SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD. and IWT TESORO CORPORATION Dated: February 10, 2006

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Purchase Agreements
EX-10.26 2 a06-5025_1ex10d26.htm MATERIAL CONTRACTS

Exhibit 10.26

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD.

 

and

 

IWT TESORO CORPORATION

 

Dated: February 10, 2006

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

1.

Agreement to Sell and Purchase.

1

 

 

 

2.

Fees and Warrant. On the Closing Date:

2

 

 

 

3.

Closing, Delivery and Payment.

2

 

3.1

Closing

2

 

3.2

Delivery.

2

 

 

 

 

4.

Representations and Warranties of the Company.

3

 

4.1

Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.

3

 

4.2

Subsidiaries.

3

 

4.3

Capitalization; Voting Rights.

4

 

4.4

Authorization; Binding Obligations.

4

 

4.5

Liabilities.

5

 

4.6

Agreements; Action.

5

 

4.7

Obligations to Related Parties.

6

 

4.8

Changes.

7

 

4.9

Title to Properties and Assets; Liens, Etc.

8

 

4.10

Intellectual Property.

8

 

4.11

Compliance with Other Instruments.

9

 

4.12

Litigation.

9

 

4.13

Tax Returns and Payments.

9

 

4.14

Employees.

10

 

4.15

Registration Rights and Voting Rights.

10

 

4.16

Compliance with Laws; Permits.

11

 

4.17

Environmental and Safety Laws.

11

 

4.18

Valid Offering.

11

 

4.19

Full Disclosure.

11

 

4.20

Insurance.

12

 

4.21

SEC Reports.

12

 

4.22

Listing.

12

 

4.23

No Integrated Offering.

12

 

4.24

Stop Transfer.

13

 

4.25

Dilution.

13

 

4.26

Patriot Act.

13

 

4.27

ERISA.

13

 

 

 

 

5.

Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser.

14

 

5.1

No Shorting.

14

 

5.2

Requisite Power and Authority.

14

 

5.3

Investment Representations.

14

 

5.4

The Purchaser Bears Economic Risk.

15

 

5.5

Acquisition for Own Account.

15

 

5.6

The Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest.

15

 

5.7

Accredited Investor.

15

 

5.8

Legends.

16

 

i



 

 

 

Page(s)

6.

Covenants of the Company.

17

 

6.1

Stop-Orders.

17

 

6.2

Listing.

17

 

6.3

Market Regulations.

17

 

6.4

Reporting Requirements.

17

 

6.5

Use of Funds.

17

 

6.6

Access to Facilities.

17

 

6.7

Taxes.

17

 

6.8

Insurance.

18

 

6.9

Intellectual Property.

19

 

6.10

Properties.

19

 

6.11

Confidentiality.

19

 

6.12

Required Approvals.

19

 

6.13

Reissuance of Securities.

21

 

6.14

Opinion.

21

 

6.15

Margin Stock.

21

 

6.16

Financing Right of First Refusal.

22

 

6.17

Authorization and Reservation of Shares.

22

 

 

 

 

7.

Covenants of the Purchaser.

22

 

7.1

Confidentiality.

22

 

7.2

Non-Public Information.

22

 

7.3

Limitation on Acquisition of Common Stock of the Company.

23

 

 

 

 

8.

Covenants of the Company and the Purchaser Regarding Indemnification.

23

 

8.1

Company Indemnification.

23

 

8.2

Purchaser’s Indemnification.

23

 

 

 

 

9.

Conversion of Convertible Note.

24

 

9.1

Mechanics of Conversion.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Registration Rights.

24

 

10.1

Registration Rights Granted.

24

 

10.2

Offering Restrictions.

24

 

 

 

 

11.

Miscellaneous.

24

 

11.1

Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial.

24

 

11.2

Severability.

25

 

11.3

Survival.

25

 

11.4

Successors.

25

 

11.5

Entire Agreement; Maximum Interest.

26

 

11.6

Amendment and Waiver.

26

 

11.7

Delays or Omissions.

26

 

11.8

Notices.

26

 

11.9

Attorneys’ Fees.

27

 

11.10

Titles and Subtitles.

28

 

11.11

Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts.

28

 

11.12

Broker’s Fees.

28

 

11.13

Construction.

28

 

ii



 

LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Form of Convertible Term Note

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Warrant

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Opinion

 

Exhibit C

 

Form of Escrow Agreement

 

Exhibit D

 

 

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SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February 102006, by and between IWT TESORO CORPORATION, a                                   (the “Company”), and LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD., a Cayman Islands company (the “Purchaser”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company has authorized the sale to the Purchaser of a Secured Convertible Term Note in the aggregate principal amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) in the form of Exhibit A hereto (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Note”), which Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) at an initial fixed conversion price of $2.17 per share of Common Stock (“Fixed Conversion Price”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to issue to the Purchaser a warrant in the form of Exhibit B hereto (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 460,829 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth therein) in connection with the Purchaser’s purchase of the Note;

 

WHEREAS, at Closing (as defined herein),   the Company wishes to grant 221,198 shares of Common Stock (the “Interest Shares”) to the Purchaser;

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase the Note and the Warrant on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell the Note and Warrant to the Purchaser on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises, representations, warranties and covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Agreement to Sell and Purchase.  Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3), the Company shall sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, the Note and the Warrant.  The sale of the Note on the Closing Date shall be known as the “Offering.”  The Note will mature on the Maturity Date (as defined in the Note).  Collectively, the Note, the Warrant, the Interest Shares and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and upon exercise of the Warrant are referred to as the “Securities.”

 



 

2.                                       Fees and Warrant.  On the Closing Date:

 

(a)                                  The Company will issue and deliver to the Purchaser the Warrant to purchase up to 460,829 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth therein) in connection with the Offering, pursuant to Section 1 hereof.  All the representations, covenants, warranties, undertakings, and indemnification, and other rights made or granted to or for the benefit of the Purchaser by the Company are hereby also made and granted for the benefit of the holder of the Warrant and shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant (the “Warrant Shares”).

 

(b)                                 Subject to the terms of Section 2(d) below, the Company shall pay to Laurus Capital Management, LLC, the manager of the Purchaser, a closing payment in an amount equal to three and one half percent (3.50%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Note.  The foregoing fee is referred to herein as the “Closing Payment.”

 

(c)                                  The Company shall reimburse the Purchaser for its reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and the Related Agreements (as hereinafter defined), and expenses incurred in connection with the Purchaser’s due diligence review of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 4.2) and all related matters.  Amounts required to be paid under this Section 2(c) will be paid on the Closing Date and shall be $10,000  for such expenses referred to in this Section 2(c).

 

(d)                                 The Closing Payment and the expenses referred to in the preceding clause (c) (net of deposits previously paid by the Company) shall be paid at closing out of funds held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement (as defined below) and a disbursement letter (the “Disbursement Letter”).

 

3.                                       Closing, Delivery and Payment.

 

3.1                                 Closing.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”), shall take place on the date hereof, at such time or place as the Company and the Purchaser may mutually agree (such date is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”).

 

3.2                                 Delivery.  Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, at the Closing on the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser, among other things, the Note, the Warrant and the Interest Shares and the Purchaser will deliver to the Company, among other things, the amounts set forth in the Disbursement Letter by certified funds or wire transfer. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that Purchaser’s obligation to purchase the Note from the Company on the Closing Date shall be contingent upon the satisfaction (or waiver by the Purchaser in its sole discretion) of the items and matters set forth in the closing checklist provided by the Purchaser to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

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4.                                       Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows

 

4.1                                 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has the corporate, limited liability company or partnership, as the case may be, power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets and, insofar as it is or shall be a party thereto, to (1) execute and deliver (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Note and the Warrant to be issued in connection with this Agreement, (iii) the Master Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof between the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company and the Purchaser (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Master Security Agreement”), (iv) the Reaffirmation and Ratification Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Company, certain Subsidiaries and the Purchaser (as amended, modified or supplemented, the “Reaffirmation Agreement”), which reaffirms and ratifies the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiaries under (a) that certain Security Agreement by and among the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company and the Purchaser dated as of August 25, 2005; (b) that certain Security Agreement dated as of August 25, 2005 by and among certain Subsidiaries of the Company and the Purchaser (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Subsidiary Security Agreement”) and (c) that certain Continuing Guaranty Agreement dated as of August 25, 2005 among certain Subsidiaries of the Company and the Purchaser (as amended, modified and/or or supplemented from time to time, the “Continuing Guaranty”); (v) the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Securities dated as of the date hereof between the Company and the Purchaser (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), (vi) the Funds Escrow Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the Purchaser and the escrow agent referred to therein, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Escrow Agreement”) and (vii) all other documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (the preceding clauses (iii) through (vii), collectively, the “Related Agreements”); (2) issue and sell the Note and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note (the “Note Shares”); (3) issue and sell the Warrant and the Warrant Shares; (4) issue and sell the Interest Shares; and (5) carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and to carry on its business as presently conducted.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, in all jurisdictions in which the nature or location of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so has not, or could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), properties, operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken individually and as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

4.2                                 Subsidiaries.  Each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, the direct owner of each such Subsidiary and its percentage ownership thereof, is set forth on Schedule 4.2.

 

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4.3                                 Capitalization; Voting Rights.

 

(a)                                  The authorized capital stock of the Company, as of the date hereof consists of 100,000,000 shares, par value $0.001 per share, the number of shares issued and outstanding are as set forth on Schedule 4.3, and 25,000,000 are shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share of which no shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding.  The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary of the Company is set forth on Schedule 4.3.

 

(b)                                 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3, other than:  (i) the shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock option plans; and (ii) shares which may be granted pursuant to this Agreement and the Related Agreements, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal), proxy or stockholder agreements, or arrangements or agreements of any kind for the purchase or acquisition from the Company of any of its securities.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3, neither the offer, issuance or sale of any of the Note, the Warrant or the Interest Shares, or the issuance of any of the Note Shares or Warrant Shares, nor the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby will result in a change in the price or number of any securities of the Company outstanding, under anti-dilution or other similar provisions contained in or affecting any such securities.

 

(c)                                  All issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock:  (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and (ii) were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities.

 

(d)                                 The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of the Common Stock are as stated in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”).  The Note Shares, Warrant Shares and Interest Shares have been duly and validly reserved for issuance.  When issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Company’s Charter, the Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and will be free of any liens or encumbrances; provided, however, that the Securities may be subject to restrictions on transfer under state and/or federal securities laws as set forth herein or as otherwise required by such laws at the time a transfer is proposed.

 

4.4                                 Authorization; Binding Obligations.  All corporate, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, action on the part of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (including their respective officers and directors) necessary for the authorization of this Agreement and the Related Agreements, the performance of all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder and under the other Related Agreements at the Closing and, the authorization, sale, issuance and delivery of the Note,  Warrant and Interest Shares has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing.  This Agreement and the Related Agreements, when executed and delivered and to the extent it is a party thereto, will be valid and binding obligations of each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, enforceable against each such person or entity in accordance with their terms, except:

 

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(a)                                  as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights; and

 

(b)                                 general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable or legal remedies.

 

The sale of the Note and the subsequent conversion of the Note into Note Shares are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.  The issuance of the Warrant and the subsequent exercise of the Warrant for Warrant Shares are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.  The issuance of the Interest Shares is not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.

 

4.5                                 Liabilities.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities, except current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and liabilities disclosed in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) made prior to the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Exchange Act Filings”), copies of which have been provided to the Purchaser.

 

4.6                                 Agreements; Action.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6 or as disclosed in any Exchange Act Filings:

 

(a)                                  there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts, proposed transactions, judgments, orders, writs or decrees to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or to its knowledge by which it is bound which involves: (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000 (other than obligations of, or payments to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising from purchase or sale agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business); or (ii) the transfer or license of any patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than licenses arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or other standard products); or (iii) provisions restricting the development, manufacture or distribution of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries products or services; or (iv) indemnification by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.

 

(b)                                 Since September 30, 2005, (the “Balance Sheet Date”), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has:  (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock; (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or any other liabilities (other than ordinary course obligations) individually in excess of $100,000 or, in the case of indebtedness and/or liabilities individually less than $100,000, in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate; (iii) made any loans or advances to any person or entity not in excess, individually or in the aggregate, of $100,000, other than ordinary course advances for

 

5



 

travel expenses; or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business.

 

(c)                                  For the purposes of subsections (a) and (b) above, all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same person or entity (including persons or entities the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company has reason to believe are affiliated therewith) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsections.

 

(d)                                 The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (“Disclosure Controls”) as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for companies the size of the Company designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC.

 

(i)                                     The Company makes and keep books, records, and accounts, that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets.  The Company maintains internal control over financial reporting (“Financial Reporting Controls”) as required by the SEC for entities of its size.

 

4.7                                 Obligations to Related Parties.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, there are no obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to officers, directors, stockholders or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than:

 

(a)                                  for payment of salary for services rendered and for bonus payments;

 

(b)                                 reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)                                  for other standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees (including stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable); and

 

(d)                                 obligations listed in the Company’s and each of its Subsidiary’s financial statements or disclosed in any of the Company’s Exchange Act Filings.

 

Except as described above or set forth on Schedule 4.7, none of its officers, directors or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, key employees or stockholders of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any members of their immediate families, are indebted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $100,000 or have any direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is affiliated or with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than passive investments in publicly traded companies (representing less than

 

6



 

one percent (1%) of such company) which may compete with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Except as described above, no officer, director or stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any member of their immediate families, is, directly or indirectly, interested in any material contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions are contemplated between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any such person.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other person or entity.

 

4.8                                 Changes.  Since the Balance Sheet Date, except as disclosed in any Exchange Act Filing or in any Schedule to this Agreement or to any of the Related Agreements, there has not been:

 

(a)                                  any change in the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), properties, operations or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)                                 any resignation or termination of any officer, key employee or group of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)                                  any material change, except in the ordinary course of business, in the contingent obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by way of guaranty, endorsement, indemnity, warranty or otherwise;

 

(d)                                 any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(e)                                  any waiver by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a valuable right or of a material debt owed to it;

 

(f)                                    any direct or indirect loans made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any stockholder, employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than advances made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)                                 any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(h)                                 any declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(i)                                     any labor organization activity related to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(j)                                     any debt, obligation or liability incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except those for immaterial amounts and for current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(k)                                  any sale, assignment or transfer of any patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(l)                                     any change in any material agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound which either individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(m)                               any other event or condition of any character that, either individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(n)                                 any arrangement or commitment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the acts described in subsection (a) through (m) above.

 

4.9                                 Title to Properties and Assets; Liens, Etc.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to its properties and assets, and good title to its leasehold interests, in each case subject to no mortgage, pledge, lien, lease, encumbrance or charge, other than:

 

(a)                                  Minor liens and encumbrances which do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as in each such case, such liens and encumbrances have no effect on the lien priority of the Purchaser in such property; and

 

(b)                                 Those that have otherwise arisen in the ordinary course of business, so long as they have no effect on the lien priority of the Purchaser therein.

 

All facilities, machinery, equipment, fixtures, vehicles and other properties owned, leased or used by the Company and its Subsidiaries are in good operating condition and repair and are reasonably fit and usable for the purposes for which they are being used.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all material terms of each lease to which it is a party or is otherwise bound.

 

4.10                           Intellectual Property.

 

(a)                                  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary rights and processes necessary for its business as now conducted and, to the Company’s knowledge, as presently proposed to be conducted (the “Intellectual Property”), without any known infringement of the rights of others.  There are no outstanding options, licenses or agreements of any kind relating to the foregoing proprietary rights, nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary rights and processes of any other person or entity other than such licenses or agreements arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or standard products.

 

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(b)                                 Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any communications alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has violated any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights or trade secrets or other proprietary rights of any other person or entity, nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries aware of any basis therefor.

 

(c)                                  The Company does not believe it is or will be necessary to utilize any inventions, trade secrets or proprietary information of any of its employees made prior to their employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for inventions, trade secrets or proprietary information that have been rightfully assigned to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

4.11                           Compliance with Other Instruments.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation or default of (x) any term of its Charter or Bylaws, or (y) any provision of any indebtedness, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or instrument to which it is party or by which it is bound or of any judgment, decree, order or writ, which violation or default, in the case of this clause (y), has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.  The execution, delivery and performance of and compliance with this Agreement and the Related Agreements to which it is a party, and the issuance and sale of the Note by the Company and the other Securities by the Company each pursuant hereto and thereto, will not, with or without the passage of time or giving of notice, result in any such material violation, or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any such term or provision, or result in the creation of any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or charge upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.

 

4.12                           Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12 hereto, there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, currently threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that prevents the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from entering into this Agreement or the other Related Agreements, or from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or any change in the current equity ownership of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor is the Company aware that there is any basis to assert any of the foregoing.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality.  There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently pending or which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries intends to initiate.

 

4.13                           Tax Returns and Payments.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it.  All taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns, any assessments imposed, and all other taxes due and payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on or before the Closing, have been paid or will be paid prior to the time they become delinquent.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been advised:

 

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(a)                                  that any of its returns, federal, state or other, have been or are being audited as of the date hereof; or

 

(b)                                 of any adjustment, deficiency, assessment or court decision in respect of its federal, state or other taxes.

 

The Company has no knowledge of any liability for any tax to be imposed upon its properties or assets as of the date of this Agreement that is not adequately provided for.

 

4.14                           Employees.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any collective bargaining agreements with any of its employees.  There is no labor union organizing activity pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Except as disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings or on Schedule 4.14, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any currently effective employment contract, deferred compensation arrangement, bonus plan, incentive plan, profit sharing plan, retirement agreement or other employee compensation plan or agreement.  To the Company’s knowledge, no employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any consultant with whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has contracted, is in violation of any term of any employment contract, proprietary information agreement or any other agreement relating to the right of any such individual to be employed by, or to contract with, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries because of the nature of the business to be conducted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and to the Company’s knowledge the continued employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries of their present employees, and the performance of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ contracts with its independent contractors, will not result in any such violation.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware that any of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency that would interfere with their duties to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging that any such violation has occurred.  Except for employees who have a current effective employment agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, no employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been granted the right to continued employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to any material compensation following termination of employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, the Company is not aware that any officer, key employee or group of employees intends to terminate his, her or their employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have a present intention to terminate the employment of any officer, key employee or group of employees.

 

4.15                           Registration Rights and Voting Rights.  Except for registration rights previously granted to Purchaser and except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is presently under any obligation, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted any rights, to register any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ presently outstanding securities or any of its securities that may hereafter be issued.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 and except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, to the Company’s knowledge, no stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has entered

 

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into any agreement with respect to the voting of equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

4.16                           Compliance with Laws; Permits.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or any SEC related regulation or rule or any rule of the Principal Market (as hereafter defined) promulgated thereunder or any other applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof in respect of the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.  No governmental orders, permissions, consents, approvals or authorizations are required to be obtained and no registrations or declarations are required to be filed in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other Related Agreement and the issuance of any of the Securities, except such as have been duly and validly obtained or filed, or with respect to any filings that must be made after the Closing, as will be filed in a timely manner.  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has all material franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted by it, the lack of which could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.17                           Environmental and Safety Laws.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable statute, law or regulation relating to the environment or occupational health and safety, and to its knowledge, no material expenditures are or will be required in order to comply with any such existing statute, law or regulation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17, no Hazardous Materials (as defined below) are used or have been used, stored, or disposed of by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, by any other person or entity on any property owned, leased or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  For the purposes of the preceding sentence, “Hazardous Materials” shall mean:

 

(a)                                  materials which are listed or otherwise defined as “hazardous” or “toxic” under any applicable local, state, federal and/or foreign laws and regulations that govern the existence and/or remedy of contamination on property, the protection of the environment from contamination, the control of hazardous wastes, or other activities involving hazardous substances, including building materials; or

 

(b)                                 any petroleum products or nuclear materials.

 

4.18                           Valid Offering.  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the Securities will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and will have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and qualification) under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of all applicable state securities laws.

 

4.19                           Full Disclosure.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has provided the Purchaser with all information requested by the Purchaser in connection with its decision to purchase the Note and Warrant, including all information the Company and its

 

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Subsidiaries believe is reasonably necessary to make such investment decision.  Neither this Agreement, the Related Agreements, the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto nor any other document delivered by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Purchaser or its attorneys or agents in connection herewith or therewith or with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, contain any untrue statement of a material fact nor omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.  Any financial projections and other estimates provided to the Purchaser by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries were based on the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ experience in the industry and on assumptions of fact and opinion as to future events which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, at the date of the issuance of such projections or estimates, believed to be reasonable.

 

4.20                           Insurance.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has general commercial, product liability, fire and casualty insurance policies with coverages which the Company believes are customary for companies similarly situated to the Company and its Subsidiaries in the same or similar business.

 

4.21                           SEC Reports.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, the Company has filed all proxy statements, reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The Company has furnished the Purchaser copies of:  (i) its Annual Reports on Form 10-KSB for its fiscal years ended [Insert Date]; and (ii) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for its fiscal quarter ended [Insert Date], and the Form 8-K filings which it has made during the fiscal year [Insert Date] to date (collectively, the “SEC Reports”).  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, each SEC Report was, at the time of its filing, in substantial compliance with the requirements of its respective form and none of the SEC Reports, nor the financial statements (and the notes thereto) included in the SEC Reports, as of their respective filing dates, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

4.22                           Listing.  The Company’s Common Stock is listed or quoted, as applicable, on a Principal Market (as hereafter defined) and satisfies and at all times hereafter will satisfy, all requirements for the continuation of such listing or quotation, as applicable.  The Company has not received any notice that its Common Stock will be delisted from, or no longer quoted on, as applicable, the Principal Market or that its Common Stock does not meet all requirements for such listing or quotation, as applicable.  For purposes hereof, the term “Principal Market” means the NASD Over The Counter Bulletin Board, NASDAQ Capital Market, NASDAQ National Markets System, American Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange (whichever of the foregoing is at the time the principal trading exchange or market for the Common Stock).

 

4.23                           No Integrated Offering.  Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly or indirectly made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security (other than securities issued to Purchaser on August 25, 2005) under circumstances that would cause the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act which would prevent the Company from selling the Securities pursuant to Rule 506 under the Securities Act, or any

 

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applicable exchange-related stockholder approval provisions, nor will the Company or any of its affiliates or Subsidiaries take any action or steps that would cause the offering of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings.

 

4.24                           Stop Transfer.  The Securities are restricted securities as of the date of this Agreement.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will issue any stop transfer order or other order impeding the sale and delivery of any of the Securities at such time as the Securities are registered for public sale or an exemption from registration is available, except as required by state and federal securities laws.

 

4.25                           Dilution.  The Company specifically acknowledges that its obligation to issue the Interest Shares, the shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant is binding upon the Company and enforceable regardless of the dilution such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other shareholders of the Company.

 

4.26                           Patriot Act.   The Company certifies that, to the best of Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been designated, nor is or shall be owned or controlled, by a “suspected terrorist” as defined in Executive Order 13224.  The Company hereby acknowledges that the Purchaser seeks to comply with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and related activities.  In furtherance of those efforts, the Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants that:  (i) none of the cash or property that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will pay or will contribute to the Purchaser has been or shall be derived from, or related to, any activity that is deemed criminal under United States law; and (ii) no contribution or payment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Purchaser, to the extent that they are within the Company’s and/or its Subsidiaries’ control shall cause the Purchaser to be in violation of the United States Bank Secrecy Act, the United States International Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 or the United States International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001.  The Company shall promptly notify the Purchaser if any of these representations, warranties or covenants ceases to be true and accurate regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  The Company shall provide the Purchaser all additional information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that the Purchaser deems necessary or convenient to ensure compliance with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and similar activities.  The Company understands and agrees that if at any time it is discovered that any of the foregoing representations, warranties or covenants are incorrect, or if otherwise required by applicable law or regulation related to money laundering or similar activities, the Purchaser may undertake appropriate actions to ensure compliance with applicable law or regulation, including but not limited to segregation and/or redemption of the Purchaser’s investment in the Company.  The Company further understands that the Purchaser may release confidential information about the Company and its Subsidiaries and, if applicable, any underlying beneficial owners, to proper authorities if the Purchaser, in its sole discretion, determines that it is in the best interests of the Purchaser in light of relevant rules and regulations under the laws set forth in subsection (ii) above.

 

4.27                           ERISA.  Based upon the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder:  (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in any Prohibited Transactions (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the

 

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Code”)); (ii) each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has met all applicable minimum funding requirements under Section 302 of ERISA in respect of its plans; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any knowledge of any event or occurrence which would cause the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any employee benefit plan(s); (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any fiduciary responsibility for investments with respect to any plan existing for the benefit of persons other than the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s employees; and (v) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has withdrawn, completely or partially, from any multi-employer pension plan so as to incur liability under the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980.

 

5.                                       Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser.  The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows (such representations and warranties do not lessen or obviate the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement):

 

5.1                                 No Shorting.  The Purchaser or any of its affiliates and investment partners has not, will not and will not cause any person or entity, to directly engage in “short sales” of the Company’s Common Stock as long as the Note shall be outstanding.

 

5.2                                 Requisite Power and Authority.  The Purchaser has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Related Agreements and to carry out their provisions.  All corporate action on the Purchaser’s part required for the lawful execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related Agreements have been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing.  Upon their execution and delivery, this Agreement and the Related Agreements will be valid and binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except:

 

(a)                                  as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights; and

 

(b)                                 as limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable and legal remedies.

 

5.3                                 Investment Representations.  The Purchaser understands that the Securities are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part upon the Purchaser’s representations contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, that the Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  The Purchaser confirms that it has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the Interest Shares to be issued to it under this Agreement, the Note and the Warrant to be purchased by it under this Agreement and the Note Shares and the Warrant Shares acquired by it upon the conversion of the Note and the exercise of the Warrant, respectively.  The Purchaser further confirms that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, management and financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the Offering, the Note, the Warrant and the Securities and to obtain

 

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additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to the Purchaser or to which the Purchaser had access.

 

5.4                                 The Purchaser Bears Economic Risk.  The Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in private placement transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests.  The Purchaser must bear the economic risk of this investment until the Securities are sold pursuant to: (i) an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or (ii) an exemption from registration is available with respect to such sale.

 

5.5                                 Acquisition for Own Account.  The Purchaser is acquiring the Interest Shares, the Note and Warrant and the Note Shares and the Warrant Shares for the Purchaser’s own account for investment only, and not as a nominee or agent and not with a view towards or for resale in connection with their distribution.

 

5.6                                 The Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest.  The Purchaser represents that by reason of its, or of its management’s, business and financial experience, the Purchaser has the capacity to evaluate the merits and risks of its investment in the Note, the Warrant and the Securities and to protect its own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Related Agreements.  Further, the Purchaser is aware of no publication of any advertisement in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Agreement or the Related Agreements.

 

5.7                                 Accredited Investor.  The Purchaser represents that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

5.8                                 Patriot Act.  The Purchaser certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, the Purchaser has not been designated, and is not owned or controlled, by a “suspected terrorist” as defined in Executive Order 13224.  The Purchaser seeks to comply with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and related activities.  In furtherance of those efforts, the Purchaser hereby represents, warrants and covenants that:  (i) none of the cash or property that the Purchaser will use to make the Loans has been or shall be derived from, or related to, any activity that is deemed criminal under United States law; and (ii) no disbursement by the Purchaser to any Company to the extent within the Purchaser’s control, shall cause the Purchaser to be in violation of the United States Bank Secrecy Act, the United States International Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 or the United States International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001.  The Purchaser shall promptly notify the Company Agent if any of these representations ceases to be true and accurate regarding the Purchaser.  The Purchaser agrees to provide the Company any additional information regarding the Purchaser that the Company deems necessary or convenient to ensure compliance with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and similar activities.  The Purchaser understands and agrees that if at any time it is discovered that any of the foregoing representations are incorrect, or if otherwise required by applicable law or regulation related to money laundering similar activities, The Purchaser may undertake appropriate actions to ensure compliance with applicable law or regulation, including but not limited to segregation and/or redemption of the

 

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Purchaser’s investment in the Company.  The Purchaser further understands that the Company  may release information about the Purchaser and, if applicable, any underlying beneficial owners, to proper authorities if the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that it is in the best interests of the Company in light of relevant rules and regulations under the laws set forth in subsection (ii) above

 

5.9                                 Legends.

 

(a)                                  The Note shall bear substantially the following legend:

 

“THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE OR SUCH SHARES UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IWT TESORO CORPORATION THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

 

(b)                                 The Interest Shares, the Note Shares and the Warrant Shares, if not issued by DWAC system (as hereinafter defined), shall bear a legend which shall be in substantially the following form until such shares are covered by an effective registration statement filed with the SEC:

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IWT TESORO CORPORATION  THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

 

(c)                                  The Warrant shall bear substantially the following legend:

 

“THIS WARRANT AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THIS WARRANT AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS WARRANT OR THE UNDERLYING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

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UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IWT TESORO CORPORATION THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

 

6.                                       Covenants of the Company.  The Company covenants and agrees with the Purchaser as follows:

 

6.1                                 Stop-Orders.  The Company will advise the Purchaser, promptly after it receives notice of issuance by the SEC, any state securities commission or any other regulatory authority of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending any offering of any securities of the Company, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Common Stock of the Company for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any such purpose.

 

6.2                                 Listing.  The Company shall promptly secure the listing or quotation, as applicable, of the Interest Shares, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and upon the exercise of the Warrant on the Principal Market upon which shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted for trading, as applicable (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain such listing or quotation, as applicable, so long as any other shares of Common Stock shall be so listed or quoted, as applicable.  The Company will maintain the listing or quotation, as applicable, of its Common Stock on the Principal Market, and will comply in all material respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) and such exchanges, as applicable.

 

6.3                                 Market Regulations.  The Company shall notify the SEC, NASD and applicable state authorities, in accordance with their requirements, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall take all other necessary action and proceedings as may be required and permitted by applicable law, rule and regulation, for the legal and valid issuance of the Securities to the Purchaser and promptly provide copies thereof to the Purchaser.

 

6.4                                 Reporting Requirements.  The Company shall timely file with the SEC all reports required to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and refrain from terminating its status as an issuer required by the Exchange Act to file reports thereunder even if the Exchange Act or the rules or regulations thereunder would permit such termination.

 

6.5                                 Use of Funds.  The Company shall use the proceeds of the sale of the Note and the Warrant for general working capital purposes only.

 

6.6                                 Access to Facilities.  Intentionally omitted.

 

6.7                                 Taxes.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will promptly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, when due and payable, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the income, profits, property or business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any such tax, assessment,

 

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charge or levy need not be paid currently if (i) the validity thereof shall currently and diligently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) such tax, assessment, charge or levy shall have no effect on the lien priority of the Purchaser in any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) if the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP; and provided, further, that the Company and its Subsidiaries will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges or levies forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any lien which may have attached as security therefor.

 

6.8                                 Insurance.  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries will keep its assets which are of an insurable character insured by financially sound and reputable insurers against loss or damage by fire, explosion and other risks customarily insured against by companies in similar business similarly situated as the Company and its Subsidiaries; and the Company and its Subsidiaries will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance against other hazards and risks and liability to persons and property to the extent and in the manner which the Company reasonably believes is customary for companies in similar business similarly situated as the Company and its Subsidiaries and to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms.  The Company, and each of its Subsidiaries, will jointly and severally bear the full risk of loss from any loss of any nature whatsoever with respect to the assets pledged to the Purchaser as security for their respective obligations hereunder and under the Related Agreements.  At the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ joint and several cost and expense in amounts and with carriers reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall (i) keep all its insurable properties and properties in which it has an interest insured against the hazards of fire, flood, sprinkler leakage, those hazards covered by extended coverage insurance and such other hazards, and for such amounts, as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Company’s or the respective Subsidiary’s including business interruption insurance; (ii) maintain a bond in such amounts as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Company’s or the respective Subsidiary’s insuring against larceny, embezzlement or other criminal misappropriation of insured’s officers and employees who may either singly or jointly with others at any time have access to the assets or funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries either directly or through governmental authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such assets; (iii) maintain public and product liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage suffered by others; (iv) maintain all such worker’s compensation or similar insurance as may be required under the laws of any state or jurisdiction in which the Company or the respective Subsidiary is engaged in business; and (v) furnish the Purchaser with (x) copies of all policies and evidence of the maintenance of such policies at least thirty (30) days before any expiration date, (y) excepting the Company’s workers’ compensation policy, endorsements to such policies naming the Purchaser as “co-insured” or “additional insured” and appropriate loss payable endorsements in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser, naming the Purchaser as loss payee, and (z) evidence that as to the Purchaser the insurance coverage shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or neglect of the Company or any Subsidiary and the insurer will provide the Purchaser with at least thirty (30) days notice prior to cancellation.  The Company and each Subsidiary shall instruct the insurance carriers that in the event of any loss thereunder, the carriers shall make payment for such loss to the Company and/or the Subsidiary and the Purchaser jointly.  In the event that as of the date of receipt of each loss recovery upon any such insurance, the Purchaser has not declared an event of default with

 

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respect to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements, then the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall be permitted to direct the application of such loss recovery proceeds toward investment in property, plant and equipment that would comprise “Collateral” secured by the Purchaser’s security interest pursuant to the Master Security Agreement or such other security agreement as shall be required by the Purchaser, with any surplus funds to be applied toward payment of the obligations of the Company to the Purchaser.  In the event that the Purchaser has properly declared an event of default with respect to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements, then all loss recoveries received by the Purchaser upon any such insurance thereafter may be applied to the obligations of the Company hereunder and under the Related Agreements, in such order as the Purchaser may determine.  Any surplus (following satisfaction of all Company obligations to the Purchaser) shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Company or applied as may be otherwise required by law.  Any deficiency thereon shall be paid by the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, to the Purchaser, on demand.

 

6.9                                 Intellectual Property.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall maintain in full force and effect its existence, rights and franchises and all licenses and other rights to use Intellectual Property owned or possessed by it and reasonably deemed to be necessary to the conduct of its business.

 

6.10                           Properties.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will keep its properties in good repair, working order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and from time to time make all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, additions and improvements thereto; and each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will at all times comply with each provision of all leases to which it is a party or under which it occupies property if the breach of such provision could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.11                           Confidentiality.  The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, disclose, and will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Purchaser, unless expressly agreed to by the Purchaser or unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may disclose the Purchaser’s identity and the terms of this Agreement to its current and prospective debt and equity financing sources.

 

Required Approvals.  Subject to the provisions of that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 31, 2004 among Fleet Capital Corporation, the Company, International Wholesale Tile, Inc. (“IWT”), The Tile Club, Inc. (“Tile Club”) and Import Flooring Group, Inc. (“Import”) (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Working Capital Lender Loan Agreement”) and all agreements, instruments, documents,  mortgages, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notice, security agreements, trust agreements and guarantees executed in connection with the Working Capital Lender Loan Agreement (all such documents, as each may be amended, supplemented or modified, the “Working Capital Lender Loan Documents”).

 

19



 

6.12                           (I)  For so long as twenty-five percent (25%) of the principal amount of the Note is outstanding, the Company, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(a)                                  (i) directly or indirectly declare or pay any dividends, other than dividends paid to the Company or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, (ii) issue any preferred stock that is manditorily redeemable prior to the one year anniversary of the Maturity Date (as defined in the Note) or (iii) redeem any of its preferred stock or other equity interests;

 

(b)                                 liquidate, dissolve or effect a material reorganization (it being understood that in no event shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries dissolve, liquidate or merge with any other person or entity (unless, in the case of such a merger, the Company or, in the case of merger not involving the Company, such Subsidiary, as applicable, is the surviving entity);

 

(c)                                  become subject to (including, without limitation, by way of amendment to or modification of) any agreement or instrument which by its terms would (under any circumstances) restrict the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries, right to perform the provisions of this Agreement, any Related Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated hereby or thereby;

 

(d)                                 materially alter or change the scope of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or

 

(e)                                  (i) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness (exclusive of trade debt and debt incurred to finance the purchase of equipment (not in excess of five percent (5%) of the fair market value of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets)) whether secured or unsecured other than (x) the Company’s obligations owed to the Purchaser, (y) indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.12(e) attached hereto and made a part hereof and any refinancings or replacements thereof on terms no less favorable to the Purchaser than the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced, and (z) any indebtedness incurred in connection with the purchase of assets (other than equipment) in the ordinary course of business, or any refinancings or replacements thereof on terms no less favorable to the Purchaser than the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced, so long as any lien relating thereto shall only encumber the fixed assets so purchased and no other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) cancel any indebtedness owing to it in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate during any 12 month period; (iii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become directly or contingently liable in connection with any obligations of any other person or entity, except the endorsement of negotiable instruments by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business or guarantees of indebtedness otherwise permitted to be outstanding pursuant to this clause (e); and

 

(II) The Company, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or acquire any Subsidiary after the date hereof unless (i) such Subsidiary is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) such Subsidiary

 

20



 

becomes a party to the Security Agreement, the Subsidiary Security Agreement and the Continuing Guaranty (either by executing a counterpart thereof or an assumption or joinder agreement in respect thereof) and, to the extent required by the Purchaser, satisfies each condition of this Agreement and the Related Agreements as if such Subsidiary were a Subsidiary on the Closing Date.

 

(III)                            Required Approvals.  Subject to the provisions of that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 31, 2004 among Fleet Capital Corporation, the Company, International Wholesale Tile, Inc. (“IWT”), The Tile Club, Inc. (“Tile Club”) and Import Flooring Group, Inc. (“Import”) (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Working Capital Lender Loan Agreement”) and all agreements, instruments, documents,  mortgages, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notice, security agreements, trust agreements and guarantees executed in connection with the Working Capital Lender Loan Agreement (all such documents, as each may be amended, supplemented or modified, the “Working Capital Lender Loan Documents”).

 

6.13                           Reissuance of Securities.  The Company agrees to undertake to have certificates reissued representing the Securities without the legends set forth in Section 5.8 above at such time as:

 

(a)                                  the holder thereof is permitted to dispose of such Securities pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act; or

 

(b)                                 upon resale subject to an effective registration statement after such Securities are registered under the Securities Act.

 

The Company agrees to cooperate with the Purchaser in connection with all resales pursuant to Rule 144(d) and Rule 144(k) and provide legal opinions necessary to allow such resales provided the Company and its counsel receive reasonably requested representations from the Purchaser and broker, if any.

 

6.14                           Opinion.  On the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser an opinion acceptable to the Purchaser from the Company’s external legal counsel.  The Company will provide, at the Company’s expense, such other legal opinions in the future as are deemed reasonably necessary by the Purchaser (and acceptable to the Purchaser) in connection with the conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant.

 

6.15                           Margin Stock.                     The Company will not permit any of the proceeds of the Note or the Warrant to be used directly or indirectly to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock” or to repay indebtedness incurred to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time hereafter in effect.

 

21



 

6.16                           Financing Right of First Refusal.

 

(a)                                  The Company hereby grants to the Purchaser a right of first refusal to provide any Additional Financing (as defined below) to be issued by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, subject to the following terms and conditions.  From and after the date hereof,  prior to the incurrence of any additional indebtedness and/or the sale or issuance of any equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (an “Additional Financing”), the Company and/or any Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, shall notify the Purchaser of its intention to enter into such Additional Financing.  In connection therewith, the Company and/or the applicable Subsidiary thereof shall submit a fully executed term sheet (a “Proposed Term Sheet”) to the Purchaser setting forth the terms, conditions and pricing of any such Additional Financing (such financing to be negotiated on “arm’s length” terms and the terms thereof to be negotiated in good faith) proposed to be entered into by the Company and/or such Subsidiary.  The Purchaser shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deliver its own proposed term sheet (the “Purchaser Term Sheet”) setting forth the terms and conditions upon which the Purchaser would be willing to provide such Additional Financing to the Company and/or such Subsidiary.  The Purchaser Term Sheet shall contain terms no less favorable to the Company and/or such Subsidiary than those outlined in Proposed Term Sheet.  The Purchaser shall deliver such Purchaser Term Sheet  within ten business days of receipt of each such Proposed Term Sheet.  If the provisions of the Purchaser Term Sheet are at least as favorable to the Company and/or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, as the provisions of the Proposed Term Sheet, the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall enter into and consummate the Additional Financing transaction outlined in the Purchaser Term Sheet.

 

(b)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit its Subsidiaries to, agree, directly or indirectly, to any restriction with any person or entity which limits the ability of the Purchaser to consummate an Additional Financing with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

6.17                           Authorization and Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times have authorized and reserved a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to provide for the conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrants.

 

7.                                       Covenants of the Purchaser.  The Purchaser covenants and agrees with the Company as follows:

 

7.1                                 Confidentiality.  The Purchaser will not and will not permit any of its affiliates to, disclose, and will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Company, unless expressly agreed to by the Company or unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement.

 

7.2                                 Public Information.  The Purchaser will not effect any sales in the shares of the Company’s Common Stock while in possession of material, non-public information regarding the Company if such sales would violate applicable securities law.

 

22



 

7.3                                 Limitation on Acquisition of Common Stock of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Related Agreement or any document, instrument or agreement entered into in connection with any other transactions between the Purchaser and the Company, the Purchaser may not acquire stock in the Company (including, without limitation, pursuant to a contract to purchase, by exercising an option or warrant, by converting any other security or instrument, by acquiring or exercising any other right to acquire, shares of stock or other security convertible into shares of stock in the Company, or otherwise, and such contracts, options, warrants, conversion or other rights shall not be enforceable or exercisable) to the extent such stock acquisition would cause any interest (including any original issue discount) payable by the Company to the Purchaser not to qualify as “portfolio interest” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(2) of the Code, by reason of Section 881(c)(3) of the Code, taking into account the constructive ownership rules under Section 871(h)(3)(C) of the Code (the “Stock Acquisition Limitation”).  The Stock Acquisition Limitation shall automatically become null and void without any notice to the Company upon the earlier to occur of either (a) the Company’s delivery to the Purchaser of a Notice of Redemption (as defined in the Note) or (b) the existence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) at a time when the average closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. on the Principal Market for the immediately preceding five trading days is greater than or equal to [150%] of the Fixed Conversion Price (as defined in the Note).

 

8.                                       Covenants of the Company and the Purchaser Regarding Indemnification.

 

8.1                                 Company Indemnification.  The Company agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse and defend the Purchaser, each of the Purchaser’s officers, directors, agents, affiliates, control persons, and principal shareholders, against all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations, losses or damages (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred by or imposed upon the Purchaser which result, arise out of or are based upon: (i) any misrepresentation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or breach of any warranty by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement, any other Related Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or thereto; or (ii) any breach or default in performance by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any covenant or undertaking to be performed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries hereunder, under any other Related Agreement or any other agreement entered into by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and the Purchaser relating hereto or thereto.

 

8.2                                 Purchaser’s Indemnification.  The Purchaser agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse and defend the Company and each of the Company’s officers, directors, agents, affiliates, control persons and principal shareholders, at all times against any claims, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations, losses or damages (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred by or imposed upon the Company which result, arise out of or are based upon:  (i) any misrepresentation by the Purchaser or breach of any warranty by the Purchaser in this Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or any Related Agreement; or (ii) any breach or default in performance by the Purchaser of any covenant or undertaking to be performed by the Purchaser hereunder, or any other agreement entered into by the Company and the Purchaser relating hereto.

 

23



 

9.                                       THIS SECTION INTENTIALLY OMITTED. 

 

10.                                 Registration Rights.

 

10.1                           Registration Rights Granted.  The Company hereby grants registration rights to the Purchaser pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

10.2                           Offering Restrictions.  Except as previously disclosed in the SEC Reports or in the Exchange Act Filings, or stock or stock options granted to employees or directors of the Company (these exceptions hereinafter referred to as the “Excepted Issuances”), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, prior to the full exercise by Purchaser of the Warrants, (x) enter into any equity line of credit agreement or similar agreement or (y) issue, or enter into any agreement to issue, any securities with a variable/floating conversion and/or pricing feature which are or could be (by conversion or registration) free-trading securities (i.e.  common stock subject to a registration statement).

 

11.                                 Miscellaneous.

 

11.1                           Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(a)                                  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

 

(b)                                 THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN THE COMPANY, ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE PURCHASER, ON THE OTHER HAND, PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE RELATED AGREEMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS; PROVIDED, THAT THE PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK; AND FURTHER PROVIDED, THAT, NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE THE PURCHASER FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO COLLECT THE OBLIGATIONS, TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL (AS DEFINED IN THE MASTER SECURITY AGREEMENT) OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS (AS DEFINED IN THE MASTER SECURITY AGREEMENT), OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF THE PURCHASER.  THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED

 

24



 

IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS.  THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 11.9 AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR THREE (3) DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID.

 

(c)                                  THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS.  THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN THE PURCHASER AND/OR THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER RELATED AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO.

 

11.2                           Severability.  Wherever possible each provision of this Agreement and the Related Agreements shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or any Related Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid or illegal under applicable law such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity or illegality, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions thereof which shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

11.3                           Survival.  The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein shall survive any investigation made by the Purchaser and the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent provided therein.  All statements as to factual matters contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by the Company hereunder solely as of the date of such certificate or instrument.  All indemnities set forth herein shall survive the execution, delivery and termination of this Agreement and the Note and the making and repayment of the obligations arising hereunder, under the Note and under the other Related Agreements.

 

11.4                           Successors.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each person or entity which shall be a holder of the Securities from time to time, other than the holders of Common Stock which has been sold by the Purchaser pursuant to Rule 144 or an

 

25



 

effective registration statement.  The Purchaser shall not be permitted to assign its rights hereunder or under any Related Agreement to a competitor of the Company unless an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) has occurred and is continuing.

 

11.5                           Entire Agreement; Maximum Interest.  This Agreement, the Related Agreements, the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto and the other documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein and therein.  Nothing contained in this Agreement, any Related Agreement or in any document referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.  In the event that the rate of interest or dividends required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum rate permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to the Purchaser and thus refunded to the Company.

 

11.6                           Amendment and Waiver.

 

(a)                                  This Agreement may be amended or modified only upon the written consent of the Company and the Purchaser.

 

(b)                                 The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Purchaser under this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the Purchaser.

 

(c)                                  The obligations of the Purchaser and the rights of the Company under this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the Company.

 

11.7                           Delays or Omissions.  It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party, upon any breach, default or noncompliance by another party under this Agreement or the Related Agreements, shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter occurring.  All remedies, either under this Agreement or the Related Agreements, by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

 

11.8                           Notices.  All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given:

 

(a)                                  upon personal delivery to the party to be notified;

 

(b)                                 when sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day;

 

(c)                                  three (3) business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or

 

26



 

(d)                                 one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.

 

All communications shall be sent as follows:

 

If to the Company, to:

 

IWT Tesoro Corporation
191 Post Road West
Westport, Connecticut 06880

Attention:                                         Henry J. Boucher, Jr., CEO

Facsimile:                                            (203) 221-2797

 

 

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

 

Rader and Coleman, P.L.
2101 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Suite 1
Boca Raton, Florida 33431


Attention:                                         Gayle Coleman, Esq.

Facsimile:                                            (561) 367-1725

 

 

 

If to the Purchaser, to:

 

Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.
c/o M&C Corporate Services Limited
P.O.  Box 309 GT
Ugland House
George Town
South Church Street
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Facsimile:                                            345 ###-###-####

 

 

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

 

John E. Tucker, Esq.
825 Third Avenue 14th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Facsimile:                                            212 ###-###-####

 

or at such other address as the Company or the Purchaser may designate by written notice to the other parties hereto given in accordance herewith.

 

11.9                           Attorneys’ Fees.  In the event that any suit or action is instituted to enforce any provision in this Agreement or any Related Agreement, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under or with respect to this Agreement and/or such Related

 

27



 

Agreement, including, without limitation, such reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and accountants, which shall include, without limitation, all fees, costs and expenses of appeals.

 

11.10                     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.

 

11.11                     Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one agreement.

 

11.12                     Broker’s Fees.  Except as set forth on Schedule 11.12 hereof, each party hereto represents and warrants that no agent, broker, investment banker, person or firm acting on behalf of or under the authority of such party hereto is or will be entitled to any broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission directly or indirectly in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.  Each party hereto further agrees to indemnify each other party for any claims, losses or expenses incurred by such other party as a result of the representation in this Section 11.13 being untrue.

 

11.13                     Construction.  Each party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated in the preparation of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and, therefore, stipulates that the rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the interpretation of this Agreement or any Related Agreement to favor any party against the other.

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

COMPANY:

 

PURCHASER:

 

 

 

IWT TESORO CORPORATION

 

LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

29



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF CONVERTIBLE NOTE

 

A-1



 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF WARRANT

 

B-1



 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF OPINION

 

The form of opinion will be in substantially the same form as the Borrower’s Counsel opinion provided by Rader and Coleman P.L. on August 25, 2005, as follows:

 

Based upon the foregoing and and subject to other qualifications, limitations and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.               Tesoro has been formed as a corporation under the laws of Nevada and its status is active.

 

2.               IWT has been formed as a corporation under the laws of Florida and its status is active.

 

3.               Transport has been formed as a corporation under the laws of Florida and its status is active.

 

4.               International has been formed as a Bermuda exempt company under the laws of Bermuda and its status is active.

 

5.               IFG has been formed as a corporation under the laws of Delaware and its status is active.

 

6.               TTC has been formed as a corporation under the laws of Delaware and its status is active.

 

7.               The Company and its Subsidiaries each has the corporate power and authority to own and lease its properties and to carry on its respective business as presently conducted.

 

8.               The execution and delivery of the Agreement and the Related Agreements by the Company and its Subsidiaries  to which each is a party and the observance and performance by the Company and its Subsidiaries of its respective obligations thereunder, have been duly authorized by requisite actions by the Company and its Subsidiaries.  Each of the Agreement and the Related Agreements delivered by the Company and its Subsidiaries to Purchaser on the Closing Date is based upon adequate consideration and constitutes, and each of the other Agreement and the Related Agreements to which the Company and its Subsidiaries is a party, when duly executed and delivered will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and is enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.  Our opinion concerning the validity, binding effect and enforceability of the Agreement and the Related Agreements to which the Company and its Subsidiaries is a party means that (a) the Agreement and the Related Agreements constitute effective contracts under Florida Law, (b) the Agreement and the Related Agreements are not invalid because of a specific statutory prohibition or public policy and are not subject in their entirety to a contractual defense, and (c) subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, some remedy is available if a Company or a Subsidiary is in material default under the Agreement and the Related Agreements to which it is a party.  This opinion does not mean that (a) any particular remedy is available upon a material default or (b) every provision of the Agreement and the Related Agreements to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party will be upheld

 

D-1



 

or enforced in any or each circumstance by a court.  Furthermore, the validity, binding effect and enforceability of the Agreement and the Related Agreements to which the Company or a  Subsidiary is a party may be limited or otherwise affected by:  (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar statutes, rules, regulations or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies generally; and (b) the unavailability of, or limitation on the availability of, a particular right or remedy (whether in a proceeding in equity or at law) because of an equitable principle or a requirement as to commercial reasonableness, conscionability or good faith.

 

9.     The execution and delivery by the Company and its Subsidiaries of the Agreement and the Related Agreements delivered or to be delivered by each party and observance and performance by the Company and its Subsidiaries of each of their respective obligations thereunder, do not:

 

a.               Violate the provisions of their respective Charter or bylaws; or

 

b.              Violate any judgment, decree, order or award of any court binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or

 

c.               Violate any Florida or federal law.

 

10.   There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to such counsel’s knowledge, currently threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that prevents the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to enter into this Agreement or any Related Agreement, or to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.  To such counsel’s knowledge, the Company is not a party or subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality; nor is there any action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company currently pending or which the Company intends to initiate.

 

11.   The shares of Common Stock of Tesoro issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the “Note Shares”) and the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”), when issued pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and the Related Agreements and upon delivery shall, in each case, be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non assessable.

 

12.   To our knowledge, the issuance of the Notes and the subsequent conversion of the Notes into Note Shares are not subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.  To our knowledge, the issuance of the Warrant and the subsequent exercise of the Warrant for Warrant Shares are not subject to any preemptive rights or, to our knowledge, rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.  To our knowledge, the issuance of the Option and the subsequent exercise of the Option for Option Shares are not subject to any preemptive rights or, to our knowledge, rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with

 

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13.   Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in the Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the Note, the Warrant and the Option (the “Securities”) will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  To the best of such counsel’s knowledge, neither Tesoro, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly or indirectly made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy and security under circumstances that would cause the issuance of the Securities pursuant to the Agreement and the Related Agreements to be integrated with prior offerings by Tesoro for purposes of the Securities Act which would prevent Tesoro from selling the Securities pursuant to Rule 506 under the Securities Act, or any applicable exchange-related stockholder approval provisions.

 

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EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

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