Registration Rights Agreement between Advantage Business Services Holdings, Inc. and Investors Dated February 10, 1998

Summary

This agreement is between Advantage Business Services Holdings, Inc., certain investors, and other stockholders. It grants investors the right to require the company to register their shares for public sale (demand registration) and to include their shares in other company registrations (piggyback registration). The company will cover registration expenses and must prioritize investor shares in offerings, subject to underwriter limitations. The agreement is a condition of a related recapitalization transaction and ensures investors can sell their shares under specified conditions.

EX-4.2 6 dex42.txt REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED 2/10/1998 Exhibit 4.2 Execution Copy ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC. ------------------------------------------ REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ----------------------------- THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of --------- February 10, 1998 by and among Advantage Business Services Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Persons listed on the signature pages ------- hereto as "Investors" (the "Investors") and the Persons listed on the signature --------- pages hereto as "Other Stockholders" (the "Other Stockholders"). The Company, ------------------ the Investors, the Other Stockholders are sometimes collectively referred to herein as "Parties" and individually as a "Party." ------- ----- The parties to this Agreement are parties to a Purchase and Recapitalization Agreement of even date herewith (the "Recapitalization ---------------- Agreement"). In order to induce the Investors to enter into the Recapitalization - --------- Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the execution and closing under the Recapitalization Agreement. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in Section 8 hereof. --------- The parties hereto agree as follows: 1. Demand Registrations -------------------- (a) Requests for Registration. At any time, the holders of at least ------------------------- 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Investor Registrable Securities on Form S-1, S-2 or S-3 or any other similar form ("Demand Registrations"). Each -------------------- request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of Investor Registrable Securities requested to be registered and the anticipated per share price range for such offering. Within ten days after receipt of any such request, the Company shall give written notice of such requested registration to all other holders of Investor Registrable Securities and shall include in such registration all Investor Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after the receipt of the Company's notice. (b) Number of Demand Registrations. The holders of Investor ------------------------------ Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request any number of Demand Registrations and, in each such Demand Registration, the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses (as defined in Section 5 hereof). --------- (c) Priority on Demand Registrations. The Company shall not include in -------------------------------- any Demand Registration any securities which are not Investor Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the holders of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities initially requesting such registration. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Investor Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number of Investor Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities initially requesting registration, the Company shall include in such registration, prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not Investor Registrable Securities, the number of Investor Registrable Securities requested to be included which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold in an orderly manner within the price range of such offering, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the amount of Investor Registrable Securities owned by each such holder. (d) Selection of Underwriters. The holders of a majority of the ------------------------- Investor Registrable Securities initially requesting registration hereunder shall have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering. (e) Other Registration Rights. Except as provided in this Agreement, ------------------------- the Company shall not grant to any Persons the right to request the Company to register any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written consent of the holders of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities. 2. Piggyback Registrations. ----------------------- (a) Right to Piggyback. Whenever the Company proposes to register any ------------------ of its securities under the Securities Act and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of Registrable Securities (a "Piggyback --------- Registration"), the Company shall give prompt written notice to all holders of - ------------ Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and shall include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 20 days after the receipt of the Company's notice. (b) Piggyback Expenses. The Registration Expenses of the holders of ------------------ Registrable Securities shall be paid by the Company in all Piggyback Registrations. (c) Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is --------------------------------- an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Investor Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such Investor Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of shares owned by each such holder, (iii) the Other Stockholder Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such Other Stockholder -2- Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of shares owned by each such holder, and (iv) fourth, other securities requested to be included in such registration; provided that in any event the holders of the Investor Registrable -------- Securities shall be entitled to register at least 50% of the securities to be included in any such registration. (d) Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration ----------------------------------- is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company's securities, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the holders initially requesting such registration, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders requesting such registration and the Investor Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such securities on the basis of the number of securities so requested to be included therein owned by each such holder, (ii) second, the Other Stockholder Registrable Securities requested to be included therein, pro rata among the holders of such securities on the basis of the number of securities so requested to be included therein owned by each such holder, and (iii) third, other securities requested to be included in such registration. (e) Selection of Underwriters. If any Piggyback Registration is an ------------------------- underwritten offering, the selection of investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the offering must be approved by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities included in such Piggyback Registration. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. (f) Other Registrations. If the Company has previously filed a ------------------- registration statement with respect to Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1 or pursuant to this Section 2, and if such previous registration has - --------- --------- not been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company shall not file or cause to be effected any other registration of any of its equity securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for its equity securities under the Securities Act (except on Form S-8 or any successor form), whether on its own behalf or at the request of any holder or holders of such securities, until a period of at least 90 days has elapsed from the effective date of such previous registration. 3. Holdback Agreements. ------------------- (a) No holder of Registrable Securities shall effect any public sale or distribution including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven days prior to, and the 180-day period beginning on, the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration or any underwritten Piggyback Registration in which Registrable Securities are included (except as part of such underwritten registration), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree. -3- (b) The Company (i) shall not 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 any underwritten Piggyback Registration (except as part of such underwritten registration or pursuant to registrations on Form S-8 or any successor form), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree, and (ii) shall cause each holder of at least 2% (on a fully-diluted basis) of its Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock, purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of any such securities during such period (except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree. 4. Registration Procedures. Whenever the holders of Registrable ----------------------- Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall as expeditiously as possible: (a) prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective (provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall furnish to the counsel selected by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review and comment of such counsel); (b) notify each holder of Registrable Securities of the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder and prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period of not less than 180 days and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; (c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller; -4- (d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph, (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction); (e) notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any such seller, the Company shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (f) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if not so listed, to be listed on the National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") automated quotation system and, if listed on the ---- NASD automated quotation system ("NASDAQ"), use its best efforts to secure ------ designation of all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement as a NASDAQ "national market system security" within the meaning of Rule 11Aa2-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission or, failing that, to secure NASDAQ authorization for such Registrable Securities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market makers to register as such with respect to such Registrable Securities with the NASD; (g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement; (h) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including effecting a stock split or a combination of shares); (i) make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by -5- any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement; (j) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company's first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder; (k) permit any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of material, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the reasonable judgment of such holder and its counsel should be included; (1) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any common stock included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, the Company shall use its best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order; (m) use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; and (n) obtain a cold comfort letter from the Company's independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold reasonably request. 5. Registration Expenses --------------------- (a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and disbursements of custodians, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and all independent certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions) and other Persons retained by the Company (all such expenses being herein called "Registration Expenses"), shall be borne as provided in this -------------------- Agreement, except that the Company shall, in any event, pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be -6- registered on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or on the NASDAQ. (b) In connection with each Demand Registration and each Piggyback Registration, the Company shall reimburse the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities initially requesting such registration. (c) To the extent Registration Expenses are not required to be paid by the Company, each holder of securities included in any registration hereunder shall pay those Registration Expenses allocable to the registration of such holder's securities so included, and any Registration Expenses not so allocable shall be borne by all sellers of securities included in such registration in proportion to the aggregate selling price of the securities to be so registered. 6. Indemnification. --------------- (a) The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such holder expressly for use therein or by such holder's failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company shall indemnify such underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the holders of Registrable Securities. (b) In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such holder; provided that the obligation to indemnify shall be individual, not joint and several, for each holder and shall be limited to the net -7- amount of proceeds received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement. (c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person's right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. (d) The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company also agrees to make such provisions, as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party, for contribution to such party in the event the Company's indemnification is unavailable for any reason. 7. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Person may ------------------------------------------- participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person's securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided that no holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding such holder and such holder's intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 6 hereof. 8. Definitions. ----------- (a) "Investor Registrable Securities" means (i) any Common Stock ------------------------------- issued to the Investors pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement, (ii) any Common Stock referred to in clause (i) that have been purchased, acquired or otherwise transferred from the Investors to any other Person, (iii) any Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to the equity securities referred to -8- in clauses (i) and (ii) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization and (iv) any other Common Stock held by Persons holding the equity securities described in clauses (i) through (iii) inclusive, above. (b) "Other Stockholder Registrable Securities" means any Common Stock ---------------------------------------- held as of the date hereof, or acquired hereafter, by stockholders (other than the Investors) or employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries who are or become parties to this Agreement. (c) "Registrable Securities" means Investor Registrable Securities and ---------------------- Other Stockholder Registrable Securities. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Investor or Other Stockholder Registrable Securities when they have been distributed to the public pursuant to a offering registered under the Securities Act or sold to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule then in force). For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to acquire such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected. (d) Unless otherwise stated, other capitalized terms contained herein have the meanings set forth in the Recapitalization Agreement. 9. Miscellaneous ------------- (a) Selection of Investment Bankers. Except as otherwise provided ------------------------------- herein in connection with Demand Registrations, the selection of investment banker(s) and manager(s) for any public offering or private sale by the Company of its securities must be approved by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities initially requesting such registration, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. (b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company shall not hereafter enter -------------------------- into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. (c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Company -------------------------------------------- shall not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities which would adversely affect the ability of the holders of Investor Registrable Securities to include such Investor Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or which would adversely affect the marketability of such Investor Registrable Securities in any such registration (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of shares). -9- (d) Remedies. Any Person having rights under any provision of this -------- Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement. (e) Amendment and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the --------------------- provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only upon the prior written consent of the Company and holders of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and at least 50% of the Registrable Securities. (f) Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this ---------------------- Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not. In addition, whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of purchasers or holders of Registrable Securities are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent holder of Registrable Securities. (g) 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 prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement. (h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in ------------ counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. (i) Descriptive Headings: Interpretation. The descriptive headings of ------------------------------------ this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. The use of the word "including" in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. (j) Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the ------------- construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto 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. -10- (k) 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 when delivered personally to the recipient, one day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or five days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Company, the Investors and the Other Stockholders at the addresses indicated on the Notices Schedule attached hereto 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. (l) No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated ---------------------- jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. 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 by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. * * * * * -11- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement on the date first written above. ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ CHARLES W. LATHROP, JR -------------------------------------- Its: President ------------------------------------- INVESTORS WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS, L.P. By: Willis Stein & Partners, L.L.C. Its: General Partner By: /s/ Daniel Gill -------------------------------------- Its: Managing Director -------------------------------------- OTHER STOCKHOLDERS /s/ CHARLES W. LATHROP, JR ------------------------------------------ CHARLES W. LATHROP,JR /s/ NANCY M. FRENCH ------------------------------------------ NANCY M. FRENCH /s/ W. SCOTT ADAIR ------------------------------------------ W. SCOTT ADAIR /s/ THOMAS G. POLING ------------------------------------------ THOMAS G. POLING AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ------------------------------------------ THIS AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") entered --------- into as of March 23, 2000 by and between ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation located at 126 Merrow Road, P.O. Box 1330, Auburn, Maine 04211-1330 (the "Company"); the Persons listed on the signature pages ------- hereto as "Investors", the Persons listed on the signature pages hereto as "Other Stockholders" and NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE, INC., a Delaware corporation located at 500 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts 01471 ("NEBS"). ---- RECITALS -------- WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its Shareholders have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998 (the "Agreement"); --------- which Agreement provides the parties thereto other than the Company with certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by such parties and provides further that the Company may not grant to any person registration rights except as provided therein without the written consent of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and that any registration rights granted may not be inconsistent with the rights granted holders of Registrable Securities under the Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company, subsequently entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 23, 1999 with certain additional shareholders (the "Second Agreement"), which Second Agreement provides such Shareholders with ---------------- certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by them and provides further that the Company shall not thereafter enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the Second Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company and NEBS have this day consummated a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of March 23, 2000, pursuant to which NEBS has been issued Common Stock of the Company together with Warrants to purchase additional Common Stock of the Company (such presently issued shares, together with any shares to be issued pursuant to the Warrants, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "NEBS Shares"); and ----------- WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide NEBS, with the same registration rights with respect to the NEBS Shares provided to Other Stockholders (other than the Investors) by the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent not inconsistent with the Second Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made and the recitals stated above which are incorporated into this Amendment, and in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and understandings herein contained, the Parties agree as follows: 1. Terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement. 2. NEBS hereby becomes a party to the Agreement which is incorporated into this Amendment by reference, and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions thereof, and shall have the same rights and responsibilities thereunder as a holder of Other Stockholder Registrable Securities and shall be one of the "Other Stockholders" for purposes of the Agreement. Each reference in the Agreement to "Other Stockholder Registrable Securities", or any related or derivative term, shall be deemed to include the NEBS Shares, except as the context may otherwise require. 3. The Agreement shall be amended to provide that no subsequent amendment thereto which adversely and disproportionately affects the rights of NEBS thereunder shall be effective as to NEBS without NEBS' written consent, provided that (i) a grant of registration rights which are pari passu with the registration rights of NEBS and an amendment to the Agreement to add thereto as parties the person or persons to whom such registration rights are granted and (ii) a grant of registration rights which are superior to, or pari passu with, the registration rights of the holders of the Investor Registrable Securities with the written consent of the holders of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and an amendment to the Agreement to add thereto as parties the person or persons to whom such registration rights are granted shall not be deemed to affect NEBS adversely. 4. Notwithstanding anything herein to be contrary, to the extent that any provision of this Amendment or any of the rights granted to NEBS hereunder are inconsistent with, or violates any provision of, the Second Agreement, then the Second Agreement shall control and each such provision or right of NEBS shall be interpreted to the fullest extent possible without creating such inconsistency or violation. 5. The "Registration Rights Agreement Notices Schedule" attached at the end of the, Agreement shall be amended by the addition thereto of the following: New England Business Service, Inc., 500 Main Street, Groton, MA 01471 Attention: General Counsel 6. This Amendment shall be effective when executed by persons holding at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and at least 50% of the Registrable Securities, determined immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment. By signing this Amendment, the holders of Investor Registrable Securities and Registrable Securities consent to the grant of registration rights provided for herein and to this Amendment. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. 7. It is expressly understood and agreed that if, at any time or under any circumstances, any provision of this Amendment or its effect shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable for any reason, then any or all of such invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be amended, without any 2 additional writing or agreement, so as to cause such provision or its effect to be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. ------------------------------------- Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE. INC. By: /s/ George P. Allman ------------------------------------- George P. Allman Senior Vice President INVESTORS WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS, L.P. By: Willis Stein & Partners, L.L.C. Its: General Partner By: /s/ Daniel Gill ------------------------------------- Its: Managing Director OTHER STOCKHOLDERS /s/ Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. ----------------------------------------- Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. /s/ Nancy M. French ----------------------------------------- Nancy M. French /s/ Thomas G. Poling ----------------------------------------- Thomas G. Poling /s/ W. Scott Adair ----------------------------------------- W. Scott Adair 3 AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ------------------------------------------ THIS AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") entered --------- into as of September 21, 2000 by and between ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation located at 126 Merrow Road, P.O. Box 1330, Auburn, Maine 04211-1330 (the "Company"), the Person listed on the ------- signature pages hereto as "Investor", and Chris Kapolas, James Kapolas, Mary Kapolas, Peter J. Pappas, Sr., Suzanne E. Regas, Dean J. Regas and Allyson Regas (collectively, "Sellers") ------- RECITALS -------- WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its Shareholders have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998 (the "Agreement"); --------- which Agreement provides the parties thereto other than the Company with certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by such parties and provides further that the Company may not grant to any person registration rights except as provided therein without the written consent of the holders of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and that any registration rights granted may not be inconsistent with the rights granted holders of Registrable Securities under the Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company, subsequently entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 23, 1999 with certain additional shareholders (the "Second Agreement"), which Second Agreement provides such Shareholders with ---------------- certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by them and provides further that the Company shall not thereafter enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the Second Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its shareholders entered into an Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 23, 2000 (the "Third Agreement") in connection with the issuance to New England Business --------------- Service, Inc. ("NEBS") of Common Stock of the Company together with Warrants to ---- purchase additional Common Stock of the Company which Third Agreement provides that the Agreement, as amended, may be further amended to provide registration rights which are pari passu with the registration rights of NEBS, and WHEREAS, the Company and Sellers have this day consummated an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of September 21, 2000 pursuant to which Sellers have been issued Common Stock of the Company (the "Sellers' Shares") in connection --------------- with the merger of Related Payroll Services, Inc. with and into a subsidiary of the Company; and WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide Sellers, with the same registration rights with respect to the Sellers' Shares as have been provided to NEBS and Other Stockholders (other than the Investors) by the Agreement, as amended, to the extent not inconsistent with the Second Agreement and Third Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made and the recitals stated above which are incorporated into this Amendment, and in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and understandings herein contained, the Parties agree as follows: 1. Terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement. 2. Each of the Sellers hereby becomes a party to the Agreement which is incorporated into this Amendment by reference, and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions thereof, and shall have the same rights and responsibilities thereunder as a holder of Other Stockholder Registrable Securities and shall be one of the "Other Stockholders" for purposes of the Agreement. Each reference in the Agreement to "Other Stockholder Registrable Securities", or any related or derivative term, shall be deemed to include the Sellers' Shares, except as the context may otherwise require. 3. Notwithstanding anything herein to be contrary, to the extent that any provision of this Amendment or any of the rights granted to the Sellers hereunder are inconsistent with, or violates any provision of, the Second Agreement, then the Second Agreement shall control and each such provision or right of the Sellers shall be interpreted to the fullest extent possible without creating such inconsistency or violation. 4. The "Registration Rights Agreement Notices Schedule" attached at the end of the Agreement shall be amended by the addition thereto of the following: If to Chris Kapolas, James Kapolas or Mary Kapolas, to: c/o James Kapolas 126 Forest Trail Oak Brook, IL 60521 If to Suzanne E. Regas, Dean J. Regas or Allyson Regas, to: c/o James A. Regas 11 I W. Washington Street Suite 1525 Chicago, IL 60602 If to Peter Pappas, Sr.: Peter J. Pappas, Sr. c/o PJ Mechanical 135 West 18th Street New York, NY 10011 5. This Amendment shall be effective when executed by persons holding at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and at least 50% of the Registrable Securities, determined immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment. By signing this Amendment, the 2 holders of Investor Registrable Securities and Registrable Securities consent to the grant of registration rights provided for herein and to this Amendment. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. 6. It is expressly understood and agreed that if, at any time or under any circumstances, any provision of this Amendment or its effect shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable for any reason, then any or all of such invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be amended, without any additional writing or agreement, so as to cause such provision or its effect to be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted. [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] 3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ Charles W. Lathrop ------------------------------------- Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer /s/ Chris Kapolas ----------------------------------------- Chris Kapolas /s/ James Kapolas ----------------------------------------- James Kapolas /s/ Mary Kapolas ----------------------------------------- Mary Kapolas /s/ Peter J. Pappas ----------------------------------------- Peter J. Pappas /s/ Suzanne E. Regas ----------------------------------------- Suzanne E. Regas /s/ Dean J. Regas ----------------------------------------- Dean J. Regas /s/ Allyson Regas ----------------------------------------- Allyson Regas INVESTOR WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS, L.P. By: Willis Stein & Partners, L.L.C. Its: General Partner By: /s/ Daniel Gill ------------------------------------- Its: Managing Director 4 FOURTH AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ------------------------------------------------- THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") --------- entered into as of August 9, 2001 by and between ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation located at 126 Merrow Road, P.O. Box 1330, Auburn, Maine 04211-1330 (the "Company"); the Person listed on the ------- signature page hereto as "investor", and NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE, INC., a Delaware corporation located at 500 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts 01471 ("NEBS"). ---- RECITALS -------- WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its Shareholders have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998 (the "Agreement"); --------- which Agreement provides the parties thereto other than the Company with certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by such parties and provides further that the Company may not grant to any person registration rights except as provided therein without the written consent of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and that any registration rights granted may not be inconsistent with the rights granted holders of Registrable Securities under the Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company, subsequently entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 23, 1999 with certain additional shareholders (the "Second Agreement"), which Second Agreement provides such Shareholders with ---------------- certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by them and provides further that the Company shall not thereafter enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the Second Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its shareholders entered into an Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 23, 2000 (the "First Amendment") in connection with the issuance to NEBS of Common --------------- Stock of the Company together with Warrants to purchase additional Common Stock of the Company which First Amendment provides that the Agreement, as amended, may be further amended to provide registration rights which are pari passu with the registration rights of NEBS; and WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its shareholders entered into an Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 21, 2000 (the "Second Amendment") in connection with the issuance to Chris Kapolas, James ---------------- Kapolas, Mary Kapolas, Peter J. Pappas, Sr., Suzanne E. Regas, Dean J. Regas and Allyson Regas of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the merger of Related Payroll Services, Inc. with and into a subsidiary of the Company; and WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its shareholders entered into an Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 29, 2000 (the "Third Amendment") in connection with the transfer to Melodee K. Ruffo of Common Stock of the Company subject to the Agreement as a result of the Second Amendment; and WHEREAS, the Company and NEBS have this day consummated a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of August 9, 2001, pursuant to which NEBS has been issued 1,069,772 shares of Common Stock of the Company together with Warrants to purchase additional Common Stock of the Company (such presently issued shares, together with any shares to be issued pursuant to the Warrants, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "New NEBS Shares"); and --------------- WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide NEBS, with the same registration rights with respect to the New NEBS Shares provided to Other Stockholders (other than the Investors) by the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent not inconsistent with the Second Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made and the recitals stated above which are incorporated into this Amendment, and in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and understandings herein contained, the Parties agree as follows: 1. Terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement. 2. NEBS hereby becomes a party to the Agreement which is incorporated into this Amendment by reference, with respect to the New NEBS shares, and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions thereof, and shall have the same rights and responsibilities thereunder as a holder of Other Stockholder Registrable Securities and shall be one of the "Other Stockholders" for purposes of the Agreement. Each reference in the Agreement to "Other Stockholder Registrable Securities", or any related or derivative term, shall be deemed to include the New NEBS Shares, except as the context may otherwise require. 3. The Agreement shall be amended to provide that no subsequent amendment thereto which adversely and disproportionately affects the rights of NEBS thereunder shall be effective as to NEBS without NEBS' written consent, provided that (i) a grant of registration rights which are pari passu with the registration rights of NEBS and an amendment to the Agreement to add thereto as parties the person or persons to whom such registration rights are granted and (ii) a grant of registration rights which are superior to, or pari passu with, the registration rights of the holders of the Investor Registrable Securities with the written consent of the holders of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and an amendment to the Agreement to add thereto as parties the person or persons to whom such registration rights are granted shall not be deemed to affect NEBS adversely. 4. Notwithstanding anything herein to be contrary, to the extent that any provision of this Amendment or any of the rights granted to NEBS hereunder are inconsistent with, or violates any provision of, the Second Agreement, then the Second Agreement shall control and each such 2 provision or right of NEBS shall be interpreted to the fullest extent possible without creating such inconsistency or violation. 5. This Amendment shall be effective when executed by persons holding at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and at least 50% of the Registrable Securities, determined immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment. By signing this Amendment, the holders of Investor Registrable Securities and Registrable Securities consent to the grant of registration rights provided for herein and to this Amendment. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. 6. It is expressly understood and agreed that if, at any time or under any circumstances, any provision of this Amendment or its effect shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable for any reason, then any or all of such invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be amended, without any additional writing or agreement, so as to cause such provision or its effect to be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted. 3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. -------------------------------------- Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE, INC. By: /s/ George P. Allman -------------------------------------- George P. Allman Senior Vice President INVESTOR WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS, L.P. By: Willis Stein & Partners, L.L.C. Its: General Partner By: /s/ Daniel Gill -------------------------------------- Its: Managing Director 4 AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ------------------------------------------ THIS AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") entered --------- into as of December 29, 2000 by and between ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation located at 126 Merrow Road, P.O. Box 1330, Auburn, Maine 04211-1330 (the "Company"), the Person listed on the ------- signature pages hereto as "Investor", and Melodee K. Ruffo ("Ruffo"). ----- RECITALS -------- WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its Shareholders have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998 (the "Agreement"); --------- which Agreement provides the parties thereto other than the Company with certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by such parties and provides further that the Company may not grant to any person registration rights except as provided therein without the written consent of the holders of at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and that any registration rights granted may not be inconsistent with the rights granted holders of Registrable Securities under the Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company, subsequently entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 23, 1999 with certain additional shareholders (the "Second Agreement"), which Second Agreement provides such Shareholders with ----------------- certain rights to have the Company register shares of the Company's stock held by them and provides further that the Company shall not thereafter enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the Second Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its shareholders entered into an Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 23, 2000 (the "Third Agreement") in connection with the issuance to New England Business --------------- Service, Inc. ("NEBS") of Common Stock of the Company together with Warrants to ---- purchase additional Common Stock of the Company which Third Agreement provides that the Agreement, as amended, may be further amended to provide registration rights which are pari passu with the registration rights of NEBS; WHEREAS, Ruffo has received as a gift shares of Company Common Stock (the "Shares") from Mary Kapolas, her mother ("Kapolas"); WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its shareholders, including Kapolas, entered into an Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 21, 2000 (the "Fourth Agreement") in connection with the merger of Related Payroll Services, Inc. ("RPS") with and into a subsidiary of the Company and the issuance of Common Stock of the Company to the shareholders of RPS, including Kapolas; WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide Ruffo, with the same registration rights with respect to the Shares as had been provided to Kapolas and Other Stockholders (other than the Investors) by the Agreement, as amended, to the extent not inconsistent with the Second Agreement, Third Agreement and Fourth Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made and the recitals stated above which are incorporated into this Amendment, and in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and understandings herein contained, the Parties agree as follows: 1. Terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement. 2. Ruffo hereby becomes a party to the Agreement, which is incorporated into this Amendment by reference, and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions thereof, and shall have the same rights and responsibilities thereunder as a holder of Other Stockholder Registrable Securities and shall be one of the "Other Stockholders" for purposes of the Agreement. Each reference in the Agreement to "Other Stockholder Registrable Securities", or any related or derivative term, shall be deemed to include the Shares, except as the context may otherwise require. 3. Notwithstanding anything herein to be contrary, to the extent that any provision of this Amendment or any of the rights granted to the Sellers hereunder are inconsistent with, or violates any provision of, the Second Agreement, then the Second Agreement shall control and each such provision or right of the Sellers shall be interpreted to the fullest extent possible without creating such inconsistency or violation. 4. The "Registration Rights Agreement Notices Schedule" attached at the end of the Agreement shall be amended by the addition thereto of the following: If to Melodee K. Ruffo, to: Melodee K. Ruffo c/o James Kapolas 126 Forest Trail Oak Brook, IL 60521 5. This Amendment shall be effective when executed by persons holding at least 50% of the Investor Registrable Securities and at least 50% of the Registrable Securities, determined immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment. By signing this Amendment, the holders of Investor Registrable Securities and Registrable Securities consent to the grant of registration rights provided for herein and to this Amendment. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. 6. It is expressly understood and agreed that if, at any time or under any circumstances, any provision of this Amendment or its effect shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable for any reason, then any or all of such invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be amended, without any additional writing or agreement, so as to cause such provision or its effect to be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted. 2 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. ADVANTAGE BUSINESS SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. -------------------------------------- Charles W. Lathrop, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer /s/ Melodee K. Ruffo ------------------------------------------ Melodee K. Ruffo INVESTOR WILLS STEIN & PARTNERS, L.P. By: Willis Stein & Partners, L.L.C. Its: General Partner By: /s/ Daniel Gill -------------------------------------- Its: Managing Director 3