EXHIBIT 10.7
ALLIANCE LAUNDRY HOLDINGS LLC
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
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THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of
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May 5, 1998, by and among Alliance Laundry Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the
"Company"), Raytheon Company, a Delaware corporation ("Raytheon"), Xxxx/RCL,
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L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Xxxx"), each of the
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Securityholders listed on Schedule A attached hereto and each of the other
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Persons who becomes a party to this Agreement after the date hereof pursuant to
paragraphs 10(e) or 10(f) below. Capitalized terms used herein but not
otherwise defined are defined in Section 9 hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be
legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. DEMAND REGISTRATIONS.
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(a) Requests for Registration. At any time, the holders of a
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majority of the Xxxx Registrable Securities may request registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of (x) all or any
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portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any similar long-form
registration ("Long-Form Registrations"), and (y) all or any portion of their
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Registrable Securities on Form S-2 or S-3 (including pursuant to Rule 415 under
the Securities Act) or any similar short-form registration ("Short-Form
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Registrations"), if available. All registrations requested pursuant to this
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paragraph 1(a) are referred to herein as "Demand Registrations." Each request
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for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable
Securities requested to be registered and the anticipated per share price range
for such offering. Within 10 days after receipt of any such request, the
Company shall give written notice of such requested registration to all other
holders of Registrable Securities and, subject to paragraph 1(d) below, shall
include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which
the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 15 days
after the receipt of the Company's notice.
(b) Long-Form Registrations. The holders of a majority of the Xxxx
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Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request unlimited Long-Form
Registrations in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses. The
Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration
initiated as a Long-Form Registration whether or not it has become effective.
All Long-Form Registrations shall be underwritten registrations.
(c) Short-Form Registrations. In addition to the Long-Form
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Registrations provided pursuant to paragraph 1(b), the holders of a majority of
the Xxxx Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request an unlimited
number of Short-Form Registrations in which the Company shall pay all
Registration Expenses. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, Demand Registrations shall be Short-Form Registrations whenever the
Company is permitted to use any applicable short form. After the Company has
become subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time (the "Exchange Act"), the Company shall use
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its best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations on Form S-3 available for the
sale of Registrable Securities. If the Company, pursuant to the request of the
holders of a majority of the Xxxx Registrable Securities, is qualified to and
has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement
under the Securities Act on Form S-3 pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities
Act (the "Required Registration"), the Company shall use its best efforts to
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cause the Required Registration to be declared effective under the Securities
Act as soon as practical after filing, and once effective, the Company shall
cause such Required Registration to remain effective for a period ending on the
earlier of (i) the date on which all Registrable Securities have been sold
pursuant to the Required Registration or (ii) the date as of which the holders
of Xxxx Registrable Securities (assuming such holders are affiliates of the
Company) are able to sell all of the Xxxx Registrable Securities then held by
them within a ninety-day period in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act (the "Effective Period").
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(d) Priority on Demand Registrations. The Company shall not include
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in any Demand Registration any securities which are not Registrable Securities
without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Xxxx
Registrable Securities. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering
and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing (with a copy to each
party hereto requesting registration of Registrable Securities) that in their
opinion the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other
securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number of
Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold without
adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company will include
in such registration prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not
Registrable Securities the number of Registrable Securities requested to be
included which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold without adversely
affecting the marketability of the offering, pro rata among the respective
holders thereof on the basis of the number of shares of Registrable Securities
owned by each such holder. Any Persons other than holders of Registrable
Securities who participate in Demand Registrations which are not at the
Company's expense must pay their share of the Registration Expenses as provided
in Section 5 hereof.
(e) Restrictions on Demand Registrations. The Company shall not be
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obligated to effect any Demand Registration within 180 days after the effective
date of a previous Demand Registration. The Company shall be entitled to
postpone, for up to 180 days the filing or the effectiveness of a registration
statement for a Demand Registration if the Company and the holders of at least a
majority of the Xxxx Registrable Securities agree that such Demand Registration
would be reasonably expected to have an adverse effect on any proposal or plan
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to engage in any acquisition of assets
(other than in the ordinary course of business) or any merger, consolidation,
tender offer or similar transaction; provided that in such
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event, the holders of a majority of Xxxx Registrable Securities requesting such
Demand Registration will be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such
request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration will not count as one of the
permitted Demand Registrations hereunder and the Company will pay all
Registration Expenses in connection with such registration.
(f) Selection of Underwriters. The holders of a majority of the Xxxx
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Registrable Securities included in any Demand Registration will have the right
to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering,
subject to the Company's approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld.
(g) Other Registration Rights. Except as provided in this Agreement,
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the Company shall not grant to any Persons the right to request the Company to
register any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible or
exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written
consent of the holders of a majority of the Xxxx Registrable Securities.
2. PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS.
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(a) Right to Piggyback. Whenever the Company proposes to register any
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of its equity securities (including any proposed registration of the Company's
securities by any third party) under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to
a Demand Registration or a registration on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor or
similar forms) and the registration form to be used may be used for the
registration of Registrable Securities (a "Piggyback Registration"), whether or
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not for sale for its own account, the Company shall give prompt written notice
to all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a
registration and shall include in such registration all Registrable Securities
with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion
therein within 30 days after the receipt of the Company's notice.
(b) Piggyback Expenses. The Registration Expenses of the holders of
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Registrable Securities shall be paid by the Company in all Piggyback
Registrations.
(c) Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is
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an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing
underwriters advise the Company in writing (with a copy to each party hereto
requesting registration of Registrable Securities) that in their opinion the
number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the
number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the
marketability of such offering, the Company shall include in such registration
(i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the
Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata
among the holders of such Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of
shares owned by each such holder and (iii) third, other securities requested to
be included in such registration
(d) Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration
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is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company's
securities (and is not a Demand Registration), and the managing underwriters
advise the Company in writing (with a copy
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to each party hereto requesting registration of Registrable Securities) that in
their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such
registration exceeds the number which can be sold without adversely affecting
the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include in such
registration (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the
holders requesting such registration and the Registrable Securities requested to
be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such securities
on the basis of the number of shares owned by each such holder and (ii) second,
other securities requested to be included in such registration.
(e) Selection of Underwriters. If any Piggyback Registration is an
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underwritten offering, the selection of investment banker(s) and manager(s) for
the offering must be approved by the holders of a majority of the Xxxx
Registrable Securities included in such Piggyback Registration. Such approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(f) Other Registrations. If the Company has previously filed a
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registration statement with respect to Registrable Securities pursuant to
Section 1 or pursuant to this Section 2, and if such previous registration has
not been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company shall not file or cause to be
effected any other registration of any of its equity securities or securities
convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for its equity securities under
the Securities Act (except on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form), whether on
its own behalf or at the request of any holder or holders of such securities,
until a period of at least 180 days has elapsed from the effective date of such
previous registration.
3. HOLDBACK AGREEMENTS.
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(a) To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, each holder of
Registrable Securities shall not effect any public sale or distribution
(including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of equity securities of the Company, or
any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for such securities, during the 10 days prior to and the 180-day
period beginning on the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration
or any underwritten Piggyback Registration in which Registrable Securities are
included (except as part of such underwritten registration), unless the
underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree.
(b) The Company agrees (i) not to effect any public sale or
distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the 10 days prior to and
during the 180-day period beginning on the effective date of any (x)
underwritten Demand Registration, (y) underwritten Piggyback Registration
(except as part of such underwritten registration or pursuant to registrations
on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor form) or (z) post-effective amendment
of a Required Registration pursuant to which an underwritten offering is to be
effected, unless (in any such case) the underwriter managing the registered
public offering otherwise agrees, and (ii) to cause each holder of its equity
securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for equity securities purchased from the Company at any time after the date of
this Agreement (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to
effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of
any
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such securities during such period (except as part of such underwritten
registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the
registered public offering otherwise agree.
4. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. Whenever the holders of Registrable
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Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant
to this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect the
registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the
intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall
as expeditiously as possible:
(a) prepare and (within 60 days after the end of the period within
which requests for registration may be given to the Company) file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement with respect to such
Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration
statement to become effective; provided, that before filing a registration
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statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company
shall furnish to the counsel selected by the holders of a majority of the Xxxx
Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all such
documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review
and comment of such counsel;
(b) notify in writing each holder of Registrable Securities of the
effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder and prepare and
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such amendments and supplements
to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith
as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period
of either (i) not less than 180 days (subject to extension pursuant to paragraph
7(b)) or, if such registration statement relates to an underwritten offering,
such longer period as in the opinion of counsel for the underwriters a
prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of
Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer or (ii) such shorter period
as will terminate when all of the securities covered by such registration
statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration
statement (but in any event not before the expiration of any longer period
required under the Securities Act), and to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
registration statement until such time as all of such securities have been
disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller
or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;
(c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of
copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto,
the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each
preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities
owned by such seller;
(d) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable
Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as
any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which
may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such
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seller; provided, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify
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generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for this paragraph (d), (ii) subject itself to taxation
in any such jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any
such jurisdiction;
(e) notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time
when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the discovery of the happening of
any event as a result of which, the prospectus included in such registration
statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, and, at the request of any such
seller, the Company shall prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number
of copies of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus
shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made;
(f) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each
securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then
listed or on the NASD automated quotation system;
(g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable
Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;
(h) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting
agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the holders of
a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any,
reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split
or a combination of shares);
(i) make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable
Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such
registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by
any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent
corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company's
officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney,
accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;
(j) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and make available to
its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement
covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of
the Company's first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the
registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
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(k) permit any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in its
sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a
controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such
registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of
material, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the reasonable judgment
of such holder and its counsel should be included;
(l) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or
preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of
any securities included in such registration statement for sale in any
jurisdiction, use its best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such
order;
(m) use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered
by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers
thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(n) obtain one or more comfort letters, dated the effective date of
such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten
public offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting
agreement), from the Company's independent public accountants in customary form
and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as
the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold reasonably
request; provided, that such Registrable Securities constitute at least 10% of
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the securities covered by such registration statement;
(o) provide a legal opinion of the Company's outside counsel, dated
the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration
includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under
the underwriting agreement), with respect to the registration statement, each
amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included therein (including the
preliminary prospectus) and such other documents relating thereto in customary
form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by legal opinions
of such nature; and
(p) use reasonable efforts to cause certificates for the Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement to be delivered by the holders
thereof to the underwriters in such denominations and registered in such names
as the underwriters may request.
5. REGISTRATION EXPENSES.
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(a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or
compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration
and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky
laws, printing expenses, travel expenses, filing expenses, messenger and
delivery expenses, fees and disbursements of custodians, fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company and fees and disbursements of all independent
certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions)
and other Persons retained by the Company
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or the holders of Xxxx Registrable Securities (all such expenses being herein
called "Registration Expenses"), shall be borne by the Company, except as
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otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, except that the Company shall,
in any event, pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all
salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or
accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the
expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the
securities to be registered on each securities exchange on which similar
securities issued by the Company are then listed or on the NASD automated
quotation system (or any successor or similar system).
(b) In connection with each Demand Registration and each Piggyback
Registration, the Company shall reimburse the holders of Registrable Securities
included in such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one
counsel (in addition to local counsel) chosen by the holders of a majority of
the Xxxx Registrable Securities included in such registration and for the
reasonable fees and disbursements of each additional counsel retained by any
holder of Registrable Securities for the purpose of rendering a legal opinion on
behalf of such holder in connection with any underwritten Demand Registration or
Piggyback Registration.
(c) To the extent Registration Expenses are not required to be paid by
the Company, each holder of securities included in any registration hereunder
shall pay those Registration Expenses allocable to the registration of such
holder's securities so included, and any Registration Expenses not so allocable
shall be borne by all sellers of securities included in such registration in
proportion to the aggregate selling price of the securities to be so registered.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
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(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, its officers,
directors, agents, and employees and each Person who controls such holder
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, joint or several, together with reasonable costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorney's fees), to which such indemnified party may
become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or
threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of material fact contained (A) in any registration
statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto or (B) in any application or other document or communication
(in this Section 6 collectively called an "application") executed by or on
behalf of the Company or based upon written information furnished by or on
behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify any
securities covered by such registration statement under the "blue sky" or
securities laws thereof, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, and the Company will reimburse such holder and each such
director, officer and controlling Person for any legal or any other expenses
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided, however, that the Company
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shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises
out of or
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is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or omission or
alleged omission, made in such registration statement, any such prospectus or
preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any
application, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information
prepared and furnished to the Company by such holder expressly for use therein
or by such holder's failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or
prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has
furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In
connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify such
underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such
underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as
provided above with respect to the indemnification of the holders of Registrable
Securities.
(b) In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of
Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder will furnish to the
Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably
requests (and is customarily provided by selling stockholders) for use in
connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
and its respective directors, officers, agents and employees and each other
Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act)
against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, together
with reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees), to
which such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or
proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of
or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact
contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or in any application or (ii) any
omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent
that such untrue statement or omission is made in such registration statement,
any such prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or in any application, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information prepared and furnished to the Company by such holder expressly for
use therein, and such holder will reimburse the Company and each such other
indemnified party for any legal or any other expenses incurred by them in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability,
action or proceeding; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify will
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be individual to each holder and will be limited to the net amount of proceeds
received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
registration statement.
(c) Any person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement shall
notify promptly the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of any
action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be
made pursuant to this Section 6, but the failure of any indemnified party to
provide such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations
under the preceding subparagraphs of this Section 6, except to the extent the
indemnifying party is materially prejudiced thereby and shall not relieve the
indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under this Section 6. In case any action or proceeding is
brought against an indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
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participate therein and, unless in the reasonable opinion of outside counsel to
the indemnified party a conflict of interest between such indemnified and
indemnifying parties may exist in of such claim, to assume the defense thereof
jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to the extent that
it chooses, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party that it so
chooses, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party
for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party
in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation; provided, however, that (i) if the indemnifying party fails to
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take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding
within 20 days after receiving notice from such indemnified party that the
indemnified party believes it has failed to do so; or (ii) if such indemnified
party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding which is also brought
against the indemnifying party reasonably shall have concluded that there may be
one or more legal defenses available to such indemnified party which are not
available to the indemnifying party; or (iii) if representation of both parties
by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of
professional conduct, then, in any such case, the indemnified party shall have
the right to assume or continue its own defense as set forth above (but with no
more than one firm of counsel for all indemnified parties in each jurisdiction,
except to the extent any indemnified party or parties reasonably shall have
concluded that there may be legal defenses available to such party or parties
which are not available to the other indemnified parties or to the extent
representation of all indemnified parties by the same counsel is otherwise
inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct) and the
indemnifying party shall be liable for any expenses therefor.
(d) No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of each
indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the
entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim
in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder
(whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such
action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an
unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of
such action or claim without any payment or consideration provided or obligation
incurred by any indemnified party and (B) does not include a statement as to or
an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any
indemnified party.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is
unavailable to or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
the provisions above in respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities
referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the sellers of Registrable
Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement on
the other hand or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative fault referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
benefit of the Company on the one hand and of the sellers of Registrable
Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement on
the other in connection with the registration statement on the other in
connection with the statement or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any
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other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the sellers of Registrable Securities and any other
sellers participating in the registration statement on the other shall be deemed
to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before
deducting expenses) to the Company bear to the total net proceeds from the
offering (before deducting expenses) to the sellers of Registrable Securities
and any other sellers participating in the registration statement. The relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and of the sellers of Registrable
Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement on
the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or by the sellers of Registrable Securities or other
sellers participating in the registration statement and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission.
The Company and the sellers of Registrable Securities agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the sellers of Registrable Securities
were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities
referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 6, no seller of Registrable Securities shall be required to contribute
pursuant to this Section 6 any amount in excess of the net proceeds received by
such Seller from the sale of Registrable Securities covered by the registration
statement filed pursuant hereto. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) The indemnification and contribution by any such party provided
for under this Agreement shall be in addition to any other rights to
indemnification or contribution which any indemnified party may have pursuant to
law or contract and will remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made or omitted by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any
officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will
survive the transfer of securities.
(g) The indemnification and contribution required by this Section 6
shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of
the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss,
damage or liability is incurred.
7. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS.
-------------------------------------------
(a) No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is
underwritten unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person's securities on
the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or
Persons entitled hereunder to approve such
-11-
arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to the terms of any over-
allotment or "green shoe" option requested by the managing underwriter(s);
provided, that no holder of Registrable Securities will be required to sell more
--------
than the number of Registrable Securities that such holder has requested the
Company to include in any registration) and (ii) completes and executes all
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements;
provided, that no holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten
--------
registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the
Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding
such holder and such holder's intended method of distribution) or to undertake
any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect
thereto, except as otherwise provided in Section 6 hereof.
(b) Each Person that is participating in any registration hereunder
agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any
event of the kind described in Section 4(e) above, such Person will forthwith
discontinue the disposition of its Registrable Securities pursuant to the
registration statement until such Person's receipt of the copies of a
supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by such Section 4(e). In the
event the Company shall give any such notice, the applicable time period
mentioned in Section 4(b) during which a Registration Statement is to remain
effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and
including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to this paragraph to
and including the date when each seller of a Registrable Security covered by
such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented
or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 4(e).
8. RULE 144 REPORTING. With a view to making available the benefits
------------------
of certain rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission that
may permit the sale of Registrable Securities to the public without
registration, the Company agrees at all times after the Company has filed a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
the requirements of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act to use its
best efforts to:
(a) make and keep public information regarding the Company available
as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(b) file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a timely
manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act at any time after it has become subject to
such reporting requirements; and
(c) so long as a holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish to
the holder forthwith upon written request a written statement by the Company as
to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, and of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or
quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed
as a holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation
of the Securities and Exchange Commission allowing a holder to sell any such
securities without registration.
-12-
9. DEFINITIONS.
-----------
"Affiliate" is defined in the LLC Agreement as it exists on the date
---------
hereof.
"Xxxx Group" is defined in the LLC Agreement as it exists on the date
----------
hereof.
"Bain Registrable Securities" means (i) any Units issued to members of
---------------------------
the Xxxx Group pursuant to the Merger Agreement or otherwise acquired by members
of the Xxxx Group, (ii) any securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly
with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of
dividend or split or in connection with a combination of securities,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or other reorganization, including a
recapitalization or exchange; provided, however, that in the event that any
-------- -------
equity securities are issued which do not participate in the residual equity of
the Company ("Non-Participating Securities"), such Non-Participating Securities
----------------------------
will not be Bain Registrable Securities.
"BRS" means BRS/RCL Investment Corp., BCB Family Partners, L.P.,
---
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, NAZ Family Partners, L.P., H. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx,
MLPF&S Custodian FBO Xxxx Xxxxxxxx and their Affiliates, Permitted Transferees
(as defined in the Securityholders Agreement) and successors.
"Common Units" is defined in the LLC Agreement as it exists on the
------------
date hereof.
"LLC Agreement" means the Company's Amended and Restated Limited
-------------
Liability Company Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, as amended or modified
from time to time.
"Merger Agreement" means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger,
----------------
dated as of February 21, 1998, by and among Bain/RCL, L.L.C., RCL Acquisitions,
L.L.C., Raytheon Company and Raytheon Commercial Laundry LLC, as amended or
modified from time to time.
"Other Registrable Securities" means (i) any Common Units of the
-----------------------------
Company held by a Person who is a party to this Agreement that do not constitute
Bain Registrable Securities and (ii) any securities of the Company issued or
issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the securities referred to in
clause (i) above by way of dividend or split or in connection with a combination
of securities, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization,
including a recapitalization or exchange; provided, however, that in the event
-------- -------
that any such securities are Non-Participating Securities, such Non-
Participating Securities will not be Other Registrable Securities.
"Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited
------
liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint
venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Registrable Securities" means collectively the Bain Registrable
----------------------
Securities and the Other Registrable Securities. For purposes of this
Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a
-13-
holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to acquire
such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a
transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or
limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition
has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the
rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder.
"Registration Expenses" is defined in Section 5 hereof.
---------------------
"Securityholders Agreement" means that certain Securityholders
-------------------------
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the
Securityholders a party thereto, as amended or modified from time to time.
"Units" is defined in the LLC Agreement as it exists on the date
-----
hereof.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
-------------
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company shall not hereafter enter
--------------------------
into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or
violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this
Agreement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. Except as otherwise
--------------------------------------------
permitted herein or by the LLC Agreement or Securityholders Agreement, the
Company shall not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect
to its securities which would adversely affect the ability of the holders of
Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration
undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or which would adversely affect the
marketability of such Registrable Securities in any such registration
(including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of
shares).
(c) Remedies. Any Person having rights under any provision of this
--------
Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover
damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to
exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and
acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of
the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion
apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting
any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive
relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this
Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be construed to confer upon
any Person who is not a signatory hereto any rights or benefits, as a third
party beneficiary or otherwise.
(d) Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, no
----------------------
modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be
effective against the Company or the holders of Registrable Securities unless
such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in writing by the Company and
the holders of at least a majority of the Bain Registrable Securities then in
existence; provided, that no such amendment or modification that
--------
-14-
would adversely affect holders of one class or group of Registrable Securities
in a manner different than holders of any other class or group of Registrable
Securities (other than amendment and modifications required to implement the
provisions of Section 10(e)), shall be effective against the holders of such
class or group of Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of
holders of at least a majority of Registrable Securities of such class or group
adversely affected thereby; provided, further, that, so long as BRS or
-------- -------
Raytheon holds any Registrable Securities, no such amendment or modification
that will adversely alter BRS' or Raytheon's respective rights granted pursuant
to this Agreement shall be effective against BRS or Raytheon, respectively,
without their consent (it being understood that the issuance or creation of new
(in accordance with Section 7 of the Securityholders Agreement) or additional
Registrable Securities, or new (in accordance with Section 7 of the
Securityholders Agreement) or additional equity securities of the Company which
will constitute Registrable Securities, or the addition of new parties to this
Agreement, shall not be deemed to alter such rights). No failure by any party to
insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition
of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach
thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant,
duty, agreement or condition.
(e) Additional Parties. The governing body of the Company shall be
------------------
entitled, but not obligated, with the consent of Persons holding at least a
majority of the Bain Registrable Securities, to allow any purchaser of equity
securities (or securities or rights convertible or exercisable into equity
securities), of the same type and class of the Registrable Securities, to
execute a counterpart to this Agreement and become a party hereto (each, an
"Additional Party"), in which case the equity securities issued or issuable to
-----------------
any such Additional Party shall be deemed "Other Registrable Securities."
----------------------------
Except as set forth in this Section 10(e) and in Section 1(g), the Company will
not grant to any other Persons any registration rights.
(f) Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this
----------------------
Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to
the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto
whether so expressed or not. In addition, whether or not any express assignment
has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the
purchasers or holders of any type of Registrable Securities are, except as
otherwise described herein, also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any
subsequent holder of Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
order to obtain the benefit of this Agreement, any subsequent holder of
Registrable Securities must execute a counterpart to this Agreement, thereby
agreeing to be bound the terms hereof and, in connection with any such
assignment described in this Section 10(f) (whether by operation of law or
otherwise), such subsequent holder of Registrable Securities must also first
comply with the terms and conditions (if any) contained in the LLC Agreement and
the Securityholders Agreement in effect at the time of such assignment.
(g) Determinations. At all such times that the interest of holders of
--------------
Registrable Securities in the Company are represented by Units or is otherwise
represented by a percentage interest in the Company, each holder of Registrable
Securities shall be deemed to hold one share of Registrable Securities for each
dollar of Capital Contribution (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement)
made by such holder or its predecessor in interest.
-15-
(h) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
------------
will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any
other jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced
in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had
never been contained herein.
(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate
------------
counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together
will constitute one and the same agreement.
(j) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of
------------------------------------
this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a
substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any
pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine,
feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs
shall include the plural and vice versa. The use of the word "including" in
this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. Reference
to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or
instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Without limiting the generality of
the immediately preceding sentence, no amendment or other modification to any
agreement, document or instrument that requires the consent of any Person
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement (including the
LLC Agreement) will be given effect hereunder unless such Person has consented
in writing to such amendment or modification. The use of the words "or,"
"either" and "any" shall not be exclusive.
(K) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
-------------
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS (WHETHER OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE
APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
ANY DISPUTE RELATING HERETO SHALL BE HEARD IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS OF
DELAWARE, AND THE PARTIES AGREE TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE THEREIN.
(l) Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement will be in
-------
writing and will be either personally delivered, or received by certified mail,
return receipt requested, or sent by reputable overnight courier service
(charges prepaid) to the Company at the address set forth below and to any other
recipient and to any subsequent holder of Registrable Securities subject to this
Agreement at such address as indicated by the Company's records, or at such
address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has
specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed
to have been given hereunder when delivered personally, three days after deposit
in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier
service. The Company's address is:
-16-
To the Company:
--------------
Alliance Laundry Holdings LLC
c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
Two Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
with a copy to:
--------------
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Learner
or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the
recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.
(m) No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated
----------------------
jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an
ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall
be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or
burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the
authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
* * * * *
-17-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Registration
Rights Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
ALLIANCE LAUNDRY HOLDINGS LLC
By:
________________________________________
Its:
_______________________________________
BAIN/RCL, L.L.C.
By:
________________________________________
Its:
_______________________________________
RAYTHEON COMPANY
By:
________________________________________
Its:
_______________________________________
__________________________________________
XXXXXX X. L'ESPERANCE
__________________________________________
XXXXXX X. BEACH
__________________________________________
XXXXXXX X. BROTHERS
__________________________________________
R. XXXXX XXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXXXX X. XXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXXXX X. XXXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXXXX X. XXXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
__________________________________________
XXX X. XXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
__________________________________________
XXX X. XXXXXXXX
__________________________________________
XXX X. SHADY
__________________________________________
D. XXXX XXXXXXXX
__________________________________________
XX XXXX
__________________________________________
XXX XXXXXXXX-XXXX
XXXXXX, XXXXXXXX CUSTODIAN FOR
XXXXX X. L'XXXXXXXXX XXX
_______________________________
XXXXXX, XXXXXXXX CUSTODIAN FOR
XXXXXX X. L'XXXXXXXXX XXX
_______________________________
XXXXXX, XXXXXXXX CUSTODIAN FOR
XXXXX X. XXXXXXX XXX
_______________________________
XXXXXX, XXXXXXXX CUSTODIAN FOR
XXXXX X. XXXXXX XXX
_______________________________
XXXXXX X. XXXXX & CO INC. TTEE
FBO R XXXXX XXXXXX XXX
_______________________________
XXXXXX XXXXX, CUST FBO
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX, XXX
_______________________________
DELAWARE CHARTER GUARANTEE AND
TRUST COMPANY, TTEE FOR
XXXXXXX X. BROTHERS, IRA
_______________________________
BCB FAMILY PARTNERS, L.P.
By: * *
----------------------- -----------------------
Name: XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
Title:
NAZ FAMILY PARTNERS, L.P.
By: * *
----------------------- -----------------------
Name: H. XXXXXX XXXXXXXX
Title:
* *
----------------------------- -----------------------
XXXX X. XXXXXXXX XXXXX X. XXXXX
* *
----------------------------- -----------------------
XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXX
* *
----------------------------- -----------------------
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX
* *
----------------------------- -----------------------
XXXXXX X. XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX
*
-----------------------------
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
MLPF&S CUSTODIAN FBO XXXX XXXXXXXX
By: *
-------------------------
*By:
---------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------
Title: Attorney-in-fact
BRS/RCL INVESTMENT CORP.
By:
_______________________________
Its:
_______________________________
SCHEDULE A
----------
SECURITYHOLDERS
Xxxxxx X. L'Esperance
Xxxxxx X. Beach
Xxxxxxx X. Brothers
R. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxx X. XxXxxxxx
Xxx X. Shady
D. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxx-Xxxx
BRS/RCL Investment Corp.
BCB Family Partners, L.P.
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
NAZ Family Partners, L.P.
H. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Custodian for Xxxxx X. L'Esperance XXX
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Custodian for Xxxxxx X. L'Esperance XXX
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Custodian for Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx XXX
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Custodian for Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx XXX
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx & Co Inc. TTEE FBO R Xxxxx Xxxxxx XXX
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Cust FBO Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, XXX
Delaware Charter Guarantee and Trust Company, TTEE for Xxxxxxx X. Brothers, IRA
