FORMOF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT 4,590,258 shares of CommonStock REDDY ICE HOLDINGS, INC. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT May [ ], 2006

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Underwriting Agreements
EX-1.1 2 a2170407zex-1_1.htm EXHIBIT 1.1

Exhibit 1.1

 

FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

4,590,258 shares of Common Stock

 

REDDY ICE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

May [  ], 2006

 

BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
As Representatives of the
several Underwriters named in
Schedule I attached hereto (the “Representatives”)

c/o Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179

 

c/o Lehman Brothers Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019

 

Ladies/Gentlemen:

 

The stockholders of Reddy Ice Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”) listed on Schedule II hereto (the “Selling Stockholders”) severally and not jointly propose to sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of 4,590,258 shares (the “Firm Shares”) of the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). For the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in connection with the sale of the Firm Shares, at the option of the Underwriters, certain of the Selling Stockholders also propose to sell to the Underwriters up to 688,539 additional shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”). The Firm Shares and any Additional Shares purchased by the Underwriters are referred to herein as the “Shares”. The Shares are more fully described in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus referred to below. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. (“Bear Stearns”) and Lehman Brothers Inc. (“Lehman”) are acting as lead managers (the “Lead Managers”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares contemplated herein (the “Offering”).

 

1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date that:

 

(a)  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as

 



 

amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the Shares, on Form S-1 (No. 333-133872) (the initial filing and all pre-effective amendments thereto collectively being referred to as the “Initial Registration Statement”); and such Initial Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form previously delivered to you, have been declared effective by the Commission, in such form. Other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the Offering (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”) filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, which will become effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission. The various parts of the Initial Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including all exhibits thereto and including (i) the information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (“Rule 424(b)”) in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it became effective under the Securities Act with respect to the Underwriters, each as amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement or Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes effective under the Securities Act with respect to the Underwriters, are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Registration Statement.” No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission.

 

The prospectus relating to the Shares, in the form first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), is hereafter referred to as the “Prospectus”. Any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 is hereafter referred to as a “Preliminary Prospectus”; and the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Shares, as amended or supplemented included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), is hereafter referred to as the “Pricing Prospectus”. Any “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) relating to the Shares is hereafter referred to as an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”; and the Pricing Prospectus, as supplemented by the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, attached and listed in Annex IV hereto, taken together, are hereafter referred to collectively as the “Pricing Disclosure Package”.

 

All references in this agreement (this “Agreement”) to the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall be deemed to include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”).

 

(b)  The Registration Statement complies and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus will comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “Rules and Regulations”), and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to each part of the

 

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Registration Statement and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers specifically for use therein. The parties hereto agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers consists solely of the material referred to in the last sentence of Section 1(c) hereof.

 

(c)  No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit 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; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any information contained in or omitted from any Preliminary Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers specifically for use therein. The parties hereto agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers consists solely of the material included in the first paragraph under the subcaption “Commissions and Discounts” and under the subcaptions “Price Stabilization, Short Positions” and “Other Relationships” under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus.

 

(d)  For purposes of this Agreement, the “Applicable Time” is [  ] (Eastern) on the date of this Agreement. The Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, if any (each as hereinafter defined), will not, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complies in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, and does not include information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus not listed in Annex IV hereto, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No representation and warranty is made in this Section 1(d) with respect to any information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any

 

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Underwriter through the Lead Managers specifically for use therein. The parties acknowledge and agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists solely of the material referred to in the last sentence of Section 1(c) hereof.

 

(e)  Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified the financial statements and supporting schedules and information of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the Rules and Regulations.

 

(f)  Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, the Company has not declared, paid or made any dividends or other distributions of any kind on or in respect of its capital stock. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in or involving (i) the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries listed on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Subsidiary” and collectively, the “Subsidiaries”) taken as a whole; (ii) the long term debt or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iii) the Offering or consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus (a “Material Adverse Change”). Since the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has incurred or undertaken any liabilities or obligations, whether direct or indirect, liquidated or contingent, matured or unmatured, or entered into any transactions including any acquisition or disposition of any business or asset, which are material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except for liabilities, obligations and transactions which are disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus.

 

(g)  The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus under the caption “Capitalization”. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are fully paid and non-assessable and have been duly and validly authorized and issued, in compliance with all applicable state, federal and foreign securities laws and not in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar right that does or will entitle any person, upon the issuance or sale of any security, to acquire from the Company or any Subsidiary any Common Stock or other security of the Company or any Subsidiary or any security convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Common Stock or any other such security (any “Relevant Security”), except for such rights as may have been fully satisfied or waived prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, if any (as hereinafter respectively defined), have been duly and validly authorized and, when delivered in accordance with this Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, will have been issued in compliance with all applicable state, federal and foreign securities laws and will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar right

 

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that does or will entitle any person to acquire any Relevant Security from the Company or any Subsidiary upon issuance or sale of Shares in the Offering. The Common Stock and the Shares conform to the descriptions thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus. Except as disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has outstanding warrants, options to purchase, or any preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell, any Relevant Security.

 

(h)  The Subsidiaries are the only subsidiaries of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act. Except for the Subsidiaries, the Company holds no ownership or other interest, nominal or beneficial, direct or indirect, in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business entity. All of the issued shares of capital stock of or other ownership interests in each Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and (except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company free and clear of any lien, charge, mortgage, pledge, security interest, claim, equity, trust or other encumbrance, preferential arrangement, defect or restriction of any kind whatsoever (any “Lien”).

 

(i)  The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus; and the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification.

 

(j)  Each Subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus; and each Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be in good standing or so qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) the long-term debt or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iii) the Offering or consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus (any such effect being a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

(k)  The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all requisite authority, and adequate certificates, authorities or permits issued by appropriate governmental agencies or bodies (collectively, the “Consents”) necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except for failures to obtain such Consents as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and have not received

 

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any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, directives, judgments, decrees and orders, foreign and domestic, except where failure to be in compliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(l)  The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus have been duly and validly authorized by the Company. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforceability may be subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and the unenforceability under certain circumstances under federal or state securities laws of provisions providing for the indemnification of a party.

 

(m)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus do not and will not (i) conflict with, require consent under or result in a breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement, instrument, franchise, license or permit to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary or their respective properties, operations or assets may be bound or (ii) violate or conflict with any provision of the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement or other organizational documents of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iii) violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, ordinance, directive, judgment, decree or order of any judicial, regulatory or other legal or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, except (in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above) as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n)  No Consent of, with or from any judicial, regulatory or other legal or governmental agency or body or any third party, foreign or domestic, is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, including the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares to be issued, sold and

 

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delivered hereunder, except the registration under the Securities Act of the Shares, which has become effective, and such Consents as may be required under state or foreign securities or blue sky laws or the by-laws and rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) or NASD Regulation, Inc. (“NASDR”) in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters.

 

(o)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and no such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or, to the knowledge of the Company, contemplated.

 

(p)  The historical financial statements, including the notes thereto, and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus present fairly the financial position as of the dates indicated and the cash flows and results of operations for the periods specified of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries; except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus present fairly the information required to be stated therein. No other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus. The other financial and statistical information included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus present fairly the information included therein and have been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the financial statements that are included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus and the books and records of the respective entities presented therein.

 

(q)  There are no pro forma or as adjusted financial statements which are required to be included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus in accordance with Regulation S-X which have not been included as so required. The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted financial information included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus has been properly compiled and prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and includes all adjustments and reconciliations necessary to present fairly in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles the pro forma and as adjusted financial position of the respective entity or entities presented therein at the respective dates indicated and their pro forma as adjusted results of operations for the respective periods specified.

 

(r)  The statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus are based on or derived from management estimates and third party sources, which estimates and sources the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.

 

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(s)  The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and files reports with the Commission on EDGAR. The Common Stock has been registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or de-listing the Common Stock from the NYSE, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the NYSE is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.

 

(t)  The Company and the Subsidiaries (i) make and keep accurate books and records and (ii) maintain a system of internal accounting and other controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (D) the recorded accounting for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

(u)  Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act), other than any Underwriter that may be an affiliate, has taken, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.

 

(v)  Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has, prior to the date hereof, made any offer or sale of any securities which could be “integrated” for purposes of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations with the offer and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, neither Company nor any of its affiliates has sold or issued any Relevant Security during the six-month period preceding the date of the Pricing Prospectus, including but not limited to any sales pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation D or S under the Securities Act, other than shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or the employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants as described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus.

 

(w)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, no holder of any Relevant Security has any rights to require registration of any Relevant Security as part or on account of, or otherwise in connection with, the offer and sale of the Shares contemplated hereby, and any such rights so disclosed have either been fully complied with by the Company or effectively waived by the holders thereof, and any such waivers remain in full force and effect.

 

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(x)  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an open-end investment company, unit investment trust or face-amount certificate company that is or is required to be registered under Section 8 of the United States Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”); and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares, as described in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, will be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

(y)  There are no contracts or other documents (including, without limitation, any voting agreement), which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations and which have not been so described or filed.

 

(z)  No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, on the one hand, and any director, officer, stockholder, customer or supplier of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, on the other hand, which is required by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus which is not so described and described as required. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus. The Company has not, in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, directly or indirectly, including through a Subsidiary, extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or executive officer of the Company.

 

(aa)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus or, to the Company’s knowledge, any arrangements, agreements, understandings, payments or issuance with respect to the Company or any of its officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees, Subsidiaries or affiliates that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation as determined by the NASD.

 

(bb)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, the Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real properties and all other properties and assets owned by them, in each case free from liens, encumbrances and defects that would materially affect the value thereof or materially interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them; and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, the Company and the Subsidiaries hold any leased real or personal property under valid and enforceable leases with no

 

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exceptions that would materially interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them.

 

(cc)  The Company and the Subsidiaries own, possess or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate trademarks, trade names and other rights to inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights, confidential information and other intellectual property (collectively, “intellectual property rights”) necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, or presently employed by them, and have not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any intellectual property rights that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(dd)  The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company reasonably considers adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries, all of which insurance is in full force and effect, except where the failure to maintain such insurance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no material claims by the Company or any Subsidiary under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause. The Company reasonably believes that it will be able to renew its existing insurance as and when such coverage expires or will be able to obtain replacement insurance adequate for the conduct of the business and the value of its properties at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ee)  The Company has in effect insurance covering the Company and its directors and officers for liabilities or losses arising in connection with this Offering, including, without limitation, liabilities or losses arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Rules and Regulations and applicable foreign securities laws.

 

(ff)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has accurately prepared and timely filed all federal, state, foreign and other tax returns that are required to be filed by it and has paid or made provision for the payment of all taxes, assessments, governmental or other similar charges, including without limitation, all sales and use taxes and all taxes which the Company or any Subsidiary is obligated to withhold from amounts owing to employees, creditors and third parties, with respect to the periods covered by such tax returns (whether or not such amounts are shown as due on any tax return) except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No deficiency assessment with respect to a proposed adjustment of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s federal, state, local or foreign taxes is pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The accruals and reserves on the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries in respect of tax liabilities for any taxable period not finally determined are reasonably adequate to meet any assessments and related liabilities for any such period and, since the date of most recent audited financial statements, the Company and the Subsidiaries have not incurred any liability for taxes other than in the ordinary course of its business. There is no tax lien, whether imposed by any federal,

 

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state, foreign or other taxing authority, outstanding against the assets, properties or business of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(gg)  No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(hh)  No “prohibited transaction” (as defined in either Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ERISA”) or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the “Code”)), “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) or other event of the kind described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA (other than events with respect to which the 30-day notice requirement under Section 4043 of ERISA has been waived) has occurred with respect to any employee benefit plan for which the Company or any Subsidiary would have any liability which could (individually or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; each employee benefit plan for which the Company or any Subsidiary would have any liability is in compliance in all material respects with applicable law, including (without limitation) ERISA and the Code; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of, or withdrawal from any “pension plan”; and each plan for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could cause the loss of such qualification.

 

(ii)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “environmental laws”), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any environmental laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim.

 

(jj)  Neither the Company, any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its employees or agents has at any time during the last five years (i) made any unlawful contribution to any candidate for foreign office, or failed to disclose fully any contribution in violation of law, or (ii) made any payment to any federal or state governmental officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public duties, other than payments required or permitted by the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction thereof.

 

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(kk)  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its respective charter or by-laws or (ii) in default in the performance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument that is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective property is, bound except, in the case of clause (ii), as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ll)  The Company has complied with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act with respect to each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus including, without limitation, all prospectus delivery, filing, record retention and legending requirements applicable to any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company has not (i) distributed any offering material in connection with the Offering other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus set forth on Annex IV hereto, or (ii) filed, referred to, approved, used or authorized the use of any “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act with respect to the Offering or the Shares, except for any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus set forth in Annex IV hereto and any electronic road show previously approved by the Lead Managers.

 

(mm)  The Company is in compliance with applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that are effective with respect to the Company and is actively taking steps to ensure that it will be in compliance with other applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act upon the effectiveness of such provisions with respect to the Company.

 

(nn)  (i) The Company has established the requisite disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act); (ii) such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, and (iii) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established.

 

(oo)  Since the date of the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company (or persons fulfilling the equivalent function) have not been advised of (i) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data nor any material weaknesses in internal controls or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls.

 

(pp)  Since the date of the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls,

 

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including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

(qq)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there are no outstanding guarantees or other contingent obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Selling Stockholders. Each Selling Stockholder severally and not jointly represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date that:

 

(a)  Such Selling Stockholder has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus. If such Selling Stockholder is not a natural person, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus have been duly and validly authorized by such Selling Stockholder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Selling Stockholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforceability may be subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and the unenforceability under certain circumstances under federal or state securities laws of provisions providing for the indemnification of a party.

 

(b)  Such Selling Stockholder has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver a Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney substantially in the form of Exhibits    and     hereto (such Selling Stockholder’s “Custody Agreement” and “Power of Attorney”, respectively), to perform its obligations thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney and the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly and validly authorized by such Selling Stockholder. The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney have each been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Selling Stockholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforceability may be subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Counterparts of such Selling Stockholder’s Custody Agreement, duly signed

 

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by (i) American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as custodian (in such capacity, the “Custodian”) and (ii) Steven J. Janusek, as such Selling Stockholder’s attorney-in-fact (in such capacity, the “Attorney-In-Fact”) have been delivered to the Company and the Lead Managers on or prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

(c)  Such Selling Stockholder agrees that the Shares and Additional Shares, if any, to be sold by such Selling Stockholder, whether or not on deposit with the Custodian, are subject to the interests of the Underwriters, that the arrangements made for such custody are to that extent irrevocable, and that the obligations of such Selling Stockholder hereunder shall not be terminated, except as provided in this Agreement or in the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney, by any act of such Selling Stockholder, by operation of law or by the occurrence of any other event. If such Selling Stockholder should die or become incapacitated, or if any other event should occur affecting the legal status or capacity of such Selling Stockholder before the delivery of the Shares and the Additional Shares, if any, to be sold by a Selling Stockholder hereunder, the documents evidencing the Shares and the Additional Shares, if any, to be sold by such Selling Stockholder then on deposit with the Custodian shall be delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if such event had not occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian shall have received notice thereof.

 

(d)  Such Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date will have, good and valid title to and is the lawful owner of the Shares and Additional Shares, if any, to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, and upon sale and delivery of, and payment for, such Shares and Additional Shares as provided herein, such Selling Stockholder will convey to the Underwriters good and marketable title to such Shares and Additional Shares, free and clear of all Liens. Certificates for all of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement, in suitable form for transfer by delivery or accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank with signatures guaranteed, have been placed in custody with the Custodian with irrevocable conditional instructions to deliver such Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(e)  No Consent of, from or with any judicial, regulatory or other legal or governmental agency or body or any third party, foreign or domestic, is required for the execution, delivery and performance by such Selling Stockholder of this Agreement or its Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney, or consummation by such Selling Stockholder of the transactions contemplated herein or therein, except such as have been obtained under the Securities Act or otherwise and such as may be required under the state or foreign securities laws, the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction, the NASD or NASDR in connection with the purchase and distribution of such Selling Stockholder’s Shares and such Selling Stockholder’s Additional Shares by the Underwriters.

 

(f)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Power of Attorney and the Custody Agreement by such Selling Stockholder and consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated herein and therein by such Selling Stockholder or the fulfillment of the terms hereof by such Selling Stockholder will not (A) conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event

 

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that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of such Selling Stockholder pursuant to any law, statute, rule or regulation or the terms of any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is party or bound, or to which any of the property or assets of such Selling Stockholder is subject, or (B) if such Selling Stockholder is not a natural person, result in any violation of the provisions of any charter or bylaws or certificate of formation, trust agreement, partnership agreement, articles of partnership or other organizational documents, as applicable, of the Selling Stockholder, or (C) result in any violation or breach of any judgment, order, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to such Selling Stockholder of any court or any public, governmental or regulatory agency or body, administrative agency or arbitrator having jurisdiction over such Selling Stockholder except, in the cases of clauses (A) and (C) above, where such conflict, violation, breach or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, adversely affect such Selling Shareholder’s ability to fulfill its obligations under or consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Custody Agreement or the Power of Attorney.

 

(g)  Such Selling Stockholder does not have any registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities registered for sale by the Company under the Registration Statement or included in the offering of the Shares and the Additional Shares, except for such rights as have been waived or which are described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus (and which have been complied with).

 

(h)  Such Selling Stockholder does not have, or has waived prior to the date hereof, any preemptive right, co-sale right or right of first refusal or other similar right to purchase any of the Shares that are to be sold by the Company or any other Selling Stockholder to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement; and such Selling Stockholder does not own any warrants, options or similar rights to acquire, and does not have any right or arrangement to acquire, any capital stock, right, warrants, options or other securities from the Company, other than those described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus.

 

(i)  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between such Selling Stockholder and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with this offering or, to such Selling Stockholder’s knowledge, any other arrangements, agreements, understandings, payments or issuance with respect to the Company or any of its officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees, Subsidiaries or affiliates that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation as determined by the NASD.

 

(j)  Such Selling Stockholder is not prompted to sell the Shares and the Additional Shares, if any, to be sold by the Selling Stockholder by any information concerning the Company or any Subsidiary which is not set forth in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus.

 

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(k)  The information relating to such Selling Stockholder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus under the caption “Principal and Selling Stockholders” that specifically relates to such Selling Stockholder does not, and on each Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In the event there is any change in the information referred to in this Section 2(k) that specifically relates to such Selling Stockholder from the date of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter for such period as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or a dealer, such Selling Stockholder will promptly notify the Underwriters of such change.

 

(l)  Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that could be reasonably expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Stock to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or Additional Shares, if any.

 

(m)  Such Selling Stockholder has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Additional Closing Date, if any, and the completion of the Underwriters’ distribution of the Shares, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares and the Additional Shares, if any, by the Selling Stockholders other than a Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Registration Statement.

 

(n)  The representations and warranties of such Selling Stockholder in its Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney are, and on the Closing Date and Additional Closing Date, if any, will be, true and correct.

 

Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by such Selling Stockholder to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

 

3. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Shares.

 

(a)  On the basis of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, agrees, to sell to each Underwriter and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Selling Stockholders, at a purchase price per share of $[   ], the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule I hereto together with any additional number of Shares which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

 

(b)  Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates representing, the Firm Shares shall be made at the office of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP (“Company’s Counsel”), or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Lead

 

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Managers and the Company, at 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the third or (as permitted under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act) fourth business day (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 hereof) following the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (or, if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act, the third or (as permitted under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act) fourth business day after the determination of the public offering price of the Shares), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Lead Managers and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called the “Closing Date”).

 

(c)  Payment of the purchase price for the Firm Shares shall be made by wire transfer in same day funds to or as directed by the Custodian (pursuant to each Selling Stockholder’s Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement), as the case may be, against delivery of the Firm Shares to the Representatives through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters. Certificates for the Firm Shares shall be registered in such name or names and shall be in such denominations as the Lead Managers may request at least two business days before the Closing Date. The Custodian will permit the Lead Managers to examine and package such certificates for delivery at least one full business day prior to the Closing Date.

 

(d)  In addition, on the basis of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Selling Stockholders listed on Schedule II hereto as selling Additional Shares hereby grant to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, the option to purchase up to 688,539 Additional Shares at the same purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters to the Selling Stockholders for the Firm Shares as set forth in this Section 3, for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of Firm Shares by the Underwriters, the respective numbers of Additional Shares obtained by multiplying the numbers of Additional Shares specified in such notice by a fraction the numerator of which is in the case of each Selling Stockholder selling Additional Shares, the number of shares set forth opposite the name of such Selling Stockholder in Schedule II hereto, and the denominator of which is the total number of Additional Shares (subject to adjustment by the Lead Managers to eliminate fractions). This option may be exercised at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part on one or more occasions, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice by the Lead Managers to the Company and the Selling Stockholders. If the option is exercised in part, the Selling Stockholders will sell the amount that is proportional to the total number of Additional Shares listed on Schedule II. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Additional Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time, as reasonably determined by the Lead Managers, when the Additional Shares are to be delivered (any such date and time being herein sometimes referred to as the “Additional Closing Date”); provided, however, that the Additional Closing Date shall not be earlier than the Closing Date or earlier than the second full business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the eighth full business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 or 11 hereof). Certificates for the Additional Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized

 

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denominations as you may request in writing at least two full business days prior to the Additional Closing Date. The Custodian, on behalf of the Selling Stockholders shall permit you to examine and package such certificates for delivery at least one full business day prior to the Additional Closing Date.

 

(e)  If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Additional Shares, each Underwriter, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Additional Shares then being purchased which the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) bears to the total number of Firm Shares that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional shares as the Lead Managers in their sole discretion shall make. The number of Additional Shares to be sold by each Selling Stockholder shall be the number which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Additional Shares being purchased as the number of Additional Shares set forth opposite the name of such Selling Stockholder in the second column of Schedule II hereto bears to 688,539, subject in each case, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional shares as the Lead Managers in their sole discretion shall make.

 

(f)  Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates representing, the Additional Shares shall be made at the office of Company’s Counsel, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Lead Managers, the Company and the Selling Stockholders, at 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Additional Closing Date, or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Lead Managers, the Company and the Selling Stockholders.

 

(g)  Certificates for the Additional Shares shall be registered in such name or names and shall be in such denominations as the Lead Managers may request at least two business days before the Additional Closing Date. Payment for the Additional Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders shall be made to or upon the order of the Selling Stockholders of the purchase price by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds to the Selling Stockholders or the Custodian at the offices of Company’s Counsel, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable, against delivery of the Additional Shares to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters. The Custodian will permit the Lead Managers to examine and package such certificates for delivery at least one full business day prior to the Additional Closing Date.

 

(h)  The Company and the Selling Stockholders acknowledge and agree that (i) the terms of this Agreement and the Offering (including the price of the Shares) were negotiated at arm’s length between sophisticated parties represented by counsel; (ii) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and the Underwriters has been created as a result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the process leading to such transactions, irrespective of whether any Underwriter has advised or is advising any such party on other matters, (iii) the Underwriters’ obligations to the Company in respect of the Offering are set forth in this Agreement in their entirety and (iv) the Company has obtained such legal, tax, accounting and other advice as it deems appropriate with respect to this Agreement and

 

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the transactions contemplated hereby and any other activities undertaken in connection therewith, and the Company is not relying on the Underwriters with respect to any such matters.

 

4. Offering. Upon authorization of the release of the Firm Shares by the Lead Managers, the Underwriters propose to offer the Shares for sale to the public upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus.

 

5. Covenants of the Company; Covenants of the Selling Stockholders. (a)  The Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriters that:

 

(i)  The Registration Statement and any amendments thereto have been declared effective, and if Rule 430A is used or the filing of the Prospectus is otherwise required under Rule 424(b) or Rule 434, the Company will file the Prospectus (properly completed if Rule 430A has been used) pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the prescribed time period and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Lead Managers of such timely filing. The Company will notify the Lead Managers immediately (and, if requested by the Lead Managers, will confirm such notice in writing) (A) when the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for any amendment of or supplement to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for any additional information, (C) of the Company’s intention to file or prepare any supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (D) of the mailing or the delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment of or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including but not limited to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, (E) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or, in each case, of the initiation, or (if known by the Company) the threatening of any proceedings therefor, (F) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, and (G) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose. If the Commission shall propose or enter a stop order at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if issued, to obtain the lifting of such order as soon as possible. The Company will not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment of or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including the prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434) that differs from the prospectus on file at the time of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement to which the Lead Managers shall object in writing after being timely furnished in advance a copy thereof. The Company will provide the Lead Managers with copies of all such amendments, filings and other documents a sufficient time prior to any filing or other

 

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publication thereof to permit the Lead Managers a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon.

 

(ii)  The Company shall comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act to permit completion of the distribution as contemplated in this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus relating to the Shares is required to be delivered under the Securities Act in connection with the sales of Shares, any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package (prior to the availability of the Prospectus) or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would, in the judgment of the Underwriters or the Company, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time of delivery of such Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus to the purchaser, not misleading, or if to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the Rules and Regulations it shall be necessary at any time to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package, Prospectus or Registration Statement, the Company will notify you promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 5(a)(i) hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement (in form and substance satisfactory to the Lead Managers) which will correct such statement or omission and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as possible.

 

(iii)  The Company will not, without the prior consent of the Lead Managers, (i) make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, except for any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus set forth in Annex IV hereto and any electronic road show previously approved by the Lead Managers, or (ii) file, refer to, approve, use or authorize the use of any “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act with respect to the Offering or the Shares. If at any time any event shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would, in the judgment of the Underwriters or the Company, conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented or would, in the judgment of the Underwriters or the Company, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing at the time of delivery to the purchaser, not misleading, or if to comply with the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations it shall be necessary at any time to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Company will notify the Lead Managers promptly and, if requested by the Lead Managers, prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter an appropriate amendment or supplement (in form and substance satisfactory to the Lead Managers) that will correct such statement, omission or conflict or effect such compliance.

 

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(iv)  The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 with respect to each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus including, without limitation, all prospectus delivery, filing, record retention and legending requirements applicable to each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

(v)  The Company will promptly deliver to each of you and counsel to the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement, as initially filed and all amendments thereto, including all consents and exhibits filed therewith, and will maintain in the Company’s files manually signed copies of such documents for at least five years after the date of filing. The Company will promptly deliver to each of the Underwriters such number of copies of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement, and all amendments of and supplements to such documents, if any, as you may reasonably request. Prior to 10:00 A.M., New York time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter, the Company will furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus in New York City in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

 

(vi)  The Company consents to the use and delivery of the Preliminary Prospectus by the Underwriters in accordance with Rule 430 and Section 5(b) of the Securities Act.

 

(vii)  The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Lead Managers, at or prior to the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws relating to the offering or sale of the Shares of such jurisdictions, domestic or foreign, as the Lead Managers may reasonably designate and to maintain such qualification in effect for so long as required for the distribution thereof; except that in no event shall the Company be obligated in connection therewith to qualify as a foreign corporation or to execute a general consent to service of process or subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

 

(viii)  The Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Underwriters as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than twelve months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Securities Act), an earnings statement of the Company and the Subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158).

 

(ix)  During the period commencing on the date of the Prospectus and continuing for 90 days from the date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”), without the prior written consent of the Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., the Company (i) will not, directly or indirectly, issue, offer, sell, agree to issue, offer or sell, solicit offers to purchase, grant any call option, warrant or other right to purchase, purchase any put option or other right

 

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to sell, pledge, borrow or otherwise dispose of any Relevant Security, or make any announcement of any of the foregoing, (ii) will not establish or increase any “put equivalent position” or liquidate or decrease any “call equivalent position” (in each case within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) with respect to any Relevant Security, and (iii) will not otherwise enter into any swap, derivative or other transaction or arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any economic consequence of ownership of a Relevant Security, whether or not such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Relevant Securities, other securities, cash or other consideration, other than the sale by the Selling Stockholders of Shares as contemplated by this Agreement and the Company’s issuance of Common Stock (A) upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding on the date hereof; (B) upon the exercise of currently outstanding options; (C) upon the exercise of currently outstanding warrants; and (D) upon the grant and exercise of options under, or the issuance and sale of shares pursuant to, stock option plans in effect on the date hereof, each as described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus; and (E) as consideration for acquisitions made by the Company, provided that no more than an aggregate of 10% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Closing Date or, if it has occurred, the Additional Closing Date, are issued as consideration in connection with all such acquisitions and provided, further, that the recipients receiving Common Stock in connection with such acquisitions agree in writing with the Lead Managers to the restrictions in Annex III hereto and represent to the Lead Managers that they have not transferred to another, in whole or in part, any economic consequence of ownership of such Shares of Common Stock prior to the consummation of such acquisition. The Company will obtain an undertaking in substantially the form of Annex III hereto of each of its officers and directors, each of the Selling Stockholders and its stockholders listed on Schedule III attached hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last seventeen (17) days of the Lock-Up Period the Company issues an earnings or financial results release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs, or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings or financial results during the sixteen (16) day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by this Section 5(a)(ix) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the eighteen (18) day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings or financial results release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. The Company will provide the Lead Managers with notice of any announcement described in clause (2) of the preceding sentence that gives rise to an extension of the Lock-up Period, and the Lead Managers will provide notice to the Company of any extension of the Lock-up Period pursuant to the preceding sentence (which notice the Company shall forward to each of its officers and directors, each of the Selling Stockholders and each other stockholder of the Company listed on Schedule III attached hereto), it being understood that the failure of Lead Managers to provide such notice shall not be deemed a waiver of the extension of the Lock-up Period. During the Lock-Up Period, the Company

 

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will not file a registration statement under the Securities Act in connection with any transaction by the Company or any person that is prohibited pursuant to the foregoing, except for registration statements on Form S-8 relating to employee benefit plans or Form S-4 relating to corporate reorganizations or other transactions under Rule 145.

 

(x)  During the period of three years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Company will furnish to you copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to security holders or from time to time published or publicly disseminated by the Company, and will deliver to you (A) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports, financial statements and proxy or information statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed; and (B) such additional information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as you may from time to time reasonably request (such financial information to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and the Subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its security holders generally or to the Commission); provided, however, that in the case of (B) above, the Company shall not be required to furnish any such information if, in its reasonable judgment, such furnishing would require the Company to disclose publicly such information pursuant to Regulation FD under the Securities Act unless the Underwriters shall have expressly agreed to maintain such disclosed information in confidence. For purposes of this clause (x), any information filed by the Company on EDGAR or readily available via the Company’s website will be deemed furnished to you in satisfaction of this clause (x).

 

(xi)  The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Shares on the NYSE.

 

(xii)  The Company, during the period when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Rules and Regulations within the time periods required thereby. Except as permitted by the Securities Act, the Company will not distribute any (i) preliminary prospectus or final prospectus, including without limitation, the Prospectus, or (ii) other offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.

 

(xiii)  The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to do and perform all things required to be done or performed under this Agreement by the Company prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Firm Shares and the Additional Shares.

 

(xiv)  The Company will not take, and will cause its affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act), other than any

 

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Underwriter that may be an affiliate, not to take, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.

 

(b)  Each Selling Stockholder covenants and agrees with each Underwriter:

 

(i)  To deliver to the Lead Managers prior to the Closing Date, a properly completed and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-8 (if the Selling Stockholder is a non-United States Person) or Form W-9 (if the Selling Stockholder is a United States Person), which in each case may be replaced by any other applicable form or statement specified by Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof;

 

(ii)  To notify promptly the Company and the Lead Managers if, at any time prior to the date on which the distribution of the Shares as contemplated herein and in the Prospectus has been completed, as determined by the Lead Managers, such Selling Stockholder has knowledge of the occurrence of any event as a result of which the Prospectus or the Registration Statement, in each case as then amended or supplemented, would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(iii)  To use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate to the extent necessary to cause the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto to become effective at the earliest possible time and to do and perform all things to be done and performed under this Agreement prior to the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date, if any, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(iv)  To pay or to cause to be paid all stock transfer taxes, stamp duties and other similar taxes, if any, payable upon the sale or delivery of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders to the several Underwriters, or otherwise in connection with the performance of the Selling Stockholders’ obligations hereunder;

 

(v)  That the Custodian is authorized to deduct for such payment any such amounts from the proceeds to the Selling Stockholders hereunder and to hold such amounts for the account of the Selling Stockholders with the Custodian under the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney; and

 

(vi)  To deliver to the Lead Managers on or prior to the date of this Agreement each lock-up agreement referenced in Section 7(h) hereof.

 

(c)  Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, covenants and agrees with the Company that such Underwriter will not use or refer to any “free writing prospectus”

 

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(as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without the prior written consent of the Company if such Underwriter’s use of or reference to such “free writing prospectus” would require the Company to file with the Commission any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act).

 

6. Payment of Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company hereby agrees to pay all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including the following: (i) all expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus and any and all amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and the Offering; (iii) the cost of generating and printing any blue sky survey, closing documents and other instruments, agreements or documents (including any compilations thereof) in connection with the Offering; (iv) all reasonable expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state or foreign securities or blue sky laws, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification or offering and in connection with any blue sky survey; (v) the filing fees incident to securing any required review by the NASD of the terms of the Offering; (vi) all fees and expenses in connection with listing the Shares on the NYSE; (vii) all travel expenses of the Company’s officers and employees and any other expense of the Company incurred in connection with attending or hosting meetings with prospective purchasers of the Shares; and (viii)  the fees of the Custodian and other fees and expenses related to the offering of Shares by the Selling Stockholders. The Company also will pay or cause to be paid: (x) the cost of preparing stock certificates representing the Shares; (y) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar for the Shares; and (z) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 6. It is understood, however, that except as expressly provided in this Section, and Sections 8, 9 and 13 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel and stock transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them. Except as may otherwise be agreed among the Underwriters and the Company, the Underwriters will also reimburse the Company for any expenses that the Company pays pursuant to this Section 6 in an amount not to exceed $[  ]. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, in the event that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7 or 13(b) hereof, or subsequent to a Material Adverse Change, the Company will pay all out-of pocket expenses of the Underwriters (including but not limited to reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters) reasonably incurred in connection herewith.

 

The Selling Stockholders will pay all fees and expenses related to the offering of the Shares to be sold by them, including (i) the fees and disbursements of their counsel, if any, and (ii) any applicable stock transfer or other taxes related to the offering of their Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall affect any agreement that the Company and the Selling Stockholders may make for the sharing or allocation of such costs and expenses.

 

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7. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Shares and the Additional Shares, as provided herein, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Stockholders herein contained, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (for purposes of this Section 7 “Closing Date” shall refer to the Closing Date for the Firm Shares and any Additional Closing Date, if different, for the Additional Shares), to the absence from any certificates, opinions, written statements or letters furnished to you or to Underwriters’ Counsel pursuant to this Section 7 of any misstatement or omission, to the performance by the Company and the Selling Stockholders of their respective obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)  The Registration Statement shall have become effective and all necessary regulatory or stock exchange approvals shall have been received not later than 12:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement, or at such later time and date as shall have been consented to in writing by the Lead Managers; if the Company shall have elected to rely upon Rule 430A or Rule 434 under the Securities Act, the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in a timely fashion in accordance with Section 5(a)(i) hereof and a form of the Prospectus containing information relating to the description of the Shares and the method of distribution and similar matters shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period; and, at or prior to the Closing Date no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof, and no stop order suspending or preventing the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, shall have been issued and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission.

 

(b)  At the Closing Date you shall have received the favorable written opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date addressed to the Underwriters in the form attached hereto as Annex I.

 

(c)  At the Closing Date, you shall have received the favorable written opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel to the Selling Stockholders, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Underwriters in the form attached hereto as Annex II.

 

(d)  All proceedings taken in connection with the sale of the Firm Shares and the Additional Shares as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Lead Managers and to Underwriters’ Counsel, and the Underwriters shall have received from Underwriters’ Counsel a favorable written opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Shares, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and such other related matters as the Lead Managers may require, and the Company shall have furnished to Underwriters’ Counsel such documents as they may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

(e)  At the Closing Date you shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date to the effect that (i) the condition set forth in subsection (a) of this Section 7 has been

 

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satisfied, (ii) as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 1 hereof (A) that are qualified as to materiality or knowledge shall be true and correct in all respects and (B) that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, on the date hereof and on the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the date hereof and the Closing Date, respectively, (iii) as of the Closing Date all agreements, conditions and obligations of the Company to be performed or complied with hereunder on or prior thereto have been duly performed or complied with, (iv) the Company and the Subsidiaries have not sustained any material loss or interference with their respective businesses or properties from fire, flood, hurricane, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or any legal or governmental proceeding, (v) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof has been issued and no proceedings therefor have been initiated or threatened by the Commission, (vi) there are no pro forma or as adjusted financial statements that are required to be included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus pursuant to the Rules and Regulations that have not been included as required and (vii) subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus there has not been any Material Adverse Change.

 

(f)  At the time this Agreement is executed and at the Closing Date, you shall have received a comfort letter and bring-down comfort letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants for the Company, dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters and Underwriters’ Counsel.

 

(g)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the Pricing Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any Subsidiary or any change or development involving a change, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, stockholders’ equity, properties or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, including but not limited to the occurrence of any fire, flood, storm, explosion, accident or other calamity at any of the properties owned or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the effect of which, in any such case described above, is, in the judgment of the Lead Managers, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the Offering on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement).

 

(h)  The Lead Managers shall have received a duly executed lock-up agreement from each stockholder who is a director or officer of the Company, each Selling Stockholder and each other person listed on Schedule III hereto, in each case substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex III.

 

(i)  At the Closing Date, the Shares shall be listed on the NYSE.

 

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(j)  At the Closing Date, the NASD shall have confirmed that it has no objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements of the Offering.

 

(k)  No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares.

 

(l)  At the Closing Date, you shall have received a certificate of an authorized representative of the Selling Stockholders, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Selling Stockholders set forth in Section 2 hereof are accurate and that each of the Selling Stockholders has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(m)  On or prior to the Closing Date, you shall have received a properly completed and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or other applicable form or statement specified by Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof) from each Selling Stockholder.

 

(n)  On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have provided to each of the Underwriters and to counsel to the Underwriters copies of this Agreement executed by the Company and the Selling Stockholders.

 

(o)  The Company shall have furnished the Underwriters and counsel to the Underwriters with such other certificates, opinions or other documents as they may have reasonably requested.

 

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 7 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, or if any of the certificates, opinions, written statements or letters furnished to you or to Underwriters’ Counsel pursuant to this Section 7 shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Lead Managers and to Underwriters’ Counsel, all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be cancelled by the Lead Managers at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date and the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Additional Shares may be cancelled by the Lead Managers at, or at any time prior to, the Additional Closing Date. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing, or by telephone. Any such telephone notice shall be confirmed promptly thereafter in writing.

 

8. Indemnification.

 

(a)  The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever as incurred (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and any and all expenses whatsoever incurred in

 

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investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation in accordance with this Agreement), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, as originally filed or any amendment thereof, or any related Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state in therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent but only to the extent that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, as originally filed or any amendment thereof, or any related Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers expressly for use therein. The parties agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers consists solely of the material referred to in the last sentence of Section 1(c) hereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have, including but not limited to other liability under this Agreement.

 

(b)  Each Selling Stockholder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever as incurred (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and any other expenses incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation in accordance with this Agreement), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact relating to such Selling Stockholder contained in the Registration Statement, as originally filed or any amendment thereof, or any related Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that each such Selling Stockholder will be liable in any such case to the extent, and only to the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission

 

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made in the Registration Statement, as originally filed or any amendment thereof, or any related Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein, it being agreed that the only such information is that which is included under the heading “Principal and Selling Stockholders” which relates to such Selling Stockholder. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which each of the Selling Stockholders may otherwise have, including but not limited to other liability under this Agreement; provided, however, that in no case shall any Selling Stockholder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the product of (i) the number of Shares sold by such Selling Stockholder, and (ii) the initial offering price to the public of the Shares as set forth in the Prospectus, net of underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

(c)  Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each Selling Stockholder, each of the directors of the Company, each of the officers of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement, and each other person, if any, who controls the Company or any Selling Stockholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever as incurred (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and any and all expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, as originally filed or any amendment thereof, or any related Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers specifically for use therein; provided, however, that in no case shall any Underwriter be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the proceeds applicable to the Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. The parties agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Lead Managers consists solely of the material referred to in the last sentence of Section 1(c) hereof. This indemnity will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have, including but not limited to other liability under this Agreement.

 

(d)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above of notice of any claims or the commencement of any action, such

 

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indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify each party against whom indemnification is to be sought in writing of the claim or the commencement thereof (but the failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have under this Section 8 to the extent that it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability that such indemnifying party may have otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement hereunder). In case any such claim or action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate, at its own expense in the defense of such action, and to the extent it may elect by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the written consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party or parties unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by one of the indemnifying parties in connection with the defense of such action, (ii) the indemnifying parties shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, (iii) the indemnifying party does not diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, or (iv) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to one or all of the indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying parties shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses of not more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel, and unless, in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, a conflict or potential conflict exists (based upon advice of counsel to such indemnified party) between such indemnified party and another indemnified party that makes it impossible or inadvisable for the same counsel to conduct the defense of both such indemnified party and such other indemnified party) shall be borne by the indemnifying parties. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened claim, investigation, action or proceeding in respect of which indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought by an indemnified party under this Section 8 or Section 9 hereof (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party thereto), unless (x) such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, investigation, action or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or any failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party, and (y) the indemnifying party confirms in writing its indemnification obligations hereunder with respect to such settlement, compromise or judgment.

 

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9. Contribution. In order to provide for contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable from any indemnifying party or is insufficient to hold harmless a party indemnified thereunder, the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnification provision (including any investigation, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claims asserted, but after deducting in the case of losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses suffered by the Company and the Selling Stockholders, any contribution received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders from persons, other than the Underwriters, who may also be liable for contribution, including persons who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, officers of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and directors of the Company) as incurred to which the Company, the Selling Stockholders and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject, in such proportions as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the Offering or, if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportions as are appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (x) the total proceeds from the Offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders bears to (y) the underwriting discount or commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of each of the Company and of Selling Stockholders on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other hand and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters further agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 9. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 9 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any judicial, regulatory or other legal or governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, (i) no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the discounts and commissions applicable to the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public exceeds the amount of

 

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any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission; (ii) no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) no Selling Stockholder shall be required to contribute an amount in excess of the product of (A) the number of the Shares sold by such Selling Stockholder and (B) the initial offering price to the public of the Shares as set forth in the Prospectus, net of underwriting discounts and commissions. For purposes of this Section 9, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and any Selling Stockholder, as applicable, subject in each case to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties, notify each party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any obligation it or they may have under this Section 9 or otherwise. The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are joint and several. The obligations of the Underwriters to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares to be purchased by each of the Underwriters hereunder and not joint.

 

10. Underwriter Default. (a)  If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligation to purchase Firm Shares or Additional Shares hereunder, and if the Firm Shares or Additional Shares with respect to which such default relates (the “Default Shares”) do not (after giving effect to arrangements, if any, made by the Lead Managers pursuant to subsection (b) below) exceed in the aggregate 10% of the number of Firm Shares or Additional Shares, each non-defaulting Underwriter, acting severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Selling Stockholders that number of Default Shares that bears the same proportion of the total number of Default Shares then being purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of the non-defaulting Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Lead Managers in their sole discretion shall make.

 

(b)  In the event that the aggregate number of Default Shares exceeds 10% of the number of Firm Shares or Additional Shares, as the case may be, the Lead Managers may in their discretion arrange for one of themselves or for another party or parties (including any non-defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters who so agree) to purchase the Default Shares on the terms contained herein. In the event that within five calendar days after such a default the Lead Managers do not arrange for the purchase of the Default Shares as provided in this Section 10, this Agreement or, in the case of a default with respect to the Additional Shares, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Selling Stockholders to sell the Additional Shares shall thereupon

 

33



 

terminate, without liability on the part of the Selling Stockholders with respect thereto (except in each case as provided in Sections 6, 8, 9, 12 and 13) or the Underwriters, but nothing in this Agreement shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters of its or their liability, if any, to the other Underwriters and the Company and the Selling Stockholders for damages occasioned by its or their default hereunder.

 

(c)  In the event that any Default Shares are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid, the Lead Managers or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be for a period, not exceeding five business days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which, in the opinion of Underwriters’ Counsel, may thereby be made necessary or advisable. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 10 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Firm Shares and Additional Shares.

 

11. Selling Stockholder Default. (a)  If any Selling Stockholder or Selling Stockholders shall default in its or their obligation to sell and deliver any Shares hereunder, then the Lead Managers may, by notice to the Company, terminate this Agreement without any liability on the part of any non-defaulting party except that the provisions of Sections 6, 8, 9, 12 and 13 hereof shall remain in full force and effect. No action taken pursuant to this Section 11 shall relieve any Selling Stockholder so defaulting from liability, if any, in respect of such default.

 

(b)  In the event that such default occurs and the Company and Underwriters agree to proceed with the Offering, then the Underwriters may, at the option of the Lead Managers, or the Company shall have the right, in each case by notice to the other, to postpone the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding five business days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which, in the opinion of Underwriters’ Counsel, may thereby be made necessary or advisable.

 

12. Survival of Representations and Agreements. All representations and warranties, covenants and agreements of the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any Subsidiary or of the Selling Stockholders submitted pursuant hereto, including the agreements contained in Section 6, the indemnity agreements contained in Section 8 and the contribution agreements contained in Section 9, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person thereof or by or on behalf of the Company or any Selling Stockholder, any of their officers and directors or any controlling person thereof, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares to and by the Underwriters. The representations contained in Sections 1 and 2 and the agreements

 

34



 

contained in Sections 6, 8, 9, and 12 through 19 hereof shall survive any termination of this Agreement, including termination pursuant to Section 10, 11 or 13 hereof.

 

13. Effective Date of Agreement; Termination. (a)  This Agreement shall become effective upon the later of (i) receipt by the Lead Managers and the Company of notification of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or (ii) the execution of this Agreement. If either the public offering price or the purchase price per Share has not been agreed upon prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the fifth full business day after the Registration Statement shall have become effective, this Agreement shall thereupon terminate without liability to the Company, the Selling Stockholders or the Underwriters except as herein expressly provided. Until this Agreement becomes effective as aforesaid, it may be terminated by the Company by notifying you or by the Lead Managers notifying the Company. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 13 and of Sections 1, 5, 8, 9, 12 and 14 through 19, inclusive, shall remain in full force and effect at all times after the execution hereof.

 

(b)  The Lead Managers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the Closing Date or to terminate the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Additional Shares at any time prior to the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, if, at or after the Applicable Time, (i) any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in the opinion of the Lead Managers will in the immediate future materially disrupt, the market for the Company’s securities or securities in general; (ii) trading on the NYSE or The NASDAQ National Market (the “NASDAQ”) shall have been suspended or been made subject to material limitations, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required, on the NYSE or the NASDAQ or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority having jurisdiction; (iii) a banking moratorium has been declared by any state or federal authority or if any material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services shall have occurred; (iv) any downgrading shall have occurred in the Company’s corporate credit rating or the rating accorded the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Securities Act) or if any such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company’s debt securities; or (v)(A) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism involving the United States or there is a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States or (B) there shall have been any other calamity or crisis or any change in political, financial or economic conditions if the effect of any such event in (A) or (B), in the judgment of the Lead Managers, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale and delivery of the Firm Shares or the Additional Shares, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus.

 

(c)  Any notice of termination pursuant to this Section 13 shall be in writing.

 

(d)  If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to any of the provisions hereof (other than pursuant to (i) notification by the Lead Managers as provided in Section 13(a) hereof or (ii) Section 10(b) hereof), or if the sale of the Shares provided for

 

35



 

herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth herein is not satisfied or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof, the Company will, subject to demand by the Lead Managers, reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and expenses of their counsel), incurred by the Underwriters in connection herewith.

 

14. Notices. All communications hereunder, except as may be otherwise specifically provided herein, shall be in writing, and:

 

(a) if sent to any Underwriter, shall be mailed, delivered, or faxed and confirmed in writing, to such Underwriter c/o Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, Attention:  Paul Finger, Facsimile:  ###-###-#### and c/o Lehman Brothers Inc., 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, Attention:  Syndicate Department, Facsimile:  646 ###-###-####, with a copy to counsel to the Underwriters at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, Attention:  George A. Stephanakis, Esq., Facsimile:  212 ###-###-####;

 

(b) if sent to the Company, shall be mailed, delivered, or faxed and confirmed in writing to the Company at the addresses set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Steven J. Janusek, Facsimile: 214 ###-###-####, with a copy to Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, 80 Pine Street, New York NY 10005, Attention: John Papachristos, Esq., Facsimile: 212 ###-###-####;

 

(c) if sent to the Selling Stockholders, shall be mailed, delivered, or faxed and confirmed in writing to the Custodian c/o the Company, Attention: Steven J. Janusek, Facsimile: 214 ###-###-####, with a copy to Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, 80 Pine Street, New York NY 10005, Attention: John Papachristos, Esq., Facsimile: 212 ###-###-####;

 

provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8 shall be delivered or sent by mail or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its acceptance facsimile to the Lead Managers, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto by the Lead Managers upon request. Any such notices and other communications shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.

 

15. Parties. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders and the controlling persons, directors, officers, employees and agents referred to in Sections 8 and 9 hereof, and their respective successors and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and said controlling persons and their respective successors, officers, directors, heirs and legal representatives, and it is not for the benefit of any other person, firm or corporation. The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser, in its capacity as such, of Shares from any of the Underwriters.

 

36



 

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The Company, each of the Selling Stockholders and each of the Underwriters irrevocably (a) submit to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of the State of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (each, a “Proceeding”), (b) agree that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court, (c) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any immunity from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process therein, (d) agree not to commence any Proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claim that such Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum. THE COMPANY, EACH OF THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS AND EACH OF THE UNDERWRITERS (ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF THEIR RESPECTIVE EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS.

 

17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

18. Headings. The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

19. Time is of the Essence. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, the term “business day” shall mean any day when the Commission’s office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

 

[signature page follows]

 

37



 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth your understanding, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement among us.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REDDY ICE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS:

 

 

BEAR STEARNS MB-PSERS II, L.P.
BEAR STEARNS MERCHANT BANKING INVESTORS II, L.P.
BEAR STEARNS MERCHANT BANKING PARTNERS II, L.P.
THE BSC EMPLOYEE FUND III, L.P.
THE BSC EMPLOYEE FUND IV, L.P.
CIBC CAPITAL CORPORATION
CIBC EMPLOYEE PRIVATE EQUITY PARTNERS (TRIMARAN)
TRIMARAN CAPITAL, L.L.C.
TRIMARAN FUND II, L.L.C.
TRIMARAN PARALLEL FUND II, L.P.
RAYMOND BOOTH
WILLIAM P. BRICK
BILLY DANIEL
TOMMY L. DANN
GRAHAM D. DAVIS
JOSEPH A. GELOSO
NANCY G. GREEN
JOHN M. HAYES, JR.
KENNETH B. HIMES
ROBERT L. HOBSON
STEVEN J. JANUSEK
BEN D. KEY
MARK A. STEFFEK
JIMMY C. WEAVER

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Steven J. Janusek

 

 

Title:

Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

As Attorney-in-Fact for the Selling Stockholders

 



 

Accepted as of the date first above written

 

BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

 

By: BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

By: LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

On behalf of themselves and the other
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto.

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriter

 

Total Number of
Firm Shares to be
Purchased

 

Number of Additional
Shares to be Purchased if
Option is Fully Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Lehman Brothers Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

 

 

 

 

Wachovia Securities

 

 

 

 

 

Piper Jaffray & Co.

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

4,590,258

 

688,539

 

 



 

SCHEDULE II

Selling Stockholders

 

Selling Stockholders Selling Additional Shares:

 

Bear Stearns MB-PSERS II, L.P.
Bear Stearns Merchant Banking Investors II, L.P.
Bear Stearns Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P.
The BSC Employee Fund III, L.P.
The BSC Employee Fund IV, L.P.
CIBC Capital Corporation
CIBC Employee Private Equity Partners (Trimaran)
Trimaran Capital, L.L.C.
Trimaran Fund II, L.L.C.
Trimaran Parallel Fund II, L.P.

 

Selling Stockholders Not Selling Additional Shares:

 

Raymond D. Booth
William P. Brick
Billy Daniel
Tommy L. Dann
Graham D. Davis
Joseph A. Geloso
Nancy G. Green
John M. Hayes, Jr.
Kenneth B. Himes
Robert K. Hobson
Steven J. Janusek
Ben D. Key
Mark A. Steffek
Jimmy C. Weaver

 



 

SCHEDULE III

Additional Individuals Signing Lock-up Agreements

 

Theodore J. Host
Michael S. McGrath
Marie R. Metzger
William A. Newberry
Tracy L. Noll
Robert N. Verdecchio

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

Subsidiaries

 

Reddy Ice Group, Inc.
Reddy Ice Corporation
Southern Bottled Water Company, Inc.
Cassco Ice & Cold Storage, Inc.
Reddy Ice IP, Inc.

 



 

ANNEX I

 

Form of Opinion of Company’s Counsel

 

 

 



 

ANNEX II

 

Form of Opinion of Selling Stockholders’ Counsel

 

 

 



 

ANNEX III

 

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

 

May [   ], 2006

 

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Lehman Brothers Inc.

As representatives of the several

Underwriters referred to below

c/o Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Attention: Equity Transactions Group

 

Reddy Ice Holdings, Inc.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter agreement (this “Agreement”) relates to the proposed public offering (the “Offering”) by Reddy Ice Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and certain stockholders of the Company, of the common stock of the Company, $.01 par value per share (the “Stock”).

 

In order to induce you and the other underwriters for which you act as representatives (the “Underwriters”) to underwrite the Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. (collectively, the “Representatives”), during the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing for ninety (90) days from the date of the final prospectus for the Offering (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned (a) will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, agree to offer or sell, solicit offers to purchase, grant any call option or purchase any put option with respect to, pledge, borrow or otherwise dispose of any Relevant Security (as defined below), and (b) will not establish or increase any “put equivalent position” or liquidate or decrease any “call equivalent position” with respect to any Relevant Security (in each case within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), or otherwise enter into any swap, derivative or other transaction or arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any economic consequence of ownership of a Relevant Security, whether or not such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Relevant Securities, other securities, cash or other consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last seventeen (17) days of the Lock-Up Period the Company issues an earnings or financial results release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs, or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings or financial results during the sixteen (16) day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by this paragraph shall continue to apply until the expiration of the eighteen (18) day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings or financial results release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. As used herein “Relevant Security” means the Stock, any other equity security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any

 



 

security convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any Stock or other such equity security.

 

The undersigned hereby authorizes the Company during the Lock-Up Period to cause any transfer agent for the Relevant Securities to decline to transfer, and to note stop transfer restrictions on the stock register and other records relating to, Relevant Securities for which the undersigned is the record holder and, in the case of Relevant Securities for which the undersigned is the beneficial but not the record holder, agrees during the Lock-Up Period to cause the record holder to cause the relevant transfer agent to decline to transfer, and to note stop transfer restrictions on the stock register and other records relating to, such Relevant Securities. The undersigned hereby further agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, during the Lock-up Period the undersigned (x) will not file or participate in the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of any registration statement, or circulate or participate in the circulation of any preliminary or final prospectus or other disclosure document with respect to any proposed offering or sale of a Relevant Security except in connection with the Offering and any Registration Statement on Form S-8 with respect to employee benefit plans of the Company and (y) will not exercise any rights the undersigned may have to require registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of any proposed offering or sale of a Relevant Security.

 

The restrictions set forth herein shall not apply to (1) the sale of any Stock to the Underwriters pursuant to the underwriting agreement in connection with the Offering by and among the Representatives, the Company and certain stockholders of the Company and (2) sales or transfers of Stock acquired in open market transactions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer any Relevant Security (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, provided that the donee or donees thereof agree to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, (ii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, and provided further that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value or (iii) to the undersigned’s executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, legatees or beneficiaries upon the death of the undersigned. For purposes of this Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the undersigned is a partnership, corporation or limited liability company, such entity may transfer its Relevant Securities (a) to any general or limited partner, wholly-owned subsidiary, affiliate or member of such entity, (b) in connection with a statutory merger or consolidation of such entity or (c) to any of its shareholders, and such transferee may transfer Relevant Securities to any other shareholder, partner or member of the undersigned; provided, however, that (x) in any such case, it shall be a condition to the transfer that the transferee execute an agreement stating that the transferee is receiving and holding such Relevant Securities subject to the provisions of this Agreement and there shall be no further transfer of such Relevant Securities except in accordance with this Agreement, (y) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, and (z) no such transfer shall be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, the over-the-counter market or any other system providing share price quotations.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and that this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and

 



 

binding obligation of the undersigned, enforceable in accordance with its terms subject, as to enforceability, to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and (ii) to general equity principles. Upon request, the undersigned will execute any additional documents necessary in connection with enforcement hereof. Any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the undersigned from the date first above written.

 

The restrictions hereunder shall lapse and become null and void if the Offering is not consummated prior to June 30, 2006.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Delivery of a signed copy of this letter by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of the original hereof.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print Name:

 

 

 



 

ANNEX IV

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Pricing Disclosure Package