THE TORO COMPANY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between The Toro Company, a Delaware Company (the
"Company"), and 1- (the "Executive"), dated as of the 18th day of April, 1995.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that
it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to
diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the
personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of
Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the
Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of
Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and
benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are
competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to
accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into
this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first
date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on
which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this
Agreement to the Contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and
if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the
date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at
the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to
effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or
anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement
the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of
such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on
the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof;
provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date hereof, and on each
annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless
previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically
extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at
least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the
Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act")) (a"Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i)
the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding
Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a),
the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any
acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company,
(iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the
Company, or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction
which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this
Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by
the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding,
for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office
occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect
to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than
the Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately
prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock
and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be,
of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including,
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns
the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either
directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business
Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from
such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or
more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination, or the combined
voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation
except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were
members of the Incumbent
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Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the
action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the
third anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) POSITION AND DUTIES. (i) During the
Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities
shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most
significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the
Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive
was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or
location less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive
agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours
to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to
discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use
the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently
such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate,
civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill
speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, and (C) manage
personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been
conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct
of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope
thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the
Company.
(b) COMPENSATION. (i) BASE SALARY. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest
monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has
been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the
month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the
Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than twelve months after the
last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and
thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement.
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Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term
Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base
Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated
companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under
common control with the Company.
(ii) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period,
an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the
Executive's highest bonus under the Company's [Annual Incentive Plans], or
any comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the last
three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event
that the Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of such
fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be
paid no later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next
following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive,
savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for
the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective
Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any
time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(iv) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be
eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare
benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and
its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death
and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and
programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) EXPENSES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred
by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices
and procedures of the Company and its affiliated
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companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation,
tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in
accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and
policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial
and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) VACATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable
plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated
companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's
death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment
Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may
give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this
Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such
event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective
on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the
"Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of
the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall
mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the
Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of
incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total
and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the
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Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall
mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its
affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from the incapacity
due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies
the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that
the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that
the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.
Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a
resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the
Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon
the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be
done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the
best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the
Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall
have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three quarters of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and
the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard
before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the
Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or
(ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or
any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such
position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this
purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in
bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and
which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice
thereof given by the Executive;
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(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof
or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business
to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the
Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any
reason during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary
of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for
all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice
of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section
12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of
Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than
thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall
not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively,
hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or
the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination
or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the
Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability,
the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the
Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION. (a) GOOD REASON;
OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period,
the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause
or Disability or the Executive shall terminate
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employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the
following amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the
product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and
(II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or
portion thereof which has ben earned but deferred (and annualized
for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve full
months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during the
Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as
the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the
Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any
accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay,
in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the
amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) three and (2) the
sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest
Annual Bonus; and
C. an amount equal to the excess of (1) the actuarial
equivalent of the benefit under the Company's qualified defined
benefit retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") (utilizing
actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than those
in effect under the Company's Retirement Plan immediately prior to
the Effective Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan
in which the Executive participates (together, the "SERP") which
the Executive would receive if the Executive's employment continued
for three years after the Date of Termination assuming for this
purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and, assuming
that the Executive's compensation in each of the three years is
that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), over (2) the
actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or
payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the
Date of Termination;
(ii) for three years after the Executive's Date of Termination,
or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate
plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits
to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans,
programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this
Agreement if the Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families, provided,
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however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer
and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under
another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other
plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of
determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits)
of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices,
programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have
remained employed until three years after the Date of Termination and to
have retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide
the Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which
shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or
benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is
eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such
other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the
"Other Benefits").
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive,
benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the
Company and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer
executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in
effect with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the Executive's
beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and
their beneficiaries.
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision
of Other Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as utilized in this Section 6(c)
shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability
Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to
the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in
accordance with such plans,
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programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect
generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in
effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the
Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred
by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent
theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during
the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
7. NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent
or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section
12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the
Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of
its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice
or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract
or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against
the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek
other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and
such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other
employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome
thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus
in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate
provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").
9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. (a) Anything in this
Agreement
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to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event
it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or
for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this
Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and
any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax
imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be
determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the
Executive, after taking into account the Payments and the Gross-Up Payment,
would not receive a net after-tax benefit of at least $10,000 (taking into
account both income taxes and any Excise Tax) as compared to the net
after-tax proceeds to the Executive resulting from an elimination of the
Gross-Up Payment and a reduction of the Payments, in the aggregate, to an
amount (the "Reduced Amount") such that the receipt of Payments would not
give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the
Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced
Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a
Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as
may be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the
Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive
that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control,
the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to
make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then
be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up
Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the
Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be
binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in
the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts it remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of
any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly
paid by
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the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim
by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company
of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is required to
be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such
notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company
notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period
that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating
to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation
and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing
provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings
taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or
forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at
its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue
for a refund or to contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the
Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or
more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however,
that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a
refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect
to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such
advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due
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is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control
of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up
Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to
settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to
the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by
the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c),
a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any
refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the
Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to
the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall
be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such
advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid.
10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its
affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have
been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the
Company or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or
become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or
representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement).
After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, the
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or
as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge
any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and
those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the
provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.
11. SUCCESSORS. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and
without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable
by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean
the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business
and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees
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to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement
are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written
agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and
legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
IF TO THE EXECUTIVE: 2-
IF TO THE COMPANY: The Toro Company
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420
Attention Mr. J. Lawrence McIntyre, General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other
in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communication shall be
effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to
be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of
this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which
case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From
and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
------------------------------------------------
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THE TORO COMPANY
By----------------------------------------------
Kendrick B. Melrose
Its Chief Executive Officer
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