EXHIBIT 10.1
STOCK EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
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This Stock Exchange Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of July19, 2001,
is by and among Berens Industries, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Berens"), and
each of the persons or entities whose names appear and who are identified as
stockholders on the signature page hereof (individually, a "Stockholder" and
collectively the "Stockholders"), such persons or entities being registered
holders of capital stock of Solis Communications Corporation, a Texas
corporation ("Solis"), and Mr. Marc Ivan Berens who is a control person of
Berens ("Mr. Berens").
R E C I T A L S
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WHEREAS, each Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of the number
of shares of common stock of Solis indicated in the table set forth as Exhibit
"A" to this Agreement (which shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as
the "Solis Stock");
WHEREAS, Berens desires to acquire from the Stockholders, and the
Stockholders desire to convey to Berens, all of the issued and outstanding Solis
Stock owned by the Stockholders in exchange for shares of Series A Convertible
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock, $.001 par value per share, of Berens (the
"Berens Stock"), the designation certificate of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit "B", all on the terms and conditions set forth below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and
agreements and the respective representations and warranties herein contained in
this Agreement, and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
EXCHANGE OF SHARES
Section 1.1 Solis Stock. At the Closing (as defined below), each
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Stockholder shall transfer, convey and deliver to Berens the number of shares of
Solis Stock set forth opposite their name on Exhibit A hereto, and shall deliver
to Berens stock certificates representing the Solis Stock, duly endorsed to
Berens or accompanied by duly executed stock powers in form and substance
satisfactory to Berens.
Section 1.2 Berens Stock. At the Closing, in exchange for each share
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of Solis Stock transferred to Berens, Berens shall issue and deliver to each
Stockholder the number of shares of Berens Stock set forth opposite their name
on Exhibit A hereto. The transaction by which the transfer shall take place is
referred to in this Agreement as the "Exchange".
ARTICLE II
THE CLOSING
The Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
"Closing") shall take place at 2:00 p.m. on July 19, 2001 (the "Closing Date"),
at the offices of Axelrod, Smith & Kirshbaum, 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 700,
Houston, Texas 77007 or at such other time and place as agreed upon among the
parties hereto.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
Each of the Stockholders hereby severally represents and warrants to Berens
as follows:
Section 3.1 Ownership of the Solis Stock. Each Stockholder owns,
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beneficially and of record, that number of shares of Solis Stock set forth
opposite the Stockholder's name on Exhibit A hereto; except for restrictions
imposed by federal and state securities laws, (i) such shares are owned by such
Stockholder free and clear of any liens, claims, equities, charges, options,
rights of first refusal, voting agreements or encumbrances; (ii) the Stockholder
has the unrestricted right and power to transfer, convey and deliver full
ownership of such shares without the consent or agreement of any other person
and without any designation, declaration or filing with any governmental
authority; and, (iii) upon the transfer of such shares to Berens as contemplated
herein, Berens will receive good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any
liens, claims, equities, charges, options, rights of first refusal, encumbrances
or other restrictions.
Section 3.2 Organization. If the Stockholder is either a corporation,
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limited liability company or partnership, it represents and warrants that it is
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
state of its incorporation or formation, with full power and authority and all
necessary governmental and regulatory licenses, permits and authorizations to
carry on the businesses in which it is engaged, to own the properties that it
owns currently and will own at the Closing, and to perform its obligations under
this Agreement. If the Stockholder is a corporation, limited liability company
or partnership it is qualified as a foreign corporation, foreign limited
liability company or foreign partnership (which ever the case may be) and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to qualify would have
material adverse effect on the business, properties or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the corporate, limited liability company or partnership
Stockholder.
Section 3.3 Authorization. If the Stockholder is a person, then he or
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she is of the full age of majority, with full power, capacity and authority to
enter into this Agreement and perform the obligations contemplated hereby by and
for himself or herself and his or her spouse, if any. If the Stockholder is a
corporation, limited liability company or partnership, then all corporate,
limited liability company or partnership action on the part of the corporate,
limited liability company or partnership Shareholder necessary for the
authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby has been taken or will be taken prior to the
Closing. All action on the part of the Stockholder necessary for the
authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Stockholder has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. This
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder,
enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, and other laws of general application
relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles.
Section 3.4 Pending Claims. There is no claim, suit, action or
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proceeding, whether judicial, administrative or otherwise, pending or, to the
best of the Stockholder's knowledge, threatened that would preclude or restrict
the transfer to Berens of the Solis Stock owned by the Stockholder or the
performance of this Agreement by the Stockholder.
Section 3.5 No Default. The execution, delivery and performance of
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this Agreement by the Stockholder does not and will not constitute a violation
or default under or conflict with any contract, agreement, understanding or
commitment to which such Stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder is
bound.
Section 3.6 Acquisition of Stock for Investment. Each Stockholder
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understands that the issuance of Berens Stock will not have been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or any state
securities acts, and, accordingly, are restricted securities, and that he/she
represents and warrants to Berens that his/her present intention is to receive
and hold the Berens Stock for investment only and not with a view to the
distribution or resale thereof.
Additionally, the Stockholder understands that any sale by the Stockholder
of any of the Berens Stock received under this Agreement will, under current
law, require either (a) the registration of the Berens Stock under the Act and
applicable state securities acts; (b) compliance with Rule 144 of the Act; or
(c) the availability of an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Act and applicable state securities acts. Unless a Registration Statement had
been filed to register the Berens Stock, the Stockholder hereby agrees to
execute, deliver, furnish or otherwise provide to Berens an opinion of counsel
reasonably acceptable to Berens prior to any subsequent transfer of the Berens
Stock, that such transfer will not violate the registration requirements of the
federal or state securities acts. The Stockholder further agrees to execute,
deliver, furnish or otherwise provide to Berens any documents or instruments as
may be reasonably necessary or desirable in order to evidence and record the
Berens Stock acquired hereby.
To assist in implementing the above provisions, the Stockholder hereby
consents to the placement of the legend, or a substantially similar legend, set
forth below, on all certificates representing ownership of the Berens Stock
acquired hereby until the Berens Stock has been sold, transferred, or otherwise
disposed of, pursuant to the requirements hereof. The legend shall read
substantially as follows:
"THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES ACTS. THESE SECURITIES
MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT, ARE RESTRICTED AS TO TRANSFERABILITY, AND
MAY NOT BE SOLD, , HYPOTHECATED, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION AND QUALIFICATION PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE
FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR APPLICABLE EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM."
Section 3.7 Stockholder Access to Information. The Stockholder hereby
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confirms and represents that he/she: (a) has been afforded the opportunity to
ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of Berens concerning
the business and financial condition, properties, operations and prospects of
Berens and has asked such questions as he/she desires to ask and all such
questions have been answered to the full satisfaction of the Stockholder; (b)
has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be
capable of evaluating the relative merits and risks of the transactions
contemplated hereby; (c) has had an opportunity to engage and is represented by
an attorney of his/her choice; (d) has had an opportunity to negotiate the terms
and conditions of this Agreement; (e) has been given adequate time to evaluate
the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated hereby; and (f) has been
provided with and given an opportunity to review all SEC filings available on
www.sec.gov.
Section 3.8 Disclosure. To the best of the Stockholder's knowledge, no
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representation or warranty of the Stockholder contained in this Agreement
(including the exhibits and schedules hereto) contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
Section 3.9 Indemnification by Stockholder The Stockholder recognizes
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that the Exchange being conducted with Berens is based, to a material degree,
upon the representations and warranties of Stockholder as set forth and
contained herein and the Stockholder hereby agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless Berens against all damages, costs, or expenses (including reasonable
attorney's fees) arising as a result of any breach of representation or warranty
or omission made herein by the Stockholder.
If any action is brought against Berens in respect of which indemnity may
be sought against the Stockholder pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, Berens
shall promptly notify the Stockholder in writing of the institution of such
action (but the omission to so notify the Stockholder shall not relieve it from
any liability that it may have to Berens except to the extent the Stockholder is
materially prejudiced or otherwise forfeit substantive rights or defenses by
reason of such failure), and the Stockholder shall assume the defense of such
action, including the employment of counsel to be chosen by the Stockholder to
be reasonably satisfactory to Berens, and payment of expenses. Berens shall
have the right to employ the Stockholder's or their own counsel in any such
case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at Berens expense,
unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by
the Stockholder in connection with the defense of such action, or the
Stockholder shall not have employed counsel to take charge of the defense of
such action, or counsel employed by the Stockholder shall not be diligently
defending such action, or Berens shall have reasonably concluded that there may
be defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those
available to the Stockholder, or that representation of Berens by the same
counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional
conduct due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in which
case the Stockholder shall not have the right to direct the defense of such
action on behalf of Berens), in any of which event such fees and expenses shall
be borne by the Stockholder. Anything in this paragraph to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Stockholder shall not be liable for any settlement of, or
any expenses incurred with respect to, any such claim or action effected without
the Stockholder's written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The Stockholder shall not, without the prior written consent of
Berens effect any settlement of any proceeding in respect of which Berens is a
party and indemnity has been sought hereunder unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of Berens from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceeding.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SOLIS
Solis hereby represents and warrants to Berens as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization and Capitalization. Solis is a corporation
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duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Texas, with full power and authority and all necessary governmental and
regulatory licenses, permits and authorizations to carry on the businesses in
which it is engaged, to own the properties that it owns currently and will own
at the Closing. Solis is qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to qualify would have a
material adverse effect on the business, properties or condition (financial or
otherwise) of Solis. Solis does not have any subsidiaries or any other
investments or ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture
or other business enterprise. The authorized capital stock of Solis consists of
100,000 shares of common stock of which 100,000 shares are validly issued and
outstanding. There are no shares of preferred stock of Solis authorized or
outstanding. All of such issued and outstanding shares of Solis Stock have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. The
Stockholders own 100% of the capital stock of Solis. None of the shares were
issued in violation of any preemptive rights. There are no existing warrants,
options, rights of first refusal, conversion rights, calls, commitments or other
agreements of any character pursuant to which Solis is or may become obligated
to issue any of its stock or securities. Solis has no obligation to repurchase,
reacquire or redeem any of its outstanding capital stock.
Section 4.2 At the time of the Closing, Solis will own and have at
least $255,000.00 in cash and other tangible assets as set forth on Schedule
4.2.
Section 4.3 Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings,
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formal or informal, pending or, to the best knowledge of Solis, threatened
against Solis, nor is Solis subject to any order, judgment or decree, except in
all cases, whether known or unknown.
Section 4.4 Taxes. Solis has filed all federal tax returns and reports
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due or required to be filed, and has paid all taxes, interest payments and
penalties, if any, required to be paid with respect thereto. Solis has made
adequate provision for the payment of all taxes accruable for all periods ending
on or before the Closing Date to any taxing authority and is not delinquent in
the payment of any material tax or governmental charge of any nature.
Section 4.5 Compliance with Laws. Solis is, and at all times prior to
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the date hereof has been, to the best of its knowledge, in compliance with all
statutes, orders, rules, and regulations applicable to it or to the ownership of
its assets or the operation of its business, except for failures to be in
compliance that would not have a material adverse effect on the business,
properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Solis, and Solis
has no basis to expect to receive, and has not received, any order or notice of
any such violation or claim of violation of any such statute, order, rule,
ordinance or regulation.
Section 4.6 Books and Records. The books of account, minute books,
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stock record books and other records of Solis, all of which have been made
available to Berens, are accurate and complete in all material respects and have
been maintained in accordance with sound business practices.
Section 4.7 Title to Properties; Encumbrances. Solis has good title to
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all of its properties and assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible,
that are material to the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
operations or prospects of Solis, free and clear of all mortgages, claims,
liens, security interests, charges, leases, encumbrances and other restrictions
of any kind and nature, except (i) as disclosed in the financial statements of
Solis, (ii) statutory liens not yet delinquent, and (iii) such liens consisting
of zoning or planning restrictions, imperfections of title, easements, pledges,
charges and encumbrances, if any, as do not materially detract from the value or
materially interfere with the present use of the property or assets subject
thereto or affected thereby.
Section 4.8 Disclosure. To the best of Solis's knowledge, no
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representation or warranty of Solis contained in this Agreement (including the
exhibits and schedules hereto) contains any untrue statement or omits to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
Section 4.9 Employee Benefit Plans . Solis is not a party to any
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employee benefit plan.
Section 4.10 No Pending Transactions . Except for the transactions
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contemplated by this Agreement, Solis is not a party to or bound by or the
subject of any agreement, undertaking, commitment or discussions or negotiations
with any person that could result in (i) the sale, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of Solis or any of its Subsidiaries or material investees,
(ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Solis or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (iii) a change of control of more than five percent of the
outstanding capital stock of Solis or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 4.11 Indemnification by Solis. Solis recognizes that the
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Exchange being conducted with Berens is based, to a material degree, upon the
representations and warranties of Solis as set forth and contained herein and
Solis hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Berens against all damages,
costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising as a result of
any breach of representation or warranty or omission made herein by Solis.
If any action is brought against Berens in respect of which indemnity may
be sought against Solis pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, Berens shall
promptly notify Solis in writing of the institution of such action (but the
omission to so notify Solis shall not relieve it from any liability that it may
have to Berens except to the extent Solis is materially prejudiced or otherwise
forfeit substantive rights or defenses by reason of such failure), and Solis
shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel to
be chosen by Solis to be reasonably satisfactory to Berens, and payment of
expenses. Berens shall have the right to employ Solis' or their own counsel in
any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at Berens
expense, unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in
writing by Solis in connection with the defense of such action, or Solis shall
not have employed counsel to take charge of the defense of such action, or
counsel employed by Solis shall not be diligently defending such action, or
Berens shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to
it which are different from or additional to those available to Solis, or that
representation of Berens by the same counsel would be inappropriate under
applicable standards of professional conduct due to actual or potential
differing interests between them (in which case Solis shall not have the right
to direct the defense of such action on behalf of Berens), in any of which event
such fees and expenses shall be borne by Solis. Anything in this paragraph to
the contrary notwithstanding, Solis shall not be liable for any settlement of,
or any expenses incurred with respect to, any such claim or action effected
without Solis' written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. Solis shall not, without the prior written consent of Berens effect
any settlement of any proceeding in respect of which Berens is a party and
indemnity has been sought hereunder unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of Berens from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceeding.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BERENS AND
MR. MARC IVAN BERENS
Berens, and Mr. Marc Ivan Berens ("Mr. Berens") as a control person of
Berens, hereby represent and warrant to the Stockholders as follows:
Section 5.1 Organization and Capitalization. Berens is a corporation
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duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Nevada, with full power and authority and all necessary governmental
and regulatory licenses, permits and authorizations to carry on the businesses
in which it is engaged, to own the properties that it owns currently and will
own at the Closing, and to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Berens
is qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the failure to qualify would have a material adverse
effect on the business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of
Berens. Berens does not have any subsidiaries or any other investments or
ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
business enterprise, except as set forth in Schedule 5.1. Immediately prior to
the Closing Date the authorized capital stock of Berens consists of (i)
50,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of which
26,143,495 shares are validly issued and outstanding, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares
of preferred stock $.001 par value per share, none of which are issued and
outstanding. All of such issued and outstanding shares of the stock of Berens
have been and all of the shares of Berens Stock to be issued hereby will be, at
the Closing, duly authorized and validly issued and are and will be at the
Closing fully paid and non-assessable. None of the shares that were issued and
none of the shares to be issued hereby will be in violation of any preemptive
rights. Berens has no obligation to repurchase, reacquire or redeem any of its
outstanding capital stock. There are no outstanding Berens derivative
securities (options, warrants, convertibles, rights and the like).
Section 5.2 Subsidiaries. Artmovement.com, Inc., Auctionzplus.com,
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Inc. and Berensgallery.com, Inc., all of which are Nevada corporations, are the
only subsidiaries. All of the outstanding capital stock of, or other ownership
interests in, each Subsidiary is owned by Berens, directly or indirectly, free
and clear of any lien or any other limitation or limitation or restriction
(including restrictions on the right to vote). All outstanding shares of the
capital stock of any Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued
and are fully paid and non-assessable and are free of any preemptive rights.
There are no outstanding securities of any Subsidiary convertible into or
evidencing the right to purchase or subscribe for any shares of capital stock of
any Subsidiary, there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, calls,
subscriptions, rights, commitments or any other agreements of any character
obligating any Subsidiary to issue any shares of its capital stock or any
securities convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase or subscribe for
any shares of such stock, and there are no agreements or understandings with
respect to the voting, sale, transfer or registration of any shares of capital
stock of any Subsidiary.
Section 5.3 Authorization. All corporate action on the part of Berens
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necessary for the authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Berens has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing.
Berens has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Berens, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Berens, enforceable
against Berens in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, and other laws of general application relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equitable principles.
Section 5.4 Litigation. There are no claims, actions, suits or
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proceedings, formal or informal, pending or, to the best knowledge of Berens or
Mr. Berens, threatened against Berens, nor is Berens subject to any order,
judgment or decree.
Section 5.5 SEC Reports. During the last twelve months, Berens has
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filed with the SEC all of the reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant
to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Berens has
filed with the SEC, its Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000, and
its Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. To the best of Berens and
Mr. Berens knowledge, as of their respective dates, the SEC Filings did not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Section 5.6 Taxes. Except for 941 payroll taxes of approximately
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$86,000, Berens has filed all federal, state or local tax returns and reports
due or required to be filed and has paid all taxes, interest payments and
penalties, if any, required to be paid with respect thereto, and has made
adequate provision for the payment of all taxes accruable for all periods ending
on or before the Closing Date to any taxing authority and is not delinquent in
the payment of any material tax or governmental charge of any nature.
Section 5.7 Financial Information. Berens has delivered to the
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Stockholders the audited balance sheet of Berens as of December 31, 2000,
together with the related statements of income, changes in shareholder's equity
and cash flow for the years then ended, including the related notes, all
certified by Ham, Langston & Brezina, certified public accountants. In
addition, Berens has delivered to the Stockholders its interim unaudited
financial statements as filed with the SEC for the three month periods ended
March 31, 2001 (the audited and unaudited balance sheet and interim financial
statements are collectively referred to the as the "Financial Statements").
Such Financial Statements, including the related notes, are in accordance with
the books and records of Berens and fairly present the financial position of
Berens and the results of operations and changes in financial position of Berens
as of the dates and for the periods indicated, in each case in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. Except
as, and to the extent reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements,
Berens as of the date of the financial statements has no material liability or
obligation of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, continued or otherwise, not
fully reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements. As of the
Closing Date, except as set forth in Schedule 5.7, there will not have been any
adverse change in the financial condition or other operations, business,
properties or assets of Berens from that reflected in the latest financial
statements of Berens furnished to the Stockholders pursuant hereto.
Section 5.8 Compliance with Laws. Berens is, and at all times prior to
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the date hereof has been, to the best of Berens and Mr. Berens knowledge, in
compliance with all statutes, orders, rules, ordinances and regulations
applicable to it or to the ownership of its assets or the operation of its
businesses, except for failures to be in compliance that would not have a
material adverse effect on the business, properties, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of Berens and Berens and Mr. Berens have no basis to
expect, nor has received, any order or notice of any such violation or claim of
violation of any such statute, order, rule, ordinance or regulation.
Section 5.9 Title to Properties; Encumbrances. Berens has good and
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marketable title to all of its properties and assets, real and personal,
tangible and intangible, that are material to the condition (financial or
otherwise), business, operations or prospects of Berens, free and clear of all
mortgages, claims, liens, security interests, charges, leases, encumbrances and
other restrictions of any kind and nature, except (i) as disclosed in the
Financial Statements of Berens, (ii) statutory liens not yet delinquent, and
(iii) such liens consisting of zoning or planning restrictions, imperfections of
title, easements, pledges, charges and encumbrances, if any, as do not
materially detract from the value or materially interfere with the present use
of the property or assets subject thereto or affected thereby.
Section 5.10 Disclosure. To the best of Berens and Mr. Berens
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knowledge, no representation or warranty of Berens or Mr. Berens contained in
this Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules hereto) contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Section 5.11 No Default. The execution, delivery and performance of
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this Agreement by Berens does not and will not constitute a violation or default
under or conflict with any contract, agreement, understanding or commitment to
which it is a party or by which it is bound or the Certificate of Incorporation
or By-Laws of Berens or any statute, regulation, law, ordinance, judgment,
decree, writ, injunction, order or ruling of any government entity, except that
there will not be a sufficient number of shares of Berens common stock
authorized if all shares of the preferred stock issued in the transaction
contemplated hereby are converted.
Section 5.12 Material Agreements; Action. Except for the debt of
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approximately $33,000 owed to Yolana Berens, there are no material contracts,
agreements, commitments, understandings or proposed transactions, whether
written or oral, to which Berens or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which it is bound that involve or relate to: (i) any of their respective
officers, directors, stockholders or partners or any Affiliate thereof; (ii) the
sale of any of the assets of Berens or any of its Subsidiaries other than in the
ordinary course of business; (iii) covenants of Berens or any of its
Subsidiaries not to compete in any line of business or with any person in any
geographical area or covenants of any other person not to compete with Berens or
any of its Subsidiaries in any line of business or in any geographical area;
(iv) the acquisition by Solis or any of its Subsidiaries of any operating
business or the capital stock of any other Person; (v) the borrowing of money or
(vi) the expenditure of more than $25,000 in the aggregate or the performance
by Berens or any Subsidiary extending for a period more than one year from the
date hereof, other than in the ordinary course of business. There have been
made available to Solis and its representatives true and complete copies of all
such agreements. All such agreements are in full force and effect. Neither
Berens nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any such agreements nor
is any other party to any such agreements in default thereunder in any respect.
Section 5.13 Pending Claims. There is no claim, suit, action or
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proceeding, whether judicial, administrative or otherwise, pending or, to the
Berens and Mr. Berens knowledge, threatened that would preclude or restrict the
transfer to the Stockholders of the Berens Stock or the performance of this
Agreement by Berens.
Section 5.14 Insurance . Berens and its Subsidiaries maintain adequate
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insurance with respect to their respective businesses and are in compliance with
all material requirements and provisions thereof.
Section 5.15 Employee Benefit Plans . Berens is not a party to any
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employee benefit plan.
Section 5.16 No Pending Transactions . Except for the transactions
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contemplated by this Agreement, neither Berens nor any Subsidiary is a party to
or bound by or the subject of any agreement, undertaking, commitment or
discussions or negotiations with any person that could result in (i) the sale,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of Berens or any Subsidiary, (ii) the
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Berens or any Subsidiary, or
(iii) a change of control of more than five percent of the outstanding capital
stock of Berens or any Subsidiary.
Section 5.17 No Undisclosed Liabilities . To the best of Berens and
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Mr. Berens knowledge, neither Berens nor or any Subsidiary has any obligation
or liability (contingent or otherwise) that would be required to be reflected in
the financial statements of the Company in accordance with GAAP except as
reflected in Berens Balance Sheet, in Schedule 5.7, or incurred in the ordinary
course of business in an amount not in excess of $7,500.
Section 5.18 Indemnification by Berens and Mr. Berens. Berens and Mr.
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Berens recognize that the Exchange being conducted with the Stockholders is
based, to a material degree, upon the representations and warranties of Berens
and Mr. Berens as set forth and contained herein and Berens and Mr. Berens
(collectively the "Indemnifying Parties") hereby agree to jointly and severally
indemnify and hold harmless the Stockholders against all damages, costs, or
expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising as a result of any
breach of representation or warranty or omission made herein by the Indemnifying
Parties.
If any action is brought against Solis or the Stockholders (collectively
the "Indemnified Parties") in respect of which indemnity may be sought against
the Indemnifying Parties pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, the Indemnified
Parties shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Parties in writing of the
institution of such action (but the omission to so notify the Indemnifying
Parties shall not relieve the Indemnifying Parties from any liability that the
Indemnifying Parties may have to such Indemnified Parties except to the extent
the Indemnifying Parties are materially prejudiced or otherwise forfeit
substantive rights or defenses by reason of such failure), and the Indemnifying
Parties shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment of
counsel to be chosen by the Indemnifying Parties to be reasonably satisfactory
to the Indemnified Parties, and payment of expenses. The Indemnified Parties
shall have the right to employ the Indemnifying Parties counsel, or the
Indemnified Parties' own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the Indemnified Party's expense, unless the employment
of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the Indemnifying
Parties in connection with the defense of such action, or the Indemnifying
Parties shall not have employed counsel to take charge of the defense of such
action, or counsel employed by the Indemnifying Parties shall not be diligently
defending such action, or the Indemnified Parties shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be defenses available to it which are different from or
additional to those available to the Indemnifying Parties, or that
representation of such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Parties by the
same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional
conduct due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in which
case the Indemnifying Parties shall not have the right to direct the defense of
such action on behalf of the Indemnified Parties), in any of which event such
fees and expenses shall been borne by the Indemnifying Parties. Anything in
this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, the Indemnifying Parties shall
not be liable for any settlement of, or any expenses incurred with respect to,
any such claim or action effected without the Indemnifying Parties' written
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Indemnifying
Parties shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Parties
effect any settlement of any proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified
Parties is a party and indemnity has been sought hereunder unless such
settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Parties from
all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
ARTICLE VI
CLOSING; DELIVERY
Section 6.1(a) Closing Documents of the Stockholders. The obligations of
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Berens to effect the transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the
delivery by the Stockholders at Closing of certificates evidencing their Solis
Stock duly endorsed for transfer by the Stockholders to Berens as contemplated
by this Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for Berens.
Section 6.1(b) Closing Documents of Berens. The obligations of the
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Stockholders to effect the transactions contemplated hereby are subject to
Berens delivering to the Stockholders either (i) certificates evidencing Berens
Stock, duly executed for issuance by Berens to the Stockholders as contemplated
by this Agreement or (ii) letter of instructions from a duly authorized officer
of Berens to American Registrar & Transfer (Berens's transfer agent),
instructing the transfer agent to duly issue stock certificates evidencing the
shares of Berens Stock to the Stockholders, all as contemplated by this
Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Stockholders.
Section 6.1(c) Conditions to the Obligations of Berens and the
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Stockholders. The obligations of Berens and the Stockholders to effect the
transactions contemplated hereby are further subject to the following condition:
(i) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or any
governmental or regulatory authority shall have been commenced or threatened,
and no investigation by any governmental or regulatory authority shall have been
commenced or threatened, seeking to restrain, prevent or challenge the
transactions contemplated hereby or seeking judgments against Berens or the
Stockholders.
(ii) The representations and warranties of Berens, the Stockholders and
Mr. Berens set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects on the Closing Date.
(iii) Berens, the Stockholders and Mr. Berens shall have performed and
complied with all agreements, obligations, covenants and conditions required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with on or prior to the Closing Date.
(iv) The parties shall have received corporate resolutions of the Board
of Directors of Berens, certified by an officer of Berens, which approves the
transactions contemplated herein and authorizes the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein to which it
is or is to be a party dated as of the Closing Date.
(v) The Board of Directors of Berens shall have appointed one
additional director to its Board of Directors.
(vi) The following related transactions or events shall have taken
place prior to Closing:
(a) Yolana Partnership Ltd. shall have executed a letter containing
instructions to cancel certificate #1948 in the amount of
7,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the stock redemption
agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "C";
(a) The Escrow Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "D" shall have
been executed;
(b) Marc Berens resigns as a director of Berens;
(c) Robert Davis shall be appointed as a director of Berens; and
(d) Yolana Partnership Ltd. shall have entered into a letter
agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "E".
ARTICLE VII
POST CLOSING COVENANTS
Shareholders Meeting. Immediately subsequent to the Closing of the
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transactions contemplated herein Berens covenants and agrees that it will take
all steps necessary to call and conduct and Meeting of Shareholders for the
purpose of (i) changing its name, (ii) election of directors to its Board of
Directors, and (iii) authorizing a 1 for 5 reverse stock split of its shares of
common stock outstanding.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Notices. All notices and other communications provided
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for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given to
the following persons, if delivered personally or sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or overnight air
courier guaranteeing next day delivery:
(a) If to Berens:
Marc Berens
701 N. Post Oak Rd., Suite 350
Houston, Texas 77024
With a copy to:
Thomas L. Pritchard
Brewer & Pritchard
Three Riverway, 18th Floor
Houston, Texas 77056
If to Mr. Berens:
Marc Berens
701 N. Post Oak Rd., Suite 350
Houston, Texas 77024
With a copy to:
Thomas L. Pritchard
Brewer & Pritchard
Three Riverway, 18th Floor
Houston, Texas 77056
(b) If to the Stockholders, to:
The addresses listed on Exhibit A, attached hereto.
With a copy to:
Robert D. Axelrod
Axelrod, Smith & Kirshbaum
5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77007
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within
the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
Section 8.2 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
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interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties
without the prior written consent of the other parties, which consent will not
be unreasonably withheld. This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective heirs,
personal representatives, successors and assigns.
Section 8.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
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of counterparts, which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument and each of which shall be considered an original for all purposes.
Section 8.4 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this
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Agreement are for convenient reference only and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 8.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the documents to be
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executed hereunder and the exhibits and schedules attached hereto constitute the
entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter
hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and
discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties pertaining to the subject
matter hereof, and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements
among the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof except as
specifically set forth herein or in documents delivered pursuant hereto. No
supplement, amendment, alteration, modification, waiver or termination of this
Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto.
All of the exhibits and schedules referred to in this Agreement are hereby
incorporated into this Agreement by reference and constitute a part of this
Agreement.
Section 8.6 Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
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provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect.
Section 8.7 Survival. The respective representations, warranties,
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covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Closing
for a period of two (2) years from the execution hereof.
Section 8.8 Public Announcements. The parties hereto agree that prior
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to making any public announcement or statement with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the party desiring to make such public
announcement or statement shall consult with the other parties hereto and
exercise their best efforts to (i) agree upon the text of a joint public
announcement or statement to be made by all of such parties or (ii) obtain
approval of the other parties hereto to the text of a public announcement or
statement to be made solely by the party desiring to make such public
announcement; provided, however, that if any party hereto is required by law to
make such public announcement or statement, then such announcement or statement
may be made without the approval of the other parties.
Section 8.9 Gender. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement shall
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include the other genders, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter
gender, and the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, whenever
appropriate.
Section 8.10 Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
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construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to
principles of conflict of laws.
Section 8.11 Costs and Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall each
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pay their own respective fees and disbursements incurred in connection with this
Agreement.
[Signatures Appear On The Next Page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused this
Agreement to be executed effective as of the day and year first above written.
Berens Industries, Inc.
By:
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/s/ Marc Berens, President
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/s/ Mr. Marc Berens, individually
STOCKHOLDERS:
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/s/ Robert Davis
Address:
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/s/ Jeff Olexa
Address:
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/s/ Manfred Sternberg
Address:
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