Registration of Securities Issued in a Business-Combination Transaction — Form S-4
Filing Table of Contents
Document/Exhibit Description Pages Size
1: S-4 Registration of Securities Issued in a 138 825K
Business-Combination Transaction
2: EX-2.1 Exhibit 2.1 Merger Agreement 102 369K
3: EX-2.2 Exhibit 2.2 Amendment to Merger Agreement 5 28K
4: EX-2.3 Exhibit 2.3 Articles of Merger 4 24K
5: EX-2.4 Exhibit 2.4 Stock Purchase Agreement 4/22/97 30 119K
6: EX-2.6 Exhibit 2.6 Asset Purchase Agreement 4/25/97 124 395K
7: EX-2.7 Exhibit 2.7 Asset Purchase Agreement 4/17/96 67 222K
8: EX-2.8 Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement 4/26/96 9 37K
9: EX-3.1 Certificate of Amended and Restated of Inc. 4 23K
10: EX-3.2 Exhibit 3.2 By-Laws 4 25K
11: EX-4.1 Exhibit 4.1 Indenture 105 465K
12: EX-4.3 Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement 19 85K
13: EX-4.4 Exhibit 4.4 Global Note 14 61K
14: EX-10.1 Exhibit 10.1 Distribution Agreement 18 62K
23: EX-10.10 Exhibit 10.10 Term Note (5/21/97)(First Source Fin 4 26K
24: EX-10.11 Exhibit 10.11 Term Note (5/21/97) Nationsbank 4 26K
25: EX-10.12 Exhibit 10.12 Acquisition Note(Bankboston) 4 27K
26: EX-10.13 Exhibit 10.13 Acquisition Note (First Source Fin) 4 27K
27: EX-10.14 Exhibit 10.14 Acquisition Note (Southtrust) 4 27K
28: EX-10.15 Exhibit 10.15 Acquisition Note(Nationsbank) 4 27K
29: EX-10.16 Exhibit 10.16 Credit Agreement 250 877K
30: EX-10.17 Exhibit 10.17 Guarantee and Collateral Agreement 59 225K
31: EX-10.18 Exhibit 10.18 Consent and Release of Lenders 9 31K
32: EX-10.19 Exhibit 10.19 Consent and Release of Pnc 5 30K
15: EX-10.2 Exhibit 10.2 License Agreement 11 46K
33: EX-10.20 Exhibit 10.20 Statement of Understanding 23 76K
34: EX-10.21 Supp #1 to Statement of Understanding 5/31/89 3 21K
35: EX-10.22 Supp #2 to Statement of Understanding 11/27/90 2 21K
36: EX-10.23 Supp #3 to Statement of Understanding 11/18/92 2 21K
37: EX-10.24 Supp #4 to Statement of Understanding 11/9/94 2 21K
38: EX-10.25 Supp #5 to Statement of Understanding 1/16/97 2 21K
39: EX-10.26 Statement of Understanding 1/28/88 Merrick 12 55K
40: EX-10.27 Joint Venture Agreement (Mfa) 24 67K
41: EX-10.28 Joint Venture Agreement (J.R. Simplot) 31 112K
42: EX-10.29 Joint Venture Agreement (Flint River) 20 86K
16: EX-10.3 Exhibit 10.3 Guaranty Agreement 6 31K
43: EX-10.30 Statement of Understanding (8/10/93) (Phelps) 22 69K
44: EX-10.31 Purchase Agreement (5/16/97) 29 129K
45: EX-10.32 Trademark License and Option Agreement 27 93K
46: EX-10.33 Trademark License Agreement 11 46K
47: EX-10.34 License Agreement 12 50K
48: EX-10.35 Transition Storage and Handling Agreement 9 38K
49: EX-10.36 Transition Services Agreement 13 52K
50: EX-10.37 Lease Agreement (W. Fred Williams) 24 102K
51: EX-10.38 Lease Agreement (Eastpark) 24 101K
52: EX-10.39 Software License Agreement 4 24K
17: EX-10.4 Exhibit 10.4 Memorandum of Agreement 7 44K
53: EX-10.40 Employment (Dale) 8 45K
54: EX-10.41 Employment Agreement (Gadd) 8 45K
55: EX-10.42 Employment Agreement (Cowan) 8 45K
56: EX-10.43 Employment Agreement (Oakley) 8 45K
57: EX-10.44 Amended and Restated Management Services Agreement 5 32K
58: EX-10.45 Agreement (Windy & Bruckmann) 3 21K
59: EX-10.46 Exhibit 10.46 (Whpf, Windy & Bruckman) Agreement 3 20K
18: EX-10.5 Exhibit 10.5 Assignment of Trademarks 11 47K
19: EX-10.6 Exhibit 10.6 Employee Benefits Agreements 1 17K
20: EX-10.7 Exhibit 10.7 Disbursing Agreement 21 79K
21: EX-10.8 Exhibit 10.8 Term Note (5/21/97) (Bankboston) 4 26K
22: EX-10.9 Exhibit 10.9 Term Note (5/21/97) (Southtrust) 4 27K
60: EX-12.1 Statement of Computation of Ratios 1 17K
61: EX-25.1 Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 30 103K
62: EX-99.1 Form of Exchange Agent Agreement 14 55K
63: EX-99.2 Form of Letter of Transmittal 8 41K
64: EX-99.3 Form of Notice of Guarantee Delivery 3 22K
EX-10.26 — Statement of Understanding 1/28/88 Merrick
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January 28, 1988
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
REGARDING PET FOOD JOINT VENTURE
1. Parties. The parties to this Agreement are Merrick Pet Foods, a
division of Hereford Bi-Products, Inc., Highway 60 and FM 2943, Hereford, Texas
79045, a Texas corporation ("Merrick"), and Hubbard Milling Company, P.O. Box
8500, 424 North Riverfront Drive, Mankato, Minnesota 56001, a Minnesota
corporation ("Hubbard").
2. Supplements. This document summarizes the result of discussions between
the parties. The parties anticipate that this Agreement may be modified and
supplemented in the future. In particular, it is contemplated that the
Management Committee, as hereinafter defined, will periodically review and make
recommendations to the parties with respect to provisions relating to the amount
of reimbursable expenses and the price of products sold. Such changes and
additions if mutually acceptable will be in writing and will be prepared and
executed as supplements to this Statement of Understanding.
3. Representations. Each party to this Agreement represents and warrants
to the other that it is authorized to enter into this Agreement. Merrick and
Hubbard will at all times provide the other with all information relevant to the
venture contemplated hereby. Each party to this Agreement also represents and
warrants to the other that there are no suits or proceedings pending or
threatened against it, other than litigation that is immaterial to the
respective parties and the venture contemplated hereby and that such party has
all permits, licenses and authorizations, governmental or otherwise, necessary
to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated by
it.
4. Businesses of Hereford Bi-Products and Hubbard. HBP is an agribusiness
company with, among other facilities, production plants that process dead beef
stock, produce feed ingredients and manufacture pet food for the pet food and
greyhound industry. Its primary production plant and headquarters are located
along Highway 60 and FM 2943 in Hereford, Texas. Hubbard is also an agribusiness
company with, among other things, interests in the manufacturing, marketing and
production of pet food at various plants located in the United States.
5. Formation of Joint Venture; Purpose; Other Activities. Hubbard and
Merrick hereby agree to form a joint venture (the "Venture") for the purpose of
engaging in the manufacturing, marketing and production of pet food at a
facility (the "Facility") owned by Merrick and located along Highway 60 and FM
2943 in Hereford, Texas. The Facility as used herein refers to the recently
built extrusion portion of Merrick's operation and does not include any portion
of Merrick's operations presently used for meat processing for the pet food
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industry. It is agreed that Merrick shall be principally responsible for
purchasing ingredients, manufacturing pet food products pursuant to Hubbard's
formulations and specifications and warehousing inventories of ingredients,
packaging and finished product. Hubbard shall be principally responsible for
sales and marketing, customer contacts, purchasing packaging and specialty
ingredients and pet food formulations. Additional products and activities may be
added as may be agreed from time to time between Merrick and Hubbard. It is
recognized that both Merrick and Hubbard have separate businesses which are
intended to co-exist with the Venture. Some of these separate businesses have
and will compete with the activity of the Venture. Orders for existing customers
being serviced from the Hereford plant can not be transferred to other Hubbard
plants without approval of the Management Committee. Orders for new customers
within a 500 mile radius of Hereford will be serviced from the Hereford or
Hubbard plants based on economic analysis of the Management Committee.
6. Management Committee. The parties agree that policy and management
decisions relating to the Venture shall be made by a committee (the "Management
Committee") consisting of one representative of each of Hubbard and Merrick.
Each party will designate a representative who will serve on the Management
Committee and one alternate who shall act in the absence of such representation.
Until further notice, these representatives will be Garth Merrick with Dan
Scanlon as alternate, for Merrick, and Paul Holzhueter with Michael Mitchell as
alternate, for Hubbard. Each party may, by written notice to the other,
designate a substitute representative or alternate.
7. Services to be Provided by Merrick.
(a) Start up Facility; Purchase of Additional Equipment. The Facility
owned by Merrick is a start-up facility that needs certain work to be completed
and improvements necessary to manufacture Hubbard pet food products. In
connection therewith, Merrick will, at its sole expense, provide the following:
(i) A liquid flavor application system along with provisions for feeding
this system from barrels;
(ii) Installation and start-up of small bag packaging equipment which has
already been ordered by Merrick;
(iii) Additional warehouse space as needed by the Venture (this space can
be rented, alternative warehouse space presently owned by Merrick or
a new warehouse to be built, but in all cases the warehouse space
provided must meet Hubbard's quality specifications and all costs of
providing such warehouse space, whether rented or built will be
borne by Merrick and not chargeable to the Venture as a
manufacturing expense); and
(iv) A dry flavor application system to apply such items as gravy dust,
milk coating, dry digest, etc.
Such additions will be the property of Merrick. Other acquisitions of
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equipment by or for the use of the Venture shall be made in accordance with
paragraph 13.
(b) Purchasing of Packaging and Ingredients. Merrick shall be responsible
for purchasing directly from ingredient suppliers approved by Hubbard quality
ingredients meeting Hubbard's specifications. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, Merrick shall have the right to specify sources of ingredients,
including premixes, that are used solely and specifically in Merrick's branded
label products; provided, however, that to the extent separate storage is
required, the use of these specific ingredients for Merrick's products shall not
limit, impair or in any manner effect the Venture's efficient use of all
ingredients necessary for the balance of the product line as interpreted by the
Management Committee. Merrick will maintain all title and interest in the
ingredients until the finished product is sold by the Venture. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Hubbard agrees to use its purchasing power to buy ingredients if
Hubbard can purchase such ingredients at a lower cost than Merrick; provided,
however, that in any such event, invoices shall, if acceptable to the vendor, be
sent directly to Merrick and paid by Merrick when due, or if such arrangement is
not acceptable to the vendor, Merrick will promptly repurchase such ingredients
from Hubbard at Hubbard's cost within 15 days after receipt of invoice, Merrick
will also pay for when due, or repurchase from Hubbard, F.0.B. Hereford, Texas,
15 days after receipt of an invoice from Hubbard, at Hubbard's cost, as the
case may be, all packaging and specialty ingredients purchased by Hubbard for
the Venture pursuant to paragraph 8(c) and will maintain all title and interest
in such packaging and specialty ingredients purchased from Hubbard until the
finished product is sold by the Venture.
(c) Manufacturing of Pet Food. Merrick will manufacture quality pet food
products for the Venture pursuant to Hubbard's formulations and specifications
and will use its best efforts to control its cost of manufacturing consistent
with Hubbard's standard of quality. In connection therewith, Merrick will make
available the use of all equipment owned by Merrick necessary for the production
of dry extruded pet food, the use of Merrick's employees engaged in the
production of dry extruded pet food and of other employees engaged in support
and management services as necessary for the Venture's production of dry
extruded pet food. Merrick shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Venture for
all actual expenses related to the cost of manufacturing, provided, however,
that such expenses shall not include depreciation or insurance costs (other than
product liability and worker's compensation insurance as provided in paragraph
17). The aggregate amount of all manufacturing expenses shall not exceed $30.00
per sellable ton of pet food for a period of two years (subject to periodic
adjustment for inflation as determined by the Management Committee) after the
effective date hereof, after which actual costs will be used. In addition to
reimbursable manufacturing expenses, Merrick shall be entitled to be reimbursed
by the Venture for general and administrative expenses as approved by the
Management Committee.
(d) Storage of Ingredients and Finished Products. Merrick will maintain
and store at its expense an inventory of packaging and ingredients and an
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inventory of finished products adequate to satisfy purchase orders obtained by
Hubbard from customers.
(e) Customer Service. Merrick shall make every effort to satisfy customer
requests as to delivery, customer pick-up and other related courtesies required
to satisfy the needs of customers. In connection therewith, Merrick shall
maintain an adequate supply of Hubbard pet food products which are not
manufactured at the Facility sufficient to satisfy anticipated customer demands,
including without limitation, treats, canned pet foods, semi-moist products and
other dry pet food products. Such products will be sold by Hubbard to Merrick,
F.O.B. Hereford, Texas, at a price of $25.00 per ton under the Venture's selling
price (subject to periodic adjustments for inflation as determined by the
Management Committee) and resold by Merrick as needed by the Venture (or at such
time as such Products become outdated, if later) to the Venture at Merrick's
cost (i.e. the price paid by Merrick to Hubbard). Such products shall be paid
for within 60 days after receipt of an invoice from Hubbard. Upon payment,
Merrick will maintain all title and interest in such products until sold to the
Venture.
(f) Quality Assurance. Merrick shall be responsible for performing the
following activities in accordance with quality control standards established by
Hubbard: (i) purchasing proper ingredients; (ii) maintaining quality standards
on the Facility and on products manufactured at the Facility, including
implementing sanitation policies and programs; and (iii) taking samples,
inventory control and maintaining plant production records necessary for quality
control. Merrick shall be entitled to charge the Venture for quality assurance
services that are normally performed during the manufacturing of pet foods (i.e.
technician work); provided, however, that such expenses shall constitute
manufacturing expenses for purposes of paragraph 7(c).
(g) Purchase of Products. Merrick will purchase all its dry extruded
branded label products exclusively from the Venture. The Venture will charge
Merrick $25.00 per ton over its cost for such products based on extruder output
(subject to periodic adjustments for inflation as determined by the Management
Committee). Merrick shall bear all costs related to the sales and marketing of
all Merrick branded label products. The Management Committee will review new
products marketed by either Hubbard or Merrick that will be produced by the
Venture to determine that they do not cause a negative economic impact on the
Venture.
8. Services to be Provided by Hubbard.
(a) Sales and Marketing. Hubbard agrees that, while this Agreement remains
in effect, it will use reasonable efforts to produce orders from customers for
pet food for production at the Facility (along with Merrick products that
Hubbard agrees to sell through the Venture), so long as such pet food can be
produced most economically at the Facility, is of a quality satisfactory to
Hubbard and can be produced consistent with Hubbard's requirements for delivery,
customer pick-up and other related customer courtesies. Attached as Exhibit I
hereto is a schedule of projected sales by the Venture for 1988
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and 1989 developed by the parties. Said Exhibit is attached hereto for
informational purposes only and the parties acknowledge that the figures in
Exhibit 1 and any projections hereafter developed are projections only and in no
way represent any commitment by either Hubbard or Merrick that the sales of the
Venture will meet such projections. All first orders from customers of the
Venture shall be subject to credit approval by the Management Committee of the
Venture. Any bad debt on products sold by the Venture to customers approved by
the Management Committee will be charged against the Venture. The parties
further acknowledge that the Venture shall not be liable for any bad debt on
products sold to Hubbard or Merrick and resold by Hubbard or Merrick.
(b) Production Assistance; Pet Food Formulations. Hubbard will provide
Merrick with Hubbard's production assistance as required by the Management
Committee and with all formulations for pet food products manufactured at the
Facility.
(c) Purchase of Packaging and Specialty Ingredients. Hubbard shall be
responsible for purchasing or arranging for the purchase by Merrick of all
packaging and specialty ingredients for pet food products manufactured by the
Venture, except for (i) packaging and specialty ingredients where it is
determined by the Management Committee that such packaging and specialty
ingredients can be purchased at a lower cost by Merrick or the Venture, or (ii)
packaging and ingredients, including premixes, that are used solely and
specifically in Merrick's branded label products. Merrick shall be responsible
for payment when due of all invoices for packaging and specialty ingredients
sent directly by vendors to Merrick and shall reimburse Hubbard for packaging
and ingredients purchased from Hubbard in accordance with paragraph 7(b). In the
case of ingredients manufactured by Hubbard, Hubbard shall charge the Venture a
total cost factor which will include freight to Hereford, Texas.
(d) Quality Assurance. Hubbard will provide a quality assurance program in
connection with the production of pet food by the Venture to be implemented by
Merrick's Quality Assurance Division (Ag Analysis). This program will be
monitored by Hubbard's Quality Assurance Department for compliance. The
Management Committee will arrange for laboratory work to be performed by Merrick
or Hubbard based on economics.
(e) Quality Assurance Manager. In order to enhance Hubbard's
responsibility for formulation and quality control, Hubbard will provide an
onsight employee of Hubbard that will be responsible for reviewing all
production and quality of pet food products (the "Quality Assurance Manager").
The Quality Assurance Manager shall, in general, be available at the Facility
for consultation in connection with Merrick's production of pet food for the
Venture. In particular, the Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for
consulting with Merrick regarding technical aspects of the production of pet
food by the Venture. The Quality Assurance Manager will not be full time at the
Facility, but will devote such time to the Venture as the Management Committee
deems appropriate in light of the scope and activities of the Venture.
5
(f) Payment for Ingredients and Packaging Costs. Hubbard will reimburse
Merrick for the "Cost of Ingredients", as hereafter defined, and packaging used
in finished product sold by the Venture within 15 days after receipt of a proper
invoice from Merrick. Merrick shall invoice Hubbard based on the formula of the
product manufactured and the ingredients used therein as ingredients and
packaging are converted into finished product and sold by the Venture. For
purposes hereof, the ingredients used shall be multiplied times the Cost of
Ingredients, as hereafter defined, plus a shrink factor to be determined and
agreed upon where appropriate. Until an exact factor can be determined, Hubbard
and Merrick agree to use an ingredient shrink factor of 4% and a packaging
shrink factor of 1%. This total dollar amount will be invoiced to Hubbard on a
weekly basis and Hubbard will be billed with sufficient detail to justify
charges. The "Cost of Ingredients" will be established on a monthly basis and
shall be the market price of an ingredient, F.O.B. Hereford, Texas, on the
Wednesday of the previous month that falls between the 11th and 17th of that
month, unless otherwise agreed upon. Market price of an ingredient shall be the
actual lowest cost that an ingredient can be purchased for at the time of the
monthly pricing.
(g) Customer Orders, Accounts Receivable. All customer orders will be
called into the Hubbard order desk in Mankato, Minnesota, including Merrick's
orders for Merrick branded label products. Orders will be transmitted daily to
the Facility via computer terminals. Hubbard will process all customer invoices,
collect accounts receivable and carry such receivables until collected or
written off by the Venture as uncollectable.
(h) Reimbursement. Hubbard's and Merrick's obligation to provide services
to the Venture is conditioned on the Venture reimbursing Hubbard and Merrick for
all its actual expenses related to pet foods manufactured by the Venture at the
Facility including but not necessarily limited to the following: computer link
ups, the cost of goods sold, all marketing and sales expenses, all other
directly related expenses (including all expenses relating to quality assurance,
salary and benefits of the Quality Assurance Manager, all credits, travel
expenses to and from the Facility, and all other similar expenses) and general
and administrative expenses as approved by the Management Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the Venture will only be
charged a flat fee of $5.00 per ton for direct salesperson expenses for travel,
meals, lodging, etc. for a period of two years, after which the actual cost will
be charged to the Venture.
(i) Other Services. The nature and extent of any other services to be
provided by Hubbard will be determined mutually by the Management Committee in
light of, among other things, the scope and activities of the Venture.
9. Trademarks, Etc. The Venture will operate under the name(s),
trademark(s), patent(s), copyright(s), license(s) and other registrations
presently being used by both Hubbard and Merrick and made available to the
Venture by Hubbard or Merrick, and such names, trademarks, patents, copyrights,
licenses and other registrations as may be agreed upon and acquired from time to
time. Hubbard and Merrick agree to protect and to cause the Venture to
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protect such trademarks, patents, copyrights, licenses and other registrations
from the misuse thereof. Such names, trademarks, patents, copyrights, and
licenses shall remain the property of the respective partner and neither the
Venture nor Hubbard or Merrick shall have any right, title or interest of the
other partner therein by reason hereof.
10. Trade Secrets, Etc. Trade secrets, customer lists and other similar
knowledge which is the property of one of the parties hereto prior to the date
hereof, shall remain the property and trade secret of such party notwithstanding
disclosure to the Venture. Any such trade secrets may be used by the Venture
but shall not be used by the other party hereto or any other advantage taken
thereof by such party in its separate business activities at any time except by
specific written agreement of the parties. Trade secrets and other similar
knowledge which is developed by the Venture shall be the property of the
Venture, but may be used by either party in its own separate business
activities.
11. Employees. The parties acknowledge and agree that any of Merrick's
employees who perform services for the Venture shall remain employees of Merrick
and Merrick shall remain solely responsible for establishing the terms and
conditions of their employment, including hiring, discipline and discharge.
Neither Hubbard nor any of its employees (including, without limitation, the
Quality Assurance Manager) shall have any responsibility for the development or
approval of personnel policies with respect to Merrick's employees performing
services for the Venture. Merrick and Hubbard shall remain solely liable for the
payment of compensation or any employment benefits to their respective employees
and for the payment of any taxes, charges or assessments payable with respect to
their respective employees, including without limitation any such payments made
to governmental agencies or bodies. Neither the Venture nor Hubbard shall be
considered a successor employer of Merrick's employees, and neither the Venture
nor Merrick shall be considered a successor employer of Hubbard's employees.
12. Profits and Losses; Distributions. Each of Hubbard and Merrick shall,
as a member of the Venture, have a fifty percent (50%) interest in and to the
Venture. The net profits or net losses of the Venture shall be credited or
charged, as the case may be, equally to each of them. The earnings and profits
of the Venture for the purpose of determining the share therein of each of
Hubbard and Merrick shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. A separate income account shall be maintained for each of
Hubbard and Merrick to which shall be credited or debited, as the case may be,
their respective shares of the net profits or net losses of the Venture. Net
profits and net losses shall be credited or debited, as the case may be, to the
separate income accounts of Hubbard and Merrick as soon as practicable after the
end of each month during the term of the Venture. Cash distributions will be
made in the discretion of the Management Committee.
13. Additional Capital Expenditures; Working Capital.
(a) The cost of all capital expenditures to repair or replace equipment
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presently owned by Merrick or acquired by Merrick pursuant to paragraph 7(a)
(including upgrades of items which have depreciated due to time or use) shall be
borne by Merrick and any replacement equipment so acquired shall be owned by
Merrick.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the cost of all
capital expenditures for additional equipment, other than equipment presently
owned by Merrick or acquired by Merrick pursuant to paragraph 7(a), needed to
improve the efficiency or process for manufacturing of pet food products and all
depreciation and other tax benefits on such equipment shall be shared equally by
Hubbard and Merrick. All capital expenditures for such equipment shall be
approved by the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall, for the
purposes of this Agreement, determine which expenditures are "capital"
expenditures for additional equipment. All equipment so acquired shall be owned
by Merrick and Hubbard as tenants in common and shall be available to the
Venture for its operations.
(c) Routine maintenance which does not constitute a capital expenditure
shall be Merrick's responsibility and shall constitute a manufacturing expense
for purposes of paragraph 7(c).
(d) Any advances to the Venture for working capital approved by the
Management Committee shall be shared equally by Hubbard and Merrick.
14. Allocations of Expenses.
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, Hubbard
and Merrick shall be reimbursed by the Venture for expenses incurred only as
approved by the Management Committee.
(b) The Quality Assurance Manager and Merrick's production manager shall
have joint authority to approve all routine expenses of $500 or less. Individual
expenses of an amount greater than $500 must have approval of the Management
Committee.
15. Reputations of Parties. Merrick and Hubbard both cherish their
reputations in the world at large and internally. The Venture will use every
reasonable means to respect and enhance those reputations.
16. Tax Status; Accounting. The Venture will function as a partnership for
tax purposes. Its fiscal and tax year will be the calendar year or such other
year as shall be approved by the Management Committee. Such certified public
accountant as is selected by the Management Committee will be asked to prepare
an annual certified audit and do such other work for the Venture as may be
agreed upon from time to time. Hubbard shall be responsible for maintaining
books of account of the Venture and shall prepare and distribute monthly
unaudited operating statements in a format similar to that attached hereto as
Exhibit 2. Hubbard shall maintain separate accounting for all funds of the
Venture and shall be responsible for making disbursements of such funds for
expenses of the Venture. Each party shall have the right to review and audit
8
such books and records relating to the Venture maintained by the other party as
such party may request; provided, however, that if the review of such books and
records would, in the judgment of the party keeping such books and records,
result in the disclosure of confidential information not related to the Venture,
such party may require that such review be by a mutually satisfactory third
party bound to keep such information confidential.
17. Other Activities; Insurance. Neither Hubbard nor Merrick shall, by
virtue of this Agreement, be deemed to have assumed any liability of any kind or
nature whatsoever arising with respect to activities or products of the other
not undertaken as part of the Venture. No party to this Agreement (or the
Venture) shall be liable for worker's compensation or employment-related damages
or action relating to the employees of the other party to this Agreement. The
Venture will obtain and maintain at least such minimum amount of insurance
coverage in connection with the activities of the Venture as is deemed adequate
by each of the parties hereto, including, subject to availability, at least
$1,000,000 of product liability insurance which Hubbard shall secure. The cost
of such product liability insurance shall be reimbursed by the Venture.
18. Mailing Address. The mailing address for the Venture will be:
Merrick Pet Foods
P.O. Box 2257
Highway 60 and FM 2943
Hereford, Texas 79045
19. Merrick's and Hubbard's Other Operations. Both parties recognize that
Hubbard and Merrick will have no involvement in any other operations of the
other party that are not directly related to the Venture. All items purchased
for, and maintenance and other costs related to, any other operations of either
party not directly related to the Venture have nothing to do with the Venture
and shall not be charged to the Venture.
20. Non-competition Agreement. Merrick agrees that it will not, prior to
termination of the Venture, purchase dry extruded pet food products except from
the Venture or from Hubbard. Merrick or Hubbard will not directly or indirectly
engage in any competition with the Venture with the exception of its Merrick or
Hubbard branded labels within a 500 mile radius of the Hereford plant.
21. Termination. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to paragraph 22, this
Agreement shall continue for a term of 25 years from the effective date of the
Venture.
22. Termination. This Agreement and the Venture shall terminate as
follows:
(a) by the mutual written consent of Hubbard and Merrick;
(b) at the option of Hubbard at any time after May 31, 1989, provided
9
Hubbard has given Merrick at least 12 months written notice of its intention to
terminate this Agreement;
(c) upon written notice by either party of the desire to terminate the
Venture following the institution of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings
against the Venture or the other party (whether voluntary or involuntary, and
whether under federal or state law), the dissolution, liquidation or winding up
of either party or the assignment by either party of any significant portion of
its property or assets for the benefit of creditors or claimants;
(d) upon written notice by either party if there is a willful breach by
the other party of a material term of this Agreement and such breach has not
been cured within 60 days after written notice of such breach; or
(e) in the event the Facility is destroyed by fire, tornado, flood or
other natural destruction, unless Merrick notifies Hubbard of its intent to
rebuild an essentially equivalent or better Facility and promptly, within
reason, commences rebuilding the Facility.
Nothing contained in this paragraph 22 shall affect or impair any rights or
obligations arising prior to or at the time of the termination of this
Agreement, or which may arise by an event causing the termination of this
Agreement and the Venture. In the event this Agreement terminates pursuant to
paragraph 22(e), but only pursuant to paragraph 22(e), Merrick acknowledges that
Hubbard shall, notwithstanding any other provision herein and without
consideration, have all right, title and interest in and to the surviving books
and records, customer lists, reports, goodwill and general intangibles of the
Venture or of Merrick as they relate to the Venture.
23. Licenses. Nothing herein shall constitute a license by Hubbard for
Merrick to use, or a license by Merrick for Hubbard to use, the names,
trademarks, patents, copyrights, licenses and other registrations and
specifications made available to the Venture by such party.
24. Liquidation and Dissolution. Upon termination of the Venture, Hubbard
and Merrick shall proceed to wind up and liquidate the affairs and assets of the
Venture. The proceeds of such liquidation shall be applied and distributed in
the following order of priority:
(i) to the payment of debts and liabilities of the Venture and expenses of
liquidation;
(ii) to the setting up of any reserves which the Management Committee
shall deem reasonably necessary for any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or
obligations of the Venture arising out of or in connection with the Venture;
said reserves shall be paid over by Hubbard and Merrick to a mutually designated
party, as escrow agent, to be held for the purpose of disbursing such reserves
in payment of any of the aforementioned contingencies; at the expiration of such
period of time as Hubbard and Merrick shall deem mutually advisable, said
escrow agent shall distribute the balance thereof remaining in
10
the manner set forth in subparagraph (iii) hereof; and
(iii) any balance remaining after the application of subparagraphs (i) and
(ii), equally to Hubbard and Merrick.
25. Purchase of Hubbard's Interests in Venture Assets by Merrick. Merrick
shall, within 90 days after termination, expiration or dissolution of the
Venture, purchase from Hubbard its interest in any equipment purchased by
Hubbard and Merrick pursuant to paragraph 13(b) hereof, at a purchase price
equal to the book value (original cost less depreciation) of Hubbard's interest
in such equipment. The purchase price calculated as set forth above shall be
paid to Hubbard in the form of a bank cashier's check. Upon payment of such
amount, Hubbard shall deliver to Merrick such instruments of transfer as shall
be reasonably requested by Merrick.
26. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. Each party is given the specific
right to transfer or assign its interest in the Venture, and in the case of
Merrick, in the realty and equipment in the Facility, to another entity provided
that such party does not assign its responsibilities under this Agreement
without the express written consent of the other party; the other party is
reasonably satisfied with the financial stability of the transferee; and such
transferee specifically agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. Each
and every provision in this Agreement shall survive such transfer or assignment
and remain in full force and effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto, their successors and assigns. Except as otherwise
provided in this paragraph 26, neither party may make any assignment of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the other party.
27. Other Instruments, Etc. The parties agree that they will perform all
other acts and execute and deliver such other documents as may be necessary or
appropriate to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement. The parties
recognize that many issues will have to be resolved after the date of this
Agreement. The parties will use maximum diligence to voluntarily and
appropriately resolve all future concerns of this kind.
28. Arbitration. It is agreed nevertheless that all unresolved disputes or
controversies arising out of or in relation to this Agreement shall be
determined and settled by arbitration at a mutually convenient location in
accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association in
effect at the time of said controversy, and judgment upon any award rendered by
the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The
arbitrator(s) may decide all collateral issues such as whether this paragraph 28
is applicable. The expenses of the arbitration shall be borne by the Venture,
provided that each of Merrick and Hubbard shall pay for and bear the costs of
its own experts, evidence, and legal counsel. Whenever any action is required to
be taken under this Agreement within a specified period of time and the taking
of such action is materially affected by a matter submitted to arbitration, such
period shall automatically be extended for the number of days plus 10 that are
taken for the determination of that matter by the
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arbitrator(s).
29. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with
the laws of the State of Texas and, to the extent applicable, by the Uniform
Partnership Act as adopted from time to time by the State of Texas.
30. Notices. Any notice given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally served or if
by mail by depositing a copy thereof in a registered or certified envelope,
postage prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address hereinabove set
forth or at such other address as the other party shall have theretofore
designated. The date of giving such notice shall be the date received, if served
personally, or the date on which the envelope is delivered to the other party as
indicated by the return receipt.
31. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken
together shall be one document.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the 28
day of January, 1988. The effective date of the Venture shall be February 1,
1988.
MERRICK PET FOODS
By /s/ Garth Merrick
----------------------
----------------------
HUBBARD MILLING COMPANY
By /s/ Paul Holzhueter
----------------------
Paul Holzhueter,
Division Vice President,
Pet Food Division
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