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EXHIBIT 10.37
February 3, 1998, as amended December 30, 1998
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
Strand House, Galway Road
Blackbushe Business Park
Yateley, Hampshire
GU46 6GE
RE: ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN OF THE ASSETS OF STRAND EUROPE LTD. AND
COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE/CONFIDENTIALITY.
Dear Mr. Suri:
This letter will constitute our agreement of the purchase by Universal
Electronics B.V., a corporation formed under the laws of The Netherlands
("Purchaser"), from Strand Europe Ltd., a corporation formed under the laws of
England ("Seller"), of certain of Seller's assets, the purchase from you
("Suri") and Seller of certain covenants not to compete/confidentiality, the
grant of options between the parties, and the appointment by Seller of Purchaser
as the sole and exclusive subdistributor under the "Distribution Agreement" (as
such agreement is defined in Section 36 below), all upon the following terms and
conditions:
1. SALE OF ASSETS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each of Seller and Suri shall, upon the Closing referred to below,
sell, transfer, assign, convey and deliver to Purchaser and shall grant to
Purchaser the option set forth in Section 2.1 below, and Purchaser agrees to
purchase from Seller and take possession of all good and marketable title,
including without limitation all of Seller's right, title, and interest, free
and clear from all liens and encumbrances of whatever kind and nature, in and to
the following assets (collectively, the "Assets" (which definition shall include
the "Option Assets" (as such term is hereinafter defined) if either the "Call
Option" or the "Put Option" (as such terms are hereinafter defined) is
exercised) used or useful in the operation of Seller's business of selling
and/or servicing products and/or services which utilize or involve infrared
and/or radio frequency technology in remote control applications for use, sale
or distribution in the consumer electronics industry (the business conducted by
the Seller is hereinafter referred to as the "Business") and to grant to Seller
the option set forth in Section 2.2 below:
(a) INVENTORY. All inventory and operating supplies used or
useful in the Business and owned by Seller as of Closing (the
"Inventory").
(b) RECORDS. Copies of all records and files attributable to the
Assets and the operation of the Business which are mutually agreed upon
by the parties, including but not limited to, records relating to
customers and suppliers, payment records and correspondence (the
"Records").
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
(c) COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE/CONFIDENTIALITY. An agreement by
each of Seller and Suri to not compete with Purchaser and keep
confidential certain proprietary information sold by Seller to Purchaser
hereunder, all upon such terms and conditions set forth in Section 14
hereof ("Covenants Not to Compete/Confidentiality").
2. THE OPTIONS.
2.1 THE CALL OPTION. Seller and Suri each hereby grants to Purchaser the
right at any time during the thirty-one (31) day period commencing on January 1,
1999 and ending at the end of January 31, 1999 (the "Option Period") to purchase
from Seller and Suri and take possession of all good and marketable title,
including without limitation all of Seller's right, title, and interest, free
and clear from all liens and encumbrances of whatever kind and nature, in and to
the following assets (collectively, the "Option Assets") used or useful in the
operation of the Business and the Option Covenants Not to Compete/
Confidentiality and each of Seller and Suri shall be bound to sell, transfer,
assign, convey and deliver the same to Purchaser (the "Call Option").
(a) INTANGIBLE/GOODWILL. Subject to the proviso in subsection
15(c), all of the intangible assets and intellectual property used or
useful in the Business including, without limitation, (i) all trade
secrets, proprietary or other trade rights of Seller pertaining to the
operation of the Business; (ii) all customer lists, and (iii) all of the
goodwill of Seller in the Business (the "Intangibles/Goodwill").
(b) OPTION COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE/CONFIDENTIALITY. An
agreement by each of Seller and Suri to not compete with Purchaser and
keep confidential certain proprietary information sold by Seller to
Purchaser hereunder, all upon such terms and conditions set forth in
Section 15 hereof (the "Option Covenants Not to Compete/
Confidentiality").
(c) ORIGINALS RECORDS. The originals of the Records, except,
however, such of the Records as are required by applicable law to be
kept by Seller. Copies of all such Records retained by Seller shall be
made available to Purchaser upon request.
2.2 PUT OPTION. Purchaser hereby grants to Seller and Suri the right at
any time during the Option Period to sell, transfer, assign, convey and deliver
to Purchaser (jointly, but not individually) all good and marketable title,
including without limitation all of Seller's right, title, and interest, free
and clear from all liens and encumbrances of whatever kind and nature, in and to
the Option Assets and the Option Covenants Not to Compete/Confidentiality and
Purchaser shall be bound to purchase from Seller and Suri and take possession of
the same (the "Put Option").
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
2.3 OPTION EXERCISE AND CLOSING. The Put Option and the Call Option
shall be exercisable by irrevocable written notice served by the exercising
party on the other in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement.
3. NO OTHER ASSETS. Seller is not selling and Purchaser is not acquiring
the right to any asset not described in this Agreement.
4. PURCHASE PRICE; ALLOCATION.
4.1 (a) Subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 7, the aggregate
purchase price for the Assets (in this Section only, the term "Assets"
being exclusive of the "Option Assets") set forth and more fully
described in Section 1 is One Million and One Dollars (United States)
(US$1,000,001) plus that amount for the Inventory which is determined in
accordance with Section 7. The purchase price set forth in this
subsection 4.l(a) shall be allocated among these Assets as follows:
(i) That amount which is determined in accordance with
Section 7 is allocated to the Inventory;
(ii) US$1 is allocated to the Records;
(iii) US$475,000 is allocated to Seller's Covenants Not
to Compete/Confidentiality;
(iv) US$475,000 is allocated to Suri's Covenant's Not to
Compete/Confidentiality; and
(v) US$50,000 is allocated to the Call Option.
(b) The aggregate purchase price for the Put Option is One
Dollar (United States) (US$l).
(c) The aggregate purchase price as set forth in this subsection
4. 1 shall be paid as follows:
(i) That portion of the purchase price set forth in
subsections 4.l(a)(1), (ii), (iii), and (v) less the aggregate
of (1) the purchase price for the Put Option (as set forth in
subsection 4.1(b) plus (2) the amounts owed by Seller to
Purchaser as reflected on Purchaser's books and records shall be
paid by Purchaser to Seller, after delivery of a fully executed
and binding copy of this Agreement, on the date
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
payment for the Inventory would be made in accordance with
Section 7 and shall be accompanied with a schedule depicting how
such amount was calculated by Purchaser, provided however, that
in the event that the amount owed by Seller to Purchaser as
reflected on Purchaser's books and records exceeds the amounts
of the purchase price set forth in subsections 4.1(a)(i), (ii),
(iii) and (v) then Seller shall within two (2) business days pay
such excess amount to Purchaser; and
(ii) That portion of the purchase price set forth in
subsection 4.l(a)(iv) shall be paid by Purchaser to Suri on the
same date payment is made to either Seller or Purchaser (as the
case may be) as set forth in subsection 4.1(c)(i) above.
4.2 (a) So long as either the Call Option or the Put Option has been
exercised, the aggregate purchase price for the Assets set forth and
more fully described in subsection 2.1 (a), (b) and (c) is One Million
Dollars (United States) (US$1,300,000). The purchase price set forth in
this subsection 4.2(a) shall be allocated among these Assets as follows:
(i) US$200,000 is allocated to the Intangibles/Goodwill;
(ii) US$550,000 is allocated to Seller's Option
Covenants Not to Compete/Confidentiality; and
(iii) US$550,000 is allocated to Suri's Option
Covenant's Not to Compete/Confidentiality.
(b) So long as either the Call Option or the Put Option has been
exercised, the aggregate purchase price as set forth in this subsection
4.2 shall be paid as follows:
(i) US$800,000 to be paid by Purchaser on January 29,
1999 or, if later, within two (2) business days of the election
to exercise either the Call Option or the Put Option and shall
be paid as to US$500,000 thereof to Seller and as to US$300,000
thereof to Suri; and
(ii) US$500,000 to be paid by Purchaser on September 30,
1999 as shall be paid as to US$250,000 thereof as to Seller and
as to US$250,000 thereof to Suri.
4.3 NO OTHER ASSUMED OBLIGATIONS. Notwithstanding anything contained
herein to the contrary, PURCHASER DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY OR OBLIGATION OF
SELLER OR SURI OF ANY KIND, whether fixed or contingent, known or unknown, and
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
whether to general or secured creditors, or for national, international, state
or local taxes of whatever kind, or otherwise, except as provided in Schedule
4.3.
5. CLOSING. The Closing shall be held at the offices of Seller
immediately upon the execution of this agreement by both parties, or such other
date, place, or time as the parties hereto shall agree in writing (the
"Closing"). The date on which Closing shall take place is referred to herein as
the "Closing Date".
6. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, all accounts receivable of Seller shall remain the property of Seller
and are not part of the Assets to be transferred to Purchaser hereunder. Upon
the request of Purchaser, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser a listing, in
alphabetical order, depicting all customers with accounts receivable balances
and the amount of such balances.
7. DETERMINATION OF INVENTORY VALUE. The parties hereto agree that a
portion of the Purchase Price shall be based on a physical inventory and pricing
thereof as of January 31, 1998, using Seller's acquisition costs which is set
forth on that pricing schedule attached hereto as Schedule 7; except that no
value shall be assigned to any Damaged or Discontinued items (the "Interim
Inventory Value"). Within five (5) days of the Closing Date, Seller shall
deliver to Purchaser a schedule depicting the Interim Inventory Value which
shall be prepared by Seller, at its cost. Purchaser shall have the right to have
its personnel and accounting representatives present during such physical
inventory, shall have full access to all records, reports, and working documents
of Seller. Each party shall bear its own costs in connection with taking the
physical inventory and in the preparation of the said schedule.
Unless Purchaser shall give notice to Seller of any objection to the
Interim Inventory Value on or before five (5) business days after its receipt of
such, Purchaser shall be deemed to have accepted the Interim Inventory Value
which shall then be final and binding on the parties and Purchaser shall
immediately pay such Interim Inventory Value to Seller and such Interim
Inventory Value shall become the Final Inventory Value. If Purchaser objects to
the Interim Inventory Value, which objection cannot be satisfied by negotiation
between Purchaser and Seller within ten (10) business days of the objection, the
dispute will be referred for arbitration by a mutually selected nationally
recognized independent accounting firm to be determined within sixty (60) days
and its determination will be final and binding upon the parties (the "Final
Inventory Value"). Such accounting firm's determination of Final Inventory Value
shall not, however, exceed the amount thereof as prepared by Seller or be less
than the amount thereof as asserted by Purchaser. Within ten (10) business days
after the determination of the Final Inventory Value by such accounting firm in
accordance with this Section 7, Purchaser shall pay such Final Inventory Value
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
to Seller. One-half of the expenses of such accounting firm in connection with
such arbitration shall be paid by each of Seller and Purchaser.
7.1 DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 7. For purposes of Section 7,
"Discontinued" items are those which are not on any current price list of
Seller, or included in any of Seller's current catalogs or other sales
literature or sales offerings or not useable, saleable, or merchantable in the
ordinary operation of the Store; and "Damaged" items are those items which,
consistent with past practice, are scrap or are non-repairable for sale to third
parties in the ordinary operation of the Store.
8. BEST EFFORTS. The parties hereto will use their respective best
efforts to cause their respective representations and warranties hereunder to be
true and correct on and as of the Closing Date, to obtain promptly all consents,
approvals and agreements of other parties or governmental authorities which are
required in connection with the consummation of the transactions provided for
herein, and to close such transactions no later than February 15, 1998.
9. POSSESSION. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser
possession of all the Assets, which, in the case of all tangible assets, shall
be in the same condition in which they were on December 31, 1997, ordinary wear
and tear excepted. Title to the Inventory shall remain with the Seller until to
Final Inventory Value has been paid.
10. COVENANTS OF SELLER AND SURI.
(a) INFORMATION AND ACCESS. From and after the date of this
Agreement and to the Closing, each of Seller and Suri will, within three
(3) days of receiving a request (whether oral or written), furnish or
cause to be furnished to Purchaser and its duly authorized
representatives and agents any reasonably requested information about
Seller relating to the Assets and the Business and will give Purchaser
and its duly authorized representatives and agents, complete access with
reasonable notice and during normal business hours to Seller's officers,
employees, accountants, attorneys, auditors, books, records, tax
returns, physical facilities, assets and agreements for purposes of a
complete investigation. The exercise of any rights of access or
inspection by or on behalf of Purchaser under this subsection 10(a)
shall not affect or mitigate the covenants, representations and
warranties of Seller and Suri or Purchaser's rights to indemnity under
this Agreement.
(b) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. From the date hereof through the
Closing, each of Seller and Suri will conduct the Business diligently
and in the usual and ordinary course as heretofore conducted. Seller and
Suri will use their respective best efforts to preserve
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
the Business intact and to preserve for Purchaser the goodwill and
relationship of Seller with its employees, suppliers, customers and
others having business relations with Seller. From the date hereof
through the Closing, each of Seller and Suri will not, in connection
with the operation of the Business except with the consent of Purchaser,
incur any obligation or liability, engage in any activity or
transaction, or enter into any contract or commitment with respect to
the Business extending beyond the Closing, other than sales, purchases
or returns made in the ordinary course of the Business as heretofore
conducted.
(c) RISK OF LOSS/INSURANCE COVERAGE. Seller shall bear the risk
of loss on the Assets through the Closing. Each of Seller and Suri
covenants and agrees that the Business and the Assets to be purchased by
Purchaser hereunder will each be adequately insured by Seller against
fire and casualty and any other claims or losses whatsoever, to the
Closing, and will use their respective best efforts to maintain in full
force and effect until Closing at the same level of coverage as Seller
had in place immediately prior to the Closing and that such policies
will continue after the Closing to cover and respond to all claims made
in respect of insured occurrences prior to the Closing.
(d) LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. Each of
Seller and Suri agrees to indemnify Purchaser and hold it harmless from
all Damages (as defined in Section 19 below) resulting from, relating to
or arising out of, all existing litigation and all claims and
contingent, undisclosed, or unknown liabilities of Seller which relate
to any condition existing, product produced or sold, or action taken or
omitted by Seller, whether prior to, on or after the Closing, including
but not limited to all such litigation, claims and liabilities resulting
from, related to or arising out of (i) injury to or sickness, disease or
death of any person who was at any time an employee or former employee
of Seller which is caused by any condition existing, product produced or
sold, or action taken or omitted by Seller, and (ii) any injury to or
sickness, disease or death of any person or persons or any damage to any
property or the environment which arises from the manufacture, handling,
sale or use of any product manufactured, sold or shipped by Seller.
(e) EXCLUSIVITY. Prior to the Closing, each of Seller and Suri
agrees not to conduct negotiations or discussions with anyone other than
Purchaser with respect to the sale of any of the Business, Assets,
Option Assets, or capital stock of Seller, except that Seller may trade
the Inventory in the ordinary course of Business.
11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND SURI. Each of Seller
and Suri represents and warrants that as of the date hereof, and as of the
Closing:
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
(a) CORPORATE STATUS AND VALIDITY. Seller is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of
England, and is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing
in all of the countries in which Seller is legally required to be so
qualified, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its business and properties as now owned and conducted. Seller
has the corporate power and authority to enter into and perform the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all other instruments,
agreements, and other documents contemplated hereby. All necessary
corporate and shareholder action and other proceedings required to be
taken by or on behalf of Seller to authorize Seller to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
herein, have been duly authorized and properly taken. This Agreement
constitutes, and all instruments, agreements, and other documents to be
delivered in connection herewith, when executed and delivered by Seller,
will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller,
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
(b) INDIVIDUAL STATUS AND VALIDITY. Suri has full power,
capacity, and authority to enter into and perform the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and all other instruments, agreements,
and other documents contemplated hereby. This Agreement constitutes, and
all instruments, agreements, and other documents to be delivered in
connection herewith, when executed and delivered by Suri, will
constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Suri, enforceable
in accordance with their respective terms.
(c) NO CONFLICT WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS. Neither
the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and all other
instruments, agreements, and other documents in connection herewith, nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will
violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of or constitute a default
under any contract, instrument, article of incorporation, by-law,
agreement, indenture, or license to which either Seller, Suri, the
Assets, or the Business is or are a party or is bound or affected, or
under any law, judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation to which
either Seller, Suri, the Assets, or the Business is or are subject. No
governmental, public authority, or other agency authorization, approval,
order, license, permit, or consent, and no registration, declaration or
filing with any governmental, public authority or agency is required for
the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the other
instruments, agreements, or other documents by Seller or Suri or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(d) TITLE TO ASSETS, ABSENCE OF LIENS. Seller has and at the
Closing will have, and the same pursuant hereto will vest in Purchaser,
good and marketable title and
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
merchantable ownership, right, title and interest in and to all of the
Assets, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, charges,
and other exceptions (or claims thereof) of whatever kind or nature.
Seller owns, and has the right to sell and convey to Purchaser without
interference from others, all rights in and to the Intangible
Assets/Goodwill, and has not previously entered into any agreement
concerning the use, sale, or license of, or the Granting of any right to
or interest in, any of the Intangible Assets/Goodwill.
(e) FINANCIAL RECORDS AND STATEMENTS OF SELLER. The gross sales
of Seller for all products and services sold or provided by Seller in
the ordinary course of the Business for the year ended December 31, 1997
is in excess of US$____________________.
(f) LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. There is (i)
no action, suit, arbitration or administrative or judicial proceeding,
government investigation, judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree
outstanding, pending or threatened against Seller, Suri, any person in
his capacity as an employee or agent of Seller, the Assets, the
Business, the goodwill of Seller, or any such matter to which Seller,
Suri, or any such person is a party which adversely effects the Assets
or the Business being acquired hereunder, or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereunder, (ii) there is no contingent
liability of, and no claim made by any party against, Seller, Suri, any
person in his capacity as an employee or agent of Seller, the Assets,
the Business, or goodwill of Seller which adversely effects the Assets
or the Business being acquired hereunder, or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereunder, (iii) there is no pending or
threatened labor dispute or attempt by any union to organize or be
certified as the representative of any of Seller's employees which
adversely effects the Assets or the Business being acquired hereunder,
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, (iv)
there is no rezoning petition or reclassification proceeding with
respect to or that affects the Business now pending or threatened, and
(v) there is or has been no event or occurrence which is likely to give
rise to any of the foregoing.
(g) EMPLOYEE AND RELATED CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS. With regard
to the Assets and the Business sold to Purchaser hereunder, Seller is
not a party to any written or oral, express or implied, (i) contract or
commitment for the employment or continued employment of any employee or
agent of Seller; (ii) contract with any labor union or other collective
bargaining agreement; (iii) any other material contract or commitment
involving employees or independent contractors, where the existence of
or the absence of the items specified in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii)
above would materially and adversely affect Purchaser's purchase of the
Assets and the operation of the Business.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
(h) AUTHORITY FOR AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Seller presently has
all licenses, permits, approvals, orders, and other authorizations from
governmental and regulatory offices and authorities necessary for the
conduct of the Business as now being conducted, to own or hold under
lease the properties and assets it owns or holds under lease, and to
perform the obligations under the agreements to which it is a party, and
no proceeding is pending or threatened which seeks to revoke, limit or
suspend any such authorization, approval, license, permit or order.
Seller is in compliance with all applicable laws material to the
Business, contractual or legal restrictions, regulations and
administrative and executive orders of any country, or municipality or
of any subdivisions thereof to which its business and employment of
labor or use or occupancy of properties or any part thereof are subject
where the existence of any non-compliance with such laws, contractual or
legal restrictions, regulations and administrative and executive orders
would adversely affect the Assets or the Business, and neither Seller
nor Suri has received notice of any violation thereof. The laws,
regulations and administrative and executive orders referred to above
include, but are not limited to, those relating to labor relations,
employment practices, worker's compensation, communications, zoning,
building codes, copyright and patent protection, protection of the
environment, waste disposal, toxic substances, product liability,
health, occupational and other safety, transportation, employment
benefits, exports, antitrust, consumer protection, the processing,
production, advertising, sale or labeling of products, and other similar
matters.
(i) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CONDITIONS. There are no conditions,
matters or events, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise which
adversely affect, or might reasonably be expected to adversely affect
the Assets or the Business or its prospects which are to be carried on
by Purchaser.
(j) TAXES AND TAX RETURNS OF SELLER. All taxes imposed by
England or by any other country or by any state, province, municipality
or subdivision thereof which are due or payable or which become due or
payable by Seller with respect to any period or portion thereof up to
and including the date of the Closing have been (or will have been) paid
in full or will be paid in full on the due date of the required return
or report with respect to any such tax. Seller has filed or will file in
a timely manner all required returns and reports with respect to income
taxes and all other taxes of any kind, such returns and reports have
been prepared accurately and in accordance with the law, and all taxes,
interest and penalties due thereon have been paid. There are no actions,
suits, proceedings, claims, or investigations or assessments now pending
or threatened against Seller in respect of taxes or governmental
charges, or any matters under discussion with any governmental authority
relating to taxes or governmental charges and there are no waivers or
extensions of any statutes of limitations in effect with respect
thereto.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
(k) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS OF SELLER. All employee benefit plans
of any kind, including but not limited to group life insurance, medical,
long-term disability, pension and profit sharing plans, established,
maintained or participated in by Seller (the "Plans") are in compliance
with all applicable reporting, disclosure and other requirements of such
Plans in accordance with all applicable laws.
(1) NO DEFAULT. Seller is not in default or breach of any
contract or agreement, written or oral, indenture or other instrument or
obligation, to which it is a party or to which it or its property is
subject and which affects the Business, the Assets or the Option Assets,
and there exists no state of facts which after notice or lapse of time
or both would constitute such a default or breach, and all such
contracts, agreements, indentures or other instruments are in good
standing and in full force and effect, enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms.
(m) INVENTORY. The Inventory to be sold to Purchaser on the
Closing Date will consist of a quality and quantity usable, salable, and
merchantable in the ordinary course of the Business and all such
Inventory is valued at Seller's cost (on a first-in, first-out basis).
(n) CURTAILMENT NOTICES. Neither Seller nor Suri has received
any notice from any supplier (including utilities) of curtailment or
intended curtailment of services or supplies to Seller.
(o) CUSTOMER RELATIONS. Neither Seller nor Suri is are aware of
any facts or information indicating that any customer intends to or may
cease doing any material amount of business with Seller or to materially
alter the amount of any such business or to increase the quantity of
returned product beyond that which such customer historically returned
to Seller or to delay the return of products until after the Closing
Date.
(p) TRUE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURES. All information furnished by
Seller, Suri or their representatives to Purchaser or its
representatives in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement is
true and complete in all material respects. All of the statements,
representations, warranties and agreements made by Seller or Suri in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and
as of the Closing and thereafter with the same force and effect as if
made by Seller and Suri at the Closing.
12. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER. Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
(a) NO CONFLICT WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS. Neither
the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement and all other
instruments, agreements, and other documents in connection herewith nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will
violate, conflict with or result in a breach of or constitute a default
under any contract, instrument, article or charter of incorporation,
by-law, agreement, indenture, or license to which Purchaser is a party
or by which Purchaser is bound or affected, or under any law, judgment,
order, decree, rule or regulation to which Purchase is subject. No
governmental, public authority, or other agency authorization, approval,
order, license, permit, or consent, and no registration, declaration or
filing with any governmental, public authority or agency is required in
connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement
or the other instruments, agreements, or other documents by Purchaser or
the consummation of the transactions hereby or thereby.
(b) CORPORATE ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORIZATION. Purchaser is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of The Netherlands. Purchaser has the corporate power to own
and lease its properties and carry on its business as it is now
conducted and otherwise as necessary for the purposes of this Agreement.
All necessary corporate action and other proceedings required to be
taken by or on behalf of Purchaser to authorize Purchaser to enter into
and consummate this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof have
been duly authorized and properly taken. This Agreement constitutes, and
all instruments, agreements and other documents to be delivered in
connection herewith, when executed and delivered, will constitute legal,
valid and binding obligations of Purchaser, enforceable in accordance
with their terms.
(c) TRUE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURES. All information furnished by
Purchaser of its representatives to Seller or its representative in
connection with the negotiation of this Agreement is true and complete
in all material respects. All of the statements, representations,
warranties and agreements made by Purchaser in this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing and
thereafter with the same force and effect as if made by Purchaser at the
Closing.
13. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The covenants,
representations and warranties of the parties contained herein and in any
Schedule, Exhibit, or document attached hereto shall be deemed to have been
relied upon by the parties hereto, notwithstanding any investigation made by the
parties. All covenants, representations and warranties made herein shall not be
affected by any examinations or investigations conducted by Purchaser or Seller
prior to
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February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
Closing and shall survive the Closing and shall continue in effect after the
execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the sale contemplated hereby
unless waived in writing.
14. NON-COMPETITION/NON-SOLICITATION/CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of Seller and
Suri hereby covenants and agrees:
(a) that for a period of one (1) year from the Closing, neither
Seller, Suri, nor any company controlling, controlled by, or under
common control with Seller or Suri, will, directly or indirectly, either
alone, or in partnership, or in conjunction with person, company or
entity as principal, agent, shareholder, or joint venturer: (i) conduct
business which is similar to the Business; (ii) engage in the sale at
products and/or services which similar to the products or services sold
and/or provided by Seller in the conduct of the Business to any person,
company or entity which in the two (2) year period immediately preceding
the Closing was a customer of Seller in the Business or was a competitor
of any such customer; (iii) except for appropriate notification of the
sale of the Assets and the appointment of the Purchaser as Seller's sole
and exclusive subdistributor pursuant to Section 36, affirmatively
interfere with, disrupt, or attempt to disrupt, in any manner, the
relationship, contractual or otherwise, between Purchaser and any person
who is or was a customer or supplier of Seller for the Business at any
time during the two (2) year period immediately prior to the Closing for
products and/or services of any type or quality provided to such
customer or for supplies acquired from such supplier by Seller for the
Business; or (iv) solicit for employment or other working relationship
any of the employees hired by Purchaser; and
(b) to hold in confidence all Confidential and Proprietary
Information, and that each of them will not disclose or use or permit
the disclosure or use of the Confidential and Proprietary Information at
any time, except as may be required as a matter of law, or at any
judicial or governmental proceeding; and
(c) that (i) the time duration and geographic and other scope
limitations contained in this Section 14 are reasonable and are required
for the reasonable protection of Purchaser's investment in the Assets
and the Business and constitute an integral part of the consideration
given by Seller and Suri in exchange for the Purchase Price; provided,
however, the parties hereto agree that a court of competent jurisdiction
or other trier of fact may modify and enforce the covenants contained in
this Section 14 to the extent it deems reasonable under the
circumstances at that time and such modification shall be binding on the
parties hereto and (ii) any breach by any of them of any of the terms of
this Section 14 may cause substantial and irreparable injury to
Purchaser in amounts which may be difficult or impossible to ascertain,
and covenants and agrees that in the event of such
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Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30. 1998
breach any of the terms of this Section 14, Purchaser shall have, in
addition to all other remedies available in the event of a breach of
this Agreement, the right to injunctive or other equitable relief,
without the need of posting bond or other security, as well as an award
of attorneys' fees and costs incurred as a result of such action, and in
the event of any breach or other violation of the provisions of this
Section 14 by either Seller or Suri, the running of the time period of
Non-Competition/Non-Solicitation shall be tolled during the period of
the continuance of any actual breach or violation.
For purposes of this Section 14, "Confidential and Proprietary
Information" means any information constituting a part of the Assets, including,
but not limited to, the following to the extent they constitute a part of the
Assets: (i) trade secrets; (ii) proprietary products and trade names; (iii) all
other intellectual property rights; and (iv) any compilations of otherwise
public information, such as vendor or customer listings; provided, however, that
Confidential and Proprietary Information does not include any (w) information
which is used by Seller in its retained business which is not the subject of
this Agreement and none of which is used or useful in the Business or is a part
of the Assets, (x) information already generally known to the public; (y)
information which, either prior to or subsequent to the Closing, is lawfully
disclosed to Seller and Suri by anyone else rightfully in possession of such
information and who is not in a confidential relationship with Purchaser; and
(z) information which, without violating any legal rights of Purchaser, becomes
generally known and used by others who are not in a confidential relationship
with Purchaser. In addition, the provisions of this Section 14 shall not apply
to sales by Seller of infrared or radio frequency remote control products
bearing the brand names "Bush" and "Einstein" so long as such remote control
products are manufactured and approved by Purchaser.
15. NON-COMPETITION/NON-SOLICITATION/CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of Seller and
Suri hereby covenants and agrees:
(a) that for a period of five (5) years from January 31, 1999,
neither Seller, Suri, nor any company controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with Seller or Suri, will, directly or indirectly,
either alone, or in partnership, or in conjunction with person, company
or entity as principal, agent, shareholder, or joint venturer: (i)
conduct business which is similar to the Business; (ii) engage in the
sale at products and/or services which similar to the products or
services sold and/or provided by Seller in the conduct of the Business
to any person, company or entity which in the two (2) year period
immediately preceding the Closing was a customer of Seller in the
Business or was a competitor of any such customer, except that after
January 31, 2001, the restrictions contained within this subsection
15(a)(ii) shall not apply to Argos, and Seller and/or Suri shall be free
to sell products to Argos in competition with Purchaser, provided
however,
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Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
that prior to selling any products to Argos in competition with
Purchaser, Seller and/or Suri agree to first allow Purchaser an
opportunity to provide Seller and/or Suri with the products that Seller
and/or Suri propose to sell to Argos on terms and other conditions that
will allow Seller and/or Suri to earn the same gross margin as Seller
and/or Suri would have earned by selling products which have not been
provided by Purchaser and if Purchaser is unable to chooses to not
provide Seller and/or Suri with any such products, then Seller and/or
Suri shall be allowed to obtain and sell products in competition with
Purchaser; (iii) except for appropriate notification of the sale of the
Assets, affirmatively interfere with, disrupt, or attempt to disrupt, in
any manner, the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between
Purchaser and any person who is or was a customer or supplier of Seller
for the Business at any time during the two (2) year period immediately
prior to the Closing for products and/or services of any type or quality
provided to such customer or for supplies acquired from such supplier by
Seller for the Business; or (iv) solicit for employment or other working
relationship any of the employees hired by Purchaser; and
(b) to hold in confidence all Confidential and Proprietary
Information, and that each of them will not disclose or use or permit
the disclosure or use of the Confidential and Proprietary Information at
any time, except as may be required as a matter of law, or at any
judicial or governmental proceeding; and
(c) that (i) the time duration and geographic and other scope
limitations contained in this Section 15 are reasonable and are required
for the reasonable protection of Purchaser's investment in the Assets
and the Business and constitute an integral part of the consideration
given by Seller and Suri in exchange for the Purchase Price; provided,
however, the parties hereto agree that a court of competent jurisdiction
or other trier of fact may modify and enforce the covenants contained in
this Section 15 to the extent it deems reasonable under the
circumstances at that time and such modification shall be binding on the
parties hereto and (ii) any breach by any of them of any of the terms of
this Section 15 may cause substantial and irreparable injury to
Purchaser in amounts which may be difficult or impossible to ascertain,
and covenants and agrees that in the event of such breach any of the
terms of this Section 15, Purchaser shall have, in addition to all other
remedies available in the event of a breach of this Agreement, the right
to injunctive or other equitable relief, without the need of posting
bond or other security, as well as an award of attorneys' fees and costs
incurred as a result of such action, and in the event of any breach or
other violation of the provisions of this Section 15 by either Seller or
Suri, the running of the time period of Non-Competition/Non-Solicitation
shall be tolled during the period of the continuance of any actual
breach or violation.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
For purposes of this Section 15, "Confidential and Proprietary
Information" means any information constituting a part of the Assets, including,
but not limited to, the following to the extent they constitute a part of the
Assets: (i) trade secrets; (ii) proprietary products and trade names; (iii) all
other intellectual property rights; and (iv) any compilations of otherwise
public information, such as vendor or customer listings; provided, however, that
Confidential and Proprietary Information does not include any (w) information
which is used by Seller in its retained business which is not the subject of
this Agreement and none of which is used or useful in the Business or is a part
of the Assets, (x) information already generally known to the public; (y)
information which, either prior to or subsequent to the Closing, is lawfully
disclosed to Seller and Suri by anyone else rightfully in possession of such
information and who is not in a confidential relationship with Purchaser; and
(z) information which, without violating any legal rights of Purchaser, becomes
generally known and used by others who are not in a confidential relationship
with Purchaser. In addition, the provisions of this Section 15 shall not apply
to sales by Seller of infrared or radio frequency remote control products
bearing the brand names "Bush" and "Einstein" so long as such remote control
products are manufactured and approved by Purchaser.
16. CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER. The obligations of
Purchaser, including but not limited to the obligation to close the transaction
contemplated hereunder, are, at the option of Purchaser, subject to satisfaction
of the following conditions on or prior to the Closing, all of which may be
waived by Purchaser in whole or in part:
(a) The representations and warranties of Seller contained
herein shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects on
and as of the Closing and Purchaser shall have received at the Closing a
certificate to that effect, dated the Closing Date and executed by the
President of Seller and Suri; provided that the receipt of such
certificate and the closing of the sale herein provided shall not be
deemed to be a waiver of any representation or warranty contained in
this Agreement, which representations and warranties shall continue in
full force and effect for the benefit of the parties as provided herein.
(b) Each of Seller and Suri shall have performed and observed,
in all material respects, all covenants, agreements, acts, undertakings
and conditions of each of them herein to be performed or observed by
each of them on or before the Closing.
(c) Delivery to Purchaser of such other documents, instruments,
or certificates as Purchaser shall reasonably request.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
17. CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER. The obligations of Seller and
Suri, including but not limited to the obligation to close the transactions
contemplated hereunder, are, subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions on or prior to the Closing all of which may be waived by Seller or
Suri in whole or in part:
(a) The representations and warranties of Purchaser contained
herein shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects on
and as of the Closing and Seller and Suri shall have received at the
Closing a certificate to that effect, dated the Closing Date, and
executed on behalf of Purchaser by its chief executive officer or chief
financial officer.
(b) Purchaser shall have performed and observed, in all material
respects, all covenants, agreements and conditions herein to be
performed or complied with by Purchaser on or before the Closing.
(c) Delivery to Seller of such other documents, instruments, or
certificates as Seller shall reasonably request.
18. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party hereto shall from time to time at the
reasonable request of the other party hereto, whether on or after the Closing,
do, make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver all such further acts and
instruments of conveyance, assignment, transfer and consent, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the requesting party, concerning compliance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement as such requesting party may
reasonably require for the more effective performance of their respective
obligations hereunder and the completion of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
19. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF SELLER AND SURI.
(a) Use OF PURCHASER'S TRADE NAME, TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE Marks.
After Closing, neither Seller, Suri, nor any person or entity affiliated
with any of them shall use the trade name and/or trademark "Universal
Electronics", "One For All", or any other trade name, trademark or
service mark of Purchaser or any of its affiliates, or any name similar
to or a derivative of any of the aforementioned trade names, trademarks
or services marks.
(b) PAYMENT OF CREDITORS. On or before the tenth day after the
Closing, Seller and Suri shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate,
signed by a duly authorized officer of the Seller and Suri, that all
creditors of Seller with regard to the Assets or the Business have been
paid in full or that provisions have been made for the satisfaction of
the same.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
20. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Each of Seller and Suri hereby agrees to indemnify Purchaser
and its successors, assigns and affiliates, and present and future
directors, officers, employees, and agents against, and hold them
harmless from and against all damages, losses, liens, claims,
deficiencies, liabilities, fines, penalties, costs and expenses,
including but not limited to reasonable legal fees and costs of
litigation (including without limitation any appellate proceedings)
(collectively referred to as "Damages") resulting from, caused by or
arising out of any of the following: (i) the inaccuracy of any statement
or representation or the breach of any warranty, covenant, or agreement
of either of Seller or Suri, made herein, or the failure of any of them,
to perform any covenant or agreement made or referred to herein; (ii)
any claim against any of the Assets, against Purchaser by a creditor of
Seller, or arising out of a breach of this Agreement by either of Seller
or Suri; (iii) any transaction, occurrence, action, or omission in
connection with the operation of the Business by Seller or Suri prior to
the Closing; (iv) any claim asserted against Purchaser in connection
with or arising out of any delinquent contributions to any pension plan
of Seller, any withdrawal liability to any multi-employer pension plan,
or any employee benefits, including without limitation any severance
benefits, accruing prior to the Closing or as a result of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder; (v) any claim
contained in any pending litigation against Seller or Suri; and (vi) any
claim asserted against Purchaser by reason of any noncompliance of any
applicable bulk transfers or similar laws under the provisions of any
applicable jurisdiction.
(b) Purchaser hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Seller and
Suri and their respective successors, assigns and affiliates, and
present and future directors, officers, employees, and agents against,
and hold them harmless from and against all Damages resulting from,
caused by or arising out of the following: (i) the inaccuracy of any
statement or representation or the breach of any warranty, covenant, or
agreement of Purchaser made herein, or the failure of Purchaser to
perform any covenant or agreement made by it herein; and (ii) any
transaction, occurrence, action or omission in connection with the
operation of the Business by Purchaser after the Closing.
(c) Promptly after any party hereto (hereinafter the
"Indemnified Party") has received notice of or has knowledge of any
claim by a person not a party to this Agreement ("third person") or the
commencement of any action or proceeding by a third person, the
Indemnified Party shall, if a claim with respect thereto is to be made
against any party obligated to provide indemnification pursuant hereto
(hereinafter the "Indemnifying Party"), give the Indemnifying Party
written notice of such claim or the commencement of such action or
proceeding. Such notice shall state the nature and basis of such claim
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
and, if ascertainable, the amount thereof. In each such case the
Indemnified Party agrees to give such notice to the Indemnifying Party
promptly; provided, however, that the failure of the Indemnified Party
to give such notice shall not excuse the Indemnifying Party's obligation
to indemnify except to the extent the Indemnifying Party has suffered
damage or prejudice by reason of the Indemnified Party's failure to give
or delay in giving such notice. The Indemnified Party shall have the
right to compromise or defend such third person claim, upon notice to
and at the expense of the Indemnifying Party; provided that the
Indemnifying Party shall not have objected to such compromise or defense
by written notice to the Indemnified Party within five (5) days after
receipt by the Indemnifying Party of the Indemnified Party's notice of
such intention to compromise or defend the third party claim. After
receipt of such notice from the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying
Party shall acknowledge in writing its obligation to indemnify in
respect of such third person claim. Provided that the Indemnifying Party
shall have so acknowledged its obligation to indemnify in respect of
such claim, the Indemnifying Party may, at its expense, have the right
to participate in the defense of such third person claim and no such
third person claim shall be settled by the Indemnified Party without the
consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. At any time after notice of any third person
claim, the Indemnifying Party may request the Indemnified Party to agree
in writing to the payment or compromise of the third person claim,
whereupon such action shall be taken unless the Indemnified Party
determines that the contest should be continued, and so notifies the
Indemnifying Party in writing within fifteen (15) days of such request
from the Indemnifying Party.
(d) If an Indemnified Party shall have any claim pursuant to
this Section 20, including but not limited to a claim for Damages as the
result of the Indemnifying Party's failure to acknowledge its obligation
to indemnify, the Indemnified Party shall deliver to the Indemnifying
Party written notice explaining the nature and amount of such claim
promptly after the Indemnified Party shall know the amount of such
claim. The Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party shall thereafter
attempt in good faith for a period of not less than thirty (30) days to
agree upon whether the Indemnified Party is entitled to be indemnified
and held harmless under this Section 20 and the extent to which it is
entitled to be indemnified and held harmless hereunder. If the parties
cannot so agree within said period, the Indemnified Party may thereafter
commence litigation In a court of competent jurisdiction for a
determination of its claim. Upon resolution of any claim pursuant to
this Section 20, whether by agreement between the parties or the
rendering of a final judgment in any litigation, the Indemnifying Party
shall within ten (10) days of such resolution pay over and deliver to
the Indemnified Party funds in the amount of any claim as resolved, and
any fees and interest, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
(including without limitation any appellate proceedings), incurred by
the Indemnified Party with respect to any such litigation.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the
event Purchaser has a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section
20, Purchaser may set-off Damages against any amount of the Purchase
Price which has not yet been paid by Purchaser to Seller pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement; provided however, Purchaser's election to
set-off pursuant to this Section 20(e) shall in no way limit Purchaser
from pursuing any other remedy available to it hereunder, at law, or in
equity and in no way shall such election to set-off be construed as a
liquidation of such Damages.
21. EXPENSES. Except to the extent otherwise provided by this Agreement
or as specifically authorized in writing by the parties hereto, each party shall
pay for its own legal, accounting and other similar expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether or not
such transactions are consummated.
22. BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS. Each party represents and warrants that this
Agreement is the result of direct negotiations between them and that there are
no claims for brokerage commissions or finder's fees in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the parties agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the other for any Damages resulting from or arising
out of any liability to any broker or finder on the basis of any arrangement or
agreement made by or on behalf of such party.
23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement and the
Exhibits, Schedules and documents attached hereto contain the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated herein,
and supersede all prior agreements or understandings between the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement, and all questions
concerning its construction, validity, and interpretation, and the performance
of the obligations imposed by this Agreement, shall be governed, interpreted and
enforced according to the internal law, not the law of conflicts, of England.
All Exhibits, Schedules and documents attached hereto are incorporated herein by
this reference.
24. ASSIGNABILITY. This Agreement shall not be assignable by any of the
parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto,
except that it may be assigned by Purchaser to any corporation controlled by, or
under direct or indirect common control with, Purchaser. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
25. PARTIAL INVALIDITY/SEVERABILITY. The various covenants and
provisions of this Agreement, including specifically, without limitation those
covenants and provisions contained in Sections 14 and 15 hereof, are intended to
be severable and to constitute independent and distinct binding obligations of
the parties hereto. In the event any one or more of the covenants or provisions
contained in this Agreement or any application thereof shall be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in whole or in part, the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining covenants or provisions of this Agreement and any other part or
application thereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (except
if such partial invalidity may frustrate the basic intents and purposes hereof).
26. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated or abandoned any time
prior to the consummation hereof by (a) the mutual consent of the parties
hereto; (b) either Purchaser or Seller, respectively, if there has been a
material misrepresentation or breach on the part of Seller or Purchaser,
respectively, of any representation, warranty or covenant set forth in or made
pursuant to this Agreement; or (c) Purchaser or Seller if the Closing has not
occurred by February 15, 1998; provided, however, that any termination pursuant
to clause (b) above shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights and
remedies otherwise available under this Agreement, by operation of law or
otherwise to the party who so terminates.
27. WAIVERS AND NOTICES. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be
waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof by a written
instrument. No delay or failure on the part of any party in exercising any
rights hereunder, and no partial or single exercise thereof, will constitute a
waiver of such rights or of any other rights hereunder nor shall operate as a
waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other exercise of any
rights hereunder. All notices, waivers, consents, requests, instructions,
approvals, and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and
shall be validly given, made or served (a) upon delivery to the address of such
party specified below if delivered personally or by courier, or sent by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (b)
upon dispatch if transmitted by telecopy or other means of facsimile, in any
case to the parties at the following addresses or telecopy number, as the case
may be:
(a) If to Seller and/or Suri: Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
Strand House, Galway Road
Blackbushe Business Park
Yateley, Hampshire
GU46 6GE
Telecopy No. 011 441 252 861006
Confirm No. 011 441 252 861000
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
(b) If to Purchaser: Mr. Paul Bennett
Universal Electronics B.V.
Javastraat 92
7512 ZK Enschede
Netherlands
Telecopy No. 011 31 53 432 7080
Confirm No. 011 31 53 488 8000
or to such other address or telecopy number as either party may have furnished
to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of
address shall only be effective upon receipt. If notice is transmitted by
telecopy or other means of facsimile, the sending party must, on the same day,
send a copy of such notice by regular mail, postage pre-paid.
28. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented
only by written agreement of the parties hereto.
29. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. All remedies of the parties provided herein
shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of
any thereof or of any other remedies available to the parties, by judicial
proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the
covenants and agreements contained herein, and every remedy given herein or by
law to any party hereto may be exercised from time to time, and as often as
shall be deemed expedient, by such party.
30. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. Each of Seller and Suri acknowledges and
agrees that the Assets are unique, that damages for any failure of Seller or
Suri to transfer the Assets pursuant to this Agreement would be an inadequate
remedy, and that Purchaser shall be entitled to enforcement by judgment for
specific performance.
31. ATTORNEYS' FEES. Should suit be brought to enforce or interpret any
part of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover, as an
element of costs of suit and not as damages, interest and reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs, including all costs and expenses of any appellate court
proceedings.
32. HEADINGS. The section and other headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the interpretation or
meaning of this Agreement.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
33. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
34. NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this Agreement shall be
deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual
intent and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party.
35. NONDISCLOSURE OF TERMS AND IDENTITY OF RELATED PARTIES. Purchaser,
Seller and Suri each agrees to not disclose any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of this Agreement to any person, firm, corporation, association,
agency or entity other than its own attorneys and shareholders, except where
such disclosure is lawfully required and in such instances such disclosure shall
be limited to the information specifically required to be produced.
36. DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. Effective the Closing Date but subject to
Universal Electronics Inc., a Delaware corporation ("UEI") consent, Purchaser
shall become the sole and exclusive subdistributor of Seller under that certain
Distribution Agreement by and between Seller and UEI dated November 1995 (the
"Distribution Agreement") for the period commencing on the Closing Date (or the
date of UEI's consent) and ending on the earlier of January 31, 1999 or the date
on which either the Call Option or the Put Option is exercised. During such time
as Purchaser is the sole and exclusive subdistributor, Seller shall not exercise
any of its rights under the Distribution Agreement other than to enforce its
rights under the Distribution Agreement in the event of a breach of the
Distribution Agreement by either Purchaser or UEI (but only in the event that
UEI is in breach and Purchaser fails to enforce its rights against UEI). Seller
represents to Purchaser that it is not now in default or breach of the
Distribution Agreement, there exists no state of facts which after notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute such a default or breach, the
Distribution Agreement is in good standing and in full force and effect,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, and Seller has not appointed any other
party or person as a subdistributor under the Distribution Agreement. In the
event that either the Call Option or the Put Option is exercised, then the
Distribution Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force
and effect.
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Mr. Ashok Suri
Strand Europe Ltd.
February 3, 1998, as amended
December 30, 1998
If the foregoing is an accurate statement of our agreement, please
indicate your approval by countersigning the enclosed copy of this letter and
returning it to me as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS B.V.,
a Netherlands corporation
By:
---------------------------------
Paul Bennett, Managing Director
APPROVED THIS 30TH DAY
OF DECEMBER, 1998.
STRAND EUROPE LTD.
an England corporation
By
-------------------------------
Ashok Suri, Managing Director
AND
- - ----------------------------------
Ashok Suri, Individually
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SCHEDULE 4.3
PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.3
Purchaser shall be responsible for the following:
1. All products returned after the Closing Date; and
2. Telephone services to be provided after the Closing Date in
connection with the products.
Each of Seller and Suri acknowledges and agrees that Seller shall be and remain
solely responsible for all product returns and all telephone services provided
prior to the Closing Date.
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SCHEDULE 7
PURSUANT TO SECTION 7
PRODUCT US$PRICE
- - ------- --------
URC 2510 6.75
ONESHOT
URC 2530 7.35
SO EASY
URC 3505 9.35
ZAP-3
URC 2560 9.65
LITTLE EASY
URC 2585 10.50
BIG EASY
URC 3550 11.50
MENU-3
URC 2500 13.00
OFA-4
URC 2589 13.50
LITE
URC 2505 16.00
OFA-5
URC 4300 18.50
OFA-6
URC 5550 29.00
LCD-5
URC 8550 34.00
LCD-8
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