UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 24, 2014
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STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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001-35493
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13-3727655
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(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
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590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New York
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10022
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 520-2300
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N/A
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 24, 2014, SP Corporate Services LLC (“SP Corporate”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (the “Company”), entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “Management Services Agreement”) with ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. (“ModusLink”). Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, SP Corporate will provide ModusLink and its subsidiaries with the services of certain employees, including certain executive officers, and other corporate services. The Management Services Agreement is effective as of January 1, 2015.
The Management Services Agreement was approved by a special committee of ModusLink’s Board of Directors comprised entirely of independent directors having no affiliation with SP Corporate or its affiliates (the “Committee”). SP Corporate will be subject to the supervision and control of the Committee while performing its obligations under the Management Services Agreement. The Management Services Agreement provides that ModusLink will pay SP Corporate a fixed monthly fee of $175,000 in consideration of the Services (as defined in the Management Services Agreement). The fees payable under the Management Services Agreement are subject to a review and such adjustments as may be agreed upon by SP Corporate and ModusLink. Additionally, ModusLink is to reimburse SP Corporate and the personnel provided by SP Corporate for all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred on behalf of ModusLink in connection with the performance of the services pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions thereof. SP Corporate is responsible for compensating and providing all applicable employment benefits to any SP Corporate personnel payable in connection with the services provided under the Management Services Agreement. In addition, eight employees of Moduslink will be transferred to SP Corporate, which will assume the cost of compensating those employees and providing applicable benefits.
The Management Services Agreement will continue through June 30, 2015 unless and until terminated: (i) by either party on any anniversary date, upon not less than ninety days prior written notice to the other; (ii) by ModusLink, at any time, on less than ninety days notice if ModusLink pays a termination fee to SP Corporate; (iii) immediately upon the bankruptcy or dissolution of SP Corporate; or (iv) immediately by ModusLink for Cause (as defined in the Management Services Agreement) or upon a material breach of the Management Services Agreement by SP Corporate.
The Company may be deemed to own approximately 27.6% of the issued and outstanding common stock of ModusLink. In addition, the Company has the right to acquire up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock of ModusLink pursuant to currently exercisable warrants. The Company has the right to acquire up to 45% of the outstanding shares of ModusLink, exclusive of the warrants. Warren G. Lichtenstein, the non-executive chairman of the Company’s general partner, Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., is also the non-executive chairman of the board of directors of ModusLink. Certain other affiliates of the Company hold positions with ModusLink, including Glen Kassan as Chief Administrative Officer and Vice Chairman.
The foregoing description of the Management Services Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such document, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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10.1
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Management Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2015, by and between SP Corporate Services LLC and ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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December 31, 2014
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STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.
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By:
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Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc.
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Its General Partner
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By:
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/s/ James F. McCabe, Jr.
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James F. McCabe, Jr.
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Chief Financial Officer
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Exhibit 10.1
MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
This management services agreement (the “Agreement”) is dated as of January 1, 2015, and is between SP Corporate Services LLC (“SP Corporate”), a Delaware limited liability company having an office at 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10022, and ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), having an office at 1601 Trapelo Road, Suite 170, Waltham, Mass. 02451 (the “Company Office”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company desires to have SP Corporate furnish certain services to the Company and its subsidiaries, as described in Section 1.01 (“Services”), and SP Corporate has agreed to furnish Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
WHEREAS, a Special Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) comprised of disinterested directors approved this Agreement and recommended the Board’s approval, and a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company has voted to approve this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Engagement of SP Corporate
1.01. Services.
(a) During the term of this Agreement, SP Corporate shall provide to the Company and its subsidiaries the Services described and defined on Exhibit A in connection with the business, operations and affairs, both ordinary and extraordinary, of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. During the term of this Agreement, SP Corporate shall provide to the Company the non-exclusive services of persons designated by SP Corporate to perform the Services in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement (the “Designated Persons”), of whom any proposed executive officers of the Company shall be approved by the Committee. Each of the Designated Persons shall devote such time and effort as is reasonably necessary to fulfill the statutory and fiduciary duties applicable in their performance of the Services until such time as such Designated Person is instructed or removed by the Board or the resignation of such Designated Person in such capacity to perform their applicable Services or his or her death. In the event a Designated Person ceases for any reason to serve in such capacity to perform their applicable Services, SP Corporate has a right, but not an obligation, to propose another person to serve is such capacity to perform the applicable Services. If such person is required to be approved by the Board, then this Agreement shall be deemed amended accordingly. This Agreement shall apply in all material respects to any successor to a Designated Person who performs their applicable Services in accordance with this Agreement and the term Designated Person used herein shall apply to any such successor.
1.02. In performing Services, SP Corporate and its personnel shall be subject to the oversight of the Committee and shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer at least quarterly and otherwise in accordance with such procedures as may be adopted by the Committee from time to time. SP Corporate, any Designated Person, any of SP Corporate’s Agents (as defined below) or any of its personnel may incur an obligation or enter into any transaction on behalf of the Company, other than as specifically contemplated hereby, only (a) with the prior approval of the Committee or (b) in accordance with any written delegation of authority delivered to SP Corporate with the consent of the Committee (as such delegation of authority may be amended from time to time, the “Delegation of Authority”).
1.03. While the amount of time and personnel required for performance by SP Corporate hereunder will necessarily vary depending upon the nature and type of Services, SP Corporate shall devote such time and effort and make available such personnel as may from time to time reasonably be required for the performance of Services hereunder and shall use its reasonable best efforts to carry out the purposes of the Company and shall perform Services to the best of its abilities in a timely, competent and professional manner, in compliance with any laws relevant to such Services, in compliance with the Delegation of Authority, in compliance with the Company’s policies, procedures and controls provided by the Company to SP Corporate in writing from time to time and in compliance with such reasonable directions as SP Corporate’s officers, employees or representatives may receive from the Committee or from the Company’s officers or other designated representatives from time to time.
1.04. Exhibit A may be amended from time to time to provide for additional Services, the elimination of certain Services, increases or decreases to the compensation paid hereunder, or other changes, upon the mutual agreement of the parties hereto.
1.05. In the performance of Services, SP Corporate will (i) assist and support the Company’s compliance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOA”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder (including Section 404 of the SOA related to internal controls and Sections 302 and 906 of the SOA related to certifications) and any other applicable Federal or state securities law, and act in a manner consistent with regards thereto, and (ii) not cause the Company to violate, any statue or regulation or any order, writ, judgment, or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Section 2. Term and Termination
2.01. This Agreement shall commence effective as of January 1, 2015, and shall continue through June 30, 2015 unless and until terminated as provided in Section 2.02 below; provided, however, the fees hereunder shall be subject to an review and adjustment as agreed upon by the parties hereto.
2.02. This Agreement may be terminated (i) by either party, effective on any anniversary date, upon not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice to the other; (ii) by the Company, at any time, on less than ninety (90) days notice; provided that, if the Company provides less than ninety (90) days notice, it shall pay to SP Corporate a termination fee equal to 125% of the fees due under this Agreement, as calculated under Section 3, from, and including, such termination date until, and including, the 90th day following the date of such notice; (iii) immediately upon the bankruptcy or dissolution of SP Corporate, or (iv) immediately by the Company for Cause or upon a material breach of this Agreement (as reasonably determined by the Committee) by SP Corporate.
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For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean, with respect to the termination of this Agreement, fraud, gross negligence, criminal conduct or willful misconduct by SP Corporate or any Designated Person, as applicable, or breach of fiduciary duty by any Designated Person, in connection with performing its or his or her respective duties hereunder, as reasonably determined by the Committee.
2.03. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 2.02 above, SP Corporate shall cease to perform Services. If the termination of this Agreement takes effect on a day other than the end of a calendar month, monthly fees shall be prorated based on the number of days that SP Corporate performed Services during such calendar month until termination.
Section 3. Payments to SP Corporate
3.01. In consideration of Services furnished by SP Corporate hereunder, the Company shall pay to SP Corporate a fixed monthly fee with respect to the Services in the amount of $175,000.
The fee payable hereunder shall be paid by the Company to SP Corporate on or about the first day of each month during the term of this Agreement.
3.02. The Company shall reimburse SP Corporate and the Designated Persons for all documented, reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred on behalf of the Company in connection with the performance of Services to third parties, including, but not limited to:
(a) Costs of legal, tax, accounting, consulting, auditing, administrative, compliance, marketing, investor relations and other similar services rendered for the Company, including such services rendered by providers retained by SP Corporate or the Designated Persons to the extent that there is insufficient expertise within SP Corporate to provide such services.
(b) Costs associated with any computer software or hardware, electronic equipment or purchased information technology services from third party vendors to the extent that there is insufficient expertise within SP Corporate to provide such services.
(c) Costs of maintaining or determining compliance with all federal, state and local rules and regulations or any other regulatory agency.
(d) Director and officer liability insurance premiums and the cost of any “errors and omissions” or similar insurance that the Company requires SP Corporate to maintain for benefit of the Company in connection with performance of the Services under this Agreement.
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(e) Other fees payable to third party administrators and service providers.
(f) Expenses connected with communications to holders of securities of the Company and other bookkeeping and clerical work necessary in maintaining relations with holders of such securities and in complying with the continuous reporting and other requirements of governmental bodies or agencies, including, without limitation, all costs of preparing and filing required reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the costs payable by the Company to any transfer agent and registrar in connection with the listing and/or trading of the Company’s securities on any exchange, the fees payable by the Company to any such exchange in connection with its listing, costs of preparing, printing and mailing the Company’s annual report to its stockholders and proxy materials with respect to any meeting of the stockholders of the Company, including such services as rendered by providers retained by SP Corporate or the Designated Persons.
(g) Litigation expenses, including professional and consulting fees incurred in connection with performance of the Services under this Agreement.
(h) Expenses incurred by managers, officers, employees and agents of SP Corporate or the Designated Persons for travel on behalf of the Company and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by managers, officers, employees and agents of SP Corporate or the Designated Persons.
(i) All other expenses not otherwise covered hereunder actually incurred by SP Corporate and the Designated Persons which are reasonably necessary for the performance of the Services under this Agreement.
Expenses incurred by SP Corporate on behalf of the Company and reimbursable pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be reimbursed by the Company no less than monthly. SP Corporate shall prepare a statement documenting such expenses during each month, and the Company shall reimburse SP Corporate for such expenses within thirty (30) days after receipt and approval of such statement and such supporting material as the Committee may require.
3.03. The provisions of Section 3.02 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement to the extent such expenses have previously been incurred or are incurred in connection with such expiration or termination. For the avoidance of doubt, the expenses payable by the Company as described in Section 3.02 are exclusive of, and in addition to, the monthly fees payable pursuant to Section 3.01.
Section 4. Representations and Warranties of SP Corporate and the Designated Persons
4.01. SP Corporate hereby makes the following representations and warranties on which the Company has relied in making the delegation set forth in this Agreement:
(a) SP Corporate is a Delaware limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in a good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified as a foreign company in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary.
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(b) SP Corporate has all requisite power and SP Corporate has authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of SP Corporate.
(c) This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of SP Corporate, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
(d) The execution, delivery and performance by SP Corporate or the Designated Persons of this Agreement does not (i) violate any provision of the operating agreement of SP Corporate, (ii) violate any statue or regulation or any order, writ, judgment, or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority applicable to SP Corporate or any of its assets or the Designated Persons, or (iii) violate or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien on the assets of SP Corporate pursuant to the provisions of, any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or other undertaking to which SP Corporate is a party.
(e) To the knowledge of SP Corporate, there are no past or present actions, occurrences, conditions or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Company’s ability to comply with the requirements of applicable Federal and state securities laws or its control environment, in each case by reason of the entry by the Company into this Agreement or the provision of Services by SP Corporate.
Section 5. Agents
5.01. SP Corporate may delegate any or all of the powers, rights and obligations under this Agreement and may appoint, employ, contract or otherwise deal with any person or entity (each, an “Agent”) in respect of the performance of Services. SP Corporate may assign to any such Agent approved by the Committee the right to receive any fee or reimbursement of expenses as SP Corporate would be entitled to receive under this Agreement.
5.02. SP Corporate shall supervise the activities of its Agents, and notwithstanding the designation of or delegation to any Agent, SP Corporate shall remain obligated to the Company for the proper performance of Services; provided, however, that SP Corporate and the Company may enter into any agreement for indemnification pursuant to which an Agent may indemnify and hold harmless SP Corporate and the Company, jointly and severally, from any liability to them arising by reason of the act or omission of such Agent. Nothing contained herein shall affect or otherwise limit the indemnification obligations of SP Corporate to the Company as provided in Section 9.
Section 6. Records; Access
6.01. SP Corporate and its officers, employees and representatives, including the Designated Persons, in performance of Services, shall have access to all accounting books, ledgers, receipts, business information, employee information, research, organizational structure information, data, computer programs and budget figures of the Company and its subsidiaries and any other information of the Company and its subsidiaries related to the performance of Services by SP Corporate, its officers, employees, and representatives, including the Designated Persons, whether or not considered material (the “Information”), and the Company shall promptly make any such Information available to SP Corporate upon its reasonable request.
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6.02. SP Corporate covenants that during the term of this Agreement it will notify the Company of any change in SP Corporate’s business, financial condition, results of operations or status that would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the provision of Services under this Agreement.
6.03. In the event the Agreement is terminated, SP Corporate will transfer any and all physical and electronic records of the Company in a reasonable format specified by the Company and will make source codes owned or controlled by SP Corporate available to the Company during a transition period of up to nine (9) months following the date of termination.
Section 7. Limitation on Activities
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, SP Corporate and its personnel shall not take any action which, in their sole judgment made in good faith, would violate any law, rule, regulation or statement of policy of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or otherwise not permitted by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, as each may be amended from time to time, or policies and procedures, except if such action shall be ordered in writing by the Committee following the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a properly called meeting of the Committee, in which case SP Corporate or its personnel shall have no liability for acting in accordance with the specific instructions of the Company so given. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the officers, directors, members, employees, affiliates, consultants or agents of SP Corporate (the “SP Corporate Persons”) (except the Designated Persons in their respective capacities provided hereunder) shall not be liable to the Company or holders of its securities for any act or omission by SP Corporate or any Designated Person, as applicable, taken or omitted to be taken in the performance of Services under this Agreement except as provided in Section 9 of this Agreement.
Section 8. Limitation on Liability
SP Corporate shall reasonably rely on information provided to it about the Company, if any, that is provided by the Company or the Company’s subsidiaries, employees, agents or representatives. In no event shall SP Corporate be liable for any error or inaccuracy of any report, computation or other information or document produced in accordance with this Agreement, for whose accuracy the Company assumes all responsibility, unless resulting from the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of SP Corporate or the SP Corporate Persons. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, except with respect to fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct by SP Corporate, any Designated Person or other SP Corporate Persons, SP Corporate’s aggregate liability with respect to, arising from, or arising in connection with this Agreement, or from all Services provided or omitted to be provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed the amounts paid hereunder by the Company to SP Corporate as fees and charges for the trailing twelve months from the date of any claim, but not including reimbursable expenses.
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Section 9. Indemnity and D&O Insurance.
9.01. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SP Corporate shall defend, indemnify, save and hold harmless the Company from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs or expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromises and settlements, as fines and penalties and legal or other costs and reasonable expenses of investigating or defending against any claim or alleged claim of any nature whatsoever resulting from SP Corporate’s, the Designated Persons’ or the SP Corporate Persons’ activities or services under this Agreement (a “Claim”) and incurred by reason of SP Corporate’s, any Designated Person’s or the SP Corporate Persons’, as applicable, fraud or willful misconduct; provided, however, that SP Corporate or the Designated Persons shall not be held responsible for (i) any action of the Company in which SP Corporate or any Designated Person, as applicable, advised the Board or the Committee prior to taking such action and the Board (including a majority of the disinterested directors) or the Committee declined to follow such advice and such decision was provided in writing to SP Corporate or (ii) any Claim to the extent such Claim is occasioned by the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Company’s officers, directors, employees, consultants or agents (except for the Designated Persons, SP Corporate or the SP Corporate Persons).
9.02. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall defend, indemnify, save and hold harmless SP Corporate and the SP Corporate Persons from and against any Claim, including any negligent errors or omission, and except to the extent any such Claim is occasioned by the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of SP Corporate, any Designated Person or the SP Corporate Persons.
9.03. The Company shall enter into customary indemnification agreements with the Designated Persons.
9.04. Promptly after receipt by SP Corporate or the Company of notice of any Claim, it (the “Indemnified Party”) shall notify the other (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing; provided, however, that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give timely notice hereunder shall not affect the rights of the Indemnified Party to indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party can demonstrate actual, material prejudice to it as a result of such failure. The Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate with appropriate requests of the Indemnifying Party with regard to the defense of any Claim. The Indemnifying Party shall maintain authority and control of the defense of any such Claim and the authority to settle or otherwise dispose of any such Claim (provided that the Indemnified Party shall have the right to reasonably participate at its own expense in the defense or settlement of any such Claim). In no event, however, may the Indemnifying Party agree to any settlement of any Claim that would affect any of the Indemnified Party’s rights or obligations, or that would constitute an admission of guilt or liability on the part of the Indemnified Party, without the Indemnified Party’s express prior written consent
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9.05. If SP Corporate should reasonably determine its interests are or may be adverse to the interests of the Company, SP Corporate may retain its own counsel in connection with such claim or alleged claim or action, in which case the Company shall be liable, to the extent permitted under this Section 9, to SP Corporate for any reasonable and documented legal, accounting or other directly related fees and expenses incurred by SP Corporate in connection with its investigating or defending such claim or alleged claim or action.
9.06. At all times during which the Designated Persons are acting as non-employees in such capacity to perform their respective Services, the Company shall cause each of them, to be covered by the Company’s D&O insurance policy applicable to other officers and directors.
9.07. Neither SP Corporate nor the Company (including their officers, directors, members, employees, affiliates and consultants and the Designated Persons) shall be liable to the other or any third party for any special, consequential or exemplary damages (including lost or anticipated revenues or profits relating to the same) arising from any claim relating to this Agreement or any of the services provided hereunder, whether such claim is based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence or strict liability) or otherwise, even if an authorized representative of SP Corporate or the Company, as applicable, is advised of the possibility or likelihood of the same.
Section 10. Payments and Duties of SP Corporate Upon Termination
10.01. SP Corporate shall promptly upon termination:
(a) pay to the Company any money collected and held for the account of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, after deducting any accrued compensation and reimbursement for its expenses to which it is then entitled under Section 3;
(b) deliver to the Board all assets, books and records and documents of the Company then in the custody of SP Corporate; and
(c) cooperate with the Company to provide an orderly management transition and the Company shall pay SP Corporate reasonable fees and expenses in connection therewith.
Section 11. Confidential Information; Non-Solicitation. Except as provided in Sections 11.01 and 11.02 below, neither SP Corporate nor the Designated Persons shall at any time during or following the termination or expiration for any reason of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, disclose, publish or divulge to any person (except where necessary in connection with the furnishing of Services under this Agreement), appropriate or use, or cause or permit any other person to appropriate or use, any of the Company’s inventions, discoveries, improvements, trade secrets, copyrights or other proprietary, secret or confidential information not then publicly available (the “Confidential Information”).
11.01. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11 above, SP Corporate or the Designated Persons or their agents may disclose Confidential Information to SP Corporate’s representatives or agents who (i) need to know such information to permit SP Corporate and the Designated Persons to provide Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (ii) are informed of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information and (iii) agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information.
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11.02. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11 above, if SP Corporate, the Designated Persons or any of SP Corporate’s representatives are required to disclose any Confidential Information pursuant to applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, SP Corporate shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any such requirement, if legally permissible, so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. SP Corporate shall, and shall direct its representatives (including the Designated Persons) to, reasonably cooperate with the Company to obtain such a protective order or other remedy and if such order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, SP Corporate, the Designated Persons or SP Corporate’s representatives shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information which they are advised by counsel that they are legally required to so disclose and will use good faith efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the information so disclosed.
11.03. SP Corporate and the Designated Persons acknowledge that (i) they are aware and that SP Corporate’s representatives have been advised that (a) the Confidential Information may include material non-public information about the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and (b) the United States securities laws and securities law of other jurisdictions prohibit any person who has material non-public information about a company from purchasing or selling securities of such company on the basis of such information or from otherwise misappropriating such material non-public information in breach of fiduciary duty or other relationship of trust and confidence, (ii) SP Corporate has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (iii) SP Corporate, the Designated Persons and SP Corporate’s representatives will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws. SP Corporate and its personnel, and the Designated Persons, shall comply with the Company’s policies regarding Confidential Information and insider trading.
11.04. The Company agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of one (1) year from the termination of this Agreement, it will not, directly or indirectly, without obtaining the prior written consent of SP Corporate, solicit for employment, hire or employ any person who has served as a Designated Person or any other officers or employees of SP Corporate or its affiliates; provided, however, that the restriction on solicitation or hire above shall not restrict the Company’s ability to conduct generalized searches for employment (including through the use of general or media advertisements, employment agencies and internet postings) not directly targeted towards SP Corporate’s or its affiliates’ officers or employees and hiring any person that ceases to be employed by SP Corporate or an affiliate thereof without the Company’s prior direct solicitation.
11.05. SP Corporate agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of one (1) year from the termination of this Agreement, it will not, directly or indirectly, without obtaining the prior written consent of the Company, solicit for employment, hire or employ any person who has served as an officer or employee of the Company or its affiliates; provided, however, that the restriction on solicitation or hire above shall not restrict SP Corporate’s ability to conduct generalized searches for employment (including through the use of general or media advertisements, employment agencies and internet postings) not directly targeted towards the Company’s or its affiliates’ officers or employees and hiring any person that ceases to be employed by the Company or an affiliate thereof without SP Corporate’s prior direct solicitation.
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Section 12. Non-Exclusive Arrangement; Conflicts of Interest
12.01. The Company acknowledges that SP Corporate and its Affiliated Companies (as defined below) have in the past and may from time to time in the future enter into agreements similar to this Agreement with other companies pursuant to which SP Corporate may agree to provide services similar in nature to Services being provided hereunder, and such agreements shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement; provided, however, that SP Corporate covenants that in doing so SP Corporate shall not breach any of its covenants or obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement. The Company understands that the Designated Persons, as of the respective dates they are designated to serve as the Designated Persons, may provide services to certain other companies, and such other activities shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. In addition, to the extent business opportunities arise, the Company acknowledges that SP Corporate will be under no obligation to present such opportunity to the Company, and SP Corporate may, in its sole discretion, present any such opportunity to whatever company it so chooses, or to none at all; provided, however, nothing contained herein shall affect or otherwise limit the fiduciary obligations of the officers and directors of the Company, including the Designated Persons.
12.02. The Company, SP Corporate and their respective Affiliated Companies (as defined below) recognize and acknowledge that as a result of SP Corporate providing Services pursuant to this Agreement the potential for conflicts of interest exist between and/or among SP Corporate, the Company, Affiliated Companies of SP Corporate and the Company and the respective officers and directors of SP Corporate and the Company, including but not limited to (i) that an Affiliated Company of SP Corporate may be a majority or significant stockholder of the Company, (ii) that directors, officers, members and/or employees of SP Corporate or of Affiliated Companies of SP Corporate may serve as directors and/or officers of the Company, (iii) that SP Corporate and Affiliated Companies thereof may engage and are expected to continue to engage in the same, similar or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, (iv) that SP Corporate and Affiliated Companies thereof may have an interest in the same areas of corporate opportunity as the Company and Affiliated Companies thereof, and (v) that SP Corporate and Affiliated Companies thereof may engage in material business transactions with the Company and Affiliated Companies thereof, including (without limitation) providing Services to or being a significant supplier of the Company and Affiliated Companies thereof. SP Corporate and the Company agree that if either of them determines that an actual conflict of interest exists, or if either of them has knowledge of any actions, occurrences, conditions or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in a conflict of interest, it shall disclose the fact of such actual or prospective conflict to the other and, in such event, both SP Corporate and the Company shall work cooperatively to either (i) resolve or prevent, as applicable, the conflict of interest in a manner satisfactory to both SP Corporate and the Company or (ii) cease providing or receiving the Services giving rise to such conflict.
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12.03. For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliated Companies” shall mean in respect of SP Corporate any entity which is controlled by SP Corporate, controls SP Corporate or is under common control with SP Corporate (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company) and in respect of the Company shall mean any entity controlled by the Company.
12.04. The Company represents and warrants that the Special Committee of the Board has approved this Agreement and recommended Board approval, and a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company has voted to approve this Agreement.
Section 13. Independence
13.01. Except as specifically provided herein, none of the parties shall act or represent or hold itself out as having authority to act as an agent or partner of any other party, or in any way bind or commit any other party to any obligations. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a partnership, joint venture, agency, trust or other association of any kind, each party being individually responsible for its obligations set forth in this Agreement. SP Corporate or its officers, employees and representatives shall not have the authority to act for, bind, or otherwise commit the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and neither SP Corporate nor any of its officers, employees or representatives shall hold itself or themselves out as having any such authority, except (i) the Designated Persons’ authority to act in their respective capacities provided hereunder and perform his or her duties in such capacity, and (ii) to the extent that such authority has been specifically granted to SP Corporate or any of its officers, employees and representatives by the Committee.
13.02. Neither party shall be responsible for the compensation, the withholding of taxes, workers compensation, employee benefits or any other employer liability for the employees and agents of the other party. For the avoidance of doubt, no Designated Person shall be entitled to receive compensation from the Company for the services provided in the respective capacities hereunder unless approved by the Board or the Committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that SP Corporate is an independent contractor and that none of SP Corporate or the Designated Persons is an employee of the Company. SP Corporate or an Affiliated Company of SP Corporate shall timely withhold and pay all taxes and file all reports required by applicable law to be withheld, paid and filed for the Designated Persons.
Section 14. General
14.01. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior representations and agreements, whether oral or written, and cannot be modified, changed, waived or terminated except by a writing signed by both of the parties hereto. No course of conduct or trade custom or usage shall in any way be used to explain, modify, amend or otherwise construe this Agreement.
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14.02. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered, sent by nationally recognized overnight carrier, one day after being sent, or mailed by first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, five days after being sent.
14.03. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York and the parties hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of any federal or state court located therein, and agree that jurisdiction shall rest exclusively therein, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws.
14.04. Except as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, this Agreement may not be assigned directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, by any party hereto (including in connection with a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of business or assets of such party, whether by sale, merger, operation of law, or otherwise in connection with a change of control) without the prior written consent of the other parties to this Agreement. This Agreement shall solely inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their permitted (in accordance with the foregoing) successors and assigns.
14.05. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
14.06. Sections 8, 9, 10, 11 and 14.03 and this Section 14.06 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.
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The parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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SP CORPORATE SERVICES LLC
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By:
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/s/ James F. McCabe, Jr.
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Name:
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James F. McCabe, Jr.
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Title:
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President
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MODUSLINK GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ John J. Boucher
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Name:
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John J. Boucher
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT A
SERVICES
The “Services” shall include, but not be limited to,
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Provide the non-exclusive services of a person to serve as the Company’s corporate controller and chief accounting officer. Such person, in his or her capacity as corporate controller and chief accounting officer, will perform all duties normally associated with that of a corporate controller and chief accounting officer, including supervising and managing, as appropriate, all SEC filing obligations and review and annual budgets and related matters.
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·
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Provide the non-exclusive services of a person to serve as the Company’s treasurer. Such person, in his or her capacity as treasurer, will perform all duties normally associated with that of a treasurer, including responsibility for any and all financing matters for the Company and its subsidiaries including but not limited to debt, equity or other financings, whether through the public markets or in private transactions, or otherwise, including the negotiation and consummation of all of the foregoing.
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·
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Provide the non-exclusive services of a person to serve as division of internal audit and perform the duties normally associated with that of a director of internal audit.
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·
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Provide the non-exclusive services of people to support the Company’s M&A function. Such people, in their capacity as M&A support, will perform all duties normally associated with an M&A support function including but not limited to identification, evaluation, a broad range of due diligence functions, and certain other similar items.
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·
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Provide the non-exclusive services of a person to serve in the capacity of, but without the title of, the Company’s corporate secretary. Such person, in his or her capacity as such, will coordinate with the Company’s General Counsel and perform all duties normally associated with that of a corporate secretary, including without limitation, organization and preparation for board meetings, corporate record keeping, management of due diligence for corporate transactions, review and maintenance of D&O insurance policies, and other similar items.
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Provide the non-exclusive services of a person to serve in the capacity of, but without the title of, the Company’s chief legal officer. Such person, in his or her capacity as such, will coordinate with the Company’s General Counsel and perform all duties normally associated with that of a chief legal officer to the extent such duties would relate to the needs of the Company as a public reporting entity, including:
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o
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advising executives and the Board on risk management, governance, and compliance generally;
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o
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complying with the continuous reporting and other requirements of governmental bodies or agencies, including, without limitation, preparing and filing required reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, communication with any transfer agent and registrar in connection with the listing and/or trading of the Company’s securities on any exchange, communication with any such exchange in connection with the listing of the Company’s securities, preparing, printing and mailing the Company’s annual report to its stockholders and proxy materials with respect to any meeting of the stockholders of the Company;
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o
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supervising any investigations or complaints by government and self-regulatory agencies;
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o
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participating in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and providing continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of such matters;
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o
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serving as a key lawyer/legal advisor on all major business transactions, including material acquisitions, divestitures, financings (including bank credit and equity or debt offerings or placements) and joint ventures;
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o
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judging the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the Company, working with the General Counsel and appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and approving settlements of disputes where warranted; and
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o
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selecting, retaining, managing and evaluating of all outside counsel relating to the foregoing.
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Communications to holders of securities of the Company or its subsidiaries and other bookkeeping and clerical work necessary in maintaining relations with holders of such securities and in complying with the continuous reporting and other requirements of governmental bodies or agencies, including, without limitation, preparing and filing required reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, communication with any transfer agent and registrar in connection with the listing and/or trading of the Company’s securities on any exchange, communication with any such exchange in connection with the listing of the Company’s securities, preparing, printing and mailing the Company’s annual report to its stockholders and proxy materials with respect to any meeting of the stockholders of the Company.
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Other similar items.
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