   $ 64,725      $ 65,927      $ 57,219     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Liabilities

        

Current liabilities

        

Current maturities of long-term debt

     5,160        3,326        3,712     

Accounts payable

     9,853        11,655        13,944     

Accrued expenses

     8,028        10,524        11,426     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total current liabilities

     23,041        25,505        29,082     

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback

     156        145        142     

Payable pursuant to tax receivable agreement

                       

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     16,083        20,263        60,531     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total liabilities

     39,280        45,913        89,755     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 13)

        

Equity

        

Class A Units, 37,000 units authorized, 36,742 units issued and outstanding

     36,777        16,978        (32,759  

Class B Units, 3,885 units authorized, issued and outstanding

     526        (2,417     (7,800 )    

Class M Units, 2,658 units authorized, 915 and 1,421 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and 1,549 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013

     213        (460     (3,069  

Accumulated (deficit) earnings

     (12,071     5,913        11,092     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total members’ equity (deficit)

     25,445        20,014        (32,536  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 64,725      $ 65,927      $ 57,219     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per unit and share data)

 

     Historical Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC     Pro Forma Malibu Boats, Inc.  
     Year Ended June 30,     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
(Unaudited)
    Year ended
June  30,

2013
(Unaudited)
     Three months
ended
September 30,

2013
(Unaudited)
 
     2011     2012     2013     2012     2013       

Net sales

   $ 99,984      $ 140,892      $ 167,012      $ 33,159      $ 43,304        

Cost of sales

     83,730        110,849        123,412        25,291        32,283        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     16,254        30,043        43,600        7,868        11,021        

Operating expenses:

               

Selling and marketing

     3,621        4,071        4,937        1,076        1,432        

General and administrative

     6,194        8,307        14,177        4,512        1,955        

Amortization

     5,178        5,178        5,178        1,294        1,294        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,261        12,487        19,308        986        6,340        

Other income (expense):

               

Other

     11        52        10        3        3        

Interest expense

     (1,815     (1,433     (1,334     (350     (1,164     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other expense

     (1,804     (1,381     (1,324     (347     (1,161     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (543     11,106        17,984        639        5,179        

Provision for income taxes

                                        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (543   $ 11,106      $ 17,984      $ 639      $ 5,179        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per unit:

               

Class A Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.26      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12        

Class B Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.39      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12        

Class M Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.12      $ 0.43      $ 0.02      $ 0.12        

Diluted (loss) earnings per unit:

               

Class A Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.25      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12        

Class B Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.39      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12        

Class M Units

   $ (0.01   $ 0.12      $ 0.42      $ 0.02      $ 0.12        

Pro forma earnings available to Class A Common Stock per share:

               

Basic

             $       $   

Dilutive

             $       $   

Basic weighted average units used in computing (loss) earnings per unit:

               

Class A Units

     37,000        36,875        36,742        36,742        36,742        

Class B Units

     3,885        3,885        3,885        3,885        3,885        

Class M Units

     469        915        1,421        1,042        1,549        

Diluted weighted average units used in computing (loss) earnings per unit:

               

Class A Units

     37,000        36,875        36,742        36,742        36,742        

Class B Units

     3,885        3,885        3,885        3,885        3,885        

Class M Units

     1,125        972        1,421        1,042        1,549        

Pro forma basic and diluted weighted average shares used in computing earnings per share:

               

Basic

               

Dilutive

               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Members’ Equity

(In thousands)

 

    Member Units     Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
    Total
Members’
Equity
(Deficit)
 
    Class A     Class B     Class M      
    Units     Amount     Units     Amount     Units     Amount      

Balance at June 30, 2010

    37,000      $ 37,000        3,885      $ 526             $      $ (22,634   $ 14,892   

Net income (loss)

                                              (543     (543

Stock based compensation

                                       118               118   

Membership units vested

                                469                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2011

    37,000        37,000        3,885        526        469        118        (23,177     14,467   

Net income

                                              11,106        11,106   

Stock-based compensation

                                       132               132   

Membership units vested

                                559                        

Repurchase of vested membership units

    (258     (223                   (113     (37            (260
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2012

    36,742        36,777        3,885        526        915        213        (12,071     25,445   

Net income

                                              17,984        17,984   

Stock-based compensation

                                       127               127   

Membership units vested

                                506                        

Distributions to members

           (19,799            (2,943            (800            (23,542
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2013

    36,742        16,978        3,885        (2,417     1,421        (460     5,913        20,014   

Net income*

                                              5,179        5,179   

Stock-based compensation*

                                       32               32   

Membership units vested*

                                128                        

Distributions to members*

           (49,737            (5,383            (2,641            (57,761
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013*

    36,742      $ (32,759     3,885      $ (7,800     1,549      $ (3,069   $ 11,092      $ (32,536
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

* Unaudited

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended June 30,     Three Months
Ended
September 30,

(Unaudited)
 
     2011     2012     2013     2012     2013  

Operating activities:

          

Net (loss) income

   $ (543   $ 11,106      $ 17,984      $ 639      $ 5,179   

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

          

Non-cash compensation expense

     118        132        127        32        32   

Depreciation

     821        895        1,090        322        296   

Loss on sale of equipment

            5                        

Gain on sale-leaseback transaction

     (1     (11     (11     (3     (3

Amortization of intangible assets

     5,178        5,178        5,178        1,294        1,294   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     181        181        148        48        582   

Change in fair value of derivative

                   (28            25   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

          

Trade receivables

     (2     (3,675     (161     1,637        989   

Inventories

     (3,063     944        (2,516     (2,533     (3,649

Prepaid expenses

     (76     145        (211     (405     (195

Accounts payable

     3,123        (1,189     1,802        351        2,289   

Accrued expenses

     877        1,784        2,497        1,639        901   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     6,613        15,495        25,899        3,021        7,740   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

          

Purchase of property and equipment

     (1,306     (2,651     (2,878     (314     (878

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     4                               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,302     (2,651     (2,878     (314     (878
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

          

Principal payments on long-term borrowings

     (6,154     (6,872     (26,155     (21,042     (24,345

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

                   28,500        28,500        65,000   

Payment of deferred financing costs

                   (664     (664     (1,016

Distributions to members

                   (23,542     (15,395     (57,761

Repurchase of member units

            (260                     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (6,154     (7,132     (21,861     (8,601     (18,122
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in cash

     (843     5,712        1,160        (5,894     (11,260

Cash—Beginning of period

     9,928        9,085        14,797        14,797        15,957   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash—End of period

   $ 9,085      $ 14,797      $ 15,957      $ 8,903      $ 4,697   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

          

Cash paid for interest

   $ 1,662      $ 1,241      $ 1,190      $ 78      $ 585   

Assets acquired under notes payable

     232                               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Information as of September 30, 2013 and for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is unaudited

(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)

1. Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC (“Malibu Boats” or the “Company”) is a Delaware limited liability company. The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiary, Malibu Boats, LLC. Malibu Boats Domestic International Sales Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malibu Boats, LLC. Malibu Boats, founded in 1982 and headquartered near Knoxville, Tennessee, is engaged in the design, engineering, manufacturing and marketing of innovative, high-quality, performance sports boats that are sold through independent dealers, throughout the United States and Canada, but with consumers worldwide.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are shown and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Malibu Boats for the year ended June 30, 2013. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at September 30, 2013 and the results of its operations and the cash flows for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 and 2013. Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending June 30, 2014. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period presentation to conform to the current period presentation.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All dollar and unit amounts are presented in thousands, unless otherwise noted.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The unaudited pro forma balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 for Malibu Boats, Inc. gives effect to the change in capitalization assuming              shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. Shares of Class A Common Stock issued in such offering and related net proceeds are excluded from such pro forma information. The unaudited pro forma income tax information and earnings per share for the year ended June 30, 2013 and the three months ended September 30, 2013 reflects federal income taxes calculated at the effective rate of 34.4% as if the Company was a taxable entity and the number of shares the members are to receive in Malibu Boats, Inc. in exchange for their membership interests.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

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Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material.

Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is subject to those risks common in manufacture-driven markets, including, but not limited to, competitive forces, dependence on key personnel, consumer demand for its products, the successful protection of its proprietary technologies, compliance with government regulations and the possibility of not being able to obtain additional financing if and when needed.

Concentration of Credit Risk

A majority of the Company’s sales are made pursuant to floor plan financing programs in which the Company participates on behalf of its dealers through a contingent repurchase agreement with various third-party financing institutions. Under these arrangements, a dealer establishes lines of credit with one or more of these third-party lenders for the purchase of dealer boat inventory. When a dealer purchases and takes delivery of a boat pursuant to a floor plan financing arrangement, it draws against its line of credit and the lender pays the invoice cost of the boat directly to the Company within approximately two weeks. For dealers that use local floor plan financing programs or pay cash, the Company may extend credit without collateral under the dealer agreement based on the Company’s evaluation of the dealer’s credit risk and past payment history. The Company maintains allowances for potential credit losses that it believes are adequate. Refer to Note 1 “Trade Accounts Receivable” for factors considered in determining the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts.

Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. As of June 30, 2013, no highly liquid investments were held and the entire balance consists of traditional cash.

At June 30, 2012 and 2013 and September 30, 2013, substantially all cash on hand was held by one financial institution. This cash on deposit may be, at times, in excess of insurance limits provided by the FDIC.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade receivables are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful receivables based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. The allowance for doubtful receivables was $254 at June 30, 2012 and 2013 and $286 at September 30, 2013. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by identifying troubled accounts and by using historical experience applied to an aging of accounts. Trade receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded when received. A trade receivable is considered to be past due if any portion of the receivable balance is outstanding beyond customer terms.

 

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Inventories

Substantially all inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on the first in, first out (“FIFO”) basis. Manufacturing cost includes materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Unallocated overhead and abnormal costs are expensed as incurred.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment acquired outside of acquisition are stated at cost. When property and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is accounted for in the statement of operations. Major additions are capitalized; maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are charged to operating expenses as incurred if they do not increase the life or productivity of the related capitalized asset. Depreciation on leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method based on the lesser of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life and depreciation of equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life as follows:

 

     Years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of useful life

or lease term

Machinery and equipment

   3-5

Furniture and fixtures

   3-5

The Company accounts for the impairment and disposition of long-lived assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment” (“ASC Topic 360”). In accordance with ASC Topic 360, long-lived assets to be held are reviewed for events or changes in circumstances that indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company periodically reviews for any indicators and, if indicators are present, tests the carrying value of long-lived assets, assessing their net realizable values based on estimated undiscounted cash flows over their remaining estimated useful lives. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. No impairment charges were recorded for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and for the three months ended September 30, 2013 in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill amounts are not amortized, but rather are evaluated for potential impairment on an annual basis, as of June 30, unless circumstances indicate the need for impairment testing between the annual tests in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” If this assessment indicates the possibility of impairment, the income approach to test for goodwill impairment would be used unless circumstances indicate that a better estimate of fair value was available. Under the income approach, management calculates the fair value of each reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets including goodwill assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets including goodwill exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then management

 

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determines the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. The Company did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of dealer relationships, product trade names and legal and contractual rights surrounding a patent. These assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition dates using the income approach. These assets are being amortized using straight-line method based on their estimated useful lives ranging from eight to 15 years.

The estimated useful lives of acquired dealer relationships consider the average length of dealer relationships at the time of acquisition, historical rates of dealer attrition and retention, the Company’s history of renewal and extension of dealer relationships, as well as competitive and economic factors result in a range of useful lives. The estimated useful lives of the Company’s product trade names are based on a number of factors including technological obsolescence and the competitive environment. The estimated useful lives of legal and contractual rights are estimated based on the benefits that the patent provides for its remaining terms unless competitive, technological obsolescence or other factors indicate a shorter life.

Management, assisted by third-party valuation specialists, determines the estimated fair values of separately identifiable intangible assets at the date of acquisition under the income approach. Significant data and assumptions used in the valuations included cost, market and income comparisons, discount rates, royalty rates and management forecasts. Discount rates for each intangible asset were selected based on judgment of relative risk and approximate rates of returns investors in the subject assets might require. The royalty rates were developed using weighted average rates, which were based on projected sales and profits of products sold and management’s assessment of the intangibles’ importance to the sales and profitability of the product. Management provided forecasts of financial data pertaining to assets, liabilities and income statement balances to be utilized in the valuations. While management believes the assumptions, estimates, appraisal methods and ensuing results are appropriate and represent the best evidence of fair value in the circumstances, modification or use of other assumptions or methods could have yielded different results.

The carrying amount of intangible assets are reviewed whenever circumstances arise that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The carrying value of these assets is compared to the undiscounted future cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the carrying value is compared to the fair value and this difference is recognized as an impairment loss. There was no impairment loss recognized on intangible assets for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”). As part of the process of preparing the financial statements, the Company is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the balance sheet. The Company then assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be realized

 

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based on future taxable income and, to the extent the Company believes that recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance is established. To the extent a valuation allowance is established or changed in a period, the Company includes an expense or a benefit within the tax provision.

The members of the Company have elected to be taxed as a limited liability company under the provisions of the federal and state income tax codes. Under these provisions, the members report net income of the Company on their individual income tax returns. As a result, no provision for income taxes is reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Net income for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income attributable to members as a result of differences between the tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities.

The Company has adopted the provisions of the “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” section of the ASC Topic 740. The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the Company has to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision. For the years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, management determined that there were no material uncertain income tax positions.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally manufactures products based on specific orders from dealers and often ships completed products only after receiving credit approval from financial institutions. Revenue is primarily recorded when all of the following conditions have been met:

 

  Ÿ  

an order for a product has been received;

 

  Ÿ  

a common carrier signs the delivery ticket accepting responsibility for the product; and

 

  Ÿ  

the product is removed from the Company’s property for delivery.

These conditions are generally met when title passes, which is when boats are shipped to dealers in accordance with shipping terms, which are primarily free on board shipping point.

Dealers generally have no rights to return unsold boats. From time to time, however, the Company may accept returns in limited circumstances and at the Company’s discretion under its warranty policy. The Company may be obligated to accept returns of unsold boats under its repurchase commitment to floor financing providers. Refer to Note 5 and Note 13 related to the Company’s product warranty and repurchase commitment obligations, respectively.

Revenue from boat part sales is recorded as the product is shipped from the Company’s location, which is a free on board shipping point.

 

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Revenue associated with sales of materials, parts, boats or engine products sold under the Company’s exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreement with its Australian licensee are recognized under free on board port of disembarkment terms, the point at which the risks of ownership and loss pass to the licensee. The Company also earns royalties from its Australian licensee, which are accrued on a monthly basis based on the licensee’s gross sales. Royalties earned are paid to the Company on a quarterly basis.

Delivery Costs

Shipping and freight costs are included in cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Rebates, Promotions, Floor Financing and Incentives

The Company provides for various structured dealer rebate and sales promotions incentives, which are recognized as a reduction in net sales, at the time of sale to the dealer. Examples of such programs include rebates, seasonal discounts, promotional co-op arrangements and other allowances. Dealer rebates and sales promotion expenses are estimated based on current programs and historical achievement and/or usage rates. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if dealer achievement or other items vary from historical trends. Free floor financing incentives are estimated at the time of sale to the dealer based on the expected expense to the Company over the term of the free flooring period and are recognized as a reduction in sales.

Changes in the Company’s accrual for dealer rebates were as follows:

 

     As of June 30,     As of
September 30,
2013
(Unaudited)
 
     2012     2013    

Beginning balance

   $ 1,463      $ 1,801      $ 2,709   

Provision

     3,052        4,261        1,019   

Payments

     (2,714     (3,353     (1,864
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 1,801      $ 2,709      $ 1,864   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the Company’s accrual for flooring financing were as follows:

 

     As of June 30,     As of
September 30,
2013
(Unaudited)
 
     2012     2013    

Beginning balance

   $      $      $   

Provision

     2,132        2,413        1,318   

Payments

     (2,132     (2,413     (247
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $      $      $ 1,071   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued Expenses

The Company’s accrued expenses primarily consist of estimates for dealer rebates, promotions, floor financing, and incentives (see above), product warranties (see Note 5) and normal obligations for payroll and interest on the Company’s debt.

 

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Derivative Instruments

The Company follows the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” which requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, depending on the type of hedge transaction. As of June 30 and September 30, 2013, the Company had a derivative instrument in the form of an interest rate swap. Refer to Note 7 for additional information.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments for which the Company did not elect the fair value option include accounts receivable, prepaids and other current assets, short-term credit facilities, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate their fair values as a result of their short-term nature or variable interest rates. Variable rate long-term debt issued by the Company was used to extinguish the existing fixed rate subordinated debt during 2013. The carrying value of the Company’s debt approximates fair value. The Company’s financial instruments are not held for trading purposes. Management believes that the carrying values of the financial instruments are reasonable estimates of fair value. See Note 8 for more information.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC Topic 820”) for fair value measurements of financial assets and financial liabilities, and for fair value measurements of nonfinancial items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In addition to the financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with applicable GAAP. This includes items such as nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods) and nonfinancial long-lived asset groups measured at fair value for an impairment assessment. In general, non-financial assets including goodwill, other intangible assets and property and equipment are measured at fair value when there is an indication of impairment and are recorded at fair value only when any impairment is recognized. See Note 8 for more information.

Equity-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation, which includes profits interests granted to employees and directors pursuant to the Company’s limited liability company agreement entered into on August 7, 2006, as amended (the “LLC Agreement”), in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC Topic 718”). ASC Topic 718 requires that all stock-based compensation be recognized as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured at the grant date fair value of the award.

Repurchase Commitments

In connection with its dealers’ wholesale floor-plan financing of boats, the Company has entered into repurchase agreements with various lending institutions. The repurchase commitment

 

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is on an individual unit basis with a term from the date it is financed by the lending institution through payment date by the dealer, generally not exceeding two and a half years. The total amount financed under the floor financing programs with repurchase obligations was $34,500 and $51,800 at June 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $49,600 as of September 30, 2013. Such agreements are customary in the industry and the Company’s exposure to loss under such agreements is limited by contractual caps and the resale value of the inventory which is required to be repurchased. No units were repurchased for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 or the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (unaudited).

Debt Issuance Costs

In July 2013, deferred financing costs of $1,016 were capitalized with the issuance of the Company’s new revolving credit facility and long-term secured note and are being amortized over the terms of the underlying agreement. See Note 6 for more information. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $531 associated with the Company’s previously existing term note and revolving credit facility were expensed upon extinguishment of the debt. Amortization of deferred financing costs, including those related to the Company’s extinguishment, of $181, $181 and $148 were recorded for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $48 and $582 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs were $15 and $531 at June 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $965 as of September 30, 2013. These amounts are classified as other assets, net and are amortized over the term of the debt into interest expense using the effective interest method.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses are included in selling and marketing expenses and were not material for fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 or for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2011 and February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to the balance sheet topic of the ASC, which requires entities to disclose both gross and net information about both derivatives and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting agreement. The objective of the disclosure is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Retrospective presentation for all comparative periods presented is required. The adoption of the standard had no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

In July 2012, the FASB issued guidance on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. Under the guidance, testing the decline in the realizable value (impairment) of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill has been simplified. The guidance allows an organization the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. An organization electing to perform a qualitative assessment is no longer required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the organization determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. The guidance is effective for impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 and early adoption is permitted. This guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

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In September 2011, the FASB updated FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” This update gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads 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, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” (“ASU 2011-04”). The new standards do not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provide guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under IFRS or GAAP. For GAAP, most of the changes are clarifications of existing guidance or wording changes to align with IFRS. ASU 2011-04 is effective for all interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operation or financial condition.

2. Inventories

Inventories, net consisted of the following:

 

     As of June 30,     As of
September 30,
2013

(Unaudited)
 
     2012     2013    

Raw materials

   $ 6,989      $ 7,796      $ 11,360   

Work in progress

     1,043        1,148        1,748   

Finished goods

     2,299        3,151        2,725   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Inventory obsolescence reserve

     (1,208     (456     (545
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net inventory

   $ 9,123      $ 11,639      $ 15,288   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

3. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

     As of June 30,     As of
September 30,
2013

(Unaudited)
 
     2012     2013    

Land

   $ 254      $ 254      $ 254   

Leasehold improvements

     1,085        1,604        1,640   

Machinery and equipment

     5,328        7,320        9,166   

Furniture and fixtures

     1,114        1,379        1,407   

Construction in process

     1,581        1,683        651   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     9,362        12,240        13,118   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (4,502     (5,592     (5,888
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 4,860      $ 6,648      $ 7,230   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Depreciation expense was $821, $895 and $1,090 for fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $322 and $296 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (unaudited), respectively, substantially all of which was recorded in cost of goods sold.

Sale-Leaseback Transaction

In March 2008, the Company sold its two primary manufacturing and office facilities for a total of $18,250, which resulted in a gain of $726. Expenses incurred related to the sale were $523. Simultaneous with the sale, the Company entered into an agreement to lease back the buildings for an initial term of 20 years. The net gain on this transaction of $203 has been deferred and is being amortized over the initial lease term. For each of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, $11 of the realized gain was recognized. For each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (unaudited), $3 of the realized gain was recognized.

4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets and goodwill consisted of the following:

 

     As of June 30, 2012  
     Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Book
Value
     Useful Life  

Definite-lived intangibles:

          

Dealer relationships

   $ 27,392       $ (20,258   $ 7,134         8 Years   

Patent

     1,386         (684     702         12 Years   

Trade name

     24,567         (9,690     14,877         15 Years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total definite-lived intangibles

     53,345         (30,632     22,713      

Goodwill

     5,718                5,718      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total intangible assets and goodwill

   $ 59,063       $ (30,632   $ 28,431      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    
     As of June 30, 2013  
     Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Book
Value
     Useful Life  

Definite-lived intangibles:

          

Dealer relationships

   $ 27,392       $ (23,683   $ 3,709         8 Years   

Patent

     1,386         (799     587         12 Years   

Trade name

     24,567         (11,328     13,239         15 Years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total definite-lived intangibles

     53,345         (35,810     17,535      

Goodwill

     5,718                5,718      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total intangible assets and goodwill

   $ 59,063       $ (35,810   $ 23,253      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    
     As of September 30, 2013 (Unaudited)  
     Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Book
Value
     Useful Life  

Definite-lived intangibles:

          

Dealer relationships

   $ 27,392       $ (24,539   $ 2,853         8 Years   

Patent

     1,386         (828     558         12 Years   

Trade name

     24,567         (11,737     12,830         15 Years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total definite-lived intangibles

     53,345         (37,104     16,241      

Goodwill

     5,718                5,718      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total intangible assets and goodwill

   $ 59,063       $ (37,104   $ 21,959      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

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Amortization expense recognized on all amortizable intangibles was $5,178 for each of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and $1,294 for each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (unaudited). As of September 30, 2013 (unaudited), the weighted average useful lives for dealer relationships were 0.9 years, the weighted average useful lives for patents were 4.9 years and the weighted average useful lives for trade names were 7.9 years.

Estimated future amortization expenses were as follows:

 

Years Ending June 30,

   As of June 30, 2013  

2014

   $ 5,177   

2015

     2,039   

2016

     1,753   

2017

     1,753   

2018

     1,753   

Thereafter

     5,060   
  

 

 

 
   $ 17,535   
  

 

 

 

Estimated future amortization expense as of September 30, 2013, for the remainder of fiscal 2014 was $3,883.

5. Product Warranties

The Company provides a limited warranty for a period of up to three years for its products. The Company’s standard warranties require the Company or its dealers to repair or replace defective products during such warranty period at no cost to the consumer. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its basic limited warranty and records as a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims and cost per claim. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary. The Company utilizes historical trends and analytical tools to assist in determining the appropriate warranty liability. Adjustments made to provisional amounts related to prior periods were insignificant as of June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and September 30, 2013.

Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability were as follows:

 

     As of June 30,     As of
September 30,
2013

(Unaudited)
 
     2012     2013    

Beginning balance

   $ 2,400      $ 3,863      $ 5,658   

Provision

     3,572        3,756        886   

Payments

     (2,109     (1,961     (612
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 3,863      $ 5,658      $ 5,932   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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6. Financing

Outstanding debt consisted of the following:

 

     As of June 30,     As of
September 30,
2013

(Unaudited)
 
     2012     2013    

Short-term debt

      

Notes payable—equipment

   $ 173      $ 76      $ 56   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     4,987        3,250        3,656   

Long-term debt

      

Notes payable—equipment

     76                 

Term loan

                   60,531   

Previous term loan

            20,263          

Previous term loan

     16,007                 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     21,243        23,589        64,243   

Less current maturities

     (5,160     (3,326     (3,712
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt less current maturities

   $ 16,083      $ 20,263      $ 60,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short-Term Debt

On March 31, 2011, the Company issued a promissory note to General Electric Capital Corporation in connection with the lease of production equipment for its manufacturing facility. Under the terms of the promissory note, payments of principal and interest are due in monthly installments with a final payment due in May 2014. As of September 30, 2013, the effective interest rate on the note was 7%.

Long-Term Debt

New Revolving Line of Credit and Term Loan. On July 16, 2013, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks led by SunTrust Bank that included a revolving credit facility and term loan (the “Credit Agreement”). The proceeds from the Credit Agreement were used to repay the Company’s previously existing revolving credit facility and term loan with the same bank.

The Credit Agreement is comprised of a $10,000 revolving commitment, none of which was outstanding as of September 30, 2013, and a $65,000 term loan commitment, $64,187 of which was outstanding as of September 30, 2013. The revolving credit facility and term loan are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company’s option of Bank Prime or London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus the applicable margin, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The term loan is payable in quarterly principal installments of $813 beginning September 30, 2013, increasing to $1,219 on September 30, 2014, increasing to $1,625 on September 30, 2015, increasing to $2,032 on September 30, 2016 and increasing to $2,438 on September 30, 2017 through March 30, 2018, with all unpaid principal due on July 16, 2018. Both the revolving loan commitment and the term loan commitment mature on July 16, 2018. As of September 30, 2013, the effective interest rates on the revolving and term loan commitments were 5.25% and 3.19%, respectively.

 

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The Company has a swingline line of credit from SunTrust Bank in the principal amount of up to $2,000 due on or before July 16, 2018. Any amounts drawn under the swingline line of credit reduce the capacity under the revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had no outstanding balance under the swingline facility.

In addition, the Company has the ability to issue letters of credit under its new revolving credit and term loan agreement up to $3,000, none of which was outstanding as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited). This letter of credit availability may be reduced by borrowings under the revolving line of credit. The Company’s access to these letters of credit expires July 16, 2018 with the expiration of access to the revolving commitment.

Previous Revolving Line of Credit and Term Loan. On July 11, 2012, the Company entered into a revolving credit and term loan agreement are comprised of a $5,000 revolving commitment and $28,500 term loan commitment with SunTrust Bank which were collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The proceeds from this revolving line of credit and term loan agreement were used to repay previously existing term and revolving loans. Borrowings against the revolving line of credit bore interest at the Company’s option of Bank Prime or LIBOR plus the applicable margin, as defined in the agreement. The Company had the ability to issue letters of credit under this agreement up to $3,000. At June 30, 2013, the effective rate on the previous revolving and term loan commitments were 6.5% and 3.94%, respectively.

The aggregate annual maturities on the line of credit and term loan were as follows:

 

Years Ending June 30,

   As of
June 30,
2013
     As of
September 30,
2013

(Unaudited)
 

2014

   $ 3,326       $ 2,493   

2015

     5,700         4,875   

2016

     5,700         6,500   

2017

     8,863         8,125   

2018

             42,250   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 23,589       $ 64,243   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loan Covenants

The Credit Agreement requires the Company to meet certain financial covenants that include a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, and notice requirements for the occurrence of specific events such as pending or threatened labor disputes, litigation or judgments over a certain amount. The Credit Agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants, which, among other things, place limits on the Company’s activities and those of its subsidiaries, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, additional liens on property and limit the future payment of dividends or distributions. The Credit Agreement specifies permitted liens, permitted investments and permitted debt. Affirmative covenants governing the timing of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting, are also included in the Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in the Credit Agreement (unaudited).

7. Derivative Instrument

On August 2, 2012, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional value of $14,250 which was entered into to hedge the variable rate interest payments on half of the long-

 

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term debt entered into during July 2012. Under the swap, the Company pays interest on a quarterly basis at a fixed rate of 0.61% and receives interest at a variable rate equal to one-month LIBOR. The notional amount of the swap reduces as mandatory debt principal payments under the Company’s July 2012 credit agreement were scheduled to amortize. The interest rate swap expires on June 30, 2017. Because management had not designated the swap as a hedge, the Company recorded the changes in fair value of the swap of $28 for the year ended June 30, 2013 and $(25) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited) in interest expense.

8. Fair Value Measurements

In determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, the Company employs a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. As defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” fair value is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). Financial assets and financial liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value are categorized based on the reliability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

 

  Ÿ  

Level 1—Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

 

  Ÿ  

Level 2—Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets; or valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

  Ÿ  

Level 3—Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the financial assets and financial liabilities.

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

 

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Assets and liabilities that had recurring fair value measurements were as follows:

 

     Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  
     Total      Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
 

As of June 30, 2012:

           

Cash

   $ 14,797       $ 14,797       $       $   

Derivative instrument

                               
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value

   $ 14,797       $ 14,797       $       $   

As of June 30, 2013:

           

Cash

   $ 15,957       $ 15,957       $       $   

Derivative instrument

                     28           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value

   $ 15,957       $ 15,957       $ 28       $   

As of September 30, 2013 (Unaudited):

           

Cash

   $ 4,697       $ 4,697       $       $   

Derivative instrument

                     3           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value

   $ 4,697       $ 4,697       $ 3       $   

Fair value measurements for the Company’s cash is classified under Level 1 because such measurements are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. Fair value measurements of the Company’s interest rate swap are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are based on significant other observable inputs. There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 in fiscal year 2012 or 2013.

The Company’s nonfinancial assets and liabilities that have nonrecurring fair value measurements include property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangibles.

In assessing the need for goodwill impairment, management relies on a number of factors, including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, transactions and marketplace data. Accordingly, these fair value measurements fall in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company generally uses projected cash flows, discounted as necessary, to estimate the fair values of property, plant and equipment and intangibles using key inputs such as management’s projections of cash flows on a held-and-used basis (if applicable), management’s projections of cash flows upon disposition and discount rates. Accordingly, these fair value measurements fall in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These assets and certain liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring (unaudited) basis as part of the Company’s impairment assessments and as circumstances require. The fair value of debt approximates the fair value.

There were no other impairments recorded in connection with tangible and intangible long-lived assets for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012 or 2013 and for three months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited).

9. Dealer Network

As of September 30, 2013 (unaudited), the Company’s distribution channel consisted of 116 independent dealers in North America and 49 independent dealers across 36 countries outside of

 

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North America. The Company’s boats are the exclusive performance sport boats offered by the majority of its dealers. Additionally, the Company has an exclusive licensee in Australia that management believes is the largest performance sport boat manufacturer in that country.

No single dealer accounted for 10.0% or more of the Company’s unit volume for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Company’s top ten dealers represented 31.8%, 32.7% and 36.1% of the Company’s volume for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

10. Product Liability

The Company is engaged in a business that exposes it to claims for product liability and warranty claims in the event the Company’s products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or the use of the Company’s products results, or is alleged to result, in property damage, personal injury or death. Although the Company maintains product and general liability insurance of the types and in the amounts that the Company believes are customary for the industry, the Company is not fully insured against all such potential claims. The Company may have the ability to refer claims to its suppliers and their insurers to pay the costs associated with any claims arising from the suppliers’ products. The Company’s insurance covers such claims that are not adequately covered by a supplier’s insurance and provides for excess secondary coverage above the limits provided by the Company’s suppliers.

The Company may experience legal claims in excess of its insurance coverage or claims that are not covered by insurance, either of which could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. Adverse determination of material product liability and warranty claims made against the Company could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and harm its reputation. In addition, if any of the Company products are, or are alleged to be, defective, the Company may be required to participate in a recall of that product if the defect or alleged defect relates to safety. These and other claims that the Company faces could be costly to the Company and require substantial management attention.

11. Members’ Equity

The LLC Agreement specifies that ownership interests are comprised of Class A and Class B Units for investors and a series of Class M Units as profits interests. The LLC Agreement sets forth the terms of ownership of the Company’s units and how the profits, losses and gains will be allocated to the capital accounts of its members. The timing and aggregate amount of distributions to unit holders are determined at the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors. Class A and B Units have voting units, and Class M Units do not have voting rights. Unless specifically agreed, holders of the Company’s ownership interest have no liability for the Company’s obligations.

Units are not transferable, except in limited circumstances as set out in the LLC Agreement.

Class M Units are subject to the terms of the applicable agreement governing the award, including vesting and repurchase rights at fair market value adjustment upon separation.

Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, certain eligible employees may be granted Class M Units. These profits interests may not be resold and unvested units are subject to forfeiture if the recipient’s employment is terminated. Forfeited unvested units are not entitled to future distributions. Under the LLC Agreement, distributions would have been made to the members in the following order of priority:

 

  Ÿ  

first, to the holders of Class B Units in proportion to their respective unrecovered capital contribution until each member’s unrecovered Class B capital is reduced to zero;

 

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  Ÿ  

second, to each holder of Class A and B Units in proportion to their respective relative percentage interests; and

 

  Ÿ  

third, to each holder of Class A, B and M Units in proportion to their respective relative percentage interests, subject to distribution threshold amounts, pursuant to the terms of each corresponding Class M Unit agreement.

In July 2010 and December 2010, certain eligible employees were granted a total of 2,505 restricted and unvested Class M Units. In October 2011, certain eligible employees were granted 215 restricted and unvested Class M Units. These units vest at a rate of 25% annually on various anniversary dates and are exercisable in the event of a change in control transaction. In June 2012, certain eligible employees were granted 387 restricted and unvested Class M Units and are exercisable in the event of a change in control transaction.

A detail of the Company’s outstanding restricted Class M Units for the year ended June 30, 2011 is as follows:

 

     Total
Units
June 30,
2010
     Units
Granted
     Units
Forfeited/
Repurchased
    Total
Units
June 30,
2011
     Units Vested
Through
June  30,
2011
     Units
Unvested
Through
June 30,
2011
 

Class M Units

             2,505         (449     2,056         469         1,587   

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

   $       $ 0.20       $ 0.20      $ 0.20       $ 0.20       $ 0.20   

A detail of the Company’s outstanding restricted Class M Units for the year ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

     Total
Units
June 30,
2011
     Units
Granted
     Units
Forfeited/
Repurchased
    Total
Units
June 30,
2012
     Units Vested
Through
June 30,
2012
     Units
Unvested
Through
June 30,
2012
 

Class M Units

     2,056         602         (245     2,413         915         1,498   

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

   $ 0.20       $ 1.07       $ 0.16      $ 0.41       $ 0.22       $ 0.53   

A detail of the Company’s outstanding restricted Class M Units for the year ended June 30, 2013 is as follows:

 

     Total
Units
June 30,
2012
     Units
Granted
     Units
Forfeited
     Total
Units
June 30,
2013
     Units Vested
Through
June 30,
2013
     Units
Unvested
Through
June 30,
2013
 

Class M Units

     2,413                         2,413         1,421         992   

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

   $ 0.41                       $ 0.41       $ 0.23       $ 0.68   

 

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A detail of the Company’s outstanding restricted Class M Units for the three months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:

 

     Total
Units
June 30,
2013
     Units
Granted
(unaudited)
     Units
Forfeited
(unaudited)
    Total
Units
September 30,
2013
(unaudited)
     Units Vested
Through
September 30,
2013
(unaudited)
     Units
Unvested
Through
September 30,
2013

(unaudited)
 

Class M Units

     2,413                 (43     2,370         1,549         821   

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

   $ 0.41               $ 1.29      $ 0.40       $ 0.23       $ 0.72   

The fair value was based on the unit price at the date of grant. Stock compensation expense recognized was $118, $132 and $127 at June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $32 and $32 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (unaudited), respectively, related to the vesting of the Class M Units. The cash flow effects resulting from restricted unit awards were reflected as noncash operating activities. As of June 30, 2012 and 2013 and September 30, 2013 (unaudited), $797, $670 and $583, respectively, of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested, share-based compensation remained.

12. Earnings (Loss) Per Unit

Earnings per unit reflect application of the two-class method. All classes of units participate in distributions based on the distributions priority described in Note 11. Basic earnings per unit is computed by dividing net income available to each class by the weighted average number of units outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per unit is calculated as net income available to each class of members of the Company, divided by the diluted weighted average number of units outstanding during the period. Diluted weighted average number of units is calculated to reflect the potential dilution pursuant to the treasury stock method. Basic and dilutive earnings per unit do not include distributions in excess of net income available to each class, as they were considered to be liquidating distributions, which were not required pursuant to the LLC Agreement or the applicable agreement governing the award.

The basic and diluted loss per unit calculations for the year ended June 30, 2011 were as follows (units in thousands):

 

     Basic Loss per Unit     Diluted Loss per Unit  
     Loss
Allocation(1)
    Weighted
Average
Units
Outstanding
     Loss
per Unit
    Loss
Allocation(1)
    Weighted
Average Units
Outstanding(2)
     Loss
per Unit
 

Class A units

   $ (486     37,000       $ (0.01   $ (478     37,000       $ (0.01

Class B units

     (51     3,885         (0.01     (50     3,885         (0.01

Class M units

     (6     469         (0.01     (15     1,125         (0.01
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Net Loss

   $ (543        $ (543     
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

 

 

(1) Net loss attributable to members of the Company is allocated to each class of units based on the distributions priority described in Note 11.
(2) For the year ended June 30, 2011, 169 Class M Units were not included in the computation of diluted loss per unit because their inclusion would have decreased loss per unit.

 

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The basic and diluted earnings per unit calculations for the year ended June 30, 2012 were as follows (units in thousands):

 

     Basic Earnings per Unit      Dilutive Earnings per Unit  
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average
Units
Outstanding
     Earnings
per Unit
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average Units
Outstanding(2)
     Earnings
per Unit
 

Class A Units

   $ 9,472         36,875       $ 0.26       $ 9,377         36,875       $ 0.25   

Class B Units

     1,523         3,885         0.39         1,513         3,885         0.39   

Class M Units

     111         915         0.12         216         1,824         0.12   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

Net Income

   $ 11,106             $ 11,106         
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

 

(1) Net income attributable to members of the Company is allocated to each class of units based on the distributions priority described in Note 11.
(2) For the year ended June 30, 2012, 300 Class M Units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per unit because their inclusion would have increased earnings per unit. In addition, 387 Class M Units vest upon a liquidity condition which is satisfied upon occurrence of a qualifying event, defined as a change in control transaction. Because these restricted units had no rights to undistributed earnings, they were excluded from basic and diluted earnings per unit.

The basic and diluted earnings per unit calculations for the year ended June 30, 2013 were as follows (units in thousands):

 

     Basic Earnings per Unit      Dilutive Earnings per Unit  
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average
Units
Outstanding
     Earnings
per Unit
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average Units
Outstanding(2)
     Earnings
per Unit
 

Class A Units

   $ 15,714         36,742       $ 0.43       $ 15,514         36,742       $ 0.42   

Class B Units

     1,662         3,885         0.43         1,640         3,885         0.42   

Class M Units

     608         1,421         0.43         830         1,964         0.42   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

Net Income

   $ 17,984             $ 17,984         
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

 

(1) Net income attributable to members of the Company is allocated to each class of units based on the distributions priority described in Note 11.
(2) For the year ended June 30, 2013, 387 Class M Units vest upon a liquidity condition which is satisfied upon occurrence of a qualifying event, defined as a change in control transaction. Because these restricted units had no rights to undistributed earnings, they were excluded from basic and diluted earnings per unit.

The basic and diluted earnings per unit calculations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 (unaudited) were as follows (units in thousands):

 

     Basic Earnings per Unit      Dilutive Earnings per Unit  
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average
Units
Outstanding
     Earnings
per Unit
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average Units
Outstanding(2)
     Earnings
per Unit
 

Class A Units

     563         36,742       $ 0.02         552         36,742       $ 0.02   

Class B Units

     60         3,885         0.02         58         3,885         0.02   

Class M Units

     16         1,042         0.02         29         1,906         0.02   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

Net Income

   $ 639             $ 639         
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

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(1) Net income attributable to members of the Company is allocated to each class of units based on the distributions priority described in Note 11.
(2) For the three months ended September 30, 2012, 7 Class M Units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per unit because their inclusion would have increased earnings per unit. In addition, 387 Class M Units vest upon a liquidity condition which is satisfied upon occurrence of a qualifying event, defined as a change in control transaction. Because these restricted units had no rights to undistributed earnings, they were excluded from basic and diluted earnings per unit.

The basic and diluted earnings per unit calculations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited) were as follows (units in thousands):

 

     Basic Earnings per Unit      Dilutive Earnings per Unit  
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average
Units
Outstanding
     Earnings
per Unit
     Income
Allocation(1)
     Weighted
Average Units
Outstanding(2)
     Earnings
per Unit
 

Class A Units

   $ 4,512         36,742       $ 0.12       $ 4,469         36,742       $ 0.12   

Class B Units

     477         3,885         0.12         473         3,885         0.12   

Class M Units

     190         1,549         0.12         237         1,949         0.12   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

Net Income

   $ 5,179             $ 5,179         
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

 

(1) Net income attributable to members of the Company is allocated to each class of units based on the distributions priority described in Note 11.
(2) For the three months ended September 30, 2013, 48 Class M Units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per unit because their inclusion would have increased earnings per unit. In addition, 387 Class M Units vest upon a liquidity condition which is satisfied upon occurrence of a qualifying event, defined as a change in control transaction. Because these restricted units had no rights to undistributed earnings, they were excluded from basic and diluted earnings per unit.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Repurchase Commitments

In connection with its dealers’ wholesale floor-plan financing of boats, the Company has entered into repurchase agreements with various lending institutions. The reserve methodology used to record an estimated expense and loss reserve in each accounting period is based upon an analysis of likely repurchases based on current field inventory and likelihood of repurchase. Subsequent to the inception of the repurchase commitment, the Company evaluates the likelihood of repurchase and adjusts the estimated loss reserve and related income statement account accordingly. This potential loss reserve is presented in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. If the Company were obligated to repurchase a significant number of units under any repurchase agreement, its business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Repurchases and subsequent sales are recorded as a revenue transaction. The net difference between the original repurchase price and the resale price is recorded against the loss reserve and presented in cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated income statements. Repurchase activity and related reserves were immaterial as of June 30, 2012 and 2013 and September 30, 2013.

Contingencies

Certain conditions may exist which could result in a loss, but which will only be resolved when future events occur. The Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, assesses such

 

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contingent liabilities, and such assessments inherently involve an exercise of judgment. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a loss has been incurred, the Company accrues for such contingent loss when it can be reasonably estimated. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but reasonably estimable, or is probable but cannot be estimated, the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, is disclosed. Estimates of potential legal fees and other directly related costs associated with contingencies are not accrued but rather are expensed as incurred. Except as disclosed above, management does not believe there are any pending claims (asserted or unasserted) at June 30, 2012 or 2013 or at September 30, 2013 (unaudited) that will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Lease Commitments

In connection with a sale-leaseback transaction as of March 2008, the Company now leases its manufacturing and office facilities for $156 per month with periodic inflationary adjustments, plus the payment of property taxes, normal maintenance, and insurance on the property under an agreement which expires March 2028, with three ten-year options to extend, at the Company’s discretion. For more information, see Note 3.

The total rental expense for the years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 was $1,771, $1,817 and $1,889, respectively. Rental expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (unaudited) was $460 and $511, respectively.

The total minimum rental commitments due were as follows:

 

Years Ending June 30,

   As of
June 30,
2013
     As of
September 30,
2013

(Unaudited)
 

2014

   $ 1,914       $ 1,403   

2015

     1,877         1,877   

2016

     1,877         1,877   

2017

     1,877         1,877   

2018

     1,924         1,924   

Thereafter

     21,159         21,159   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 30,628       $ 30,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

14. Related Party Transactions

On July 11, 2012, the Company reinstated certain payment provisions of a management agreement with an equity sponsor. Under the terms of the management agreement, as amended, the Company agreed to pay a management fee of $1,831 for periods prior to June 30, 2012, $250 for the period July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 and $750 per annum beginning January 1, 2013, all of which is payable in advance. Total payments associated with the management services for the years ended June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (unaudited) were $0, $0, $2,831, $2,081 and $0, respectively, all of which are recorded as general and administrative expense.

 

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15. Segment Reporting

The Company operates as one operating segment—the manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sale of performance sport boats. The Company considers an operating segment to be a component of an entity for which discrete financial information is available for such component and the operating results for such segment are evaluated at consistent intervals by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), as defined by FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” to assess performance and allocate Company resources. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer serves as the CODM. The Company relied upon the following factors in determining that it operates as a single operating segment: (i) the similar nature of the products sold by the Company; (ii) the centralized production and management structure of the Company, which supports all marketing, selling and customer service efforts worldwide; and (iii) the consolidated nature of the reports reviewed by the CODM for purposes of assessing the Company’s performance and allocating its resources.

16. Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet dates of June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013 through December 13, 2013, the date these financial statements were available to be issued.

On November 1, 2013, the Company granted 1,986 Class M Units to certain members of management subject to the terms of the LLC Agreement, which include among other things, repurchase rights and transferability. Distributions are made to each holder of the Class M Units in proportion to the holder’s ownership percentage, subject to distribution threshold amounts, pursuant to the terms of each individual Class M membership unit agreement. Under these agreements, all the Class M Units will vest either (i) on the six-month anniversary following the occurrence of a qualifying event, defined as a change in control transaction or (ii) in the event of an initial public offering, one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of September 30, 2013. The fair value of the Class M Units issued on November 1, 2013, was $3,189. The fair value was calculated using the Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method under which the Company’s enterprise value was estimated at the date of potential future outcomes, such as an initial public offering, strategic sale, staying private or liquidation. In connection with such estimation, each potential outcome is weighted according to the likelihood of such potential future outcome occurring.

 

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GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS

Unless otherwise noted or indicated by context, the following terms used in this prospectus have the following meanings:

“Hull” refers to the main body of the boat, including the bottom and sides.

“Inboard boat” refers to a boat in which a fixed motor is attached to the inside of the hull, the shaft and propeller are fixed, the propeller is located underneath the boat, and the boat is maneuvered by means of a rudder mounted behind the propeller.

“Jet boat” refers to an inboard boat that is propelled by a water jet instead of a propeller, where water is drawn from under the boat into a pump inside the boat and expelled through a nozzle at the stern of the boat, and the boat is maneuvered by directing the thrust provided by the nozzle.

“Outboard boat” refers to a boat for which the motor and propeller are a single unit that is mounted on the transom of the boat, but are independent of the hull, where the boat is maneuvered by turning the entire motor and directing the thrust provided by the propeller.

“Picklefork bow design” refers to a boat shape characterized by a bow that comes to two forward points on opposite sides of the boat centerline, as opposed to a traditional bow boat with a single forward point on the centerline, whose functions include creating more seating room in the bow of the boat and the potential for a front entry-point between the two forward points.

“Power Wedge” refers to our technology that enables boaters to customize the size and shape of the boat’s wake by maneuvering an electronically controlled foil located at the bottom of the transom of a boat.

“Stern” refers to the rear or aft-most part of a boat.

“Sterndrive boat” refers to an inboard/outboard boat for which a fixed motor is located inside the hull and the rear unit is located outside the hull of the boat producing directional thrust via a propeller.

“Surf Gate” refers to our technology that allows users to surf on either side of the boat’s wake by maneuvering electronically controlled panels located on the outside of the transom of a boat to deflect water traveling past the stern.

“Tower” refers to a part of a boat that is mounted to both sides of the boat and extends above the boat for attaching a towline for wakeboarding behind the boat, allowing wakeboarders to elevate their jumps. Wakeboards, speakers, lighting and other equipment can be mounted on a boat’s tower.

“Transom” refers to the surface that forms the stern of a boat.

 

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             Shares

 

LOGO

Class A Common Stock

 

 

Prospectus

 

 

 

RAYMOND JAMES                   WELLS FARGO  SECURITIES

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY   

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS

Until                      (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade in Class A Common Stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

                    , 2014

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

Information Not Required In Prospectus

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The table below sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the sale of Class A Common Stock being registered hereby. All of such expenses are estimates, other than the filing and listing fees payable to the SEC, FINRA and Nasdaq.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 14,182   

FINRA filing fee

     650   

Nasdaq listing fee

     25,000   

Printing expenses

                 *   

Legal fees and expenses

                 *   

Accounting fees and expenses

                 *   

Transfer agent and registrar fees

                 *   

Miscellaneous expenses

                 *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $             *   
  

 

 

 

 

* To be provided by amendment.

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our certificate of incorporation limits or eliminates the personal liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. We have adopted provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws that allow us to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent allowed by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. These documents further provide that we shall pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by us.

In addition to the foregoing provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our officers and directors may be indemnified by us pursuant to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL. Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities arising out of actions, suits and proceedings to which they are made or threatened to be made by a party by reason of the fact that they have served or are currently serving as a director or officer to a corporation. The indemnity may cover expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding. Section 145 permits corporations to pay expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by directors and officers in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability asserted against them and

 

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incurred by them in their capacity as director or officer, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the director or officer against such liability under Section 145.

We intend to maintain an insurance policy on behalf of our officers and directors against liability asserted against or incurred by such persons in or arising from their capacity as such.

In connection with the sale of Class A Common Stock being registered hereby, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and our executive officers. These agreements will provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and by our certificate of incorporation or bylaws.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

On November 1, 2013, we issued 100 shares of Class A Common Stock, par $0.01 per share, to BC-Malibu Boats GP, our sole stockholder. The issuance was exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering. In connection with this offering, these shares of Class A Common Stock will be repurchased from BC-Malibu Boats GP for nominal value and cancelled.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement*
  3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Malibu Boats, Inc.**
  3.2    Bylaws of Malibu Boats, Inc.**
  3.3    Certificate of Formation of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC**
  3.4    Form of Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC
  4.1    Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate*
  4.2    Form of Class B Common Stock Certificate*
  5.1    Opinion of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP*
10.1    Credit Agreement by and among Malibu Boats, LLC, Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, SunTrust Bank and the other Lenders and Guarantors defined therein, dated July 16, 2013**†
10.2    Security Agreement by and among Malibu Boats, LLC, Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, Malibu Boats Domestic International Sales Corp. and SunTrust Bank, dated July 16, 2013
10.3    Trademark and Patent Security Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and SunTrust Bank, dated July 16, 2013**
10.4    ISDA Master Agreement by and between SunTrust Bank and Malibu Boats, LLC, dated July 17, 2012**
10.5    Schedule to the ISDA Master Agreement by and between SunTrust Bank and Malibu Boats, LLC, dated July 17, 2012**
10.6    Confirmation of Swap Transaction by and between SunTrust Bank and Malibu Boats, LLC, dated August 2, 2012**†
10.7    Master Lease Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Spirit Master Funding IV, LLC, dated March 31, 2008

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.8    Sublease by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Spirit Master Funding IV, LLC, dated March 31, 2008**
10.9    Management Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Boats Investor, LLC (f/k/a Malibu Investor, LLC), dated August 7, 2006**
10.10    First Amendment and Waiver to Management Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Boats Investor, LLC (f/k/a Malibu Investor, LLC), dated September 29, 2009**
10.11    Second Amendment to Management Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, dated July 11, 2012**
10.12    Form of Employment Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, Inc. and Ritchie Anderson
10.13    Form of Employment Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, Inc. and Jack Springer
10.14    Form of Employment Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, Inc. and Wayne Wilson
10.15    Long-Term Incentive Plan*
10.16    Form of Exchange Agreement by and among the Company and Affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC and Horizon Holdings, LLC
10.16.1    Form of Exchange Agreement by and among the Company and Other Members of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC
10.17    Form of Tax Receivable Agreement
10.18    Form of Registration Rights Agreement
10.19    Form of Indemnification Agreement
10.20    Form of Voting Agreement
14.1    Code of Business Ethics*
21.1    Subsidiaries of Malibu Boats, Inc.*
23.1    Consent of McGladrey LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Malibu Boats, Inc.*
23.2    Consent of McGladrey LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC
23.3    Consent of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)*
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement)
99.1    Consent of James R. Buch to be named as a director nominee
99.2    Consent of Ivar S. Chhina to be named as a director nominee
99.3    Consent of Michael J. Connolly to be named as a director nominee
99.4    Consent of Peter E. Murphy to be named as a director nominee
99.5    Consent of John E. Stokely to be named as a director nominee

 

* To be filed by amendment.
** Previously filed.
Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act. These portions have been omitted and submitted separately to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted as to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 14, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus as filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

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(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Loudon, State of Tennessee, on December 13, 2013.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Jackie D. Springer, Jr.

  Jackie D. Springer, Jr.
  Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Michael K. Hooks and Mark W. Lanigan, or either of them, each acting alone, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in connection with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, and any Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them singly, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each might or could do in person hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue Power of Attorney.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Jackie D. Springer, Jr.

Jackie D. Springer, Jr.

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal executive officer)

  December 13, 2013

/s/ Wayne R. Wilson

Wayne R. Wilson

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal financial and accounting officer)

  December 13, 2013

/s/ Michael K. Hooks

Michael K. Hooks

   Chairman of the Board and Director   December 13, 2013

/s/ Mark W. Lanigan

Mark W. Lanigan

   Director   December 13, 2013

/s/ Phillip S. Estes

Phillip S. Estes

   Director   December 13, 2013

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement*
  3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Malibu Boats, Inc.**
  3.2    Bylaws of Malibu Boats, Inc.**
  3.3    Certificate of Formation of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC**
  3.4    Form of Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC
  4.1    Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate*
  4.2    Form of Class B Common Stock Certificate*
  5.1    Opinion of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP*
10.1    Credit Agreement by and among Malibu Boats, LLC, Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, SunTrust Bank and the other Lenders and Guarantors defined therein, dated July 16, 2013**†
10.2    Security Agreement by and among Malibu Boats, LLC, Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, Malibu Boats Domestic International Sales Corp. and SunTrust Bank, dated July 16, 2013
10.3    Trademark and Patent Security Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and SunTrust Bank, dated July 16, 2013**
10.4    ISDA Master Agreement by and between SunTrust Bank and Malibu Boats, LLC, dated July 17, 2012**
10.5    Schedule to the ISDA Master Agreement by and between SunTrust Bank and Malibu Boats, LLC, dated July 17, 2012**
10.6    Confirmation of Swap Transaction by and between SunTrust Bank and Malibu Boats, LLC, dated August 2, 2012**†
10.7    Master Lease Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Spirit Master Funding IV, LLC, dated March 31, 2008
10.8    Sublease by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Spirit Master Funding IV, LLC, dated March 31, 2008
10.9    Management Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Boats Investor, LLC (f/k/a Malibu Investor, LLC), dated August 7, 2006**
10.10    First Amendment and Waiver to Management Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Boats Investor, LLC (f/k/a Malibu Investor, LLC), dated September 29, 2009**
10.11    Second Amendment to Management Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, LLC and Malibu Boats Investor, LLC, dated July 11, 2012**
10.12    Form of Employment Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, Inc. and Ritchie Anderson
10.13    Form of Employment Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, Inc. and Jack Springer
10.14    Form of Employment Agreement by and between Malibu Boats, Inc. and Wayne Wilson

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.15    Long-Term Incentive Plan*
10.16    Form of Exchange Agreement by and among the Company and Affiliates of Black Canyon Capital LLC and Horizon Holdings, LLC
10.16.1    Form of Exchange Agreement by and among the Company and Other Members of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC
10.17    Form of Tax Receivable Agreement
10.18    Form of Registration Rights Agreement
10.19    Form of Indemnification Agreement
10.20    Form of Voting Agreement
14.1    Code of Business Ethics*
21.1    Subsidiaries of Malibu Boats, Inc.*
23.1    Consent of McGladrey LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Malibu Boats, Inc.*
23.2    Consent of McGladrey LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC
23.3    Consent of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)*
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement)
99.1    Consent of James R. Buch to be named as a director nominee
99.2    Consent of Ivar S. Chhina to be named as a director nominee
99.3    Consent of Michael J. Connolly to be named as a director nominee
99.4    Consent of Peter E. Murphy to be named as a director nominee
99.5    Consent of John E. Stokely to be named as a director nominee

 

* To be filed by amendment.
** Previously filed.
Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act. These portions have been omitted and submitted separately to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

II-8

Exhibit 3.4

 

 

 

 

 

MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

Dated as of             , 20    

THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IN MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND ARE BEING SOLD IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT; AND (III) ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BETWEEN THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OF RECORD EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS, THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT, AND ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS AND OTHER TRANSFEREES OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT OR ACQUISITION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

     2   

1.1    

  Formation of the Company      2   

1.2

  First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement      2   

1.3

  Name      2   

1.4

  Purpose; Powers      2   

1.5

  Principal Office; Registered Office      2   

1.6

  Term      3   

1.7

  Existence and Good Standing; Foreign Qualification      3   

1.8

  No State Law Partnership      3   

1.9

  Admission      4   

ARTICLE II CAPITALIZATION; ADMISSION OF MEMBERS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

     4   

2.1

  Capitalization      4   

2.2

  Admission of Members; Additional Members      6   

2.3

  Capital Accounts      7   

2.4

  Negative Capital Accounts      7   

2.5

  No Withdrawal      7   

2.6

  Loans From Members      7   

2.7

  No Right of Partition      8   

2.8

  Non-Certification of Units; Legend; Units Are Securities      8   

ARTICLE III DISTRIBUTIONS

     8   

3.1

  Distributions      8   

3.2

  Successors      8   

3.3

  Distributions In-Kind      8   

3.4

  Tax-Related Distributions      9   

3.5

  Unvested Units      9   

ARTICLE IV ALLOCATIONS

     10   

4.1

  Allocations      10   

4.2

  Special Allocations      10   

4.3

  Tax Allocations      11   

4.4

  Members’ Tax Reporting      12   

4.5

  Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member      12   

ARTICLE V MANAGEMENT; RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS

     12   

5.1.

  Managing Member: Delegation of Authority and Duties      12   

5.2.

  Officers      14   

5.3.

  Devotion of Time; Fiduciary Duties; Company Opportunities; Other Activities      14   

5.4.

  No Liability of Members and Officers      15   

5.5.

  Exculpation and Indemnification      15   

5.6.

  Insurance      16   

5.7.

  Investment Representations of Members      16   

 

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ARTICLE VI TAX MATTERS

     17   

6.1    

  Preparation of Tax Returns      17   

6.2

  Tax Elections      17   

6.3

  Tax Controversies      17   

6.4

  Tax Allocations      17   

6.5

  Fiscal Year      17   

6.6

  Books and Records; Fiscal Year      17   

6.7

  Reports      18   

ARTICLE VII TRANSFER OF UNITS; SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS; REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     18   

7.1

  Restrictions on Transfers      18   

7.2

  Recognition of Transfer; Substituted and Additional Members      18   

7.3

  Expense of Transfer; Indemnification      19   

7.4

  Additional Requirements      20   

7.5

  Mandatory Exchange      20   

7.6

  Registration Rights      20   

ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION; WITHDRAWAL

     24   

8.1

  Dissolution      24   

8.2

  Liquidation and Termination      24   

8.3

  Complete Distribution      25   

8.4

  Cancellation of Certificate      25   

8.5

  Reasonable Time for Winding Up      25   

8.6

  Return of Capital      25   

8.7

  HSR Act      25   

8.8

  Member Withdrawal      25   

ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS

     25   

9.1

  Power of Attorney      25   

9.2

  Amendments      26   

9.3

  Remedies      27   

9.4

  Successors and Assigns      28   

9.5

  Severability      28   

9.6

  Counterparts      28   

9.7

  Applicable Law      28   

9.8

  Addresses and Notices      28   

9.9

  Creditors      28   

9.10

  Waiver      29   

9.11

  Further Action      29   

9.12

  Entire Agreement      29   

9.13

  Delivery by Facsimile or Email      29   

9.14

  Spousal Consent      29   

ARTICLE X DEFINITIONS

     29   

10.1

  Definitions      29   

10.2

  Interpretative Matters      38   

 

SCHEDULE A   Schedule of Members
SCHEDULE B   Consent of Spouse and Proxy

 

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FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC,

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), dated and effective as of [            ], 20     (the “ Effective Date ”), is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by and among the Company and each other Person who is or at any time becomes a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act. Any reference in this Agreement to any Member shall include such Member’s Successors in Interest to the extent such Successors in Interest have become Substituted Members in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a limited liability company under the Act by filing a Certificate of Formation (the “ Certificate ”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 6, 2006;

WHEREAS, the Company’s members entered into the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated August 7, 2006, as amended from time to time, including as amended by that certain Consent and Amendment, dated November 6, 2013 (the “ Original Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Malibu Boats ”) has entered into an underwriting agreement (i) to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named therein (the “ Underwriters ”) shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) to make a public offering of such shares of Class A Common Stock (collectively, the “ IPO ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, it is contemplated that pursuant to this Agreement (i) immediately prior to consummation of the IPO (the “ Effective Time ”), all of the outstanding limited liability company interests in the Company will be converted into the number of Units set forth opposite each Member’s name in Schedule A attached hereto and (ii) immediately after the IPO, Malibu Boats will purchase newly-issued Units from the Company and a number of outstanding Units from the Members using the net proceeds from the IPO (collectively, the “ IPO Transactions ”); and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Members set forth on Schedule A attached hereto now wish to amend and restate the Original Agreement as set forth herein to give effect to the IPO Transactions and to reflect the admission of Malibu Boats as a Member and as sole managing member of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

1.1 Formation of the Company . The Company was formed on July 6, 2006 as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to the provisions of the Act.

1.2 First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement . The Members agree to continue the Company as a limited liability company under the Act, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of the Members shall be determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement. To the extent that the rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of any Members are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.

1.3 Name . The name of the Company shall be “Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC.” The Managing Member may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time. Prompt notification of any such change shall be given to all Members. The Company’s business may be conducted under its name or any other name or names deemed advisable by the Managing Member.

1.4 Purpose; Powers .

(a) General Powers . The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be organized under the Act. The Company may engage in any and all activities necessary, desirable or incidental to the accomplishment of the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing set forth herein shall be construed as authorizing the Company to possess any purpose or power, or to do any act or thing, forbidden by law to a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

(b) Company Action . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and except as prohibited by applicable law, (i) the Company may, with the approval of the Managing Member, enter into and perform any and all documents, agreements and instruments, all without any further act, vote or approval of any Member, and (ii) the Managing Member may authorize any Person (including any Member or Officer) to enter into and perform any document, agreement or instrument on behalf of the Company.

1.5 Principal Office; Registered Office . The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be maintained in the State of Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent named in the Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Managing Member may designate from time to time in the manner provided by law. The principal office of the Company shall be at such place as the Managing Member may from time to time designate, which need not be in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain records at such place. The Company may maintain offices at such other place or places as the Managing Member deems advisable. Prompt notice of any change in the principal office shall be given to all Members.

 

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1.6 Term . The term of the Company commenced on the date the Certificate of Formation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall continue in existence perpetually until termination or dissolution in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII .

1.7 Existence and Good Standing; Foreign Qualification . The Managing Member may take all action which may be necessary or appropriate (i) for the continuation of the Company’s valid existence as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware (and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to enable the Company to conduct the business in which it is engaged) and (ii) for the maintenance, preservation and operation of the business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and applicable laws and regulations. The Managing Member may file or cause to be filed for recordation in the office of the appropriate authorities of the State of Delaware, and in the proper office or offices in each other jurisdiction in which the Company is formed or qualified, such certificates (including certificates of limited liability companies and fictitious name certificates) and other documents as are required by the applicable statutes, rules or regulations of any such jurisdiction or as are required to reflect the identity of the Members and the amounts of their respective capital contributions. The Managing Member may cause Company to comply, to the extent procedures are available and those matters are reasonably within the control of the Officers, with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign limited liability company in each jurisdiction where its assets or operations require it to be so qualified.

1.8 No State Law Partnership .

(a) No Partnership . The Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member or Officer shall be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member or Officer by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as is set forth in the last sentence of this Section 1.8 , and this Agreement shall not be construed to the contrary.

(b) Tax Partnership . The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal and, if applicable, state or local income tax purposes, and each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment. So long as the Company is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, to ensure that Units are not traded on an established securities market within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(b) or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.7704-1(c), notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the Company shall not participate in the establishment of any such market or the inclusion of its Units thereon, and (ii) the Company shall not recognize any Transfer made on any such market by: (A) redeeming the Transferor Member (in the case of a redemption or repurchase by the Company); or (B) admitting the Transferee as a Member or otherwise recognizing any rights of the Transferee, such as a right of the Transferee to receive Company distributions (directly or indirectly) or to acquire an interest in the capital or profits of the Company.

 

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1.9 Admission . The Managing Member is hereby admitted as a Member of the Company upon its execution of a counterpart signature page to this Agreement and each member of the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement shall continue as a Member hereunder.

ARTICLE II

CAPITALIZATION; ADMISSION OF MEMBERS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

2.1 Capitalization .

(a) Units; Capitalization . Each Member’s interest in the Company, including such Member’s interest, if any, in the capital, income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses of the Company shall be represented by units of limited liability company interest (each a “ Unit ”). As of the Effective Time, the Company shall have one authorized class of Units. All Units shall have identical rights and privileges in all respects. The Company shall have the authority to issue an unlimited number of Units.

(b) Schedule of Units and Members . At the Effective Time, all of the Class A Units, Class B Units and Class M Units (each as defined in the Original Agreement) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time are hereby automatically converted into the number of Units of the Company set forth opposite each Member’s name in Schedule A attached hereto. Immediately after the IPO, Malibu Boats will contribute the net proceeds thereof to the Company in exchange for [            ] Units of the Company.

(c) Issuance of Additional Units . The Managing Member shall have the right to cause the Company to issue and/or create and issue at any time after the date hereof, and for such amount and form of consideration as the Managing Member may determine, additional Units or other Equity Securities of the Company (including creating classes or series thereof having such powers, designations, preferences and rights as may be determined by the Managing Member), subject to Section 9.2 . The Managing Member shall have the power to make such amendments to this Agreement in order to provide for such powers, designations, preferences and rights as the Managing Member in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate to give effect to such additional authorization or issuance in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.1(c) and Section 9.2 .

(i) If, following the IPO, Malibu Boats issues shares of Class A Common Stock (other than an issuance of the type covered by Section 2.1(c)(ii) ), Malibu Boats shall promptly contribute to the Company all the net proceeds and property (if any) received by Malibu Boats with respect to such Class A Common Stock. Upon the contribution by Malibu Boats to the Company of all of such net proceeds and property (if any) so received by Malibu Boats, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to issue a number of Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued, registered in the name of Malibu Boats, such that, at all times, the number of Units held by Malibu Boats equals the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

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(ii) At any time Malibu Boats issues one or more shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with an equity incentive program, whether such share or shares are issued upon exercise (including cashless exercise) of an option, settlement of a restricted stock unit, as restricted stock or otherwise, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to issue an equal number of Units, registered in the name of Malibu Boats; provided that Malibu Boats shall be required to contribute all (but not less than all) the net proceeds and property (if any) received by Malibu Boats from or otherwise in connection with such issuance of one or more shares of Class A Common Stock, including the exercise price of any option exercised, to the Company. If any such shares of Class A Common Stock so issued by Malibu Boats in connection with an equity incentive program are subject to vesting or forfeiture provisions, then the Units that are issued by the Company to Malibu Boats in connection therewith in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 2.1(c)(ii) shall be subject to vesting or forfeiture on the same basis; if any of such shares of Class A Common Stock vest or are forfeited, then an equal number of Units issued by the Company in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 2.1(c)(ii) shall automatically vest or be forfeited. Any cash or property held by either Malibu Boats or the Company or on either’s behalf in respect of dividends paid on restricted Class A Common Stock that fail to vest shall be returned to the Company upon the forfeiture of such restricted Class A Common Stock.

(iii) For purposes of this Section 2.1(c) , “net proceeds” means gross proceeds to Malibu Boats from the issuance of Class A Common Stock or other securities less all bona fide out-of-pocket expenses of Malibu Boats, the Company and their respective Subsidiaries in connection with such issuance.

(d) Repurchase or Redemption of Class A Common Stock . If, at any time, any shares of Class A Common Stock are repurchased or redeemed (whether by exercise of a put or call, pursuant to an open market purchase, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by Malibu Boats for cash and subsequently cancelled, then the Managing Member shall cause the Company, immediately prior to such repurchase or redemption of Class A Common Stock, to redeem an equal number of Units held by Malibu Boats, at an aggregate redemption price equal to the aggregate purchase or redemption price of the Class A Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by Malibu Boats (plus any expenses related thereto) and upon such other terms as are the same for the Class A Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by Malibu Boats.

(e) Changes in Class A Common Stock . Any subdivision (by stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of Class A Common Stock shall be accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of Units.

(f) Safe Harbor Election .

(i) By executing this Agreement, each Member authorizes and directs the Company to elect to have the “safe harbor” described in the proposed Revenue Procedure set forth in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-43 (the “ Notice ”) apply to any interest in the Company transferred to a service provider by the Company on or after

 

5


the effective date of such Revenue Procedure in connection with services provided to the Company. For purposes of making such safe harbor election, the Tax Matters Member is hereby designated as the “partner who has responsibility for federal income tax reporting” by the Company and, accordingly, for execution of a “safe harbor election” in accordance with Section 3.03(1) of the Notice. The Company and each Member hereby agree to comply with all requirements of the safe harbor described in the Notice, including the requirement that each Member shall prepare and file all federal income tax returns reporting the income tax effects of each safe harbor partnership interest issued by the Company in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Notice.

(ii) Each Member authorizes the Tax Matters Member to amend Section 3.1(f) of this Agreement to the extent necessary to achieve substantially the same tax treatment with respect to any interest in the Company transferred to a service provider by the Company in connection with services provided to the Company as set forth in Section 4 of the Notice ( e.g. , to reflect changes from the rules set forth in the Notice in subsequent Internal Revenue Service or Treasury Department guidance); provided that such amendment is not materially adverse to any Member (as compared with the after-tax consequences that would result if the provisions of the Notice applied to all interests in the Company transferred to a service provider by the Company in connection with services provided to the Company).

2.2 Admission of Members; Additional Members .

(a) Schedule of Members . The Company shall maintain and keep at its principal executive office a schedule of Members (attached hereto as Schedule A ) on which it shall set forth the names and address of each Member, the aggregate number of Units of each class and the aggregate amount of cash Capital Contributions that have been made by such Member at any time, as applicable, and the Fair Market Value of any property other than cash contributed by such Member with respect to the Units (including, if applicable, a description and the amount of any liability assumed by the Company or to which contributed property is subject).

(b) Addition or Withdrawal of Members . The Managing Member shall cause Schedule A to be amended from time to time to reflect the admission of any Additional Member, the withdrawal or termination of any Member, receipt by the Company of notice of any change of address of a Member or the occurrence of any other event requiring amendment of Schedule A .

(c) Continuation of Vesting . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary: (i) the Units held by any Member as a result of the conversion of Class M Units (as defined in the Original Agreement) which as of the date hereof are subject to any vesting, forfeiture, repurchase or similar provisions pursuant to the Original Agreement or in any applicable management unit subscription agreement or other agreement pursuant to which such unvested Units were issued (in each case, “ Unvested Units ”) shall continue to be subject to such vesting, forfeiture, repurchase or similar provisions; and (ii) no Member may Transfer any Unvested Units, provided that a Member may Transfer Unvested Units pursuant to and in accordance with the Exchange

 

6


Agreement if the Member acknowledges and agrees in writing, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member, that any securities received in exchange therefor shall continue to be subject to the vesting, forfeiture, repurchase or similar provisions to which such Unvested Units are then subject. A Unit shall cease to be an Unvested Unit at such time as such Unit ceases to be subject to such vesting, forfeiture, repurchase or similar provisions. For the avoidance of doubt, the IPO shall not be considered to be any type of “Change in Control” event of the Company with respect to the vesting provisions of the Class M Units or otherwise.

2.3 Capital Accounts .

(a) The Company shall maintain a separate capital account for each Member according to the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (each a “ Capital Account ”). The Capital Account of each Member shall be credited initially with an amount equal to such Member’s cash contributions and the initial Gross Asset Value of property contributed to the Company by the Member (net of any liabilities securing such contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to).

(b) The Capital Account of each Member shall (i) be credited with all Income and Net Income allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 , and with the amount of cash and the initial Gross Asset Value of property subsequently contributed to the Company by the Member (net of any liabilities securing such contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to) following the Effective Date, and (ii) be debited with all Loss and Net Loss allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 , and with the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any property (net of liabilities assumed by such Member and liabilities to which such property is subject) distributed by the Company to such Member.

(c) The Company may, upon the occurrence of the events specified in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), increase or decrease the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with the rules of such Regulations and Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) to reflect a revaluation of Company property.

2.4 Negative Capital Accounts . No Member shall be required to pay to any other Member or the Company any deficit or negative balance that may exist from time to time in such Member’s Capital Account (including upon and after dissolution of the Company).

2.5 No Withdrawal . No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s Capital Contributions or Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided herein.

2.6 Loans From Members . Loans by Members to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions. If any Member shall loan funds to the Company, then the making of such loans shall not result in any increase in the Capital Account balance of such Member. The amount of any such loans shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such loans are made.

 

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2.7 No Right of Partition . No Member shall have the right to seek or obtain partition by court decree or operation of law of any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the right to own or use particular or individual assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, be entitled to Distributions of specific assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

2.8 Non-Certification of Units; Legend; Units Are Securities .

(a) Units shall be issued in non-certificated form; provided that the Managing Member may cause the Company to issue certificates to a Member representing the Units held by such Member. If any Unit certificate is issued, then such certificate shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

This certificate evidences Units representing an interest in Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC and shall be a security within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

The interest in Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC represented by this certificate is subject to restrictions on transfer set forth in that certain First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, dated as of             , 20    , by and among Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC and each of the members from time to time party thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time.

(b) All Units will be “securities” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(15) and as provided by Section 8-103(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of Delaware or analogous provisions in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any other jurisdiction.

ARTICLE III

DISTRIBUTIONS

3.1 Distributions . Distributions shall be made to the Members, after Tax Distributions are made pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof, as and when determined by the Managing Member, in accordance with their respective Units.

3.2 Successors . For purposes of determining the amount of Distributions, each Member shall be treated as having made the Capital Contributions and as having received the Distributions made to or received by its predecessors in respect of any of such Member’s Units.

3.3 Distributions In-Kind . To the extent that the Company distributes property in-kind to the Members, the Company shall be treated as making a Distribution equal to the Fair Market Value of such property for purposes of Section 3.1 and such property shall be treated as if it were sold for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value. Any resulting gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members’ Capital Accounts in accordance with Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 .

 

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3.4 Tax-Related Distributions .

(a) Subject to the Act and to any restrictions contained in any agreement to which the Company is bound and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.1 , no later than the tenth day following the end each Quarterly Estimated Tax Period of each calendar year, the Company shall, to the extent that the Company has cash available therefor, make a Distribution in cash (each, a “ Tax Distribution ”) among the Members, on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of Units owned by each Member, in an amount equal to the excess of (a) the product of (i) the taxable income of the Company attributable to such Quarterly Estimated Tax Period and all prior Quarterly Estimated Tax Periods in such calendar year, based upon information available to the Company and adjusted to take into account good faith projections by the Company of taxable income or loss for the remainder of the calendar year, multiplied by (ii) the Assumed Tax Rate, over (b) distributions made by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.4(a) with respect to such calendar year; provided , however , that if the Tax Distributions made during a calendar year are less than the product of (x) the actual taxable income of the Company for the calendar year (calculated as described in the last sentence of this Section 3.4(a) ) multiplied by (y) the Assumed Tax Rate, the Company shall, to the extent of available cash and borrowings of the Company, make a “true up” Tax Distribution with respect to such calendar year equal to such difference no later than March 15 of the following year. For purposes of clauses (a)(i) and (x) above, the taxable income of the Company shall be determined by disregarding any adjustment to the taxable income of any Member that arises under Section 743(b) of the Code and is attributable to the acquisition by such Member of an interest in the Company in a transaction described in Section 743(a) of the Code.

(b) If the cumulative amount of actual federal, state and local income tax liabilities payable by Malibu Boats, plus the cumulative amount of payments made by Malibu Boats under the Tax Receivable Agreement, through the end of any particular Quarterly Estimated Tax Period or calendar year exceeds the sum of the cumulative amount of Tax Distributions, distributions under Section 3.1 and Malibu Boats Excess Tax Distributions (as defined below) made to Malibu Boats through the end of such Quarterly Estimated Tax Period or calendar year, the Managing Member shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, but subject to the Act and any restrictions contained in any agreement to which the Company is bound, make additional tax distributions to Malibu Boats in an amount equal to such excess (a “ Malibu Boats Excess Tax Distribution ”). Any such Malibu Boats Excess Tax Distribution shall be treated as an advance against and, thus, shall reduce (without duplication), any future distributions that would otherwise be made to Malibu Boats pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.4(a) .

(c) The Managing Member shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, but subject to the Act and any restrictions contained in any agreement to which the Company is bound, make distributions to the Members, pro rata in proportion to the number of Units owned by each Member, in such amounts as shall (when combined with the distributions made to Malibu Boats pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.4(a) ) enable Malibu Boats to meet its obligations pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement.

3.5 Unvested Units . To the extent that any distribution, other than a Tax Distribution, is to be made to a Member in respect of any Unvested Unit, such distribution shall be set aside for such Member to be distributed to such Member at the time that such Unit ceases to be an Unvested Unit. To the extent that such Unvested Unit shall be forfeited by or repurchased from such Member without having ceased to be an Unvested Unit, such distribution shall revert to the Company.

 

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ARTICLE IV

ALLOCATIONS

4.1 Allocations . After giving effect to the special allocations in Section 4.2 , Net Income and Net Loss (and, if necessary, individual items of Income and Loss) shall be allocated annually (and at such other times as the Managing Member determines) to the Members in such manner that the Capital Account balance of each Member shall, to the greatest extent possible, be equal (proportionately) to the (i) amount that would be distributed to such Member if (a) the Company were to sell the assets of the Company for their Gross Asset Values, (b) all Company liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Gross Asset Values of the assets securing such liability), (c) the Company were to distribute the net proceeds of sale pursuant to Section 3.1 , minus (ii) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain or Member Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets.

4.2 Special Allocations .

(a) Loss attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated in the manner required by Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). If there is a net decrease during a taxable year in Member Minimum Gain, Income for such taxable year (and, if necessary, for subsequent taxable years) shall be allocated to the Members in the amounts and of such character as is determined according to Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). This Section 4.2(a) is intended to be a “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback” provision that complies with the requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.2(a) , if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any taxable year, each Member shall be allocated Income for such taxable year (and, if necessary, for subsequent taxable years) in the amounts and of such character as is determined according to Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 4.2(b) is intended to be a “minimum gain chargeback” provision that complies with the requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

(c) If any Member that unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii) (d)(4) , (5)  or (6)  has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as of the end of any taxable year, computed after the application of Section 4.2(a) and Section 4.2(b) but before the application of any other provision of Section 4.1 , Section 4.2 and Section 4.3 , then Income for such taxable year shall be allocated to such Member in proportion to, and to the extent of, such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. This Section 4.2(c) is intended to be a “qualified income offset” provision as described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii) (d) and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

 

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(d) “ Nonrecourse deductions ” (as defined in Treasury Regulations §§ 1.704-2(b)(l) and (c)) shall be allocated among the Members pro rata in accordance with the number of Units owned by each of them.

(e) No Loss or Net Loss shall be allocated to a Member to the extent such allocation would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit for such Member. Instead, such Loss or Net Loss shall be allocated among the other Members in the same ratios that such other Members are allocated Net Loss for such year under Section 4.1 .

(f) Income and Loss described in clause (d) of the definition of Gross Asset Value shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the manner that the adjustments to the Capital Accounts are required to be made pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( m ).

(g) The allocations set forth in Section 4.2(a) through Section 4.2(f) inclusive (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Section 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Regulations. The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner in which the Members intend to allocate Income and Loss of the Company or to make Distributions. Accordingly, notwithstanding the other provisions of Section 4.1 , Section 4.2 and Section 4.3 , but subject to the Regulatory Allocations, items of Income and Loss of the Company shall be allocated among the Members so as to eliminate the effect of the Regulatory Allocations and thereby cause the respective Capital Account balances of the Members to be in the amounts (or as close thereto as possible) they would have been if Income and Loss had been allocated without reference to the Regulatory Allocations. In general, the Members anticipate that this shall be accomplished by specially allocating other Income and Loss among the Members so that the net amount of Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such Member is zero.

4.3 Tax Allocations .

(a) The income, gains, losses and deductions of the Company shall be allocated for federal, state and local income tax purposes among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains, losses and deductions among the Members for purposes of computing their Capital Accounts; except that if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or other applicable law, then the Company’s subsequent income, gains, losses and deductions for tax purposes shall be allocated among the Members so as to reflect as nearly as possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.

(b) Items of Company taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with Code Section 704(c) so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value using such method or methods described in Regulations Section 1.704-3 as are selected by the Managing Member.

 

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(c) If the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to the requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c).

(d) Tax credits, tax credit recapture and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members according to their interests in such items as reasonably determined by the Managing Member taking into account the principles of Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) and 1.704-1T(b)(4)(xi).

(e) Allocations pursuant to this Section 4.3 are solely for the purposes of federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Income, Loss, Distributions or other Company items pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

4.4 Members’ Tax Reporting . The Members acknowledge and are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made pursuant to this Article IV and, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or regulatory requirements, hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article IV in reporting their shares of Company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit for federal, state and local income tax purposes.

4.5 Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member . If the Company is required by applicable law to make any payment to a Governmental Entity that is specifically attributable to a Member or a Member’s status as such (including withholding taxes), then such Member shall indemnify the Company in full for the entire amount paid (including interest, penalties and related expenses). The Managing Member may offset Distributions to which a Person is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Person’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 4.5 . A Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 4.5 shall survive termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company, and for purposes of this Section 4.5 , the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence. The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Member under this Section 4.5 , including instituting a lawsuit to collect such indemnification, with interest calculated at a rate equal to 10 percentage points per annum (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by applicable law).

ARTICLE V

MANAGEMENT; RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS

5.1. Managing Member: Delegation of Authority and Duties .

(a) Authority of Managing Member. The business, property and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the sole, absolute and exclusive direction of the Managing Member, which may from time to time delegate authority to officers (“ Officers ”) or to others to act on behalf of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.1(a) , the Managing Member shall have the sole power to manage or cause the management of the Company, including, without limitation, the

 

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power and authority to effectuate the sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including, but not limited to, the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Company) or the merger, consolidation, reorganization or other combination of the Company with or into another entity.

(b) Other Members. No Member who is not also a Managing Member, in his or her or its capacity as such, shall participate in or have any control over the business of the Company. Except as expressly provided herein, the Units, other Equity Securities in the Company, or the fact of a Member’s admission as a member of the Company do not confer any rights upon the Members to participate in the management of the affairs of the Company. Except as expressly provided herein, no Member who is not also a Managing Member shall have any right to vote on any matter involving the Company, including with respect to any merger, consolidation, combination or conversion of the Company, or any other matter that a Member might otherwise have the ability to vote or consent with respect to under the Act, at law, in equity or otherwise. The conduct, control and management of the Company shall be vested exclusively in the Managing Member. In all matters relating to or arising out of the conduct of the operation of the Company, the decision of the Managing Member shall be the decision of the Company. Except as required by law, or expressly provided in Section 5.1(c) or by separate agreement with the Company, no Member who is not also a Managing Member (and acting in such capacity) shall take any part in the management or control of the operation or business of the Company in its capacity as a Member, nor shall any Member who is not also a Managing Member (and acting in such capacity) have any right, authority or power to act for or on behalf of or bind the Company in his or her or its capacity as a Member in any respect or assume any obligation or responsibility of the Company or of any other Member.

(c) Delegation by Managing Member . The Company may employ one or more Members from time to time, and such Members, in their capacity as employees or agents of the Company (and not, for clarity, in their capacity as Members of the Company), may take part in the control and management of the business of the Company to the extent such authority and power to act for or on behalf of the Company has been delegated to them by the Managing Member. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Managing Member shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other Persons the Managing Member’s rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, including to delegate to agents and employees of a Member or the Company (including Officers), and to delegate by a management agreement or another agreement with, or otherwise to, other Persons. The Managing Member may authorize any Person (including any Member or Officer) to enter into and perform any document on behalf of the Company.

 

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5.2. Officers .

(a) Designation and Appointment . The Managing Member may, from time to time, employ and retain Persons as may be necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the Company’s business, including employees, agents and other Persons (any of whom may be a Member) who may be designated as Officers of the Company, with such titles as and to the extent authorized by the Managing Member. Any number of offices may be held by the same Person. In its discretion, the Managing Member may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable. Officers need not be residents of the State of Delaware or Members. Any Officers so designated shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Managing Member may from time to time delegate to them. The Managing Member may assign titles to particular Officers. Each Officer shall hold office until his successor shall be duly designated and shall qualify or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of the Officers of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Managing Member. Designation of an Officer shall not of itself create any employment rights.

(b) Resignation and Removal . Any Officer may resign as such at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Managing Member. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation. All employees, agents and Officers shall be subject to the supervision and direction of the Managing Member and may be removed, with or without cause, from such office by the Managing Member and the authority, duties or responsibilities of any employee, agent or Officer of the Company may be suspended by or altered the Managing Member from time to time, in each case in the sole discretion of the Managing Member.

(c) Duties of Officers . The Officers, in the performance of their duties as such, shall owe to the Company duties of loyalty and due care of the type owed by officers of a Delaware corporation pursuant to the laws of the state of Delaware.

5.3. Devotion of Time; Fiduciary Duties; Company Opportunities; Other Activities. Except only as specifically set forth in this Agreement or in a separate written agreement with the Company, (a) the Members and the Officers are not obligated to devote any or all of their time or business efforts to the affairs of the Company, (b) the Members and the Officers shall devote only whatever time, effort and skill as they deem appropriate for the management and operation of the Company, (c) the Members and the Officers are free to own interests in other businesses and undertakings and to pursue and engage in other investments, activities and opportunities (collectively, “ Other Interests ”), (d) the Members are fully aware that the other Members are, and in the future may be, engaged in and conduct Other Interests that are directly or indirectly in competition with the Company or with each other, (e) none of the Officers, Members, or any Affiliate of any Member will have any obligation to offer the Company or any other Member any Other Interests or the right to participate therein, (f) none of the Company, the Officers, or the Members will have any rights in any Other Interests in which any Officer, other Member, or any of their Affiliates engages outside of the Company by virtue of the relationship contemplated by this Agreement, (g) none of the Officers, Members, or any Affiliate of any Member shall be required to disclose to the other Members or the Company the existence or nature of any such Other Interests, (h) no Member shall owe any fiduciary duties to the Company or any Member or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the Company, (i) each

 

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Member (including the Managing Member) shall be entitled to consider only the interests of such Member in connection with any decision or action brought before such Member in his, her or its capacity as a Member and shall have no duty or obligation to consider any other interests or factors affecting the Company or any other Member or any of their respective Affiliates, (j) the Company and the Members each agree that each shall have no claim under fiduciary duty or similar principles to such Other Interests or otherwise with respect to the Company in any respect (including but not limited to the operation and management of the Company), and (k) each Member and the Company waives any conflict of interest related to such Other Interests and the other matters described in this Section 5.3 .

5.4. No Liability of Members and Officers . Except as provided in this Agreement, in the Certificate, in a separate written agreement with the Company or as required under the Act, no Member, Officer, employee or other agent of the Company will be personally liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company, whether that liability arises in contract, tort, or otherwise. No Member, Officer, employee or other agent of the Company will be liable in damages or otherwise to the Company or any other Member for any loss or damage incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Member or Officer in good faith either on behalf of the Company or in furtherance of the interests of the Company, and performed or omitted in a manner reasonably believed by such Person to be within the scope of the authority granted by this Agreement, by law or by the consent of the Managing Member, provided such Person was not guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such act or omission.

5.5. Exculpation and Indemnification . To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each of the Members, Officers, employees or other agents who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of any act or omission or alleged act or omission arising out of such Person’s activities as a Member, Officer, employee or other agent or otherwise on behalf of the Company if such activities were performed or omitted in good faith either on behalf of the Company or in furtherance of the interests of the Company, and were performed or omitted in a manner reasonably believed by such Person to be within the scope of the authority conferred by this Agreement, by law or by the Managing Member, against losses, damages, or expenses for which such Person has not otherwise been reimbursed (including, without limitation, attorneys and accountant fees and expenses, judgment fines and amounts paid in settlement), actually and reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, so long as such Person was not guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such act or omission. Expenses, including attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by any such indemnified Person in defending a proceeding as to which it is entitled to indemnification hereunder (as reasonably determined by the Managing Member) shall be paid by the Company periodically in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, including any appeal therefrom, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, any indemnity by the Company relating to the matters covered in this Section 5.5 shall be provided and satisfied out of and to the extent of Company assets only. The right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 5.5 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any such

 

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Person may have or hereafter acquire under any agreement, law or otherwise. If this Section 5.5 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each such indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 5.5 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 5.5 that shall not have been invalidated.

5.6. Insurance . The Company shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Member, Officer, employee or other agent of the Company against any liability asserted against such Person and incurred by such Person in any such capacity, or arising out of such Person’s status as a Member, Officer, employee or other agent of the Company, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of Section 5.5 or under applicable law.

5.7. Investment Representations of Members . Each Member hereby represents, warrants and acknowledges to the Company that: (a) such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company and is making an informed investment decision with respect thereto; (b) such Member is acquiring interests in the Company for investment only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution to the public or public offering thereof; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by such Member.

5.8 Certain Costs and Expenses . The Company shall (i) pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses and other expenses of the Company (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals and the compensation of all personnel providing services to the Company) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the activities of the Company, and (ii) in the sole discretion of the Managing Member, bear and/or reimburse the Managing Member for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by it in connection with serving as the Managing Member. To the extent that the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion that such expenses are related to the business and affairs of the Managing Member that are conducted through the Company and/or its subsidiaries (including expenses that relate to the business and affairs of the Company and/or its subsidiaries and that also relate to other activities of the Managing Member), the Managing Member may cause the Company to pay or bear all expenses of the Managing Member, including, without suggesting any limitation of any kind, costs of securities offerings not borne directly by Members, board of directors compensation and meeting costs, cost of periodic reports to its stockholders, litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, accounting and legal costs and franchise taxes, provided that the Company shall not pay or bear any income tax obligations of the Managing Member.

 

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ARTICLE VI

TAX MATTERS

6.1 Preparation of Tax Returns . The Tax Matters Member shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns required to be filed by the Company.

6.2 Tax Elections . The taxable year shall be the Fiscal Year unless the Managing Member shall determine otherwise in compliance with applicable laws. The Tax Matters Member shall determine whether to make or revoke any available election pursuant to the Code; provided that the Tax Matters Member shall cause the Company to make and to maintain and keep in effect at all times, in accordance with Sections 734, 743 and 754 of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations and comparable state law provisions, an election to adjust tax basis in the event (i) any Unit is Transferred in accordance with this Agreement or the Exchange Agreement or (ii) any Company property is distributed to any Member. Each Member will upon request supply any information necessary to give proper effect to any tax elections. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no election shall be made to treat the Company as a corporation for tax purposes and the Managing Member agrees not to take any action to treat the Company as a corporation for tax purposes.

6.3 Tax Controversies . The Managing Member is hereby designated as the Tax Matters Member and is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Company funds for professional services reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Each Member agrees to cooperate reasonably with the Company and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company with respect to the conduct of such proceedings. The Tax Matters Member shall keep the Members reasonably informed of the progress of any examinations, audits or other proceedings, and shall provide the Members with information on a full and timely basis.

6.4 Tax Allocations . All matters concerning allocations for United States federal, state, and local and non-United States income tax purposes, including accounting procedures, not expressly provided for by the term of this Agreement shall be determined in good faith by the Managing Member.

6.5 Fiscal Year . The Fiscal Year of the Company shall end on or as close to June 30 unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member in its sole discretion in accordance with Section 706 of the Code.

6.6 Books and Records; Fiscal Year . The Company shall maintain the Company’s books and records at its principal office. Such books will be kept on such method of accounting as the Managing Member will select. The Company’s accounting period will be the Fiscal Year, unless and until changed by the Managing Member. The books and records of the Company shall reflect all the Company transactions and shall be appropriate and adequate for the Company’s business, including without limitation (a) a current list in alphabetical order of the full name and last known business street address of each Member, (b) a copy of the certified Certificate and all certificates of amendment to it, together with executed copies of any powers of attorney pursuant to which any certificates of amendment has been executed, (c) copies of the Company’s federal, state and local income tax returns and reports, if any, for the 3 most recent years, (d) a copy of this Agreement, as amended, and (e) any other documents or records required under the Act.

 

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6.7 Reports . The Company will close the books of account promptly after the close of each Fiscal Year and will prepare and send to each Member a statement of such Member’s distributive share of income and expense for federal income tax reporting purposes.

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFER OF UNITS; SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS; REGISTRATION RIGHTS

7.1 Restrictions on Transfers. Other than as provided for below in this Section 7.1 , no Member may sell, assign, transfer, grant a participation in, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of (such transaction being herein collectively called a “ Transfer ”) all or any portion of its Membership Interest except with the written consent of the Managing Member, which may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion. Without the consent of the Managing Member (but otherwise in compliance with Section 7.1 ), a Member may, at any time, (a) Transfer any portion of such Member’s Membership Interest pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, or (b) Transfer any portion of such Member’s Membership Interest to a Permitted Transferee of such Member. Any purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Membership Interest not complying with this Section 7.1 shall be void ab initio and shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company or the other Members to recognize that purported Transfer or to recognize the Person to which the Transfer purportedly was made as a Member. A Person acquiring a Member’s Membership Interest pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall not be admitted as a Substituted Member or Additional Member except in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.2 , but such Person shall, to the extent of the Membership Interest transferred to it, be entitled to such Member’s (i) share of Distributions, (ii) share of profits and losses, including Net Profits and Net Losses, and (iii) Capital Account in accordance with Section 2.3 . Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Member Transfers all or any portion of its Membership Interest after the designation of a record date and declaration of a distribution pursuant to Section 3.1 and before the payment date of such distribution, the transferring Member (and not the Person acquiring all or any portion of its Membership Interest) shall be entitled to receive such distribution in respect of such transferred Membership Interest.

7.2 Recognition of Transfer; Substituted and Additional Members .

(a) No direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of a Member’s Membership Interest may be made, and no purchaser, assignee, transferee or other recipient of all or any part of such Membership Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a Substituted Member or Additional Member hereunder, if:

(i) such Transfer is made to any Person who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own such Membership Interest;

(ii) such Transfer would cause a material risk that the Company would be a “publicly traded partnership” as defined in Section 7704 of the Code;

(iii) such Transfer would require the registration of such Transferred Membership Interest pursuant to any applicable United States federal or state securities laws (including, without limitation, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act);

 

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(iv) such Transfer would cause any portion of the assets of the Company to become “plan assets” of any “benefit plan investor” within the meaning of regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations as modified by Section 3(42) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time; or

(v) to the extent requested by the Managing Member, the Managing Member shall not have received the opinion of counsel, if any, required by Section 7.2(c) in connection with such Transfer.

(b) Each Substituted Member and Additional Member shall be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement. Each Substituted Member and Additional Member, as a condition to its admission as a Member, shall execute and acknowledge such instruments (including a counterpart of this Agreement or a joinder agreement in customary form), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member, as the Managing Member reasonably deems necessary or desirable to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such substituted or Additional Member to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement with respect to the Membership Interest acquired by such substituted or Additional Member. The admission of a Substituted or Additional Member shall not require the consent of any Member other than the Managing Member (if and to the extent such consent of the Managing Member is expressly required by this Article VII ). As promptly as practicable after the admission of a Substituted or Additional Member, the books and records of the Company and Schedule A shall be changed to reflect such admission.

(c) As a further condition to any Transfer of all or any part of a Member’s Membership Interest, other than Transfers pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Managing Member may, in its discretion, require a written opinion of counsel to the transferring Member reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member, obtained at the sole expense of the transferring Member, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Managing Member, as to such matters as are customary and appropriate in transactions of this type, including, without limitation (or, in the case of any Transfer made to a Permitted Transferee, limited to an opinion) to the effect that such Transfer will not result in a violation of the registration or other requirements of the Securities Act or any other federal or state securities laws. No such opinion, however, shall be required in connection with a Transfer made pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.

7.3 Expense of Transfer; Indemnification . All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Managing Member and the Company in connection with any Transfer of a Member’s Membership Interest, including any filing and recording costs and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the transferring Member. In addition, the transferring Member hereby indemnifies the Managing Member and the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Managing Member, the Company, or any of their Affiliates may become subject arising out of or based upon any false representation or warranty made by, or breach or failure to comply with any covenant or agreement of, such transferring Member or such transferee in connection with such Transfer.

 

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7.4 Additional Requirements . Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, for the avoidance of doubt, the Managing Member may impose such vesting requirements, forfeiture provisions, Transfer restrictions, minimum retained ownership requirements or other similar provisions with respect to any interests in the Company that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement or are created hereafter, with the written consent of the holder of such interests in the Company. Such requirements, provisions and restrictions need not be uniform among holders of interests in the Company and may be waived or released by the Managing Member in its sole discretion with respect to all or a portion of the interests in the Company owned by any one or more Members or Assignees at any time and from time to time, and such actions or omissions by the Managing Member shall not constitute the breach of this Agreement or of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

7.5 Mandatory Exchange . The Managing Member may, with the consent of Black Canyon Management LLC (provided that a Black Canyon Entity is a Member) and those Members (other than the Managing Member) holding not less than 50% of the Units (excluding any Units held by the Managing Member), require all Members holding Units to exchange all such Units held by them pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.

7.6 Registration Rights .

(a) At any time that Malibu Boats proposes or is obligated to register any shares of Class A Common Stock under the Securities Act (other than registrations on such form(s) solely for registration of shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with any employee benefit plan or dividend reinvestment plan or a merger or consolidation), including registrations pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, whether or not for sale for its own account, Malibu Boats will give written notice to each holder of Registrable Securities at least 30 days prior to the initial filing of such registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the intent of Malibu Boats to file such registration statement and of such holder’s rights under this Section 7.6. Upon the written request of any holder of Registrable Securities made within 20 days after any such notice is given (which request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such holder), Malibu Boats will use its best efforts to effect the registration (an “ Incidental Registration ”) under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which Malibu Boats, as the case may be, has been so requested to register by the holders thereof; provided, however, that if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such Incidental Registration, Malibu Boats shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such securities, Malibu Boats may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each holder of Registrable Securities and, thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to register, Malibu Boats shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities under this Section 7.6 in connection with such registration, and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay registration, Malibu Boats shall be permitted to delay registering any Registrable Securities under this Section 7.6 during the period that the registration of such other securities is delayed.

 

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(b) If the sole or managing underwriter of a registration advises Malibu Boats in writing that in its opinion the number of Registrable Securities and other securities requested to be included exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof, Malibu Boats will include in such registration the Registrable Securities and other securities of Malibu Boats in the following order of priority:

(i) first, the greatest number of securities of Malibu Boats proposed or is obligated to include in such registration by Malibu Boats for its own account and by holders of Other Registration Rights that have priority over the Incidental Registration rights granted to holders of Registrable Securities under this Section 7.6, which in the opinion of such underwriters can be so sold; and

(ii) second, after all securities that Malibu Boats proposes or is obligated to register for its own account or for the accounts of holders of Other Registration Rights that have priority over the Incidental Registration rights under this Section 7.6 have been included, the greatest amount of Registrable Securities and securities having Other Registration Rights that are pari passu with Registrable Securities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any securities proposed to be included pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement), in each case requested to be registered by the holders thereof which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof, ratably among the holders of Registrable Securities and securities subject to such Other Registration Rights based on the respective amounts of Registrable Securities and securities subject to such Other Registration Rights held by each such holder.

(c) Upon delivering a request under this Section 7.6, a Member will, if requested by Malibu Boats, execute and deliver a custody agreement and power of attorney in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Malibu Boats with respect to such Member’s securities to be registered pursuant to this Section 7.6 (a “ Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney ”). The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney will provide, among other things, that the Member will deliver to and deposit in custody with the custodian and attorney-in-fact named therein a certificate or certificates representing such securities (duly endorsed in blank by the registered owner or owners thereof or accompanied by duly executed stock powers in blank) and irrevocably appoint said custodian and attorney-in-fact with full power and authority to act under the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney on such Member’s behalf with respect to the matters specified therein. Such Member also agrees to execute such other agreements as Malibu Boats may reasonably request to further evidence the provisions of this Section 7.6.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, after the time any Exchange Registration has become effective and continuing for so long as such Exchange Registration remains effective and available for use, any Member who is not an “affiliate” of Malibu Boats for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or the holder of at least 3% of the then-outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock on a fully-

 

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diluted basis (including giving effect to the exchange of all Units held by Persons other than Malibu Boats for shares of Class A Common Stock) shall not have the right to participate in any Incidental Registration rights pursuant to this Section 7.6, except to the extent the shares to be registered and offered pursuant to such Incidental Registration will be an underwritten offering.

(e) Each Member agrees that, if requested in writing in connection with an underwritten offering subsequent to Malibu Boats’ initial public offering made pursuant to a registration statement for which such Member has registration rights pursuant to this Section 7.6 by the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering, such Member will not effect any public sale or distribution of any of the securities being registered or any securities convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities (except as part of such underwritten offering), during the period beginning seven days prior to, and ending up to 180 days after, the effective date of any such subsequent underwritten registration (the “ Follow-On Holdback Period ”), except as part of any such underwritten registration (or for such shorter period as to which the managing underwriter or underwriters may agree, provided that such shorter period applies equally to all Members). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Follow-On Holdback Period shall apply to any Person who (a) is not an executive officer or director of Malibu Boats, a selling stockholder in such offering or a Person selling Units to Malibu Boats, the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries if such purchase is funded by the sale of Class A Common Stock by Malibu Boats, the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries in such offering and (b) holds, together with its affiliates, less than 1% of the then-outstanding Class A Common Stock.

(f) It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of Malibu Boats to take any action pursuant to this Section 7.6 with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Member that such Member shall furnish to Malibu Boats such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall reasonably be required to effect the registration of such Member’s Registrable Securities.

(g) Each Member registering securities under this Section 7.6 shall promptly furnish in writing to Malibu Boats such information regarding itself, the distribution of the Registrable Securities as Malibu Boats may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required or advisable in connection with such registration.

(h) No Member may participate in any Public Offering hereunder unless such Member (i) agrees to sell such Member’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Members entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and the provisions of this Section 7.6 in respect of registration rights.

 

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(i) In the event of any registration of any Registrable Securities of Malibu Boats under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 7.6, Malibu Boats will, and it hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, a Member that includes Registrable Securities in any such registration statement, each affiliate of such Member and their respective directors and officers or general and limited partners or members and managing members (including any director, officer, affiliate, employee, agent and controlling Person of any of the foregoing) and each other Person, if any, who controls such seller within the meaning of the Securities Act (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto under which such Registrable Securities were registered or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that Malibu Boats shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to Malibu Boats with respect to such seller or any underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

(j) Each Member that includes Registrable Securities in any registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 7.6 hereby severally and not jointly indemnifies and holds harmless, and Malibu Boats may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed in accordance with this Section 7.6, that Malibu Boats shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from any underwriter to indemnify and hold harmless, Malibu Boats and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities, each officer of Malibu Boats who signed the registration statement and each Person, if any, who controls Malibu Boats and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in Section 7.6(i) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to Malibu Boats with respect to such seller or any underwriter specifically for use in the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, any free

 

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writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Malibu Boats, any of the Members or any underwriter, or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers or controlling Persons and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Person. In no event shall any such indemnification liability of any Member be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Member upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION; WITHDRAWAL

8.1 Dissolution . The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substituted Members. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first to occur of any of the following events:

(a) an election by the Managing Member to dissolve, wind up or liquidate the Company;

(b) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act; or

(c) at any time there are no members of the Company, unless the Company is continued in accordance with the Act.

Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 8.1 , the Company is intended to have perpetual existence.

8.2 Liquidation and Termination .

(a) On the dissolution of the Company, the Managing Member shall act as liquidator or (in its sole discretion) may appoint one (1) or more representatives, Members or other Persons as liquidator(s). The liquidators shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidators shall continue to operate the Company with all of the power and authority of the Managing Member. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidators are as follows:

(i) the liquidators shall pay, satisfy or discharge from Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in liquidation) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidators may reasonably determine); and

 

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(ii) after payment or provision for payment of all of the Company’s liabilities has been made in accordance with Section 8.1 , all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed in accordance with Section 3.1 .

8.3 Complete Distribution . The distribution to a Member in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Member of its interest in the Company and all the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the Act.

8.4 Cancellation of Certificate . On completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided herein, the Managing Member (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that are or should be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company. The Company shall be deemed to continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 8.4 .

8.5 Reasonable Time for Winding Up . A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 8.2 to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.

8.6 Return of Capital . The liquidators shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Members (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from Company assets).

8.7 HSR Act . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, in the event that the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the “ HSR Act ”) is applicable to any Member by reason of the fact that any assets of the Company shall be distributed to such Member in connection with the dissolution of the Company, the dissolution of the Company shall not be consummated until such time as the applicable waiting periods (and extensions thereof) under the HSR Act have expired or otherwise been terminated with respect to each such Member.

8.8 Member Withdrawal. No Member shall have the power or right to withdraw or otherwise resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company, except pursuant to a Transfer permitted under this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Power of Attorney . Each Member hereby constitutes and appoints the Managing Member and the liquidators, with full power of substitution, as his, her or its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his, her or its name, place and stead, to execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (a) this Agreement, all certificates and other instruments and all amendments thereof in accordance with the terms hereof that the Managing Member deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify, or continue the qualification of, the Company as a limited liability company in the

 

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State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own property; (b) all instruments that the Managing Member deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the Managing Member or the liquidators deem appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; and (d) all instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal or substitution of any Member. The foregoing power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, and shall survive the death, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of any Member and the Transfer of all or any portion of his, her or its Units and shall extend to such Member’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.

9.2 Amendments .

(a) This Agreement may be amended, supplemented, waived or modified by the written consent of the Managing Member in its sole discretion without the approval of any other Member or other Person; provided that except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of a holder of Units, as such, other than on a pro rata basis with other holders of Units of the same class without the consent of such holder (or, if there is more than one such holder that is so affected, without the consent of a majority of such affected holders in accordance with their holdings of Units), provided further, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member may, without the written consent of any other Member or any other Person, amend, supplement, waive or modify any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect: (1) any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification that the Managing Member determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities in accordance with this Agreement; (2) the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Members in accordance with this Agreement; (3) a change in the name of the Company, the location of the principal place of business of the Company, the registered agent of the Company or the registered office of the Company; (4) any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification that the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate to address changes in U.S. federal income tax regulations, legislation or interpretation; or (5) a change in the Fiscal Year or taxable year of the Company and any other changes that the Managing Member determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the Fiscal Year or taxable year of the Company, including a change in the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Company; provided further, that the books and records of the Company shall be deemed amended from time to time to reflect the admission of a new Member, the withdrawal or resignation of a Member, the adjustment of the Units or other interests in the Company resulting from any issuance, Transfer or other disposition of Units or other interests in the Company, in each case that is made in accordance with the provisions hereof. If an amendment has been approved in accordance with this agreement, such amendment shall be adopted and effective with respect to all Members. Upon obtaining such approvals as may be required by this Agreement, and without further action or execution on the part of any other Member or other Person, any amendment to this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the Managing Member and the other Members shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in addition to any other consent that may be required, the consent of Black Canyon Management LLC shall also be required (the “ Special Consent Right ”) for so long as the Black Canyon Entities collectively hold a number of Units that is equal to or greater than 5% of the number of Units outstanding immediately following the closing of the IPO and the related purchase of Units by the Managing Member with the net proceeds therefrom (such number to be adjusted for any subdivision or combination of the Units effected after the closing of the IPO) for any amendment of this Agreement (or the rights of the Units in connection with the authorization or issuance of any other Units or Equity Securities of the Company) that (i) reduces the right of any Member to receive Tax Distributions other than on a pro rata basis with a reduction in taxable income allocable to such Member and other holders of Units of the same class, (ii) precludes or limits the rights of any Member to exercise its respective rights under the Exchange Agreement, (iii) requires any Member to make a Capital Contribution (including as a condition to maintaining any rights necessary to permit such Member to exercise its respective rights under the Exchange Agreement), (iv) materially increases the obligations of any Member under this Agreement, or (v) results in the Company being treated as a corporation for tax purposes; provided, however, that if the Black Canyon Entities collectively hold a number of Units that is less than 5% of the number of Units outstanding immediately following the closing of the IPO and the related purchase of Units by the Managing Member with the net proceeds therefrom (such number to be adjusted for any subdivision or combination of the Units effected after the closing of the IPO), then Black Canyon Management LLC shall have the right to assign or transfer the Special Consent Right to Horizon Holdings, LLC, provided that Horizon Holdings, LLC, together with its successors and Permitted Transferees, collectively hold a number of Units that is equal to or greater than 5% of the number of Units outstanding immediately following the closing of the IPO and the related purchase of Units by the Managing Member with the net proceeds therefrom (such number to be adjusted for any subdivision or combination of the Units effected after the closing of the IPO).

(c) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder (other than a failure or delay beyond a period of time specified herein) shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

9.3 Remedies . Each Member shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies that such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights that such Person has under any applicable law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security) to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by applicable law.

 

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9.4 Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective Successors in Interest; provided that no Person claiming by, through or under a Member (whether as such Member’s Successor in Interest or otherwise), as distinct from such Member itself, shall have any rights as, or in respect to, a Member (including the right to approve or vote on any matter or to notice thereof).

9.5 Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

9.6 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement binding on all the parties hereto.

9.7 Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any dispute relating hereto shall be heard in the state or federal courts of Delaware, and the parties agree to jurisdiction and venue therein.

9.8 Addresses and Notices . All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when (a) delivered personally to the recipient, (b) sent by facsimile to the recipient (with hard copy sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) that same day) if sent by facsimile before 5:00 p.m. New York time on a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day, or (c) one Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the address for such recipient set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, or in the Company’s books and records, or to such other address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice to the Managing Member or the Company shall be deemed given if received by the Managing Member at the principal office of the Company designated pursuant to Section 1.5 .

9.9 Creditors . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in Company profits, losses, Distributions, capital or property other than as a secured creditor.

 

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9.10 Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

9.11 Further Action . The parties agree to execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

9.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, those documents expressly referred to herein and other documents dated as of the Effective Date related to the subject matter hereof embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, that may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

9.13 Delivery by Facsimile or Email . This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or email with scan or facsimile attachment, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

9.14 Spousal Consent . Each Member who is an individual and is married has caused such Person’s spouse to execute and deliver a Spousal Consent and Proxy in substantially the form of Exhibit B .

ARTICLE X

DEFINITIONS

10.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement:

Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. L. Sections 18-101, et seq .

 

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Additional Member ” means any Person that has been admitted to the Company as a Member after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.2(b) by virtue of having received its Membership Interest from the Company and not from any other Member or Assignee.

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means, with respect to any Person’s Capital Account as of the end of any taxable year, the amount by which the balance in such Capital Account is less than zero. For this purpose, such Capital Account balance shall be (i) reduced for any items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii) (d)(4) , (5)  and (6) , and (ii) increased for any amount such Person is obligated to contribute or is treated as being obligated to contribute to the Company pursuant to Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (relating to partner liabilities to a partnership) or 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i) (relating to minimum gain).

Affiliate ” when used with reference to another Person means any Person (other than the Company), directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such other Person. In addition, Affiliates of a Member shall include all its directors, managers, officers and employees in their capacities as such.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Assignee ” means any Transferee to which a Member or another Assignee has Transferred all or a portion of its interest in the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, but that is not a Member.

Assumed Tax Rate ” means, for any taxable year, the highest marginal effective rate of federal, state and local income tax applicable to an individual resident in Los Angeles, California (or, if higher, a corporation doing business in Los Angeles, California) determined by applying the rates applicable to ordinary income (in cases where taxes are being determined on ordinary income allocated to a Member) and capital gains (in cases where taxes are being determined on capital gains allocated to a Member), and by assuming that state and local income taxes are not deductible in computing a Member’s liability for federal income tax.

Bankruptcy ” means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) the filing of an application by such Person for, or a consent to, the appointment of a trustee or custodian of such Person’s assets; (b) the filing by such Person of a voluntary petition in Bankruptcy or the seeking of relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or the filing of a pleading in any court of record admitting in writing such Person’s inability to pay its debts as they become due; (c) the failure of such Person to pay its debts as such debts become due; (d) the making by such Person of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (e) the filing by such Person of an answer admitting the material allegations of, or such Person’s consenting to, or defaulting in answering, a Bankruptcy petition filed against him in any Bankruptcy proceeding or petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or as hereafter amended; or (f) the entry of an order, judgment or decree by any court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Person a bankrupt or insolvent or for relief in respect of such Person or appointing a trustee or custodian of such Person’s assets and the continuance of such order, judgment or decree unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive calendar days.

 

30


Black Canyon Entities ” means Black Canyon Direct Investment Fund L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Black Canyon Investments L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Canyon Value Realization Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, The Canyon Value Realization Master Fund, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership, and Loudon Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and their respective successors and Permitted Transferees.

Business Day ” means any calendar day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required to close.

Capital Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) .

Capital Contributions ” means any cash, cash equivalents or, at the consent of the Managing Member, the Fair Market Value of other property that a Member contributes to the Company with respect to any Unit or other Equity Securities issued pursuant to Article II (net of liabilities assumed by the Company or to which such property is subject).

Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Class A Common Stock ” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Malibu Boats.

Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Company Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth for the term “partnership minimum gain” in Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

Control ” means, when used with reference to any Person, the power to direct the management or policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, by or through stock or other equity ownership, agency or otherwise, or pursuant to or in connection with an agreement, arrangement or other understanding (written or oral); and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(c) .

Depreciation ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss” under paragraph (e) therein.

Distribution ” means each distribution after the Effective Date made by the Company to a Member, whether in cash, property or securities of the Company, pursuant to, or in respect of, Article III or Article VIII .

Economic Interest ” means the right to allocations of items of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or similar items and the right to Distributions of cash and other property as provided in Article III , Article IV , Article VIII and Article IX of this Agreement and the Act, but shall not include any right to participate in the management or affairs of the Company or any right to receive information concerning the business and affairs of the Company, in each case, except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement or required by the Act.

 

31


Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Equity Securities ” means, as applicable, (a) any capital stock, membership interests or other share capital, (b) any securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, membership interests or other share capital or containing any profit participation features, (c) any rights or options directly or indirectly to subscribe for or to purchase any capital stock, membership interests, other share capital or securities containing any profit participation features or to subscribe for or to purchase any securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, membership interests, other share capital or securities containing any profit participation features, (d) any share appreciation rights, phantom share rights or other similar rights, or (e) any Equity Securities issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

Exchange Agreement ” means the Exchange Agreement dated on or about the date hereof between the Company, the Members and Malibu Boats.

Exchange Registration ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset or securities, the fair market value for such assets or securities as between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction occurring on the date of valuation, taking into account all relevant factors determinative of value, as determined in good faith by the Managing Member.

Family Group ” means for any individual, such individual’s current or former spouse, their respective parents, descendants of such parents (whether natural or adopted) and the spouses of such descendants, and any trust, limited partnership, corporation or limited liability company established solely for the benefit of such individual or such individual’s current or former spouse, their respective parents, descendants of such parents (whether natural or adopted) or the spouses of such descendants.

Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company, which unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member in its sole discretion shall be each period ending on June 30.

Follow-On Holdback Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(e) .

Governmental Entity ” means the United States of America or any other nation, any state or other political subdivision thereof, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government, including any court, in each case, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the property or other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

32


Gross Asset Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

(a) the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such asset on the date of the contribution;

(b) the Gross Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross Fair Market Values as of the following times:

(i) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Company after the Effective Date by a new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative Economic Interests of the Members in the Company;

(ii) the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by an existing or a new Member acting in a “partner capacity,” or in anticipation of becoming a “partner” (in each case within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( d )).

(iii) the Distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of Company property as consideration for an interest in the Company, if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative Economic Interests of the Members in the Company; and

(iv) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g);

(c) the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to a Member shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such asset on the date of Distribution;

(d) the Gross Asset Values of Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) ; provided , however , that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subparagraph (d) to the extent that the Managing Member determines that an adjustment pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this definition of Gross Asset Value is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (d); and

(e) with respect to any asset that has a Gross Asset Value that differs from its adjusted tax basis, Gross Asset Value shall be adjusted by the amount of Depreciation rather than any other depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery method.

 

33


HSR Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.7 .

Incidental Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(a) .

Income ” means individual items of Company income and gain determined in accordance with the definitions of Net Income and Net Loss.

Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(e) .

IPO Transactions ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Loss ” means individual items of Company loss and deduction determined in accordance with the definitions of Net Income and Net Loss.

Malibu Boats ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Malibu Boats Excess Tax Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(b).

Managing Member ” means Malibu Boats and its successors and assigns and any substitute Managing Member appointed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Member ” means each Person listed on Schedule A attached hereto and each other Person who is hereafter admitted as a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act. The Members shall constitute the “members” (as such term is defined in the Act) of the Company. Any reference in this Agreement to any Member shall include such Member’s Successors in Interest to the extent such Successors in Interest have become Substituted Members in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise set forth herein or in the Act, the Members shall constitute a single class or group of members of the Company for all purposes of the Act and this Agreement.

Member Minimum Gain ” means minimum gain attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).

Member Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth for the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Membership Interest ” means, with respect to each Member, such Member’s Economic Interest and rights as a Member.

Net Income ” or “ Net Loss ” means, for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year or other period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in such taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

(a) any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to this definition of Net Income or Net Loss shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

34


(b) any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( i ), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to this definition of Net Income or Net Loss shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

(c) in the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (b) or (c) of the definition of Gross Asset Value, the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain (if the adjustment increases the Gross Asset Value of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the Gross Asset Value of the asset) from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss;

(d) gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset Value;

(e) in lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, with respect to a Company asset having a Gross Asset Value that differs from its adjusted basis for tax purposes, “Depreciation” with respect to such asset shall be computed by reference to the asset’s Gross Asset Value in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g);

(f) to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( m ) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a Distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss;

(g) Any Income or Loss that is allocated under Section 4.2 shall be excluded for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss.

Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(f)(i) .

Officers ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 .

Original Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Other Registration Rights ” means the registration rights of any holder of securities of Malibu Boats granted other than pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights granted pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

35


Percentage Interest ” of each Member is set forth on Schedule A hereto, which may be amended from time to time and which shall be equal to a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the number of Units held by such Member and the denominator of which is the number of Units held by all the Members (it being understood that if the Company hereafter issues any Equity Securities other than the Units, then this definition shall be changed pursuant to an amendment of this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof).

Permitted Transferee ” means, with respect to any Member, (a) its Affiliates (including, in the case of any Member that is an entity, any distribution by such Member to its members, partners or shareholders (the “ Member’s Owners ”), and any related distributions by the Member’s Owners to their respective members, partners or shareholders), (b) in the case of an individual, any member of its Family Group.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership (including a limited partnership), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, association or other entity or a Governmental Entity.

Quarterly Estimated Tax Periods ” means the two, three, and four calendar month periods with respect to which Federal quarterly estimated tax payments are made. The first such period begins on January 1 and ends on March 31. The second such period begins on April 1 and ends on May 31. The third such period begins on June 1 and ends on August 31. The fourth such period begins on September 1 and ends on December 31.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Malibu Boats and certain of the Members.

Registrable Securities ” means shares of Class A Common Stock that may be delivered in exchange for Units and other shares of Class A Common Stock otherwise held by a Member from time to time. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities and such Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in existence whenever such Person has the right to acquire such Registrable Securities (upon conversion, exchange or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right other than vesting), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, as to any particular Member, Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when and to the extent that (i) such Registrable Securities (A) have been sold in a transaction registered under the Securities Act, (B) have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision then in effect) or (C) in the case of any Registrable Securities that are not “restricted securities” for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, have been sold by a Person who is not an “affiliate” of Malibu Boats for purposes of Rule 144 in reliance upon Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act, (ii) the holder of such Registrable Securities is not an “affiliate” of Malibu Boats for purposes of Rule 144 and is eligible to sell all Registrable Securities held by such Person pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1) under the Securities Act in any three-month period without limitation under any of the other requirements of Rule 144, (iii) in the case of any Registrable Securities that are not “restricted securities” for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Member is not an “affiliate” of Malibu Boats for purposes of Rule 144 and is eligible to publicly sell such securities in reliance upon Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act (or any successor provision then in effect); or (iv) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding (or issuable upon exchange).

 

36


Regulations ” means the regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated by the United States Treasury Department under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Regulatory Allocations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(g) .

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.

Special Consent Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(b) .

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (b) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control any managing member, general partner or analogous controlling Person of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

Substituted Member ” means any Person that has been admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 7.2 by virtue of such Person receiving all or a portion of a Membership Interest from a Member or its Assignee and not from the Company.

Successor in Interest ” means any (a) trustee, custodian, receiver or other Person acting in any Bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding with respect to, (b) assignee for the benefit of the creditors of, (c) trustee or receiver, or current or former officer, director or partner, or other fiduciary acting for or with respect to the dissolution, liquidation or termination of, or (d) other Transferee, executor, administrator, committee, legal representative or other successor or assign of, any Member, whether by operation of law or otherwise (including any Person acquiring (whether by merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or otherwise) all or substantially all of the assets or Equity Securities of the Company and its Subsidiaries).

 

37


Tax Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a) .

Tax Matters Member ” has the same meaning as “tax matters partner” set forth in Section 6231 of the Code.

Tax Receivable Agreement ” means the Tax Receivable Agreement dated on or about the date hereof between Malibu Boats, the Company and the current Members.

Transaction Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Exchange Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Transfer ” means any sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, mortgage, exchange, hypothecation, grant of a security interest or other direct or indirect disposition or encumbrance of an interest (whether with or without consideration, whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law). The terms “ Transferee, ” “ Transferor, ” “ Transferred, ” and other forms of the word “ Transfer ” shall have the correlative meanings.

Underwriters ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Unit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .

Unvested Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(c) .

10.2 Interpretative Matters . In this Agreement, unless otherwise specified or where the context otherwise requires:

(a) the headings of particular provisions of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not be construed as a part of this Agreement or serve as a limitation or expansion on the scope of any term or provision of this Agreement;

(b) words importing any gender shall include other genders;

(c) words importing the singular only shall include the plural and vice versa;

(d) the words “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(e) the words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

(f) references to “Articles,” “Exhibits,” “Sections” or “Schedules” shall be to Articles, Exhibits, Sections or Schedules of or to this Agreement;

(g) references to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of such Person;

 

38


(h) the use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive;

(i) wherever a conflict exists between this Agreement and any other agreement, this Agreement shall control but solely to the extent of such conflict;

(j) references to “$” or “dollars” means the lawful currency of the United States of America;

(k) references to any agreement, contract or schedule, unless otherwise stated, are to such agreement, contract or schedule as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(l) the parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement; accordingly, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

[END OF PAGE]

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

39


SIGNATURE PAGES TO

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:                                                                                                   
MEMBER:

 

(Print Name of Entity)

By:                                                                                                   

        (Signature)

Name:                                                                                             

Title:                                                                                               

Signature Page to

First Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of

Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC

[SIGNATURE PAGES CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE]


JOINDER

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is acknowledged and confessed, Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Malibu Boats ”), does hereby join this Agreement solely with respect to its rights and obligations set forth under Sections 2.1, 3.4 and 7.6 of the Agreement. This Joinder will apply to, be binding in all respects upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of Malibu Boats.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:                                                                                                   
Name:                                                                                             
Title:                                                                                               

JOINDER

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is acknowledged and confessed, Black Canyon Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Black Canyon Management ”), does hereby join this Agreement solely with respect to its rights and obligations set forth under Sections 7.5 and 9.2 of the Agreement. This Joinder will apply to, be binding in all respects upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of Black Canyon Management.

 

BLACK CANYON MANAGEMENT LLC
By:                                                                                                   
Name:                                                                                             
Title:                                                                                               

JOINDER

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is acknowledged and confessed, Horizon Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Horizon ”), does hereby join this Agreement solely with respect to its rights and obligations set forth under Section 9.2 of the Agreement. This Joinder will apply to, be binding in all respects upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of Horizon.

 

HORIZON HOLDINGS LLC
By:                                                                                                   
Name:                                                                                             
Title:                                                                                               

Signature Page to

First Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of

Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC


SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS

 

Name and Address of Member

 

Number of Units

 

Percentage Interest

   Capital Contributions

 

A-1


SCHEDULE B

Consent of Spouse and Proxy

I acknowledge that I have read the foregoing Limited Liability Company Agreement and that I know its contents. I am aware that by its provisions the Membership Interest of the Company held by me, my spouse, or either or both of us, including my community property interest in such Membership Interest, if any, is subject to transfer restrictions and other restrictions pursuant to the Limited Liability Company Agreement. I hereby agree and consent that such Membership Interest and my interest in it, if any, are subject to all of the provisions of the foregoing Limited Liability Company Agreement and that I will take no action at any time to hinder operation of, or violate, the foregoing Limited Liability Company Agreement. I hereby grant to my spouse an irrevocable proxy, coupled with an interest, with power of substitution, with respect to all matters relating to such Membership Interest, including the voting and transfer thereof.

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Spouse:  

 

Address:  

 

 

 

 

 

Tel:  

 

Fax:  

 

 

B-1

Exhibit 10.2

SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “ Security Agreement ”) dated as of July 16, 2013 between by and between MALIBU BOATS, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Parent ”) and MALIBU BOATS DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SALES CORP. , a Delaware corporation (collectively, the “ Debtors ”), and SUNTRUST BANK , a Georgia state banking corporation, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the holders of the Indebtedness (defined below) (“ Secured Party ”).

W I T N E S E T H

WHEREAS , the Debtors, the Lenders party thereto and the Secured Party have entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 16, 2013 (as may be further amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement);

WHEREAS , as a condition precedent to the agreement of the Lenders to extend credit under the Credit Agreement, the Debtors are required to execute and deliver this Security Agreement to the Secured Party, and to grant to the Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, a continuing first perfected security interest in the collateral described on Exhibit A hereto, to secure all of the Debtors’ obligations under the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents; and

WHEREAS , the Debtors have duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of this Security Agreement and will receive direct and indirect benefits by reason of the credit extended under the Credit Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Debtors and the Secured Party, hereby agree as follows:

1. Security Interest . As security for the repayment of the Indebtedness (as defined in Section 2), Debtor hereby assigns and grants to Secured Party, a security interest in and to all of the Debtor’s presently existing and hereafter acquired rights in and to the property described on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, including, without limitation all such property or type of property presently existing and hereafter acquired or arising and all proceeds (including insurance proceeds) or products attributable to or arising from any of such property (collectively, the “ Collateral ”).

2. Indebtedness . The security interest granted herein by the Debtors secures and shall secure (a) all Obligations and (b) all documented and reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the Obligations, including the documented and reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel. For purposes of this Security Agreement, all such obligations secured by the Collateral shall be referred to as “ Indebtedness.

3. Debtor’s Representations and Warranties to Secured Party . Each Debtor hereby represents and warrants to Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, that the following facts are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof:

(a) each Debtor is the true and lawful owner of its Collateral in all material respects;


(b) each Debtor has a legal right to grant a security interest in its Collateral;

(c) Except for liens in favor of Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness and Permitted Encumbrances, there are no Liens against the Collateral; and

(d) each Debtor has obtained all necessary consents required to execute and deliver this Security Agreement and to accomplish the transactions evidenced hereby, including, without limitation, any requirements contained in any partnership agreement, bylaws, or operating agreement that governs any partnership interests, stock, membership interests, or other ownership interests owned by such Debtor and pledged to secure the Indebtedness pursuant to this Security Agreement (collectively, “ Organizational Documentation for Pledged Interests ”).

4. Debtor’s Covenants to Secured Party . Each Debtor hereby covenants and agrees that until the Indebtedness shall have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations or expense reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) or unless such Debtor shall have received the prior written consent of Secured Party:

(a) Protection and Use of Collateral . (i) each Debtor will keep the Collateral free from any adverse lien, security interest, or encumbrance (other than the security interest granted herein and Permitted Encumbrances); and (ii) each Debtor will not waste or destroy the Collateral or any part thereof and such Debtor will not use the Collateral in violation of any regulations, statute or ordinance or of any judgments, citations, decrees or orders of any judicial or administrative authority, except to the extent that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Sale, Assignment or Impairment of Collateral . Except for Permitted Encumbrances and otherwise as permitted under the Loan Documents, no Debtor will sell, assign or offer to sell or otherwise transfer, dispose of or encumber the Collateral, or any interest therein outside the ordinary course of business.

(c) Maintain Insurance . Each Debtor will maintain insurance, in form, amounts, and with companies reasonably satisfactory to Secured Party, insuring all material Collateral against loss from fire, theft, and the kinds customarily insured against by companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. Secured Party, as Administrative Agent for the holders of the Indebtedness, shall be designated as an additional insured under the terms of the policies evidencing such insurance and shall receive a minimum of thirty (30) days’ written cancellation notice from the company or insurer issuing such policy or policies. If the Debtors fail to furnish said insurance or fails to pay the premiums therefor, Secured Party may do so or may obtain insurance of its interest only, adding the amount of any such premium thereof to the other amounts secured hereby; provided, however, Secured Party is under no obligation or duty to pay such premiums or obtain or maintain such insurance. Each Debtor hereby grants to Secured Party a security interest in any return or unearned premiums which may be due upon cancellation of any of said policies for any reason whatsoever. After the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, at the request of Secured Party, each Debtor shall direct all insurors to pay Secured Party the amount of any insurance proceeds or payments arising out of or in connection with the insurance policies referenced herein and any balance of insurance proceeds remaining after payment in full of all amounts owing to Secured Party shall be paid to such Debtor. After the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Secured Party acting through any officer, agent or employee is hereby appointed as each Debtor’s attorney-in-fact to endorse any draft or check which may be payable to such Debtor and, without obligation, to make claim with any insurer for payment under any insurance policy.

 

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(d) Indemnification. Each Debtor will and does hereby agree to indemnify and hold Secured Party harmless against all claims arising out of or in connection with such Debtor’s ownership or use of the Collateral.

(e) Removal of Collateral . Each Debtor warrants and represents to and covenants with Secured Party that: (a) after the filing of certain uniform commercial code financing statements, the delivery of possessory Collateral to Secured Party and the entry into Control Agreements, as contemplated by the Loan Documents, Secured Party’s security interest in the Collateral is now and at all times hereafter shall be perfected and have a first priority to the extent that such security interests can be perfected by the filing of uniform commercial code financing statements, delivery of Collateral or entry into Control Agreements, subject to Permitted Encumbrances; (b) as of the date hereof, the offices and/or locations where each Debtor keeps the Collateral in excess of $500,000 and such Debtor’s books and records concerning the Collateral are at the locations set forth beside the signature of such Debtor or as otherwise disclosed by such Debtor to Secured Party in writing, and such Debtor shall not remove such books and records therefrom and shall not keep any of such books and records and/or the Collateral in excess of $500,000 at any other office or location unless such Debtor gives Secured Party written notice thereof at least ten (10) days prior thereto and the same is within either the continental United States of America, Canada or Australia; provided, that no such notice should be required as a result of sales and other dispositions of property in the ordinary course of business that are permitted under the Credit Agreement; and (c) as of the date hereof, such addresses include and designate each Debtor’s chief executive office, chief place of business and other offices and places of business and are each Debtor’s sole offices and places of business. Promptly thereafter, the Borrower, by written notice delivered to Secured Party, shall advise Secured Party of each Debtor’s opening of any new office or place of business or its closing of any existing office or place of business.

(f) Inspect Collateral. Secured Party shall have the right, at any time or times during any Debtor’s usual business hours without material disruption to normal business activities, to inspect the Collateral and all related records (and the premises upon which it is located) and all financial records and to verify the amount and condition of the Collateral. After an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, all costs, fees and expenses incurred by Secured Party, or for which Secured Party has become obligated, in connection with such inspection and/or verification shall be payable by the Debtors to Secured Party.

(g) Discharge Liens. Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, in its sole and absolute discretion, without waiving or releasing any obligation, liability or duty of Debtor under this Security Agreement or otherwise, may at any time or times hereafter after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, but shall be under no obligation to pay, acquire and/or accept an assignment of any security interest, lien, encumbrance or claim asserted by a person against the Collateral. All sums paid by Secured Party in respect thereof and all reasonable costs, fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto incurred by Secured Party on account thereof shall be payable by the Debtors to Secured Party.

 

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(h) Execute Additional Documents. Each Debtor will sign and execute alone or with Secured Party any financing statement or other document and pay all necessary costs to reasonably protect the security interest under this Security Agreement against the interest of third persons (other than Permitted Encumbrances). After the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact of each Debtor to do all acts and things which Secured Party may deem reasonably necessary to perfect and/or continue the perfection of the security interest created by this Security Agreement and to protect the Collateral. The Debtors agree to pay all documented costs and fees for filing any termination statements. Each Debtor authorizes and empowers the Secured Party to file any UCC financing statement or UCC amendments without the necessity of such Debtor’s signature in order to perfect the security interest of Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, against the Collateral, as such term is defined in this Security Agreement.

(i) Obligations Under Organizational Documentation for Pledged Interests. Each Debtor will perform all of its duties and obligations under the Organizational Documentation for Pledged Interests, and such Debtor shall take all actions necessary (including the payment of all amounts due and owing and/or arising under the Organizational Documentation for Pledged Interests) to preserve its ownership interest(s) in such entity unless otherwise permitted by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

5. Special Representations, Warranties and Agreements with respect to Accounts . With respect to Accounts, each Debtor represents, warrants and agrees with Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, as follows:

(a) As of the time any Account becomes subject to Secured Party’s security interest hereunder, including, without limitation, as of each time any specific assignment or transfer or identification is made to Secured Party of any Account, each Debtor shall be deemed to have warranted that the Accounts are in all material respects genuine and in all material respects what they purport to be; that each Account is valid and subsisting and arises out of a bona fide sale of goods sold and delivered, or in the process of being delivered, or out of and for services theretofore actually rendered, to the account debtor named in the Account (each an “ Account Debtor ”); that the amount of the Account represented as owing is the correct amount owing except for normal cash discounts and except for any setoffs, credits, deductions or counter-charges in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, warranty claims and subject to any non-intentional discrepancies that are not material.

(b) Each Debtor will hold in such Debtor’s principal place of business, or other location within the fifty (50) states comprising the United States of America or the District of Columbia disclosed to Secured Party, and make available to Secured Party as reasonably requested, so long as any Indebtedness remains unpaid (other than contingent indemnification obligations or expense reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted), all of such Debtor’s records containing any entries as to Accounts, including details of sale, shipment, delivery, payment and other material information; and, at Secured Party’s reasonable request, such records will be segregated and marked by such Debtor in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Secured Party; and Secured Party shall at any time or times during such Debtor’s usual business hours without material disruption to normal business activities, have full access to and the right to examine and audit such Debtor’s books and records, and to make copies of pertinent portions thereof; provided, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such Debtor shall only be responsible for reimbursing costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 5(b) no more than (1) time per Fiscal Year.

 

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(c) Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, at the request of the Secured Party, all checks and other forms of remittances received by each Debtor on Accounts shall not be commingled with such Debtor’s other property but shall be segregated, held by such Debtor in trust for Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, and immediately delivered by Debtor to Secured Party in the form as that in which received with proper endorsements. Each Debtor will accompany each such transmission of proceeds to Secured Party with a report in such form as Secured Party may reasonably require to identify the Accounts to which such proceeds apply. In the event any Account Debtor shall also be indebted to any such Debtor in any other respect and such Account Debtor shall make payment without designating the particular indebtedness against which it is to apply, such payment shall be presumed to be payment on the Account of such Account Debtor unless the Account Debtor subsequently provides evidence that the payment was not intended to be applied to the payment on the account of such Account Debtor. In administering the collection of proceeds as herein provided, Secured Party or the bank designated by it may accept checks or drafts in any amount and bearing any notation without incurring liability to Debtor for so doing.

(d) Returned or repossessed goods arising from or relating to any Accounts, will be subject to the security interest of Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, hereunder.

6. Special Representations, Warranties and Agreements with Respect to Inventory . With respect to Inventory, Debtor represents, warrants and agrees with Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, as follows:

(a) Each Debtor will continue to maintain books and records pertaining to the Inventory in the detail, form and scope as such Debtor is maintaining such books and records at the execution of this Security Agreement in all material respects and agrees that Secured Party or its agents may enter upon such Debtor’s premises at any time or times during such Debtor’s usual business hours without material disruption to normal business activities, for the purpose of inspecting Inventory and any and all records pertaining thereto; provided, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Debtors shall only be responsible for reimbursing costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6 no more than (1) time per Fiscal Year; and each Debtor will notify Secured Party promptly of: (x) any change in such Debtor’s name, mailing address or principal place of business, or (y) any new location of Inventory in excess of $500,000; and each Debtor will promptly advise Secured Party in sufficient detail of any event that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the value of the Inventory or on the lien and security interest granted to Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, herein.

(b) Secured Party may require each Debtor from time to time to deliver to Secured Party such lists, descriptions and designations of Inventory as Secured Party may reasonably request to identify the quantities, nature, extent, location and value of the Inventory, subject to the security interest of Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness. Each Debtor warrants that all Inventory at any time and from time to time included in any such lists, descriptions or designations will be in fact existing and in the condition and amount represented to Secured Party in all material respects.

(c) After the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, at the request of Secured Party, each Debtor shall not make further dispositions of its Inventory without Secured Party’s prior written approval.

 

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(d) Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of the Inventory, the security interest and lien created and provided for herein shall, without break in continuity and without further formality or act, continue in and attach to the instruments for the payment of money, accounts receivable, documents of title, shipping documents, chattel paper and all other cash and non-cash proceeds of such sale, exchange or disposition, including Inventory returned or rejected by customers or repossessed by a Debtor or Secured Party. To the extent permitted by applicable law, as to any such sale, exchange or disposition, Secured Party shall have all of the rights of an unpaid seller, including stoppage in transit, replevin and reclamation.

(e) All invoices covering sales of Inventory are hereby assigned to Secured Party as security and after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, at the request of Secured Party, the proceeds thereof, if collected by a Debtor, are to be turned over to Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness. After the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, at the request of Secured Party, cash sales of Inventory or sales in which a lien upon or security interest in the Inventory is retained shall only be made by any Debtor with Secured Party’s prior written approval and the proceeds of such sales, whether cash, documents or instruments, shall not be commingled with such Debtor’s other property, but shall be segregated, held by such Debtor in trust for Secured Party as Secured Party’s exclusive property, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, and shall be delivered immediately by such Debtor to Secured Party in the identical form as that in which received.

7. Debtors’ Use of the Collateral . Each Debtor may use the Collateral in the ordinary course of such Debtor’s business and as permitted by the Loan Documents; provided, that, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, such Debtor’s right to so use the Collateral shall terminate until further written notice from Secured Party, at the Secured Party’s request.

8. Events of Default . The term “Event of Default”, whenever used in this Security Agreement, shall mean an “Event of Default” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

9. Remedies .

(a) Upon the happening of any Event of Default, and at any time thereafter when such Event of Default is continuing, at the option of Secured Party, any and all Indebtedness shall become immediately due and payable without presentment or demand or any notice to Debtors or any other person obligated thereon, and Secured Party shall have and may exercise any or all of the rights and remedies of a Secured Party under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York or any other applicable jurisdiction in which any Debtor maintains its principal place of business (the “Code”), and as otherwise contractually granted herein or under any other applicable law or under any other agreement executed by any Debtor in favor of Secured Party, including, without limitation, the right and power to sell, at public or private sale or sales, or otherwise dispose of or utilize such portion of the Collateral and any part or parts thereof in any manner authorized or permitted under the Code after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, and to apply the proceeds thereof in accordance with Section 8.2 of the Credit Agreement. Additionally, and as an essential part of the bargained-for consideration running to Secured Party and to the extent allowed by law, each Debtor hereby expressly grants to Secured Party the contractual right to purchase any or all of the Collateral at public or private sale any time after ten (10) days’ notice of such sale shall have been sent to such Debtor by Secured Party.

 

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(b) Additionally, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Secured Party may give written notice to the entities in which any Debtor owns an interest and/or such entities’ members, partners, officers, shareholders, or stockholders requiring such parties to pay over and deliver to Secured Party from time to time any and all payments and distributions otherwise to be delivered to such Debtor arising under, out of, or in respect of such Debtor’s interest in said entity. Each Debtor hereby irrevocably authorizes the entities in which it holds a membership interest, partnership interest, stockholder interest, or shareholder interest and/or its members, partners, officers, shareholders, or stockholders to comply (without further inquiry or notice) with such notice given by Secured Party and to deliver all such payments and distributions described herein to Secured Party.

(c) Each Debtor agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that if such notice of the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default is mailed, postage prepaid, or sent by overnight mail, charges prepaid, to such Debtor at the address shown in Section 11.1(a) of the Credit Agreement at least ten (10) days before the time of the proposed sale or disposition, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and shall fully satisfy any requirement of giving of notice, and the proposed sale may take place any time after such ten (10) day period without the necessity of sending another notice to such Debtor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Secured Party may postpone and reschedule any proposed sale at its option without the necessity of giving Debtors further notice of such fact as long as the rescheduled sale occurs within sixty (60) days of the originally scheduled sale.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, all recitals in any instrument of assignment or any other document or paper executed by Secured Party incident to sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition or utilization of the Collateral or any part thereof hereunder shall be sufficient to establish full legal propriety of the sale or other action taken by Secured Party or of any fact, condition or thing incident thereto, and all prerequisites of such sale or other action shall be presumed conclusively to have been performed or to have occurred.

(e) In addition to the foregoing provisions, following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, and upon Secured Party’s demand, each Debtor agrees to assemble the Collateral at its usual place of business and promptly make the same available to Secured Party.

10. Secured Party’s Powers and Duties with Respect to the Collateral .

(a) Secured Party shall be under no duty to collect any amount that may be or become due on any of the Collateral now or hereafter pledged hereunder, to realize on Collateral, to collect principal, interest or dividends, to keep the same insured, to make any presentments, demands or notices of protest, in connection with any of the Collateral, or to do anything for the enforcement and collection of Collateral or the protection thereof.

(b) Not limiting the generality of any of the foregoing but in amplification of the same, Secured Party shall be in no way liable to or responsible for any diminution in the value of the Collateral from any cause whatsoever, except to the extent required by applicable law.

(c) The Debtors agree to pay all material taxes, charges, transfer fees and assessments against the Collateral, and on the failure of the Debtors to so do that has resulted in an Event of Default, Secured Party may, after giving the Debtors written notice of its intention to do so, make such payments and advance such sums on account thereof as Secured Party, in

 

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Secured Party’s discretion, deems desirable. Each Debtor agrees to reimburse Secured Party promptly upon demand for all such payments and advances plus interest thereon at the maximum rate allowed by applicable law, repayment of all of which is secured by this Security Agreement and the Collateral.

11. General Authority . Effective immediately but exercisable by Secured Party (or by any person designated by Secured Party) only upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, each Debtor hereby IRREVOCABLY appoints Secured Party (or any person designated by Secured Party) as such Debtor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, which appointment is hereby coupled with an interest, with full power of substitution, in Secured Party’s name or such Debtor’s name or otherwise, for Secured Party’s sole use and benefit, but at such Debtor’s cost and expense, to exercise at any time and from time to time all or any of the following powers with respect to all or any of the Collateral:

(a) To receive, take, endorse, assign and/or deliver in Secured Party’s name or such Debtor’s name any and all checks, notes, drafts and other instruments relating to the Collateral;

(b) To transmit to Account Debtors, entities in which such Debtor owns an interest, and such entities’ members, partners, officers, shareholders, or stockholders, notice of Secured Party’s interest in the Collateral and to request from Account Debtors, entities in which such Debtor owns an interest, and such entities’ members, partners, officers, shareholders, or stockholders, at any time, in such Debtor’s name or in Secured Party’s name or the name of Secured Party’s designee, information concerning the Collateral and the amounts owing thereon;

(c) To receive and open all mail addressed to such Debtor and to retain all mail pertaining to the Collateral;

(d) To notify Account Debtors, entities in which such Debtor owns an interest, and such entities’ members, partners, officers, shareholders, or stockholders to make payment directly to Secured Party or to any bank designated by Secured Party;

(e) To take or bring, in such Debtor’s name or Secured Party’s name, all steps, actions, suits or proceedings deemed by Secured Party necessary or desirable to effect collection of the Accounts, to compromise with any Account Debtor and give acquittance for any and all Accounts;

(f) To sign such Debtor’s name on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any Collateral, drafts against such Debtor’s customers, notices of assignment, financing statements, other public records and notices to such Debtor’s customers; and

(g) In general, to do all things necessary to perform the terms of this Security Agreement, including, without limitation, to take any action or proceedings that Secured Party deems necessary or appropriate to protect and preserve the security interest of Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, in the Collateral;

provided, however, the exercise by Secured Party of or failure to so exercise any such authority shall in no manner affect any Debtor’s liability to Secured Party hereunder or in connection with the Indebtedness; and provided further, that Secured Party shall be under no obligation or duty to exercise any of the powers hereby conferred upon Secured Party and Secured Party shall have no liability for any act or failure to act in connection with any of the Collateral. Secured Party shall not be bound to take any

 

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steps necessary to preserve rights in any instrument, contract or lease against third parties. Not limiting the generality of any of the foregoing but in amplification of the same, Secured Party shall be in no way liable to or responsible for any diminution in the value of, or reduction in the proceeds realized from, the Collateral from any cause whatsoever as required by applicable law.

12. Power to Execute . The board of directors, board of managers, or other appropriate governing body of each Debtor has authorized the transactions contemplated by and referred to in this Security Agreement and the consummation of such transactions. Each Debtor represents and warrants that it has full corporate, partnership or limited liability company power in accordance with applicable law to execute this Security Agreement and perform any obligations described in, contemplated by or referred to in this Security Agreement and such execution and performance by it will not conflict with its charter or bylaws, or any other document or instrument to which it is a party or to which it is subject, bound or affected.

13. Execution of Security Agreement . Each Debtor stipulates that it has read this Security Agreement, fully understands the content and consequences of entering into this Security Agreement, intends to be bound by the terms of this Security Agreement and is not under any duress, economic or otherwise, to execute this Security Agreement.

14. Invalid Provisions . If any one or more of the provisions of this Security Agreement, or the applicability of any such provision to a specific situation, shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application valid and enforceable, and the validity and enforceability of all other provisions of this Security Agreement and all other applications of any such provision shall not be affected thereby.

15. Dealings With Debtor . It is expressly understood and agreed that, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Security Agreement, Secured Party may, for all purposes hereof deal solely with Debtors in connection therewith, and nothing herein or in any other loan document executed in connection herewith shall be construed so as to require dealings with, consent of or notice to any other parties or persons.

16. Construction . The parties acknowledge that in the event the provisions of this Security Agreement require judicial interpretation, it is agreed that the court interpreting or construing this Security Agreement shall not apply a presumption that the terms hereof shall be more strictly construed against one party by reason of the rule of construction that a document is to be construed more strictly against the party who itself or through its agent prepared the same, it being agreed that all parties to this Security Agreement participated in the preparation of this Security Agreement.

17. Counterparts . This Security Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, and all such executed counterparts shall constitute the same agreement. It shall not be necessary that the signatures of all parties be contained on any one counterpart. It shall be necessary to account for only one such counterpart in proving the existence or terms of this Security Agreement.

18. Number and Gender . As used in this Security Agreement, the singular number shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular, and the use of any gender shall be applicable to all genders, unless the context would clearly not admit such construction. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other similar compounds of the word “here” when used in this Security Agreement shall refer to the entire Security Agreement and not to any particular provision or section.

19. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. The terms of Sections 11.5 and 11.6 of the Credit Agreement with respect to governing law, submission to jurisdiction, venue and waiver of jury trial are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis, and the parties hereto agree to such terms.

 

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20. Successors and Assigns . No Debtor shall assign its rights or delegate its duties under this Security Agreement. All terms and provisions of this Security Agreement applicable to each Debtor shall bind such Debtor and such Debtor’s permitted successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, and its successors and assigns.

21. Entire Security Agreement . This Security Agreement, including Exhibits and the other documents and agreements referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters addressed herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, either written or oral, that may have existed between them with respect to the matters addressed herein. No representation, promise, condition, warranty or understanding, either express or implied, other than as set forth herein, shall be binding upon any of the parties to this Security Agreement.

22. Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement.

23. Renewal, Extension or Rearrangement . All provisions of this Security Agreement relating to Indebtedness shall apply with equal force and effect to each and every promissory note executed hereafter that in whole or in part represents a renewal, extension for any period, increase or rearrangement of any part of the Indebtedness originally represented by any part of such other Indebtedness.

24. Election of Remedies . Secured Party shall have all of the rights and remedies now or hereafter existing, by contract, at law or in equity and pursuant to any other body of law, statutory or otherwise, and these same rights and remedies shall be cumulative and may be pursued separately, successively or concurrently against the Debtors at the sole discretion of Secured Party. The exercise or failure to exercise any of the same shall not constitute a waiver or release thereof or of any other right or remedy and the same shall be nonexclusive. If Secured Party has security in addition to the Collateral, Secured Party may resort to such other security for the payment of the Indebtedness.

25. Titles of Sections and Subsections . All titles or headings to sections, subsections or other divisions of this Security Agreement or the exhibits to this Security Agreement are only for the convenience of the parties and shall not be construed to have any effect or meaning with respect to the other content of such sections, subsections or other divisions, such other content being controlling with respect to the agreement between the parties.

26. Joinder . At any time after the date of this Agreement, one or more additional Persons may become party hereto by executing and delivering to the Secured Party a Joinder Agreement. Immediately upon such execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement (and without any further action), each such additional Person will become a party to this Agreement as a “Debtor” and have all of the rights and obligations of a Debtor hereunder and this Agreement and the schedules hereto shall be deemed amended by such Joinder Agreement.

27. Joint and Several Obligations of Debtors .

(a) Subject to subsection (c) of this Section 28, each of the Debtors is accepting joint and several liability hereunder, in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the holders of the Indebtedness, of each of the Debtors and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the Debtors to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them.

 

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(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this Section 28, each of the Debtors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Debtors with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Indebtedness arising under Loan Documents and any other documents relating to the Indebtedness, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all the Indebtedness shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Debtors without preferences or distinction among them.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, in any other of the Loan Documents or in any other documents relating to the Indebtedness, the obligations of each Debtor under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other documents relating to the Indebtedness shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any other applicable Law.

28. Modification . This Agreement and the provisions hereof may not be amended, waived, modified, changed, discharged or terminated except as set forth in Section 11.2 of the Credit Agreement.

29. Further Assurances . Each Debtor agrees that it will without further consideration execute and deliver such other documents and take such other action, as may be reasonably requested by Secured Party to consummate more effectively the transactions contemplated hereby.

30. Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any of the rights or remedies herein provided in any jurisdiction shall not in any way affect the right to the enforcement in such jurisdiction or elsewhere of any of the other rights or remedies herein provided.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Security Agreement has been executed and delivered on the date first written above.

 

DEBTORS:
MALIBU BOATS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Paras Mehta

Name:  

Paras Mehta

Title:  

Secretary

MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Paras Mehta

Name:  

Paras Mehta

Title:  

Secretary

MALIBU BOATS DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SALES CORP.
By:  

/s/ Wayne Wilson

Name:  

Wayne Wilson

Title:  

Secretary and Treasurer

SECURED PARTY:
SUNTRUST BANK
By:  

/s/ Carle A. Felton III

Name:  

Carle A. Felton III

Title:  

Director


EXHIBIT A

The Collateral includes, and each Debtor hereby grants to Secured Party, for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness, a security interest in and to, all of such Debtor’s right, title and interest in the following described property (and types of property) both presently existing and hereafter acquired or arising:

1. All of such Debtor’s assets, including without limitation, all Accounts, Accounts receivable, Inventory, Equipment, General Intangibles, Goods, Documents, contract rights, distributions, payments, capital accounts, profits, furniture, choses in action, Chattel Paper, leases, rentals, machinery, Investment Property, cash, cash equivalents, Deposit Accounts, tort claims, intellectual property rights, trademarks, patents, copyrights, intercompany obligations, stock, marketable securities, brokerage accounts, Instruments, notes and Supporting Obligations, including, without limitation, those intellectual property, patents, and trademarks described on Schedule 2 hereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Code (as such term is defined in this Security Agreement).

2. All of the foregoing as such may arise under any Organizational Documentation for Pledged Interests (as such term is defined in this Security Agreement).

3. All of such Debtor’s membership interests, partnership interests, stockholder interests, shareholder interests, financial rights, and governance rights arising under any Organizational Documentation for Pledged Interests, together with any payments and distributions arising in connection therewith, and including, without limitation, those interests described on Schedule 1 hereto.

4. All ledgers, books of account and records of such Debtor relating to any and all of the property described on this Exhibit A .

5. All payments, monies, interest, distributions, and dividends arising from any of the property described on this Exhibit A .

6. The proceeds (including insurance proceeds) of any and all of the Collateral.

7. All deposit and checking accounts maintained by such Debtor with Secured Party, excluding any Excluded Account (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement).

provided, that (i) this Security Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in any property to the extent that and for as long as such grant of a security interest (A) is prohibited by any Requirement of Law, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, (B) constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of, or requires any consent not obtained under, any lease, license, or agreement except to the extent that such Requirement of Law or provisions of any such lease , license, or agreement is ineffective under applicable law or would be ineffective under Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Code (as defined in this Security Agreement) to prevent the attachment of the security interest granted hereunder, (C) is in any United States trademark applications filed on the basis of a Debtor’s intent-to-use such mark, in each case, unless and until evidence of the use of such trademark in interstate commerce is submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but only if and to the extent that the granting of a security interest in such application would result in the invalidation of such application, provided, that to the extent such application is excluded from the Collateral, upon the submission of evidence of use of such trademark to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, such trademark application shall automatically be included in the Collateral, without further action on any party’s part, (D) is any membership interests, partnership interests, stockholder interests, shareholder interests, financial rights,


and governance rights arising under any Organizational Documentation for Pledged Interests, together with any payments and distributions arising in connection therewith, to the extent not required by the terms of the Loan Documents (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) to constitute Collateral hereunder, (E) is in motor vehicles or other assets in which a security interest may be perfected only through compliance with a certificate of title or similar statute, or (F) constitutes the “Properties” (as such term is defined in the Existing Master Lease) (the Collateral described in the foregoing proviso being collectively referred to as the “ Excluded Collateral ”).


SCHEDULE 1

OWNERSHIP INTERESTS HELD BY DEBTOR

 

Name of Pledgor Entity

   Name of Pledgee Entity    State of
Organization
   Outstanding
Interest Pledged
 

Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC

   Malibu Boats, LLC    DE      100

Malibu Boats, LLC

   Malibu Boats Domestic
International Sales Corp.
   DE      100

Malibu Boats Domestic International Sales Corp.

   None      


SCHEDULE 2

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, PATENTS, AND TRADEMARKS

Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC: None

Malibu Boats Domestic International Sales Corp.: None

Malibu Boats, LLC 1 :

 

PATENTS

   COUNTRY    APPLICATION
#
   FILED    PATENT #    PAT/RAG DATE    EXP

Windshield Edge Assembly

   US    10/177,403    6/20/2002    US 6,647,915 B1    11/18/2003    2022

Method and Apparatus for Modifying Wake

   US    11/301,852    12/12/2005    US 7,140,318 B1    11/28/2006    2025

Method and Apparatus for Modifying Wake

   CAN    2,568,275    11/16/2006    2,568,275    3/23/2010    2026

Wake Towers and Methods of Use and Manufacture Thereof

   US    12/714,318    2/26/2010    US 8,171,874    5/8/2012   

Wake Tower

   US    29/356,573    2/26/2010    D666135    8/28/2012    8/28/2026

WAKE TOWER

   US    29/430440    8/24/2012    D678168    3/19/2013    3/19/2027

Wake Towers and Methods of Use and Manufacture Thereof

   US    13/463,613    5/3/2012    11/8/2012      

Method and Apparatus for Modifying Wake

   Australia    2006246517    2/13/2007    2006246517    7/5/2012   

Method and Apparatus for Modifying Wake

   CAN    2568275    11/16/2006    2568275    3/23/2010   

Apparatus for Dampening Rudder Vibration

   US    12/572,987    10/2/2009    8,171,870    5/8/2012   

 

 

1   Some intellectual property is registered in the following former names of Malibu Boats, LLC: Malibu Boats, Inc. and Malibu Boats West, Inc.


TRADEMARKS

   COUNTRY    APPLICATION
#
   FILED    TRADEMARK
#
   TM REG DATE    EXP

M (stylized and/or with design)

   US    85603459    5/13/2012    4332860    5/7/2013    2018

Malibu Stylized (script)

   US    73760567    10/31/1988    1,603,623    6/26/1990    2010

Malibu Word Mark

   US    78442667    6/28/2004    2,976,242    7/26/2005    2015

Malibu Boats (stylized and/or with design)

   US    85603456    5/13/2012    4,329,376    4/30/2013    2018

MXZ Mark

   US    85495442    12/14/2011    4,256,428    12/11/2012    2022

MXZ Mark

   Australia    1509928    6/8/2012    1,124,576    6/8/2012    2022

MXZ Mark

   Canada    1581515    6/11/2012    Pending      

MXZ Mark

   EC    A0030215    6/8/2012    Pending      

Response Mark

   US    78670548    7/14/2005    3,106,853    6/20/2006    2016

Wakesetter Mark

   CAN    149279800    8/18/2010    TMA801508    7/6/2011    2016

Wakesetter Mark

   CAN    1,492,798    8/18/2010    801,508    7/6/2011    2026

Wakesetter Mark

   US    78670546    7/14/2005    3,109,324    6/27/2006    2016

Sunscape

   US    75863345    12/6/1999    2,464,630    6/26/2001    2021

SUNSET Logo (sun only)

   US    74625860    1/26/1995    1,941,229    12/12/1995    2015

SURF GATE

   US    85631048    5/21/2012    4,284,081    1/29/2013    2023

Txi Mark

   US    85495919    12/14/2011    4186116    7/7/2012   

Surf Gate (stylized and/or with design)

   Australia    A0032809    11/15/2012    1141740    11/15/2012   

Surf Gate (stylized and/or with design)

   MADRID    A0032809    1141740         

Axis Wake Research Mark

   US    77561255    9/3/2008    3,782,040    4/27/2010    2020

Axis Wake Research Mark

   INT’L REG    A0015239    2/11/2009    993 966    2/11/2009    2019

Axis Wake Research Mark

   MADRID    A0015239    2/11/2009    993 966    2/11/2009    2019

Axis Logo Stylized

   US    85063617    6/15/2010    3928212    3/8/2011    2021

Axis Word Mark

   US    85063613    6/15/2010    3928211    3/8/2011    2021

Axis Wake Research Mark

   AU    A0015239    2/11/2009    993966    2/11/2009    2019


APPLICATIONS

   COUNTRY    APPLICATION #    FILED

Surf Fin Concept

   Int’l PCT    PCT/US12/55788    9/17/2012

Surf Wake Apparatus

   US    13/545,969    7/10/2012

Surf Wake Apparatus

   US    13/749,500    1/24/2013

Surf Wake Apparatus

   Intl PCT    PCT/US12/064504    11/9/2012

Pylon/Camera Assembly

   US    Unfiled   

Monsoon

   US    85/905,379    4/16/2013

M (stylized and/or with design)

   CAN    1581519    6/11/2012

Surf Gate (stylized and/or with design)

   EC    1602958    11/19/2012

Surf Gate (stylized and/or with design)

   CAN    1602958    11/19/2012

ACCESSORY RACK

   US    61/793296    3/15/2013

SURF WAKE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A WATERCRAFT

   US    13/830274    3/14/2013

SURF WAKE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A WATERCRAFT

   AU    2012308224    9/17/2012

SURF WAKE SYSTEM FOR A WATERCRAFT

   US    13/830799    3/14/2013

SURF WAKE SYSTEM FOR A WATERCRAFT

   AU    2012327219    11/9/2012

SURF WAKE SYSTEM FOR A WATERCRAFT

   US    13/830356    3/14/2013

SURF WAKE SYSTEM FOR A WATERCRAFT

   AU    2013205024    4/13/2013

WAKE TOWER

   US    29/432469    9/14/2012

WAKE TOWER

   US    29/430437    8/24/2012

Axis Wake Research Mark

   CAN    1429623    3/3/2009

Exhibit 10.7

MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Lease ”) is made as of March 31, 2008 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between SPIRIT MASTER FUNDING IV, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Lessor ”), whose address is 14631 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 200, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254-2711, and MALIBU BOATS, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Lessee ”), whose address is One Malibu Court, Merced, California 95340. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, Lessor and Lessee hereby covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

BASIC LEASE TERMS

Section 1.01. Properties . The street addresses of the Properties are One Malibu Court, Merced, California 95340 and 5075 Kimberly Way, Loudon, Tennessee 37774. See also Exhibit B attached hereto.

Section 1.02. Initial Term Expiration Date . March 31, 2028.

Section 1.03. Extension Options . Three (3) extensions of Ten (10) years each, as described in Section 3.02.

Section 1.04. Term Expiration Date (if fully extended) . March 31, 2058.

Section 1.05. Initial Base Annual Rental . $1,706,057, as described in Article IV.

Section 1.06. Rental Adjustment . The lesser of (i) 10%, or (ii) the cumulative change in the Price Index, as described in Section 4.02.

Section 1.07. Adjustment Date . April 1, 2013, and every fifth anniversary thereafter during the Lease Term (including any Extension Term).

Section 1.08. Guarantor . N/A.

Section 1.09. Lessee Tax Identification No . 20-5114805.

Section 1.10. Lessor Tax Identification No . 20-8578471.

ARTICLE II

LEASE OF PROPERTIES

Section 2.01. Lease . In consideration of Lessee’s payment of the Rental and other Monetary Obligations and Lessee’s performance of all other obligations hereunder, Lessor hereby leases to Lessee, and Lessee hereby takes and hires, the Properties, “AS IS” and “WHERE IS” without representation or warranty by Lessor, and subject to the existing state of title, the parties in possession, any statement of facts which an accurate survey or physical inspection might reveal, and all Legal Requirements now or hereafter in effect.

 

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Section 2.02. Quiet Enjoyment . So long as Lessee shall pay the Rental and other Monetary Obligations provided in this Lease, and shall keep and perform all of the terms, covenants and conditions on its part contained herein, Lessee shall have, subject and to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the right to the peaceful and quiet enjoyment and occupancy of the Properties.

ARTICLE III

LEASE TERM; EXTENSION

Section 3.01. Initial Term . The initial term of this Lease (“ Initial Term ”) shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall expire at midnight on March 31, 2028 (“ Expiration Date ”), unless terminated sooner as provided in this Lease and as may be extended as provided herein. The time period during which this Lease shall actually be in effect, including any Extension Term, is referred to as the “ Lease Term.

Section 3.02. Extensions . Unless this Lease has expired or has been sooner terminated, or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any extension option is exercised, and provided that all other agreements necessary to the continued operation of Lessee’s business at each of the Properties are extended for a period of not less than the applicable extension periods, Lessee shall have the right and option (each, an “ Extension Option ”) to extend the Initial Term for all and not less than all of the Properties for Three (3) additional successive periods of Ten (10) years each (each, an “ Extension Term ”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Lease then in effect.

Section 3.03. Notice of Exercise . Lessee may only exercise the Extension Options by giving written notice thereof to Lessor of its election to do so no later than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the Expiration Date and one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the end of the immediately preceding Extension Term, as the case may be. If written notice of the exercise of any Extension Option is not received by Lessor by the applicable dates described above, then this Lease shall terminate on the last day of the Initial Term or, if applicable, the last day of the Extension Term then in effect. Upon the request of Lessor or Lessee, the parties hereto will, at the expense of Lessee, execute and exchange an instrument in recordable form setting forth the extension of the Lease Term in accordance with this Section 3.03.

Section 3.04. Removal of Personalty . Upon the expiration of the Lease Term, Lessee may remove from the Properties all personal property belonging to Lessee. Lessee shall repair any damage caused by such removal and shall leave all of the Properties clean and in good and working condition and repair inside and out, subject to normal wear and tear. Any property of Lessee left on the Properties on the tenth day following the expiration of the Lease Term shall automatically and immediately become the property of Lessor.

ARTICLE IV

RENTAL AND OTHER MONETARY OBLIGATIONS

Section 4.01. Base Monthly Rental . During the Lease Term, on or before the first day of each calendar month, Lessee shall pay in advance the Base Monthly Rental then in effect. If the Effective Date is a date other than the first day of the month, Lessee shall pay to Lessor on the Effective Date the Base

 

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Monthly Rental prorated by multiplying the Base Monthly Rental by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days remaining in the month (including the Effective Date) for which Rental is being paid, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such month.

Section 4.02. Adjustments . During the Lease Term (including any Extension Term), on the first Adjustment Date and on each Adjustment Date thereafter, the Base Annual Rental shall increase by an amount equal to the Rental Adjustment; provided, however , that in no event shall Base Annual Rental be reduced as a result of the application of the Rental Adjustment.

Section 4.03. Additional Rental . Lessee shall pay and discharge, as additional rental (“ Additional Rental ”), all sums of money required to be paid by Lessee under this Lease which are not specifically referred to as Rental. Lessee shall pay and discharge any Additional Rental when the same shall become due, provided that amounts which are billed to Lessor or any third party, but not to Lessee, shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after Lessor’s demand for payment thereof or, if later, when the same are due. In no event shall Lessee be required to pay to Lessor any item of Additional Rental that Lessee is obligated to pay and has paid to any third party pursuant to any provision of this Lease.

Section 4.04. Rentals To Be Net to Lessor . The Base Annual Rental payable hereunder shall be net to Lessor, so that this Lease shall yield to Lessor the Rentals specified during the Lease Term, and all Costs and obligations of every kind and nature whatsoever relating to the Properties shall be performed and paid by Lessee. Lessee shall perform all of its obligations under this Lease at its sole cost and expense. All Rental and other Monetary Obligations which Lessee is required to pay hereunder shall be the unconditional obligation of Lessee and shall be payable in full when due and payable, without notice or demand, and without any setoff, abatement, deferment, deduction or counterclaim whatsoever.

Section 4.05. ACH Authorization . Upon execution of this Lease, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor a complete Authorization Agreement — Pre-Arranged Payments in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, together with a voided check for account verification, establishing arrangements whereby payments of the Base Monthly Rental, any Additional Rental, impound payments (if any), sales tax on real property tax (if any), and any other Monetary Obligations are transferred by Automated Clearing House Debit initiated by Lessor from an account established by Lessee at a United States bank or other financial institution to such account as Lessor may designate. Lessee shall continue to pay all Rental and other Monetary Obligations by Automated Clearing House Debit unless otherwise directed by Lessor.

Section 4.06. Late Charges; Default Interest . Any delinquent payment made over three (3) calendar days after such payment was due, shall, in addition to any other remedy of Lessor, incur a late charge of five percent (5%) (which late charge is intended to compensate Lessor for the cost of handling and processing such delinquent payment and should not be considered interest) and bear interest at the Default Rate, such interest to be computed from and including the date three (3) calendar days after such payment was due through and including the date of the payment; provided , however , in no event shall Lessee be obligated to pay a sum of late charge and interest higher than the maximum legal rate then in effect.

Section 4.07. Holdover . If Lessee remains in possession of the Properties after the expiration of the term hereof, Lessee, at Lessor’s option and within Lessor’s sole discretion, may be deemed a tenant on a month-to-month basis and shall continue to pay Rentals and other Monetary Obligations in the amounts herein provided, except that the Base Monthly Rental shall be automatically increased to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the last Base Monthly Rental payable under this Lease, and Lessee shall

 

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comply with all the terms of this Lease; provided that nothing herein nor the acceptance of Rental by Lessor shall be deemed a consent to such holding over. Lessee shall defend, indemnify, protect and hold the Indemnified Parties harmless from and against any and all Losses resulting from Lessee’s failure to surrender possession upon the expiration of the Lease Term, including, without limitation, any claims made by any succeeding lessee.

Section 4.08. Guaranty . [Reserved].

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LESSEE

The representations and warranties of Lessee contained in this Article V are being made to induce Lessor to enter into this Lease, and Lessor has relied, and will continue to rely, upon such representations and warranties. Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor as follows:

Section 5.01. Organization, Authority and Status of Lessee . Lessee has been duly organized or formed, is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of formation and is qualified as a foreign limited liability company to do business in any jurisdiction where such qualification is required. All necessary company action has been taken to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Lessee of this Lease and of the other documents, instruments and agreements provided for herein, including without limitation, the Transaction Documents. Lessee is not a “foreign limited liability company,” “foreign corporation,” “foreign partnership,” “foreign trust” or “foreign estate,” as those terms are defined in the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Person who has executed this Lease on behalf of Lessee is duly authorized to do so.

Section 5.02. Enforceability . This Lease constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Lessee, enforceable against Lessee in accordance with its terms.

Section 5.03. Property Condition . Lessee has physically inspected all of the Properties and has examined title to the Properties, and has found all of the same satisfactory in all respects for all of Lessee’s purposes.

Section 5.04. Litigation . There are no suits, actions, proceedings or investigations pending, or to the best of its knowledge, threatened against or involving Lessee or the Properties before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority which might reasonably result in any Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.05. Absence of Breaches or Defaults . Lessee is not in default under any document, instrument or agreement to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee, the Properties or any of Lessee’s property is subject or bound, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect. The authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Lease and the documents, instruments and agreements provided for herein will not result in any breach of or default under any document, instrument or agreement to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee, the Properties or any of Lessee’s property is subject or bound.

Section 5.06. Licenses and Permits . Lessee has obtained all required licenses and permits, both governmental and private, to use and operate the Properties as Permitted Facilities.

 

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Section 5.07. Financial Condition; Information Provided to Lessor . The financial statements, all financial data and all other documents and information heretofore delivered to Lessor by or with respect to the Lessee and the Properties in connection with this Lease or relating to the Lessee or the Properties are true, correct and complete in all material respects; there have been no amendments thereto since the date such items were prepared or delivered to Lessor; all financial statements provided were prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present as of the date thereof the financial condition of each individual or entity to which they pertain; and no change has occurred to any such financial statements, financial data, documents and other information not disclosed in writing to Lessor, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.08. Compliance With OFAC Laws . Lessee, and no individual or entity owning directly or indirectly any interest in Lessee, is an individual or entity whose property or interests are subject to being blocked under any of the OFAC Laws or is otherwise in violation of any of the OFAC Laws; provided, however , that the representation contained in this sentence shall not apply to any Person to the extent such Person’s interest is in or through a U.S. Publicly Traded Entity.

Section 5.09. Solvency . There is no contemplated, pending or threatened Insolvency Event or similar proceedings, whether voluntary or involuntary, affecting Lessee, or to the best of Lessee’s knowledge, its members or its Affiliates. Lessee does not have unreasonably small capital to conduct its business.

Section 5.10. Ownership . No Person that actually or constructively owns ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding capital stock of Lessor owns, directly or indirectly, (a) ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting capital stock of Lessee, or (b) ten percent (10%) or more of the total value of all classes of capital stock of Lessee.

Section 5.11. Franchise Agreement [Reserved].

ARTICLE VI

TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS; UTILITIES; INSURANCE

Section 6.01. Taxes.

(a) Payment . Lessee shall pay, prior to the earlier of delinquency or the accrual of interest on the unpaid balance, all taxes and assessments of every type or nature assessed against or imposed upon the Properties, Lessee or Lessor during the Lease Term related to or arising out of this Lease and the activities of the parties hereunder, including without limitation, (i) all taxes or assessments upon the Properties or any part thereof and upon any personal property, trade fixtures and improvements located on the Properties, whether belonging to Lessor or Lessee, or any tax or charge levied in lieu of such taxes and assessments; (ii) all taxes, charges, license fees and or similar fees imposed by reason of the use of the Properties by Lessee; and (iii) all excise, franchise, transaction, privilege, license, sales, use and other taxes upon the Rental or other Monetary Obligations hereunder, the leasehold estate of either party or the activities of either party pursuant to this Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 6.01(a) shall require Lessee to pay foreign, state, local or federal income, inheritance, estate, succession, capital levy, stamp, transfer, excess profit, revenue, gift or similar taxes of Lessor. For these purposes, income taxes shall include (i) taxes, however labeled, determined by reference to income, and (ii) any tax, however labeled, imposed on one or more alternative bases, where one or more of such alternative bases is based on income and the tax is in fact imposed on the income base.

 

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(b) Right to Contest . Within thirty (30) days after each tax and assessment payment is required by this Section 6.01 to be paid, Lessee shall, upon prior written request of Lessor, provide Lessor with evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor that such payment was made in a timely fashion. Lessee may, at its own expense, contest or cause to be contested (in the case of any item involving more than $10,000, after prior written notice to Lessor), by appropriate legal proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, any above-described item or lien with respect thereto, including, without limitation, the amount or validity or application, in whole or in part, of any such item, provided that (i) neither the Properties nor any interest therein would be in any danger of being sold, forfeited or lost by reason of such proceedings; (ii) no Event of Default has occurred; (iii) Lessee posts a bond or takes other steps acceptable to Lessor that remove such lien or stay enforcement thereof; (iv) Lessee shall promptly provide Lessor with copies of all notices received or delivered by Lessee and filings made by Lessee in connection with such proceeding; and (v) upon termination of such proceedings, it shall be the obligation of Lessee to pay the amount of any such tax and assessment or part thereof as finally determined in such proceedings, the payment of which may have been deferred during the prosecution of such proceedings, together with any costs, fees (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements), interest, penalties or other liabilities in connection therewith.

Section 6.02. Utilities . Lessee shall contract, in its own name, for and pay when due all charges for the connection and use of water, gas, electricity, telephone, garbage collection, sewer use and other utility services supplied to the Properties during the Lease Term. Under no circumstances shall Lessor be responsible for any interruption of any utility service unless due to Lessor’s gross negligence.

Section 6.03. Insurance.

(a) Coverage . Throughout the Lease Term, Lessee shall maintain, with respect to each of the Properties, at its sole expense, the following types and amounts of insurance, in addition to such other insurance as Lessor may reasonably require from time to time:

(i) Insurance against loss or damage to real property under an “all risk” insurance policy, which shall include coverage against all risks of direct physical loss, including loss by mechanical breakdown, fire, lightning, ordinance or law, windstorm and hail with a limit satisfactory to Lessor and other risks normally included in the standard ISO special form. Such insurance shall be at an agreed value, without a coinsurance provision, representing 100% of replacement cost, as determined from time to time at Lessor’s request but not more frequently than once in any twelve (12) month period.

(ii) Insurance against loss or damage to real property at the Merced location from flood (both primary federal flood and excess flood, to the extent located within a 100-year flood zone) and earthquake purchased either monoline or through a “differences in conditions” (including excess flood and earthquake) insurance policy. Such insurance shall be in an amount not less than 100% of replacement cost (as determined in accordance with the subparagraph (i) above). Notwithstanding the above provisions, to the extent the Property is located in the State of California or in a “seismic zone” 3 or 4 (as defined in the Uniform Building Code published by the International Conference of

 

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Building Officials) and earthquake insurance in the amount of full replacement cost is not available at commercially reasonable rates, Lessee shall obtain earthquake insurance in an amount not less than the probable maximum loss as determined by a recognized earthquake engineering firm, less a reasonable deductible, not to exceed 5% of full replacement cost.

(iii) Comprehensive general liability insurance, including products and completed operation liability, covering Lessor and Lessee against bodily injury liability, property damage liability and personal and advertising injury, including but not limited to, any liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, repair, condition or operation of the Property or adjoining ways, streets, parking lots or sidewalks. Such insurance policy or policies shall contain standard contractual liability coverage without limitation, under which the insurer agrees to insure Lessee’s obligations under Article X hereof to the extent insurable, and a “severability of interest” clause or endorsement which precludes the insurer from denying the claim of Lessee or Lessor because of the negligence or other acts of the other, shall be in amounts of not less than $5,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, and $5,000,000 general aggregate per location, or such higher limits as Lessor may reasonably require from time to time, and shall be of form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lessor. Such coverage limits may be obtained through a combination of primary and umbrella policies, if and as Lessee may elect.

(iv) Workers’ compensation insurance in the statutorily mandated limits covering all persons employed by Lessee on the Property in connection with any work done on or about any of the Property for which claims for death or bodily injury could be asserted against Lessor, Lessee or the Property.

(v) Rental value insurance, equal to 100% of the Base Annual Rental (as may adjusted hereunder) for a period of not less than twelve (12) months, which insurance shall be carved out of Lessee’s business interruption coverage for a separate rental value insurance payable to Lessor, or if rental value insurance is included in Lessee’s business interruption coverage, the insurer shall provide priority payment to any rent obligations, and such obligations shall be paid directly to Lessor. Such insurance is to follow form of the real property “all risk” coverage and is not to contain a co-insurance clause.

(vi) Such additional and/or other insurance and in such amounts as at the time is customarily carried by prudent owners or tenants with respect to improvements similar in character, location and use and occupancy to the Property.

(b) Insurance Provisions . All insurance policies shall:

(i) provide (A) for a waiver of subrogation by the insurer as to claims against Lessor, its employees and agents; (B) that the insurer shall not deny a claim and that such insurance cannot be unreasonably cancelled, invalidated or suspended on account of the conduct of Lessee, its officers, directors, employees or agents, or anyone acting for Lessee or any subtenant or other occupant of the Properties; and (C) that any losses otherwise payable thereunder shall be payable notwithstanding any act or omission of Lessor or Lessee which might, absent such provision, result in a forfeiture of all or a part of such insurance payment;

 

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(ii) be primary and provide that any “other insurance” clause in the insurance policy shall exclude any policies of insurance maintained by Lessor and the insurance policy shall not be brought into contribution with insurance maintained by Lessor;

(iii) contain deductibles not to exceed $100,000.00 for all coverages, except excess flood and earthquake insurance which may have a 5% of replacement cost deductible;

(iv) contain a standard non-contributory mortgagee clause or endorsement in favor of any Lender designated by Lessor;

(v) provide that the policy of insurance shall not be terminated, cancelled or amended without at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Lessor and to any Lender covered by any standard mortgagee clause or endorsement;

(vi) provide that the insurer shall not have the option to restore the Properties if Lessor elects to terminate this Lease in accordance with the terms hereof;

(vii) be in amounts sufficient at all times to satisfy any coinsurance requirements thereof;

(viii) except for workers’ compensation insurance referred to in Section 6.03(a)(iii) above, name Lessor and any Lessor Affiliate or Lender requested by Lessor, as an “additional insured” with respect to general liability insurance, as a “named insured” with respect to real property, and as a “loss payee” with respect to all real property and rental value insurance, as appropriate and as their interests may appear;

(ix) be evidenced by delivery to Lessor and any Lender designated by Lessor of an Acord Form 28 for property coverage (or any other form requested by Lessor) and an Acord Form 25 for liability, workers’ compensation and umbrella coverage (or any other form requested by Lessor); provided that in the event that either such form is no longer available, such evidence of insurance shall be in a similar form reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and any Lender designated by Lessor; and

(x) be issued by insurance companies licensed to do business in the states where the Properties are located and which are rated A:VIII or better by Best’s Insurance Guide or are otherwise reasonably approved by Lessor; provided, however, earthquake and excess flood insurance may be acquired from insurance carriers not admitted in the applicable state or rated A- or better by Best’s Insurance Guide.

(c) Additional Obligations . It is expressly understood and agreed that (i) if any insurance required hereunder, or any part thereof, shall expire, be withdrawn, become void by breach of any condition thereof by Lessee, or become void or in jeopardy by reason of the failure or impairment of the capital of any insurer, Lessee shall immediately obtain new or additional insurance reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and any Lender designated by Lessor; (ii) the minimum limits of insurance coverage set forth in this Section 6.03 shall not limit the liability of

 

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Lessee for its acts or omissions as provided in this Lease; (iii) Lessee shall procure policies for all insurance for periods of not less than one year (except at the beginning and end of the term of this Lease if less than one year) and shall provide to Lessor and any servicer or Lender of Lessor certificates of insurance or, upon Lessor’s request, duplicate originals of insurance policies evidencing that insurance satisfying the requirements of this Lease is in effect at all times; (iv) Lessee shall pay as they become due all premiums for the insurance required by this Section 6.03; and (v) in the event that Lessee fails to comply with any of the requirements set forth in this Section 6.03, within ten (10) days of the giving of written notice by Lessor to Lessee, (A) Lessor shall be entitled to procure such insurance; and (B) any sums expended by Lessor in procuring such insurance shall be Additional Rental and shall be repaid by Lessee, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, from the time of payment by Lessor until fully paid by Lessee immediately upon written demand therefor by Lessor.

(d) Blanket Policies . Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, any insurance which Lessee is required to obtain pursuant to this Section 6.03 may be carried under a “blanket” policy or policies covering other properties or liabilities of Lessee provided that such “blanket” policy or policies otherwise comply with the provisions of this Section 6.03.

(e) Policy Changes . Lessee may from time to time change the coverages (including deductibles) required hereunder to respond to changes in the insurance market; provided, however, that Lessee may not vary from the coverages (and deductibles) required hereunder without the prior written consent of Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 6.04. Tax and Insurance Impound . Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default and with respect to each Event of Default, in addition to any other remedies, Lessor may require Lessee to pay to Lessor sums which will provide an impound account (which shall not be deemed a trust fund) for paying up to the next one year of taxes, assessments and/or insurance premiums. Upon such requirement, Lessor will estimate and notify Lessee of the amounts needed for such purposes, and Lessee shall pay the same to Lessor within ten (10) days of Lessor’s notice thereof. Should additional funds be required at any time, Lessee shall pay the same to Lessor within ten (10) days after demand. Lessee shall advise Lessor of all taxes and insurance bills which are due and shall cooperate fully with Lessor in assuring that the same are paid. Lessor may deposit all impounded funds in accounts insured by any federal or state agency and may commingle such funds with other funds and accounts of Lessor. Interest or other gains from such funds, if any, shall be the sole property of Lessor. In the event of any default by Lessee, Lessor may apply all impounded funds against any sums due from Lessee to Lessor. Lessor shall give to Lessee an annual accounting showing all credits and debits to and from such impounded funds received from Lessee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, provided Lessee has remained free from an Event of Default for a period of one (1) year, Lessor shall promptly return to Lessee any sums held in any such impound account.

ARTICLE VII

MAINTENANCE; ALTERATIONS

Section 7.01. Condition of Property; Maintenance . Lessee hereby accepts the Properties “AS IS” and “WHERE IS” with no representation or warranty of Lessor as to the condition thereof. Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, be responsible for (a) keeping all of the building, structures and improvements erected on each of the Properties in good order and repair, free from actual or constructive

 

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waste; (b) the repair or reconstruction of any building, structures or improvements erected on the Properties damaged or destroyed by a Casualty; (c) subject to Sections 7.02 and 11.02(e), making all necessary structural, non-structural, exterior and interior repairs and replacements to any building, structures or improvements erected on the Properties including without limitation, completion of the repairs described on the Physical Condition Assessment Reports prepared by EMG dated February 26, 2008 and March 4, 2008 and such schedules attached hereto as Exhibit E ; and (d) paying all operating costs of the Properties in the ordinary course of business. Lessee waives any right to require Lessor to maintain, repair or rebuild all or any part of the Properties or make repairs at the expense of Lessor pursuant to any Legal Requirements at any time in effect.

Section 7.02. Alterations and Improvements . During the Lease Term, Lessee shall not alter the exterior, structural, plumbing or electrical elements of the Properties in any manner without the consent of Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , however , Lessee may undertake structural, exterior, plumbing and electrical alterations, which may include the construction and demolition of additional improvements to the Properties (if such demolition does not unreasonably impair the ability to operate the Permitted Facility on the applicable Property, does not effect any improvements located on the applicable Property as of the Effective Date and is at Lessee’s sole cost and expense), individually, costing less than $500,000, as adjusted by changes in the Price Index, without Lessor’s prior written consent. Lessee may undertake any non-structural alteration to the Properties, so long as Lessee provides Lessor with fourteen (14) days prior written notice of such alterations, if greater than $10,000, as adjusted by changes in the Price Index. If Lessor’s consent is required hereunder and Lessor consents to the making of any such alterations, the same shall be made by Lessee at Lessee’s sole expense by a licensed contractor (which may be directly subcontracted with by Lessee) and according to plans and specifications approved by Lessor and subject to such other conditions as Lessor shall reasonably require. Any work at any time commenced by Lessee on the Properties shall be prosecuted diligently to completion, shall be of good workmanship and materials and shall comply fully with all the terms of this Lease and all Legal Requirements. Lessor shall reasonably cooperate with all improvements including, without limitation, signing applications. Upon completion of any alterations individually costing $10,000 or more, as adjusted by changes in the Price Index, Lessee shall promptly provide Lessor with evidence of full payment to all laborers and materialmen contributing to the alterations. Additionally, upon completion of any such alterations, Lessee shall promptly provide Lessor with (a) an architect’s certificate certifying the alterations to have been completed in conformity with the plans and specifications (if the alterations are of such a nature as would require the issuance of such a certificate from the architect); (b) a certificate of occupancy (if the alterations are of such a nature as would require the issuance of a certificate of occupancy); and (c) any other documents or information reasonably requested by Lessor. Lessee shall keep the Properties free from any liens arising out of any work performed on, or materials furnished to, the Properties. Lessee shall execute and file or record, as appropriate, a “Notice of Non-Responsibility , ” or any equivalent notice permitted under applicable law in the states where the Properties are located which provides that Lessor is not responsible for the payment of any costs or expenses relating to the additions or alterations. Any addition to or alteration of the Properties shall be deemed a part of the Properties and belong to Lessor, and Lessee shall execute and deliver to Lessor such instruments as Lessor may require to evidence the ownership by Lessor of such addition or alteration.

Section 7.03. Expansion of Facilities . Lessor agrees to consider reimbursement of Lessee’s costs for an expansion of the Permitted Facilities, provided that Lessor and Lessee shall have entered into a reimbursement agreement with mutually agreeable terms and conditions and, at the time of Lessee’s request for such reimbursement: (a) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Lease; (b) such expansion is completed in accordance with the terms and provisions of Section 7.02 of

 

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this Lease; and (c) Lessor and Lessee shall execute a written amendment to this Lease to increase the Base Annual Rental by an amount equal to the amount advanced by Lessor as a reimbursement multiplied by a rate equal to a fixed spread over the U.S. Treasury security.

Section 7.04. Encumbrances . During the Lease Term, Lessor shall have the right to grant easements on, over, under and above the Properties without the prior consent of Lessee, provided that such easements will not materially interfere with Lessee’s use of the Properties or have a Material Adverse Effect on the Properties. Within a reasonable amount of time before granting any such easement(s), Lessor shall provide notice to Lessee of such request. Lessee shall comply with and perform all obligations of Lessor under all easements, declarations, covenants, restrictions and other items of record now or hereafter encumbering the Properties. Without Lessor’s prior written consent, Lessee shall not grant any easements on, over, under or above the Properties.

ARTICLE VIII

USE OF THE PROPERTIES; COMPLIANCE

Section 8.01. Use . During the Lease Term, each of the Properties shall be used solely for the operation of a Permitted Facility. Except during periods when a Property is untenantable due to Casualty or Condemnation (and provided that Lessee continues to strictly comply with the other terms and conditions of this Lease), Lessee shall at all times during the Lease Term occupy the Properties and shall diligently operate its business on the Properties.

Section 8.02. Alternative Use . Lessee shall not, by itself or through any assignment, sublease or other type of transfer, convert any of the Properties to an alternative use during the Lease Term without Lessor’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however , that Lessor’s consent shall not be deemed unreasonably withheld if Lessor’s decision is based on any or all of the following: (a) whether the converted use will increase Lessor’s risks or decrease the value of such Property; and (b) whether the converted use will adversely affect Lessor’s status as a REIT or Lessor’s ability to complete a Securitization.

Section 8.03. Compliance . Lessee’s use and occupation of each of the Properties, and the condition thereof, shall, at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, comply fully with all Legal Requirements and all restrictions, covenants and encumbrances of record, and any owner obligations under such Legal Requirements, or restrictions, covenants and encumbrances of record, with respect to the Properties, in either event, the failure with which to comply could have a Material Adverse Effect. Without in any way limiting the foregoing provisions, Lessee shall comply with all Legal Requirements relating to anti-terrorism, trade embargos, economic sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as such act may be amended from time to time, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, as it affects the Properties now or hereafter in effect. Upon Lessor’s written request from time to time during the Lease Term, Lessee shall certify in writing to Lessor that Lessee’s representations, warranties and obligations under Section 5.08 and this Section 8.03 remain true and correct (or shall specify any exceptions thereto) and have not otherwise been breached. Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor in writing if any of such representations, warranties or covenants are no longer true or have been breached or if Lessee has a reasonable basis to believe that they may no longer be true or have been breached. In connection with such an event, Lessee shall comply with all Legal Requirements and directives of Governmental Authorities and, at Lessor’s request, provide to Lessor copies of all notices, reports and other communications exchanged with, or received from, Governmental Authorities relating to such an event. Lessee shall also reimburse Lessor for all Costs incurred by Lessor in evaluating the

 

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effect of such an event on the Properties and this Lease, in obtaining any necessary license from Governmental Authorities as may be necessary for Lessor to enforce its rights under the Transaction Documents, and in complying with all Legal Requirements applicable to Lessor as the result of the existence of such an event and for any penalties or fines imposed upon Lessor as a result thereof. Lessee will use its best efforts to prevent any act or condition to exist on or about the Properties which will materially increase any insurance rate thereon, except when such acts are required in the normal course of its business and Lessee shall pay for such increase. Lessee agrees that it will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Losses caused by, incurred or resulting from Lessee’s failure to comply with its obligations under this Section.

Section 8.04. Environmental.

(a) Representations and Warranties . Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor which representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Lease, as follows:

(i) Except as otherwise disclosed, to Lessee’s knowledge the Properties and Lessee are not in violation of or subject to, any pending or, to Lessee’s actual knowledge, threatened investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority or to any remedial obligations under any Environmental Laws that could have a Material Adverse Effect, nor has Lessee received any written or oral notice or other communication from any Person (including but not limited to a Governmental Authority) with respect to any Property relating to (A) Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs, or Remediation thereof; (B) possible liability of any Person pursuant to any Environmental Law; (C) other environmental conditions; or (D) any actual or potential administrative or judicial proceedings in connection with any of the foregoing that could have a Material Adverse Effect. The foregoing representations and warranties would continue to be true and correct following disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authorities of all relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to the Properties.

(ii) (A) To Lessee’s knowledge, all uses and operations on or of the Properties, whether by Lessee or, to Lessee’s knowledge, any other Person, have been in compliance with all Environmental Laws and environmental permits issued pursuant thereto; (B) to Lessee’s knowledge, there have been no Releases in, on, under or from any of the Properties, or, to Lessee’s knowledge, from other property migrating toward any of the Properties, except in Permitted Amounts; (C) to Lessee’s knowledge, there are no Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs in, on, or under any of the Properties, except in Permitted Amounts; (D) to Lessee’s knowledge, the Properties have been kept free and clear of all liens and other encumbrances imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law (the “ Environmental Liens ”); and (E) Lessee has not allowed any other tenant or other user of the Properties to do any act that materially increased the dangers to human health or the environment, posed an unreasonable risk of harm to any Person (whether on or off any of the Properties), impaired the value of any of the Properties in any material respect, is contrary to any requirement set forth in the insurance policies maintained by Lessor constituted a public or private nuisance, constituted waste, or violated any covenant, condition, agreement or easement applicable to any of the Properties.

 

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(b) Covenants.

(i) Lessee covenants to Lessor during the Lease Term, subject to the limitations of subsection (ii) below, as follows:

(A) The Properties and Lessee shall not be (1) in violation of any Remediation required by any Governmental Authority, or (2) subject to any Remediation obligations under any Environmental Laws. Lessee shall not be in violation of any investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority.

(B) All uses and operations on or of the Properties, whether by Lessee or any other Person, shall be in compliance with all Environmental Laws and permits issued pursuant thereto.

(C) There shall be no Releases in, on, under or from the Properties, except in Permitted Amounts.

(D) There shall be no Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances, USTs in, on or under the Properties, except in Permitted Amounts.

(E) Lessee shall keep the Properties or cause the Properties to be kept free and clear of all Environmental Liens, whether due to any act or omission of Lessee or any other Person.

(F) Lessee shall not do or allow any other tenant or other user of the Properties to do any act that (1) materially increases the dangers to human health or the environment, (2) poses an unreasonable risk of harm to any Person (whether on or off any of the Properties), (3) has a Material Adverse Effect, (4) is contrary to any material requirement set forth in the insurance policies maintained by Lessee, (5) constitutes a public or private nuisance or constitutes waste, or (6) violates any covenant, condition, agreement or easement applicable to the Properties.

(G) Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, perform any environmental site assessment or other investigation of environmental conditions in connection with the Properties as may be reasonably requested by Lessor based upon reasonable evidence that a Release has occurred (including but not limited to sampling, testing and analysis of soil, water, air, building materials and other materials and substances whether solid, liquid or gas), and share with Lessor the reports and other results thereof, and Lessor and the other Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to rely on such reports and other results thereof.

(H) Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, fully and expeditiously cooperate in all activities pursuant to this Section 8.04, including but not limited to providing all relevant information and making knowledgeable persons available for interviews.

(ii) Notwithstanding any provision of this Lease to the contrary, an Event of Default shall not be deemed to have occurred as a result of the failure of Lessee to satisfy any one or more of the covenants set forth in subsections (A) through (F) above provided that Lessee shall be in compliance with the requirements of any Governmental Authority with respect to the Remediation of any Release at the Properties.

 

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(c) Notification Requirements . Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor in writing upon Lessee obtaining actual knowledge of (i) any Releases or Threatened Releases in, on, under or from any of the Properties other than in Permitted Amounts, close to and or migrating towards any of the Properties; (ii) any non-compliance with any Environmental Laws related in any way to any of the Properties; (iii) any actual or potential Environmental Lien; (iv) any required or proposed Remediation of environmental conditions relating to any of the Properties required by applicable Governmental Authorities; and (v) any written or oral notice or other communication which Lessee becomes aware from any source whatsoever (including but not limited to a Governmental Authority) relating in any way to Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs, or Remediation thereof at or on any of the Properties, other than in Permitted Amounts, possible liability of any Person relating to any of the Properties pursuant to any Environmental Law, other environmental conditions in connection with any of the Properties, or any actual or potential administrative or judicial proceedings in connection with anything referred to in this Section. Lessee shall, upon Lessor’s written request, deliver to Lessor a certificate stating that Lessee is and has been in full compliance with all of the environmental representations, warranties and covenants in this Lease, or noting any exceptions.

(d) Remediation . Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, and without limiting any other provision of this Lease, effectuate any Remediation required by any Governmental Authority of any condition (including, but not limited to, a Release) in, on, under or from the Properties and take any other reasonable action deemed necessary by any Governmental Authority for protection of human health or the environment. Should Lessee fail to undertake such Remediation in accordance with the preceding sentence, Lessor, after written notice to Lessee and Lessee’s failure to immediately undertake such Remediation, shall be permitted to complete such Remediation, and all Costs incurred in connection therewith shall be paid by Lessee. Any Cost so paid by Lessor, together with interest at the Default Rate, shall be deemed to be Additional Rental hereunder and shall be immediately due from Lessee to Lessor.

(e) Indemnification . Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, protect, defend, indemnify, release and hold harmless each of the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Losses, including, but not limited to, all Costs of Remediation (whether or not performed voluntarily), arising out of or in any way relating to any Environmental Laws, Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances, USTs, or other environmental matters concerning the Properties. It is expressly understood and agreed that Lessee’s obligations under this Section solely with respect to periods prior to termination, regardless of when such matters are discovered, shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease for any reason.

(f) Right of Entry . Lessor and any other Person designated by Lessor, including but not limited to any receiver, any representative of a Governmental Authority, and any environmental consultant, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to enter upon the Properties at all reasonable times and reasonable notice and without undue disruption of Lessee’s business (including, without limitation, in connection with the exercise of any remedies set forth in this Lease) to assess any and all aspects of the environmental condition of any Property and its use, including but not limited to conducting any environmental assessment or audit (the scope of which shall be determined in Lessor’s sole and absolute discretion) and taking samples of soil, groundwater or other water, air, or building materials, and conducting other invasive testing.

 

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Lessee shall cooperate with and provide access to Lessor and any other Person designated by Lessor. Any such assessment or investigation shall be at Lessee’s sole cost and expense if based on reasonable evidence of a Release.

(g) Inspections . At its sole cost and expense, Lessee shall have the Properties inspected as may be required by any Environmental Law for seepage, spillage and other environmental concerns. Lessee shall maintain and monitor USTs in accordance with all Environmental Laws. Lessee shall provide Lessor with written certified results of all inspections performed on the Properties. All costs and expenses associated with the inspection, preparation and certification of results, as well as those associated with any corrective action, shall be paid by Lessee. All inspections and tests performed on the Properties shall be in compliance with all Environmental Laws.

(h) UST Compliance . Lessee shall comply or cause the compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations and requirements regarding USTs, including, without limitation, any of such regulations or requirements which impose (i) technical standards, including, without limitation, performance, leak prevention, leak detection, notification reporting and recordkeeping; (ii) corrective action with respect to confirmed and suspected Releases; and (iii) financial responsibility for the payment of costs of corrective action and compensation to third parties for injury and damage resulting from Releases. Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor, in writing, of (A) the presence on or under the Properties, or the Release from any USTs on, above or under the Properties, of any Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances, apparent or real; and (B) any and all enforcement, clean-up, remedial, removal or other governmental or regulatory actions threatened, instituted or completed pursuant to any of the Environmental Laws affecting the Properties. Upon any such Release from any USTs on, above or under the Properties of any Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances, Lessee shall immediately remedy such situation in accordance with all Environmental Laws and any request of Lessor. Should Lessee fail to remedy or cause the remedy of such situation in accordance with all Environmental Laws, Lessor shall be permitted to take such actions in its sole discretion to remedy such situation and all Costs incurred in connection therewith, together with interest at the Default Rate, will be paid by Lessee.

(i) Survival . The obligations of Lessee and the rights and remedies of Lessor under this Section 8.04, solely with respect to periods prior to termination, regardless of when such matters are discovered, shall survive the termination, expiration and/or release of this Lease.

(j) Reliance by Environmental Insurer. [Reserved].

Section 8.05. Franchisor Requirements . [Reserved].

ARTICLE IX

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

Section 9.01. Performance at Lessee’s Expense . Lessee acknowledges and confirms that Lessor may impose reasonable administrative, processing or servicing fees, and collect its attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses in connection with (a) any extension, renewal, modification, amendment and termination of this Lease; (b) any release or substitution of Properties; (c) the procurement of consents, waivers and approvals with respect to the Properties or any matter related to this Lease; (d) the review of

 

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any assignment or sublease or proposed assignment or sublease or the preparation or review of any subordination or non-disturbance agreement; (e) the collection, maintenance and/or disbursement of reserves created under this Lease or the other Transaction Documents; and (f) inspections required to make certain determinations under this Lease or the other Transaction Documents.

Section 9.02. Inspection . Lessor and its authorized representatives shall have the right, at all reasonable times and upon giving reasonable prior notice (except in the event of an emergency, in which case no prior notice shall be required), to enter the Properties or any part thereof and inspect the same. Lessee hereby waives any claim for damages for any injury or inconvenience to or interference with Lessee’s business, any loss of occupancy or quiet enjoyment of the Properties and any other loss occasioned by such entry, but, subject to Section 10.01, excluding damages arising as a result of the negligence or intentional misconduct of Lessor.

Section 9.03. Financial Information.

(a) Financial Statements . Within forty five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter and within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Lessee, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor complete financial statements of the Lessee including a balance sheet, profit and loss statement, statement of changes in financial condition (cash flow statement) and all other related schedules for the fiscal period then ended. All such annual and quarterly financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, and shall be certified to be accurate and complete by an officer or director of Lessee. Lessee understands that Lessor will rely upon such financial statements and Lessee represents that such reliance is reasonable. In the event that Lessee’s property and business at the Properties are ordinarily consolidated with other business for financial statements purposes, and to the extent Lessee prepares property level financial statements, such property level financial statements shall be provided to Lessor. The financial statements delivered to Lessor need not be audited, but Lessee shall deliver to Lessor copies of any audited financial statements of the Lessee which may be prepared, as soon as they are available. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year of Lessee, and upon prior written request by Lessor, Lessee shall deliver such compliance certificate to Lessor as Lessor may reasonably require in order to establish that Lessee is in compliance with all of its obligations, duties and covenants under this Lease.

(b) Other Information . Notwithstanding any provision contained herein, upon request at any time, Lessee will provide to Lessor any and all financial information and/or financial statements (and in the form or forms) (i) requested by Lessor in connection with Lessor’s filings with or disclosures to any Governmental Authority, including, without limitation, the financial statements required in connection with Securities and Exchange Commission filings by Lessor or its Affiliates; and (ii) as reasonably requested by Lessor.

Section 9.04. OFAC Laws . Upon receipt of notice or upon actual knowledge thereof, Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor in writing if any Person owning (directly or indirectly) any interest in the Lessee, or any director, officer, shareholder, member, manager or partner of any of such holders is a Person whose property or interests are subject to being blocked under any of the OFAC Laws, or is otherwise in violation of any of the OFAC Laws, or is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for, or has been charged with, or convicted of, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or any violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Laws, has been assessed civil penalties under these or related laws, or has had funds seized or forfeited in an action under these or related laws; provided, however, that the covenant in this Section 9.04 shall not apply to any Person to the extent such Person’s interest is in or through a U.S. Publicly Traded Entity.

 

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Section 9.05. Estoppel Certificate . At any time, and from time to time, Lessee shall, promptly and in no event later than ten (10) days after a request from Lessor or any Lender or mortgagee of Lessor, execute, acknowledge and deliver to Lessor or such Lender or mortgagee, as the case may be, a certificate in the form supplied by Lessor, certifying: (a) that Lessee has accepted the Properties; (b) that this Lease is in full force and effect and has not been modified (or if modified, setting forth all modifications), or, if this Lease is not in full force and effect, the certificate shall so specify the reasons therefor; (c) the commencement and expiration dates of the Lease Term; (d) the date to which the Rentals have been paid under this Lease and the amount thereof then payable; (e) whether there are then any existing defaults by Lessor in the performance of its obligations under this Lease, and, if there are any such defaults, specifying the nature and extent thereof; (f) that no notice has been received by Lessee of any default under this Lease which has not been cured, except as to defaults specified in the certificate; (g) the capacity of the Person executing such certificate, and that such Person is duly authorized to execute the same on behalf of Lessee; (h) that neither Lessor nor any Lender or mortgagee has actual involvement in the management or control of decision making related to the operational aspects or the day-to-day operation of the Properties, including any handling or disposal of Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances; and (i) any other information reasonably requested by Lessor or any Lender or mortgagee, as the case may be. If Lessee shall fail or refuse to sign a certificate in accordance with the provisions of this Section within ten (10) days following a request by Lessor, Lessee irrevocably constitutes and appoints Lessor as its attorney-in-fact to execute and deliver the certificate to any such third party, it being stipulated that such power of attorney is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable and binding.

ARTICLE X

RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 10.01. Release and Indemnification . Lessee agrees to use and occupy the Properties at its own risk and hereby releases Lessor and Lessor’s agents and employees from all claims for any damage or injury to the full extent permitted by law. Lessee agrees that Lessor shall not be responsible or liable to Lessee or Lessee’s employees, agents, customers, licensees or invitees for bodily injury, personal injury or property damage occasioned by the acts or omissions of any other lessee or any other Person. Lessee agrees that any employee or agent to whom the Properties or any part thereof shall be entrusted by or on behalf of Lessee shall be acting as Lessee’s agent with respect to the Properties or any part thereof, and neither Lessor nor Lessor’s agents, employees or contractors shall be liable for any loss of or damage to the Properties or any part thereof. Lessee shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless each of the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Losses (excluding Losses suffered by an Indemnified Party arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party; provided, however , that the term “gross negligence” shall not include gross negligence imputed as a matter of law to any of the Indemnified Parties solely by reason of Lessor’s interest in any Property or Lessor’s failure to act in respect of matters which are or were the obligation of Lessee under this Lease) caused by, incurred or resulting from Lessee’s operations or by Lessee’s use and occupancy of the Properties, whether relating to its original design or construction, latent defects, alteration, maintenance, use by Lessee or any Person thereon, supervision or otherwise, or from any breach of, default under, or failure to perform, any term or provision of this Lease by Lessee, its officers, employees, agents or other Persons. It is expressly understood and agreed that Lessee’s obligations under this Section shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease for any reason whatsoever.

 

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ARTICLE XI

CONDEMNATION AND CASUALTY

Section 11.01. Notification . Lessee and Lessor shall promptly give the other party written notice of (a) any Condemnation of any of the Properties, (b) the commencement of any proceedings or negotiations which might result in a Condemnation of any of the Properties, and (c) any Casualty to any of the Properties or any part thereof. Such notice shall provide a general description of the nature and extent of such Condemnation, proceedings, negotiations or Casualty, and shall include copies of any documents or notices received in connection therewith. Thereafter, Lessee shall promptly send Lessor copies of all notices, correspondence and pleadings relating to any such Condemnation, proceedings, negotiations or Casualty.

Section 11.02. Partial Condemnation or Casualty . Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.03, in the event of a Partial Condemnation or a Casualty:

(a) Net Awards . All Net Awards shall be paid to Lessor.

(b) Lessor Election To Continue or Terminate Lease . Lessor shall have the option, (i) subject to the right of Lessee to elect otherwise as set forth in subsection (d) below, to terminate this Lease with respect to the applicable Property affected, by notifying Lessee in writing within thirty (30) days after Lessee gives Lessor notice (A) of such Partial Condemnation or Casualty, or (B) that title has vested in the condemning authority; or (ii) to continue this Lease in effect, which election shall be evidenced by either a notice from Lessor to Lessee, or Lessor’s failure to notify Lessee in writing that Lessor has elected to terminate this Lease with respect to such Property within such thirty (30)-day period. Lessee shall have a period of sixty (60) days after receipt of Lessor’s notice to terminate referenced above during which to elect, despite such Lessor notice of termination, to continue this Lease with respect to such Property on the terms herein provided.

(c) No Continuance of Lease . If Lessee does not elect to continue this Lease with respect to such Property or shall fail during such sixty (60)-day period to notify Lessor of Lessee’s intent to continue this Lease with respect to such Property, then this Lease shall terminate with respect to such Property as of the last day of the month during which such sixty (60)-day period expired. Lessee shall vacate and surrender such Property by such termination date, in accordance with the provisions of this Lease, and all obligations of either party hereunder with respect to such Property shall cease as of the date of termination; provided, however , Lessee’s obligations to the Indemnified Parties under any indemnification provisions of this Lease with respect to such Property and Lessee’s obligations to pay Rental and all other Monetary Obligations (whether payable to Lessor or a third party) accruing under this Lease with respect to such Property prior to the date of termination shall survive such termination. In such event, Lessor may retain all Net Awards related to the Partial Condemnation or Casualty, and Lessee shall immediately pay Lessor an amount equal to the insurance deductible applicable to any Casualty.

(d) Continuance of Lease . If Lessor elects not to terminate this Lease, or if Lessor elects to terminate this Lease with respect to such Property but Lessee elects to continue this Lease with respect to such Property, then this Lease shall continue in full force and effect upon the following terms:

(i) All Rental and other Monetary Obligations due under this Lease shall continue unabated.

 

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(ii) Lessee shall promptly commence and diligently prosecute restoration of such Property to the same condition, as nearly as practicable, as prior to such Partial Condemnation or Casualty as approved by Lessor. Upon the written request of Lessee (accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor that such amount has been paid or is due and payable and is properly part of such costs, and that Lessee has complied with the terms of Section 7.02 in connection with the restoration), Lessor shall promptly make available in installments, subject to reasonable conditions for disbursement imposed by Lessor, an amount up to but not exceeding the amount of any Net Award (after deducting all Costs incidental to the collection of the Net Award) received by Lessor with respect to such Partial Condemnation or Casualty. Prior to the disbursement of any portion of the Net Award with respect to a Casualty, Lessee shall provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor of the payment of restoration expenses by Lessee up to the amount of the insurance deductible applicable to such Casualty. Lessor shall be entitled to keep any portion of the Net Award which may be in excess of the cost of restoration, and Lessee shall bear all additional Costs of such restoration in excess of the Net Award.

(e) Casualty . Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary contained in this Section 11.02, in the event that, as a result of such Casualty, Lessee shall reasonably estimate in the exercise of commercially reasonable judgment that it will be unable to use such damaged Property for the customary operation of Lessee’s business for more than one hundred eighty (180) days and such Casualty has occurred in the last two (2) years of the Term or any extension of the Term, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, Lessee shall have the right, exercisable by written notice given to Lessor no later than thirty (30) days following such Casualty, to cause Lessor to modify this Lease to remove the damaged Property (and reduce the Base Annual Rental pursuant to the terms below) and, following such removal, Lessee shall have no further responsibility to Lessor with respect to such damaged Property, except for such indemnity or other provisions of this Lease which may. relate to such damaged Property. Such modification shall not be effective, and Lessee’s obligation to pay Base Annual Rental hereunder shall continue, until and unless (i) Lessee has complied with all obligations pursuant to Section 6.03 hereof, (ii) Lessee has paid to Lessor all Rental and other amounts payable with respect to the damaged Property through the date of the Casualty, and (iii) Lessee has paid or has caused to be paid to Lessor as its interests may appear all insurance deductibles, and all insurance proceeds which shall have been paid to Lessee with respect to the destruction or damage of such Property and not utilized towards the repair, alteration, restoration, replacement and rebuilding of such Property. Upon removal of a Property pursuant to this Section 11.02(e), the Base Annual Rental shall be adjusted by multiplying the then current Base Annual Rental by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total value of the retained Property (determined by the gross purchase price allocated to the particular Property by Lessor at the time of Lessor’s acquisition of the Property), the denominator of which is the total value for all of the Properties (determined by the gross purchase price allocated to the Properties by Lessor at the time of Lessor’s acquisition of the Properties).

Section 11.03. Total Condemnation . In the event of a Total Condemnation of any Property, other than a Temporary Taking, then, in such event:

(a) Termination of Lease . All obligations of either party hereunder with respect to the applicable Property shall cease as of the date of the Total Condemnation; provided, however, that Lessee’s obligations to the Indemnified Parties under any indemnification provisions of this Lease with respect to such Property and Lessee’s obligation to pay Rental and all other Monetary Obligations (whether payable to Lessor or a third party) accruing under this Lease with respect to such Property prior to the date of termination shall survive such termination. If the date of such Total Condemnation is other than the first day of a month, the Base Annual Rental for the month in which such Total Condemnation occurs shall be apportioned based on the date of the Total Condemnation.

 

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(b) Net Award . Lessor shall be entitled to receive the entire Net Award in connection with a Total Condemnation attributable to Lessor’s interest in the Property. Lessee shall be entitled to claim and receive any award or payment from the condemning authority expressly granted for the taking of Lessee’s leasehold interest hereunder, the Lessee Personalty, any insurance proceeds with respect to the Lessee Personalty, the interruption of its business and moving expenses or such other claim by Lessee permitted under applicable law, but only to the extent such claim or award does not adversely affect or interfere with the prosecution of Lessor’s claim for the Total Condemnation or otherwise reduce the amount recoverable by Lessor for the Total Condemnation of its interest.

Section 11.04. Temporary Taking . In the event of a Condemnation of all or any part of any Property for a temporary use (a “ Temporary Taking ”), this Lease shall remain in full force and effect without any reduction of Base Annual Rental, Additional Rental or any other Monetary Obligation payable hereunder. Except as provided below and subject to the terms and provisions of the Mortgages, Lessee shall be entitled to the entire Net Award for a Temporary Taking, unless the period of occupation and use by the condemning authorities shall extend beyond the date of expiration of this Lease, in which event the Net Award made for such Temporary Taking shall be apportioned between Lessor and Lessee as of the date of such expiration. At the termination of any such Temporary Taking, Lessee will, at its own cost and expense and pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.02, promptly commence and complete restoration of such Property.

Section 11.05. Adjustment of Losses . Any loss under any property damage insurance required to be maintained by Lessee shall be adjusted by Lessor and Lessee. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Mortgages, any Net Award relating to a Total Condemnation or a Partial Condemnation shall be adjusted by Lessor or, at Lessor’s election, Lessee. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions of this Section 11.05 to the contrary, but subject to the terms and provisions of the Mortgages, if at the time of any Condemnation or any Casualty or at any time thereafter an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Lessor is hereby authorized and empowered but shall not be obligated, in the name and on behalf of Lessee and otherwise, to file and prosecute Lessee’s claim, if any, for a Net Award on account of such Condemnation or such Casualty and to collect such Net Award and apply the same to the curing of such Event of Default and any other then existing Event of Default under this Lease and/or to the payment of any amounts owed by Lessee to Lessor under this Lease, in such order, priority and proportions as Lessor in its discretion shall deem proper.

Section 11.06. Lessee Obligation in Event of Casualty . During all periods of time following a Casualty, Lessee shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the related Property is secure and does not pose any risk of harm to any adjoining property and Persons (including owners or occupants of such adjoining property).

 

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ARTICLE XII

DEFAULT, CONDITIONAL LIMITATIONS,

REMEDIES AND MEASURE OF DAMAGES.

Section 12.01. Event of Default . Each of the following shall be an event of default by Lessee under this Lease (each, an “ Event of Default ”):

(a) if any representation or warranty of Lessee set forth in this Lease is false in any material respect when made, or if Lessee renders any false statement or account when made;

(b) if any Rental or other Monetary Obligation due under this Lease is not paid when due and such failure to pay Rental or other Monetary Obligation continues for three (3) calendar days after the due date, provided, however. this three (3) calendar day cure period shall only be available once in a twelve (12) month period;

(c) if Lessee fails to pay, prior to delinquency, any taxes, assessments or other charges the failure of which to pay will result in the imposition of a lien against any of the Properties;

(d) if there is an Insolvency Event affecting Lessee;

(e) if Lessee vacates or abandons any Property;

(f) if Lessee fails to observe or perform any of the other covenants, conditions or obligations of Lessee in this Lease; provided, however, if any such failure does not involve the payment of any Monetary Obligation, is not willful or intentional, does not place any Property or any rights or property of Lessor in immediate jeopardy, and is within the reasonable power of Lessee to promptly cure, all as determined by Lessor in its reasonable discretion, then such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default hereunder, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, unless and until Lessor shall have given Lessee notice thereof and a period of thirty (30) days shall have elapsed, during which period Lessee may correct or cure such failure, upon failure of which an Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder without further notice or demand of any kind being required. If such failure cannot reasonably be cured within such thirty (30)-day period, as determined by Lessor in its reasonable discretion, and Lessee is diligently pursuing a cure of such failure, then Lessee shall have a reasonable period to cure such failure beyond such thirty (30)-day period, which shall in no event exceed ninety (90) days after receiving notice of such failure from Lessor. If Lessee shall fail to correct or cure such failure within such ninety (90)-day period, an Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder without further notice or demand of any kind being required;

(g) if a final, nonappealable judgment is rendered by a court against Lessee which has a Material Adverse Effect, and is not discharged or provision made for such discharge within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of entry thereof;

(h) if Lessee shall be liquidated or dissolved or shall begin proceedings towards its liquidation or dissolution;

 

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(i) if the estate or interest of Lessee in any of the Properties shall be levied upon or attached in any proceeding and such estate or interest is about to be sold or transferred or such process shall not be vacated or discharged within one hundred twenty (120) days after it is made; or

(j) if there is an “Event of Default” or other breach or default by Lessee under any of the other Transaction Documents or any Other Agreement, after the passage of all applicable notice and cure or grace periods.

Section 12.02. Remedies . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, with or without notice or demand, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or such other notice as may be required by statute and cannot be waived by Lessee, Lessor shall be entitled to exercise, at its option, concurrently, successively, or in any combination, all remedies available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, any one or more of the following:

(a) to terminate this Lease, whereupon Lessee’s right to possession of the Properties shall cease and this Lease, except as to Lessee’s liability, shall be terminated;

(b) to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, to (i) re-enter and take possession of the Properties (or any part thereof), excluding any or all personal property or fixtures of Lessee upon the Properties (subject to Section 3.04) and, to the extent permissible, all permits and other rights or privileges of Lessee pertaining to the use and operation of the Properties, and in connection therewith, Lessee hereby agrees and covenants that, upon the request of Lessor, Lessee shall execute and deliver such documents and take all actions as are necessary to permit Lessor or its designee to continue the operation of Properties, and if Lessee shall fail or refuse to effect such transfer in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.02(b) within ten (10) days following a request by Lessor, Lessee irrevocably constitutes and appoints Lessor as its attorney-in-fact to execute and deliver all necessary documents to any third party to effect the same, it being stipulated that such power of attorney is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable and binding, and (ii) expel Lessee and those claiming under or through Lessee, without being deemed guilty in any manner of trespass or becoming liable for any loss or damage resulting therefrom, without resort to legal or judicial process, procedure or action. No notice from Lessor hereunder or under a forcible entry and detainer statute or similar law shall constitute an election by Lessor to terminate this Lease unless such notice specifically so states. If Lessee shall, after default, voluntarily give up possession of the Properties to Lessor, deliver to Lessor or its agents the keys to the Properties, or both, such actions shall be deemed to be in compliance with Lessor’s rights and the acceptance thereof by Lessor or its agents shall not be deemed to constitute a termination of the Lease. Lessor reserves the right following any re-entry and/or reletting to exercise its right to terminate this Lease by giving Lessee written notice thereof, in which event this Lease will terminate;

(c) to bring an action against Lessee for any damages sustained by Lessor or any equitable relief available to Lessor and to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, to seize all abandoned personal property or fixtures upon the Properties which Lessee owns or in which it has an interest, and to dispose thereof in accordance with the laws prevailing at the time and place of such seizure or to remove all or any portion of such property and cause the same to be stored in a public warehouse or elsewhere at Lessee’s sole expense, without becoming liable for any loss or damage resulting therefrom and without resorting to legal or judicial process, procedure or action;

 

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(d) to relet the Properties or any part thereof for such term or terms (including a term which extends beyond the original Lease Term), at such rentals and upon such other terms as Lessor, in its sole discretion, may determine, with all proceeds received from such reletting being applied to the Rental and other Monetary Obligations due from Lessee in such order as Lessor may, in it sole discretion, determine, which other Monetary Obligations include, without limitation, all repossession costs, brokerage commissions, attorneys’ fees and expenses, alteration, remodeling and repair costs and expenses of preparing for such reletting. Except to the extent required by applicable Law, Lessor shall have no obligation to relet the Properties or any part thereof and shall in no event be liable for refusal or failure to relet the Properties or any part thereof, or, in the event of any such reletting, for refusal or failure to collect any rent due upon such reletting, and no such refusal or failure shall operate to relieve Lessee of any liability under this Lease or otherwise to affect any such liability. Lessor reserves the right following any re-entry and/or reletting to exercise its right to terminate this Lease by giving Lessee written notice thereof, in which event this Lease will terminate as specified in said notice;

(e) to accelerate and recover from Lessee the present value of all Rental and other Monetary Obligations due and owing and scheduled to become due and owing under this Lease both before and after the date of such breach for the entire original scheduled Lease Term;

(f) to recover from Lessee all Costs paid or incurred by Lessor as a result of such breach, regardless of whether or not legal proceedings are actually commenced;

(g) to immediately or at any time thereafter, and with or without notice, at Lessor’s sole option but without any obligation to do so, correct such breach or default and charge Lessee all Costs incurred by Lessor therein. Any sum or sums so paid by Lessor, together with interest at the Default Rate, shall be deemed to be Additional Rental hereunder and shall be immediately due from Lessee to Lessor. Any such acts by Lessor in correcting Lessee’s breaches or defaults hereunder shall not be deemed to cure said breaches or defaults or constitute any waiver of Lessor’s right to exercise any or all remedies set forth herein;

(h) to immediately or at any time thereafter, and with or without notice, except as required herein, set off any money of Lessee held by Lessor under this Lease or any other Transaction Document or any Other Agreement against any sum owing by Lessee hereunder; and/or

(i) to seek any equitable relief available to Lessor, including, without limitation, the right of specific performance.

Section 12.03. Cumulative Remedies . All powers and remedies given by Section 12.02 to Lessor, subject to applicable Law, shall be cumulative and not exclusive of one another or of any other right or remedy or of any other powers and remedies available to Lessor under this Lease, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements of Lessee contained in this Lease, and no delay or omission of Lessor to exercise any right or power accruing upon the occurrence of any Event of Default shall impair any other or subsequent Event of Default or impair any rights or remedies consequent thereto. Every power and remedy given by this Section or by Law to Lessor may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by Lessor, subject at all times to Lessor’s right in its sole judgment to discontinue any work commenced by Lessor or change any course of action undertaken by Lessor.

 

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Section 12.04. Lessee Waiver . Lessee hereby expressly waives, for itself and all Persons claiming by, through and under Lessee, including creditors of all kinds, (a) any right and privilege which Lessee has under any present or future Legal Requirements to redeem the Properties or to have a continuance of this Lease for the Lease Term after termination of Lessee’s right of occupancy by order or judgment of any court or by any legal process or writ, or under the terms of this Lease; (b) the benefits of any present or future Legal Requirement that exempts property from liability for debt or for distress for rent; (c) any present or future Legal Requirement relating to notice or delay in levy of execution in case of eviction of a tenant for nonpayment of rent; and (d) any benefits and lien rights which may arise pursuant to any present or future Legal Requirement.

ARTICLE XIII

MORTGAGE, SUBORDINATION AND ATTORNMENT

Section 13.01. No Liens . Lessor’s interest in this Lease and/or the Properties shall not be subordinate to any liens or encumbrances placed upon the Properties by or resulting from any act of Lessee, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to require such subordination by Lessor. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT LESSEE IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO PLACE OR ALLOW TO BE PLACED ANY LIEN, MORTGAGE, DEED OF TRUST, DEED TO SECURE DEBT, SECURITY INTEREST OR ENCUMBRANCE OF ANY KIND UPON ALL OR ANY PART OF THE PROPERTIES OR LESSEE’S LEASEHOLD INTEREST THEREIN, AND ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSACTION SHALL BE VOID; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, LESSEE MAY PLACE A MORTGAGE, DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY INTEREST OR ENCUMBRANCE ON LESSEE’S LEASEHOLD INTEREST WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF LESSOR, SUCH CONSENT NOT TO BE UNREASONABLY WITHHELD, CONDITIONED OR DELAYED. THE PARTIES AGREE FURTHER TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH WITH RESPECT TO THE TERMS OF ANY SUCH LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE DOCUMENTATION.

Section 13.02. Subordination . This Lease at all times shall automatically be subordinate to the lien of any and all ground leases and Mortgages now or hereafter placed upon any of the Properties by Lessor, and Lessee covenants and agrees to execute and deliver, upon demand, such further instruments subordinating this Lease to the lien of any or all such ground leases and Mortgages as shall be desired by Lessor, or any present or proposed mortgagees under trust deeds, upon the condition that Lessee shall have the right to remain in possession of the Properties under the terms of this Lease, notwithstanding any default in any or all such ground leases or Mortgages, or after the foreclosure of any such Mortgages, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Lessor agrees to use its best efforts to provide Lessee with a SNDA executed by each Lender holding a Mortgage, and Lessee agrees to promptly execute and return such SNDA to Lessor. In the event of a conflict between the Mortgage and this Lease, this Lease shall control.

Section 13.03. Election To Declare Lease Superior . If any mortgagee, receiver or other secured party elects to have this Lease and the interest of Lessee hereunder, be superior to any Mortgage and evidences such election by notice given to Lessee, then this Lease and the interest of Lessee hereunder shall be deemed superior to any such Mortgage, whether this Lease was executed before or after such Mortgage and in that event such mortgagee, receiver or other secured party shall have the same rights with respect to this Lease as if it had been executed and delivered prior to the execution and delivery of such Mortgage and had been assigned to such mortgagee, receiver or other secured party.

 

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Section 13.04. Attornment . In the event any purchaser or assignee of any Lender at a foreclosure sale acquires title to any of the Properties, or in the event that any Lender or any purchaser or assignee otherwise succeeds to the rights of Lessor as landlord under this Lease, Lessee shall attorn to Lender or such purchaser or assignee, as the case may be (a “ Successor Lessor ”), and recognize the Successor Lessor as lessor under this Lease, and, subject to the provisions of this Article XIII, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect as a direct lease between the Successor Lessor and Lessee, provided that the Successor Lessor shall only be liable for any obligations of Lessor under this Lease which accrue after the date that such Successor Lessor acquires title. The foregoing provision shall be self-operative and effective without the execution of any further instruments.

Section 13.05. Execution of Additional Documents . Although the provisions in this Article XIII shall be self-operative and no future instrument of subordination shall be required, upon request by Lessor Lessee shall execute and deliver whatever instruments may be reasonably required for such purposes.

Section 13.06. Notice to Lender . Lessee shall give written notice to any Lender having a recorded lien upon any of the Properties or any part thereof of which Lessee has been notified of any breach or default by Lessor of any of its obligations under this Lease and give such Lender at least sixty (60) days beyond any notice period to which Lessor might be entitled to cure such default before Lessee may exercise any remedy with respect thereto.

ARTICLE XIV

ASSIGNMENT

Section 14.01. Assignment by Lessor . As a material inducement to Lessor’s willingness to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Lease (the “ Transaction ”) and the other Transaction Documents, Lessee hereby agrees that Lessor may, from time to time and at any time and without the consent of Lessee, engage in all or any combination of the following, or enter into agreements in connection with any of the following or in accordance with requirements that may be imposed by applicable securities, tax or other Laws: (a) the sale, assignment, grant, conveyance, transfer, financing, re-financing, purchase or re-acquisition of all, less than all or any portion of the Properties, this Lease or any other Transaction Document, Lessor’s right, title and interest in this Lease or any other Transaction Document, the servicing rights with respect to any of the foregoing, or participations in any of the foregoing; or (b) a Securitization and related transactions. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Lessor, in its sole discretion, may assign this Lease or any interest herein to another Person (including without limitation, a taxable REIT subsidiary) in order to maintain Lessor’s or any of its Affiliates’ status as a REIT. In the event of any such sale or assignment other than a security assignment, Lessee shall attorn to such purchaser or assignee (so long as Lessor and such purchaser or assignee notify Lessee in writing of such transfer and such purchaser or assignee expressly assumes in writing the obligations of Lessor hereunder from and after the date of such assignment). At the request of Lessor, Lessee will execute such documents confirming the sale, assignment or other transfer and such other agreements as Lessor may reasonably request and at Lessor’s expense, so long as such expenses are documented reasonable third-party costs, provided that the same do not increase the liabilities and obligations of Lessee hereunder. Lessor shall be relieved, from and after the date of such transfer or conveyance, of liability for the performance of any obligation of Lessor contained herein, except for obligations or liabilities accrued prior to such assignment or sale.

 

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Section 14.02. No Assignment by Lessee . Lessee acknowledges that Lessor has relied both on the business experience and creditworthiness of Lessee and upon the particular purposes for which Lessee intends to use the Properties in entering into this Lease. Except as provided below or in Section 13.01, Lessee shall not assign, transfer, convey, pledge or mortgage this Lease or any interest therein or in Lessee constituting any Change in Control (defined below), whether by operation of law or otherwise without the prior written consent of Lessor, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, considering such matters as the experience and financial strength of any assignee, the assumption by any assignee of all of Lessee’s obligations hereunder by undertakings enforceable by Lessor, and the transfer to or procurement of all necessary licenses and franchises to an assignee in order to continue operating the Properties. At the time of any assignment of this Lease which is approved by Lessor, the assignee shall assume all of the obligations of Lessee under this Lease pursuant to a written assumption agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lessor. Such assignment of the Properties shall not relieve Lessee of its obligations respecting this Lease unless otherwise agreed to by Lessor. Any assignment, transfer, conveyance, pledge or mortgage in violation of this Section 14.02 shall be voidable at the sole option of Lessor. Any consent to an assignment given by Lessor hereunder shall not be deemed a consent to any subsequent assignment.

Section 14.03. No Subletting . Lessee shall have the right to sublet all or a portion of the Properties without the prior written consent of Lessor, provided Lessee delivers prior written notice to Lessor of such sublet and such sublet shall not relieve Lessee of its obligations under this Lease.

Section 14.04. Permitted Assignment . Subject to the requirements of Section 14.06, Lessee shall be permitted, without the prior written consent of Lessor, to assign the Lease, including by Change in Control, to a Qualified Operator. A “ Qualified Operator ” shall mean a Person that (1) has a CFCCR of at least 1.50:1 and (2) its Effective Debt divided by EBITDAR does not exceed 6.7:1. Upon any such assignment permitted under this Section 14.04, Lessee shall be released of any liability under this Lease accruing on or after the date of such assignment.

Section 14.05. Change in Control . Any Person or “ group ” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act) pursuant to a single transaction or series of transactions: (i) acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than Fifty Percent (50%) of the voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equitable and/or beneficial interests of Lessee, or (ii) obtaining, directly or indirectly, the power (whether or not exercised) to (x) direct or cause the direction of the management policies of Lessee, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise or (y) elect a majority of the directors of Lessee or voting control of any entity acting as general partner or managing member of Lessee (including through merger or consolidation of Lessee with or into any other Person).

Section 14.06. Additional Limitation on Lessee Assignment, Subletting and Change in Control . In no event shall Lessee be permitted to assign or sublet this Lease as provided in Section 14.02, 14.03, 14.04 unless (1) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing beyond any applicable cure period, and (2) immediately prior to the effective date of such assignment, sublease or Change in Control, Lessee has provided Lessor written notice of same, along with an officer’s certificate (the “ Officer’s Certificate ”) executed by an officer of the assignee, sublessee or Lessee certifying that none of the parties identified by Lessor as a ten percent (10%) shareholder of Lessor (on a written list certified by Lessor and to be provided to Lessee following request of Lessee in connection with any proposed assignment, sublease or Change in Control) owns, directly or, to the assignee’s or sublessee’s or Lessee’s actual knowledge after such assignee or sublessee or Lessee has made inquiry of its officer or similar person that is responsible for maintaining records regarding direct ownership of such assignee or sublessee or Lessee,

 

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indirectly, (1) ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting capital stock of the assignee or sublessee or Lessee, as the case may be, or (2) ten percent (10%) or more of the total value of all classes of capital stock of the assignee or sublessee or Lessee, as the case may be. Lessor shall provide the written list described in the preceding sentence within five (5) business days of written request therefore by Lessee and, in the absence of timely provision of such list, such officer’s certificate shall be based on the latest written list delivered by Lessor to Lessee.

ARTICLE XV

NOTICES

Section 15.01. Notices . All notices, demands, designations, certificates, requests, offers, consents, approvals, appointments and other instruments given pursuant to this Lease shall be in writing and given by any one of the following: (a) hand delivery; (b) express overnight delivery service; (c) certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or (d) electronic mail message, provided that a copy of such electronic mail message is also sent via certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, within one Business Day of the transmission of such electronic mail message, and shall be deemed to have been delivered upon (i) receipt, if hand delivered; (ii) the next Business Day, if delivered by a reputable express overnight delivery service; (iii) the third Business Day following the day of deposit of such notice with the United States Postal Service, if sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or (iv) transmission, if delivered by electronic mail pursuant to the requirements of clause (d) above. Notices shall be provided to the parties and addresses (or electronic mail addresses) specified below:

 

If to Lessee:    Malibu Boats, LLC
   One Malibu Court
   Merced, California 95340
   Attn: Joe Bedewi
   Telephone: (209) 383-7469
   Telecopy: (209) 383-0499
   E-mail: joeb@mailbuboats.com
With a copy to:    Black Canyon Capital LLC
   9665 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 888
   Beverly Hills, California 90212
   Attn: Paras Mehta
   Telephone: (310) 228-5354
   Telecopy: (310) 228-9199
   E-mail: pmehta@blackcanyoncapital.com
With a copy to:    O’Melveny & Myers, LLP
   400 South Hope Street
   Los Angeles, CA 90071-2899
   Attn: F. Thomas Muller, Esq.
   Telephone: (213) 430-6510
   Telecopy: (213) 430-6407
   E-mail: tmuller@omm.com

 

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With a copy to:    Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
   201 Third Street, Eighth Floor
   San Francisco, CA 94103
   Attn: Vince Loomis
   Telephone: (415) 512-7059
If to Lessor:    Spirit Master Funding IV, LLC
   14631 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 200
   Scottsdale, Arizona 85254-2711
   Attention:    Michael T. Bennett,
                        SVP, Operations
   Telephone: (480) 606-0820
   Telecopy: (480) 606-0826
   E-Mail: mbennnett@spiritfinance.com
With a copy to:    Kutak Rock LLP
   1801 California Street, Suite 3100
   Denver, Colorado 80202
   Attention: Peggy A. Richter, Esq.
   Telephone: (303) 297-2400
   Telecopy: (303) 292-7799
   E-Mail: peggy.richter@lcutakrock.com

or to such other address or such other person as either party may from time to time hereafter specify to the other party in a notice delivered in the manner provided above.

ARTICLE XVI

LANDLORD’S LIEN / SECURITY INTEREST

Section 16.01. Landlord’s Lien and Security Interest . [Reserved].

ARTICLE XVII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 17.01. Force Majeure . Any prevention, delay or stoppage due to strikes, lockouts, acts of God, enemy or hostile governmental action, civil commotion, fire or other casualty beyond the control of the party obligated to perform (each, a “ Force Majeure Event ”) shall excuse the performance by such party for a period equal to any such prevention, delay or stoppage, expressly excluding, however, the obligations imposed upon Lessee with respect to Rental and other Monetary Obligations to be paid hereunder.

Section 17.02. No Merger . There shall be no merger of this Lease nor of the leasehold estate created by this Lease with the fee estate in or ownership of any of the Properties by reason of the fact that the same person, corporation, firm or other entity may acquire or hold or own, directly or indirectly, (a) this Lease or the leasehold estate created by this Lease or any interest in this Lease or in such leasehold estate, and (b) the fee estate or ownership of any of the Properties or any interest in such fee estate or ownership. No such merger shall occur unless and until all persons, corporations, firms and other entities

 

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having any interest in (i) this Lease or the leasehold estate created by this Lease, and (ii) the fee estate in or ownership of the Properties or any part thereof sought to be merged shall join in a written instrument effecting such merger and shall duly record the same.

Section 17.03. Interpretation . Lessor and Lessee acknowledge and warrant to each other that each has been represented by independent counsel and has executed this Lease after being fully advised by said counsel as to its effect and significance. This Lease shall be interpreted and construed in a fair and impartial manner without regard to such factors as the party which prepared the instrument, the relative bargaining powers of the parties or the domicile of any party. Whenever in this Lease any words of obligation or duty are used, such words or expressions shall have the same force and effect as though made in the form of a covenant. Where Lessor consent is required, it shall not be unreasonably withheld, unless an Event of Default has occurred.

Section 17.04. Characterization . The following expressions of intent, representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, stipulations and waivers are a material inducement to Lessor entering into this Lease:

(a) Lessor and Lessee intend that (i) this Lease constitutes an unseverable, unitary and single lease of all, but not less than all, of the Properties, and, if at any time this Lease covers other real property in addition to the Properties, neither this Lease, nor Lessee’s obligations or rights hereunder may be allocated or otherwise divided among such properties by Lessee; (ii) this Lease is a “true lease,” is not a financing lease, capital lease, mortgage, equitable mortgage, deed of trust, trust agreement, security agreement or other financing or trust arrangement, and the economic realities of this Lease are those of a true lease; and (iii) the business relationship created by this Lease and any related documents is solely that of a long-term commercial lease between Lessor and Lessee, the Lease has been entered into by both parties in reliance upon the economic and legal bargains contained herein, and none of the agreements contained herein is intended, nor shall the same be deemed or construed, to create a partnership ( de facto or de jure ) between Lessor and Lessee, to make them joint venturers, to make Lessee an agent, legal representative, partner, subsidiary or employee of Lessor, nor to make Lessor in any way responsible for the debts, obligations or losses of Lessee.

(b) Lessor and Lessee covenant and agree that: (i) each will treat this Lease as an operating lease pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, as amended, and as a true lease for state law reporting purposes and for federal income tax purposes; (ii) each party will not, nor will it permit any Affiliate under its control to, at any time, take any action or fail to take any action with respect to the preparation or filing of any statement or disclosure to Governmental Authority, including without limitation, any income tax return (including an amended income tax return), to the extent that such action or such failure to take action would be inconsistent with the intention of the parties expressed in this Section 17.04 except as otherwise required by law; (iii) with respect to the Properties, the Lease Term is less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the estimated remaining economic life of the Properties; and (iv) the Base Annual Rental is the fair market value for the use of the Properties and was agreed to by Lessor and Lessee on that basis, and the execution and delivery of, and the performance by Lessee of its obligations under, this Lease do not constitute a transfer of all or any part of the Properties.

(c) Lessee waives any claim or defense based upon the characterization of this Lease as anything other than a true lease and as a master lease of all of the Properties. Lessee stipulates and agrees (i) not to challenge the validity, enforceability or characterization of the lease of the

 

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Properties as a true lease and/or as a single, unitary, unseverable instrument pertaining to the lease of all, but not less than all, of the Properties; and (ii) not to assert or take or omit to take any action inconsistent with the agreements and understandings set forth in this Section 17.04.

Section 17.05. Disclosure . Except as otherwise provided in this Lease, Lessor shall not disclose information regarding Lessee or any Lessee Entity obtained under the provisions of this Lease; provided, however , Lessor (and each employee, representative or other agent of Lessor) may disclose information to potential equity and debt financing sources that Lessor believes is reasonably required to be disclosed in connection with any equity or debt offering of Lessor or as may be required under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event shall any financial information obtained by Lessor pursuant to this Lease be disclosed to any party that competes directly with Lessee in the boat manufacturing industry.

Section 17.06. Bankruptcy . As a material inducement to Lessor executing this Lease, Lessee acknowledges and agrees that Lessor is relying upon (a) the financial condition and specific operating experience of Lessee and Lessee’s obligation to use the Properties as Permitted Facilities; (b) Lessee’s timely performance of all of its obligations under this Lease notwithstanding the entry of an order for relief under the Bankruptcy Code for Lessee; and (c) all defaults under this Lease being cured promptly and this Lease being assumed within sixty (60) days of any order for relief entered under the Bankruptcy Code for Lessee, or this Lease being rejected within such sixty (60)-day period and the Properties surrendered to Lessor. Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Lease and for other good and valuable consideration, Lessee hereby agrees that: (i) all obligations that accrue under this Lease (including the obligation to pay Rentals), from and after an Insolvency Event shall be timely performed exactly as provided in this Lease and any failure to so perform shall be harmful and prejudicial to Lessor; (ii) any and all Rentals that accrue from and after an Insolvency Event and that are not paid as required by this Lease shall, in the amount of such Rentals, constitute administrative expense claims allowable under the Bankruptcy Code with priority of payment at least equal to that of any other actual and necessary expenses incurred after an Insolvency Event; (iii) any extension of the time period within which Lessee may assume or reject this Lease without an obligation to cause all obligations under this Lease to be performed as and when required under this Lease shall be harmful and prejudicial to Lessor; (iv) any time period designated as the period within which Lessee must cure all defaults and compensate Lessor for all pecuniary losses which extends beyond the date of assumption of this Lease shall be harmful and prejudicial to Lessor; (v) any assignment of this Lease must result in all terms and conditions of this Lease being assumed by the assignee without alteration or amendment, and any assignment which results in an amendment or alteration of the terms and conditions of this Lease without the express written consent of Lessor shall be harmful and prejudicial to Lessor; (vi) any proposed assignment of this Lease shall be harmful and prejudicial to Lessor if made to an assignee that does not possess financial condition adequate to operate Permitted Facilities upon the Properties or operating performance and experience characteristics satisfactory to Lessor equal to or better than the financial condition, operating performance and experience of Lessee as of the Effective Date; and (vii) the rejection (or deemed rejection) of this Lease for any reason whatsoever shall constitute cause for immediate relief from the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, and Lessee stipulates that such automatic stay shall be lifted immediately and possession of the Properties will be delivered to Lessor immediately without the necessity of any further action by Lessor. No provision of this Lease shall be deemed a waiver of Lessor’s rights or remedies under the Bankruptcy Code or applicable Law to oppose any assumption and/or assignment of this Lease, to require timely performance of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease, or to regain possession of the Properties as a result of the failure of Lessee to comply with the terms and conditions of this Lease or the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, all amounts payable by Lessee to or on behalf of Lessor under this Lease, whether or not expressly

 

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denominated as such, shall constitute “rent” for the purposes of the Bankruptcy Code. For purposes of this Section addressing the rights and obligations of Lessor and Lessee upon an Insolvency Event, the term “Lessee” shall include Lessee’s successor in bankruptcy, whether a trustee, Lessee as debtor in possession or other responsible person.

Section 17.07. Attorneys’ Fees . In the event of any judicial or other adversarial proceeding concerning this Lease, to the extent permitted by Law, Lessor shall be entitled to recover all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other Costs in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled. In addition, Lessor shall, upon demand, be entitled to all attorneys’ fees and all other Costs incurred in the preparation and service of any notice or demand hereunder, whether or not a legal action is subsequently commenced.

Section 17.08. Memoranda of Lease . Concurrently with the execution of this Lease, Lessor and Lessee are executing Lessor’s standard form memorandum of lease in recordable form, indicating the names and addresses of Lessor and Lessee, a description of the Properties, the Lease Term, but omitting Rentals and such other terms of this Lease as Lessor may not desire to disclose to the public. Further, upon Lessor’s request, Lessee agrees to execute and acknowledge a termination of lease and/or quitclaim deed in recordable form to be held by Lessor until the expiration or sooner termination of the Lease Term; provided, however , if Lessee shall fail or refuse to sign such a document in accordance with the provisions of this Section within ten (10) days following a request by Lessor, Lessee irrevocably constitutes and appoints Lessor as its attorney-in-fact to execute and record such document, it being stipulated that such power of attorney is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable and binding.

Section 17.09. No Brokerage . Lessor and Lessee represent and warrant to each other that they have had no conversation or negotiations with any broker other than Patriot Capital Advisors, LLC concerning the leasing of the Properties. Each of Lessor and Lessee agrees to protect, indemnify, save and keep harmless the other, against and from all liabilities, claims, losses, Costs, damages and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising out of, resulting from or in connection with their breach of the foregoing warranty and representation.

Section 17.10. Waiver of Jury Trial and Certain Damages . LESSOR AND LESSEE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT EITHER MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL ISSUES PRESENTED IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER OR ITS SUCCESSORS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LEASE, THE RELATIONSHIP OF LESSOR AND LESSEE, LESSEE’S USE OR OCCUPANCY OF THE PROPERTIES, AND/OR ANY CLAIM FOR INJURY OR DAMAGE, OR ANY EMERGENCY OR STATUTORY REMEDY. THIS WAIVER BY THE PARTIES HERETO OF ANY RIGHT EITHER MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED AND IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF THEIR BARGAIN. FURTHERMORE, LESSEE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES THE RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO SEEK PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL AND INDIRECT DAMAGES FROM LESSOR AND ANY OF THE AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, MANAGERS OR EMPLOYEES OF LESSOR OR ANY OF THEIR SUCCESSORS WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL ISSUES PRESENTED IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LEASE OR ANY DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR RELATED HERETO. THE WAIVER BY LESSEE OF ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO SEEK PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL AND INDIRECT DAMAGES HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES HERETO AND IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF THEIR BARGAIN.

 

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Section 17.11. Securitizations . As a material inducement to Lessor’s willingness to enter into the Transactions contemplated by this Lease and the other Transaction Documents, Lessee hereby acknowledges and agrees that Lessor may, from time to time and at any time (a) advertise, issue press releases, send direct mail or otherwise disclose information regarding the Transaction for marketing purposes; and (b) (i) act or permit another Person to act as sponsor, settler, transferor or depositor of, or a holder of interests in, one or more Persons or other arrangements formed pursuant to a trust agreement, indenture, pooling agreement, participation agreement, sale and servicing agreement, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement, articles of incorporation or similar agreement or document; and (ii) permit one or more of such Persons or arrangements to offer and sell stock, certificates, bonds, notes, other evidences of indebtedness or securities that are directly or indirectly secured, collateralized or otherwise backed by or represent a direct or indirect interest in whole or in part in any of the assets, rights or properties described in Section 14.01 of this Lease, in one or more Persons or arrangements holding such assets, rights or properties, or any of them (collectively, the “ Securities ”), whether any such Securities are privately or publicly offered and sold, or rated or unrated (any combination of which actions and transactions described in both clauses (i) and (ii) in this paragraph, whether proposed or completed, are referred to in this Lease as a “ Securitization ”). Lessee shall permit Lessor and any Affected Party to use reports and other materials required under this Lease in connection with such Securitization and to inspect the Properties and Lessee’s use thereof at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. Lessor may provide for inclusion in any prospectus or other Securities offering material such documents, financial and other data, and other information and materials which would customarily be required with respect to Lessee by a purchaser, transferee, assignee, servicer, participant, investor or rating agency involved with respect to such Securitization. Lessee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to Lessor, any Affected Party and to any Person designated by Lessor, such statements and audit letters of reputable, independent certified public accountants pertaining to the written information provided by Lessee pursuant to this Section as shall reasonably be requested by Lessor or such Affected Party, as the case may be. To the extent not previously provided, and to the extent in Lessee’s possession, Lessee also shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to Lessor, such appraisals, environmental reports and zoning letters, or updates of any of the foregoing, and any other documents as are customarily delivered in connection with Securitizations or as may be required by any rating agency in connection with any Securitization.

Section 17.12. State-Specific Provisions . The provisions and/or remedies which are set forth on the attached Exhibit D shall be deemed a part of and included within the terms and conditions of this Lease.

Section 17.13. Time Is of the Essence . Time is of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Lease.

Section 17.14. Waiver and Amendment . No provision of this Lease shall be deemed waived or amended except by a written instrument unambiguously setting forth the matter waived or amended and signed by the party against which enforcement of such waiver or amendment is sought. Waiver of any matter shall not be deemed a waiver of the same or any other matter on any future occasion. No acceptance by Lessor of an amount less than the Rental and other Monetary Obligations stipulated to be due under this Lease shall be deemed to be other than a payment on account of the earliest such Rental or other Monetary Obligations then due or in arrears nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or letter accompanying any such payment be deemed a waiver of Lessor’s right to collect any unpaid amounts or an accord and satisfaction.

 

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Section 17.15. Successors Bound . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the terms, covenants and conditions contained in this Lease shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, successors, executors, administrators and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

Section 17.16. Captions . Captions are used throughout this Lease for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered in any manner in the construction or interpretation hereof.

Section 17.17. Other Documents . Each of the parties agrees to sign such other and further documents as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the intentions expressed in this Lease.

Section 17.18. Entire Agreement . This Lease and any other instruments or agreements referred to herein, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations, warranties or agreements except as herein provided.

Section 17.19. Forum Selection; Jurisdiction; Venue; Choice of Law . For purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of this Lease, the parties hereto expressly submit to the jurisdiction of all federal and state courts located in the State of Arizona, provided, however, property-specific disputes shall be governed by the laws of the applicable state or states in which the Properties are located. Lessee consents that it may be served with any process or paper by registered mail or by personal service within or without the State of Arizona in accordance with applicable law. Furthermore, Lessee waives and agrees not to assert in any such action, suit or proceeding that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such courts, that the action, suit or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that venue of the action, suit or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained in this Section shall limit or restrict the right of Lessor to commence any proceeding in the federal or state courts located in the states where the Properties are located to the extent Lessor deems such proceeding necessary or advisable to exercise remedies available under this Lease. This Lease shall be governed by, and construed with, the laws of the applicable state or states in which the Properties are located, without giving effect to any state’s conflict of laws principles.

Section 17.20. Counterparts . This Lease may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

ARTICLE XVIII

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL/THIRD PARTY OFFER.

Section 18.01. Offer . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 18.01, any time after the Effective Date, if Lessor desires to sell any Property and receives a bona fide written offer from a third party which offer is in all respects acceptable to Lessor, Lessor shall deliver a complete copy of such bona fide third party offer to Lessee (“ Third Party Offer ”). Upon Lessee’s receipt of such Third Party Offer from Lessor, and a written statement of Lessor’s desire to sell the Property in accordance with such Third Party Offer, Lessee shall within thirty (30) days have the right to deliver an offer to Lessor (“ Purchase Offer ”) to purchase Lessor’s interest in any such Property for the amount and on the other terms of the bona fide third party offer to purchase such Property (the “ Subject Purchase Price ”). Lessee shall complete such purchase, subject to the satisfaction of each of the terms and conditions set forth in Section 18.02 below.

 

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Section 18.02. Conditions Precedent .

(a) The purchase of Lessor’s interest in a Property pursuant to Section 18.02 shall be subject to the fulfillment of all of the following terms and conditions: (1) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Lease or other Transaction Documents; (2) Lessee or, at Lessee’s discretion, the third party offeree shall have paid to Lessor the Subject Purchase Price, together with all Rental and other Monetary Obligations then due and payable under this Lease as of the date of the closing of such purchase; (3) in addition to payment of the Subject Purchase Price, Lessee shall have satisfied its obligations under Section 18.03 below; (4) Lessee shall not have the right to deliver Purchase Offers until after the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date; and (5) the date of the closing of such purchase shall occur on the next scheduled Base Monthly Rental payment date following Lessor’s receipt of the Purchase Offer, or if less than thirty (30) days, on the next Base Monthly Rental payment date thereafter.

(b) On the date of the closing of the purchase of a Property pursuant to this Section (the “ Purchase Closing Date ”), subject to satisfaction of the foregoing conditions: (1) this Lease shall be deemed terminated with respect to such Property only, and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect with respect to all of the other Properties; provided, however, such termination shall not limit Lessee’s obligations to Lessor with respect to such Property under any indemnification provisions of this Lease and Lessee’s obligations to pay any Monetary Obligations (whether payable to Lessor or a third party) accruing under this Lease with respect to such Property prior to the Purchase Closing Date shall survive the termination of this Lease; (2) the Base Monthly Rental with respect to the remaining Property shall be proportionately reduced based upon the values attributed to all of the Properties at the time of Lessor’s acquisition of the Properties; and (3) Lessor shall convey such Property to Lessee or, at Lessee’s request, the third party offeree “as is” by special warranty deed, subject to all matters of record as of the date thereof (except for any consensual liens granted by Lessor other than those granted by Lessor at the request of Lessee), and without representation or warranty.

Section 18.03. Costs . Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Third Party Offer, Lessee shall be solely responsible for the payment of all Costs resulting from any proposed purchase pursuant to this Article 18, regardless of whether the purchase is consummated, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, the cost of title insurance and endorsements, including, survey charges, stamp taxes, mortgage taxes, transfer taxes and fees, escrow and recording fees, taxes imposed on Lessor as a result of such purchase, the attorneys’ fees of Lessee and the reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of counsel to Lessor.

Section 18.04. Termination of Right . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, LESSEE’S RIGHTS UNDER THIS ARTICLE 18 SHALL TERMINATE AND BE NULL AND VOID AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE AND EFFECT IF (i) LESSEE FAILS TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE 18, AND A SALE TO A THIRD PARTY PURCHASER IS CONSUMMATED ON THE TERMS OF THAT SPECIFIC THIRD PARTY OFFER; (ii) THIS LEASE TERMINATES OR THE LEASE TERM EXPIRES; (iii) THE PROPERTIES ARE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THE EXERCISE OF A PRIVATE POWER OF SALE OR JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OR ACCEPTANCE OF A DEED IN LIEU THEREOF; OR (iv) LESSEE SHALL BE IN DEFAULT OF ANY OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LEASE OR IF ANY CONDITION SHALL EXIST WHICH UPON THE GIVING OF NOTICE OR THE PASSAGE OF TIME, OR BOTH, WOULD CONSTITUTE A DEFAULT BY LESSEE UNDER THIS LEASE. IN ANY SUCH EVENT, LESSEE SHALL EXECUTE A QUITCLAIM DEED AND SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS AS LESSOR SHALL REASONABLY REQUEST EVIDENCING THE TERMINATION OF ITS RIGHT UNDER THIS ARTICLE 18.

 

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Section 18.05. Attornment . If Lessee does not deliver its Purchase Offer to purchase any of the Properties and such Properties are transferred to a third party purchaser, Lessee will attorn to any third party purchaser as Lessor so long as such third party purchaser and Lessor notify Lessee in writing of such transfer. At the request of Lessor, Lessee will execute such documents confirming the agreement referred to above and such other agreements as Lessor may reasonably request, provided that such agreements do not increase the liabilities and obligations of Lessee hereunder.

Section 18.06. Exclusions . The provisions of this Article 18 shall not apply to or prohibit (i) any mortgages or other hypothecation of Lessor’s interest in the Properties; (ii) any sale of the Properties pursuant to a private power of sale under or judicial foreclosure of any mortgage or other security instrument or device to which Lessor’s interest in the Properties is now or hereafter subject; (iii) any transfer of Lessor’s interest in the Properties to a mortgagee or other holder of a security interest therein or their designees by deed in lieu of foreclosure; (iv) any transfer of the Properties to any governmental or quasi governmental agency with power of Condemnation; (v) any transfer of the Properties to any Affiliate of Lessor; (vi) any transfers of interests in Lessor by any member, shareholder, partner or other owner to any other member, shareholder, partner or other owner; (vii) any transfers to any Person to whom Lessor sells all or substantially all of its assets; or (viii) any transfer of the Properties to any of the successors or assigns of any of the Persons referred to in this Section 18.06.

ARTICLE XIX

OPTION TO PURCHASE

Section 19.01. Option to Purchase . During the period beginning on an Option Trigger Event and ending one hundred twenty days after the occurrence of an Option trigger Event and no earlier than the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date, Lessee shall have the option after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date to give Lessor notice (the “ Option Notice ”) of Lessee’s election to purchase the Properties for the greater of (a) the fair market value (which fair market value shall be determined in accordance with Section 19.02 below or (b) the Purchase Price multiplied by the Purchase Price Multiple applicable to the year in which the Option to Purchase is exercised as set forth in Exhibit F attached hereto and made a part hereof. The closing for such purchase must occur within ninety (90) days following Lessor’s receipt of the Option Notice if the required appraisal has been received and, if not, a day for day extension will be allowed until the appraisal is received.

Upon exercise of this option, Lessor and Lessee shall open a new escrow account with a recognized title insurance company selected by mutual agreement of the parties. Such escrow shall be subject to the standard escrow instructions of the escrow agent, to the extent they are not inconsistent herewith. At or before the close of escrow, Lessor shall deliver to the escrow agent its limited warranty deed conveying to Lessee all of Lessor’s right, title and interest in the Properties free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except liens for taxes and assessments and easements, covenants and restrictions of record which were attached to the Properties as of the date hereof, attached during the term of the Lease through Lessee’s action or inaction, as the case may be, have been granted by Lessor in lieu of a taking by the power of eminent domain or the like, or have been approved by Lessee. In the event Lessor is unable to convey title as required, Lessee shall have the right to accept such title as Lessor can convey or elect not to consummate its exercise of the option. Both Lessor and Lessee agree to execute a purchase agreement, escrow instructions and such other instruments as may be necessary or appropriate to

 

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consummate the sale of the Properties in the manner herein provided. All Costs incurred in connection with Lessee’s exercise of the option, including, but not limited to, escrow fees, title insurance fees, recording costs or fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees (including those of the Lessor), appraisal fees, stamp taxes and transfer fees shall be borne by Lessee. Lessee shall continue to pay and perform all of its obligations under this Lease until the close of escrow. The purchase price paid by Lessee in exercising this option shall be paid to Lessor or to such person or entity as Lessor may direct at closing in immediately available funds. The closing date may be extended for a reasonable period of time to permit Lessor to cure title defects or to permit either party to cure any other defects or defaults provided each party is diligently seeking to cure such defect or default and Lessee continues to perform its obligations hereunder. In the case of any mortgage or other monetary lien arising by, through or under Lessor (but not arising by, through or under Lessee), the escrow agent shall first apply the purchase price to the payment of such mortgage or monetary lien, and the balance shall be paid over to Lessor at closing.

Lessee shall not have the right to exercise this option or consummate the exercise thereof if at the time of exercise or consummation an Event of Default exists or is continuing.

Lessee may not sell, assign, transfer, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of the option granted herein or any interest therein, except in conjunction with a permitted assignment of Lessee’s entire interest herein and then only to the assignee thereof. Any attempted assignment of this option which is contrary to the terms of this Section shall be deemed to be an Event of Default under this Lease and the option granted herein shall be void.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the purchase option described in this Section shall be null and void in the event that Lessor determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the sale of the Properties would cause Lessor to recognize income or gain from a “ prohibited transaction ” as defined under Section 857(b)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Section 19.02. Determination of Fair Market Value . For purposes of determining the “ fair market value ” of a Property under this Article XIX, the parties shall, at Lessee’s sole expense, each retain an independent MAI appraiser to prepare an appraisal of the fair market value of the Property, including any additions or renovations thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee may elect to exclude from the fair market value determination, the value of any new improvements to the Property paid for by Lessee and not otherwise financed by Lessor that are separate and distinct from the improvements existing as of the Effective Date (“ Lessee Improvements ”). The value of such Lessee Improvements to be excluded from the fair market value of the Property shall be described in the appraisals of the Property. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, in no event shall any improvements arising from Lessee’s maintenance and repair obligations hereunder constitute Lessee Improvements. In determining the fair market value of the Property and Lessee Improvements, if any, the appraisers shall utilize the cost, income and sales comparison approaches to value. In utilizing the income approach, the appraisers shall determine the “leased fee” value of the Property, which shall be arrived at by considering (a) the income that would be produced by this Lease through the end of the fully extended Lease term, and (b) any other factors relating to such approach which the appraiser shall deem relevant in the appraisers’ sole discretion. The concluded value which results from the calculation of each of the cost approach, the income approach and the sales comparison approach, all as determined in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, shall constitute the “appraisal value” of the Property for each respective appraisal. Once the appraisals are obtained, then the parties shall submit the appraisals to an arbitrator reasonably acceptable to Lessor and Lessee experienced in matters of commercial real estate and the “ fair market value ” of each Property for purposes of this subsection shall be determined by “ baseball arbitration ” in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association, wherein the

 

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arbitrator shall review both appraisals and shall select either Lessor’s appraisal or Lessee’s appraisal and the appraisal selected by the arbitrator shall constitute the “fair market value” of the Property for purposes of this Article XIX. In the event the “fair market value” so determined is unacceptable to Lessee, Lessee may cancel its exercise of the option without penalty; provided, however, Lessee shall reimburse Lessor for its Costs incurred in connection with Lessee’s exercise of the option.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have entered into this Lease as of the date first above written.

 

LESSOR:
SPIRIT MASTER FUNDING IV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   LOGO
 

 

Printed Name:   Gregg A. Seibert
 

 

Title:   Senior Vice President

 

STATE OF ARIZONA    )
   ) ss
COUNTY OF MARICOPA            )

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on March 25th, 2008 by Gregg A. Seibert, Senior Vice President of SPIRIT MASTER FUNDING IV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on behalf of the limited liability company.

 

LOGO

 

Notary Public

 

LOGO

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have entered into this Lease as of the date first above written.

 

LESSEE:
MALIBU BOATS, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:   LOGO
 

 

Printed Name:   Joe Bedewi
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

My Commission Expires:

 

EXHIBITS   
Exhibit A:    Defined Terms
Exhibit B:    Legal Descriptions and Street Addresses of Properties
Exhibit C:    Authorization Agreement – Pre-Arranged Payments
Exhibit D:    State-Specific Provisions
Exhibit E:    Property Condition Assessment Schedule
Exhibit F:    Purchase Offer Multiple Chart

 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA    )
   )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES            )

On March 24, 2008, before me, BERYL E. ARBIT, Notary Public, personally appeared JOE BEDEWI , who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his authorized capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument, the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

 

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

 

LOGO

 

[SEAL]

 

LOGO

 

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EXHIBIT A

DEFINED TERMS

The following terms shall have the following meanings for all purposes of this Lease:

“Additional Rental” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.

Adjustment Date ” means April 1, 2013 and every fifth anniversary thereafter during the Lease Term (including any Extension Term).

Affected Party ” means each direct or indirect participant or investor in a proposed or completed Securitization, including, without limitation, any prospective owner, any rating agency or any party to any agreement executed in connection with the Securitization.

Affiliate ” means any Person which directly or indirectly controls, is under common control with or is controlled by any other Person. For purposes of this definition, “controls,” “under common control with,” and “controlled by” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws ” means all applicable laws, regulations and government guidance on the prevention and detection of money laundering, including, without limitation, (a) 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957; and (b) the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 31 CFR Part 103.

Bankruptcy Code ” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. Sec. 101 et seq., as amended.

Base Annual Rental ” means $1,706,057.

Base Monthly Rental ” means an amount equal to 1/12 of the applicable Base Annual Rental.

Business Day ” means a day on which banks located in Scottsdale, Arizona are not required or authorized to remain closed.

CFCCR ” means with respect to the twelve month period of time immediately preceding the date of determination, the ratio calculated for such period of time, each as determined in accordance with GAAP, of (i) the sum of EBITDAR, to (ii) the sum of (without duplication) Operating Lease Expense, scheduled principal payments of long term Debt, scheduled maturities of all Capital Leases, and Interest Expense (excluding non cash interest expense and amortization of non cash financing expenses). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the historical capital structure of Lessee is not indicative of the pro forma capital structure of Assignee, The denominator of CFCCR shall be based upon the sum of (without duplication) Operating Lease Expense, scheduled principal payments of long term Debt for the next twelve (12) month period from the date of determination and scheduled maturities of all Capital Leases for the next twelve (12) month period from the date of determination and pro forma Interest Expense reflecting such new capital structure:

Capital Lease ” shall mean all leases of any property, whether real, personal or mixed, by Lessee which leases would, in conformity with GAAP, be required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of Lessee. The term “Capital Lease” shall not include any operating lease.

 

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Debt ” shall mean with respect to Lessee and for the period of determination (i) indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) subject to the limitation set forth in sub item (iv) below, obligations evidenced by bonds, indentures, notes or similar instruments, (iii) obligations under leases which should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Leases, and (iv) obligations under direct or indirect guarantees in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above, except for guaranty obligations of Lessee which, in conformity with GAAP, are not included on the balance sheet of Lessee.

Depreciation and Amortization ” shall mean the depreciation and amortization accruing during any period of determination with respect to Lessee as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Interest Expense ” shall mean for any period of determination, the sum of all interest accrued or which should be accrued in respect of all Debt of Lessee as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Net Income ” shall mean with respect to the period of determination, the net income or net loss of Lessee. In determining the amount of Net Income, (i) adjustments shall be made for nonrecurring gains and losses or non cash items allocable to the period of determination, (ii) deductions shall be made for, among other things, Depreciation and Amortization, Interest Expense, Operating Lease Expense, and (iii) no deductions shall be made for income taxes or charges equivalent to income taxes allocable to the period of determination, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Operating Lease Expense ” shall mean the sum of all rental amounts (excluding reimbursable expenses including but no limited to taxes, maintenance and insurance) incurred by Lessee under any operating leases during the period of determination, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Casualty ” means any loss of or damage to any property included within or related to the Properties or arising from an adjoining property caused by an Act of God, fire, flood or other catastrophe.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Condemnation ” means a Taking and/or a Requisition.

Costs ” means all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by a Person, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, court costs, expert witness fees, costs of tests and analyses, travel and accommodation expenses, deposition and trial transcripts, copies and other similar costs and fees, brokerage fees, escrow fees, title insurance premiums, appraisal fees, stamp taxes, recording fees and transfer taxes or fees, as the circumstances require.

Default Rate ” means 12% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law, whichever is less.

EBITDAR ” means, with respect to any Person, for the most recently ended twelve month period period, an amount equal to (without duplication): (i) the consolidated net income of such Person for such period, plus (ii) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges (including, but not limited to,

 

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imputed interest, deferred compensation and charges associated with impairment of goodwill pursuant to FASB 142) for such period (to the extent deducted in the computation of consolidated net income of such Person), all in accordance with GAAP, plus (iii) interest expense for such period (to the extent deducted in the computation of consolidated net income of such Person), plus (iv) the provision for taxes for such period (to the extent deducted in the computation of consolidated net income of such Person), plus (v) any rental amounts (excluding reimbursable expenses including but not limited to taxes, maintenance and insurance) in effect at the time of the EBITDAR calculation, plus (vi) non-recurring items and unusual items, plus (vii) in the event Lessee has consummated one (1) or more acquisitions during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of determination, that portion of the any such acquisition’s preceding trailing twelve (12) month EBITDAR (as calculated in sections (i) through (vi) above) not included in Lessee’s consolidated financial statements.

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Lease. “Effective Debt” shall mean Operating Lease Expense divided by nine percent (9%) plus Debt.

Environmental Laws ” means federal, state and local laws, ordinances, common law requirements and regulations and standards, rules, policies and other governmental requirements, administrative rulings and court judgments and decrees having the effect of law in effect now or in the future and including all amendments, that relate to Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances, USTs, and/or the protection of human health or the environment, or relating to liability for or Costs of Remediation or prevention of Releases, and apply to Lessee and/or the Properties.

Environmental Liens ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04(a)(ii).

Event of Default ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

Extension Option ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.

Extension Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.

Force Majeure Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 17.01.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied from period to period.

Governmental Authority ” means any governmental authority, agency, department, commission, bureau, board, instrumentality, court or quasi-governmental authority of the United States, any state or any political subdivision thereof with authority to adopt, modify, amend, interpret, give effect to or enforce any federal, state and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations, including common law, or to issue court orders.

Hazardous Materials ” includes: (a) oil, petroleum products, flammable substances, explosives, radioactive materials, hazardous wastes or substances, toxic wastes or substances or any other materials, contaminants or pollutants which pose a hazard to any of the Properties or to Persons on or about any of the Properties, cause any of the Properties to be in violation of any local, state or federal law or

 

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regulation, (including without limitation, any Environmental Law), or are defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “toxic substances,” “contaminants,” “pollutants,” or words of similar import under any applicable local, state or federal law or under the regulations adopted, orders issued, or publications promulgated pursuant thereto, including, but not limited to: (i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 9601, et seq.; (ii) the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. § 1801, et seq.; (iii) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 6901, et seq.; and (iv) regulations adopted and publications promulgated pursuant to the aforesaid laws; (b) asbestos in any form which is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment which contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty (50) parts per million; (c) underground storage tanks; and (d) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or which may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the occupants of any of the Properties or the owners and/or occupants of any adjoining property.

Indemnified Parties ” means Lessor, and its members, managers, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, servants, representatives, contractors, subcontractors, affiliates, subsidiaries, participants, successors and assigns, including, but not limited to, any successors by merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the assets and business of Lessor.

Initial Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

Insolvency Event ” means (a) a Person’s (i) failure to generally pay its debts as such debts become due; (ii) admitting in writing its inability to pay its debts generally; or (iii) making a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (b) any proceeding being instituted by or against any Person (i) seeking to adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent; (ii) seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization or relief of debtors; or (iii) seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property, and in the case of any such proceeding instituted against any Person, either such proceeding shall remain undismissed for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding shall occur; or (c) any Person taking any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this definition.

Law(s) ” means any constitution, statute, rule of law, code, ordinance, order, judgment, decree, injunction, rule, regulation, policy, requirement or administrative or judicial determination, even if unforeseen or extraordinary, of every duly constituted Governmental Authority, court or agency, now or hereafter enacted or in effect.

Lease Term ” shall have the meaning described in Section 3.01.

Legal Requirements ” means the requirements of all present and future Laws (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws and Laws relating to accessibility to, usability by, and discrimination against, disabled individuals), all judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, including any judicial order, consent, decree or judgment, and all covenants, restrictions and conditions now or hereafter of record which may be applicable to Lessee or to any of the Properties, or to the use, manner of use, occupancy, possession, operation, maintenance, alteration, repair or restoration of any of the Properties, even if compliance therewith necessitates structural changes or improvements or results in interference with the use or enjoyment of any of the Properties.

 

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Lender ” means any lender in connection with any loan secured by Lessor’s interest in any or all of the Properties, and any servicer of any loan secured by Lessor’s interest in any or all of the Properties.

Lessee Entity ” or “ Lessee Entities ” means individually or collectively, as the context may require, Lessee and any Affiliates.

Lessor Entity ” or “ Lessor Entities ” means individually or collectively, as the context may require, Lessor and all Affiliates of Lessor.

Lessee Improvements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.02.

Losses ” means any and all claims, suits, liabilities (including, without limitation, strict liabilities), actions, proceedings, obligations, debts, damages, losses, Costs, diminutions in value, fines, penalties, interest, charges, fees, judgments, awards, amounts paid in settlement and damages of whatever kind or nature, inclusive of bodily injury and property damage, in all cases, to third parties (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and other Costs of defense).

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the value of any of the Properties; (b) the business, financial condition, worth or operations of Lessee; (c) Lessee’s ability to perform its obligations under this Lease; or (d) Lessor’s interests in any of the Properties, this Lease or the other Transaction Documents.

Monetary Obligations ” means all Rental and all other sums payable or reimbursable by Lessee under this Lease to Lessor, to any third party on behalf of Lessor, or to any Indemnified Party.

Mortgages ” means, collectively, the mortgages, deeds of trust or deeds to secure debt, assignments of rents and leases, security agreements and fixture filings executed by Lessor for the benefit of Lender with respect to any or all of the Properties, as such instruments may be amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time and any and all replacements or substitutions.

Net Award ” means (a) the entire award payable with respect to a Property by reason of a Condemnation whether pursuant to a judgment or by agreement or otherwise; or (b) the entire proceeds of any insurance required under Section 6.03 payable with respect to a Property, as the case may be, and in either case, less any Costs incurred by Lessor in collecting such award or proceeds.

OFAC Laws ” means Executive Order 13224 issued by the President of the United States, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 595), the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 596), the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 597), and the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR Part 515), and all other present and future federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, lists (including, without limitation, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List) and any other requirements of any Governmental Authority (including without limitation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control) addressing, relating to, or attempting to eliminate, terrorist acts and acts of war, each as supplemented, amended or modified from time to time after the Effective Date, and the present and future rules, regulations and guidance documents promulgated under any of the foregoing, or under similar laws, ordinances, regulations, policies or requirements of other states or localities.

Officer’s Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.06.

 

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Option Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.01.

Option Trigger Event ” means, as to the Lessee named in this Lease, any Total Condemnation or any material Casualty.

Other Agreements ” means, collectively, all agreements and instruments now or hereafter entered into between, among or by (a) Lessee; and, or for the benefit of, (b) any of the Lessor Entities, including, without limitation, leases, promissory notes and guaranties, but excluding this Lease and all other Transaction Documents.

Partial Condemnation ” means a Condemnation which is not a Total Condemnation.

Permitted Amounts ” shall mean, with respect to any given level of Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances, that level or quantity of Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances in any form or combination of forms which does not constitute a violation of any Environmental Laws and is customarily employed in, or associated with, similar businesses located in the states where the Properties are located.

Permitted Facility ” or “ Permitted Facilities ” means a boat manufacturing facility, all related purposes such as ingress, egress and parking, and uses incidental thereto and as otherwise reasonably consented to by Lessor or the use of a sublessee or assignee where consent is not required herein.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or any other form of entity.

Personalty ” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.

Price Index ” means the Consumer Price Index which is designated for the applicable month of determination as the United States City Average for All Urban Consumers, All Items, less Food and Energy, Not Seasonally Adjusted, with a base period equaling 100 in 1982 - 1984, as published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics or any successor agency. In the event that the Price Index ceases to be published, its successor index as published by the same Governmental Authority which published the Price Index shall be substituted and any necessary reasonable adjustments shall be made by Lessor and Lessee in order to carry out the intent of Section 4.02. In the event there is no successor index, Lessor shall reasonably select an alternative price index that will constitute a reasonable substitute for the Price Index.

Properties ” means those parcels of real estate legally described on Exhibit B attached hereto, all rights, privileges, and appurtenances associated therewith, and all buildings, fixtures and other improvements now or hereafter located on such real estate (whether or not affixed to such real estate).

Purchase Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.02(b).

Purchase Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.01.

Purchase and Sale Agreement ” means that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated the same date hereof between Lessor and Seller with respect to the Properties.

Qualified Operator ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.04.

 

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Regulated Substances ” means “petroleum” and “petroleum-based substances” or any similar terms described or defined in any of the Environmental Laws and any applicable federal, state, county or local laws applicable to or regulating USTs.

REIT ” means a real estate investment trust as defined under Section 856 of the Code.

Release ” means any presence, release, deposit, discharge, emission, leaking, spilling, seeping, migrating, injecting, pumping, pouring, emptying, escaping, dumping, disposing or other movement of Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs.

Remediation ” means any response, remedial, removal, or corrective action, any activity to cleanup, detoxify, decontaminate, contain or otherwise remediate any Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs, any actions to prevent, cure or mitigate any Release, any action to comply with any Environmental Laws or with any permits issued pursuant thereto, any inspection, investigation, study, monitoring, assessment, audit, sampling and testing, laboratory or other analysis, or any evaluation relating to any Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs.

Rental ” means, collectively, the Base Annual Rental and the Additional Rental.

Rental Adjustment ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) ten percent (10%) of the Base Annual Rental in effect immediately prior to the applicable Adjustment Date, or (b) the product of (i) the percentage change between the Price Index for the month which is two months prior to the Effective Date or the Price Index used for the immediately preceding Adjustment Date, as applicable, and the Price Index for the month which is two months prior to the applicable Adjustment Date; and (ii) the then current Base Annual Rental.

Requisition ” means any temporary requisition or confiscation of the use or occupancy of any of the Properties by any Governmental Authority, civil or military, whether pursuant to an agreement with such Governmental Authority in settlement of or under threat of any such requisition or confiscation, or otherwise.

Securities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 17.11.

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

Securitization ” has the meaning set forth in Section 17.11.

Seller ” means the Seller of the Properties, as identified in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

SNDA ” means subordination, nondisturbance and attornment agreement.

Subject Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.01.

Successor Lessor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.04.

Taking ” means (a) any taking or damaging of all or a portion of the Properties (i) in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any Law, general or special; (ii) by reason of any agreement with any condemnor in settlement of or under threat of any such condemnation or other eminent domain proceeding; or (iii) by any other means; or (b) any de facto condemnation. The

 

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Taking shall be considered to have taken place as of the later of the date actual physical possession is taken by the condemnor, or the date on which the right to compensation and damages accrues under the law applicable to the Properties.

Temporary Taking ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.04.

Third Party Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.01.

Threatened Release ” means a substantial likelihood of a Release which requires action to prevent or mitigate damage to the soil, surface waters, groundwaters, land, stream sediments, surface or subsurface strata, ambient air or any other environmental medium comprising or surrounding any Property which may result from such Release.

Total Condemnation ” means a Condemnation of all or substantially all of any Property, including a Condemnation (other than for a temporary use) of such a substantial part of such Property resulting in the portion of the Property remaining after such Condemnation being unsuitable for use as a Permitted Facility, as determined by Lessee in the exercise of good faith business judgment.

Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.01.

Transaction Documents ” means this Lease, the Purchase and Sale Agreement and all documents related thereto.

Updated Financials ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.

U.S. Publicly Traded Entity ” means an entity whose securities are listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system in the United States or a wholly-owned subsidiary of such an entity.

USTs ” means any one or combination of tanks and associated product piping systems used in connection with storage, dispensing and general use of Regulated Substances.

 

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EXHIBIT B

LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS AND

STREET ADDRESSES OF THE PROPERTIES

Attached hereto are the true and correct legal descriptions and street addresses of the Properties.

 

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LEGAL DESCRIPTION

One Malibu Court, Merced, California 95340

THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE CITY OF MERCED, COUNTY OF MERCED, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

PARCEL A:

A merger of the following described Parcels: Parcel 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, as shown on that certain Parcel Map for the City of Merced, filed for record on June 23, 1997 in Book 82 of Parcel Maps, Pages 32 through 35, Merced County Records, together with Lots 16 and 17 as shown on Map of “Merced Airport Industrial Park”, filed in Vol. 20 of Official Plats, Page 49, Merced County Records.

Pursuant to that certain Notice of Merger of Lots, LC #04-12, recorded October 14, 2004, as Document No. 2004-067874, Official Records.

Certificate of Map Correction recorded November 4, 1997, as Document No. 36466 in Book 3652 at Page 809, Official Records.

Amended Certificate of Map Correction recorded November 18, 1997, as Document No. 38388 in Book 3657 at Page 591, Official Records.

APN No. 059-420-066

PARCEL B:

Parcel 1, as shown on that certain Parcel Map for City of Merced, filed for record in Book 82 of Parcel Maps, Pages 32 through 35, Merced County Records.

Certificate of Map Correction recorded November 4, 1997, as Document No. 36466 in Book 3652 at Page 809, Official Records.

Amended Certificate of Map Correction recorded November 18, 1997, as Document No. 38388 in Book 3657 at Page 591, Official Records.

APN NO. 059-420-037

 

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LEGAL DESCRIPTION

5075 Kimberly Way, Loudon, Tennessee 37774

LOCATED in the First Civil District of Loudon County, Tennessee, and being a tract in the Sugar Limb Industrial Park and being inure particularly described as follows:

TO LOCATE THE BEGINNING PONT, begin at a point located at the intersection of the center lines of Natalie Drive with Kimberly Way; thence S 59°21’18” E. 95 56 feet from said point to an existing iron rod in the North right-of-way line of Natalie Drive; thence with the right-of-way line of Natalie Drive S 76°07’07” E 200 00 feet to a new iron rod corner to remaining lands of Sugarlimb industrial Park; thence with Sugarlimb Industrial Park S 14°25’40” F 70 45 feet to a new iron pin in the North right-of-way line of Norfolk-Southern Railway; thence with Norfolk-Southern Railroad spur eastwardly, in a long curve to the left (R=657 45, A=292.43, CH=290.02 feet) on a bearing of S 79°58’38” W, with a delta angle of 25°29’05”), to a new iron rod in the East right-of-way line of Kimberly Way; thence southwardly with the right-of-way line of Kimberly Way the following calls and distances: a curve to the right (R =150, A=82.78, CH=81 73 feet, on a bearing N. 04°53’03” W and a delta angle 31 37’06”) to a new iron rod; N 11° 06’39” E 39.30 feet to a new iron rod; a curve to the right (R=60, A=97.15 C11=86.88 feet on a bearing N 57°29’46” E with a delta angle 92°46’14”) to the POINT OF BEGINNING, containing 0.72 acres, according to survey by C2RL, Inc. Engineers 3286 North Park Boulevard., Alcoa, Tennessee 37701.

BEGINNING at a set iron rod located N 01° 52’45” W 374.93 feet from the center line intersection of Natalie Drive with Kimberly Way; thence S 75°49’20” W 45.00 feet to an existing iron rod in the East property line of Malibu Boats; thence with Malibu Boats N 14° 10’40” W 170 78 feet to an existing iron rod; thence continuing with Malibu Boats on the same line N 14°10’40” w 395 00 feet to an existing iron rod; thence leaving the building in a severance line N 75°49’ 20” E 45.00 feet to an iron rod set within the original retained railroad right-of-way; thence in a severance line with the remainder of the right-of-way S 14° 10’40” E 565.78 feet to the point of BEGINNING, containing 05.58 acres, as surveyed by C2RL, Inc Engineers, by survey done by Terry B. Romans, IRIS #2116, dated December 9, 2004.

Located in the First Civil District of Loudon County, Tennessee, and being known as Lot 6 of the Sugar Limb Industrial Park as shown on survey by Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc, titled “Lots 6 and 7 of Sugar Limb Industrial Park” dated July 14, 1992, bearing File Number 13046-00, and signed by Gary C Clark, RLS, Tennessee license No 1329, and being more particularly described as follows:

BEING, a parcel of land located in the First Civil District of Loudon County, Tennessee and in the Sugar Limb industrial Park, and lying on the west side of Kimberly Way and being more particularly described as follows:

BEGINNING, at a set iron rod located on the westerly right-of-way of Kimberly Way; and being 80 feet west of and located at right-angles to the centerline of Kimberly Way; and being the common corner of Lots 6 and 7 of the Sugar Limb Industrial Park; and being further described as being north 17 deg. 55 mm 43 sec west 536 54 feet from the intersection of the centerlines of Kimberly Way and Natalie Boulevard; THENCE, south 70 deg. 52 min. 30 sec west, 309 26 feet along the common line of Lots 6 and 7 to a set iron rod; THENCE, north 4 deg 28 min. 19 sec west, 399.74 feet along the west line of Lot 6 to a set iron rod at the terminus of an access easement; THENCE, north 68 deg. 30 min. 34 sec east, 192 00 feet along the common line with said access easement to a set iron rod on the westerly light-of-way of Kimberly Way, said iron rod being 80 feet west of and measured at right-angles to the centerline of Kimberly Way;

 

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THENCE, south 21 deg, 29 nun 26 sec east, 395 00 feet along the westerly right-of-way of Kimberly Way to the point of Beginning Containing 97,721 square feet or 2.243 acres: and subject to a 20-foot wide utility easement west of, and adjacent to the westerly right-of-way of Kimberly Way; and subject to a TVA flowage easement along the westerly margin of the lot The bearings in this description are based on NAD 83 (90) Tennessee Grid, and are as shown on survey by Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc. titled “Lots 6 and 7 of Sugar Limb Industrial Park” dated July 14, 1992, bearing File Number 13046-00, and signed by Gary C. Clark RLS, Tennessee License Number 1329.

ALSO CONVEYED AND SUBJECT to a Grant of Temporary Grading and Access Easement to Malibu Boats in Sugar Limb Industrial Park of record in Book 303, Page 29, in the Register’s Office for Loundon County, Tennessee,

Being the same property conveyed to Malibu Boats West Inc by Warranty Deeds dated May 4, 2006 and recorded in Book D309, page 148, and dated November 1, 2005 and recorded in Book D303 page 25 and dated July 17, 1992 in Warranty Deed Book 199, page 732, in the Register’s Office for Loudon County, Tennessee,

Parcel 2

SITUATED in the First (1st) Civil District of Loudon County Tennessee, and being an Industrial lot lying within the “Sugarlimb Industrial Park, and being a portion of Parcel 11.05 of Tax Map 37 in the Loudon County Register’s Office, and being more particularly bounded and described as follows:

BEGINNING at a set iron rod located on the westerly right-of-way of Kimberly Way; and being 80 feet west of and Located at right angles of the centerline of Kimberly Way; and being the common corner of Lots 6 and 7 of the Sugarlimb Industrial Park; and being further described as being North 17°55’43” West, 536.54 feet from the intersection of the common line of Kimberly Way and Natalie Boulevard; thence, the following calls along the westerly right-of-way line of Kimberly Way, South 21’29’26” East, 170.78 feet to an iron rod set thence, 614.27 feet along a curve to the right having a radius of 548.69 feet and a chord bearing of South 10° 34’53” West, and a chord distance of 582.69 feet to an iron rod set thence, South 42°39’12’ West, 80.14 feet to an iron rod set, thence, 240 51 feet along a curve to the left, having a radius of 598.69 feet and a chord bearing South 31° 08’41” West, 238.89 feet to an iron rod set; thence, leaving said right-of-way line North 04° 28’19” West, and a chord distance of 896.50 feet to an iron rod set common corner to Lots 6 and 7; thence North 70°52’30” East 309.26 feet along the common line of Lots 6 and 7 to the point of BEGINNING. containing 248,982 square feet or 5716 acres, according to the survey dated July 14, 1992 of Gary C Clark, Tennessee No. 1329, Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Suite 2400, Plaza Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee 37929.

Also conveyed herewith is a Grant of Easement from the City of Loudon to Malibu Boats West, Inc., which consists of 2 TRACT and is more particularly described in Warranty Deed Book 230, Page 807 in the Register’s Office for Loudon County, Tennessee.

BEING part of that property conveyed to Malibu Boats West, Inc by County of Loudon and City of Loudon by deed dated January 9, 1997, and of record in Deed Book 230, Page 804, in the Loudon County Register’s Office.

 

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Terms and Conditions as set forth in Lease Agreement by and between Loudon County, Tennessee, City of Loudon, Tennessee and Malibu Boats West Incorporated, recorded in Book 826, Page 397, aforesaid records, as affected by Correction Agreement recorded in Book 839, Page 486, aforesaid records.

 

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CA and TN

File No. 6457/02-5000

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF

AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT — PRE-ARRANGED PAYMENTS

AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT

PRE-ARRANGED PAYMENTS

Reference Number                     

I (We) (Tenant) authorize Midland Loan Services, Inc., (Servicer) to initiate entries identified below as required. Tenant further authorizes the bank below to post such entries to the identified checking account beginning with the payment draft date of              /              /              /. A minimum of thirty (30) days advance notice is required to process first payment by ACH.

 

Bank Name  

 

  Branch  

 

 

City  

 

  State  

 

  Zip  

 

 

                                                                                                                           
***Transit - ABA   Account Number Information  

ACCOUNT TYPE*** Please specify checking or savings account (C/S)

PLEASE FILL IN BANK INFORMATION CAREFULLY

ATTACH VOIDED CHECK FOR. ACCOUNT VERIFICATION

Automatic debits will be made on the payment due date established by the relevant lease documents, or the next subsequent business day if such date is not a business day. This authority may be terminated upon thirty days prior written notification from the tenant to the servicer. Tenant has the right to stop payment of any entry by notification to the bank prior to the scheduled debit date. If an erroneous entry is initiated by the servicer to the tenant’s account, tenant shall have the right to have the amount of such entry reversed by the bank. To initiate a reversal, the tenant must notify the bank in writing that an error has occurred and request a reversal. Such notice must be within 15 calendar days after the tenant receives the statement of account or other written notice from the bank identifying the error. Tenant hereby authorizes the servicer to impose a $60.00 returned item processing fee, subject to change, via ACH debit against the above-referenced account of the tenant if a non sufficient funds or stop payment item is charged against the servicer’s account.

 

Tenant     Tax Identification  
Name(s)  

 

  Number  

 

 

Date  

 

   

 

Print Authorized Name  

 

 

Authorized Signature  

 

 

Print Authorized Name  

 

 

Authorized Signature  

 

 

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CA and TN

File No. 6457/02-5000

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Contact Phone Number  

 

  Fax Number  

 

 

Email Address:  

 

 

Return Original to:    Midland Loan Services, Inc.
   Attn: Portfolio Servicing
   PO Box 25965
   Shawnee Mission, KS 66225-5965
   Fax Number: (913) 253-9001

 

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File No. 6457/02-5000

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EXHIBIT D

STATE-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

The following provisions shall be deemed a part of the Lease to the extent any of the Properties are located in the applicable states:

CALIFORNIA

In addition to the remedies otherwise provided elsewhere in this Lease, Lessor shall have the following remedies upon an Event of Default:

A. Terminate Lessee’s right to possession of the Properties by any lawful means, in which case this Lease shall terminate and Lessee shall immediately surrender possession of the Properties to Lessor. In such event Lessor shall be entitled to recover from Lessee all damages incurred by Lessor by reason of Lessee’s default, including (i) the cost of recovering possession of the Properties, expenses of reletting, including necessary renovation and alteration of the Properties, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, and any real estate commissions actually paid; (ii) the worth at the time of award of the unpaid Rent that had been earned at the time of termination; (iii) the worth at the time award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent that would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that the Lessee proves could have been reasonably avoided; (iv) the worth at the time of award, by the court having jurisdiction thereof, of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the term after the time of such award exceeds the amount of such rental loss of the same period that Lessee proves could be reasonably avoided; (v) that portion of any leasing commission paid by Lessor applicable to the unexpired term of this Lease; and (vi) any other amount necessary to compensate Lessor for all the detriment proximately caused by Lessee’s failure to perform its obligations under the lease or which in the ordinary course of things would be likely to result therefrom. As used herein, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by allowing interest at the maximum rate permitted by law, but not higher than 13%. As used in herein, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco at the time of award plus one percent (1%).

B. Maintain Lessee’s right to possession in which case this Lease shall continue in full force and effect whether or not Lessee shall have abandoned the Properties. In such event, Lessor shall be entitled to enforce all of its rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover the Rent as it becomes due hereunder.

C. Exercise the remedy described in California Civil Code Section 1951.4 (lessor may continue Lease in effect after lessee’s breach and abandonment and recover Rent as it becomes due, if lessee has the right to sublet or assign, subject only to reasonable limitations).

 

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CA and TN

File No. 6457/02-5000

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EXHIBIT E

PHYSICAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

[Schedule to be provided]

Note: Maintenance, repairs and replacements must be completed in accordance with the Property

Condition Assessment Reports prepared by EMG dated January 28, 2008

 

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Immediate and Short Term Repairs Cost Estimate

 

Property Name:     One Malibu Court     Square Footage:   141,918  
Location:     Merced, California     Number Buildings:   3  
EMG Project Number:     86194.07R-001.042     Reserve Term/Years:   12  
        Building Age/Years:   10  

 

Sec

 

Component or System

 

Comments

  Quantity     Unit   Unit Cost     Immediate
Total $
    Short Term
Total $
 

5.2

 

Asphalt pavement. Overlay.

      3,500      SF   $ 0.50      $ 0      $ 1,750   
 

Immediate Repairs not required

           
             
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Conditions noted in the immediate and Short Term Repairs Cost Estimate are representative of the overall conditions of the property. There may be more detail on specific assessment components in the report text, therefore the immediate and Short Term Repairs Cost Estimate should not be used as a stand alone document.

 

 
 

Total Repair
Costs

  
  

  $ 0      $ 1,750   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 
 

Cost per Square
Foot

  
  

  $ 0.00      $ 0.01   

 

  Table 1    2/26/2008


Immediate and Short Term Repairs Cost Estimate

 

Property Name:     5075 Kimberly Way (Malibu Boats, LLC)   Square Footage:   143,760  
Location:     Loudon, Tennessee   Number Buildings:   1  
EMG Project Number:     86194.07R-002.042   Reserve Term/Years:   12  
        Building Age/Years:   16  

 

Sec

 

Component or System

 

Comments

  Quantity     Unit   Unit Cost     Immediate
Total $
    Short Term
Total $
 

3.2

 

ADA Accessibility

 

Itemized costs are provided in Section 3.2 of the report

    1      LS   $ 670.00      $ 0      $ 670   

5.2

 

Asphalt pavement, Full depth repair

 

Localized repairs required

    1,250      SF   $ 2.50      $ 0      $ 3,125   

6.3

 

Exhaust Pipe

 

Reconfigure exhaust pipe to extend past roofline

    1      LS   $ 1,500.00      $ 1,500      $ 0   
             
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Conditions noted in the immediate and Short Term Repairs Cost Estimate are representative of the overall conditions of the property. There may be more detail on specific assessment components in the report text, therefore the immediate and Short Term Repairs Cost Estimate should not be used as a stand alone document.

 

 
 

Total Repair
Costs

  
  

  $ 1,500      $ 3,795   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 
 

Cost per Square
Foot

  
  

  $ 0.01      $ 0.03   

 

  Table 1    3/4/2008


EXHIBIT F

PURCHASE OFFER MULTIPLE CHART

 

Lease Term Year

(Including Lease Extension Options)

   Purchase Price Multiple  

6

     1.100   

7

     1.122   

8

     1.144   

9

     1.167   

10

     1.191   

11

     1.214   

12

     1.239   

13

     1.264   

14

     1.289   

15

     1.315   

16

     1.341   

17

     1.368   

18

     1.395   

19

     1.423   

20

     1.451   

21

     1.480   

22

     1.510   

23

     1.540   

24

     1.571   

25

     1.602   

26

     1.635   

27

     1.667   

28

     1.701   

29

     1.735   

 

Table 1


30

     1.769   

31

     1.805   

32

     1.841   

33

     1.878   

34

     1.915   

35

     1.953   

36

     1.992   

37

     2.032   

38

     2.073   

39

     2.114   

40

     2.157   

41

     2.200   

42

     2.244   

43

     2.289   

44

     2.335   

45

     2.381   

46

     2.429   

47

     2.477   

48

     2.527   

49

     2.578   

50

     2.629   

 

Table 1

Exhibit 10.8

SUBLEASE

THIS SUBLEASE AGREEMENT (“ Sublease ”) is made and effective as of March 31, 2008 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between SPIRIT MASTER FUNDING IV, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Spirit ”), and MALIBU BOATS, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Malibu ”).

RECITALS

A. On March 31, 2008, Spirit and Malibu entered into a sale-leaseback transaction (the “ Sale-Leaseback ”) relating to that certain property located in Loudon, Tennessee as more particularly described in the Master Lease (defined herein) (the “ Master Lease Property ”). In connection therewith, Spirit, as landlord and Malibu, as tenant, entered into that certain Master Lease Agreement dated as of the Effective Date (the “ Master Lease ”). A copy of the Master Lease is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein.

B. Malibu, as successor in interest to Malibu West, Incorporated, a Tennessee corporation, as tenant, and the County of Loudon Tennessee and City of Loudon Tennessee (collectively, “ Loudon ”), collectively as landlord, entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated November 1, 2005 (“ Loudon Lease ”), whereby Loudon leased to Malibu certain property adjacent to the Master Lease Property, as more particularly described in the Loudon Lease (the “ Sublease Property ”). A copy of the Loudon Lease is attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein.

C. On February 20, 2008, Loudon consented to the assignment of the Loudon Lease from Malibu to Spirit. In connection with the Sale-Leaseback, Spirit desires to sublease the Sublease Property to Malibu and Malibu desires to sublease the Sublease Property from Spirit in accordance with the terms, covenants and conditions contained in this Sublease.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants and promises of the parties hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Spirit and Malibu agree as follows:

 

1. Sublease .

Upon and subject to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, Spirit hereby leases to Malibu, and Malibu hereby leases from Spirit, the Sublease Property.

 

2. Term .

The term of this Sublease, which shall be co-terminus with the Master Lease (as related to the Sublease Property) (“ Sublease Term ”), shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall terminate upon the earlier of the (i) expiration of the term of the Master Lease, or (ii) termination of the Master Lease for any reason.

 

1


3. Rent .

3.1 During the Sublease Term, Malibu shall be solely responsible for all Rent as defined under paragraph 2 of the Loudon Lease.

3.2 Each payment of Rent shall be payable in the manner set forth in the Loudon Lease.

3.3 In addition to Rent, Malibu agrees to pay all costs, expenses and obligations of every kind and nature whatsoever imposed on Spirit arising out of and in connection with the Loudon Lease as it relates to the Sublease Property. Malibu hereby acknowledges and agrees that Rent due hereunder shall be absolutely net, without deduction, set off or abatement.

 

4. Incorporation of Master Lease By Reference; Assumption .

4.1 Malibu acknowledges that it has read the Master Lease and is fully familiar with the terms and conditions thereof. All of the paragraphs of the Master Lease are incorporated into this Sublease as if fully set forth in this Sublease. Malibu shall assume and perform for the benefit of Spirit and Loudon all of Spirit’s obligations under the Loudon Lease arising on or after the Effective Date to the extent that such provisions are applicable to the Sublease Property.

4.2 This Sublease shall at all times during the Sublease Term remain subject and subordinate to the terms and conditions of the Master Lease and to all modifications, amendments and extensions of the Master Lease. If any provisions of this Sublease expressly conflict with any portion of the Master Lease as incorporated herein, the terms of the Master Lease shall govern.

4.3 If the Master Lease terminates, this Sublease shall terminate and the parties shall be relieved from all liabilities and obligations under this Sublease, except as specified in the Master Lease.

 

5. Acceptance of Sublease Property “As Is” .

The Sublease Property shall be delivered to Malibu in “As Is and With All Faults” condition and without any representations and warranties or promises with respect thereto made by Spirit, its agents, officers, directors or employees. The taking of possession of any portion of the Sublease Property by Malibu shall be conclusive evidence that Malibu accepts the same “As Is and With All Faults” and that the Sublease Property are suited for the use intended by Malibu and are in good and satisfactory condition at the time such possession was taken.

 

6. Defaults and Remedies .

6.1 Upon any default by Malibu under this Sublease or failure by Malibu to perform the obligations of Spirit under the Loudon Lease which results in a default by Spirit under the Loudon Lease, Spirit shall have all rights and remedies available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, the rights and remedies available to Spirit as described in the Master Lease.

 

2


6.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a non-monetary default by Malibu under this Sublease or failure by Malibu to perform the obligations of Spirit under the Loudon Lease which results in a non-monetary default by Spirit under the Loudon Lease, Malibu shall have the same notice and cure rights provided for in the Master Lease.

 

7. Malibu’s Insurance .

7.1 Malibu, at its sole cost and expense, shall maintain or cause to be maintained from and after the Effective Date and throughout the Sublease Term, the insurance required to be carried by Spirit under the Loudon Lease with respect to the Sublease Property and shall comply with all requirements for insurance set forth in the Loudon Lease.

7.2 Malibu hereby waives on behalf of itself and on behalf of its insurers any and all rights of recovery against Spirit and the officers, employees, agents and representatives of Spirit on account of loss or damage occasioned to Malibu or on the Subleased Property caused by fire or any of the extended coverage risks described in the Loudon Lease to the extent that such loss or damage is insured under any insurance policy in force at the time of such loss or damage or required to be carried hereunder; provided, however, such waiver does not cover any loss or damage arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Spirit or the officers, employees, agents and representatives of Spirit. If necessary for its effectiveness, Malibu shall give notice to its insurance carrier of the foregoing waiver of subrogation.

 

8. Time .

Time is of the essence of this Sublease.

 

9. Notices .

All notices required under this Sublease shall be given pursuant to the notice provisions provided for in the Master Lease.

 

10. General Provisions .

10.1 Entire Agreement . This Sublease contains all of the agreements of the parties, and there are no verbal or other agreements which modify or affect this Sublease. This Sublease supersedes any and all prior agreements made or executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto regarding the Sublease Property and sets forth obligations concerning the Sublease Property.

10.2 Headings . The titles to sections of this Sublease are not a part of this Sublease and shall have no effect upon the construction or interpretation of any part hereof.

10.3 Successors and Assigns . All of the covenants, agreements, terms and conditions contained in this Sublease shall inure to and be binding upon Spirit and Malibu and their respective successors and assigns.

10.4 Severability . Any provision of this Sublease which shall prove to be invalid, void or illegal shall in no way affect, impair or invalidate any other provision hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

 

3


10.5 Force Majeure . Except as may be otherwise specifically provided herein, time periods for either party’s performance under any provisions of this Sublease not involving the payment of money or rent shall be extended for periods of time during which said party’s performance is prevented due to circumstances beyond the party’s control, including, without limitation, strikes, embargoes, governmental regulations, acts of God, war or other strife.

10.6 Applicable Laws . This Sublease shall be governed by and construed pursuant to the laws of the state provided in the Master Lease.

10.7 Survival of Obligations . All provisions of this Sublease which require the payment of money or the delivery of property after the termination of this Sublease or require Malibu to indemnify, defend or hold Spirit harmless shall survive the termination of this Sublease.

10.8 Appendices and Riders . The following appendices and riders are attached hereto and by this reference made a part of this Sublease:

 

EXHIBIT A    Master Lease
EXHIBIT B    Loudon Lease

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank: signature page(s) to follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Sublease effective as of the date first written above.

 

SPIRIT
SPIRIT MASTER FUNDING, IV, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company.
By:  

/s/ Gregg A. Seibert

Name:   Gregg A. Seibert
Title:   Senior Vice President
MALIBU:
MALIBU BOATS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Joe Bedeur

Name:   Joe Bedeur
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT A

MASTER LEASE

 

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EXHIBIT B

LOUDON LEASE

 

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THIS INSTRUMENT PREPARED BY:

  

Harvey L. Sproul, Attorney

205 East Broadway

Lenoir City, Tennessee 37771

Phone: (865) 986-8054

LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS INDENTURE of lease made and entered into this 1st day of November, 2005, by and between LOUDON COUNTY, TENNESSEE , a political subdivision of the State of Tennessee, and the CITY OF LOUDON, TENNESSEE , a municipal subdivision of the State of Tennessee, Parties of the First Part (hereinafter referred to as LESSORS ), and MALIBU BOATS WEST, INCORPORATED , a Tennessee corporation, with its principal office and place of business in Loudon, Tennessee, Party of the Second Part (hereinafter referred to as LESSEE) ;

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS , Lessee hereto does hereby lease real property described as follows:

LOCATED in the First Civil District of Loudon County in the Sugarlimb Industrial Park adjacent to the present premises owned by Malibu Boats, and being more particularly described as follows:

Areas #2 and #3 as shown on a survey entitled “New Mold & Dry Storage Facility” (Malibu Boats), prepared by C2RL, Inc. Engineers dated July 12, 2004 (Job No. 5202), as prepared by Christopher J. Soro, TRLS #17672, a copy of which map is attached to this lease agreement as Exhibit 1 , and incorporated within this agreement. Also included herein is Area #1, but conditioned, however, as provided herein.

WHEREAS , Lessee is in great need of expansion, and the area in which it may expand is limited, with Lessors desiring to accommodate Lessee to the extent possible, but being limited by a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) flowage easement and archaeological resources related to the site; and

WHEREAS , a Warranty Deed, Lease, and Easement Agreement providing for the expansion, and related documents, are being executed contemporaneously, accomplishing arrangements and setting forth the terms and conditions of the overall agreement; and

 

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WHEREAS , on the aforementioned survey, there are areas indicated as Area #2, Area #3, Area #4 (already under a separate agreement), and Area #1, provisions and conditions for which are included in this lease agreement; and

WHEREAS , Area #2 is an area over which Lessee, by previous arrangements has taken possession and control, and has paved and fenced it, with it being subject to and a part of the TVA Flowage Easement (the said Area #2 being south of and contiguous with what is designated as Area #4, and being fenced and located on an elevated area down behind Lessee’s real property (the said Area #4 being a recently paved driveway being further described as connecting from Kimberly Way westwardly to the boat launching ramp on the Tennessee River, which driveway is for the purpose of launching boats for testing purposes, etc.; and

WHEREAS , Area #2 also is a paved strip connecting to the Area #4 paved driveway, said Area #2 has an approximate 100 foot “mouth” at its connection to the Area #4 driveway, with the entrance driveway “narrowing” from the mouth and averaging 75-100 feet in depth, and with the Area #4 itself being a strip of “storage” area with a general average width of approximately 175 feet and extending in a generally southerly direction (slight dogleg left) approximately 545 feet to the terminus of the “cul-de-sac”; and

WHEREAS , Area #3 is a rectangular parcel presently in a vegetative state, contiguous (to Area #2) in the flood zone bordering on Watts Bar lake, which joins with and is contiguous with Area #2, the said Area #3 extending contiguous to the west boundary of Area #2 an average of approximately 305 feet deep along the Tennessee River, and being an average of approximately 160 feet wide; and

WHEREAS , Areas #2 and #3 comprise the “premises” for this lease; and

 

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WHEREAS , Area #1 is an area planned to be a recreational soccer field for the City of Loudon, located between the access easement (Area #4) on the south and the property of Kimberly-Clark on the north, the said area having dimensions of approximately 380 feet in length and approximately 230 feet in width.

NOW, THEREFORE , the parties agree as follows:

1. Duration : The term and duration of this lease shall be for a time period commencing on the 1 st day of November, 2005, and continuing for a period of fifteen (15) years, with automatic one (1) year renewals thereafter, unless sooner terminated, in accordance with the lease. Either party may give notice of termination of the lease for any reason one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the end of any term.

2. Rent : The Lessee shall pay and the Lessors shall accept for rental of the Premises the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), payable annually, in advance. Rental payment shall be waived during the duration of the lease upon completion of activities relating to the construction of a soccer field and improvements noted in item #3 below by Lessee.

3. Use : Lessee agrees that Areas #1 and #2, which are subject to the TVA flowage easement, shall be used for the open storage of company products. Lessee is strictly prohibited from locating permanent or temporary structures on the property, and is further prohibited from grading or disturbing the terrain other than for general maintenance purposes, unless previously approved by Lessors and TVA.

Area #1 is planned as a soccer field which will continue to be owned by Lessors, but which is to be constructed by Lessee in accordance with the plans and specifications shown on Exhibit 1 herein, which shall include a concessions building, including bathrooms and storage areas (again, which are included on the aforesaid plans for Area #1). The use of the property for

 

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a soccer field is conditioned and subject to agreement being obtained from the Tennessee Valley Authority . If approved by TVA, the field is to be constructed by Lessee within one (1) year from the time of notice from Lessors that TVA approval has been rendered, with the entire project to be completed within three (3) years, in phases by Lessee as necessary.

In this regard, a Phase 1 archaeological study is to be prepared by Lessors, and if a decision is made by TVA that a Phase II study is required, then Lessors, at their option, may abandon this project as being too expensive. If Lessors fail to obtain authorization to construct said recreational facility, Lessors’ responsibility under this Lease pertaining to construction of the soccer field is terminated. However, if final approval is obtained from TVA, then upon notice to Lessee, construction is to be started within a reasonable time, and primary construction of the field is to be completed within one (1) year.

4. Condition : Lessee acknowledges that it has fully inspected said premises prior to the execution of this lease and accepts same in their present state of repair and condition.

5. Maintenance and Repairs : All maintenance and repairs needed in or on the premises during the term of this lease or the renewal term shall be the obligation of the Lessee.

6. Assignment or Subletting : Lessee will not assign this lease or sublet the premises, in whole or in part, without first obtaining the written consent of Lessors, and providing further, in the event of assignment or subletting, Lessee shall not thereby be relieved of its obligations as contained herein.

7. Taxes, Maintenance, Repair and Replacements : Lessee, at no expense to Lessors, will keep the premises in good order and condition and shall promptly make all necessary and appropriate repairs and replacements, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen. Lessee will not do or permit any act or thing which might materially impair the condition of the

 

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premises or any part thereof, or commit or permit any waste on the premises or any part thereof. Lessee shall also pay and be responsible for all charges and assessments and any other governmental public utility charges that may or could be assessed or charged against the premises during the term of this lease. Lessee hereby assumes the full and sole responsibility for the condition, operation, repair, maintenance, renovation, and management of the premises. This paragraph is subject to any contrary provisions that may be contained in this agreement.

8. Insurance : Lessee shall, at its own cost and expense, maintain throughout the term of this lease, public liability insurance covering the premises, with limits of liability not less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) for one person and One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for two or more persons in any one accident or occurrence for bodily injury or death and not less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) for property damage. Property insurance policies shall include the Lessors as loss payees with the Lessee as their interests may appear, and the liability policy shall include the Lessors as additional insureds with the Lessee. Lessee shall promptly furnish to Lessors duplicate originals of all such insurance policies maintained on a current basis during the term of the lease.

9. Indemnification : Lessee covenants and agrees with the Lessors that during the entire term of this Lease, the Lessee will indemnify and save harmless the Lessors against any and all claims, debts, demands or obligations which may be made against it, or against its title in the premises, notwithstanding that joint or concurrent liability may be imposed upon it by statute, ordinance or any governmental enactment of authority, arising by reason of the use of the premises, (notwithstanding that joint or concurrent liability may be imposed upon it by statute, ordinance or any governmental enactment of authority, arising by reason of the use of the premises) with the Lessee’s permission, including the Lessee’s employees, invitees, licensees,

 

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agents and customers, occurring in or in connection with the premises; and if it becomes necessary for the Lessors to defend any action seeking to impose such liability, the Lessee will pay all costs of court and attorney’s fees reasonably incurred by Lessors in effecting such defense, in addition to any other sums which Lessors may be called upon to pay by reason of the entry of a judgment against the Lessors in the litigation in which such claim is asserted. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Lessee to incur any debt or obligations binding on the Lessors or Lessors’ title or estate to the premises.

10. Default : If the rent payable to Lessors herein, or any part thereof, shall at any time be in arrears or unpaid for more than thirty (30) days, or if the Lessee shall fail to keep and perform any of the covenants, agreements or conditions of this lease on the part of Lessee to be kept and performed, and shall fail to promptly begin and expeditiously proceed to correct such failure for thirty (30) days after notice of such default has been given to Lessee by Lessors in writing, it shall be lawful for Lessors to again enter the premises and have, repossess and enjoy the same as if this lease had not been made, and thereupon all rights of Lessee under this lease shall cease and be void, without prejudice, however, to the right of Lessors to recover from Lessee all rent and/or damage occasioned and due up to the time of such repossession and thereafter during the remainder of the term of this lease. Lessors shall have the option but not the obligation to relet the premises.

11. Covenants of Lessors : Lessors represent and covenant that they have the full right and authority to execute this lease for the term thereof and upon the conditions herein stated, and that for so long as Lessee keeps and performs all of its obligations to be performed, it shall have quiet, peaceful, undisturbed and continuous possession of the premises for the term of this lease. This covenant of Lessors shall not extend to any interruption of Lessee’s possession

 

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or use occasioned by the failure of Lessee to comply with the provisions of any law, ordinance, regulation or regulations of any governmental authority or authorities having jurisdiction over the premises or Lessee’s use thereof.

12. Right of Entry : Lessors or their duly authorized representatives shall have the right to enter upon the premises at all reasonable times to examine the condition and use thereof, provided that such right shall be exercised so as not to interfere with the Lessee and the conduct of the Lessee’s business on the premises.

13. Amendments : This lease may not be amended, modified, altered or changed in any respect whatsoever, except by a further agreement in writing duly executed by the parties hereto.

14. Entire Agreement : This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the practice and the same may not be amended or modified orally. All understandings and agreements heretofore had between the parties are merged in this Agreement which alone fully and completely expresses their understandings, provided that, should any single provision or provisions of the agreement be declared invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be impaired.

15. Bankruptcy : It is agreed and understood that an adjudication by a Court of Bankruptcy that Lessee is bankruptcy or an adjudication by a Court of Equity that Lessee is insolvent, resulting in the appointment of a permanent receiver for Lessee’s business, shall be deemed a breach of this lease, and thereupon Ipso facto and without entry or other action by Lessors, this lease shall become and be terminated and notwithstanding any other provisions of this lease, Lessors shall forthwith upon such termination be entitled to recover damages for such breach in an amount equal to the amount of rent reserved under this Lease for the residue of said term.

 

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16. After Expiration of Lease : Should Lessee continue to occupy said premises after the expiration of the term or renewal term of this lease, such tenancy shall be at the will and pleasure of Lessors only and not a tenancy from term to term or from year to year.

17. Notices : Whenever either party desires to give notice to the other, including change of address, it shall be considered as legally given if sent by registered or certified mail in the case of Lessors to:

Loudon County,

100 River Road, Box 109

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

City of Loudon

P.O. Box 189

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

and in the case of Lessee to:

Malibu Boats West, Incorporated

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

subject to change by the respective parties upon written notice as herein specified.

The terms, provisions, limitations and restrictions herein contained shall be binding not only upon Lessors and Lessee, but upon their respective successors and assigns, if any.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this lease on the day and year first above written.

 

LOUDON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
By:  

/s/ George M. Miller

Title:   County Mayor
CITY OF LOUDON
By:  

/s/ Bernie R. Swiney

Title:   Mayor
MALIBU BOATS WEST, INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ John Sisson

Title:   Vice-President

 

STATE OF TENNESSEE   )
COUNTY OF LOUDON   )

Before me, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid personally appeared GEORGE M. MILLER , with whom I am personally acquainted, and who, upon oath, acknowledged himself to be the County Mayor of Loudon County, Tennessee, the within named bargainor, a political subdivision of the State of Tennessee, and that he as such County Mayor being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purpose therein contained, by signing the name of the political subdivision by himself as County Mayor.

Witness my hand and seal, at offices in Loudon, Tennessee, this 4 th day of November, 2005.

 

/s/ Harvey L. Sproul

     Notary Public

My commission expires: 8/6/08

 

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STATE OF TENNESSEE   )
COUNTY OF LOUDON   )

Before me, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid personally appeared BERNIE R. SWINEY , with whom I am personally acquainted, and who, upon oath, acknowledged himself to be the Mayor of the City of Loudon, Tennessee, the within named bargainor, a municipal corporation of the State of Tennessee, and that he as such Mayor being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purpose therein contained, by signing the name of the municipal corporation by himself as Mayor.

Witness my hand and seal, at offices in Loudon, Tennessee, this 4 th day of November, 2005.

 

/s/ Harvey L. Sproul

     Notary Public

My commission expires: 8/6/08

 

STATE OF TENNESSEE   )
COUNTY OF LOUDON   )

Before me, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid personally appeared JOHN SISSON , with whom I am personally acquainted, and who, upon oath, acknowledged himself to be the Vice-President of MALIBU BOATS WEST, INCORPORATED, the within named bargainor, a corporation, and that he as such Vice-President being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purpose herein contained, by signing the name of the corporation by himself as Vice-President.

Witness my hand and seal, at offices in Loudon, Tennessee, this 4 th day of November, 2005.

 

/s/ Harvey L. Sproul

     Notary Public

My commission expires: 8/6/08

 

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LOGO

 

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THIS INSTRUMENT PREPARED BY:

  

Harvey L. Sproul, Attorney

205 East Broadway

Lenoir City, Tennessee 37771

Phone: (865) 985-8054

CORRECTION AGREEMENT

THIS CORRECTION AGREEMENT , made and entered into this      day of             , 2006, by and between LOUDON COUNTY, TENNESSEE , a political subdivision of the State of Tennessee, and the CITY OF LOUDON, TENNESSEE , a municipal subdivision of the State of Tennessee, Parties of the First Part (hereinafter referred to as LESSORS), and MALIBU BOATS WEST, INCORPORATED , a Tennessee corporation, with its principal office and place of business in Loudon, Tennessee, Party of the Second Part (hereinafter referred to as LESSEE );

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS , the parties entered into a series of transactions, including a Warranty Deed, Lease Agreement, and Easement Agreement on November 1, 2005; and

WHEREAS , one of the documents was a Lease Agreement, which was recorded in the Register’s Office of Loudon County, Tennessee, in Trust Book 826, page 397; and

WHEREAS , in the first line of paragraph Three on Page Three there is a reference to two of the described areas which shall be used for the open storage of company products, one of which was an inadvertent error, and the two areas which should have been described are Areas #2 and #3; and

WHEREAS , the parties desire to correct the document.

NOW, THEREFORE , the parties agree as follows:

The first sentence of Paragraph Three on Page Three in the Lease Agreement recorded in the Register’s Office of Loudon County, Tennessee, in Trust book 826, Page 397, shall be changed to read as follows:

Use : “Lessee agrees that Areas #2 and #3, which are subject to the TVA flowage easement, shall be used for the open storage of company products.”

EXCEPT AS CORRECTED HEREIN , the remainder of the Lease Agreement dated November 1, 2005 remains in full force and effect.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Correction Agreement on the day and date first above written.

 

LOUDON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
By:  

/s/ George M. Miller

Title:   County Mayor
CITY OF LOUDON
By:  

/s/ Bernie R. Swiney

Title:   Mayor
MALIBU BOATS WEST, INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ John Sisson

Title:   Vice-President

 

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STATE OF TENNESSEE   )
COUNTY OF LOUDON   )

Before me, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid personally appeared GEORGE M. MILLER , with whom I am personally acquainted, and who, upon oath, acknowledged himself to be the County Mayor of Loudon County, Tennessee, the within named bargainor, a politican subdivision of the State of Tennessee, and that he as such County Mayor being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purpose herein contained, by signing the name of the political subdivision by himself as County Mayor.

Witness my hand and seal, at office in Lenoir City, Tennessee, this 30th day of January, 2006.

 

/s/ Harvey L. Sproul

     Notary Public

My commission expires: 4-8-08

 

STATE OF TENNESSEE   )
COUNTY OF LOUDON   )

Before me, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid personally appeared BERNIE R. SWINEY , with whom I am personally acquainted, and who, upon oath, acknowledged himself to be the Mayor of the City of Loudon, Tennessee, the within named bargainor, a municipal corporation of the State of Tennessee, and that he as such Mayor being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purpose therein contained, by signing the name of the municipal corporation by himself as Mayor.

Witness my hand and seal, at office in Lenoir City, Tennessee, this 30th day of January, 2006.

 

/s/ Harvey L. Sproul

     Notary Public

My commission expires: 4-8-08

 

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STATE OF TENNESSEE   )
COUNTY OF LOUDON   )

Before me, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid personally appeared JOHN SISSON , with whom I am personally acquainted, and who, upon oath, acknowledged himself to be the Vice-President of MALIBU BOATS WEST, INCORPORATED, the within named bargainor, a corporation, and that he as such Vice-President being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purpose therein contained, by signing the name of the corporation by himself as Vice-President.

Witness my hand and seal, at office in Loudon, Tennessee, this 26 th day of January, 2006.

 

/s/ Jessica H. Garner

     Notary Public

My commission expires: Aug. 7, 2007

 

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Exhibit 10.12

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of            , 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Ritchie Anderson, an individual (“ Executive ”).

RECITALS:

A. The Company desires that Executive be employed by the Company to carry out the duties and responsibilities described below, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

B. Executive desires to accept such employment on such terms and conditions.

C. This Agreement shall govern the employment relationship between Executive and the Company from and after the Effective Date, and supersedes and negates all previous negotiations and agreements with respect to such relationship.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above recitals incorporated herein and the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby expressly acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT . The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive as Chief Operating Officer according to the terms and conditions set forth herein, effective as of the Effective Date. Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”). Executive shall perform such officer level duties and have such officer level authority and responsibility as is usual and customary for such position, plus any additional officer level duties as may reasonably be assigned from time to time by the CEO, including but not limited to providing services as an officer or director to one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates (and the compensation for such services shall be covered exclusively by Sections 3 through 5 of this Agreement). Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to devote Executive’s full business time, energy and best efforts to the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Company. Executive shall be subject to and comply with the Company’s policies, procedures and approval practices, as generally in effect from time-to-time.

2. EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP . The “ Period of Employment ” under this Agreement shall be the period that Executive remains employed by the Company. Subject to the terms of Section 5 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed on an at-will basis and Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated by Executive or the Company at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without advance notice.

3. COMPENSATION .

a. Base Salary . During the Period of Employment, the Company agrees to pay Executive a base salary of Two Hundred Thousand dollars ($ 200,000.00) per annum, less standard deductions and authorized withholdings (the “ Salary ”). The Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices.

 

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b. Bonus . During the Period of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to earn an annual performance-based bonus (“ Annual Bonus ”) as follows:

(1) In addition to Salary, during each fiscal year of the Period of Employment, Executive will be eligible to earn a target annual cash bonus of 40% of Salary, if and only if Executive, the Company and its subsidiaries achieve the performance criteria specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee (if there is one) for such year, as determined by the Board or such Compensation Committee (if there is one) in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise agreed to by Executive, any such bonus amount for any year shall be earned (if awarded) on the last day of such year and paid by the Company no later than the earlier of (x) the date that is ten (10) business days after the Company’s receipt of its audited financial statements for the calendar year with respect to which such bonus has been earned and (y) December 31 of the calendar year following such year with respect to which such bonus has been earned.

(2) To earn any Annual Bonus, Executive must be continuously and actively employed through the end of the applicable fiscal year and the date that bonuses are normally paid to the Company’s executives; provided, however, if Executive is actively and continuously employed through the applicable fiscal year, but is terminated without Cause or terminates employment for Good Reason prior to the date that bonuses are normally paid to the Company’s executives, Executive shall be deemed to have earned such Annual Bonus. Each Annual Bonus earned by Executive, if any, will be due and payable no later than 75 days following the end of the applicable fiscal year. Any Annual Bonus paid to Executive shall be subject to applicable deductions and withholdings.

4. BENEFITS .

a. Benefits . In addition to (but without duplication of) Salary and any bonuses payable to Executive pursuant to Section 3, Executive shall be entitled to participate at his sole discretion in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company are generally eligible, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of such plans and benefits.

b. Vacation . Executive will be entitled to accrue vacation time, in an amount and subject to accrual limits, in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices for senior executives of the Company. Executive shall schedule and take vacation at the mutual convenience of the Executive and the Company.

c. Automobile . During the Period of Employment, the Company shall, at its option, either provide Executive with a monthly automobile allowance or, at its cost, shall provide Executive a car that will be owned by the Company. Such allowance or car shall be of the same amount and or quality consistent with Company practices and made available to other executives or managers of the Company. Insurance will be maintained and paid by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for the cost of all maintenance and fuel costs associated with Executive’s use of the automobile. Executive may use such automotive vehicle for business and personal purposes.

d. Boat . During the Period of Employment, the Company at its cost shall provide Executive a boat of a quality consistent with the Company’s practices and made available to other executives of the Company (of a kind and cost to be approved by the Board) that will be owned by the Company. Insurance will be maintained and paid by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for the cost of all maintenance

 

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costs associated with Executive’s use of the boat. Executive will be responsible for all fuel costs associated with Executive’s use of the boat. Executive may use such boat for business and personal purposes.

e. Business Expenses . During the Period of Employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive in the calendar year in which they are incurred for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

5. TERMINATION . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Executive’s employment may be terminated as follows:

a. Death . Upon the death of Executive, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except amounts due as Salary, any unpaid Annual Bonus earned pursuant to Section 3(b) and accrued but unused vacation earned at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, and reimbursement for any documented expenses incurred prior to Executive’s termination of employment in accordance with Section 5 hereof (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”).

b. Disability . In the event that the Board reasonably determines in good faith that Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his employment with the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue hardship on the Company, for more than ninety (90) days in any rolling one-year period (“ Disability ”), unless a longer period is required by applicable federal or state law, in which case that longer period would apply, the Board shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment, and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations. Executive expressly agrees that the Company shall have the right to permanently replace Executive in the event he is terminated due to a Disability.

c. Termination for Cause . The Board may terminate Executive’s employment at any time immediately upon written notice to Executive for Cause.

(1) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean any of the following occurring during Executive’s employment hereunder: (a) a knowing, intentional or reckless act or omission that constitutes theft, forgery, fraud, material dishonesty, misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty, or embezzlement by Executive against the Company or any of its parent, subsidiary or affiliated entities; (b) Executive’s conviction, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere , of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude; (c) Executive knowingly or intentionally causing the Company’s financial statements to fail to materially comply with generally accepted accounting principles Executive’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of any illegal drug or narcotic while on Company premises or while performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder; (d) Executive’s willful refusal to comply with the lawful requests made of Executive by the Board, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within five (5) days after Executive receives written notice

 

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from the Board detailing Executive’s willful refusal; (e) gross negligence of Executive in the performance of his job duties, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s gross negligence; (f) a material violation by Executive of one or more Company policies, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s violation(s) of Company policy; and/or (g) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s breach of this Agreement and/or any other agreement with the Company.

(2) In the event that the Board terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations.

d. Termination Without Cause .

(1) By Executive . Except as set forth in this Agreement, Executive may voluntarily resign from his employment with the Company at any time, and for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, after giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company. In the event of a voluntary resignation, the Company may elect at its sole discretion to make the resignation of employment effective at any time prior to the expiration of the 30-day notice period and, upon the effective date of such resignation, the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations.

(2) By Company . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Board (at its sole discretion) shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment at any time, for any reason or no reason, immediately upon written notice to Executive. If the Board terminates Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 5(d)(2) without Cause, the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations. In addition, if the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause, subject to Executive signing (and not revoking) a complete and general release of any and all claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates in a form and substance satisfactory to the Company (the “ Release ”) within twenty-one (21) days (or such longer period as may be required by applicable law to obtain a complete and general release of claims) (the “ Release Execution Deadline ”) after the Company provides the form of Release to you, upon a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, Executive shall continue to receive his Base Salary through the end of the applicable Severance Period (as defined below) (the “ Severance Payments ”) in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll policies then in effect. Such Release shall be in substantially the same form as attached as Exhibit A hereto, which shall be subject to necessary changes to comply with changes in applicable law to obtain a valid and complete general release of claims. Executive’s right to receive and retain any of the Severance Payments is contingent upon Executive’s compliance with his continuing obligations to the Company under the terms of this Agreement and the Release. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Severance Period ” shall mean either (i) a period of

 

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twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive is terminated without Cause after the one year anniversary of the Effective Date and not subject to Section 5(d)(2)(ii)(A) below, or (ii) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive is terminated without Cause either (A) at any time within six (6) months after a Change in Control (as defined below) or (B) at any time on or before the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date.

e. Termination for Good Reason . Executive may terminate employment for Good Reason (as defined below) and upon execution and delivery by Executive of the Release within the Release Execution Deadline, so long as Executive complies with Executive’s obligations under this Agreement and the Release, Executive will be entitled to receive Severance Payments through the applicable Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, resigning with “ Good Reason ” means Executive’s resignation from employment after the occurrence of any of the following (without Executive’s prior written consent): (i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate compensation provided to Executive unless such reduction is concurrently made to all of the Company’s senior management, or (iii) a material breach of any other material term of this Agreement; provided, however, that any such condition shall not constitute “Good Reason” unless Executive provides written notice to the Company of the condition claimed to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such condition and, thereafter, the Board fails to cure such “Good Reason” within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such written notice from Executive, and within ten (10) days thereafter, Executive terminates his employment for “Good Reason.” For purposes of this Section (5)(e), the term “Severance Period” shall mean either (x) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason after the one year anniversary of the Effective Date and not subject to Section 5(e)(y)(A) below, or (y) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if terminates employment for Good Reason either (A) at any time within six (6) months after a Change in Control (as defined below) or (B) at any time on or before the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date.

f. Change in Control . A “Change of Control” of the Company will be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following:

(1) any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity (each, a “ Person ”) or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions thereto (excluding a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) is or becomes a Beneficial Owner of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company then outstanding voting securities (excluding any Person or any group of Persons who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock, is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities); or

(2) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Company then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to an election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the

 

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Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (b); or

(3) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Company then serving: individuals who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to an election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (b); or

(4) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (x) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (y) all of the Persons who were the respective Beneficial Owners of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation; or

(5) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

A “ Beneficial Owner ” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (b) and clause (c) above, a “ Change of Control ” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the

 

6


consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions. For the avoidance of doubt, the consummation of an initial public offering of common stock of the Company and related transactions shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control.

6. NONSOLICITATION/NONDISPARAGEMENT . During the Period of Employment and for a period thereafter of three (3) years, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly:

a. solicit, induce or encourage any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to terminate their employment with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries;

b. make any defamatory public statement concerning the financial performance, products, services, the Board or management personnel of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or Executive’s employment. Nothing in this Section 6(b) shall prohibit Executive from providing truthful testimony in any legal, administrative or regulatory proceeding and Executive may at all times respond truthfully to a lawfully-issued subpoena, court order or governmental inquiry or as otherwise may be required by law, provided, however, that upon receiving such lawfully-issued subpoena or court order, Executive shall promptly provide, if allowed by applicable law or regulation, reasonable written notice to Company and cooperate with the Company to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of any proprietary or trade secret information of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, and the privacy rights of any employee or director; or

c. use or disclose the Company’s confidential or proprietary information to induce, attempt to induce or knowingly encourage any Customer of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to divert any business or income from the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or to stop or alter the manner in which they are then doing business with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. The term “ Customer ” shall mean any individual or business firm that is, or within the prior eighteen (18) months was, a customer or client of the Company, whether or not such business was actively solicited by Executive on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries during Executive’s employment.

7. NONCOMPETITION . In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to Executive hereunder, Executive acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the Company he has and shall become familiar with the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ trade secrets and with other Confidential Information (as defined below) concerning the Company and its subsidiaries and that his services have been and shall be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its subsidiaries, and, therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Period of Employment and for a period thereafter of one (1) year, he shall not directly or indirectly, for himself or another person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, as an owner, partner, participant of a joint venture, trustee, proprietor, stockholder, member, manager, director, officer, employee, independent contractor, capital investor, lender, consultant, advisor or otherwise, or by lending or allowing his name or reputation to be used in connection with, or otherwise participating in or allowing his skill, knowledge or experience to be used in connection with, or operate, develop or own any interest in (other than the ownership of less than five

 

7


percent (5%) of the equity securities of a publicly-traded company), or be employed by or consult with, any business or entity that competes with the business of the Company (the “Covered Business”), without prior approval of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a Covered Business shall include, but not be limited to, the design, manufacture, or marketing of any type of boat or watercraft, or components thereof, regardless of physical location of such business activity.

8. INVENTIONS ASSIGNMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION .

a. Inventions . The Company shall own all right, title, and interest to all ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, processes, methods, inventions, discoveries, developments, innovations, and improvements developed or created by Executive, either solely or jointly with others, during the term of Executive’s employment that: (i) are reasonably related to the Company’s business; (ii) involve the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development; (iii) result from any work performed by Executive for the Company; or (iv) incorporate any of the Confidential Information (as defined below) (collectively, “ Inventions ”). Executive shall immediately and confidentially communicate a description of any Inventions to the Company and to no other party at any time, and if the Company so desires, Executive shall execute all documents and instruments and do all things as may be requested by the Company in order to forever vest all right, title and interest in such Inventions solely in the Company and to obtain such letters of patent, copyrights, registrations or other protections as the Company may, from time to time, desire. In addition, Executive hereby assigns to the Company all right, title and interest of Executive in and to any present Inventions made, devised, created, invented or discovered, in whole or in part, by Executive.

b. Confidential Information . During the term of this Agreement and at all times thereafter, Executive shall hold inviolate and keep secret all non-public documents, materials, knowledge or other confidential business or technical information of any nature whatsoever that the Company has maintained as confidential and that has been disclosed to or developed by him or to which he had access as a result of his employment with the Company (hereinafter referred to as “ Confidential Information ”). Such Confidential Information shall include non-public technical and business information, including, but not limited to, inventions, research and development, engineering, products, designs, manufacture, methods, systems, improvements, trade secrets, formulas, processes, marketing, merchandising, selling, licensing, servicing, pricing, investors, personnel information (including skills, compensation, experience and performance), customer lists and preferences, records, financial information, manuals and/or business plans and strategies. Executive agrees that all Confidential Information shall remain the sole and absolute property of the Company, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall not use, disclose, disseminate, publish, reproduce or otherwise make available such Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, except for the purpose of performing services on behalf of the Company. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall (i) not use, disclose, disseminate, publish, reproduce or otherwise make available such Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means; (ii) return to the Company all property that belongs to or is owned by the Company (including any computer, cell phone, personal digital assistant, keys, security cards, etc.); and (iii) return to the Company all documents, records, compositions, articles,

 

8


devices, equipment, electronic storage devices and other items that disclose or embody Confidential Information, including all copies or specimens thereof (including electronic copies), whether prepared by him or by others, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means.

9. ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . Executive acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and this Section 9 are in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company and other good and valuable consideration as set forth in this Agreement. In addition, Executive agrees and acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Sections 6, 7 and 8 and this Section 9 do not preclude Executive from earning a livelihood, nor do they unreasonably impose limitations on Executive’s ability to earn a living. In addition, Executive acknowledges (x) that the business of the Company and its subsidiaries will be conducted throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, (y) notwithstanding the state of organization or principal office of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or facilities, or any of their respective executives or employees (including Executive), it is expected that the Company and its subsidiaries will have business activities and have valuable business relationships within its industry throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, and (z) as part of Executive’s responsibilities, Executive will be traveling throughout the United States and other jurisdictions where the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business during the Period of Employment in furtherance of the Company’s business relationships. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the potential harm to the Company and its subsidiaries of the non-enforcement of any provision of Sections 6, 7, 8 and this Section 9 outweighs any potential harm to Executive of its enforcement by injunction or otherwise. Executive acknowledges that he has carefully read this Agreement and either consulted with legal counsel of Executive’s choosing regarding its contents or knowingly and voluntarily waived the opportunity to do so, has given careful consideration to the restraints imposed upon Executive by this Agreement and is in full accord as to their necessity for the reasonable and proper protection of confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its subsidiaries now existing or to be developed in the future. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that each and every restraint imposed by this Agreement is reasonable with respect to subject matter, duration and geographical area.

10. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE . In the event of the breach or a threatened breach by Executive of any of the provisions of Section 6, 7, 8 or 9, the Company and its subsidiaries would suffer irreparable harm and Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy and, in addition and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In addition, in the event of an alleged breach or violation by Executive of Section 6 or 7, the noncompete Period or the nonsolicit Period, as applicable, shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been duly cured.

11. LITIGATION/AUDIT COOPERATION . Executive agrees that following the termination of his employment for any reason, for a period of twelve (12) months he shall reasonably cooperate at mutually convenient times and locations in connection with (a) the defense of, or prosecution by, the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to any threatened or pending litigation or in any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body that relates to any events or actions which occurred during the term of Executive’s employment with, or service to, the Company; and (b) any audit of the financial statements of the Company with respect to the period of time when Executive was employed by the Company as Chief Financial Officer. The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses incurred by Executive

 

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in connection with such cooperation. Executive shall be compensated for his time at a mutually agreed upon rate for any services other than the provision of information to the Company or its counsel and/or testifying as a witness, which he shall undertake without any compensation up to a maximum obligation of 120 hours.

12. WAIVER OF BREACH . The waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. Each and every right, remedy and power hereby granted to any party or allowed it by law shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other.

13. SEVERABILITY . If any of the provisions of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party under any circumstances is adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the application thereof.

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT . This Agreement, along with any related documents referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and completely and irrevocably terminates any and all other previous or contemporaneous communications, representations, understandings, agreements, negotiations and discussions, either oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. The parties acknowledge and agree that there are no written or oral agreements, understandings, or representations, directly or indirectly related to this Agreement or the employment, compensation or benefits of Executive that are not set forth herein. By executing this Agreement, Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive is not subject to any agreement with any current or former employer or consultancy relationship that would prohibit Executive’s acceptance of and performance of his duties and responsibilities under the terms of this Agreement or as contemplated in the future during Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive agrees that he shall not share any confidential or proprietary information of any prior employer or consultancy or individual with the Company or the Company’s employees.

15. AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT . This Agreement may be altered or amended in any of its provisions only by a written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto.

16. SUCCESSORS . The Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on the Company and its successors and assigns, as well as Executive and his estate. Executive may not assign or delegate, in whole or in part, his duties or obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement may be transferred and assigned by the Company to any successor of the Company by acquisition, merger, reorganization, amalgamation, asset sale or otherwise. Upon any assignment of this Agreement by the Company, all obligations of the Company shall terminate, Executive shall become employed by the assignee in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the term “Company” as used in this Agreement shall include only such assignee.

17. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE . The Company’s rights under this Agreement are cumulative, and the exercise of one right will not be deemed to preclude the exercise of any other rights.

18. COUNTERPARTS . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.

 

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19. CONSTRUCTION . Each party has cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement, and therefore, the Agreement shall not be construed against either party on the basis that any particular party was the drafter.

20. VOLUNTARY COUNSEL . Executive agrees and acknowledges that he has read and understood this Agreement prior to signing it, has entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily and has been advised to seek legal counsel prior to entering into this Agreement and has had ample opportunity to do so.

21. GOVERNING LAW . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed in all respects by, the internal laws of the State of Tennessee (without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws).

22. SECTION 409A.

a. The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

b. A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment,” “termination of the Employment Period” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

c. All expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive (provided that if any such reimbursements constitute taxable income to Executive, such reimbursements shall be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses to be reimbursed were incurred), and no such reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.

d. For purposes of Code Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

e. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

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23. ARBITRATION .

a. In exchange for the benefits of the speedy, economical and impartial dispute resolution procedure of arbitration, the Company and Executive, with the advice and consent of their selected counsel, choose to forego their right to resolution of their disputes in a court of law by a judge or jury, and instead elect to treat their disputes, if any, pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act.

b. Executive and the Company agree that any and all claims or controversies whatsoever brought by Executive or the Company, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executive’s employment with Company, or otherwise arising between Executive and Company, will be settled by final and binding arbitration in Knoxville, Tennessee or such other location as may be mutually agreed by parties in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“ JAMS ”) then in effect. This includes all claims whether arising in tort or contract and whether arising under statute or common law. Such claims may include, but are not limited to, those relating to this Agreement, wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, or any statutory claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or similar Federal or state statutes. In addition, any claims arising out of the public policy of Tennessee, any claims of wrongful termination, employment discrimination, retaliation, or harassment of any kind, as well as any claim related to the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement shall be arbitrated under the terms of this Agreement. The obligation to arbitrate such claims will survive the termination of this Agreement. To the extent permitted by law, the hearing and all filings and other proceedings shall be treated in a private and confidential manner by the arbitrator and all parties and representatives, and shall not be disclosed except as necessary for any related judicial proceedings.

c. The arbitration will be conducted before an arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by the parties from JAMS’ panel of arbitrators. In the event that the parties are unable to mutually agree upon the arbitrator, JAMS shall provide a slate of five arbitrators with experience in employment law and each party shall have the opportunity to strike two names and rank the remaining arbitrators in order of preference. JAMS shall then select the highest ranked arbitrator to preside over the arbitration. If JAMS is unable to provide an arbitrator who has experience in employment law, the parties may jointly or separately petition the court for appointment of an arbitrator with such experience. The arbitrator will have jurisdiction to determine the arbitrability of any claim. The arbitrator shall have the authority to grant all monetary or equitable relief (including, without limitation, injunctive relief, ancillary costs and fees, and punitive damages) available under state and Federal law. Judgment on any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered and enforced by any court having jurisdiction thereof. In addition to any other relief awarded, the prevailing party in any arbitration or court action covered by this Agreement, as determined by the arbitrator or court in a final judgment or decree, shall be entitled to recover costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent permitted by law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into effective as of the              day of             , 20    , by and between                      (“ Executive ”) and Malibu Boats, Inc. (the “ Company ”) (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “ Parties ”). In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, Executive and the Company contract and agree as follows:

1. BENEFITS .

a. General . The Company promises that I will receive the benefits set forth in the employment agreement entered into with the Company effective as of             , 20     (the “ Employment Agreement ”), if any, after I execute and return this Agreement to the Company’s attorneys identified in Section 5. I acknowledge that the Company is not otherwise required to provide me such benefits until such conditions have been met.

b. Sufficiency of Consideration . I acknowledge and agree that the benefits to be provided under the terms of the Agreement are sufficient consideration for Executive’s promises set out herein and are made in confidence and in settlement of any disputed claims for which the Company has asserted factual and affirmative defenses and denies same in the entirety.

c. Payment . If the requirements of the Employment Agreement and this Agreement are met, in accordance with their terms, the Company will provide payment in an amount equal to $            , minus any applicable taxes and withholding, payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible following the end of the Revocation Period (as described in Paragraph 14).

d. Taxes . I acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to receive, and to the extent desired, have received independent professional advice from my own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of entering into this Agreement. I acknowledge and agree that the Company has made no representations regarding the tax consequences of any amounts paid pursuant to this Agreement. I agree that I will be solely and ultimately responsible for paying any federal, state or other taxes that I may owe as a result of payments made pursuant to this Agreement. In addition, I agree to hold the Company harmless from, and to indemnify the Company for, any claims, demands, taxes, deficiencies, fines, penalties, levies, assessments, executions, judgments, interest, costs, or any recoveries by any governmental agency against the Company for any amounts claimed due on account of this Agreement as a result of improper allocations or my failure to report and/or pay taxes as legally required.

2. COMPLETE RELEASE .

a. General . In exchange for the Company’s promises contained in this Agreement, I, on behalf of myself and all my heirs, successors, and assigns, agree to irrevocably and unconditionally release any and all Claims I may now have against the Company and other parties as set forth in this Section 2.

 

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INITIALS: __________

__________


b. Released Parties . The “ Released Parties ” are the Company, all related companies, partnerships, subsidiaries, predecessors, and assigns, their parents and subsidiaries, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and, with respect to each such entity, all of its past and present employees, officers, directors, stockholders, owners, representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, insurers, employee benefit programs (and the trustees, administrators, fiduciaries, and insurers of such programs), and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection.

c. Claims Released . I understand and agree that I am releasing all known and unknown claims, promises, causes of action, grievances, or similar rights of any type that I may have against any Released Party, including but not limited to any related to my employment with the Company, any other Tennessee law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974, and all other federal, state, or local laws or regulations prohibiting employment discrimination or retaliation or protecting employee rights as well as claims for other tortious or unlawful conduct (the “ Claims ”). I am not, however, releasing any claim that relates to: (i) my right to enforce this Agreement; (ii) my right, if any, to claim government-provided unemployment benefits; or (iii) any rights or claims which may arise or accrue after I sign this Agreement.

d. Knowing and Voluntary . I represent and agree that I have thoroughly considered all aspects of this Agreement, that I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with my attorney, that I have read carefully and understand fully all of the provisions of this Agreement and that I am entering into this Agreement voluntarily. I further understand that the Company is relying on this and all other representations that I have made herein.

3. PROMISES .

a. Pursuit of Released Claims . Except as specifically identified above, I have not filed or caused to be filed any lawsuit, complaint, or charge with respect to any Claim this Agreement purports to waive, and I promise never to file or prosecute a lawsuit or complaint based on such Claims. I promise never to seek any damages, remedies, or other relief for myself personally (any right to which I hereby waive) by filing or prosecuting a charge with any administrative agency with respect to any such Claim, by instituting litigation or arbitration in connection with my former employment. I promise to request any government agency or other body assuming jurisdiction of any such lawsuit, complaint, or charge to withdraw from the matter or dismiss the matter with prejudice.

b. Ownership of Claims . I have not assigned or transferred any Claim I am releasing, nor have I purported to do so.

c. Nonadmission of Liability . I agree that this Agreement is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing by any Released Party and I acknowledge that the Released Parties deny that they have engaged in wrongdoing of any kind or nature.

d. No Further Employment or Benefits . I agree that my employment with the Company has ended, and that I forever waive and relinquish any and all claims, rights, or interests in reinstatement or future employment that I might have in the future with the Company or its successors, predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, and related or affiliated entities.

 

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INITIALS: __________

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e. Confidentiality . I agree that I have not and will not disclose the underlying facts that led up to this Agreement or the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to anyone other than a member of my immediate family, attorney, or other professional advisor and, even as to such a person, only if the person agrees to honor this confidentiality requirement. Such a person’s violation of this confidentiality requirement will be treated as a violation of this Agreement by me. This subsection does not prohibit my disclosure of the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to the extent necessary legally to enforce this Agreement, nor does it prohibit disclosures to the extent otherwise legally required. I acknowledge that the Company would be irreparably harmed if this subsection were violated. I agree that if asked about the status of my claims against the Company, I will agree to reply, if at all, by saying only that all such claims have been resolved and the underlying action dismissed.

f. Company Property and Confidential Information . I agrees that I have returned or will return, within seven (7) days from the date of this Agreement, to the Company any and all Company property, confidential information, and originals and/or copies of documents relating to the business of the Company. I further agree that I will not directly or indirectly discuss or disclose to anyone, or use for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than the Company, any confidential information that I have received through my employment with the Company. Confidential information shall include, but not be limited to, the Company’s business plans and files, financial information, my wage and benefits information, operations data, handbooks, manuals, notebooks, supplies, credit cards, keys, computer hardware, computer software, disks, tapes, and any other storage media, pagers, cameras, PDAs, cameras, reports, records, statistical information, and any other information acquired during my employment with the Company. I further agree that, in the event it appears that I will be compelled by law or judicial process to disclose any such confidential information and to avoid potential liability, I will notify the Company in writing immediately upon my receipt of a subpoena or other legal process.

g. No Disparagement or Harm . I agree not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage any Released Party. I agree that I will not provide or issue public statements or take any action that would cause the Company embarrassment or otherwise cause or contribute to the Company being held in disrepute based upon the allegations of wrongdoing related to any Claim.

4. CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATING PROMISES .

The parties agree to pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and any damages that either party may incur as a result of the other party breaching a promise it made in this Agreement. I further agree that the Company would be irreparably harmed by any actual or threatened violation of any of the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement, and that the Company will be entitled to an injunction prohibiting me from committing any such violation. I agree to repay all sums paid to me as described herein as a result of any breach by me of promises made in this Agreement.

5. REVIEW AND REVOCATION .

I acknowledge and understand that I have twenty-one (21) days to review and consider this Agreement before signing it. No discussions about, or changes to, this Agreement will restart the running of said twenty-one (21) day period. I understand that I may use as much of this twenty-one (21) day period as I wish prior to signing and that I may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it. Revocation can be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to                     , Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, 511 Union Street,

 

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INITIALS: __________

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Suite 2700, Nashville, Tennessee 37219. For this revocation to be effective, written notice must be received no later than the close of business on the seventh day after I sign this Agreement. If I revoke this Agreement, it shall not be effective or enforceable and I will not receive the benefits described herein nor shall I or the Company be bound by any representations, releases or agreements made herein.

6. MISCELLANEOUS .

a. Entire Agreement . This, in conjunction with the Employment Agreement, is the entire agreement between the Company and me, and such agreement supersedes and renders void any prior agreements I may have with the Company pertaining to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be modified or canceled in any manner except by a writing signed by both an authorized Company official and me. I acknowledge that the Company has made no representations or promises to me, other than those in the Employment Agreement and this Agreement. If any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, all other provisions will remain fully enforceable. I agree to sign any documents and take other action that is necessary in the future to implement this Agreement.

b. Successors . This Agreement binds my heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of all Released Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns.

c. Interpretation . This Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It shall not be construed strictly for or against any Released Party or me. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for convenience of reference and shall not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee.

d. Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed in multiple counterparts by the parties. Each counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER ALL OF ITS PROVISIONS BEFORE SIGNING: THIS SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

Executed this              day of             , 20    .

 

 

 

Executive

 

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Exhibit 10.13

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of            , 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Jack Springer, an individual (“ Executive ”).

RECITALS:

A. The Company desires that Executive be employed by the Company to carry out the duties and responsibilities described below, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

B. Executive desires to accept such employment on such terms and conditions.

C. This Agreement shall govern the employment relationship between Executive and the Company from and after the Effective Date, and supersedes and negates all previous negotiations and agreements with respect to such relationship.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above recitals incorporated herein and the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby expressly acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1 . EMPLOYMENT . The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive as Chief Executive Officer according to the terms and conditions set forth herein, effective as of the Effective Date. Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Board of Directors or authorized committee thereof (the “ Board ”). Executive shall perform such officer level duties and have such officer level authority and responsibility as is usual and customary for such position, plus any additional officer level duties as may reasonably be assigned from time to time by the Board, including but not limited to providing services as an officer or director to one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates (and the compensation for such services shall be covered exclusively by Sections 3 through 5 of this Agreement). Executive’s duties as Chief Executive Officer shall include overall responsibility for the management and leadership of the Company and all of its departments and personnel, execution of the Company’s strategy and full profit and loss responsibility. Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to devote Executive’s full business time, energy and best efforts to the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Company. Executive shall be subject to and comply with the Company’s policies, procedures and approval practices, as generally in effect from time-to-time.

2. EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP . The “ Period of Employment ” under this Agreement shall be the period that Executive remains employed by the Company. Subject to the terms of Section 5 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed on an at-will basis and Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated by Executive or the Company at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without advance notice.

3. COMPENSATION .

a. Base Salary . During the Period of Employment, the Company agrees to pay Executive a base salary of Three Hundred Eighty-five Thousand dollars ($ 385,000.00) per annum, less standard deductions and authorized withholdings (the “ Salary ”). The Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices.

 

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b. Bonus . During the Period of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to earn an annual performance-based bonus (“ Annual Bonus ”) as follows:

(1) In addition to Salary, during each fiscal year of the Period of Employment, Executive will be eligible to earn a target annual cash bonus of 75% of Salary, if and only if Executive, the Company and its subsidiaries achieve the performance criteria specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee (if there is one) for such year, as determined by the Board or such Compensation Committee (if there is one) in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise agreed to by Executive, any such bonus amount for any year shall be earned (if awarded) on the last day of such year and paid by the Company no later than the earlier of (x) the date that is ten (10) business days after the Company’s receipt of its audited financial statements for the calendar year with respect to which such bonus has been earned and (y) December 31 of the calendar year following such year with respect to which such bonus has been earned.

(2) To earn any Annual Bonus, Executive must be continuously and actively employed through the end of the applicable fiscal year and the date that bonuses are normally paid to the Company’s executives; provided, however, if Executive is actively and continuously employed through the applicable fiscal year, but is terminated without Cause or terminates employment for Good Reason prior to the date that bonuses are normally paid to the Company’s executives, Executive shall be deemed to have earned such Annual Bonus. Each Annual Bonus earned by Executive, if any, will be due and payable no later than 75 days following the end of the applicable fiscal year. Any Annual Bonus paid to Executive shall be subject to applicable deductions and withholdings.

4. BENEFITS .

a. Benefits . In addition to (but without duplication of) Salary and any bonuses payable to Executive pursuant to Section 3, Executive shall be entitled to participate at his sole discretion in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company are generally eligible, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of such plans and benefits.

b. Vacation . Executive will be entitled to accrue vacation time, in an amount and subject to accrual limits, in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices for senior executives of the Company. Executive shall schedule and take vacation at the mutual convenience of the Executive and the Company.

c. Automobile . During the Period of Employment, the Company shall, at its option, either provide Executive with a monthly automobile allowance or, at its cost, shall provide Executive a car that will be owned by the Company. Such allowance or car shall be of the same amount and or quality consistent with Company practices and made available to other executives or managers of the Company. Insurance will be maintained and paid by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for the cost of all maintenance and fuel costs associated with Executive’s use of the automobile. Executive may use such automotive vehicle for business and personal purposes.

d. Boat . During the Period of Employment, the Company at its cost shall provide Executive a boat of a quality consistent with the Company’s practices and made

 

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available to other executives of the Company (of a kind and cost to be approved by the Board) that will be owned by the Company. Insurance will be maintained and paid by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for the cost of all maintenance costs associated with Executive’s use of the boat. Executive will be responsible for all fuel costs associated with Executive’s use of the boat. Executive may use such boat for business and personal purposes.

e. Business Expenses . During the Period of Employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive in the calendar year in which they are incurred for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

5. TERMINATION . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Executive’s employment may be terminated as follows:

a. Death . Upon the death of Executive, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except amounts due as Salary, any unpaid Annual Bonus earned pursuant to Section 3(b) and accrued but unused vacation earned at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, and reimbursement for any documented expenses incurred prior to Executive’s termination of employment in accordance with Section 5 hereof (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”).

b. Disability . In the event that the Board reasonably determines in good faith that Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his employment with the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue hardship on the Company, for more than ninety (90) days in any rolling one-year period (“ Disability ”), unless a longer period is required by applicable federal or state law, in which case that longer period would apply, the Board shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment, and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations. Executive expressly agrees that the Company shall have the right to permanently replace Executive in the event he is terminated due to a Disability.

c. Termination for Cause . The Board may terminate Executive’s employment at any time immediately upon written notice to Executive for Cause.

(1) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean any of the following occurring during Executive’s employment hereunder: (a) a knowing, intentional or reckless act or omission that constitutes theft, forgery, fraud, material dishonesty, misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty, or embezzlement by Executive against the Company or any of its parent, subsidiary or affiliated entities; (b) Executive’s conviction, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere , of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude; (c) Executive knowingly or intentionally causing the Company’s financial statements to fail to materially comply with generally accepted accounting principles Executive’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of any illegal drug or narcotic while on Company premises or while performing Executive’s duties and

 

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responsibilities hereunder; (d) Executive’s willful refusal to comply with the lawful requests made of Executive by the Board, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within five (5) days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s willful refusal; (e) gross negligence of Executive in the performance of his job duties, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s gross negligence; (f) a material violation by Executive of one or more Company policies, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s violation(s) of Company policy; and/or (g) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s breach of this Agreement and/or any other agreement with the Company.

(2) In the event that the Board terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations.

d. Termination Without Cause .

(1) By Executive . Except as set forth in this Agreement, Executive may voluntarily resign from his employment with the Company at any time, and for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, after giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company. In the event of a voluntary resignation, the Company may elect at its sole discretion to make the resignation of employment effective at any time prior to the expiration of the 30-day notice period and, upon the effective date of such resignation, the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations.

(2) By Company . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Board (at its sole discretion) shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment at any time, for any reason or no reason, immediately upon written notice to Executive. If the Board terminates Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 5(d)(2) without Cause, the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations. In addition, if the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause, subject to Executive signing (and not revoking) a complete and general release of any and all claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates in a form and substance satisfactory to the Company (the “ Release ”) within twenty-one (21) days (or such longer period as may be required by applicable law to obtain a complete and general release of claims) (the “ Release Execution Deadline ”) after the Company provides the form of Release to you, upon a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, Executive shall continue to receive his Base Salary through the end of the applicable Severance Period (as defined below) (the “ Severance Payments ”) in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll policies then in effect. Such Release shall be in substantially the same form as attached as Exhibit A hereto, which shall be subject to necessary changes to comply with changes in applicable law to obtain a valid and complete general release of claims. Executive’s right to receive and retain any of the Severance Payments is

 

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contingent upon Executive’s compliance with his continuing obligations to the Company under the terms of this Agreement and the Release. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Severance Period ” shall mean either (i) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive is terminated without Cause after the one year anniversary of the Effective Date and not subject to Section 5(d)(2)(ii)(A) below, or (ii) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive is terminated without Cause either (A) at any time within six (6) months after a Change in Control (as defined below) or (B) at any time on or before the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date.

e. Termination for Good Reason . Executive may terminate employment for Good Reason (as defined below) and upon execution and delivery by Executive of the Release within the Release Execution Deadline, so long as Executive complies with Executive’s obligations under this Agreement and the Release, Executive will be entitled to receive Severance Payments through the applicable Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, resigning with “ Good Reason ” means Executive’s resignation from employment after the occurrence of any of the following (without Executive’s prior written consent): (i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate compensation provided to Executive unless such reduction is concurrently made to all of the Company’s senior management, or (iii) a material breach of any other material term of this Agreement; provided, however, that any such condition shall not constitute “Good Reason” unless Executive provides written notice to the Company of the condition claimed to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such condition and, thereafter, the Board fails to cure such “Good Reason” within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such written notice from Executive, and within ten (10) days thereafter, Executive terminates his employment for “Good Reason.” For purposes of this Section (5)(e), the term “Severance Period” shall mean either (x) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason after the one year anniversary of the Effective Date and not subject to Section 5(e)(y)(A) below, or (y) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if terminates employment for Good Reason either (A) at any time within six (6) months after a Change in Control (as defined below) or (B) at any time on or before the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date.

f. Change in Control . A “Change of Control” of the Company will be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following:

(1) any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity (each, a “ Person ”) or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions thereto (excluding a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) is or becomes a Beneficial Owner of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company then outstanding voting securities (excluding any Person or any group of Persons who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock, is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities); or

(2) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Company then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director

 

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whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to an election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (b); or

(3) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Company then serving: individuals who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to an election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (b); or

(4) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (x) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (y) all of the Persons who were the respective Beneficial Owners of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation; or

(5) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

A “ Beneficial Owner ” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (b) and clause (c) above, a “ Change of Control ” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions. For the avoidance of doubt, the consummation of an initial public offering of stock of the Company and related transactions shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control.

6. NONSOLICITATION/NONDISPARAGEMENT . During the Period of Employment and for a period thereafter of three (3) years, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly:

a. solicit, induce or encourage any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to terminate their employment with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries;

b. make any defamatory public statement concerning the financial performance, products, services, the Board or management personnel of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or Executive’s employment. Nothing in this Section 6(b) shall prohibit Executive from providing truthful testimony in any legal, administrative or regulatory proceeding and Executive may at all times respond truthfully to a lawfully-issued subpoena, court order or governmental inquiry or as otherwise may be required by law, provided, however, that upon receiving such lawfully-issued subpoena or court order, Executive shall promptly provide, if allowed by applicable law or regulation, reasonable written notice to Company and cooperate with the Company to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of any proprietary or trade secret information of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, and the privacy rights of any employee or director; or

c. use or disclose the Company’s confidential or proprietary information to induce, attempt to induce or knowingly encourage any Customer of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to divert any business or income from the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or to stop or alter the manner in which they are then doing business with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. The term “ Customer ” shall mean any individual or business firm that is, or within the prior eighteen (18) months was, a customer or client of the Company, whether or not such business was actively solicited by Executive on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries during Executive’s employment.

7. NONCOMPETITION . In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to Executive hereunder, Executive acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the Company he has and shall become familiar with the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ trade secrets and with other Confidential Information (as defined below) concerning the Company and its subsidiaries and that his services have been and shall be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its subsidiaries, and, therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Period of Employment and for a period thereafter of one (1) year, he shall not directly or indirectly, for himself or another person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, as an owner, partner, participant of a joint venture, trustee, proprietor, stockholder, member, manager, director, officer, employee, independent contractor, capital investor, lender, consultant, advisor or otherwise, or by lending or allowing his name or reputation to be used in connection with, or

 

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otherwise participating in or allowing his skill, knowledge or experience to be used in connection with, or operate, develop or own any interest in (other than the ownership of less than five percent (5%) of the equity securities of a publicly-traded company), or be employed by or consult with, any business or entity that competes with the business of the Company (the “Covered Business”), without prior approval of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a Covered Business shall include, but not be limited to, the design, manufacture, or marketing of any type of boat or watercraft, or components thereof, regardless of physical location of such business activity.

8. INVENTIONS ASSIGNMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION .

a. Inventions . The Company shall own all right, title, and interest to all ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, processes, methods, inventions, discoveries, developments, innovations, and improvements developed or created by Executive, either solely or jointly with others, during the term of Executive’s employment that: (i) are reasonably related to the Company’s business; (ii) involve the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development; (iii) result from any work performed by Executive for the Company; or (iv) incorporate any of the Confidential Information (as defined below) (collectively, “ Inventions ”). Executive shall immediately and confidentially communicate a description of any Inventions to the Company and to no other party at any time, and if the Company so desires, Executive shall execute all documents and instruments and do all things as may be requested by the Company in order to forever vest all right, title and interest in such Inventions solely in the Company and to obtain such letters of patent, copyrights, registrations or other protections as the Company may, from time to time, desire. In addition, Executive hereby assigns to the Company all right, title and interest of Executive in and to any present Inventions made, devised, created, invented or discovered, in whole or in part, by Executive.

b. Confidential Information . During the term of this Agreement and at all times thereafter, Executive shall hold inviolate and keep secret all non-public documents, materials, knowledge or other confidential business or technical information of any nature whatsoever that the Company has maintained as confidential and that has been disclosed to or developed by him or to which he had access as a result of his employment with the Company (hereinafter referred to as “ Confidential Information ”). Such Confidential Information shall include non-public technical and business information, including, but not limited to, inventions, research and development, engineering, products, designs, manufacture, methods, systems, improvements, trade secrets, formulas, processes, marketing, merchandising, selling, licensing, servicing, pricing, investors, personnel information (including skills, compensation, experience and performance), customer lists and preferences, records, financial information, manuals and/or business plans and strategies. Executive agrees that all Confidential Information shall remain the sole and absolute property of the Company, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall not use, disclose, disseminate, publish, reproduce or otherwise make available such Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, except for the purpose of performing services on behalf of the Company. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall (i) not use, disclose, disseminate, publish, reproduce or otherwise make available such Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means; (ii) return to the Company all property that belongs to or is owned by the Company

 

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(including any computer, cell phone, personal digital assistant, keys, security cards, etc.); and (iii) return to the Company all documents, records, compositions, articles, devices, equipment, electronic storage devices and other items that disclose or embody Confidential Information, including all copies or specimens thereof (including electronic copies), whether prepared by him or by others, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means.

9. ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . Executive acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and this Section 9 are in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company and other good and valuable consideration as set forth in this Agreement. In addition, Executive agrees and acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Sections 6, 7 and 8 and this Section 9 do not preclude Executive from earning a livelihood, nor do they unreasonably impose limitations on Executive’s ability to earn a living. In addition, Executive acknowledges (x) that the business of the Company and its subsidiaries will be conducted throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, (y) notwithstanding the state of organization or principal office of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or facilities, or any of their respective executives or employees (including Executive), it is expected that the Company and its subsidiaries will have business activities and have valuable business relationships within its industry throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, and (z) as part of Executive’s responsibilities, Executive will be traveling throughout the United States and other jurisdictions where the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business during the Period of Employment in furtherance of the Company’s business relationships. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the potential harm to the Company and its subsidiaries of the non-enforcement of any provision of Sections 6, 7, 8 and this Section 9 outweighs any potential harm to Executive of its enforcement by injunction or otherwise. Executive acknowledges that he has carefully read this Agreement and either consulted with legal counsel of Executive’s choosing regarding its contents or knowingly and voluntarily waived the opportunity to do so, has given careful consideration to the restraints imposed upon Executive by this Agreement and is in full accord as to their necessity for the reasonable and proper protection of confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its subsidiaries now existing or to be developed in the future. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that each and every restraint imposed by this Agreement is reasonable with respect to subject matter, duration and geographical area.

10. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE . In the event of the breach or a threatened breach by Executive of any of the provisions of Section 6, 7, 8 or 9, the Company and its subsidiaries would suffer irreparable harm and Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy and, in addition and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In addition, in the event of an alleged breach or violation by Executive of Section 6 or 7, the noncompete Period or the nonsolicit Period, as applicable, shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been duly cured.

11. LITIGATION/AUDIT COOPERATION . Executive agrees that following the termination of his employment for any reason, for a period of twelve (12) months he shall reasonably cooperate at mutually convenient times and locations in connection with (a) the defense of, or prosecution by, the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to any threatened or pending litigation or in any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body that relates to any events or actions which occurred during the term of Executive’s employment with, or service to, the Company; and (b) any audit of the financial statements of the Company with

 

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respect to the period of time when Executive was employed by the Company as Chief Financial Officer. The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in connection with such cooperation. Executive shall be compensated for his time at a mutually agreed upon rate for any services other than the provision of information to the Company or its counsel and/or testifying as a witness, which he shall undertake without any compensation up to a maximum obligation of 120 hours.

12. WAIVER OF BREACH . The waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. Each and every right, remedy and power hereby granted to any party or allowed it by law shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other.

13. SEVERABILITY . If any of the provisions of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party under any circumstances is adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the application thereof.

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT . This Agreement, along with any related documents referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and completely and irrevocably terminates any and all other previous or contemporaneous communications, representations, understandings, agreements, negotiations and discussions, either oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. The parties acknowledge and agree that there are no written or oral agreements, understandings, or representations, directly or indirectly related to this Agreement or the employment, compensation or benefits of Executive that are not set forth herein. By executing this Agreement, Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive is not subject to any agreement with any current or former employer or consultancy relationship that would prohibit Executive’s acceptance of and performance of his duties and responsibilities under the terms of this Agreement or as contemplated in the future during Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive agrees that he shall not share any confidential or proprietary information of any prior employer or consultancy or individual with the Company or the Company’s employees.

15. AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT . This Agreement may be altered or amended in any of its provisions only by a written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto.

16. SUCCESSORS . The Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on the Company and its successors and assigns, as well as Executive and his estate. Executive may not assign or delegate, in whole or in part, his duties or obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement may be transferred and assigned by the Company to any successor of the Company by acquisition, merger, reorganization, amalgamation, asset sale or otherwise. Upon any assignment of this Agreement by the Company, all obligations of the Company shall terminate, Executive shall become employed by the assignee in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the term “Company” as used in this Agreement shall include only such assignee.

17. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE . The Company’s rights under this Agreement are cumulative, and the exercise of one right will not be deemed to preclude the exercise of any other rights.

18. COUNTERPARTS . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.

 

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19. CONSTRUCTION . Each party has cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement, and therefore, the Agreement shall not be construed against either party on the basis that any particular party was the drafter.

20. VOLUNTARY COUNSEL . Executive agrees and acknowledges that he has read and understood this Agreement prior to signing it, has entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily and has been advised to seek legal counsel prior to entering into this Agreement and has had ample opportunity to do so.

21. GOVERNING LAW . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed in all respects by, the internal laws of the State of Tennessee (without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws).

22. SECTION 409A.

a. The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

b. A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment,” “termination of the Employment Period” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

c. All expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive (provided that if any such reimbursements constitute taxable income to Executive, such reimbursements shall be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses to be reimbursed were incurred), and no such reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.

d. For purposes of Code Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

e. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

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23. ARBITRATION .

a. In exchange for the benefits of the speedy, economical and impartial dispute resolution procedure of arbitration, the Company and Executive, with the advice and consent of their selected counsel, choose to forego their right to resolution of their disputes in a court of law by a judge or jury, and instead elect to treat their disputes, if any, pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act.

b. Executive and the Company agree that any and all claims or controversies whatsoever brought by Executive or the Company, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executive’s employment with Company, or otherwise arising between Executive and Company, will be settled by final and binding arbitration in Knoxville, Tennessee or such other location as may be mutually agreed by parties in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“ JAMS ”) then in effect. This includes all claims whether arising in tort or contract and whether arising under statute or common law. Such claims may include, but are not limited to, those relating to this Agreement, wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, or any statutory claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or similar Federal or state statutes. In addition, any claims arising out of the public policy of Tennessee, any claims of wrongful termination, employment discrimination, retaliation, or harassment of any kind, as well as any claim related to the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement shall be arbitrated under the terms of this Agreement. The obligation to arbitrate such claims will survive the termination of this Agreement. To the extent permitted by law, the hearing and all filings and other proceedings shall be treated in a private and confidential manner by the arbitrator and all parties and representatives, and shall not be disclosed except as necessary for any related judicial proceedings.

c. The arbitration will be conducted before an arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by the parties from JAMS’ panel of arbitrators. In the event that the parties are unable to mutually agree upon the arbitrator, JAMS shall provide a slate of five arbitrators with experience in employment law and each party shall have the opportunity to strike two names and rank the remaining arbitrators in order of preference. JAMS shall then select the highest ranked arbitrator to preside over the arbitration. If JAMS is unable to provide an arbitrator who has experience in employment law, the parties may jointly or separately petition the court for appointment of an arbitrator with such experience. The arbitrator will have jurisdiction to determine the arbitrability of any claim. The arbitrator shall have the authority to grant all monetary or equitable relief (including, without limitation, injunctive relief, ancillary costs and fees, and punitive damages) available under state and Federal law. Judgment on any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered and enforced by any court having jurisdiction thereof. In addition to any other relief awarded, the prevailing party in any arbitration or court action covered by this Agreement, as determined by the arbitrator or court in a final judgment or decree, shall be entitled to recover costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent permitted by law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into effective as of the              day of             , 20    , by and between                      (“ Executive ”) and Malibu Boats, Inc. (the “ Company ”) (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “ Parties ”). In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, Executive and the Company contract and agree as follows:

1. BENEFITS .

a. General . The Company promises that I will receive the benefits set forth in the employment agreement entered into with the Company effective as of             , 20     (the “ Employment Agreement ”), if any, after I execute and return this Agreement to the Company’s attorneys identified in Section 5. I acknowledge that the Company is not otherwise required to provide me such benefits until such conditions have been met.

b. Sufficiency of Consideration . I acknowledge and agree that the benefits to be provided under the terms of the Agreement are sufficient consideration for Executive’s promises set out herein and are made in confidence and in settlement of any disputed claims for which the Company has asserted factual and affirmative defenses and denies same in the entirety.

c. Payment . If the requirements of the Employment Agreement and this Agreement are met, in accordance with their terms, the Company will provide payment in an amount equal to $            , minus any applicable taxes and withholding, payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible following the end of the Revocation Period (as described in Paragraph 14).

d. Taxes . I acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to receive, and to the extent desired, have received independent professional advice from my own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of entering into this Agreement. I acknowledge and agree that the Company has made no representations regarding the tax consequences of any amounts paid pursuant to this Agreement. I agree that I will be solely and ultimately responsible for paying any federal, state or other taxes that I may owe as a result of payments made pursuant to this Agreement. In addition, I agree to hold the Company harmless from, and to indemnify the Company for, any claims, demands, taxes, deficiencies, fines, penalties, levies, assessments, executions, judgments, interest, costs, or any recoveries by any governmental agency against the Company for any amounts claimed due on account of this Agreement as a result of improper allocations or my failure to report and/or pay taxes as legally required.

2. COMPLETE RELEASE .

a. General . In exchange for the Company’s promises contained in this Agreement, I, on behalf of myself and all my heirs, successors, and assigns, agree to irrevocably and unconditionally release any and all Claims I may now have against the Company and other parties as set forth in this Section 2.

 

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b. Released Parties . The “ Released Parties ” are the Company, all related companies, partnerships, subsidiaries, predecessors, and assigns, their parents and subsidiaries, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and, with respect to each such entity, all of its past and present employees, officers, directors, stockholders, owners, representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, insurers, employee benefit programs (and the trustees, administrators, fiduciaries, and insurers of such programs), and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection.

c. Claims Released . I understand and agree that I am releasing all known and unknown claims, promises, causes of action, grievances, or similar rights of any type that I may have against any Released Party, including but not limited to any related to my employment with the Company, any other Tennessee law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974, and all other federal, state, or local laws or regulations prohibiting employment discrimination or retaliation or protecting employee rights as well as claims for other tortious or unlawful conduct (the “ Claims ”). I am not, however, releasing any claim that relates to: (i) my right to enforce this Agreement; (ii) my right, if any, to claim government-provided unemployment benefits; or (iii) any rights or claims which may arise or accrue after I sign this Agreement.

d. Knowing and Voluntary . I represent and agree that I have thoroughly considered all aspects of this Agreement, that I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with my attorney, that I have read carefully and understand fully all of the provisions of this Agreement and that I am entering into this Agreement voluntarily. I further understand that the Company is relying on this and all other representations that I have made herein.

3. PROMISES .

a. Pursuit of Released Claims . Except as specifically identified above, I have not filed or caused to be filed any lawsuit, complaint, or charge with respect to any Claim this Agreement purports to waive, and I promise never to file or prosecute a lawsuit or complaint based on such Claims. I promise never to seek any damages, remedies, or other relief for myself personally (any right to which I hereby waive) by filing or prosecuting a charge with any administrative agency with respect to any such Claim, by instituting litigation or arbitration in connection with my former employment. I promise to request any government agency or other body assuming jurisdiction of any such lawsuit, complaint, or charge to withdraw from the matter or dismiss the matter with prejudice.

b. Ownership of Claims . I have not assigned or transferred any Claim I am releasing, nor have I purported to do so.

c. Nonadmission of Liability . I agree that this Agreement is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing by any Released Party and I acknowledge that the Released Parties deny that they have engaged in wrongdoing of any kind or nature.

d. No Further Employment or Benefits . I agree that my employment with the Company has ended, and that I forever waive and relinquish any and all claims, rights, or interests in reinstatement or future employment that I might have in the future with the Company or its successors, predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, and related or affiliated entities.

 

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e. Confidentiality . I agree that I have not and will not disclose the underlying facts that led up to this Agreement or the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to anyone other than a member of my immediate family, attorney, or other professional advisor and, even as to such a person, only if the person agrees to honor this confidentiality requirement. Such a person’s violation of this confidentiality requirement will be treated as a violation of this Agreement by me. This subsection does not prohibit my disclosure of the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to the extent necessary legally to enforce this Agreement, nor does it prohibit disclosures to the extent otherwise legally required. I acknowledge that the Company would be irreparably harmed if this subsection were violated. I agree that if asked about the status of my claims against the Company, I will agree to reply, if at all, by saying only that all such claims have been resolved and the underlying action dismissed.

f. Company Property and Confidential Information . I agrees that I have returned or will return, within seven (7) days from the date of this Agreement, to the Company any and all Company property, confidential information, and originals and/or copies of documents relating to the business of the Company. I further agree that I will not directly or indirectly discuss or disclose to anyone, or use for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than the Company, any confidential information that I have received through my employment with the Company. Confidential information shall include, but not be limited to, the Company’s business plans and files, financial information, my wage and benefits information, operations data, handbooks, manuals, notebooks, supplies, credit cards, keys, computer hardware, computer software, disks, tapes, and any other storage media, pagers, cameras, PDAs, cameras, reports, records, statistical information, and any other information acquired during my employment with the Company. I further agree that, in the event it appears that I will be compelled by law or judicial process to disclose any such confidential information and to avoid potential liability, I will notify the Company in writing immediately upon my receipt of a subpoena or other legal process.

g. No Disparagement or Harm . I agree not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage any Released Party. I agree that I will not provide or issue public statements or take any action that would cause the Company embarrassment or otherwise cause or contribute to the Company being held in disrepute based upon the allegations of wrongdoing related to any Claim.

4. CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATING PROMISES .

The parties agree to pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and any damages that either party may incur as a result of the other party breaching a promise it made in this Agreement. I further agree that the Company would be irreparably harmed by any actual or threatened violation of any of the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement, and that the Company will be entitled to an injunction prohibiting me from committing any such violation. I agree to repay all sums paid to me as described herein as a result of any breach by me of promises made in this Agreement.

5. REVIEW AND REVOCATION .

I acknowledge and understand that I have twenty-one (21) days to review and consider this Agreement before signing it. No discussions about, or changes to, this Agreement will restart the running of said twenty-one (21) day period. I understand that I may use as much of this twenty-one (21) day period as I wish prior to signing and that I may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it. Revocation can be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to                     , Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, 511 Union Street,

 

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Suite 2700, Nashville, Tennessee 37219. For this revocation to be effective, written notice must be received no later than the close of business on the seventh day after I sign this Agreement. If I revoke this Agreement, it shall not be effective or enforceable and I will not receive the benefits described herein nor shall I or the Company be bound by any representations, releases or agreements made herein.

6. MISCELLANEOUS .

a. Entire Agreement . This, in conjunction with the Employment Agreement, is the entire agreement between the Company and me, and such agreement supersedes and renders void any prior agreements I may have with the Company pertaining to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be modified or canceled in any manner except by a writing signed by both an authorized Company official and me. I acknowledge that the Company has made no representations or promises to me, other than those in the Employment Agreement and this Agreement. If any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, all other provisions will remain fully enforceable. I agree to sign any documents and take other action that is necessary in the future to implement this Agreement.

b. Successors . This Agreement binds my heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of all Released Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns.

c. Interpretation . This Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It shall not be construed strictly for or against any Released Party or me. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for convenience of reference and shall not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee.

d. Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed in multiple counterparts by the parties. Each counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER ALL OF ITS PROVISIONS BEFORE SIGNING: THIS SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

Executed this              day of             , 20    .

 

 

 

Executive

 

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Exhibit 10.14

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of             , 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Wayne Wilson, an individual (“ Executive ”).

RECITALS:

A. The Company desires that Executive be employed by the Company to carry out the duties and responsibilities described below, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

B. Executive desires to accept such employment on such terms and conditions.

C. This Agreement shall govern the employment relationship between Executive and the Company from and after the Effective Date, and supersedes and negates all previous negotiations and agreements with respect to such relationship.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above recitals incorporated herein and the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby expressly acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT . The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive as Chief Financial Officer according to the terms and conditions set forth herein, effective as of the Effective Date. Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall perform such officer level duties and have such officer level authority and responsibility as is usual and customary for such position, plus any additional officer level duties as may reasonably be assigned from time to time by the CEO, including but not limited to providing services as an officer or director to one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates (and the compensation for such services shall be covered exclusively by Sections 3 through 5 of this Agreement). Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to devote Executive’s full business time, energy and best efforts to the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Company. Executive shall be subject to and comply with the Company’s policies, procedures and approval practices, as generally in effect from time-to-time.

2. EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP . The “ Period of Employment ” under this Agreement shall be the period that Executive remains employed by the Company. Subject to the terms of Section 5 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed on an at-will basis and Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated by Executive or the Company at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without advance notice.

3. COMPENSATION .

a. Base Salary . During the Period of Employment, the Company agrees to pay Executive a base salary of Two Hundred Forty-five Thousand dollars ($ 245,000.00) per annum, less standard deductions and authorized withholdings (the “ Salary ”). The Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices.

 

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b. Bonus . During the Period of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to earn an annual performance-based bonus (“ Annual Bonus ”) as follows:

(1) In addition to Salary, during each fiscal year of the Period of Employment, Executive will be eligible to earn a target annual cash bonus of 50% of Salary, if and only if Executive, the Company and its subsidiaries achieve the performance criteria specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee (if there is one) for such year, as determined by the Board or such Compensation Committee (if there is one) in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise agreed to by Executive, any such bonus amount for any year shall be earned (if awarded) on the last day of such year and paid by the Company no later than the earlier of (x) the date that is ten (10) business days after the Company’s receipt of its audited financial statements for the calendar year with respect to which such bonus has been earned and (y) December 31 of the calendar year following such year with respect to which such bonus has been earned.

(2) To earn any Annual Bonus, Executive must be continuously and actively employed through the end of the applicable fiscal year and the date that bonuses are normally paid to the Company’s executives; provided, however, if Executive is actively and continuously employed through the applicable fiscal year, but is terminated without Cause or terminates employment for Good Reason prior to the date that bonuses are normally paid to the Company’s executives, Executive shall be deemed to have earned such Annual Bonus. Each Annual Bonus earned by Executive, if any, will be due and payable no later than 75 days following the end of the applicable fiscal year. Any Annual Bonus paid to Executive shall be subject to applicable deductions and withholdings.

4. BENEFITS .

a. Benefits . In addition to (but without duplication of) Salary and any bonuses payable to Executive pursuant to Section 3, Executive shall be entitled to participate at his sole discretion in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company are generally eligible, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of such plans and benefits.

b. Vacation . Executive will be entitled to accrue vacation time, in an amount and subject to accrual limits, in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices for senior executives of the Company. Executive shall schedule and take vacation at the mutual convenience of the Executive and the Company.

c. Automobile . During the Period of Employment, the Company shall, at its option, either provide Executive with a monthly automobile allowance or, at its cost, shall provide Executive a car that will be owned by the Company. Such allowance or car shall be of the same amount and or quality consistent with Company practices and made available to other executives or managers of the Company. Insurance will be maintained and paid by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for the cost of all maintenance and fuel costs associated with Executive’s use of the automobile. Executive may use such automotive vehicle for business and personal purposes.

d. Boat . During the Period of Employment, the Company at its cost shall provide Executive a boat of a quality consistent with the Company’s practices and made available to other executives of the Company (of a kind and cost to be approved by the Board) that will be owned by the Company. Insurance will be maintained and paid by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for the cost of all maintenance

 

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costs associated with Executive’s use of the boat. Executive will be responsible for all fuel costs associated with Executive’s use of the boat. Executive may use such boat for business and personal purposes.

e. Business Expenses . During the Period of Employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive in the calendar year in which they are incurred for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

5. TERMINATION . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Executive’s employment may be terminated as follows:

a. Death . Upon the death of Executive, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except amounts due as Salary, any unpaid Annual Bonus earned pursuant to Section 3(b) and accrued but unused vacation earned at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, and reimbursement for any documented expenses incurred prior to Executive’s termination of employment in accordance with Section 5 hereof (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”).

b. Disability . In the event that the Board reasonably determines in good faith that Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his employment with the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue hardship on the Company, for more than ninety (90) days in any rolling one-year period (“ Disability ”), unless a longer period is required by applicable federal or state law, in which case that longer period would apply, the Board shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment, and the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations. Executive expressly agrees that the Company shall have the right to permanently replace Executive in the event he is terminated due to a Disability.

c. Termination for Cause . The Board may terminate Executive’s employment at any time immediately upon written notice to Executive for Cause.

(1) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean any of the following occurring during Executive’s employment hereunder: (a) a knowing, intentional or reckless act or omission that constitutes theft, forgery, fraud, material dishonesty, misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty, or embezzlement by Executive against the Company or any of its parent, subsidiary or affiliated entities; (b) Executive’s conviction, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere , of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude; (c) Executive knowingly or intentionally causing the Company’s financial statements to fail to materially comply with generally accepted accounting principles Executive’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of any illegal drug or narcotic while on Company premises or while performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder; (d) Executive’s willful refusal to comply with the lawful requests made of Executive by the Board, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within five (5) days after Executive receives written notice

 

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from the Board detailing Executive’s willful refusal; (e) gross negligence of Executive in the performance of his job duties, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s gross negligence; (f) a material violation by Executive of one or more Company policies, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s violation(s) of Company policy; and/or (g) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company, which (if reasonably susceptible of cure), is not fully cured within 30 days after Executive receives written notice from the Board detailing Executive’s breach of this Agreement and/or any other agreement with the Company.

(2) In the event that the Board terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations.

d. Termination Without Cause .

(1) By Executive . Except as set forth in this Agreement, Executive may voluntarily resign from his employment with the Company at any time, and for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, after giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company. In the event of a voluntary resignation, the Company may elect at its sole discretion to make the resignation of employment effective at any time prior to the expiration of the 30-day notice period and, upon the effective date of such resignation, the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments to Executive hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations.

(2) By Company . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Board (at its sole discretion) shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment at any time, for any reason or no reason, immediately upon written notice to Executive. If the Board terminates Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 5(d)(2) without Cause, the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations. In addition, if the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause, subject to Executive signing (and not revoking) a complete and general release of any and all claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates in a form and substance satisfactory to the Company (the “ Release ”) within twenty-one (21) days (or such longer period as may be required by applicable law to obtain a complete and general release of claims) (the “ Release Execution Deadline ”) after the Company provides the form of Release to you, upon a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, Executive shall continue to receive his Base Salary through the end of the applicable Severance Period (as defined below) (the “ Severance Payments ”) in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll policies then in effect. Such Release shall be in substantially the same form as attached as Exhibit A hereto, which shall be subject to necessary changes to comply with changes in applicable law to obtain a valid and complete general release of claims. Executive’s right to receive and retain any of the Severance Payments is contingent upon Executive’s compliance with his continuing obligations to the Company under the terms of this Agreement and the Release. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Severance Period ” shall mean either (i) a period of

 

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twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive is terminated without Cause after the one year anniversary of the Effective Date and not subject to Section 5(d)(2)(ii)(A) below, or (ii) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive is terminated without Cause either (A) at any time within six (6) months after a Change in Control (as defined below) or (B) at any time on or before the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date.

e. Termination for Good Reason . Executive may terminate employment for Good Reason (as defined below) and upon execution and delivery by Executive of the Release within the Release Execution Deadline, so long as Executive complies with Executive’s obligations under this Agreement and the Release, Executive will be entitled to receive Severance Payments through the applicable Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, resigning with “ Good Reason ” means Executive’s resignation from employment after the occurrence of any of the following (without Executive’s prior written consent): (i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate compensation provided to Executive unless such reduction is concurrently made to all of the Company’s senior management, or (iii) a material breach of any other material term of this Agreement; provided, however, that any such condition shall not constitute “Good Reason” unless Executive provides written notice to the Company of the condition claimed to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such condition and, thereafter, the Board fails to cure such “Good Reason” within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such written notice from Executive, and within ten (10) days thereafter, Executive terminates his employment for “Good Reason.” For purposes of this Section (5)(e), the term “Severance Period” shall mean either (x) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason after the one year anniversary of the Effective Date and not subject to Section 5(e)(y)(A) below, or (y) a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Release if terminates employment for Good Reason either (A) at any time within six (6) months after a Change in Control (as defined below) or (B) at any time on or before the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date.

f. Change in Control . A “Change of Control” of the Company will be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following:

(1) any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity (each, a “ Person ”) or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions thereto (excluding a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) is or becomes a Beneficial Owner of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company then outstanding voting securities (excluding any Person or any group of Persons who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock, is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities); or

(2) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Company then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to an election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the

 

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Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (b); or

(3) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Company then serving: individuals who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to an election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of common stock or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (b); or

(4) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (x) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (y) all of the Persons who were the respective Beneficial Owners of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation; or

(5) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

A “ Beneficial Owner ” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (b) and clause (c) above, a “ Change of Control ” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the

 

6


consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions. For the avoidance of doubt, the consummation of an initial public offering of common stock of the Company and related transactions shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control.

6. NONSOLICITATION/NONDISPARAGEMENT . During the Period of Employment and for a period thereafter of three (3) years, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly:

a. solicit, induce or encourage any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to terminate their employment with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries;

b. make any defamatory public statement concerning the financial performance, products, services, the Board or management personnel of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or Executive’s employment. Nothing in this Section 6(b) shall prohibit Executive from providing truthful testimony in any legal, administrative or regulatory proceeding and Executive may at all times respond truthfully to a lawfully-issued subpoena, court order or governmental inquiry or as otherwise may be required by law, provided, however, that upon receiving such lawfully-issued subpoena or court order, Executive shall promptly provide, if allowed by applicable law or regulation, reasonable written notice to Company and cooperate with the Company to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of any proprietary or trade secret information of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, and the privacy rights of any employee or director; or

c. use or disclose the Company’s confidential or proprietary information to induce, attempt to induce or knowingly encourage any Customer of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to divert any business or income from the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or to stop or alter the manner in which they are then doing business with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. The term “ Customer ” shall mean any individual or business firm that is, or within the prior eighteen (18) months was, a customer or client of the Company, whether or not such business was actively solicited by Executive on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries during Executive’s employment.

7. NONCOMPETITION . In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to Executive hereunder, Executive acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the Company he has and shall become familiar with the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ trade secrets and with other Confidential Information (as defined below) concerning the Company and its subsidiaries and that his services have been and shall be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its subsidiaries, and, therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Period of Employment and for a period thereafter of one (1) year, he shall not directly or indirectly, for himself or another person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, as an owner, partner, participant of a joint venture, trustee, proprietor, stockholder, member, manager, director, officer, employee, independent contractor, capital investor, lender, consultant, advisor or otherwise, or by lending or allowing his name or reputation to be used in connection with, or otherwise participating in or allowing his skill, knowledge or experience to be used in connection with, or operate, develop or own any interest in (other than the ownership of less than five

 

7


percent (5%) of the equity securities of a publicly-traded company), or be employed by or consult with, any business or entity that competes with the business of the Company (the “Covered Business”), without prior approval of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a Covered Business shall include, but not be limited to, the design, manufacture, or marketing of any type of boat or watercraft, or components thereof, regardless of physical location of such business activity.

8. INVENTIONS ASSIGNMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION .

a. Inventions . The Company shall own all right, title, and interest to all ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, processes, methods, inventions, discoveries, developments, innovations, and improvements developed or created by Executive, either solely or jointly with others, during the term of Executive’s employment that: (i) are reasonably related to the Company’s business; (ii) involve the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development; (iii) result from any work performed by Executive for the Company; or (iv) incorporate any of the Confidential Information (as defined below) (collectively, “ Inventions ”). Executive shall immediately and confidentially communicate a description of any Inventions to the Company and to no other party at any time, and if the Company so desires, Executive shall execute all documents and instruments and do all things as may be requested by the Company in order to forever vest all right, title and interest in such Inventions solely in the Company and to obtain such letters of patent, copyrights, registrations or other protections as the Company may, from time to time, desire. In addition, Executive hereby assigns to the Company all right, title and interest of Executive in and to any present Inventions made, devised, created, invented or discovered, in whole or in part, by Executive.

b. Confidential Information . During the term of this Agreement and at all times thereafter, Executive shall hold inviolate and keep secret all non-public documents, materials, knowledge or other confidential business or technical information of any nature whatsoever that the Company has maintained as confidential and that has been disclosed to or developed by him or to which he had access as a result of his employment with the Company (hereinafter referred to as “ Confidential Information ”). Such Confidential Information shall include non-public technical and business information, including, but not limited to, inventions, research and development, engineering, products, designs, manufacture, methods, systems, improvements, trade secrets, formulas, processes, marketing, merchandising, selling, licensing, servicing, pricing, investors, personnel information (including skills, compensation, experience and performance), customer lists and preferences, records, financial information, manuals and/or business plans and strategies. Executive agrees that all Confidential Information shall remain the sole and absolute property of the Company, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall not use, disclose, disseminate, publish, reproduce or otherwise make available such Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, except for the purpose of performing services on behalf of the Company. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall (i) not use, disclose, disseminate, publish, reproduce or otherwise make available such Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means; (ii) return to the Company all property that belongs to or is owned by the Company (including any computer, cell phone, personal digital assistant, keys, security cards, etc.); and (iii) return to the Company all documents, records, compositions, articles,

 

8


devices, equipment, electronic storage devices and other items that disclose or embody Confidential Information, including all copies or specimens thereof (including electronic copies), whether prepared by him or by others, unless such information is or becomes publicly available or disclosed by lawful means.

9. ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . Executive acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and this Section 9 are in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company and other good and valuable consideration as set forth in this Agreement. In addition, Executive agrees and acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Sections 6, 7 and 8 and this Section 9 do not preclude Executive from earning a livelihood, nor do they unreasonably impose limitations on Executive’s ability to earn a living. In addition, Executive acknowledges (x) that the business of the Company and its subsidiaries will be conducted throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, (y) notwithstanding the state of organization or principal office of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or facilities, or any of their respective executives or employees (including Executive), it is expected that the Company and its subsidiaries will have business activities and have valuable business relationships within its industry throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, and (z) as part of Executive’s responsibilities, Executive will be traveling throughout the United States and other jurisdictions where the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business during the Period of Employment in furtherance of the Company’s business relationships. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the potential harm to the Company and its subsidiaries of the non-enforcement of any provision of Sections 6, 7, 8 and this Section 9 outweighs any potential harm to Executive of its enforcement by injunction or otherwise. Executive acknowledges that he has carefully read this Agreement and either consulted with legal counsel of Executive’s choosing regarding its contents or knowingly and voluntarily waived the opportunity to do so, has given careful consideration to the restraints imposed upon Executive by this Agreement and is in full accord as to their necessity for the reasonable and proper protection of confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its subsidiaries now existing or to be developed in the future. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that each and every restraint imposed by this Agreement is reasonable with respect to subject matter, duration and geographical area.

10. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE . In the event of the breach or a threatened breach by Executive of any of the provisions of Section 6, 7, 8 or 9, the Company and its subsidiaries would suffer irreparable harm and Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy and, in addition and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In addition, in the event of an alleged breach or violation by Executive of Section 6 or 7, the noncompete Period or the nonsolicit Period, as applicable, shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been duly cured.

11. LITIGATION/AUDIT COOPERATION . Executive agrees that following the termination of his employment for any reason, for a period of twelve (12) months he shall reasonably cooperate at mutually convenient times and locations in connection with (a) the defense of, or prosecution by, the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to any threatened or pending litigation or in any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body that relates to any events or actions which occurred during the term of Executive’s employment with, or service to, the Company; and (b) any audit of the financial statements of the Company with respect to the period of time when Executive was employed by the Company as Chief Financial Officer. The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses incurred by Executive

 

9


in connection with such cooperation. Executive shall be compensated for his time at a mutually agreed upon rate for any services other than the provision of information to the Company or its counsel and/or testifying as a witness, which he shall undertake without any compensation up to a maximum obligation of 120 hours.

12. WAIVER OF BREACH . The waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. Each and every right, remedy and power hereby granted to any party or allowed it by law shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other.

13. SEVERABILITY . If any of the provisions of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party under any circumstances is adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the application thereof.

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT . This Agreement, along with any related documents referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and completely and irrevocably terminates any and all other previous or contemporaneous communications, representations, understandings, agreements, negotiations and discussions, either oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. The parties acknowledge and agree that there are no written or oral agreements, understandings, or representations, directly or indirectly related to this Agreement or the employment, compensation or benefits of Executive that are not set forth herein. By executing this Agreement, Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive is not subject to any agreement with any current or former employer or consultancy relationship that would prohibit Executive’s acceptance of and performance of his duties and responsibilities under the terms of this Agreement or as contemplated in the future during Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive agrees that he shall not share any confidential or proprietary information of any prior employer or consultancy or individual with the Company or the Company’s employees.

15. AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT . This Agreement may be altered or amended in any of its provisions only by a written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto.

16. SUCCESSORS . The Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on the Company and its successors and assigns, as well as Executive and his estate. Executive may not assign or delegate, in whole or in part, his duties or obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement may be transferred and assigned by the Company to any successor of the Company by acquisition, merger, reorganization, amalgamation, asset sale or otherwise. Upon any assignment of this Agreement by the Company, all obligations of the Company shall terminate, Executive shall become employed by the assignee in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the term “Company” as used in this Agreement shall include only such assignee.

17. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE . The Company’s rights under this Agreement are cumulative, and the exercise of one right will not be deemed to preclude the exercise of any other rights.

18. COUNTERPARTS . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.

 

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19. CONSTRUCTION . Each party has cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement, and therefore, the Agreement shall not be construed against either party on the basis that any particular party was the drafter.

20. VOLUNTARY COUNSEL . Executive agrees and acknowledges that he has read and understood this Agreement prior to signing it, has entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily and has been advised to seek legal counsel prior to entering into this Agreement and has had ample opportunity to do so.

21. GOVERNING LAW . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed in all respects by, the internal laws of the State of Tennessee (without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws).

22. SECTION 409A .

a. The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

b. A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment,” “termination of the Employment Period” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

c. All expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive (provided that if any such reimbursements constitute taxable income to Executive, such reimbursements shall be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses to be reimbursed were incurred), and no such reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.

d. For purposes of Code Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

e. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

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23. ARBITRATION .

a. In exchange for the benefits of the speedy, economical and impartial dispute resolution procedure of arbitration, the Company and Executive, with the advice and consent of their selected counsel, choose to forego their right to resolution of their disputes in a court of law by a judge or jury, and instead elect to treat their disputes, if any, pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act.

b. Executive and the Company agree that any and all claims or controversies whatsoever brought by Executive or the Company, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executive’s employment with Company, or otherwise arising between Executive and Company, will be settled by final and binding arbitration in Knoxville, Tennessee or such other location as may be mutually agreed by parties in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“ JAMS ”) then in effect. This includes all claims whether arising in tort or contract and whether arising under statute or common law. Such claims may include, but are not limited to, those relating to this Agreement, wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, or any statutory claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or similar Federal or state statutes. In addition, any claims arising out of the public policy of Tennessee, any claims of wrongful termination, employment discrimination, retaliation, or harassment of any kind, as well as any claim related to the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement shall be arbitrated under the terms of this Agreement. The obligation to arbitrate such claims will survive the termination of this Agreement. To the extent permitted by law, the hearing and all filings and other proceedings shall be treated in a private and confidential manner by the arbitrator and all parties and representatives, and shall not be disclosed except as necessary for any related judicial proceedings.

c. The arbitration will be conducted before an arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by the parties from JAMS’ panel of arbitrators. In the event that the parties are unable to mutually agree upon the arbitrator, JAMS shall provide a slate of five arbitrators with experience in employment law and each party shall have the opportunity to strike two names and rank the remaining arbitrators in order of preference. JAMS shall then select the highest ranked arbitrator to preside over the arbitration. If JAMS is unable to provide an arbitrator who has experience in employment law, the parties may jointly or separately petition the court for appointment of an arbitrator with such experience. The arbitrator will have jurisdiction to determine the arbitrability of any claim. The arbitrator shall have the authority to grant all monetary or equitable relief (including, without limitation, injunctive relief, ancillary costs and fees, and punitive damages) available under state and Federal law. Judgment on any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered and enforced by any court having jurisdiction thereof. In addition to any other relief awarded, the prevailing party in any arbitration or court action covered by this Agreement, as determined by the arbitrator or court in a final judgment or decree, shall be entitled to recover costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent permitted by law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into effective as of the              day of             , 20    , by and between                      (“ Executive ”) and Malibu Boats, Inc. (the “ Company ”) (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “ Parties ”). In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, Executive and the Company contract and agree as follows:

1. BENEFITS .

a. General . The Company promises that I will receive the benefits set forth in the employment agreement entered into with the Company effective as of             , 20     (the “ Employment Agreement ”), if any, after I execute and return this Agreement to the Company’s attorneys identified in Section 5. I acknowledge that the Company is not otherwise required to provide me such benefits until such conditions have been met.

b. Sufficiency of Consideration . I acknowledge and agree that the benefits to be provided under the terms of the Agreement are sufficient consideration for Executive’s promises set out herein and are made in confidence and in settlement of any disputed claims for which the Company has asserted factual and affirmative defenses and denies same in the entirety.

c. Payment . If the requirements of the Employment Agreement and this Agreement are met, in accordance with their terms, the Company will provide payment in an amount equal to $            , minus any applicable taxes and withholding, payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible following the end of the Revocation Period (as described in Paragraph 14).

d. Taxes . I acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to receive, and to the extent desired, have received independent professional advice from my own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of entering into this Agreement. I acknowledge and agree that the Company has made no representations regarding the tax consequences of any amounts paid pursuant to this Agreement. I agree that I will be solely and ultimately responsible for paying any federal, state or other taxes that I may owe as a result of payments made pursuant to this Agreement. In addition, I agree to hold the Company harmless from, and to indemnify the Company for, any claims, demands, taxes, deficiencies, fines, penalties, levies, assessments, executions, judgments, interest, costs, or any recoveries by any governmental agency against the Company for any amounts claimed due on account of this Agreement as a result of improper allocations or my failure to report and/or pay taxes as legally required.

2. COMPLETE RELEASE .

a. General . In exchange for the Company’s promises contained in this Agreement, I, on behalf of myself and all my heirs, successors, and assigns, agree to irrevocably and unconditionally release any and all Claims I may now have against the Company and other parties as set forth in this Section 2.

 

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INITIALS: __________

__________


b. Released Parties . The “ Released Parties ” are the Company, all related companies, partnerships, subsidiaries, predecessors, and assigns, their parents and subsidiaries, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and, with respect to each such entity, all of its past and present employees, officers, directors, stockholders, owners, representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, insurers, employee benefit programs (and the trustees, administrators, fiduciaries, and insurers of such programs), and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection.

c. Claims Released . I understand and agree that I am releasing all known and unknown claims, promises, causes of action, grievances, or similar rights of any type that I may have against any Released Party, including but not limited to any related to my employment with the Company, any other Tennessee law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974, and all other federal, state, or local laws or regulations prohibiting employment discrimination or retaliation or protecting employee rights as well as claims for other tortious or unlawful conduct (the “ Claims ”). I am not, however, releasing any claim that relates to: (i) my right to enforce this Agreement; (ii) my right, if any, to claim government-provided unemployment benefits; or (iii) any rights or claims which may arise or accrue after I sign this Agreement.

d. Knowing and Voluntary . I represent and agree that I have thoroughly considered all aspects of this Agreement, that I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with my attorney, that I have read carefully and understand fully all of the provisions of this Agreement and that I am entering into this Agreement voluntarily. I further understand that the Company is relying on this and all other representations that I have made herein.

3. PROMISES .

a. Pursuit of Released Claims . Except as specifically identified above, I have not filed or caused to be filed any lawsuit, complaint, or charge with respect to any Claim this Agreement purports to waive, and I promise never to file or prosecute a lawsuit or complaint based on such Claims. I promise never to seek any damages, remedies, or other relief for myself personally (any right to which I hereby waive) by filing or prosecuting a charge with any administrative agency with respect to any such Claim, by instituting litigation or arbitration in connection with my former employment. I promise to request any government agency or other body assuming jurisdiction of any such lawsuit, complaint, or charge to withdraw from the matter or dismiss the matter with prejudice.

b. Ownership of Claims . I have not assigned or transferred any Claim I am releasing, nor have I purported to do so.

c. Nonadmission of Liability . I agree that this Agreement is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing by any Released Party and I acknowledge that the Released Parties deny that they have engaged in wrongdoing of any kind or nature.

d. No Further Employment or Benefits . I agree that my employment with the Company has ended, and that I forever waive and relinquish any and all claims, rights, or interests in reinstatement or future employment that I might have in the future with the Company or its successors, predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, and related or affiliated entities.

 

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INITIALS: __________

__________


e. Confidentiality . I agree that I have not and will not disclose the underlying facts that led up to this Agreement or the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to anyone other than a member of my immediate family, attorney, or other professional advisor and, even as to such a person, only if the person agrees to honor this confidentiality requirement. Such a person’s violation of this confidentiality requirement will be treated as a violation of this Agreement by me. This subsection does not prohibit my disclosure of the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to the extent necessary legally to enforce this Agreement, nor does it prohibit disclosures to the extent otherwise legally required. I acknowledge that the Company would be irreparably harmed if this subsection were violated. I agree that if asked about the status of my claims against the Company, I will agree to reply, if at all, by saying only that all such claims have been resolved and the underlying action dismissed.

f. Company Property and Confidential Information . I agrees that I have returned or will return, within seven (7) days from the date of this Agreement, to the Company any and all Company property, confidential information, and originals and/or copies of documents relating to the business of the Company. I further agree that I will not directly or indirectly discuss or disclose to anyone, or use for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than the Company, any confidential information that I have received through my employment with the Company. Confidential information shall include, but not be limited to, the Company’s business plans and files, financial information, my wage and benefits information, operations data, handbooks, manuals, notebooks, supplies, credit cards, keys, computer hardware, computer software, disks, tapes, and any other storage media, pagers, cameras, PDAs, cameras, reports, records, statistical information, and any other information acquired during my employment with the Company. I further agree that, in the event it appears that I will be compelled by law or judicial process to disclose any such confidential information and to avoid potential liability, I will notify the Company in writing immediately upon my receipt of a subpoena or other legal process.

g. No Disparagement or Harm . I agree not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage any Released Party. I agree that I will not provide or issue public statements or take any action that would cause the Company embarrassment or otherwise cause or contribute to the Company being held in disrepute based upon the allegations of wrongdoing related to any Claim.

4. CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATING PROMISES .

The parties agree to pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and any damages that either party may incur as a result of the other party breaching a promise it made in this Agreement. I further agree that the Company would be irreparably harmed by any actual or threatened violation of any of the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement, and that the Company will be entitled to an injunction prohibiting me from committing any such violation. I agree to repay all sums paid to me as described herein as a result of any breach by me of promises made in this Agreement.

5. REVIEW AND REVOCATION .

I acknowledge and understand that I have twenty-one (21) days to review and consider this Agreement before signing it. No discussions about, or changes to, this Agreement will restart the running of said twenty-one (21) day period. I understand that I may use as much of this twenty-one (21) day period as I wish prior to signing and that I may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it. Revocation can be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to                     , Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, 511 Union Street,

 

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INITIALS: __________

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Suite 2700, Nashville, Tennessee 37219. For this revocation to be effective, written notice must be received no later than the close of business on the seventh day after I sign this Agreement. If I revoke this Agreement, it shall not be effective or enforceable and I will not receive the benefits described herein nor shall I or the Company be bound by any representations, releases or agreements made herein.

6. MISCELLANEOUS .

a. Entire Agreement . This, in conjunction with the Employment Agreement, is the entire agreement between the Company and me, and such agreement supersedes and renders void any prior agreements I may have with the Company pertaining to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be modified or canceled in any manner except by a writing signed by both an authorized Company official and me. I acknowledge that the Company has made no representations or promises to me, other than those in the Employment Agreement and this Agreement. If any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, all other provisions will remain fully enforceable. I agree to sign any documents and take other action that is necessary in the future to implement this Agreement.

b. Successors . This Agreement binds my heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of all Released Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns.

c. Interpretation . This Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It shall not be construed strictly for or against any Released Party or me. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for convenience of reference and shall not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee.

d. Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed in multiple counterparts by the parties. Each counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER ALL OF ITS PROVISIONS BEFORE SIGNING: THIS SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

Executed this              day of             , 20    .

 

 

 

Executive

 

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INITIALS: __________

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Exhibit 10.16

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of             , 20        , is hereby entered into by and between Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and each of the Members (as defined herein).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are party to the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “ LLC Agreement ”) of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”); and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to provide for the exchange from time to time of Units (as defined herein) for shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined herein), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

1.1 Definitions .

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

Business Day ” means any calendar day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required to close.

A “ Change in Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred if or upon:

(i) the stockholders of the Corporation approve the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to any, directly or indirectly, wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation;

(ii) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other person, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the Voting Securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 50.1% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

 

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(iii) the stockholders of the Corporation approve the adoption of a plan the consummation of which would result in the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation;

(iv) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than (a) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation; or (b) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation ((a) and (b) collectively are referred to herein as “Exempt Persons”)) of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50.01% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Securities of the Corporation;

(v) during any 12-month period, individuals who at the beginning of such period composed the Board of Directors of the Corporation (together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Corporation was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors of the Corporation then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation then in office; or

(vi) the Corporation (or a directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiary thereof) ceases to be the sole Managing Member of Holdings.

Change in Control Event ” means any of the following (i) the commencement of, or the first public announcement of the intent to commence, any transaction, including, without limitation, a tender or exchange offer by any person or entity (other than any Exempt Person), the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control; (ii) the commencement of, or the first public announcement of the intent to commence, any proxy solicitation by any person or entity subject to Rule 14a-12(c) under the Exchange Act, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control; (iii) the Corporation, Holdings or any affiliate thereof entering into an agreement with any person or entity which, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control; or (iv) the adoption by the Board of Directors of the Corporation of resolutions authorizing any transaction or event which, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control.

Class A Common Stock ” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation.

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

Corporation ” means Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

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Exchange ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement. The terms “ Exchanging ” and “ Exchanged ” shall have correlative meanings.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Rate ” means the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which a Unit is entitled to be Exchanged. On the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Rate shall be 1 for 1, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

Holdings ” means Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor thereto.

Holdings LLC Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdings, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

IPO ” means the initial public offering and sale of Class A Common Stock (as contemplated by the Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.                     )).

Member ” means the parties who are signatories hereto, other than the Corporation, and each other Person who from time to time executes a Joinder Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

Permitted Transferee ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

Takeover Law ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

Unit ” means (i) each Unit (as such term is defined in the Holdings LLC Agreement) issued as of the date hereof and (ii) each Unit or other interest in Holdings that may be issued by Holdings in the future that is designated by the Corporation as a “Unit”.

Voting Securities ” shall mean any securities of the Corporation which are entitled to vote generally in matters submitted for a vote of the Corporation’s stockholders or generally in the election of the Corporation’s board of directors.

 

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ARTICLE II

EXCHANGES

2.1 Exchange of Units for Class A Common Stock .

(a) (i) Subject to Section 2.1(a)(ii), Section 2.1(f) and Section 2.1(g) hereof, from and after the date of the closing of the IPO, each Member shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to surrender Units (other than unvested Units) to the Corporation in exchange (an “ Exchange ”) for the delivery to such Member of (x) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the number of Units surrendered multiplied by the Exchange Rate; provided that any such Exchange is for a minimum of the lesser of 1,000 Units or all of the Units held by such Member, or such lesser amount as the Corporation determines to be acceptable, in its sole discretion; or (y) if the Corporation so elects, an amount of cash calculated in accordance with Section 2.1(f) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not have the election to pay cash upon a Change in Control Event described in Section 2.1(a)(ii) hereof.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon the occurrence of any Change in Control Event, each Member shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to elect to Exchange Units for shares of Class A Common Stock; provided, that any such Exchange pursuant to this sentence shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be effective if such Change in Control is not consummated); and provided further, that any such election pursuant to this Section 2.1(a)(ii) may be withdrawn by the Member who submitted such election by providing written notice to the Corporation not less than four business days prior to the consummation of the Change in Control.

(b) A Member shall exercise its right to Exchange Units as set forth in Section 2.1(a) above by delivering to the Corporation a written election of exchange in respect of the Units to be Exchanged substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (an “ Exchange Notice ”), duly executed by such Member or such Member’s authorized attorney, in each case delivered during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Corporation and of Holdings. As promptly as practicable following the delivery of an Exchange Notice, Holdings shall deliver or cause to be delivered at the offices of the then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock or, if there is no then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock, at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon such Exchange, registered in the name of the relevant Member. To the extent the Class A Common Stock is settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, the Corporation will, subject to Section 2.1(c) below, upon the written instruction of a Member, use its reasonable best efforts to deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable to such Member, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, to the account of the participant of The Depository Trust Company designated by such Member.

(c) The Corporation and each Member shall bear their own expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated, except that the Corporation shall bear any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, however, that if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered in a name other than that of the Member that requested the Exchange then such Member and/or the person in whose name such shares are to be delivered shall pay to the Corporation amount of any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, such Exchange or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent the Corporation or Holdings shall determine that interests in Holdings do not meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h), the Corporation or Holdings may impose such restrictions on any Exchange as the Corporation or Holdings may determine to be necessary or advisable so that Holdings is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership - under Section 7704 of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Exchange shall be permitted (and, if attempted, shall be void ab initio) if, in the good faith determination of the Corporation or of Holdings, such an Exchange would pose a material risk that Holdings would be a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Member shall not be entitled to Exchange Units to the extent the Corporation determines that such Exchange (i) would be prohibited by law or regulation (including, without limitation, the unavailability of any requisite registration statement filed under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or (ii) would not be permitted under any other agreements with the Corporation or its subsidiaries to which such Member may be party or any written policies of the Corporation related to unlawful or improper trading (including, without limitation, the policies of the Corporation relating to insider trading).

(f) If the Corporation elects to satisfy an Exchange in cash pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i), then a Member may receive cash in lieu of shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for Units surrendered in accordance with Section 2.1(a), in an amount equal to the Market Value of the shares of Class A Common Stock that such Member would have received absent such an election by the Corporation. For the purposes of this Section 2.1(f), the “Market Value” as of a particular date shall be determined as follows: (i) if, at the time of the Exchange, the Units are convertible for shares of Class A Common Stock (or the securities of any successor company to the Corporation) that trade on a national securities exchange, the Market Value shall be the closing sale price ending one (1) day prior to the date of the Exchange Notice; (ii) if, at the time of the Exchange, the Units are convertible for Class A Common Stock (or the securities of any successor company to the Corporation) that trade over-the-counter, the Market Value shall be the average of the closing bid or sale prices over the five (5) day trading period ending prior to the date of the Exchange; and (iii) if the Units are not convertible for securities of the Corporation, or any other entity the securities of which are listed or traded on an established securities market, then the Market Value shall be the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. If the Member does not receive notice of the Corporation’s cash election substantially in the form of Exhibit B within five (5) business days of the Corporation’s receipt of such Member’s election of exchange, the Corporation shall forfeit the right to satisfy such Exchange in cash.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Member may Exchange Units pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i) during the 180 day period following the date of the closing of the IPO, unless such Member has executed the Lock-Up Agreement dated             , 20        .

 

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2.2 Adjustment . The Exchange Rate shall be adjusted accordingly if there is: (a) any subdivision (by any unit split, unit distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Units that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock; or (b) any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend or distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Units. If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Exchange, each Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such Member would have received if such Exchange had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, this Section 2.2 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property. This Agreement shall apply to the Units held by the Members and their Permitted Transferees as of the date hereof, as well as any Units hereafter acquired by a Member and his or her or its Permitted Transferees. This Agreement shall apply to, mutatis mutandis, and all references to “Units” shall be deemed to include, any security, securities or other property of Holdings which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of Units by reason of any distribution or dividend, split, reverse split, combination, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, exchange (other than an Exchange) or other transaction.

2.3. Class A Common Stock to be Issued .

(a) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be deliverable upon any such Exchange; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of the Exchange of the Units by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation or any of their subsidiaries or by delivery of purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof). The Corporation and Holdings covenant that all Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(b) If the Corporation does not elect to satisfy an Exchange in cash pursuant to Section 2.1(f), the Corporation covenants and agrees that, to the extent that a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective and available for shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered with respect to any Exchange, shares that have been registered under the Securities Act shall be delivered in respect of such Exchange. In the event that any Exchange in accordance with this Agreement is to be effected at a time when any required registration has not become effective or otherwise is unavailable, upon the request and with the reasonable

 

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cooperation of the Member requesting such Exchange, the Corporation and Holdings shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly facilitate such Exchange pursuant to any reasonably available exemption from such registration requirements. The Corporation and Holdings shall use commercially reasonable efforts to list the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon Exchange prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the outstanding Class A Common Stock may be listed or traded at the time of such delivery.

(c) Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Corporation has taken all such steps as may be required to cause to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) or (e), as applicable, under the Exchange Act, and be exempt for purposes of Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act, any acquisitions or dispositions of equity securities of the Corporation (including derivative securities with respect thereto) and any securities which may be deemed to be equity securities or derivative securities of the Corporation for such purposes that result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by each director or officer of the Corporation who may reasonably be expected to be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Corporation upon the registration of any class of equity security of the Corporation pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (with the authorizing resolutions specifying the name of each such officer or director whose acquisition or disposition of securities is to be exempted and the number of securities that may be acquired and disposed of by each such person pursuant to this Agreement).

(d) If any Takeover Law or other similar law or regulation becomes or is deemed to become applicable to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to render such law or regulation inapplicable to all of the foregoing.

(e) The Corporation covenants that all Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive right of stockholders of the Corporation or to any right of first refusal or other right in favor of any person or entity.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

3.1. Representations and Warranties of the Corporation . The Corporation represents and warrants that (i) it is a corporation duly incorporated and is existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to issue the Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Corporation and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation, the issuance of the Class A Common Stock) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Corporation, including but not limited to all actions necessary to ensure that the acquisition of shares Class A Common Stock pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the fullest extent of the Corporation’s Board of Directors’ power and authority and to the extent permitted by law, shall not be subject to any “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “business combination,” “fair

 

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price” or other form of anti-takeover laws and regulations” of any jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, “ Takeover Laws ”), (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Corporation and the consummation by the Corporation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Corporation is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Corporation or by which any property or asset of the Corporation is bound or affected, except with respect to clauses (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations, that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation or its business, financial condition or results of operations.

3.2. Representations and Warranties of the Members . Each Member, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that (i) if it is not a natural person, that it is duly incorporated or formed and, to the extent such concept exists in its jurisdiction of organization, is in good standing under the laws of such jurisdiction, (ii) it has all requisite legal capacity and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) if it is not a natural person, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other entity action on the part of such Member, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Member enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Member and the consummation by such Member of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) if it is not a natural person, result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws or other organizational documents of such Member or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which such member is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable such Member, except with respect to clauses (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations, that would not in any material respect result in the unenforceability against such Member of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

4.1. Additional Members . To the extent a Member validly transfers any or all of such Member’s Units to another person in a transaction in accordance with, and not in contravention of, the Holdings LLC Agreement, then such transferee (each, a “ Permitted Transferee ) shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, whereupon such Permitted Transferee shall become a Member hereunder. To the extent Holdings issues Units in the future, then the holder of such Units shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, whereupon such holder shall become a Member hereunder.

4.2. Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received (a) if delivered personally, on the date of delivery, or, if delivered by facsimile, upon confirmation of transmission by the sender’s fax machine if sent on a Business Day (or otherwise, on the Business Day following confirmation of transmission by the sender’s fax machine) or (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

If to the Corporation, to:

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax:                                 

If to a Member, to the address and facsimile number set forth in Holdings’ records.

Any party may change its address or fax number by giving the other party written notice of its new address or fax number in the manner set forth above.

4.3. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

4.4. Entire Agreement: No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

4.5. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

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4.6. Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

4.7. Further Action . The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

4.8. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

4.9. Amendment . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only by the affirmative vote or written consent of each of (i) the Corporation and (ii) Members holding a majority of the then outstanding Units held by Members (excluding Units held by the Corporation); provided that except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of a Member, as such, other than on a pro rata basis with other Members without the consent of such Member (or, if there is more than one such Member that is so affected, without the consent of a majority of such affected Members in accordance with their holdings of Units).

4.10. Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

4.11. Resolution of Disputes .

(a) Any and all disputes which cannot be settled amicably, including but not limited to any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) (each a “Dispute”) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in Delaware in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the Dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. In addition to monetary damages, the arbitrator shall be empowered to award equitable relief, including, but not limited to an injunction and specific performance of any

 

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obligation under this Agreement. The arbitrator is not empowered to award damages in excess of compensatory damages, and each party hereby irrevocably waives any right to recover punitive, exemplary or similar damages with respect to any Dispute. The award shall be final and binding upon the parties as from the date rendered, and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any claims, counterclaims, issues, or accounting presented to the arbitral tribunal. Judgment upon any award may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction over a party or any of its assets.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the Corporation may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each Member (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 4.11 to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate, and (iii) irrevocably appoints the Corporation as such Member’s agent for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise such Member of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Member in any such action or proceeding.

(c) (i) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION 4.11, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another; and

(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in paragraph (c)(i) of this Section 4.11 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

4.12. Tax Treatment . This Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections l .704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. As required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations, the parties shall report any Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of the Units by a Member to the Corporation, and no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority unless an alternate position is permitted under the Code and Treasury Regulations and the Corporation consents in writing.

 

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4.13. Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

4.14. Independent Nature of Members’ Rights and Obligations . The obligations of each Member hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Member. and no Member shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Member hereunder. The decision of each Member to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Member independently of any other Member. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Member pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Members as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Members are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby and the Corporation acknowledges that the Members are not acting in concert or as a group. and the Corporation will not assert any such claim with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.15. Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered, all as of the date first set forth above.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

MEMBERS:
For Individual and Joint Members:

 

(Signature)
 
Print Name:                                                                                  

 

(Signature of Joint Member)
 
Print Name of Joint Member, if any:

 

For Corporate, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Trust or Other Entity Members:

 

(Print Name of Entity)
By:  

 

  (Signature)
Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Exchange Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF]

ELECTION OF EXCHANGE

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax:                             

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of [     ], 20         (the “ Exchange Agreement ”) among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the holders of Units (as defined herein) from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The undersigned Member hereby transfers to the Corporation, the number of Units set forth below in Exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock or cash, pursuant to Section 2.1(f). If the Exchange is for Class A Common Stock, such shares are to be issued in its name as set forth below, as set forth in the Exchange Agreement.

Legal Name of Member:                                                                                                                           

Address:                                                                                                                                                        

Number of Units to be Exchanged:                                                                                                               

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Election of Exchange and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Election of Exchange has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof, as the case may be, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies; (iii) the Units subject to this Election of Exchange are being transferred to the Corporation free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, equities or claim; and (iv) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned or the Units subject to this Election of Exchange is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the transfer of such Units to the Corporation.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of the Corporation as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to transfer to the Corporation, the Units subject to this Election of Exchange and to deliver to the undersigned the shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered in Exchange therefor.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned. by authority duly given, has caused this Election of Exchange to be executed and delivered by the undersigned or by its duly authorized attorney.

 

 

Name:

 

Dated:

 

A-2


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF]

CASH ELECTION NOTICE

[Exchanging Member]

[Address]

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of [    ], 20         (the “ Exchange Agreement ”), by and among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), and each of the Members (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The Corporation received an Election of Exchange from the below Member on [    ], 20[    ]. Pursuant to Section 2.1(f) of the Exchange Agreement, the Corporation has elected to satisfy the Exchange in cash in lieu of Class A Common Stock.

Legal Name of Member:                                                                                                   

Number of Units to be Exchanged:                         

Market Value per Unit: $                         

Aggregate Market Value: $                         

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF]

JOINDER AGREEMENT

This Joinder Agreement (“ Joinder Agreement ”) is a joinder to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of [            ], 20     (the “ Agreement ”), among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”) and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have their meanings given to them in the Agreement. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware. In the event of any conflict between this Joinder Agreement and the Agreement, the terms of this Joinder Agreement shall control.

The undersigned hereby joins and enters into the Agreement having acquired Units in Holdings. By signing and returning this Joinder Agreement to the Corporation, the undersigned (i) accepts and agrees to be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of and agreements of a Member contained in the Agreement, with all attendant rights, duties and obligations of a Member thereunder and (ii) makes each of the representations and warranties of a Member set forth in Section 3.2 of the Agreement as fully as if such representations and warranties were set forth herein. The parties to the Agreement shall treat the execution and delivery hereof by the undersigned as the execution and delivery of the Agreement by the undersigned and, upon receipt of this Joinder Agreement by the Corporation, the signature of the undersigned set forth below shall constitute a counterpart signature to the signature page of the Agreement.

 

For Corporate, Partnership, Limited

Liability Company, Trust or Other Entity

    
Members:      For Individual and Joint Members:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
(Print Name of Entity)      (Signature)
By:                                                                                                                   
        (Signature)      Print Name:                                                                                            
Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Title:                                                                                                                 (Signature of Joint Member)
     Print Name of Joint Member, if any:
                                                                                                                       
Address for Notices:     

With copies to:

                                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                                                         

 

Attention:                                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

C-1

Exhibit 10.16.1

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of                     , 20    , is hereby entered into by and between Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and each of the Members (as defined herein).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are party to the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “ LLC Agreement ”) of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”); and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to provide for the exchange from time to time of Units (as defined herein) for shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined herein), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

1.1 Definitions .

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

Business Day ” means any calendar day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required to close.

A “ Change in Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred if or upon:

(i) the stockholders of the Corporation approve the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to any, directly or indirectly, wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation;

(ii) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other person, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the Voting Securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 50.1% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

 

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(iii) the stockholders of the Corporation approve the adoption of a plan the consummation of which would result in the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation;

(iv) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than (a) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation; or (b) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation ((a) and (b) collectively are referred to herein as “Exempt Persons”)) of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50.01% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Securities of the Corporation;

(v) during any 12-month period, individuals who at the beginning of such period composed the Board of Directors of the Corporation (together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Corporation was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors of the Corporation then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation then in office; or

(vi) the Corporation (or a directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiary thereof) ceases to be the sole Managing Member of Holdings.

Change in Control Event ” means any of the following (i) the commencement of, or the first public announcement of the intent to commence, any transaction, including, without limitation, a tender or exchange offer by any person or entity (other than any Exempt Person), the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control; (ii) the commencement of, or the first public announcement of the intent to commence, any proxy solicitation by any person or entity subject to Rule 14a-12(c) under the Exchange Act, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control; (iii) the Corporation, Holdings or any affiliate thereof entering into an agreement with any person or entity which, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control; or (iv) the adoption by the Board of Directors of the Corporation of resolutions authorizing any transaction or event which, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control.

Class A Common Stock ” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation.

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

Corporation ” means Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

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Exchange ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement. The terms “ Exchanging ” and “ Exchanged ” shall have correlative meanings.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Rate ” means the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which a Unit is entitled to be Exchanged. On the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Rate shall be 1 for 1, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

Holdings ” means Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor thereto.

Holdings LLC Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdings, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

IPO ” means the initial public offering and sale of Class A Common Stock (as contemplated by the Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.                     )).

Member ” means the parties who are signatories hereto, other than the Corporation, and each other Person who from time to time executes a Joinder Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

Permitted Transferee ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

Takeover Law ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

Unit ” means (i) each Unit (as such term is defined in the Holdings LLC Agreement) issued as of the date hereof and (ii) each Unit or other interest in Holdings that may be issued by Holdings in the future that is designated by the Corporation as a “Unit”.

Voting Securities ” shall mean any securities of the Corporation which are entitled to vote generally in matters submitted for a vote of the Corporation’s stockholders or generally in the election of the Corporation’s board of directors.

 

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ARTICLE II

EXCHANGES

2.1 Exchange of Units for Class A Common Stock .

(a) (i) Subject to Section 2.1(a)(ii), Section 2.1(f) and Section 2.1(g) hereof, from and after the date of the closing of the IPO, each Member shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to surrender Units (other than unvested Units) to the Corporation in exchange (an “ Exchange ”) for the delivery to such Member of (x) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the number of Units surrendered multiplied by the Exchange Rate; provided that any such Exchange is for a minimum of the lesser of 1,000 Units or all of the Units held by such Member, or such lesser amount as the Corporation determines to be acceptable, in its sole discretion; or (y) if the Corporation so elects, an amount of cash calculated in accordance with Section 2.1(f) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not have the election to pay cash upon a Change in Control Event described in Section 2.1(a)(ii) hereof.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon the occurrence of any Change in Control Event, each Member shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to elect to Exchange Units for shares of Class A Common Stock; provided, that any such Exchange pursuant to this sentence shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be effective if such Change in Control is not consummated); and provided further, that any such election pursuant to this Section 2.1(a)(ii) may be withdrawn by the Member who submitted such election by providing written notice to the Corporation not less than four business days prior to the consummation of the Change in Control.

(b) A Member shall exercise its right to Exchange Units as set forth in Section 2.1(a) above by delivering to the Corporation a written election of exchange in respect of the Units to be Exchanged substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (an “ Exchange Notice ”), duly executed by such Member or such Member’s authorized attorney, in each case delivered during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Corporation and of Holdings. As promptly as practicable following the delivery of an Exchange Notice, Holdings shall deliver or cause to be delivered at the offices of the then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock or, if there is no then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock, at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon such Exchange, registered in the name of the relevant Member. To the extent the Class A Common Stock is settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, the Corporation will, subject to Section 2.1(c) below, upon the written instruction of a Member, use its reasonable best efforts to deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable to such Member, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, to the account of the participant of The Depository Trust Company designated by such Member.

(c) The Corporation and each Member shall bear their own expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated, except that the Corporation shall bear any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, however, that if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered in a name other than that of the Member that requested the Exchange then such Member and/or the person in whose name such shares are to be delivered shall pay to the Corporation amount of any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, such Exchange or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent the Corporation or Holdings shall determine that interests in Holdings do not meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h), the Corporation or Holdings may impose such restrictions on any Exchange as the Corporation or Holdings may determine to be necessary or advisable so that Holdings is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership - under Section 7704 of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Exchange shall be permitted (and, if attempted, shall be void ab initio) if, in the good faith determination of the Corporation or of Holdings, such an Exchange would pose a material risk that Holdings would be a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Member shall not be entitled to Exchange Units to the extent the Corporation determines that such Exchange (i) would be prohibited by law or regulation (including, without limitation, the unavailability of any requisite registration statement filed under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or (ii) would not be permitted under any other agreements with the Corporation or its subsidiaries to which such Member may be party or any written policies of the Corporation related to unlawful or improper trading (including, without limitation, the policies of the Corporation relating to insider trading).

(f) If the Corporation elects to satisfy an Exchange in cash pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i), then a Member may receive cash in lieu of shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for Units surrendered in accordance with Section 2.1(a), in an amount equal to the Market Value of the shares of Class A Common Stock that such Member would have received absent such an election by the Corporation. For the purposes of this Section 2.1(f), the “Market Value” as of a particular date shall be determined as follows: (i) if, at the time of the Exchange, the Units are convertible for shares of Class A Common Stock (or the securities of any successor company to the Corporation) that trade on a national securities exchange, the Market Value shall be the closing sale price ending one (1) day prior to the date of the Exchange Notice; (ii) if, at the time of the Exchange, the Units are convertible for Class A Common Stock (or the securities of any successor company to the Corporation) that trade over-the-counter, the Market Value shall be the average of the closing bid or sale prices over the five (5) day trading period ending prior to the date of the Exchange; and (iii) if the Units are not convertible for securities of the Corporation, or any other entity the securities of which are listed or traded on an established securities market, then the Market Value shall be the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. If the Member does not receive notice of the Corporation’s cash election substantially in the form of Exhibit B within five (5) business days of the Corporation’s receipt of such Member’s election of exchange, the Corporation shall forfeit the right to satisfy such Exchange in cash.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Member may Exchange Units pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i) during the 180 day period following the date of the closing of the IPO, unless such Member has executed the Lock-Up Agreement dated                     , 20        .

 

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2.2 Adjustment . The Exchange Rate shall be adjusted accordingly if there is: (a) any subdivision (by any unit split, unit distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Units that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock; or (b) any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend or distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Units. If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Exchange, each Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such Member would have received if such Exchange had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, this Section 2.2 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property. This Agreement shall apply to the Units held by the Members and their Permitted Transferees as of the date hereof, as well as any Units hereafter acquired by a Member and his or her or its Permitted Transferees. This Agreement shall apply to, mutatis mutandis, and all references to “Units” shall be deemed to include, any security, securities or other property of Holdings which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of Units by reason of any distribution or dividend, split, reverse split, combination, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, exchange (other than an Exchange) or other transaction.

2.3. Class A Common Stock to be Issued .

(a) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be deliverable upon any such Exchange; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of the Exchange of the Units by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation or any of their subsidiaries or by delivery of purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof). The Corporation and Holdings covenant that all Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(b) If the Corporation does not elect to satisfy an Exchange in cash pursuant to Section 2.1(f), the Corporation covenants and agrees that, to the extent that a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective and available for shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered with respect to any Exchange, shares that have been registered under the Securities Act shall be delivered in respect of such Exchange. In the event that any Exchange in accordance with this Agreement is to be effected at a time when any required registration has not become effective or otherwise is unavailable, upon the request and with the reasonable

 

6


cooperation of the Member requesting such Exchange, the Corporation and Holdings shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly facilitate such Exchange pursuant to any reasonably available exemption from such registration requirements. The Corporation and Holdings shall use commercially reasonable efforts to list the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon Exchange prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the outstanding Class A Common Stock may be listed or traded at the time of such delivery.

(c) Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Corporation has taken all such steps as may be required to cause to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) or (e), as applicable, under the Exchange Act, and be exempt for purposes of Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act, any acquisitions or dispositions of equity securities of the Corporation (including derivative securities with respect thereto) and any securities which may be deemed to be equity securities or derivative securities of the Corporation for such purposes that result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by each director or officer of the Corporation who may reasonably be expected to be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Corporation upon the registration of any class of equity security of the Corporation pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (with the authorizing resolutions specifying the name of each such officer or director whose acquisition or disposition of securities is to be exempted and the number of securities that may be acquired and disposed of by each such person pursuant to this Agreement).

(d) If any Takeover Law or other similar law or regulation becomes or is deemed to become applicable to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to render such law or regulation inapplicable to all of the foregoing.

(e) The Corporation covenants that all Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive right of stockholders of the Corporation or to any right of first refusal or other right in favor of any person or entity.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

3.1. Representations and Warranties of the Corporation . The Corporation represents and warrants that (i) it is a corporation duly incorporated and is existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to issue the Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Corporation and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation, the issuance of the Class A Common Stock) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Corporation, including but not limited to all actions necessary to ensure that the acquisition of shares Class A Common Stock pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the fullest extent of the Corporation’s Board of Directors’ power and authority and to the extent permitted by law, shall not be subject to any “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “business combination,” “fair

 

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price” or other form of anti-takeover laws and regulations” of any jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, “ Takeover Laws ”), (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Corporation and the consummation by the Corporation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Corporation is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Corporation or by which any property or asset of the Corporation is bound or affected, except with respect to clauses (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations, that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation or its business, financial condition or results of operations.

3.2. Representations and Warranties of the Members . Each Member, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that (i) if it is not a natural person, that it is duly incorporated or formed and, to the extent such concept exists in its jurisdiction of organization, is in good standing under the laws of such jurisdiction, (ii) it has all requisite legal capacity and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) if it is not a natural person, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other entity action on the part of such Member, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Member enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Member and the consummation by such Member of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) if it is not a natural person, result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws or other organizational documents of such Member or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which such member is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable such Member, except with respect to clauses (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations, that would not in any material respect result in the unenforceability against such Member of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE IV

RELEASE

4.1. Release . Each Member hereby forever fully and irrevocably (i) releases and discharges the Corporation, Holdings and their respective affiliates, owners, members, subsidiaries, parents, officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, including without limitation, the Black Canyon Entities (as defined in the LLC Agreement), Horizon Holdings, LLC and Malibu Holdings, L.P. and their respective affiliates, owners, members, subsidiaries, parents, officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Releasees ”), from and against any and all actions, suits, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, expenses, obligations or rights (of every kind, character and description, whether known or unknown, at law or in equity) that such Member has had or now has against any of the Releasees arising under or relating or incidental to such Member’s ownership of Units or the arrangements, transactions and documents related thereto, and every matter, thing or event whatsoever occurring or failing to occur at any time in the past up to and including the date of this Agreement (collectively, “ Released Claims ”), and (ii) agrees to refrain from directly or indirectly asserting any claim or demand, or commencing or causing to be commenced, any suit, action or proceeding of any kind against any of the Releasees based upon any such Released Claim. If any Member or Releasee brings an action directly or indirectly based upon this Section 4.1 or the matters contemplated hereby against the other party, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover, in addition to any other appropriate amounts, its reasonable costs and expenses in connection with such proceeding, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1. Additional Members . To the extent a Member validly transfers any or all of such Member’s Units to another person in a transaction in accordance with, and not in contravention of, the Holdings LLC Agreement, then such transferee (each, a “ Permitted Transferee ) shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, whereupon such Permitted Transferee shall become a Member hereunder. To the extent Holdings issues Units in the future, then the holder of such Units shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, whereupon such holder shall become a Member hereunder.

5.2. Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received (a) if delivered personally, on the date of delivery, or, if delivered by facsimile, upon confirmation of transmission by the sender’s fax machine if sent on a Business Day (or otherwise, on the Business Day following confirmation of transmission by the sender’s fax machine) or (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

If to the Corporation, to:

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax:                             

 

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If to a Member, to the address and facsimile number set forth in Holdings’ records.

Any party may change its address or fax number by giving the other party written notice of its new address or fax number in the manner set forth above.

5.3. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

5.4. Entire Agreement: No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

5.5. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

5.6. Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

5.7. Further Action . The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

5.8. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

5.9. Amendment . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only by the affirmative vote or written consent of each of (i) the Corporation and (ii) Members holding a majority of the then outstanding Units held by Members (excluding Units held by the Corporation); provided that except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of a Member, as such, other than on a pro rata basis with other Members without the consent of such Member (or, if there is more than one such Member that is so affected, without the consent of a majority of such affected Members in accordance with their holdings of Units).

 

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5.10. Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

5.11. Resolution of Disputes .

(a) Any and all disputes which cannot be settled amicably, including but not limited to any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) (each a “Dispute”) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in Delaware in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the Dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. In addition to monetary damages, the arbitrator shall be empowered to award equitable relief, including, but not limited to an injunction and specific performance of any obligation under this Agreement. The arbitrator is not empowered to award damages in excess of compensatory damages, and each party hereby irrevocably waives any right to recover punitive, exemplary or similar damages with respect to any Dispute. The award shall be final and binding upon the parties as from the date rendered, and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any claims, counterclaims, issues, or accounting presented to the arbitral tribunal. Judgment upon any award may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction over a party or any of its assets.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the Corporation may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each Member (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 5.11 to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate, and (iii) irrevocably appoints the Corporation as such Member’s agent for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise such Member of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Member in any such action or proceeding.

 

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(c) (i) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION 5.11, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another; and

(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in paragraph (c)(i) of this Section 5.11 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

5.12. Tax Treatment . This Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections l .704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. As required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations, the parties shall report any Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of the Units by a Member to the Corporation, and no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority unless an alternate position is permitted under the Code and Treasury Regulations and the Corporation consents in writing.

5.13. Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

5.14. Independent Nature of Members’ Rights and Obligations . The obligations of each Member hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Member. and no Member shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Member hereunder. The decision of each Member to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Member independently of any other Member. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Member pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Members as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Members are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby and the Corporation acknowledges that the Members are not acting in concert or as a group. and the Corporation will not assert any such claim with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.15. Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered, all as of the date first set forth above.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

MEMBERS:
For Individual and Joint Members:

 

(Signature)
Print Name:                                                                                  

 

(Signature of Joint Member)
Print Name of Joint Member, if any:

 

For Corporate, Partnership, Limited Liability

Company, Trust or Other Entity Members:

 

(Print Name of Entity)
By:  

 

  (Signature)
Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Exchange Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF]

ELECTION OF EXCHANGE

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax:                     

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of [     ], 20     (the “ Exchange Agreement ”) among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the holders of Units (as defined herein) from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The undersigned Member hereby transfers to the Corporation, the number of Units set forth below in Exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock or cash, pursuant to Section 2.1(f). If the Exchange is for Class A Common Stock, such shares are to be issued in its name as set forth below, as set forth in the Exchange Agreement.

Legal Name of Member: ___________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________

Number of Units to be Exchanged: ___________________________________

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Election of Exchange and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Election of Exchange has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof, as the case may be, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies; (iii) the Units subject to this Election of Exchange are being transferred to the Corporation free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, equities or claim; and (iv) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned or the Units subject to this Election of Exchange is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the transfer of such Units to the Corporation.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of the Corporation as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to transfer to the Corporation, the Units subject to this Election of Exchange and to deliver to the undersigned the shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered in Exchange therefor.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned. by authority duly given, has caused this Election of Exchange to be executed and delivered by the undersigned or by its duly authorized attorney.

 

 

Name:

 

Dated:

 

A-2


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF]

CASH ELECTION NOTICE

[Exchanging Member]

[Address]

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of [     ], 20     (the “ Exchange Agreement ”), by and among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), and each of the Members (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The Corporation received an Election of Exchange from the below Member on [ ], 20[ ]. Pursuant to Section 2.1(f) of the Exchange Agreement, the Corporation has elected to satisfy the Exchange in cash in lieu of Class A Common Stock.

Legal Name of Member: ________________________________________________________

Number of Units to be Exchanged: ________________

Market Value per Unit: $_________________________

Aggregate Market Value: $_______________________

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF]

JOINDER AGREEMENT

This Joinder Agreement (“ Joinder Agreement ”) is a joinder to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of [            ], 20         (the “ Agreement ”), among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”) and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have their meanings given to them in the Agreement. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware. In the event of any conflict between this Joinder Agreement and the Agreement, the terms of this Joinder Agreement shall control.

The undersigned hereby joins and enters into the Agreement having acquired Units in Holdings. By signing and returning this Joinder Agreement to the Corporation, the undersigned (i) accepts and agrees to be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of and agreements of a Member contained in the Agreement, with all attendant rights, duties and obligations of a Member thereunder and (ii) makes each of the representations and warranties of a Member set forth in Section 3.2 of the Agreement as fully as if such representations and warranties were set forth herein. The parties to the Agreement shall treat the execution and delivery hereof by the undersigned as the execution and delivery of the Agreement by the undersigned and, upon receipt of this Joinder Agreement by the Corporation, the signature of the undersigned set forth below shall constitute a counterpart signature to the signature page of the Agreement.

 

For Corporate, Partnership,

Limited Liability Company, Trust or Other Entity

Members:

    For Individual and Joint Members:
       
(Print Name of Entity)     (Signature)
By:         Print Name:                                                                                                     
  (Signature)    
Name:        

 

(Signature of Joint Member)

Title:         Print Name of Joint Member, if any:
       

 

Address for Notices:       With copies to:
         
         
         
Attention:             

 

C-1

Exhibit 10.17

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of             , 20    , is hereby entered into by and among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), and each of the Members (as defined herein).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Members hold limited liability company interests (“ Units ”) in Holdings, which is treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes;

WHEREAS, the Corporation is the managing member of Holdings and holds Units in Holdings;

WHEREAS, the Units held by the Members are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, (the “ Class A Shares ”) of the Corporation;

WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Members entered into a certain Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) and a certain Exchange Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, (the “ Exchange Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, certain Units held by the Members will be sold to the Corporation in exchange for cash and the right to certain payments under this Agreement (the “ Original Sale ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, certain Units held by the Members may be exchanged with the Corporation over time for Class A Shares;

WHEREAS, Holdings is treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), for each Taxable Year (as defined below) in which the Original Sale and an exchange of Units for Class A Shares occurs, which election is intended to result in an adjustment to the tax basis of the assets owned by Holdings (solely with respect to the Corporation) at the time (such time, the “ Exchange Date ”) of an exchange of Units for Class A Shares, the Original Sale, or any other acquisition by the Corporation of Units, for cash or otherwise (collectively, an “ Exchange ”) by reason of such Exchange and the payments under this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, expense and other tax items of (i) the Corporation, as a member of Holdings (and in respect of each of Holdings’ direct and indirect subsidiaries treated as disregarded entities or partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes), may be affected by the Basis Adjustments (as defined below) and (ii) the Corporation may be affected by the Imputed Interest (as defined below); and

 

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WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to make certain arrangements with respect to the actual or deemed effect of the Basis Adjustments and the Imputed Interest on the liability for Taxes of the Corporation.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this ARTICLE I shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.

Agreed Rate ” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Agreement ” is defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

Amended Schedule ” is defined in Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement.

Available Cash ” means all cash and cash equivalents of the Corporation on hand, less the amount of cash reserves reasonably established in good faith by the Corporation to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation, or (ii) comply with applicable law or any Senior Obligations; provided , however , that on any Payment Date the Corporation shall be deemed to have Available Cash in amount no less than the remainder of (x) the aggregate amount of tax distributions received by the Corporation from Holdings pursuant to Section 3.4 of the LLC Agreement since the first Exchange Date minus (y) the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of all payments made by the Corporation in respect of Taxes or under this Agreement since the first Exchange Date plus (B) the amount of tax distributions received by the Corporation pursuant to Section 3.4 of the LLC Agreement during the quarter for which Available Cash is then being determined or during the immediately preceding quarter, but only to the extent such tax distributions are reasonably expected to be utilized by the Corporation after the date of determination to pay tax liabilities of the Corporation for such quarter or the immediately succeeding quarter.

Basis Adjustment ” means the adjustment to the tax basis of an Exchange Reference Asset under Sections 732 and 1012 of the Code (in a situation where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, Holdings becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for tax purposes) or Sections 743(b) and 754 of the Code (including in situations where, following an Exchange, Holdings remains in existence as an entity for tax purposes) and, in each case, comparable sections of state, local and foreign tax laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more Units shall be determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such Units and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfer had not occurred.

 

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Beneficial Owner ” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The terms “Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have correlative meanings.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

Business Day ” means any calendar day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required to close.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) any Person or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provisions thereto (excluding a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities (excluding any Person or any group of Persons who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of Class A Common Stock, is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities); or

(b) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Corporation then serving: individuals who, on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of Class A Shares, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to an election of directors of the Corporation) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of Class A Shares or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (b); or

(c) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (x) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (y) all of the Persons who were the respective Beneficial Owners of the voting securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation; or

 

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(d) the shareholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporation immediately prior to such sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (b) and clause (c)(x) above, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

Class A Shares ” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Code ” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Control ” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Corporation ” is defined in the Preamble of this Agreement.

Corporation Return ” means the United States federal, state, local and/or foreign Tax Return, as applicable, of the Corporation filed with respect to Taxes of any Taxable Year.

Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit ” in respect of an Exchanging Member for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits in respect of such Exchanging Member for all Taxable Years of the Corporation, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments in respect of such Exchanging Member for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment in respect of an Exchanging Member for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule in respect of such Exchanging Member, if any, in existence at the time of such determination.

Default Rate ” means LIBOR plus 500 basis points.

Determination ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of state, local and foreign tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of an IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Taxes.

 

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Dispute ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a).

Early Termination Date ” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.

Early Termination Notice ” is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Payment ” is defined in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement.

Early Termination Rate ” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Early Termination Schedule ” is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Exchange ” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement, and “Exchanged” and “Exchanging” shall have correlative meanings.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Basis Schedule ” is defined in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

Exchange Date ” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Exchange Payment ” is defined in Section 5.1.

Exchange Reference Asset ” in respect of an Exchanging Member means an asset that is held by Holdings, or by any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for purposes of the applicable Taxes, at the time of an Exchange by such Exchanging Member. An Exchange Reference Asset also includes any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to an Exchange Reference Asset.

Exchanging Member ” means a Member that Exchanges some or all of its Units.

Expert ” is defined in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.

Hypothetical Tax Liability ” in respect of an Exchanging Member means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for Taxes of, without duplication, (a) the Corporation and (b) Holdings, but only with respect to the Corporation’s proportionate share of the Taxes imposed on Holdings, in each case using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the relevant Corporation Return, but (i) using the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis in respect of such Exchanging Member (as reflected on the applicable Exchange Basis Schedule including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year) and (ii) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest in respect of such Exchanging Member for the Taxable Year. For the avoidance of doubt, Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to the Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest, as applicable.

 

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Imputed Interest ” in respect of an Exchanging Member shall mean any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of state, local and foreign tax law with respect to the Corporation’s payment obligations in respect of such Exchanging Member under this Agreement.

Interest Amount ” is defined in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

IPO ” means the initial public offering of Class A Shares by the Corporation.

IPO Date ” means the date on which the Corporation contributes to Holdings the net proceeds received by the Corporation in connection with the IPO.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

LIBOR ” means for each month (or portion thereof) during any period, an interest rate per annum equal to the rate per annum reported, on the date two days prior to the first day of such month, on the Telerate Page 3750 (or if such screen shall cease to be publicly available, as reported on Reuters Screen page “LIBOR07” or by any other publicly available source of such market rate) for London interbank offered rates for United States dollar deposits for such month (or portion thereof).

LLC Agreement ” means, with respect to Holdings, the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdings, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

Market Value ” shall mean the closing price of the Class A Shares on the applicable Exchange Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided that if the closing price is not reported by the Wall Street Journal for the applicable Exchange Date, then the Market Value shall mean the closing price of the Class A Shares on the Business Day immediately preceding such Exchange Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided further, that if the Class A Shares are not then listed on a National Securities Exchange or Interdealer Quotation System, “Market Value” shall mean the cash consideration paid for Class A Shares, or the fair market value of the other property delivered for Class A Shares, as determined by the directors of the Corporation in good faith.

Material Objection Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Members ” means the parties who are signatories hereto, other than the Corporation and Holdings, and each other Person who from time to time executes a Joinder Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Net Tax Benefit ” is defined in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis ” in respect of any Exchanging Member means, with respect to any asset at any time, the tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustment had been made in respect of such Exchanging Member.

 

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Objection Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Original Members ” means the members of Holdings on the date of, but immediately preceding, the initial public offering of Class A Shares.

Payment Date ” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

Pre-Exchange Transfer ” means any transfer (including upon the death of a Member) or distribution of one or more Units (i) that occurs prior to an Exchange of such Units, and (ii) to which Section 743(b) of the Code applies.

Realized Tax Benefit ” in respect of any Exchanging Member means, for a Taxable Year and for all Taxes collectively, the net excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability in respect of such Exchanging Member over the “ actual ” liability for Taxes of the Corporation (or Holdings, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on Holdings and allocable to the Corporation) for such Taxable Year, such “ actual ” liability to be computed in accordance with Section 2.1 of this Agreement. If all or a portion of the actual liability for Taxes of the Corporation (or Holdings, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on Holdings and allocable to the Corporation) for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.

Realized Tax Detriment ” in respect of any Exchanging Member means, for a Taxable Year and for all Taxes collectively, the net excess, if any, of the “ actual ” liability for Taxes of the Corporation (or Holdings, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on Holdings and allocable to the Corporation) for such Taxable Year, such “ actual ” liability to be computed in accordance with Section 2.1 of this Agreement, over the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the actual liability for Taxes of the Corporation (or Holdings, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on Holdings and allocable to the Corporation) for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.

Reconciliation Dispute ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

Reconciliation Procedures ” shall mean those procedures set forth in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.

Schedule ” means any Exchange Basis Schedule or Tax Benefit Schedule and the Early Termination Schedule.

Senior Obligations ” is defined in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

 

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Subsidiaries ” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such first Person, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls more than 50% of the voting shares or other similar interests or the sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such other Person.

Tax Benefit Payment ” is defined in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

Tax Benefit Schedule ” is defined in Section 2.3 of this Agreement.

Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Taxes.

Taxable Year ” means a taxable year of the Corporation as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of state, local or foreign tax law, as applicable (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than 12 months for which a Tax Return is prepared), ending on or after the IPO Date.

Taxes ” means any and all United States federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, whether as an exclusive or on an alternative basis, and any interest related thereto.

Taxing Authority ” shall mean any domestic, foreign, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising tax regulatory authority.

Treasury Regulations ” means the final, temporary and proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

Units ” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Valuation Assumptions ” in respect of any Exchanging Member shall mean, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that (1) in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, the Corporation will have taxable income sufficient to fully use the deductions and/or losses (including, as applicable and for the avoidance of doubt, any deductions taken as a result of applying the Valuation Assumptions) arising from any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest in respect of such Exchanging Member during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, as applicable and for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available, (2) the federal income tax rates and state, local and foreign income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date, (3) any loss carryovers generated by any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest in respect of such Exchanging Member and available as of the date of the Early Termination Schedule will be used by the Corporation or such Consolidated Group on a pro rata basis from the date of the Early Termination Schedule through the scheduled

 

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expiration date of such loss carryovers, (4) any non-amortizable assets will be disposed of on the fifteenth anniversary of the earlier of the Basis Adjustment and the Early Termination Date or, if earlier, at the time of a Change of Control, or after 12 months for short-term investments, and (5) if, at the Early Termination Date, there are Units that have not been Exchanged, then each such Unit shall be deemed to be Exchanged for the Market Value of the Class A Shares and the amount of cash that would be transferred if the Exchange occurred on the Early Termination Date.

ARTICLE II.

DETERMINATION OF CUMULATIVE REALIZED TAX BENEFIT

2.1. Applicable Calculation Principles . Subject to Section 3.3, the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment in respect of each Exchanging Member for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the actual liability for Taxes of, without duplication, the Corporation for such Taxable Year attributable to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest, as applicable, determined using a “with and without” methodology. For the avoidance of doubt, the actual liability for Taxes will take into account the deduction of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment that must be accounted for as interest under the Code based upon the characterization of Tax Benefit Payments as additional consideration payable by the Corporation for the Units acquired in an Exchange. Carryovers or carrybacks of any tax item attributable to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest, as applicable, shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local income tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any tax item includes a portion that is attributable to the Basis Adjustments or Imputed Interest, as applicable, and another portion that is not, such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology. The parties agree that (i) any Tax Benefit Payment (other than amounts accounted for as interest under the Code) will (A) be treated as a subsequent upward purchase price adjustment and (B) have the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments in respect of such Exchanging Member to Exchange Reference Assets in the year of payment, and (ii) as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments in respect of such Exchanging Member will be incorporated into the current year calculation and into future year calculations, as appropriate.

2.2. Exchange Basis Schedule . Within 45 calendar days after the filing of the United States federal income tax return of the Corporation for each Taxable Year, the Corporation shall deliver to each Exchanging Member a schedule (an “ Exchange Basis Schedule ”) that shows, in reasonable detail, for purposes of Taxes, (i) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Exchange Reference Assets attributable to such Exchanging Member as of each applicable Exchange Date, (ii) the Basis Adjustment attributable to such Exchanging Member with respect to the Exchange Reference Assets as a result of the Exchanges effected in such Taxable Year by such Exchanging Member, calculated in the aggregate, (iii) the period or periods, if any, over which the Exchange Reference Assets are estimated to be amortizable and/or depreciable, and (iv) the period or periods, if any, over which each Basis Adjustment attributable to such Exchanging Member is estimated to be amortizable and/or depreciable (which, for non-amortizable assets shall be based on the Valuation Assumptions).

 

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2.3. Tax Benefit Schedule . Within 45 calendar days after the filing of the United States federal income tax return of the Corporation for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, the Corporation shall provide to each Exchanging Member a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment attributable to such Exchanging Member for such Taxable Year (a “ Tax Benefit Schedule ”). The Tax Benefit Schedule will become final as provided in Section 2.4(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.4(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(b)).

2.4. Procedures, Amendments .

(a) Procedure . Every time the Corporation delivers to an Exchanging Member an applicable Schedule under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.4(b), but excluding any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, the Corporation shall also (x) deliver to the Exchanging Member schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporation or reasonably requested by the Exchanging Member, providing reasonable detail regarding the preparation of the Schedule and (y) allow the Exchanging Member reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives at the Corporation in connection with a review of such Schedule. The applicable Schedule shall become final and binding on all parties unless the Exchanging Member, within 30 calendar days after receiving an Exchange Basis Schedule or amendment thereto or a Tax Benefit Schedule or amendment thereto, provides the Corporation with notice of a material objection to such Schedule (“ Objection Notice ”) made in good faith. If the parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such notice within 30 calendar days of receipt by the Corporation of an Objection Notice, if with respect to an Exchange Basis Schedule or a Tax Benefit Schedule, the Corporation and the Exchanging Member shall employ the reconciliation procedures as described in Section 7.9 of this Agreement (the “ Reconciliation Procedures ”).

(b) Amended Schedule . The applicable Schedule in respect of an Exchanging Member for any Taxable Year may be amended from time to time by the Corporation (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct material inaccuracies in the Schedule identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was provided to the Exchanging Member, (iii) to comply with the Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a material change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment in respect of the Exchanging Member for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a material change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment in respect of the Exchanging Member for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year, or (vi) to adjust the Exchange Basis Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (such Schedule, an “ Amended Schedule ”). The Corporation shall provide any Amended Schedule to the Exchanging Member, within 30 calendar days of the occurrence of an event referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of the preceding sentence, and any such Amended Schedule shall be subject to approval procedures similar to those described in Section 2.4(a).

 

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ARTICLE III.

TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

3.1. Payments .

(a) Payments . Within five (5) Business Days of a Tax Benefit Schedule that was delivered to an Exchanging Member becoming final in accordance with Section 2.4(a), the Corporation shall pay to such Exchanging Member for such Taxable Year the Tax Benefit Payment determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b). Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer (or as otherwise directed by the Exchanging Member) of immediately available funds to a bank account of the Exchanging Member previously designated by such Exchanging Member to the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of estimated tax payments, including, without limitation, federal estimated income tax payments.

(b) A “ Tax Benefit Payment ” in respect of an Exchanging Member means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of the Net Tax Benefit and the Interest Amount attributable to such Exchanging Member. For the avoidance of doubt, for tax purposes, the Interest Amount shall not be treated as interest but instead shall be treated as additional consideration for the acquisition of Units or other assets in Exchanges, unless otherwise required by law. The “ Net Tax Benefit ” for each Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit in respect of the Exchanging Member as of the end of such Taxable Year over the total amount of payments previously made under this Section 3.1 in respect of such Exchanging Member, excluding payments attributable to the Interest Amount; provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, no Member shall be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment. The “ Interest Amount ” for a given Taxable Year shall equal the interest on the Net Tax Benefit for such Taxable Year calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing the Corporation Return with respect to Taxes for the most recently ended Taxable Year until the Payment Date. The Net Tax Benefit and the Interest Amount shall be determined separately with respect to each separate Exchange, on a Unit-by-Unit basis by reference to the resulting Basis Adjustment to the Corporation.

(c) The Corporation shall use good faith efforts to ensure that it has sufficient Available Cash to make all payments due under this Agreement without regard to the last sentence of Section 4.1(b).

3.2. No Duplicative Payments . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. It is also intended that the provisions of this Agreement will result in 85% of the Corporation’s Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit, and the Interest Amount thereon, being paid to the Members pursuant to this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner so that these fundamental results are achieved.

 

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3.3. Pro Rata Payments; Coordination of Benefits .

(a) Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate tax benefit of the Corporation’s deduction with respect to the Basis Adjustments or Imputed Interest in respect of all Exchanging Members under this Agreement is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporation does not have sufficient taxable income, the limitation on the tax benefit for the Corporation shall be allocated among the Exchanging Members in proportion to the respective amounts of Realized Tax Benefits that would have been determined under this Agreement in respect of each Exchanging Member if the Corporation had sufficient taxable income so that there were no such limitation.

(b) If for any reason the Corporation does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then the Corporation and the Exchanging Members agree that (i) the Corporation shall pay the same proportion of each Tax Benefit Payment due under this Agreement in respect of such Taxable Year, without favoring one obligation over the other, and (ii) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior Taxable Years have been made in full.

ARTICLE IV.

TERMINATION

4.1. Early Termination and Breach of Agreement .

(a) The Corporation may terminate this Agreement with respect to all of the Units held (or previously held and Exchanged) by all Members at any time by paying to each Member the Early Termination Payment attributable to each such Member; provided, however, that this Agreement shall only terminate upon the receipt of the Early Termination Payment by all Members, and provided, further, that the Corporation may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon payment of the Early Termination Payments by the Corporation, neither the Members nor the Corporation shall have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than for any (a) Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporation and the Member as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (b) Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (b) is included in the Early Termination Payment). For the avoidance of doubt, if an Exchange occurs after the Corporation makes the Early Termination Payments with respect to all Members, the Corporation shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange, and its only obligations under this Agreement in such case shall be its obligations to all Members under Section 4.3(a).

(b) In the event that the Corporation breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such breach and shall include, but

 

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shall not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of a breach, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of a Member agreed to by the Corporation and such Members as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of a breach, and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of a breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Corporation breaches this Agreement, the Members shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above or to seek specific performance of the terms hereof. The parties agree that the failure to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three months of the date such payment is due shall be deemed to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement, and that it will not be considered to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three months of the date such payment is due.

(c) In the event of a Change of Control, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated pursuant to this Article IV as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the closing date of the Change of Control and shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the effective date of a Change of Control, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of a Member agreed to by the Corporation and such Members as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for any Taxable Year ending prior to, with or including the effective date of a Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the Early Termination Payment shall be calculated utilizing the Valuation Assumptions and by substituting in each case the terms “the closing date of a Change of Control” for an “Early Termination Date.”

4.2. Early Termination Notice . If the Corporation chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above, the Corporation shall deliver to each present or former Member notice of such intention to exercise such right (“ Early Termination Notice ”) and a schedule (the “ Early Termination Schedule ”) specifying the Corporation’s intention to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment for that Member. The Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on a Member (and on the Corporation as to that Member) unless the Member, within 30 calendar days after receiving the Early Termination Schedule, provides the Corporation with notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (“ Material Objection Notice ”). If the parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such notice within 30 calendar days after receipt by the Corporation of the Material Objection Notice, the Corporation and the Member shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures as described in Section 7.9 of this Agreement. All Early Termination Schedules affected by any changes resulting from a Material Objection Notice shall be updated and the Early Termination Payment(s) due in respect thereof shall be recalculated by the Corporation to take into account such changes.

4.3. Payment upon Early Termination .

(a) Within three (3) Business Days after agreement between the Member and the Corporation of the Early Termination Schedule, the Corporation shall pay to the Member an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment determined for such Member. Such payment shall be made by wire transfer (or as otherwise directed by the Exchanging Member) of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Member.

 

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(b) The “ Early Termination Payment ” as of the date of the delivery of an Early Termination Schedule shall equal with respect to any Member the sum of (i) the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of such date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be required to be paid by the Corporation to the Member beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions are applied and (ii) without duplication of any amounts referred to in (i), amounts deferred pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.1(b) (including interest).

4.4. Unilateral Termination . At any time, by providing notice (the “ Unilateral Termination Notice ”) to the Corporation, a Member may elect to terminate this Agreement with respect to such Member effective as of the date designated by the Member in such notice (the “ Unilateral Termination Date ”). Upon receipt of the Unilateral Termination Notice, the Corporation shall have no further payment obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Member other than for a (a) Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporation through a majority of its directors and the Member as due and payable but unpaid as of the Unilateral Termination Date and (b) Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the Unilateral Termination Date (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (b) is attributable to Units exchanged after the Unilateral Termination Date).

ARTICLE V.

SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

5.1. Subordination . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment required to be made by the Corporation to the Members under this Agreement (an “ Exchange Payment ”) shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (“ Senior Obligations ”) and shall rank pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporation that are not Senior Obligations.

5.2. Late Payments by the Corporation . The amount of all or any portion of any Exchange Payment not made to any Member when due under the terms of this Agreement shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the date on which such Exchange Payment was due and payable.

ARTICLE VI.

NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

6.1. Original Member Participation in the Corporation’s and Holdings’ Tax Matters . Except as otherwise provided herein, the Corporation shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all tax matters concerning the Corporation and Holdings, including without limitation the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall notify the applicable Original Member of, and keep the applicable Original Member reasonably

 

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informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of the Corporation and Holdings by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to affect the applicable Original Member’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, and shall provide to the applicable Original Member reasonable opportunity to provide information and other input to the Corporation, Holdings and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of any such portion of such audit; provided, however, that the Corporation and Holdings shall not be required to take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the LLC Agreement.

6.2. Consistency . Except for items that are explicitly described as “deemed” or in similar manner by the terms of this Agreement, the Corporation and the Exchanging Member agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including federal, state, and local tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all tax-related items (including without limitation the Basis Adjustment and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that specified by the Corporation in any Schedule required to be provided by or on behalf of the Corporation under this Agreement.

6.3. Cooperation . Each Exchanging Member shall (a) furnish to the Corporation in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the Corporation may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to the Corporation and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the Corporation or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter, and the Corporation shall reimburse the Exchanging Member for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section.

ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1. Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received (a) if delivered personally, on the date of delivery, or, if delivered by facsimile, upon confirmation of transmission by the sender’s fax machine if sent on a Business Day (or otherwise, on the Business Day following confirmation of transmission by the sender’s fax machine) or (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

if to the Corporation, to:

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax:                                 

 

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if to Holdings, to:

Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax:                                 

If to a Member, to the address and facsimile number set forth in Holdings’ records.

Any party may change its address or fax number by giving the other party written notice of its new address or fax number in the manner set forth above.

7.2. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

7.3. Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

7.4. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

7.5. Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

7.6. Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers . No Member may assign this Agreement to any person without the prior written consent of the Corporation; provided, however, that (i) to the extent Units are effectively transferred in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, the transferring Member shall have the option to assign to the transferee of

 

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such Units the transferring Member’s rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units, as long as such transferee has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such transfer, executes and delivers, a Joinder Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, agreeing to become a “Member” for all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such Joinder Agreement, and (ii) once an Exchange has occurred, any and all payments that may become payable to a Member pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Exchanged Units may be assigned to the Corporation or any Member, as long as such Member has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such assignment, executes and delivers, a Joinder Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, agreeing to be bound by Section 7.13 and acknowledging specifically the terms of the next paragraph. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Person transfers Units (regardless of whether the transferee is a “Permitted Transferee” under the terms of the LLC Agreement) but does not assign to the transferee of such Units such Person’s rights, if any, under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units, such Person shall be entitled to receive the Tax Benefit Payments, if any, due hereunder with respect to, including any Tax Benefit Payments arising in respect of a subsequent Exchange of, such Units.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.6, no transferee described in clause (i) of the immediately preceding paragraph shall have the right to enforce the provisions of Sections 2.4, 4.2, 6.1 or 6.2 of this Agreement, and no assignee described in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding paragraph shall have any rights under this Agreement except for the right to enforce its right to receive payments under this Agreement.

No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by each of the Corporation and Holdings and by Original Members who would be entitled to receive at least a majority of the Early Termination Payments payable to all Original Members hereunder if the Corporation had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any Original Member pursuant to this Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange); provided, that no such amendment shall be effective if such amendment will have a disproportionate effect on the payments certain Members will or may receive under this Agreement unless all such Members disproportionately affected consent in writing to such amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporation shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event an Original Member transfers his Units to a Permitted Transferee (as defined in the LLC Agreement), excluding any other Original Member, such Original Member shall have the right, on behalf of such transferee, to enforce the provisions of Sections 2.4, 4.2 or 6.1 with respect to such transferred Units.

 

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7.7. Titles and Subtitles . The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

7.8. Resolution of Disputes .

(a) Any and all disputes which are not governed by Section 7.9, including but not limited to any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) (each a “Dispute”) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in Delaware in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the Dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. In addition to monetary damages, the arbitrator shall be empowered to award equitable relief, including, but not limited to an injunction and specific performance of any obligation under this Agreement. The arbitrator is not empowered to award damages in excess of compensatory damages, and each party hereby irrevocably waives any right to recover punitive, exemplary or similar damages with respect to any Dispute. The award shall be final and binding upon the parties as from the date rendered, and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any claims, counterclaims, issues, or accounting presented to the arbitral tribunal. Judgment upon any award may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction over a party or any of its assets.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the Corporation may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each Member (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.8 to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate, and (iii) irrevocably appoints the Corporation as such Member’s agent for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise such Member of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Member in any such action or proceeding.

(c) (i) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION 7.8, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another; and

 

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(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in paragraph (c)(i) of this Section 7.8 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

7.9. Reconciliation . In the event that the Corporation and the Exchanging Member are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by Sections 2.4, 4.2 and 6.2 within the relevant period designated in this Agreement (“ Reconciliation Dispute ”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the “ Expert ”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to both parties. The Expert shall be a partner in a nationally recognized accounting firm or a law firm, and the Expert shall not, and, unless the Exchanging Member agrees otherwise, the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with either the Corporation or the Exchanging Member or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, the Expert shall be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Exchange Basis Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within 30 calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within 15 calendar days or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on such date and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporation, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution.

The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne by the Corporation except as provided in the next sentence. The Corporation and each Exchanging Member shall bear their own costs and expenses of such proceeding, unless an Exchanging Member has a prevailing position that is more than 15% of the payment at issue, in which case the Corporation shall reimburse such Exchanging Member for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.9 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.9 shall be binding on the Corporation and the Exchanging Member and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.

7.10. Withholding . The Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporation is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporation, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Exchanging Member.

 

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7.11. Tax Covenant . The Corporation, Holdings and each of the Members hereby acknowledge that, as of the date of this Agreement, the aggregate value of the Tax Benefit Payments cannot reasonably be ascertained for United States federal income tax or other applicable tax purposes.

7.12. Admission of the Corporation into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets .

(a) If the Corporation becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income tax return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state, local or foreign law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.

(b) If any entity that is obligated to make an Exchange Payment hereunder transfers one or more assets to a corporation with which such entity does not file a consolidated tax return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code, such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Exchange Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such contribution. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the fair market value of the contributed asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a contribution of an encumbered asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such asset, in the case of a contribution of a partnership interest.

7.13. Confidentiality . Each Member and assignee acknowledges and agrees that the information of the Corporation is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporation and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such person shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters, acquired pursuant to this Agreement, of the Corporation and its Affiliates and successors, concerning Holdings and its Affiliates and successors or the other Members, learned by the Member heretofore or hereafter. This Section 7.13 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of such Member in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for a Member to prepare and file his or her Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each Member and assignee (and each employee, representative or other agent of such Member or assignee, as applicable) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Corporation, Holdings, the Members and their Affiliates, and any of their transactions, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Members relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

 

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If a Member or assignee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.13, the Corporation shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.13 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or the other Members and the accounts and funds managed by the Corporation and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

7.14. LLC Agreement . This Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings as described in Section 761(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.

7.15. Independent Nature of Exchanging Members’ Rights and Obligations . The obligations of each Exchanging Member hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Exchanging Member, and no Exchanging Member shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Exchanging Member hereunder. The decision of each Exchanging Member to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Exchanging Member independently of any other Exchanging Member. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Exchanging Member pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Exchanging Members as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Exchanging Members are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby and the Corporation acknowledges that the Exchanging Members are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Corporation will not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.16. Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation, Holdings and each Original Member have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.

By:                                                                                                   

Name:                                                                                             

Title:                                                                                               

MALIBU BOATS HOLDINGS, LLC

By:                                                                                                   

Name:                                                                                             

Title:                                                                                               

 

MEMBERS:

For Individual and Joint Members:

 

(Signature)

Print Name:                                                                                 

 

(Signature of Joint Member)
Print Name of Joint Member, if any:

 

For Corporate, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Trust or Other Entity Members:

 

(Print Name of Entity)

By:                                                                                                   

      (Signature)

Name:                                                                                             

Title:                                                                                               

 

[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

JOINDER

This JOINDER (this “ Joinder ”) to the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of                             , by and among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”) and                              (“ Permitted Transferee ”).

WHEREAS, on                             , Permitted Transferee acquired (the “ Acquisition ”) Units in Holdings and the corresponding share of Class B common stock of the Corporation (collectively, “ Interests ” and, together with all other Interests hereinafter acquired by Permitted Transferee from Transferor and its Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement), the “ Acquired Interests ”) from                                  (“ Transferor ”); and

WHEREAS, Transferor, in connection with the Acquisition, has required Permitted Transferee to execute and deliver this Joinder pursuant to Section 7.6 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the agreements contained herein, Permitted Transferee hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1.1. Definitions . To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.2. Joinder . Permitted Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees to become a “ Member ” (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) for all purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement, including but not limited to, being bound by Sections 2.4, 4.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 7.12 of the Tax Receivable Agreement, with respect to the Acquired Interests.

Section 1.3. Notice . All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to Permitted Transferee shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or sent by facsimile (provided a copy is thereafter promptly delivered as provided in this Section 1.3) or nationally recognized overnight courier, addressed to Permitted Transferee at the address or facsimile number set forth below or such other address or facsimile number as may hereafter be designated in writing by Permitted Transferee:

Section 1.4. Governing Law . THIS JOINDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by Permitted Transferee as of the date first above written.

 

For Corporate, Partnership,

Limited Liability Company, Trust

or Other Entity Members:

    For Individual and Joint Members:

 

   

 

(Print Name of Entity)     (Signature)

By:

 

 

    Print Name:  

 

 

(Signature)

     

Name:

 

 

   

 

Title:

 

 

    (Signature of Joint Investor)
      Print Name of Joint Investor, if any:
     

 

 

Signature Page — Joinder to Tax Receivable Agreement

Exhibit 10.18

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of             , 20    , by and among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Black Canyon Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Black Canyon ”), Black Canyon Direct Investment Fund L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Black Canyon Investments L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Canyon Value Realization Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, The Canyon Value Realization Master Fund, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership, and Loudon Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

WHEREAS , the Black Canyon Entities (defined below), other than Black Canyon, are holders of LLC Units (defined below), which, subject to certain restrictions and requirements, are exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Class A Common Stock ”); and

WHEREAS , the Company desires to provide the Black Canyon Entities with registration rights with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock for which their LLC Units are exchangeable and certain other shares of Class A Common Stock they may otherwise hold from time to time.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements, covenants and provisions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER MATTERS

1.1 Definitions . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without other definition shall, unless expressly stated otherwise, have the meanings specified in this Section 1.1 .

(a) “ Affiliate ” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, the person specified.

(b) “ Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

(c) “ Black Canyon ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the introductory paragraph hereof.

(d) “ Black Canyon Entities ” means Black Canyon, Black Canyon Direct Investment Fund L.P., Black Canyon Investments L.P., Canyon Value Realization Fund, L.P., Loudon Partners, LLC, The Canyon Value Realization Master Fund, L.P. and their respective successors and Permitted Transferees.

(e) “ Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

(f) “ Class A Common Stock ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

(g) “ Company ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the introductory paragraph hereof.

(h) “ Control ,” “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of a person.

 

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(i) “ Covered LLC Units ” means, with respect to a Black Canyon Entity, such Black Canyon Entity’s LLC Units.

(j) “ Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(c) .

(k) “ Demand Registration ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a) .

(l) “ Demand Right ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a) .

(m) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(n) “ Exchange Agreement ” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of or about the date hereof among the Company and the holders of LLC Units from time to time party thereto.

(o) “ Exchange Registration ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a) .

(p) “ FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

(q) “ Follow-on Holdback Period ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4(a) .

(r) “ Governmental Authority ” means any national, local or foreign (including U.S. federal, state or local) or supranational (including European Union) governmental, judicial, administrative or regulatory (including self-regulatory) agency, commission, department, board, bureau, entity or authority of competent jurisdiction.

(s) “ Incidental Registration ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a) .

(t) “ Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.7 .

(u) “ LLC ” means Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

(v) “ LLC Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of or about the date hereof.

(w) “ LLC Unit ” means (i) each Unit (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement) issued as of the date hereof and (ii) each Unit or other interest in the LLC that may be issued by the LLC in the future that is designated by the Company as a Unit.

(x) “ Other Registration Rights ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a)(ii) .

(y) “ Permitted Transferee ” means any transferee of an LLC Unit after the date hereof, the transfer of which is permitted by the LLC Agreement

 

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(z) “ Public Offering ” means an underwritten public offering, or any public offering led by underwriters on a best efforts or firm commitment basis, pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or any similar or successor form. As used herein, “underwriter” shall mean any underwriter or agent acting in such capacity in a Public Offering.

(aa) “ Registered Black Canyon Entity ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.6(a) .

(bb) “ Registrable Securities ” means shares of Class A Common Stock that may be delivered in exchange for LLC Units and other shares of Class A Common Stock otherwise held by Black Canyon Entities from time to time. For purposes of this Agreement, a person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities and such Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in existence whenever such person has the right to acquire such Registrable Securities (upon conversion, exchange or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right other than vesting), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, as to any particular Black Canyon Entity, Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when and to the extent that (i) such Registrable Securities (A) have been sold in a transaction registered under the Securities Act, (B) have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision then in effect) or (C) in the case of any Registrable Securities that are not “restricted securities” for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, have been sold by a person who is not an “affiliate” of the Company for purposes of Rule 144 in reliance upon Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act, (ii) the holder of such Registrable Securities is not an “affiliate” of the Company for purposes of Rule 144 and is eligible to sell all Registrable Securities held by such person pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1) under the Securities Act in any three-month period without limitation under any of the other requirements of Rule 144, (iii) in the case of any Registrable Securities that are not “restricted securities” for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Black Canyon Entity is not an “affiliate” of the Company for purposes of Rule 144 and is eligible to publicly sell such securities in reliance upon Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act (or any successor provision then in effect); or (iv) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding (or issuable upon exchange).

(cc) “ Registration Expenses ” means any and all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with any registration or marketing of securities, including all (i) SEC and securities exchange registration and filing fees, and all other fees and expenses payable in connection with the listing of securities on any securities exchange or automated interdealer quotation system, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with any securities or “blue sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the securities registered), (iii) expenses in connection with the preparation, printing, mailing and delivery of any registration statements, prospectuses and other documents in connection therewith and any amendments or supplements thereto, (iv) security engraving and printing expenses, (v) internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of the officers and employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties), (vi) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses relating to any comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent certified public accountants of any comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 2.6(i) ), (vii) reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration, (viii) reasonable fees, out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Black Canyon Entities, including one counsel for all of the Black Canyon Entities participating in the offering, (ix) fees and expenses in connection with any review by

 

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FINRA of the underwriting arrangements or other terms of the offering, and all fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter,” including the fees and expenses of any counsel thereto, (x) fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, but excluding any underwriting fees, discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities, (xi) costs of printing and producing any agreements among underwriters, underwriting agreements, any “blue sky” or legal investment memoranda and any selling agreements and other documents in connection with the offering, sale or delivery of the Registrable Securities, (xii) transfer agents’ and registrars’ fees and expenses and the fees and expenses of any other agent or trustee appointed in connection with such offering, (xiii) expenses relating to any analyst or investor presentations or any “road shows” undertaken in connection with the registration, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities, (xiv) fees and expenses payable in connection with any ratings of the Registrable Securities, including expenses relating to any presentations to rating agencies and (xv) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Company or its appropriate officers in connection with their compliance with Section 2.6(m) .

(dd) “ Registration Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a) .

(ee) “ Registration Request ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a) .

(ff) “ Requesting Holders ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a) .

(gg) “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(hh) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(ii) “ Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(e)(i) .

(jj) “ Suspension Period ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.6(k) .

1.2 Definitions Generally . Wherever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa, and references to any agreement, document or instrument shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, document or instrument as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time. When used herein:

(a) the word “or” is not exclusive;

(b) the words “including,” “includes,” “included” and “include” are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(c) the terms “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision;

(d) the word “person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership or other legal entity or a government or any department or agency thereof or self-regulatory organization; and

(e) all sections, paragraphs or clause references not attributed to a particular document shall be references to such parts of this Agreement, and all exhibits, annex and schedule references not attributed to a particular document shall be references to such exhibits, annexes and schedules to this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

2.1 Exchange Registration .

(a) Unless an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available with respect to the Company’s issuance and delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for LLC Units, Black Canyon shall have the right to request that the Company promptly file with the SEC, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC promptly thereafter, one or more registration statements (the “ Exchange Registration ”) covering (i) the delivery by the Company from time to time to the Black Canyon Entities of all shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable to the Black Canyon Entities in exchange for LLC Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement or (ii) if the Company determines that the registration provided for in clause (i) is not available for any reason, the registration of resale of such shares of Class A Common Stock by the Black Canyon Entities.

(b) In connection with any Exchange Registration, regardless of whether such registration is effected, the Company shall be liable for and pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Exchange Registration.

(c) Upon notice to each Black Canyon Entity, the Company may postpone effecting a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 for a reasonable time specified in the notice but not exceeding 60 days (which period may not be extended or renewed), if (i) the Board shall determine in good faith that effecting the registration would materially and adversely affect an offering of securities of the Company the preparation of which had then been commenced or (ii) the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which during the period specified in such notice the Board believes in good faith would not be in the best interests of the Company.

(d) The Company shall not grant any Exchange Registration rights to any person that are superior to those granted to the Black Canyon Entities herein without the consent of Black Canyon.

2.2 Demand Registration .

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article II , Black Canyon shall have the right (the “ Demand Right ”) to request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of the Registrable Securities held by any of the Black Canyon Entities and their respective Affiliates (referred to herein as the “ Requesting Holders ”) by delivering a written notice to the principal business office of the Company, which notice identifies the Requesting Holders and specifies the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration (the “ Registration Request ”). Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.2(d) , the Company will thereupon use its best efforts to effect the registration (a “ Demand Registration ”) under the Securities Act on any form available to the Company of:

(i) the Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the Requesting Holders; and

(ii) any securities of the Company proposed to be included in such registration by the holders of registration rights granted other than pursuant to this Agreement (the “ Other Registration Rights ”).

 

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(b) At any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating to a Demand Registration, Black Canyon may revoke such Demand Registration request by providing a notice to the Company revoking such request. The Company shall be liable for and pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Demand Registration. Except as otherwise set forth herein, there shall be no limit to the number of Demand Registrations that Black Canyon may request.

(c) If the sole or managing underwriter of a Demand Registration advises the Company in writing that in its opinion the number of Registrable Securities and other securities requested to be included exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof, the Company will include in such registration the greatest number of (i) Registrable Securities proposed to be registered by the holders thereof, (ii) securities having Other Registration Rights that are pari passu with the demand rights granted in respect of Registrable Securities hereunder proposed to be registered by the holders thereof and (iii) securities proposed to be registered by the Company for its own account, which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof, ratably among the holders of Registrable Securities, the holder of such Other Registration Rights and the Company, based (A) as between the Company and such holders requesting registration, on the respective amounts of securities requested to be registered, and (B) as among the holders requesting registration (whether the Requesting Holders or otherwise), on the respective amounts of Registrable Securities (whether requested to be registered pursuant to Sections 2.1 , 2.2 or 2.3 ) and securities subject to such Other Registration Rights, as the case may be, held by each such holder.

(d) Any Demand Registration requested must be for a firmly underwritten public offering to be managed by an underwriter or underwriters of recognized national standing selected by Black Canyon and reasonably acceptable to the Company.

(e) Shelf Registration Statement .

(i) The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a “shelf” registration statement (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) as soon as practicable after the one-year anniversary of the closing of the IPO on an appropriate form to allow the Black Canyon Entities and their respective Affiliates to sell on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act any Registrable Securities that the Black Canyon Entities and their respective Affiliates hold; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file a Shelf Registration Statement if Black Canyon provides written notice to the Company waiving the requirements of this Section 2.2(e) prior to the one-year anniversary of the closing of the IPO.

(ii) Each Black Canyon Entity that has delivered duly completed and executed all questionnaires, powers of attorney and other documents reasonably required under the terms of this Agreement to the Company on or prior to the date that is ten business days prior to the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement shall be named as a selling securityholder at the time of such effectiveness in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Black Canyon Entity to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, after effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall file a supplement to such prospectus or amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement not less frequently than once per fiscal quarter as necessary to name as selling securityholders therein any Black Canyon Entities that provide to the Company duly completed and executed a duly

 

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completed and executed all questionnaires, powers of attorney and other documents reasonably required under the terms of this Agreement and shall use reasonable efforts to cause any post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement filed for such purpose to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof.

(iii) The Company shall use reasonable efforts to keep a Shelf Registration Statement effective at all times (but subject to shelf registration limitations under Rule 415 of the Securities Act) from the first anniversary of the closing of the IPO until the eighth anniversary of the closing of the IPO, unless Black Canyon provides written notice to the Company waiving the requirements of this Section 2.2(e)(iii) prior to such eighth anniversary.

(iv) The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with registrations pursuant to this Section 2.2(e) , which Registration Expenses shall in no event be deemed to include brokerage commissions or transfer taxes, or, if applicable, underwriting commissions and discounts.

(f) The Company represents and warrants that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to, or otherwise subject to, any other agreement granting registration rights to any other person with respect to any securities of the Company. The Company shall not grant any Incidental Registration rights to any person that are superior to those granted to the Black Canyon Entities herein without the consent of Black Canyon.

2.3 Incidental Registration

(a) At any time the Company proposes to register any shares of Class A Common Stock under the Securities Act (other than an Exchange Registration or registrations on such form(s) solely for registration of shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with any employee benefit plan or dividend reinvestment plan or a merger or consolidation), including registrations pursuant to Section 2.2(a) , whether or not for sale for its own account, the Company will give written notice to each holder of Registrable Securities at least 30 days prior to the initial filing of such registration statement with the SEC of its intent to file such registration statement and of such holder’s rights under this Section 2.3 . Upon the written request of any holder of Registrable Securities made within 20 days after any such notice is given (which request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such holder), the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration (an “ Incidental Registration ”) under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company, as the case may be, has been so requested to register by the holders thereof; provided, however, that if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such Incidental Registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each holder of Registrable Securities and, thereupon, (a) in the case of a determination not to register, the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities under this Section 2.3 in connection with such registration, and (b) in the case of a determination to delay registration, the Company shall be permitted to delay registering any Registrable Securities under this Section 2.3 during the period that the registration of such other securities is delayed.

(b) If the sole or managing underwriter of a registration advises the Company in writing that in its opinion the number of Registrable Securities and other securities requested to be included exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof, the Company will include in such registration the Registrable Securities and other securities of the Company in the following order of priority:

 

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(i) first, the greatest number of securities of the Company proposed to be included in such registration by the Company for its own account and by holders of Other Registration Rights that have priority over the Incidental Registration rights granted to holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement, which in the opinion of such underwriters can be so sold; and

(ii) second, after all securities that the Company proposes to register for its own account or for the accounts of holders of Other Registration Rights that have priority over the Incidental Registration rights under this Agreement have been included, the greatest amount of Registrable Securities and securities having Other Registration Rights that are pari passu with Registrable Securities, in each case requested to be registered by the holders thereof which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof, ratably among the holders of Registrable Securities (whether requested or required to be registered pursuant to Sections 2.1 , 2.2 or 2.3 ) and securities subject to such Other Registration Rights based on the respective amounts of Registrable Securities and securities subject to such Other Registration Rights held by each such holder.

(c) Upon delivering a request under this Section 2.3 , a Black Canyon Entity will, if requested by the Company, execute and deliver a custody agreement and power of attorney in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such Black Canyon Entity’s securities to be registered pursuant to this Section 2.3 (a “ Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney ”). The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney will provide, among other things, that the Black Canyon Entity will deliver to and deposit in custody with the custodian and attorney-in-fact named therein a certificate or certificates representing such securities (duly endorsed in blank by the registered owner or owners thereof or accompanied by duly executed stock powers in blank) and irrevocably appoint said custodian and attorney-in-fact with full power and authority to act under the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney on such Black Canyon Entity’s behalf with respect to the matters specified therein. Such Black Canyon Entity also agrees to execute such other agreements as the Company may reasonably request to further evidence the provisions of this Section 2.3 .

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, after the time the Company has caused to become effective an Exchange Registration, covering all shares to be registered pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, and continuing for so long as such Exchange Registration remains effective and available for use, any Black Canyon Entity that is not an “affiliate” of the Company for purposes of Rule 144 shall not have the right to participate in any Incidental Registration rights pursuant to this Section 2.3 , except to the extent the shares to be registered and offered pursuant to such Incidental Registration will be an underwritten offering.

2.4 Holdback Agreement .

(a) Each Black Canyon Entity agrees that, if requested in writing in connection with an underwritten offering subsequent to the Company’s initial public offering made pursuant to a registration statement for which such Black Canyon Entity has registration rights pursuant to this Article II by the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering, such Black Canyon Entity will not effect any public sale or distribution of any of the securities being registered or any securities convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities (except as part of such underwritten offering), during the period beginning seven days prior to, and ending up to 180 days after, the effective date of any such subsequent underwritten registration (the “ Follow-On Holdback Period ”), except as part of any such underwritten registration (or for such shorter period as to which the managing underwriter or underwriters may agree, provided that such shorter period applies equally to all Black Canyon Entities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Follow-On Holdback Period shall apply to any Black Canyon Entity that holds, together with its Affiliates, less than 1% of the then-outstanding Class A Common Stock.

 

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(b) The Company agrees (i) not to effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven days prior to and during the 180-day period beginning on the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration (or for such shorter period as to which the managing underwriter or underwriters may agree), except as part of such Demand Registration or in connection with an Exchange Registration or any employee benefit or similar plan, any dividend reinvestment plan, or a business acquisition or combination and (ii) to use all reasonable efforts to cause each holder of at least 5% (on a fully-diluted basis) of its Class A Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such Class A Common Stock, which are or may be purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement (other than in a registered offering) to agree not to effect any sale or distribution of any such Class A Common Stock during such period (except as part of such underwritten offering, if otherwise permitted).

2.5 Furnish Information . It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Article II with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Black Canyon Entity that such Black Canyon Entity shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall reasonably be required to effect the registration of such Black Canyon Entity’s Registrable Securities.

2.6 Registration Procedures . In connection with any request by the Requesting Holders that Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to Section 2.2 or 2.3 or any obligation of the Company to cause to become effective a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.2(e) , subject to the provisions of such Sections, the paragraphs below shall be applicable, and in connection with any Exchange Registration pursuant to Section 2.1 , paragraphs (a) , (c) , (d) , (e) , (f) , (k) , (l)  and (n)  below shall be applicable:

(a) The Company shall as expeditiously as reasonably practicable prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or that counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the registration of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such filed registration statement to become and remain effective for a period of not less than 40 days, or in the case of an Exchange Registration until all of the Registrable Securities of the Black Canyon Entities included in any such registration statement (each, a “ Registering Black Canyon Entity ”) shall have actually been exchanged thereunder.

(b) Prior to filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, the Company shall, if requested, furnish to each Registering Black Canyon Entity and each underwriter, if any, of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter the Company shall furnish to such Registering Black Canyon Entity and underwriter, if any, such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 or Rule 430A under the Securities Act and such other documents as such Registering Black Canyon Entity or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Registering Black Canyon Entity. The Registering Black Canyon

 

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Entity shall have the right to request that the Company modify any information contained in such registration statement, amendment and supplement thereto pertaining to such Registering Black Canyon Entity and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not have any obligation to so modify any information if the Company reasonably expects that so doing would cause the prospectus to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

(c) After the filing of the registration statement, the Company shall (i) cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, (ii) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Registering Black Canyon Entity thereof set forth in such registration statement or supplement to such prospectus and (iii) promptly notify each Registering Black Canyon Entity holding Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement of any stop order issued or threatened by the SEC suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or any state securities commission and take all commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of such stop order or to obtain the withdrawal of such order if entered.

(d) To the extent any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) is used, the Company shall file with the SEC any free writing prospectus that is required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act and retain any free writing prospectus not required to be filed.

(e) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Registering Black Canyon Entity holding such Registrable Securities or each underwriter, if any, reasonably (in light of such member’s intended plan of distribution) requests and (ii) cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Registering Black Canyon Entity to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such person, provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 2.6(e) , (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.

(f) The Company shall immediately notify each Registering Black Canyon Entity holding such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or each underwriter, if any, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and promptly prepare and make available to each such Registering Black Canyon Entity or underwriter, if any, and file with the SEC any such supplement or amendment.

(g) In connection with any Public Offering, the Company shall enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such all other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in any such Public Offering, including if necessary the engagement of a “qualified independent underwriter” in connection with the qualification of the underwriting arrangements with FINRA.

 

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(h) Subject to the execution of confidentiality agreements satisfactory in form and substance to the Company in the exercise of its good faith judgment, pursuant to the reasonable request of a Registering Black Canyon Entity or underwriter (if any), the Company will give to each Registering Black Canyon Entity, each underwriter (if any) and their respective counsel and accountants (i) reasonable and customary access to its books and records and (ii) such opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its directors, officers, employees, counsel and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements, as shall be appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of counsel to such Registering Black Canyon Entity or underwriter, to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility.

(i) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to each Registering Black Canyon Entity and to each such underwriter, if any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such person or underwriter, of (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel to the Company and (ii) a comfort letter or comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants, each in customary form and covering such matters of the kind customarily covered by opinions or comfort letters, as the case may be, as the Registering Black Canyon Entity or underwriter reasonably requests.

(j) Each Registering Black Canyon Entity registering securities under Section 2.2 or 2.3 shall promptly furnish in writing to the Company the information set forth in Appendix A and such other information regarding itself, the distribution of the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required or advisable in connection with such registration.

(k) Each Registering Black Canyon Entity and each underwriter, if any, agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.6(f) , such Registering Black Canyon Entity or underwriter shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Registering Black Canyon Entity’s or underwriter’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.6(f) ; provided, however, that, upon written notice to each Registering Black Canyon Entity and each underwriter, if any, and for a reasonable time specified in the notice but not exceeding 60 days thereafter or 90 days in any 365-day period (the “ Suspension Period ”), the Company may suspend the use or effectiveness of any registration statement if the Board reasonably believes that the Company is in possession of material non-public information, the failure of which to be disclosed in the prospectus included in the registration statement could constitute a material misstatement or omission; and, if so directed by the Company, such Registering Black Canyon Entity or underwriter shall deliver to the Company all copies, other than any permanent file copies then in such Registering Black Canyon Entity’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 2.6(a) ) by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of notice pursuant to Section 2.6(f) to the date when the Company shall make available to such Registering Black Canyon Entity a prospectus supplemented or amended to conform with the requirements of Section 2.6(f) .

(l) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to list all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement on any securities exchange or quotation system on which any of the Registrable Securities are then listed or traded.

 

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(m) The Company shall cause appropriate officers of the Company or the LLC to (i) prepare and make presentations at any “road shows” and before analysts and rating agencies, as the case may be, (ii) take other actions to obtain ratings for any Registrable Securities and (iii) otherwise use their commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the underwriters in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities.

(n) The Company shall cooperate with the Registering Black Canyon Entities to facilitate the timely delivery of Registrable Securities to be sold, which shall not bear any restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names as such Registering Black Canyon Entities may reasonably request at least two business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities.

2.7 Indemnification by the Company . In the event of any registration of any Registrable Securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Article II , the Company will, and it hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, a Registering Black Canyon Entity, each affiliate of such Registering Black Canyon Entity and their respective directors and officers or general and limited partners or members and managing members (including any director, officer, affiliate, employee, agent and controlling person of any of the foregoing) and each other person, if any, who controls such seller within the meaning of the Securities Act (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto under which such Registrable Securities were registered or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to such seller or any underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

2.8 Indemnification by Registering Black Canyon Entities . Each Registering Black Canyon Entity hereby severally and not jointly indemnifies and holds harmless, and the Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed in accordance with this Article II , that the Company shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from any underwriter to indemnify and hold harmless, the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities, each officer of the Company who signed the registration statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in Section 2.7 above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to such seller or any underwriter specifically for use

 

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in the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company, any of the Registering Black Canyon Entities or any underwriter, or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers or controlling persons and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such person. In no event shall any such indemnification liability of any Registering Black Canyon Entity be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Registering Black Canyon Entity upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

2.9 Conduct of Indemnification Proceeding s . Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Article II , such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action; provided, that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Article II , except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice.

In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, unless in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such Indemnified Party and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. It is understood and agreed that the indemnifying person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for any Black Canyon Entity, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Indemnified Party shall be designated in writing by such Cover Person, (y) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Board. The indemnifying person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.

2.10 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Article II from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties shall be determined

 

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by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or Indemnified Parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party under this Section 2.10 as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.10 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

2.11 Participation in Public Offering . No Black Canyon Entity may participate in any Public Offering hereunder unless such Black Canyon Entity (a) agrees to sell such Black Canyon Entity’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Black Canyon Entities entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and the provisions of this Agreement in respect of registration rights.

2.12 Other Indemnification . Indemnification similar to that specified herein (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and the Registering Black Canyon Entity participating therein with respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under any federal or state law or regulation or Governmental Authority other than the Securities Act.

2.13 Rule 144 . At all times after the Company effects the initial public offering of the Class A Common Stock, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, upon the request of any Black Canyon Entity, to make publicly available such information as may be required to be provided under Rule 144 under the Securities Act), and will use commercially reasonable efforts to take such further action as any Black Canyon Entity may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Black Canyon Entity to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (ii) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Black Canyon Entity, the Company shall deliver to such Black Canyon Entity a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.13 , the Company may deregister of its securities any under Section 12 of the Exchange Act if it then is permitted to do so pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

2.14 Parties in Interest . Each Black Canyon Entity shall be entitled to receive the benefits of this Agreement and shall be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement by reason of such Black Canyon Entity’s election to participate in a registration under this Article II . To the extent LLC Units are effectively transferred in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Permitted Transferee of such LLC Units shall be entitled to receive the benefits of this Agreement and shall be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement upon becoming bound hereby pursuant to Section 3.1(c) .

 

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2.15 Acknowledgement Regarding the Company . All determinations necessary or advisable under this Article II shall be made by the Board, the determinations of which shall be final and binding.

2.16 Mergers, Recapitalizations, Exchanges or Other Transactions Affecting Registrable Securities . The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to the Registrable Securities, to any and all securities or units of the Company or any successor or assign of any such person (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of such Registrable Securities, by reason of any dividend, split, issuance, reverse split, combination, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise.

2.17 Blackouts . Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the Company may delay the filing of any registration statement, any amendment thereof or any supplement to the related prospectus, and may withhold efforts to cause any registration statement to become effective, and (b) the Company may prohibit offers and sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement at any time, if (i)(A) the Company is in possession of material non-public information, (B) an executive officer of the Company, after consultation with the Board, reasonably determines that such prohibition is necessary in order to avoid an obligation to disclose such information, and (C) the executive officer, after consultation with the Board, determines in good faith that disclosure of such information would not be in the best interest of the Company or its stockholders or (ii) the Company has made a public announcement relating to an acquisition or business combination transaction including the Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries for which the executive officer, after consultation with the Board, determines in good faith that offers and sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement prior to the consummation of such transaction (or such earlier date as the executive officer, after consultation with the Board, shall determine) would not be in the best interest of the Company or its stockholders; provided, however, that the duration of all such delays or periods in which shares of Registrable Securities may not be sold pursuant to an effective registration statement shall not exceed 90 days in any 12-month period in the aggregate; provided, further, that the Company shall be required to keep such registration statement effective for an additional period of time beyond the first anniversary of the date hereof equal to the number of days the effectiveness thereof is suspended pursuant to this proviso.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

3.1 Term of the Agreement; Termination of Certain Provisions .

(a) The term of this Agreement shall continue until the first to occur of (i) the eighth anniversary of the closing of the IPO, and (ii) such time as the Agreement is terminated by both Black Canyon and holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Covered LLC Units. This Agreement may be amended only with the consent of the Company and the holders of Covered LLC Units required to terminate this Agreement.

(b) Unless this Agreement is theretofore terminated pursuant to Section 3.1(a) hereof, a Black Canyon Entity shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement with respect to any Covered LLC Units or Registrable Securities until such time as such Black Canyon Entity ceases to hold any Covered LLC Units or Registrable Securities. Thereafter, such Black Canyon Entity shall no longer be bound by the provisions of this Agreement other than Sections 2.8 , 2.9 , 2.10 and 2.12 and this Article III .

 

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(c) Any Permitted Transferee of a Black Canyon Entity shall be entitled to become a party to this Agreement as a Black Canyon Entity; provided, that, such Permitted Transferee shall first sign an agreement in the form approved by the Company acknowledging that such Permitted Transferee is bound by the terms and provisions of the Agreement.

3.2 Assignment; Successors . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the Black Canyon Entities; provided, however, that a Black Canyon Entity may not assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder, and any purported assignment in breach hereof by a Black Canyon Entity shall be void except for any transfer to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Agreement; provided, further, that no assignment of this Agreement by the Company or to a successor of the Company (by operation of law or otherwise) shall be valid unless such assignment is made to a person which succeeds to the business of such person substantially as an entirety.

3.3 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of California.

3.4 Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

3.5 Entire Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, this document embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

3.6 Successors and Assigns; Certain Transferees Bound Hereby . Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each of the Company and its successors and assigns, and by the Black Canyon Entities and their respective successors and assigns so long as they hold shares of Class A Common Stock or LLC Units.

3.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

3.8 Remedies . The Company and the Black Canyon Entities shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement (including costs of enforcement) and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing in its favor, the Company or any Black Canyon Entity may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or other injunctive relief (without posting a bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

3.9 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by fax, by electronic mail (delivery receipt requested) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 3.9 ):

 

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  (a) If to the Company:

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: [            ]

With a copy to:

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

511 Union Street, Suite 2700

Nashville, Tennessee 37219

Attention: J. Chase Cole, Esq.

(b) If to any Black Canyon Entity, the address and other contact information set forth in records of the Company from time to time.

3.10 Specific Performance . Each party hereto acknowledges that the remedies at law of the other parties for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, any party to this Agreement, without posting any bond, and in addition to all other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy that may be then available.

3.11 Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed or cause to be duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

BLACK CANYON MANAGEMENT LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

BLACK CANYON DIRECT INVESTMENT FUND, L.P.
  By:   Black Canyon Investments, L.P., its general partner
  By:   Black Canyon Investments, LLC, its general partner
  By:   Black Canyon Capital LLC, its managing member
  By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

BLACK CANYON INVESTMENTS, L.P.
  By:   Black Canyon Investments, LLC, its general partner
  By:   Black Canyon Capital LLC, its managing member
  By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

[ Signature Pages Continue on Next Page ]

[SIGNATURE PAGE OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]


CANYON VALUE REALIZATION FUND, L.P.
  By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

THE CANYON VALUE REALIZATION MASTER FUND, L.P.
  By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

LOUDON PARTNERS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]


Appendix A

MALIBU BOATS, INC.

Black Canyon Entity Questionnaire

The undersigned Black Canyon Entity understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration of the shares of Class A Common Stock (as such may be amended, the “ Registration Statement ”), in accordance with Section 2.2 or 2.3 of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of             , 20     (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), among the Company and the Black Canyon Entities referred to therein. A copy of the Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.

NOTICE

The undersigned Black Canyon Entity hereby gives notice to the Company of its intention to register Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under Item 3) pursuant to the Registration Statement. The undersigned, by signing and returning this Questionnaire, understands that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of this Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the undersigned has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising in connection with statements made or omissions concerning the undersigned in the Registration Statement, prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” in reliance upon the information provided in this Questionnaire.

The undersigned Black Canyon Entity hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and complete:

QUESTIONNAIRE

 

1. Name.

(a) Full Legal Name of Black Canyon Entity:

(b) Full Legal Name of Black Canyon Entity (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3 below are held:

(c) Full Legal name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same as (b) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item 3 below are held:

(d) Full Legal Name of natural control person (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the Registrable Securities listed in Item 3 below):

 

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2. Address for Notices to Black Canyon Entity:

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

Contact Person:

 

3. Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities:

Number of Registrable Securities beneficially owned:

 

4. Broker-Dealer Status:

(a) Are you a broker-dealer?

Yes   ¨     No   ¨

Note: If yes, the SEC’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

(b) Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?

Yes   ¨     No   ¨

If yes, please identify the broker-dealer with whom the Black Canyon Entity is affiliated and the nature of the affiliation:

(c) If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you bought the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities?

Yes   ¨     No   ¨

Note: If no, the SEC’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

(d) If you are (1) a broker-dealer or (2) an affiliate of a broker-dealer and answered “no” to Question 4(c), do you consent to being named as an underwriter in the Registration Statement?

Yes   ¨     No   ¨

 

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5. Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Black Canyon Entity.

Except as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned Black Canyon Entity is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item 3.

Type and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the Black Canyon Entity:

 

6. Relationships with the Company:

Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned Black Canyon Entity nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% or more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.

State any exceptions here:

The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof and at any time while the Registration Statement remains in effect.

By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 7 and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.

 

Dated:                                        

  Beneficial Owner:                                                                     
  By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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PLEASE SEND A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED QUESTIONNAIRE BY FAX OR ELECTRONIC MAIL, AND RETURN THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: [            ]

Fax: [            ]

Electronic Mail: [            ]

 

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Exhibit 10.19

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of [        ], by and between Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [                    ] (the “ Indemnitee ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that attracting and retaining qualified persons, such as Indemnitee, as directors and officers of the Company is in the best interests of the Company and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there shall be adequate certainty of protection through insurance and indemnification against risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the Company;

WHEREAS , the Company has adopted provisions in its certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated from time to time (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), and bylaws, as amended and restated from time to time (the “ Bylaws ”), requiring indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company, and Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”);

WHEREAS , the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

WHEREAS , in order to induce Indemnitee to provide or continue to provide services to the Company free from undue concern for unpredictable, inappropriate or unreasonable legal risks and personal liabilities by reason of the Indemnitee acting in good faith in the performance of the Indemnitee’s duty to the Company, the Company wishes to provide for the indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by law; and

WHEREAS , this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the indemnification provided in the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred:

(i) if any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Act ”) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any of its subsidiaries), together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such person, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities (the “ Voting Securities ”) without prior approval of at least a majority of the members of the Board in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest (in such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company);

(ii) if during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board, together with any new directors whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; or

 

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(iii) upon the consummation of (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, securities representing in the aggregate more than 50% of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity, or (B) any sale or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i)  solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Company, which, by reducing the number of shares of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Voting Securities beneficially owned by any person to 50% or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that if any person referred to in this sentence will thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction or as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company) and immediately thereafter beneficially owns 50% or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities, then a “Change in Control” will be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i) .

(b) “Corporate Status” shall mean the status of a person as a current or former director or officer of the Company or current or former director, manager, officer, employee, agent or trustee of any other Enterprise for which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

(c) “Enforcement Expenses” shall mean all reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other out-of-pocket disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with an action to enforce indemnification or advancement rights, or an appeal from such action. Enforcement Expenses, however, shall not include fees, salaries, wages or benefits owed to Indemnitee.

(d) “Enterprise” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company), partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, limited liability company or other legal entity of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, manager, officer, employee, agent or trustee.

(e) “Expenses” shall mean all reasonable direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever incurred in connection with the performance of the duties of the Indemnitee as a member of the Board and includes, without limitation, any costs, fees or expenses incurred in connection with the preparation for, investigation of, and actual prosecution, defense or settlement of, or acting as a witness in, any threatened, pending, current or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism, inquiry, judicial, administrative, or legislative hearing, investigation, or any other proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise, including any and all appeals therefrom, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative, or other nature, attorneys’ fees, retainers and expenses, witness fees and expenses, fees and expenses of accountants and other advisors, retainers and disbursements and advances thereon, the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any bond (including cost bonds, appraisal bonds, or their equivalents), any expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with preparing and submitting any requests or statements for indemnification, advancement, contribution or any other right provided for in this Agreement and any expenses establishing a right to indemnification or advancement under this Agreement, but shall not include the amount of judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties actually levied against the Indemnitee, or any amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of the Indemnitee.

(f) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm, or a partner (or, if applicable, member or shareholder) of such a law firm, that is experienced in matters of Delaware corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any Enterprise or Indemnitee in any matter material to any such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the

 

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applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(g) “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or investigative nature, and whether formal or informal, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, manager, officer, employee, agent or trustee of any Enterprise or by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee or of any action taken on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company or while serving at the request of the Company as a director, manager, officer, employee, agent or trustee of any Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement; provided, however, that the term “Proceeding” shall not include any action, suit or arbitration, or part thereof, initiated by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

2. Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve or to continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee.

3. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings . Subject to Section 9 , the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, was or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3 , Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of its stockholders or disinterested directors or applicable law.

4. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company . Subject to Section 9 , the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, was or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4 , Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. If applicable law so provides, no indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that

 

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Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

6. Indemnification for Expenses of A Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee, by reason of his Corporate Status, (a) is a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party and is not threatened to be made a party, or (b) receives a subpoena with respect to any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party and is not threatened to be made a party, the Company shall reimburse Indemnitee for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.

7. Additional Indemnification, Hold Harmless and Exoneration Rights . Notwithstanding any limitations set forth in Sections 2 , 3, or 4 , but subject to Section 9 , the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or a participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.

8. Contribution in the Event of Joint Liability .

(a) To the fullest extent not prohibited by (and not merely to the extent affirmatively permitted by) law, if the indemnification rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

9. Exclusions . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

(a) if indemnity is not lawful (and, in this respect, both the Company and Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission believes that indemnification for liabilities arising under the federal securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication);

(b) if judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Act or similar provisions of any federal, state or local law;

 

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(c) if Indemnitee’s conduct is finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent or deliberately dishonest, or to constitute willful or intentional misconduct;

(d) if Indemnitee’s conduct is established by a final judgment as constituting a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or resulting in any personal profit or advantage to which Indemnitee was not legally entitled;

(e) for which payment is actually made to Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy or under a valid and enforceable indemnity clause, bylaw or agreement, except in respect of any excess beyond payment under such insurance, clause, bylaw or agreement; or

(f) in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by Indemnitee, or any proceeding by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other agents, unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, or (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board.

10. Advancement of Expenses . The Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, and such advancement shall be made within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances (which shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such Expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditures made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice) from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of an undertaking to repay the advance if and to the extent it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. The right to advances under this paragraph shall in all events continue until the final disposition of any Proceeding. This Section 11 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 9 .

11. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim .

(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor specifying the basis for the claim, the amounts for which Indemnitee is seeking payment under this Agreement, and all documentation related thereto as reasonably requested by the Company.

(b) In the event that the Company shall be obligated hereunder to provide indemnification for or make any advancement of Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, or any claim, issue or matter therein, with counsel approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of the Company’s election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees or expenses of separate counsel subsequently employed by or on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding; provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense and (ii) if (A) the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense, or (C) the Company shall not continue to retain such counsel to defend such Proceeding, then the reasonable fees and expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee with respect to his or her separate counsel shall be Expenses hereunder.

(c) In the event that the Company does not assume the defense in a Proceeding pursuant to paragraph (b)  above, then the Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

(d) The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee (which

 

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consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), enter into any settlement that (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or any monetary damages for which Indemnitee is not wholly and actually indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Proceeding in respect of which Indemnitee may be or is made a party or may be otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding.

12. Procedure Upon Application of Indemnification .

(a) To the extent that Indemnitee shall been successful on the merits in any Proceeding to which it is a party or a participant or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, no determination shall be required to be made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder. In all other cases, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods:

 

  (i) If a Change in Control shall have occurred:

 

  (A) by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board; or

 

  (B) if the Indemnitee so requests in writing, by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum.

 

  (ii) If a Change in Control shall not have occurred:

 

  (A) by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum;

 

  (B) by a committee of disinterested directors designated by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum;

 

  (C) if there are no disinterested directors or if the disinterested directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion of the Board; or

 

  (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company.

For purposes hereof, disinterested directors are those members of the Board who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought. In the case that such determination is made by Independent Counsel, a copy of Independent Counsel’s written opinion shall be delivered to Indemnitee and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within 30 days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Independent Counsel or the Company, as applicable, in making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such counsel or the Company, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any out-of-pocket costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the Independent Counsel or the Company shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

(b) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) , the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board if a Change in Control shall not have occurred or, if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Indemnitee. Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after written notice of such selection, deliver to the Company or Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent

 

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Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after the later of (i) submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) , and (ii) the final disposition of the Proceeding, including any appeal therein, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected without objection, either Indemnitee or the Company may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by Indemnitee or the Company to the selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate. The person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

13. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings .

(a) To the extent permitted by applicable law, in making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, it shall be presumed that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither (i) the failure of the Company or of Independent Counsel to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Company or by Independent Counsel that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) Termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of guilty, nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

(c) The knowledge and actions, or failure to act, of any director, manager, officer, employee, agent or trustee of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, or any Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

14. Remedies of Indemnitee .

(a) Subject to Section 14(f) , in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification for which a determination is to be made other than by Independent Counsel, (iv) payment of indemnification or reimbursement of expenses is not made pursuant to Section 5 or 6 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor (which shall include any invoices received by Indemnitee but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditures made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice), or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within 30 days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court of Chancery of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a) ; provided, however, that the foregoing time limitation shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

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(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 , the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement, as the case may be.

(c) If Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement, the Company shall be bound by such provision and/or determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 , absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all provisions of this Agreement.

(e) The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all Enforcement Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Enforcement Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company in the suit for which indemnification or advancement is being sought. Such written request for advancement shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such Enforcement Expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditures made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding, including any appeal therein.

15. Non-exclusivity; Survival or Rights; Insurance; Subrogation .

(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, managers, officers, employees, agents or trustees of the Company or of any other Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, manager, officer, employee, agent or trustee under such policy or

 

8


policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all actions necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, advisor, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise.

16. Duration of Agreement . This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of (a) ten years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or (b) one year after the final termination of any Proceeding, including any appeal, then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

17. Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

18. Enforcement .

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided; however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

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19. Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties thereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such supplement, modification or amendment.

20. Notice by Indemnitee . Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification, reimbursement or advancement as provided hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation that it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

21. Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and received by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) sent by reputable overnight courier and received by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received.

 

  (a) If to Indemnitee, at such address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company.

 

  (b) If to the Company:

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: [                    ]

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

22. Internal Revenue Code Section 409A . The Company intends for this Agreement to comply with the Indemnification exception under Section 1.409A-1(b)(10) of the regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), which provides that indemnification of, or the purchase of an insurance policy providing for payments of, all or part of the expenses incurred or damages paid or payable by the Indemnitee with respect to a bona fide claim against the Indemnitee or the Company do not provide for a deferral of compensation, subject to Section 409A of the Code, where such claim is based on actions or failures to act by the Indemnitee in his capacity as a service provider of the Company. The parties intend that this Agreement be interpreted and construed with such intent.

23. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction . This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States or any court in any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) consent to service of process at the address set forth in Section 21 of this Agreement with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (d) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (e) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

24. Headings . The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

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25. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission or Portable Document Format (PDF) shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile and PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for any purposes whatsoever.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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

 

MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

INDEMNITEE
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Address :  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.20

VOTING AGREEMENT

THIS VOTING AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December     , 2013, by and among Malibu Boats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Black Canyon Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Black Canyon ”), and Jack D. Springer, a resident of the State of Texas, Wayne D. Wilson, a resident of the State of Tennessee, and Ritchie L. Anderson, a resident of the State of Tennessee (collectively, “ Management ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , the Company is currently contemplating an underwritten initial public offering (“ IPO ”) of shares of its Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Class A Common Stock ”); and

WHEREAS , in connection with, and effective upon, the date of completion of the IPO (the “ Closing Date ”), the Company, Black Canyon and Management wish to set forth certain understandings between such parties, including with respect to certain governance matters.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Defined Terms . In addition to the terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used herein with initial capital letters:

(a) “ Affiliate ” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, the Person specified.

(b) “ Agreement ” means this Voting Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

(c) “ Beneficial Owner ” or “ beneficially own ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

(d) “ Black Canyon ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(e) “ Black Canyon Designee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .

(f) “ Black Canyon Entities ” means Black Canyon, Black Canyon Direct Investment Fund L.P., Black Canyon Investments L.P., Canyon Value Realization Fund, L.P., Loudon Partners, LLC, The Canyon Value Realization Master Fund, L.P. and their respective successors and Permitted Assigns.

(g) “ Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

(h) “ Class A Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(i) “ Class B Common Stock ” means the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.


(j) “ Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(k) “ Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(l) “ Control ,” “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

(m) “ Director ” means any member of the Board.

(n) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

(o) “ Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

(p) “ IPO ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(q) “ Law ” means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, governmental approval, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority.

(r) “ Management ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(s) “ Permitted Assigns ” means, with respect to the Black Canyon Entities, their respective Affiliates and any Transferee of Voting Stock that is Transferred other than pursuant to a widely distributed public sale that agrees to become party to, and to be bound to the same extent as its transferor by the terms of, this Agreement.

(t) “ Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, or other form of business organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable Law, or any Governmental Authority or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

(u) “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, representatives or trustees thereof is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the total voting power of stock (or equivalent ownership interest) of the limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing member, managing director or other governing body or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.


(v) “ Total Number of Directors ” means the total number of Directors comprising the Board.

(w) “ Transfer ,” “ Transferor ,” “ Transferee ” and “ Transferred ” shall mean, with respect to any security, directly or indirectly, to sell, contract to sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in, offer, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any economic, voting or other rights in or to such security. When used as a noun, “ Transfer ” shall have such correlative meaning as the context may require.

(x) “ Voting Stock ” means the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.

1.2 Construction . Wherever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa, and references to any agreement, document or instrument shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, document or instrument as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time. When used herein:

(a) the word “or” is not exclusive;

(b) the words “including,” “includes,” “included” and “include” are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(c) the terms “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision; and

(d) all sections, paragraphs or clause references not attributed to a particular document shall be references to such parts of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

2.1 Board Composition .

(a) Following the Closing Date, Black Canyon shall have the right, but not the obligation, to nominate to the Board a number of designees equal to at least: (i) 20% of the Total Number of Directors, so long as the Black Canyon Entities and Management collectively beneficially own 15% or more of the voting power of the shares of Voting Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; and (ii) 10% of the Total Number of Directors, so long as the Black Canyon Entities and Management collectively beneficially own more than 5% but less than 15% of the voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. For purposes of calculating the number of Directors that Black Canyon is entitled to nominate pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) , any fractional amounts shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number and the calculation shall be made on a pro forma basis, including, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account any increase in the size of the Board (e.g., one and one-third Directors equates to two Directors). In addition, Black Canyon shall have the right to remove and replace its Director-designees at any time and for any reason and to nominate any individual(s) to fill any such vacancies. In the event that Black Canyon has nominated less than the total number of designees Black Canyon shall be entitled to nominate pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) , Black Canyon shall have the right, at any time, to nominate such additional designees to which it is entitled hereunder, in which case, the Company and the Directors shall take all necessary corporate action, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware


law), to (i) enable Black Canyon to nominate and effect the election or appointment of such additional individuals, whether by increasing the size of the Board or otherwise and (ii) designate such additional individuals nominated by Black Canyon to fill such newly-created vacancies. Each such person whom Black Canyon shall actually nominate pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) and who is thereafter elected to the Board to serve as a Director shall be referred to herein as a “ Black Canyon Designee .”

(b) In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, disability, retirement or resignation of any Director designated by Black Canyon pursuant to this Section 2.1 , the remaining Directors and the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law), cause the vacancy created thereby to be filled by a new designee of Black Canyon, if such Director was designated by Black Canyon, as soon as possible, and the Company hereby agrees to take, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law), at any time and from time to time, all actions necessary to accomplish the same.

(c) The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law), to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election at any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing Directors the persons designated pursuant to this Section 2.1 and to nominate and recommend each such individual to be elected as a Director as provided herein, and to solicit proxies or consents in favor thereof. The Company is entitled to identify such individual as a Black Canyon Designee pursuant to this Agreement.

(d) In connection with any meeting of stockholders called or consent taken for the purpose of electing Directors, each member of Management agrees to vote his respective shares of Voting Stock in favor of the Black Canyon Designees nominated by the Board.

ARTICLE III

COVENANTS

3.1 Books and Records; Access . The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books, records and accounts, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. For so long as the Black Canyon Entities and Management collectively beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, permit Black Canyon and its designated representatives, at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to review the books and records of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries and to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries with the officers of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to disclose any privileged information of the Company so long as the Company has used its best efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to Black Canyon without the loss of any such privilege.

3.2 Periodic Reporting .

(a) The Company will promptly deliver to Black Canyon, when available, one copy of each annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company, as filed with the SEC. In the event the Company is not required to file an annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the Company may, in lieu of the requirements of the preceding sentence, deliver, or cause to be delivered, the following to Black Canyon:

(i) as soon as available, but not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the related statements of operations and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, all in reasonable detail; and


(ii) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for such quarter and for the period commencing on the first day of the fiscal year and ending on the last day of such quarter; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to disclose any privileged information of the Company so long as the Company has used its best efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to Black Canyon without the loss of any such privilege.

(b) The Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Black Canyon:

(i) to the extent otherwise prepared by the Company, operating and capital expenditure budgets and periodic information packages relating to the operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

(ii) such other reports and information as may be reasonably requested Black Canyon; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to disclose any privileged information of the Company so long as the Company has used its best efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to Black Canyon without the loss of any such privilege.

ARTICLE IV

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

4.1 Amendment and Waiver . Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against any party unless such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in writing by each of the parties to this Agreement. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

4.2 Termination of Agreement . This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier to occur of (a) such time as Black Canyon is no longer entitled to nominate a Director pursuant to Section 2.1(a) and (b) upon the delivery of a written notice by Black Canyon to the Company requesting that this Agreement terminate.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by fax, by electronic mail (delivery receipt requested) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 5.1 ):


  (a) If to the Company:

Malibu Boats, Inc.

5075 Kimberly Way

Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Attention: [                    ]

With a copy to:

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

511 Union Street, Suite 2700

Nashville, Tennessee 37219

Attention: J. Chase Cole, Esq.

 

  (b) If to Black Canyon:

Black Canyon Management LLC

2000 Avenue of the Stars, 11 th Floor

Los Angeles, California 90067

Attention: [                    ]

5.2 Assignment . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consents, will be null and void; provided, however, that Black Canyon shall be entitled to assign, in whole or in part, to any of its Permitted Assigns without such prior written consent any of its rights hereunder.

5.3 Third Parties . This Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any Person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

5.4 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

5.5 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . In any judicial proceeding involving any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties unconditionally accepts the jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware having jurisdiction, and the appellate courts to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed. In any such judicial proceeding, the parties agree that in addition to any method for the service of process permitted or required by such courts, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, service of process may be made by delivery provided pursuant to the directions in Section 5.1 . EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

5.6 Specific Performance . Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by it, the other parties hereto would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each party accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and that the parties, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to specific performance of this Agreement without the posting of bond.


5.7 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

5.8 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance or in any jurisdiction, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (i) the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each other provision hereof shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (ii) as to such Person or circumstance or in such jurisdiction such provision shall be reformed to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and (iii) the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances or in other jurisdictions shall not be affected thereby.

5.9 Headings . The headings, subheadings and captions contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.

5.10 Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendment hereto may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one Agreement (or amendment, as applicable).

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Voting Agreement on the date first above written.

 

COMPANY:
MALIBU BOATS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

BLACK CANYON:
BLACK CANYON MANAGEMENT LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

MANAGEMENT:

 

Jack D. Springer

 

Wayne D. Wilson

 

Ritchie L. Anderson

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Malibu Boats, Inc. of our report dated December 13, 2013, relating to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the captions “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ McGladrey LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana

December 13, 2013

Exhibit 99.1

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

I hereby consent to being named as a nominee to serve on the board of directors in the Registration Statement to be filed by Malibu Boats, Inc. on Form S-1 and the related Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (and any subsequent Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments or supplements thereto). I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

By:  

/s/ James R. Buch

Name:   James R. Buch
Date:   December 12, 2013

Exhibit 99.2

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

I hereby consent to being named as a nominee to serve on the board of directors in the Registration Statement to be filed by Malibu Boats, Inc. on Form S-1 and the related Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (and any subsequent Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments or supplements thereto). I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

By:  

/s/ Ivar S. Chhina

Name:   Ivar S. Chhina
Date:   December 12, 2013

Exhibit 99.3

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

I hereby consent to being named as a nominee to serve on the board of directors in the Registration Statement to be filed by Malibu Boats, Inc. on Form S-1 and the related Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (and any subsequent Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments or supplements thereto). I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

By:  

/s/ Michael J. Connolly

Name:   Michael J. Connolly
Date:   December 12, 2013

Exhibit 99.4

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

I hereby consent to being named as a nominee to serve on the board of directors in the Registration Statement to be filed by Malibu Boats, Inc. on Form S-1 and the related Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (and any subsequent Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments or supplements thereto). I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

By:  

/s/ Peter E. Murphy

Name:   Peter E. Murphy
Date:   December 12, 2013

Exhibit 99.5

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

I hereby consent to being named as a nominee to serve on the board of directors in the Registration Statement to be filed by Malibu Boats, Inc. on Form S-1 and the related Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (and any subsequent Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments or supplements thereto). I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

By:  

/s/ John E. Stokely

Name:   John E. Stokely
Date:   December 12, 2013