UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Commission file number: 001-31321
NAUTILUS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington | 94-3002667 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
16400 S.E. Nautilus Drive
Vancouver, Washington 98683
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(360) 859-2900
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered | |
Common Stock, no par value | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the last sales price ($15.71) as reported on the New York Stock Exchange as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2006) was $491,439,623.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrants common stock as of February 28, 2007 was 31,521,611 shares.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The registrant has incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K portions of its Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
2006 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
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PART I
OVERVIEW
Nautilus, Inc. is a leading designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of branded fitness and apparel products sold under such well-known brand names as Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, StairMaster, and Pearl Izumi. As used in this Form 10-K, the terms we, our, us, Nautilus and the Company refer to Nautilus, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Founded in 1986 and incorporated in the state of Washington in 1993, the Company has grown to over $680 million in annual sales through a combination of internal growth of our Bowflex brand and a series of strategic acquisitions of well-recognized brands, including Nautilus International, Inc. (Nautilus) in January 1999, the fitness division of Schwinn/GT Corp. and its affiliates (Schwinn Fitness) in September 2001, StairMaster Sports/Medical, Inc. (StairMaster) in February 2002, and DashAmerica, Inc. d/b/a Pearl Izumi USA (Pearl Izumi) in July 2005. As a result of these acquisitions, we expanded our portfolio of leading brands, product development capabilities, product lines, distribution channels, and the size of our customer base.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol NLS. Our principal executive offices are located at 16400 SE Nautilus Drive, Vancouver, Washington 98683, and our telephone number is (360) 859-2900.
OUR STRATEGY
Pure Fitness
We view our Company as a Pure Fitness company. This strategy was designed to enable us to become a global category leader by providing the tools and education to consumers worldwide to allow them to achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle. Pure Fitness helps consumers answer the four main questions about how they go about achieving their health and fitness goals.
Question: What do I do to live a healthy and fit lifestyle?
Answer: Nautilus Institute: The Nautilus Institute (the Institute) is the Company sponsored initiative formed to encourage more people to adopt a lifelong fitness habit by providing them with expert knowledge and guidance regarding all their fitness needs. In addition, the Company formed a working relationship with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (the NASM), the leading body for educating professional fitness trainers. We believe that these programs will help people achieve lifelong fitness by providing guidance on proper nutrition, proper exercise form, workout routines and equipment used in cardiovascular and strength training. The Institute and our partnership with NASM enable us to develop a body of knowledge leading us to designs of more effective and user-friendly products for our customers. The Institute website can be found at www.nautilusinstitute.org.
Question: What do I use?
Answer: Nautilus Fitness Equipment: Our fitness equipment line consists of high-quality cardiovascular, strength and weight resistance products from Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness and Stairmaster brands.
Question: What do I wear?
Answer: Nautilus Fitness Apparel and Footwear: Our fitness apparel line is currently composed of high-performance apparel and footwear for cycling, running, and strength exercise activities. We believe we can leverage our existing fitness equipment brands to broaden our product offerings to consumers within the market for performance apparel.
Question: What do I eat?
Answer: In the nutrition market, we have a continued strategic relationship with a supplier of nutritional supplements that are complementary to our fitness and apparel product offerings. We anticipate expanding our business in the future.
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We believe that by answering the questions listed above consumers will turn to the trusted products we offer to help them achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle.
OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLES
We pursue global category leadership by providing the tools and education necessary to help people achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle. At the core of this mission is an internal initiative called FIT #1, which is the foundation of our plan to create long-term shareholder value. FIT #1 stands for Financial rigor, Innovation, Trust and a drive to be #1 in the categories in which we compete. Financial rigor means we ensure accurate and streamlined financial and forecasting processes and identify areas for cost take-out. Innovation means we apply creative solutions to both research and development and our manufacturing operations to both enhance our existing products and create new innovative products. Trust means we take care of our customers by developing innovative and dependable products and providing excellent customer service.
FIT #1 provides the core strategic elements around which we structure our business, which enables us to focus our efforts to help ensure profitable growth and shareholder value. We drive to leverage our expertise and experience from across our organization to realize synergies, efficiencies and cost savings. We have established a performance-driven culture based on teamwork that directly ties employee compensation to both individual performance and that of the Company.
In 2006, we benefited, and expect to further benefit, from the considerable capital investments we made in 2005 which primarily consisted of an upgrade to our enterprise resource planning system and improvements made to our supply chain. This allowed us to continue our operational excellence in accordance with the principles of Quality control, Customer service and Cost takeout, or QC2 as it is known within our organization. Key elements of QC2 include improving flexibility and efficiency at our manufacturing facilities, working collaboratively with suppliers to take costs out of our products while improving overall quality, and optimizing our distribution system by reducing the number of distribution centers.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Through our investment in product development in 2006, we introduced 17 new high quality products from the Nautilus, Bowflex and Schwinn Fitness brands, including an expansion of our successful Bowflex home gym line-up, and the next generation in our successful line of Nautilus commercial grade upright and recumbent bikes. Additionally, we reengineered several of our existing products which have resulted in cost savings along with product performance and quality enhancements. We also introduced the first line of apparel specifically designed for use while exercising indoors under the Nautilus brand, and an apparel line targeting the more casual or entry level cyclist. We continued to expand our intellectual property and the number of leading brands by acquiring an extensive patent portfolio surrounding cardiovascular fitness equipment as well as the Universal brand.
On the operational side of our business, we have been able to move past most of our challenges encountered in 2005 including developing a more efficient supply and distribution process and adjusting manufacturing to a faster pace of innovation. To further improve our operations, in February of 2007 we also entered into a purchase option agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of our Asian manufacturing partner, Land America Health and Fitness Co., LTD (Land America). The purchase option, if exercised, is expected to improve our margins through improved vertical integration, engineering and manufacturing processes, and extends certain procurement cost reductions through 2007.
Additionally, we have:
| Improved quality of our products by raising first time yield with excellent efficiency at our domestic production facilities, |
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| Consolidated production facilities for our cardiovascular line of equipment by ceasing manufacturing at our Tyler, Texas facility and transitioning manufacturing of key products to other U.S. and Asian manufacturing facilities, |
| Reduced the number of our distribution facilities to 10 in North America compared with 24 a year ago thus bringing more efficiency to our distribution process, |
| Concluded a year-long transition to a third party logistics company to improve our parts shipping which allowed us to make significant improvements in customer service while lowering expenses for parts shipping and handling, |
| Made significant progress by implementing our new information system which now allows us to better analyze our sales and margin information by customer, channel, brand and product. As a result, we have eliminated a number of less profitable products and restructured some of our relationships with existing customers resulting in improved profitability, |
| Integrated a reverse engineering initiative to reduce costs for various existing products, |
| Restructured multiple vendor agreements to allow us to reduce warranty costs by recovering a portion of such costs from our suppliers, and |
| Reduced the cost of our sourced products by increasing the percentage of our retail products shipped directly from our Asian manufacturers thus improving the overall quality due to less damage as the result of less handling while in transit and shorter product delivery time. |
Refer to Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation located at Part II, Item 7 for a discussion of the impact of these developments on the results of operations.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Companys reportable segments are evidence of the structure of the Companys internal organization and allow focus on specific business opportunities in the Companys worldwide market place. The Companys three business segments are as follows:
| The Fitness Equipment Business is responsible for the design, production, marketing and selling of branded fitness equipment sold under the Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster brand names and is responsible for servicing customers within the Americas, which includes the United States, Mexico, Canada and South America. |
Sales from our Bowflex home-gym product line across all sales channels, including related shipping revenue, accounted for approximately 39% of our aggregate net sales in 2006, down from 44% and 48% in 2005 and 2004, respectively, as we continue our strategy of diversifying our breadth of products in all channels.
| The International Equipment Business is responsible for the marketing and selling of branded fitness equipment sold under the Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster brand names and is responsible for servicing customers outside of the Americas. |
| The Fitness Apparel Business is responsible for the design, production, marketing and selling of branded fitness apparel and footwear products sold primarily under the Pearl Izumi and Nautilus brands in both domestic and international markets. |
Detailed financial information about our three business segments, including information regarding geographic areas, is included in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PRODUCTS
The Companys principal business activity is the design, development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing of high quality fitness equipment and apparel products. Our product offerings include cardiovascular and strength products, indoor and outdoor fitness apparel, and running and cycling footwear.
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Fitness Equipment Products
The fitness equipment line is composed of high-quality cardiovascular and strength products that cover a broad range of technology, price points, and features that are believed to be among the best in categories in which they compete.
| Our Nautilus brand includes four distinct lines of strength equipment, free weights and benches, a complete line of cardio equipment including treadmills, ellipticals, and the unique commercial version of the TreadClimber, along with upright and recumbent exercise bicycles. |
| Our StairMaster brand is best known for steppers and stepmills designed for excellent lower-body and cardiovascular workouts. |
| Our Bowflex brand has been expanded to represent a complete line of fitness equipment to include both strength and cardio products. Included in the Bowflex brand are multiple models of rod-based home gyms, the Revolution home gym, SelectTech dumbbells, weight benches, TreadClimbers and treadmills. |
| Our Schwinn Fitness brand includes a popular line of equipment designed for indoor cycling which include upright and recumbent exercise bikes, and also treadmills and ellipticals. |
Fitness Apparel and Footwear Products
Our fitness apparel line is composed of high-end performance apparel and footwear targeted to consumers who are fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, especially for those interested in cycling and running activities. The apparel line is composed primarily of Pearl Izumi branded wear. Pearl Izumi is best known for its quality, innovative and technically superior cycling apparel and has been expanded into the running apparel and footwear markets. We also introduced the first line of apparel specifically designed for use while exercising indoors under the Nautilus brand and the Schwinn Fitness line of apparel targeting the more casual or entry level cyclist.
SALES AND MARKETING
Fitness Equipment Business
The fitness equipment business products are marketed and sold through a diversified direct, retail, and commercial sales distribution channel within the Americas, which includes the United States (the U.S.), Mexico, Canada and South America through independent authorized dealers, our own sales force, distributors and its e-commerce web site (www.nautilus.com). We believe we position our products to better meet consumer demand and shopping patterns and to further expand our sales channels by offering more of the products consumers want in the places they shop and exercise.
Fitness equipment has three distinct sales channels:
| In the direct channel, we market and sell our products directly to the end-consumer. We market and sell a line of Bowflex branded cardiovascular, strength, and fitness accessory products through this channel utilizing an integrated combination of media and direct consumer contact. Along with spot television advertising, which ranges in length from 30 seconds to as long as five minutes, we utilize extended 30-minute television infomercials, Internet advertising, our product websites, inquiry response mailings, catalogs, and inbound/outbound call centers. |
We contract with large telemarketing companies to receive and process information requests generated by our spot television advertising 24 hours per day. The telemarketing agents for these companies collect names, addresses and other basic information from callers but do not directly sell our products.
We use the spot commercials and infomercials, together with Internet advertising and search-engine placement, to lead consumers to our website, as we believe consumers who visit our website are more inclined to purchase our products. We believe we successfully balance our goals of finalizing sales and capturing consumer information by strategically designing our web pages and carefully analyzing web page visits, conversion rates, average sales prices and inquiry counts.
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We manage our own customer service call center in Vancouver, Washington. It operates 18 to 23 hours per day to receive and process the vast majority of all infomercial-generated and customer service-related inquiries.
| In the commercial channel, we market and sell our Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster commercial fitness equipment through an internal sales force and selected dealers to health clubs, government agencies, hotels, corporate fitness centers, colleges, universities and assisted living facilities. Our commercial sales force is focused on expanding the market position of our existing Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster commercial product lines through joint marketing programs with clubs thus making fitness inviting for guests, and utilizing our knowledge from the Nautilus Institute to improve our product offerings. |
We advertise in select trade publications, including publications that reach key industry stakeholders, as well as directly to consumers. Specific placement is driven by marketing and product development events and ads are coded to assist us in measuring the effectiveness of each individual ad with respect to our objectives of increasing brand awareness and sales leads. We also maintain a database that includes contacts at thousands of commercial facilities and enables us to monitor responses to direct mail promotions. All direct mail promotions are supplemented by a telemarketing effort to maximize customer response.
There are several national and regional industry trade shows, such as the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association and Club Industry, as well as many other events that showcase our programs and products. Trade shows provide excellent opportunities to meet face-to-face with our customers and the media to obtain valuable feedback by being able to test marketing messages, receive customer input on product designs, and evaluate the competition.
| In the retail channel, we market and sell a comprehensive line of consumer fitness equipment under the Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster brands through a network of more than 3,200 locations consisting of sporting goods, warehouse clubs, department stores, governmental agencies, mass retailers, specialty retailers, and independent bike dealers. |
The main focus for marketing our retail products is two-fold: 1) fully support our network of customers, and 2) to leverage our direct marketing advertising programs to market products through the retail sales channel that were previously only available to consumers through the direct sales channel. Company sponsored marketing programs have been developed to ensure that our Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, Bowflex, and StairMaster brands remain prominent in the minds of customers and consumers and drive consumers to their local retailers.
International Equipment Business
The international equipment business product line is marketed and sold through a diversified retail and commercial sales distribution channel outside of the Americas through our own sales force and international distributors. By offering a complete line of strength and cardio products, we now have greater ability to compete in the international marketplace where many commercial customers prefer to buy from one supplier that can offer a broad array of products at a competitive price. We believe our brand names have strong recognition in the international marketplace which has allowed us to compete more effectively.
To allow us to effectively manage our international sales channels, we operate our own offices in our largest international markets which include Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and China. Each office possesses a team of sales representatives that focus on selling to fitness clubs, governments and hotels. We have also started marketing directly to consumers in the Australian market.
Fitness Apparel Business
We market and sell our fitness apparel and footwear to geographic locations in the U.S. and internationally through consumer direct emails, online marketing, advertisement and product placements in a number of sport specific publications that allow us to reach specific user segments of cyclist, runners, and fitness professionals
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with a targeted message. This also allows us to increase the brand awareness and to promote new products and technologies. We participate in a number of trade shows throughout the year including Interbike USA and Eurobike Germany, the bicycle and sporting goods industrys leading showcase events. Additionally, we promote brand visibility by providing our products to a number of athletes who use them in competitive events. We also attend a number of regional sporting events with our retail partners where we educate consumers about our products and sell our products. We maintain dedicated websites to promote our fitness apparel products as well as to provide information to our consumers. The websites can be found at www.pearlizumi.com, www.nautilusapparel.com, and www.nautilusinmotion.com. These websites contain Company and product information none of which is part of this Form 10-K.
In addition to consumer marketing, we focus considerable effort on a marketing concept called Drive Retailer Success or DRS. This program is focused on ensuring the ongoing efficiency of our retailers. As part of our DRS program, we offer the Pearl Izumi Managed Inventory program to retailers. This program, which involves auto stocking of inventory, serves to increase the breadth of product at retail selection and helps ensure the best product availability through the season.
Our Fitness Apparel Business has four distinct sales channels:
| Wholesale direct, |
| International distributors, |
| Company leased retail stores, and |
| Internet and catalog sales. |
The international and domestic wholesale direct sales channels are comprised of independent bike dealers and specialty run accounts as well as select large outdoor and sports retailers. The primary drivers for our success in specialty channels are differentiated products, credibility with enthusiast consumers, and value added service. International distributor sales are made to exclusive distributors primarily in Canada, Australia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Slovenia, Mexico, and Israel. The fitness apparel business also leases 10 retail stores, which sell primarily closeout items at favorable margins. Internet and catalogue sales are comprised of product sales made directly to end-consumers, primarily in the U.S.
PRODUCT DESIGN AND INNOVATION
Innovation is a vital part of our business as we continue expansion and diversification of our product offerings in fitness and apparel products through leveraging our advanced research and development capabilities and our strong brand name recognition. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate new product concepts and seek to respond to the requirements and needs of our consumers by frequently introducing new products and repositioning existing products. We develop these products either from internally generated ideas or by acquiring or licensing patented technology from outside inventors and then enhancing the technology.
Our research and development costs were approximately $11.2 million, $11.2 million, and $6.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. We did not have any customer-sponsored research and development expenses in any of these years. Additionally, we incurred $5.6 million, $5.4 million, and $6.0 million in royalties for licensing patented technology for new innovations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
SEASONALITY
Fitness Equipment Products
In general, U.S. and international sales in our direct, commercial, and retail fitness equipment channels are seasonal. We believe that sales within these channels are lower in the second quarter of the year compared to the other quarters, especially in the direct and retail channels. Our strongest quarter for these channels is generally
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the fourth quarter, followed by the first and third quarters. We believe the principal reason for this trend is the fitness industrys preparation for the impact of seasonal weather patterns that encourage more fitness activity indoors.
Fitness Apparel and Footwear Products
Sales of our fitness apparel and footwear products are seasonal with stronger sales in the first and third quarters as retailers build inventories in anticipation of the spring and fall selling seasons. We expect sales during the fourth quarter to be the weakest as this time period typically aligns with the coldest months of the year in our target markets when many fitness and outdoor enthusiasts may be less active.
MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
Fitness Equipment Business
Our primary manufacturing and distribution objectives for all of our products are to maintain product quality, reduce and control costs, maximize production flexibility, and improve delivery speed. This is accomplished by optimizing our manufacturing and distribution infrastructure. Our products are manufactured primarily in the U.S. at our Oklahoma and Virginia plants, and at contracted manufacturing facilities in Asia. We have not experienced any significant difficulties with availability of raw materials.
Our commercial strength fitness products are manufactured in our Virginia manufacturing plant, and our commercial cardiovascular fitness products are primarily manufactured in our Oklahoma plant. These operations are vertically integrated and include such functions as metal fabrication, powder coating, upholstery, and vacuum-formed plastics processes. By managing our own manufacturing operations, we can control the quality of our commercial products and offer customers build-to-order capability and unique product configurations.
We inspect, package, and ship our products from our distribution facilities in Oregon, Virginia, Illinois, and Oklahoma. We rely primarily on United Parcel Service (UPS) to deliver our direct products. We distribute our retail and commercial fitness equipment from our facilities in Illinois and Oklahoma using various commercial truck lines. We distribute commercial strength fitness equipment from our Virginia warehouse facility directly to customers primarily through our own truck fleet which allows us to effectively control the set up and inspection of equipment at the end-users facilities.
International Equipment Business
We primarily use our manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma and Virginia to manufacture our commercial products. We utilize our Asian suppliers to manufacture our retail products. Products are shipped to customers outside the Americas primarily from a third party distribution facility in the Netherlands.
Fitness Apparel Business
Our apparel products are manufactured primarily in the U.S. and Asia. The manufacturers are closely monitored to ensure conformity and quality in the products they produce.
Independent manufacturers in Asia purchase raw materials according to our high standards from suppliers we select, at prices and on terms negotiated by us. As part of agreements with our suppliers, we are usually required to purchase any unused materials from the manufacturers at the end of the season. These materials are generally consumed by the production of special make products for our outlet stores or larger national accounts. This eliminates the potential for a larger percentage of close-out products entering our primary distribution channels such as independent bike dealers. For a portion of our products that are produced in the
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U.S., we are responsible for purchasing and shipping raw materials to our manufacturers. Although this arrangement exposes us to additional risks before products are manufactured, we believe that it increases our manufacturing flexibility and quality control.
Our quality control program is designed to ensure that our products meet the highest quality standards. A large portion of the quality control process, which involves inspection, random product audits, and approvals of all key materials and finished products, occurs directly at the manufacturer. The manufacturer either ships the products to our warehouse facilities in the U.S. or Germany, or ships directly to our international distributors.
For domestic sales, we generally ship our products from our facility in Colorado. We primarily ship our products through UPS. For European sales, products are shipped from our facility in Germany. For international distributor shipments, the products are either shipped directly to our customers from the manufacturer or shipped from our facility in either Colorado or Germany.
BACKLOG
Historically backlog has not been a significant factor in the Companys business.
COMPETITION
Fitness Equipment Business
The markets for all of our products are highly competitive. Our competitors vary by market and sales channel as discussed below. We believe the combination of our well-recognized brand names along with our brand marketing awareness programs, innovative and high quality products, multiple distribution channels, and dependable customer service will allow us to remain competitive in all of our current fitness equipment markets.
Home Fitness Equipment: We primarily sell our Bowflex strength and cardiovascular fitness products in this market. We believe the principal competitive factors affecting this portion of our business are innovation, quality, brand name recognition, product price, financing options, and customer service. Our direct-marketed brands compete directly with a large number of companies that manufacture, market and distribute home fitness equipment. Our principal direct competitors include ICON Health & Fitness and Fitness Quest.
Commercial Fitness Equipment: Our Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster brands compete against products of other commercial fitness equipment companies such as Life Fitness, Cybex, Precor, and TechnoGym. We believe the key competitive factors affecting this portion of our business include brand relevance, product innovation, quality, durability, diversity of features, price, financing options, customer service, and product service network.
Retail Fitness Equipment: Our Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, StairMaster, and Bowflex brands compete against the products of the retail fitness equipment companies such as Life Fitness, ICON Health & Fitness, Johnson Health Tech., and Precor. We believe the key competitive factors affecting this portion of our business include quality, durability, product innovation, diversity of features, price, financing options, customer service, and product service network.
International Equipment Business
Our Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, StairMaster, and Bowflex brands compete against the products of such companies as Life Fitness, Cybex, StarTrac, Precor, and TechnoGym. We believe the key competitive factors in the international markets include brand relevance, price, customer and product service network, functionality and diversity of features, quality, product innovation, design, and brand name recognition.
Fitness Apparel Business
Our principal competitors in the cycling apparel category consist of Sugoi, Cannondale, Castelli, and Descente. Within the cycling footwear category, the competitors primarily consist of Sidi, Specialized, and
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Shimano. Our main competitors within the running footwear category are Mizuno, Brooks Sports and Asics. Within the running apparel category, we believe the main competition to be the same as with running footwear, with the addition of Sugoi. Fitness Apparel competitors include Adidas and Champion, as well as smaller female specific brands such as Parana, Mirika, LuLu Lemon, and Title Nine. We believe the key competitive factors in these markets include quality, product variety, product innovation, in-season availability and price.
EMPLOYEES
As of February 28, 2007, we employed approximately 1,500 employees. Management considers its relationship with employees to be good. None of our employees are subject to any collective bargaining agreements. There has never been a material interruption of operations due to labor disruptions.
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
We had no individual customers that accounted for 10 percent or more of our consolidated net sales during fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Trademarks We own many trademarks including Nautilus®, Bowflex®, Power Rod®, TreadClimber®, Schwinn® Fitness, SelectTech®, StairMaster®, Trimline®, Pearl Izumi®, Microsensor®, Ultrasensor®, Syncroframe®, Universal®, and 3D Chamois®. Our trademarks, the great majority of which are either registered or protected by common law rights, are used on nearly all of our products sold in the U.S. and internationally. We believe that having distinctive trademarks readily identifiable by consumers is an important factor in creating a market for our goods, in identifying our Company, and in distinguishing our goods from others.
Each federally registered trademark is renewable indefinitely if the trademark is still in use at the time of renewal. We are not aware of any material claims of infringement or other challenges to our trademark rights.
Patents The Company has a broad array of patents, both issued and pending, covering its exercise equipment. Within these patents are various products and technologies including Treadclimber, variable stride ellipticals, selectorized weights, incumbent bicycles, and Spiraflex. Our patent protection for some of these technologies extend as far as 2025. Expiration of our patents could trigger the introduction of similar products by our competitors.
Building our intellectual property portfolio is an important factor in maintaining our competitive position in the fitness equipment and apparel industries. We have followed a policy of filing applications for the U.S. and foreign patents on inventions, new designs and improvements that we deem valuable to our business. If we do not, or are unable to, adequately protect our intellectual property, our sales and profitability could be materially adversely affected. We protect our proprietary rights vigorously and take prompt action to prevent counterfeit reproductions of or other infringing on our intellectual property. As we increase our market share, geographic scope and product categories, we anticipate that intellectual property disputes will increase making it more expensive for us to establish and/or protect our proprietary rights, and to defend against claims of infringement by others. Refer to Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements located at Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a discussion of significant intellectual property disputes.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Our operations are subject to federal, state and local health and safety and environmental laws and regulations, as well as those in other countries, that impose workplace standards and limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment and establish standards for the handling, generation, emission, release,
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discharge, treatment, storage and disposal of materials, substances and wastes. U.S. federal environmental legislation having particular impact on the Company includes the Toxic Substances Control Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Safe Drinking Water Act; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (also known as Superfund). We are also subject to regulation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning employee safety and health matters. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), OSHA, and other federal agencies have the authority to promulgate regulations that have an impact on our operations.
The nature of our manufacturing and assembly operations exposes us to the risk of claims with respect to environmental matters, and although compliance with local, state, federal and international requirements relating to the protection of the environment has not had a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, there can be no assurance that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred in connection with such environmental matters. Future events, such as changes in existing laws and regulations or enforcement policies or the discovery of contamination on sites owned or operated by us may give rise to additional compliance costs or operational interruptions which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. While we are not aware of any existing conditions that are likely to result in material costs or liabilities to us, there can be no assurance that all potential instances of soil or ground water contamination have been identified even where Environment Site Assessments have been conducted. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that previously unknown environmental conditions, or known conditions which have not been fully evaluated, will not be discovered at any of our properties, whether presently or formerly owned or leased, or that the cost of remediating such conditions will not be material.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). You can inspect and obtain a copy of our reports, proxy statements and other information filed with the SEC at the offices of the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov/ where you can obtain most of our SEC filings. We also make available, free of charge, on our website at www.nautilusinc.com our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, if any, filed or furnished with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the SEC. In addition, our code of business conduct and ethics, corporate governance policies, and the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available on our corporate website at www.nautilusinc.com. The information found on our website is not part of this Form 10-K.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Analysts Reports
This Form 10-K, including Item 1 of Part I and Items 7 and 7(A) of Part II, contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include any statements related to our expectations regarding future performance or conditions, including any statements regarding anticipated sales growth across markets, distribution channels, and product categories, expenses and gross margins, expense as a percentage of revenue, anticipated earnings, new product introductions, acquisition of manufacturing operations in Asia, future capital expenditures, financing and working capital requirements and resources. These forward-looking statements, and others we make from time to time, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements, including the risks described in Item 1(A), Risk Factors, of this Form 10-K. We do not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements after the date they are made or to conform them to actual results or to changes in circumstances or expectations.
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A significant decline in availability of media time or fluctuating advertising rates may hinder our ability to effectively market our products and may reduce profitability
We depend primarily on television commercials and television infomercials to market and sell our direct-marketed products. Consequently, a marked increase in the price we must pay for our preferred media time or a reduction in its availability may adversely impact our financial performance.
A decline in consumer spending due to unfavorable economic conditions could negatively affect our product revenues and earnings
Success of each of our products depends substantially on the amount of discretionary funds available to consumers and their purchasing preferences. Economic and political uncertainties could adversely impact the U.S. and international economic environments. A decline in general economic conditions due to increased freight and transportation costs as well as increasing interest rates, among other factors, could further depress consumer spending, especially discretionary spending for premium priced products like ours. Higher interest rates could increase monthly payments for consumer products financed through one of our monthly payment plans. These poor economic conditions could in turn lead to substantial decreases in our net sales.
If we are unable to anticipate consumer preferences or to effectively develop, market and sell future products, our future revenues and earnings could be adversely affected
Our future success depends on our ability to develop or acquire the rights to, and then effectively produce, market, and sell new products that create and/or respond to new and evolving consumer demands. Accordingly, our net sales and profitability may be harmed if we are unable to develop, or acquire the rights to new or different products that satisfy consumers preferences. In addition, any new products that we market may not generate sufficient net sales or profits to recoup their development or acquisition costs.
A delay in getting foreign sourced products through customs in a timely manner could result in cancelled orders and unanticipated inventory accumulation
Many of our imported products are subject to duties, tariffs or quotas that affect the cost and quantity of various types of goods imported into the U.S. or our other sales markets. The countries in which our products are produced or sold may adjust or impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions. Further, our business depends on our ability to source and distribute products in a timely manner. As a result, we rely on the free flow of goods through open and operational ports worldwide. Labor disputes at various ports create significant risks for our business, particularly if these disputes result in work slowdowns, lockouts, strikes, or other disruptions during our peak importing seasons. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, potentially resulting in reduced revenues and earnings, cancelled orders by customers, and/or unanticipated inventory accumulation.
Unpredictable events and circumstances relating to our international operations, including our use of foreign manufacturers, could result in cancelled orders, unanticipated inventory accumulation, and reduced revenues and earnings
A portion of our revenues is derived from sales outside the U.S.; for the year ended December 31, 2006, international sales represented approximately 17% of our consolidated net sales. In addition, a substantial portion of our products is manufactured outside of the U.S. Accordingly, our future results could be materially adversely affected by a variety of factors, including changes in a specific countrys or regions political or economic conditions, trade restrictions, import and export licensing requirements, changes in regulatory requirements, additional efforts to comply with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, and longer payment cycles in certain countries thus requiring us to finance customer purchases for a period of time longer than those made in the U.S.
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Failure to integrate acquisitions into our operations and manage other significant transactions successfully could harm our financial results, business and prospects
As we have done in the past, we may seek to acquire other businesses in the future. Integrating acquired businesses into our operations poses significant challenges, particularly with respect to corporate cultures and management teams. Failure to successfully effect such integration could adversely impact the revenue, earnings and business synergies we expect from an acquisition. In addition, the process of integrating acquired businesses may be disruptive to our operations and may cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, our core business.
Our future integration efforts may be jeopardized, and our actual return on investment from such acquisitions may be lower than anticipated, as a result of various factors, including the following:
| Challenges in the successful integration of the products, services or personnel of the acquired business into our operations, |
| Loss of employees, management team, or customers that are key to the acquired business, |
| Time and money spent by our management team focusing on the integration, which could distract it from our core operations, |
| Our potential lack of experience in the markets of the acquired businesses, |
| Possible inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies among the combined companies and the need to integrate financial, accounting, information and other systems, |
| The need to coordinate geographically diverse operations, and |
| Exposure to the impairment loss on our acquired businesses due to changing market conditions. |
Our option to purchase Land America entitles us to rebates on products purchased from Land America which will be discontinued if we do not exercise our option
On February 1, 2007 we entered into purchase option agreements to acquire substantially all of the assets of our manufacturing partner, Land America and a related trading company, Treuriver Investments Limited. The purchase option entitles us to rebates on products purchased from Land America from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, which will continue through December 31, 2007 if we elect to exercise the purchase option. If we do not exercise the option, we will not be entitled to rebates for purchases beyond June 30, 2007 unless we enter into an alternative rebate arrangement. Absent these rebates or an alternative arrangement, the cost of products manufactured by Land America could increase, which would adversely affect our financial results.
Failure or inability to protect our intellectual property could significantly harm our competitive position
Protecting our intellectual property is an essential factor in maintaining our competitive position in the health and fitness industry. If we do not or are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, our sales and profitability may be adversely affected. We currently hold a number of patents and trademarks and have several patent and trademark applications pending. However, our efforts to protect our proprietary rights may be inadequate, and applicable laws provide only limited protection.
Intense competition may have a negative impact on our net sales and operating results
Our products are sold in highly competitive markets with limited barriers to entry. As a result, introduction of lower priced competing products could result in a significant decline in our net sales and operating results.
Inability to effectively manage our distribution facilities may harm our business and financial results
Our ability to meet customer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve objectives for operating efficiencies depends on the proper operation of our existing distribution facilities and the timely
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performance of services by third parties, including those involved in shipping product to and from our distribution facilities. In the U.S., we rely primarily on our distribution centers in Portland, Oregon, Independence, Virginia, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bolingbrook, Illinois, and Broomfield, Colorado, and in Europe we rely primarily on a warehouse in Kirchzarten, Germany and a third party warehouse and logistics provider in the Netherlands.
Our distribution facilities could be interrupted by disasters such as earthquakes or fires. We maintain business interruption insurance, but it may not adequately protect us from the adverse effect that could be caused by significant disruptions in our distribution facilities.
Failure to maintain our information systems could result in interruptions to our business
Our business is increasingly reliant on information technology. Information systems are used in all stages of our production cycle, from design to distribution, and are used as a method of communication between employees, our subsidiaries overseas, as well as our customers. We also rely on our information systems to allocate resources and forecast operating results. System failures or service interruptions may occur as the result of a number of factors, including computer viruses, hacking or other unlawful activities by third parties, disasters, or failure to properly protect, repair or maintain systems. Any interruption of critical business information systems may have a material adverse affect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Unsuccessful implementation of our growth strategies may adversely affect revenues and decrease margins
We face many challenges in implementing our growth strategies. For example, our expansion into international markets may involve countries where we have little sales or distribution experience and where our brand is not yet widely known. Expanding our product categories involves, among other things, gaining experience with new products, gaining consumer acceptance and establishing and protecting intellectual property rights. Increasing sales to department stores and improving the sales productivity of our customers will each depend on various factors including strength of our brand name, competitive conditions, our ability to manage increased sales and future expansion, the availability of desirable locations, and the negotiation of favorable terms with retailers. Future terms with customers may be less favorable to us than those under which we currently operate. Large retailers increasingly seek to transfer various costs of business to their vendors such as the cost of lost profits from product price markdowns.
To implement our business strategy, we must manage growth effectively. We will continue to change various aspects of our business, to maintain and enhance our information systems and operations to respond to the increased market demand, and to attract, retain and manage qualified personnel. Growth could place an increasing strain on management, financial, product design, marketing, distribution and other resources, and we could experience operating difficulties. Growth involves many risks and uncertainties that, if not managed effectively, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could result in higher costs and decreased margins
We have significant sales outside of the U.S. As a result, we conduct transactions in various currencies which increase our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. Our international revenues and expenses generally are derived from sales and operations in foreign currencies, and these revenues and expenses could be affected by currency fluctuations. Currency exchange rate fluctuations could also disrupt the business of the independent manufacturers that produce our products by making their purchases of raw materials more expensive and more difficult to finance. Therefore, our future financial results could be significantly affected by the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the foreign currencies in which we conduct business.
Our business is affected by seasonality which results in fluctuations in our operating results
We experience moderate fluctuations in aggregate sales volume during the year. Historically, revenues in the first and fourth quarters have exceeded those in the second and third quarters. However, the mix of product sales may vary considerably from time to time as a result of changes in seasonal and geographic demand for particular
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types of fitness equipment and apparel. In addition, our customers may cancel orders, change delivery schedules or change the mix of products ordered with minimal notice. As a result, we may not be able to accurately predict our quarterly sales. Accordingly, our results of operations are likely to fluctuate significantly from period to period.
We may be adversely affected by the financial health of our customers
We extend credit to our customers, generally without requiring collateral, based on the assessment of a customers financial circumstances. To assist in the scheduling of production and the shipping of seasonal products, we offer customers the ability to place orders four to six months ahead of delivery. These advance orders may be cancelled and the risk of cancellation may increase when dealing with financially challenged customers struggling with economic uncertainty. In the past, some customers have experienced financial difficulties which in turn have had an adverse effect on our business. From time to time, customers will be more cautious than usual with orders as a result of weakness in the retail economy. A slowing economy in our key markets could have an adverse effect on the financial health of our customers which could in turn have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Government regulatory actions could disrupt our marketing efforts and product sales
Various international and U.S. federal, state and local government authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, regulate our marketing efforts and manufacturing of products. Our sales and profitability could be significantly harmed if any of these authorities commence a regulatory enforcement action that interrupts our marketing or manufacturing efforts, results in a product recall or negative publicity, or requires changes in product design.
We are subject to periodic litigation, product liability risk, warranty claims and other regulatory proceedings which could result in unexpected expense of time and resources
From time to time, we may be a defendant in lawsuits and regulatory actions relating to our business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings. An unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any significant litigation in the future, regardless of its merits, could divert managements attention from our operations and may result in substantial legal costs.
We also may not be able to successfully acquire intellectual property rights, protect existing rights, or potentially prevent others from claiming that we have violated their proprietary rights when we launch new products. We could incur substantial costs in defending against such claims even if they are without basis, and we could become subject to judgments requiring us to pay substantial damages.
Many of our products carry limited warranties for defects in quality and workmanship. We may experience significant expense as the result of product recalls or product liability claims which may have a material adverse effect on our business. We maintain a warranty reserve for future warranty claims but the actual costs of servicing future warranty claims may exceed the reserve and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
In order to be successful, we must attract, retain and motivate key employees, and failure to do so may have an adverse impact on our business
Our future success depends on our ability to attract and retain key executives, managers, product development engineers, sales personnel, and others. We face intense competition for such individuals worldwide. Not being able to attract or retain these employees may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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The following is a summary of principal properties owned or leased by the Company.
Reportable Segment |
Location | Primary Function(s) |
Owned or Leased | |||
Fitness Equipment |
Washington | World headquarters, call center, retail store, and warehouse |
Leased | |||
Oregon | Warehouse and distribution |
Leased | ||||
Virginia | Warehouse and distribution | Owned | ||||
Virginia | Commercial equipment manufacturing | Owned | ||||
Virginia | Engineering, prototyping, customer service, and administrative |
Owned | ||||
Virginia | Showroom | Owned | ||||
Virginia | Commercial equipment sales and warehouse | Owned | ||||
Virginia | Two warehouse and distribution facilities | Owned | ||||
Illinois | Warehouse and distribution | Leased | ||||
Colorado | Administrative, warehouse, production, testing, engineering and distribution |
Owned | ||||
Oklahoma | Manufacturing | Leased | ||||
Oklahoma | Three distribution facilities |
Leased | ||||
Canada | Call center, distribution, administration, warehouse, and showroom |
Leased | ||||
International Equipment |
Switzerland | Administrative | Leased | |||
Switzerland | Warehouse and distribution | Leased | ||||
Germany | Administrative, showroom, and warehouse | Leased | ||||
United Kingdom |
Administrative, showroom, and warehouse | Leased | ||||
Italy | Administrative | Leased | ||||
Australia | Administrative, call center, showroom sales, and warehouse |
Leased | ||||
China | Administrative | Leased | ||||
China | Research and development | Leased | ||||
Fitness Apparel |
California | Four retail stores | Leased | |||
Colorado | Apparel headquarters and warehouse | Leased | ||||
Colorado | Retail store | Leased | ||||
Georgia | Retail store | Leased | ||||
Germany | European headquarters and warehouse | Leased | ||||
New Hampshire | Retail store | Leased | ||||
Illinois | Retail store | Leased | ||||
Oregon | Retail store | Leased | ||||
Utah | Retail store | Leased |
In general, our properties are well maintained, adequate and suitable for their purposes, and we believe these properties will meet our operational needs for the foreseeable future. If we require additional warehouse or office space, we believe we will be able to obtain such space on commercially reasonable terms.
For a description of the legal proceedings that affect us, refer to Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements located at Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of our shareholders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the quarter ended December 31, 2006.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market for our Common Stock
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) and trades under the symbol NLS. As of February 28, 2007, 31,521,611 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and the approximate number of beneficial shareholders and the number of shareholders of record was 76 and 7,000, respectively.
The following table summarizes the high and low closing prices and dividends paid for each period indicated:
High | Low | Dividends Paid | |||||||
2006: |
|||||||||
Quarter 1 |
$ | 19.70 | $ | 13.91 | $ | 0.10 | |||
Quarter 2 |
18.49 | 14.92 | 0.10 | ||||||
Quarter 3 |
15.66 | 11.49 | 0.10 | ||||||
Quarter 4 |
16.10 | 13.65 | 0.10 | ||||||
2005: |
|||||||||
Quarter 1 |
$ | 24.59 | $ | 20.25 | $ | 0.10 | |||
Quarter 2 |
28.95 | 22.68 | 0.10 | ||||||
Quarter 3 |
29.65 | 22.07 | 0.10 | ||||||
Quarter 4 |
22.15 | 16.83 | 0.10 |
The total amount of dividends paid in 2006 and 2005 were $12.9 million and $13.4 million, respectively or $0.40 per common share. Payment of any future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors, which considers various factors such as our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and future expansion plans.
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information about the Companys equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006:
Plan Category |
Number of securities (a) |
Weighted average (b) |
Number of securities (c) |
|||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
2,742,075 | $ | 16.46 | 3,542,819 | (1) | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
| | | |||||
Total |
2,742,075 | $ | 16.46 | 3,542,819 | ||||
(1) | 48,900 performance units were granted in 2006, which reduce the remaining number of securities available for future issuance by 97,800 shares. |
For further information regarding the Companys equity compensation plans, refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements located at Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
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Stock Performance Graph
Below is a line graph and table comparing the cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock with the cumulative total return of the NYSE Composite Index, NASDAQ, and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index for the period commencing on May 5, 1999 (the date of our initial public offering (IPO)) and ending on December 31, 2006. The S&P 600 Small Cap Index was chosen because we do not believe we can reasonably identify an industry index or specific peer issuer that would offer a meaningful comparison. The S&P SmallCap 600 Index represents a broad-based index of companies with similar market capitalization. Our common stock was added to the S&P SmallCap 600 on March 19, 2003.
The graph assumes that $100 was invested in our common stock and each index in December 2001. The comparisons in the table below are not intended to forecast or be indicative of future performance of our common stock.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial data presented below is for, and as of the end of, each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements. This data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto and Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation. Comparability of financial results is affected by the acquisition of StairMaster in February 2002 and Pearl Izumi in July 2005.
(In thousands except per share amounts) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 680,295 | $ | 631,310 | $ | 523,837 | $ | 498,836 | $ | 584,650 | |||||
Gross profit |
298,602 | 278,814 | 244,794 | 251,816 | 337,052 | ||||||||||
Operating income |
41,079 | 33,804 | 44,462 | 51,816 | 151,184 | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 29,100 | $ | 23,000 | $ | 29,985 | $ | 34,402 | $ | 97,887 | |||||
Earnings per share: |
|||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.90 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.92 | $ | 1.06 | $ | 2.84 | |||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.90 | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 1.04 | $ | 2.79 | |||||
Cash dividends declared and paid per share |
$ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | | |||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments |
$ | 4,262 | $ | 7,984 | $ | 104,585 | $ | 72,634 | $ | 49,297 | |||||
Working capital |
103,403 | 106,971 | 169,549 | 138,711 | 109,023 | ||||||||||
Total assets |
424,942 | 413,286 | 359,641 | 311,935 | 276,653 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt |
4,158 | 5,610 | 200 | | |
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
This Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation (the MD&A) should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes located at Item 8 of this Form 10-K. We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. You should consider our prospects in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies that operate in evolving markets. We may not be able to successfully address these risks and difficulties and, consequently, we cannot assure you of any future growth or profitability. For more information, see our discussion of Risk Factors located at Part I, Item IA of this Form 10-K.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
In 2006, we continued to focus on repositioning our Company for sustainable and profitable long-term growth by following our FIT #1 business principles: Financial rigor, Innovation, Trust, and being #1 in the categories in which we compete. We believe those principles helped us to establish ourselves across multiple channels of distribution, be an industry leader in innovation, and provide a strong and improving manufacturing and supply chain base. This serves as our foundation for achieving sustainable revenue and earnings growth into the future.
With the acquisition of the Universal brand and the purchase of a cardiovascular fitness equipment intellectual property (IP) portfolio earlier in the year, we believe we now have the five leading fitness brands that are segmented across multiple channels of distribution and an ever stronger IP portfolio. As the result of our initiatives, we will continue to offer a complete range of high-quality fitness products in virtually every business channel where a consumer shops or exercises, and continue to focus on our future with significant investment in the introduction of new innovative high-quality products.
For the year, we delivered net sales of $680.3 million, an increase of 7.8% from 2005 and the highest in our Companys history. Our gross profit margin decreased slightly to 43.9%, primarily a result of a continued shift in our sales product mix both between and within product categories and among our selling channels. Our operating income improved by 21.5% as a result of operational improvements that were put in place during the year. As a
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result of the increase in net sales and the improvement in operating margins we were able to deliver a 32.4% increase in earnings to 90 cents per diluted share. During the year we recorded a $3.8 million reduction of our tax contingency reserves along with $2.5 million of share-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123(R); we had no similar items last year. In addition, we increased our net cash provided by operating activities by $43.5 million and continued to provide return on investment to shareholders through the payment of dividends of 40 cents per share while repurchasing 1.3 million shares of our common stock.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth selected financial information derived from our consolidated financial statements. The discussion that follows the table should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2006 | % of 2006 net sales |
2005 | % of 2005 net sales |
2004 | % of 2004 net sales |
||||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 680,295 | 100.0 | % | $ | 631,310 | 100.0 | % | $ | 523,837 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
Cost of sales |
381,693 | 56.1 | % | 352,496 | 55.8 | % | 279,043 | 53.3 | % | |||||||||||
Gross profit |
298,602 | 43.9 | % | 278,814 | 44.2 | % | 244,794 | 46.7 | % | |||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Selling and marketing |
186,617 | 27.4 | % | 179,656 | 28.5 | % | 156,577 | 29.9 | % | |||||||||||
General and administrative |
54,120 | 8.0 | % | 48,826 | 7.7 | % | 31,033 | 5.9 | % | |||||||||||
Research and development |
11,179 | 1.6 | % | 11,160 | 1.8 | % | 6,754 | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||
Royalties |
5,607 | 0.8 | % | 5,368 | 0.9 | % | 5,968 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
257,523 | 37.8 | % | 245,010 | 38.9 | % | 200,332 | 38.2 | % | |||||||||||
Operating income |
41,079 | 6.1 | % | 33,804 | 5.3 | % | 44,462 | 8.5 | % | |||||||||||
Other Income (Expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income (expense), net |
(2,015 | ) | (0.3 | %) | 1,179 | 0.2 | % | 1,357 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
1,605 | 0.2 | % | 310 | 0.0 | % | (172 | ) | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
(410 | ) | (0.1 | %) | 1,489 | 0.2 | % | 1,185 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
Income before income taxes |
40,669 | 6.0 | % | 35,293 | 5.5 | % | 45,647 | 8.8 | % | |||||||||||
Income tax expense |
11,569 | 1.7 | % | 12,293 | 1.9 | % | 15,662 | 3.0 | % | |||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 29,100 | 4.3 | % | $ | 23,000 | 3.6 | % | $ | 29,985 | 5.8 | % | ||||||||
COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND DECEMBER 31, 2005
Consolidated Net Sales
Consolidated net sales were $680.3 million in 2006 compared to $631.3 million in 2005, an increase of $49.0 million or 7.8%. The increase is primarily attributed to the acquisition of Pearl Izumi in July of 2005, which contributed approximately $39.0 million of incremental net sales along with an increase in sales from our International Equipment Business of approximately $10.8 million.
Fitness Equipment Business The fitness equipment business designs, produces, sells and markets fitness products sold under the Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster brand names. Depending on the brand, our fitness equipment is sold and marketed through the direct, commercial, and retail channels of distribution located in the Americas, which includes the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America. Net sales for the fitness equipment business were flat at $553.4 million as compared to $554.2 million last year. Specific channel net sales information is detailed below:
| In the direct channel, net sales declined 3.7% to $283.1 million compared to $293.9 million last year. Sales in the direct channel consist of our Bowflex branded products and primarily include our rod-based home gyms, TreadClimber products, SelectTech dumbbells, and the Bowflex Revolution. |
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The decrease in net sales is due to a combination of reduced advertising earlier in the year as a result of increased competition for media space and lower conversion rates as consumer confidence was negatively affected by higher interest rates and increasing fuel prices resulting in an overall decrease in sales of our rod-based home gyms. This decrease was slightly offset by an increase in sales volume for our Bowflex TreadClimbers and the Bowflex Revolution, our latest generation of Bowflex home gyms. |
| In the commercial channel, net sales remained unchanged at $73.0 million in 2006 compared to $72.9 million last year. During the year we made a decision to renegotiate terms and discounts with our commercial dealers in order to increase overall profitability within the channel. As a result of these negotiations we realized a slight reduction in commercial dealer sales volumes. This decrease was offset by realizing a full year of sales from the Nautilus Commercial grade TreadClimber, various new product introductions during the last half of 2006, and a four percent price increase that was issued on a variety of products mid year. |
| In the retail channel, net sales increased 4.6% to $196.1 million as compared to $187.4 million last year. Growth in the channel is mainly due to an increase in sales volume through our existing retail partners which resulted in additional sales for our Bowflex rod-based home gyms, SelectTech dumbbells, and launching the Bowflex Blaze home gym in the third quarter of 2006. Contributing further to the growth was the realization of a full year of sales from products introduced later in 2005 for our Schwinn Fitness line of cardio equipment. The overall increase was offset by a decrease in sales of our Bowflex TreadClimbers, Nautilus strength products, and the discontinued Trimline cardio products. During the year, we also revised our supply chain strategy to increase the number of shipments to our retail customers directly from our Asian manufacturing partners. While this contributed to a reduction in net sales during the year, our profitability increased due to decreased distribution, freight and the U.S. customs related costs. The channel also realized a slight decrease from the negative effect of poor sell-through in the last quarter of 2006 in our specialty retail customer base that resulted primarily from an increasingly competitive market for specialty products and an increasingly challenging specialty retail environment. |
International Equipment BusinessThe international equipment business sells and markets fitness products sold under the Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster, brand names through the direct, commercial, and retail channels of distribution located outside of the Americas. Net sales for the international business improved 20.3% to $63.9 million as compared to $53.1 million last year. The increase in net sales is a result of the growth of sales to the international distributor network which contributed approximately $5.6 million, and additional sales in China and the western European countries where we have offices of $1.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
Fitness Apparel Business The fitness apparel business is responsible for the design, production, selling and marketing of branded apparel and footwear products sold under the Pearl Izumi, Nautilus and Schwinn Fitness brands. These products are primarily sold through four distinct sales channels that include wholesale direct, internet direct, retail stores leased by the Company and international distributors. Net sales for the Fitness Apparel Business improved 162.2% to $63.0 million as compared to a reported $24.0 million last year. The fitness apparel business was created in July of 2005 from the Companys acquisition of Pearl Izumi. From a comparability perspective, net sales of $29.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2006 would be compared to $24.0 million in the same period of 2005, an increase of $5.8 million or 24.2%. This increase is attributed to strong sales of the core Pearl Izumi cycling and running products with domestic net sales increasing approximately $3.4 million, and international direct and distributor net sales contributing approximately $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
Consolidated Gross Profit
As a result of our increased sales, and the full integration of Pearl Izumi, our total gross profit increased by 7.1% to $298.6 million as compared to $278.8 million last year. As a percentage of consolidated net sales our gross profit margin decreased to 43.9% as compared to 44.2% last year. The decrease is a result of the continued
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shift in our sales product mix both between and within product categories and among our selling channels. This was partially offset by a reduction in our warranty costs due to an overall improvement in quality of our products and through a recovery of a portion of such costs from our suppliers. In addition, as a result of improving our operating efficiencies and sustained engineering efforts we have continued to focus on reducing the cost of our sourced products from our Asian manufacturers.
Fitness Equipment Business Gross profit for our fitness equipment business improved slightly to $254.8 million as compared to $254.0 million last year. As a percentage of net sales, the gross profit margin improved slightly to 46.0% in 2006 compared to 45.8% last year. Factors affecting gross profit included a reduction of our warranty costs due to an overall improvement in quality, and through the recovery of a portion of warranty costs from our Asian manufacturers. In addition, we realized reductions of the actual cost of our sourced products through various sustained engineering efforts and continued vendor contract negotiations as we seek strong partnerships with fewer vendors. These cost savings were offset by an increase in freight costs and changes in both the sales channel and product sales mix within the product categories.
International Equipment Business Gross profit for our international equipment business was $16.5 million in 2006 compared to $13.8 million in 2005, an increase of $2.7 million or 19.6%. As a percentage of net sales, the gross profit margin remained unchanged at 25.9% in 2006 compared to that in 2005. The increased gross profit was attributed to efficiency gains in service and logistics performance along with an overall increase in sales volume. The increase was offset by downward pressure on selling prices exerted by strong competition, increased freight costs, and unfavorable sales mix resulting in increased sales volumes from the lower margin retail sales channel.
Fitness Apparel Business Gross profit for the Fitness Apparel Business improved by 147.7% to $27.3 million as compared to $11.0 million last year. However, as noted above, Pearl Izumi was acquired in July 2005 and the comparable gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2006 was $12.8 million as compared to $11.0 million during the same period of 2005, an increase of $1.9 million or 16.3%. As a percentage of net sales, the gross profit margin for this time period decreased to 43.4% in 2006 compared to 45.9% last year. The decrease in the profit margin is mainly due to the sales mix of products offered and a larger portion of sales coming from the international direct and distributor markets which have historically lower profit margins.
Consolidated Operating Expenses
Selling and Marketing Selling and marketing (S&M) expenses increased by 3.9% to $186.6 as compared to $179.7 million last year. As a percentage of consolidated net sales our S&M expenses decreased to 27.4% in 2006 compared to 28.5% last year. The increase in total S&M expenses is primarily due to inclusion of operating results related to the acquisition of Pearl Izumi last year resulting in additional expense of $4.5 million, an increase in consumer financing fees due to stronger financing utilization by our direct channel consumers, an increase in direct marketing costs and additional share-based compensation expense of approximately $0.4 million as a result of adoption of SFAS 123(R), with the remainder resulting from an increase in commission costs of approximately $1.8 million due to overall increased sales volume.
General and Administrative General and administrative (G&A) expenses increased by 10.8% to $54.1 million as compared to $48.8 million last year. As a percentage of consolidated net sales our G&A expenses were 8.0% in 2006 compared to 7.7% last year. The increase is mainly due to inclusion of G&A expenses of our acquired businesses in 2005 of approximately $4.3 million, a full year of depreciation and rent expense of approximately $2.2 million for our new corporate headquarters which we occupied late in the third quarter of 2005, and $1.8 million of share-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123(R), offset by a decrease of $1.8 million in legal costs.
Research and Development Research and development (R&D) expenses remained unchanged at $11.2 million.
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Royalties Royalty expense increased 4.5% to $5.6 million as compared to $5.4 million last year. We have several agreements under which we are obligated to pay royalty fees on certain product sales. The increase in our royalty expense is primarily a result of an increase in sales volumes related to our Bowflex Revolution and TreadClimber, partially offset by the purchase of the Rodgers patent portfolio whereby certain product sales no longer have associated royalties applicable to those patents.
Consolidated Other Income (Expense), net
Net interest expense increased to $2.0 million in 2006 compared to net interest income of $1.2 million in 2005. The increase in expense is due to the increase in the average balance of our short-term borrowings that were outstanding during 2006 as compared to the Company being in a cash investment position during most of last year.
Net other income increased to $1.6 million in 2006 from $0.3 million in 2005 primarily due to foreign currency gains realized by the Company in 2006.
Consolidated Income Tax Expense
The provision for income tax expense decreased by 5.9% to $11.6 million as compared to $12.3 million last year. Our effective tax rate in 2006 was 28.5% compared to 34.8% in 2005. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to a $3.8 million reduction of our tax contingency reserves resulting from our determination that certain statutory periods for the assessment of additional state income tax are now closed.
COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND DECEMBER 31, 2004
Consolidated Net Sales
Consolidated net sales were $631.3 million for 2005 compared to $523.8 million for 2004, an increase of $107.5 million or 20.5%. The acquisitions of Pearl Izumi and Belko Canada, our Canadian distributor, in 2005 represented $45.6 million of this increase in net sales.
Fitness Equipment Business Net sales from the fitness equipment business were $554.2 million for 2005 compared to $479.9 million in 2004. Specific channel net sales information is detailed below:
| In our direct channel, net sales improved by 10.3% to $293.9 million in 2005 compared to $266.5 million in 2004. The increase in direct channel sales was due to increased sales volumes of Bowflex home gyms, TreadClimber products and SelectTech dumbbells. In addition, net sales increased approximately $12.4 million as the result of a price increase in certain TreadClimber and Bowflex home gym products that took place during 2005. |
| In our commercial channel, net sales improved 8.2% to $72.9 million in 2005 compared to $67.4 million in 2004. The increase is primarily attributed to the introduction of the commercial grade TreadClimber during the second quarter of 2005, in addition to continued sales of the Nautilus Commercial Series treadmills that started shipping during the first quarter of 2005. |
| In our retail channel, net sales improved by 33.3% to $187.4 million in 2005 compared to $140.6 million in 2004. The increase in net sales is due primarily to increased unit sales from new products introduced into the specialty channel during 2005, specifically the Bowflex SelectTech, TreadClimber and home-gym products along with new products being introduced into the retail channel, specifically SelectTech, TreadClimber and new Bowflex home-gym products. The increase was also due to gaining additional retail customers as well as expanding the number of products offered at existing customer locations. |
International Equipment Business Net sales from the international equipment business were $53.1 million in 2005 compared to $43.9 million in 2004, an increase of $9.2 million or 20.9%. The increase in net sales was attributed to continued formation of new commercial and retail relationships in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
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Fitness Apparel Business Since the acquisition of Pearl Izumi in July 2005, net sales from the fitness apparel business totaled $24.0 million for 2005.
Consolidated Gross Profit
As a result of our increased sales, and the full integration of Pearl Izumi and Belko Canada, our total gross profit increased by 13.9% to $278.8 million in 2005 as compared to $244.8 million in 2004. The acquisitions of Pearl Izumi and Belko Canada in 2005 represented $22.3 million of this increase in gross profit. Our overall gross profit margin decreased to 44.2% in 2005, compared to 46.7% in 2004.
Fitness Equipment Business The fitness equipment business gross profit was $254.0 million in 2005 compared to $229.9 million in 2004, an increase of $24.1 million or 10.5%. The gross profit margin for the fitness equipment business was 45.8% in 2005 compared to 47.9% in 2004. The decrease in gross margin was attributed to a combination of drivers that include shift in product sales mix; inventory, warranty and factory-related costs and adjustments; higher transportation costs; and additional costs incurred to introduce and support several new product launches. This decline in 2005 gross margin as compared to 2004 was partially offset by the absence of additional warranty and product safety reinforcement related costs associated with doubling of the Bowflex Power Pro warranty and greater than anticipated customer response for the Bowflex Power Pro reinforcement kit during the first half of 2004.
International Equipment Business The international equipment business gross profit was $13.8 million in 2005 compared to $14.9 million in 2004, a decrease of $1.1 million or 7.4%. The gross profit margin for the international equipment business was 25.9% in 2005 compared to 33.8% in 2004. The decrease in gross margin was attributed to a combination of drivers that include growth in lower margin retail channel sales, increases in whole goods purchase prices and a new, more expensive logistics provider in the Netherlands.
Fitness Apparel Business The fitness apparel business gross profit in 2005 was $11.0 million, with a gross profit margin of 45.9%.
Consolidated Operating Expenses
Selling and Marketing Selling and marketing expense was $179.7 million in 2005 compared to $156.6 million in 2004, an increase of $23.1 million or 14.7%. The acquisitions of Pearl Izumi and Belko Canada in 2005 represented $4.3 million of the increase in selling and marketing expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling and marketing expense was 28.5% in 2005 compared to 29.9% in 2004. For the fitness equipment business, selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of sales were 28.8% in 2005 compared to 29.9% in 2004. The decrease in fitness equipment business selling and marketing expense as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to efficiencies gained in the Companys direct marketing efforts. Specifically, advertising expense as a percentage of direct channel sales decreased by approximately 4.1 percentage points. These gains were partially offset by the fees of an outside ad agency and ongoing market research projects designed to continue improving the effectiveness of the overall marketing program. Similar ad agency and market research expenses were not incurred during the majority of 2004.
General and Administrative General and administrative expenses were $48.8 million for 2005 compared to $31.0 million for 2004, an increase of $17.8 million or 57.3%. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses increased to 7.7% in 2005 as compared to 5.9% in 2004. The acquisitions of Pearl Izumi and the Canadian distributor in 2005 represented $4.2 million of the increase in general and administrative expenses. Besides the increase associated with these acquisitions, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to increased legal fees of approximately $5.7 million mostly related to litigation with ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. Consistent with our consumer-based business strategy to drive growth while investing in our future, general and administrative costs also increased approximately $8.3 million due to expenses associated with consolidating information systems. The primary drivers of the information systems costs were increased
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consulting fees, software license fees and wages. Additionally, we recorded charges in 2005 and 2004, respectively, consisting of the payment of a civil penalty in the amount of $1.0 million to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and a $1.8 million pretax gain on the sale of land that reduced 2004 expense.
Research and Development Research and development increased $4.4 million to $11.2 million in 2005 from $6.8 million in 2004, an increase of 65.2%. The acquisition of Pearl Izumi in 2005 represented $1.1 million of the increase in research and development expenses. Besides the increase associated with this acquisition, research and development expenses increased primarily due to higher staffing levels and prototype costs incurred to support the innovation component of our consumer driven business strategy.
Royalties Royalty expense decreased 10.1% to $5.4 million in 2005 as compared to $6.0 million in 2004. Our direct, commercial and retail channels have several agreements under which we are obligated to pay royalty fees on certain products. The decrease in our royalty expense was primarily attributable to the April 2004 expiration of a royalty agreement related to the Bowflex patents. This decrease in Bowflex related royalties was partially offset by royalty expense associated with our TreadClimber and elliptical product sales. We are obligated to pay royalties, at the rate of 3.0% of TreadClimber sales, to the inventor of the main patent on the TreadClimber until this patent expires on December 13, 2013.
Consolidated Income Tax Expense
The provision for income tax expense was $12.3 million in 2005 compared to $15.7 million in 2004, a decrease of $3.4 million or 21.7%. The decrease was primarily due to fluctuations in income before income taxes. The effective income tax rate increased from 34.3% in 2004 to 34.8% in 2005.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our operating, investing, and financing activities resulted in cash and cash equivalents of $4.3 million as of December 31, 2006. Net cash generated by operating activities in 2006 was $33.8 million compared to $9.6 used in operating activities in 2005. The increase in operating cash flows is due to growth in net income, non-cash share-based expense of $2.5 million resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123(R), and non-cash foreign currency gain of $1.4 million from transactions with our international subsidiaries. Further contributing to the increased operating cash flows is the decrease in inventories of $21.1 million due to improved inventory management. Offsetting this increase in cash flows are increases in trade receivables and prepaid expenses and other current assets of $24.6 million and $12.1 million, respectively. The increase in trade receivables reflects the ongoing growth in sales channels that require longer payment terms. The increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets is primarily due to $1.1 million in receipts for licensee revenues, $4.9 million receivables for vendor discounts, $1.1 million in receivables for manufacturer paid warranty costs, and an increase of $1.6 million and $2.3 million in prepaid advertising costs and prepaid inventories, respectively, in comparison to those in fiscal 2005.
Working capital was $103.4 million at December 31, 2006 compared to $107.0 million at December 31, 2005. The decrease in working capital is primarily due to the investing and financing activities described below.
Net cash used by investing activities was $15.1 million in 2006 compared with $17.6 million in 2005. In 2006, we strengthened our brand portfolio by purchasing the Universal brand for approximately $2.3 million. We also purchased the Rodgers IP portfolio for $5.8 million for which we had previously paid royalties, and made a $2.0 million deposit for a potential acquisition of the assets of Land America, our Asian contract manufacturer. Capital expenditures were $11.1 million in 2006 compared to $31.8 million in 2005. Capital expenditures consisted of manufacturing equipment, website development costs to support our innovative product offerings, and computer equipment to maintain and expand current information systems for future growth. In 2006, we also collected $7.1 million from the sales of our former headquarters building located in Vancouver, Washington and the distribution center located in Tyler, Texas.
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Net cash used in financing activities was $23.5 million in 2006. The increase is due to stock repurchases of $16.7 million, additional $1.5 million paid on long-term debt assumed by us as the result of the Belko Canada acquisition in 2005, lower net short-term borrowings in comparison to 2005, and lower proceeds from stock option exercises.
We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, and borrowings available under our credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements in the foreseeable future.
The following table presents our estimated contractual obligations:
(In Thousands) | Payments due by period | ||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 year |
1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | |||||||||||
Long-term debt(1) |
$ | 4,417 | 259 | 743 | 836 | 2,579 | |||||||||
Operating lease obligations |
30,612 | 6,023 | 9,490 | 7,871 | 7,228 | ||||||||||
Purchase obligations(2) |
69,622 | 68,405 | 1,217 | | | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 104,651 | $ | 74,687 | $ | 11,450 | $ | 8,707 | $ | 9,807 |
(1) | Net of imputed interest. |
(2) | Given that the majority of our inventory is sourced from Asia, we have long lead times for inventory purchases and therefore need to secure factory capacity from our vendors in advance. As the result, approximately $66.9 million of the $69.6 million in purchase obligations is for inventory purchases. This inventory is predominately related to sales anticipated in the first half of 2007. |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements located at Item 8 of this Form 10-K, from time to time, we arrange for leases or other financing sources with third parties to enable certain of our commercial customers to purchase our commercial products. While most of these financings are without recourse, in certain cases we may offer a guarantee or other recourse provisions. At December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the maximum contingent liability under all recourse provisions was approximately $1.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
In addition, we have an agreement with a financing company to provide second tier financing for our consumers. Refer to Notes 1 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the accounting treatment for these arrangements and the related disclosures, respectively.
INFLATION AND PRICE CHANGES
Although we cannot accurately anticipate the effect of inflation on our operations, we do not believe that inflation has had, or is likely in the foreseeable future to have, a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, increases in inflation over historical levels or uncertainty in the general economy could decrease discretionary consumer spending for products like ours.
During both 2006 and 2005, we experienced increases in transportation costs due to increases in the price for fuel. As the result, we implemented a four percent price increase passing some of these cost increases to the end-consumer. To the extent these costs continue to increase and we are unable to pass these costs to the customer, our gross margins may continue to be negatively impacted.
SEASONALITY
In general, based on historic trends, we expect our sales from fitness equipment products both in the U.S. and internationally to vary seasonally with sales typically the strongest in the fourth quarter, followed by the first and third quarters, and the weakest in the second quarter. Our analysis shows that such factors as the broadcast of
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national network season finales and seasonal weather patterns influence television viewership and cause our television commercials on national cable television to be less effective in the second quarter than in other periods of the year. In addition, during the spring and summer consumers tend to do more activities outside including exercise, which impacts sales of fitness equipment used indoors. Sales from our fitness apparel products are strongest in the first and third quarters and weakest during the fourth quarter. We expect the fluctuation in our consolidated net sales between our highest and lowest quarters to be approximately 40%.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (the U.S. GAAP) requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. As described by the SEC, critical accounting estimates and assumptions are those that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on the financial condition or operating performance of the company. Based on this definition, we believe the items listed below are our critical accounting estimates and assumptions.
Management and our independent auditors regularly discuss with our audit committee each of our critical accounting estimates and assumptions, as well as critical accounting policies presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements located at Item 8 of this Form 10-K, and the development and selection of these accounting estimates and the disclosure about each estimate in the MD&A. These discussions typically occur at our quarterly audit committee meetings and include the basis and methodology used in developing and selecting these estimates, the trends in and amounts of these estimates, specific matters affecting the amount of and changes in these estimates, and any other relevant matters related to these estimates, including significant issues concerning accounting principles and financial statement presentation.
Product Warranty
We provide a limited warranty for the replacement of defective products. Our standard warranties require us to repair or replace defective products at no cost to the consumer. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our basic limited warranty and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of units sold, along with the historical and anticipated cost to repair, replace or refund the original sale. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary.
Stock Compensation
We account for employee share-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. The fair value of each equity award as well as determination of probability when performance targets for awards subject to performance conditions are expected to be met require extensive use of judgment. Application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different amounts of compensation cost recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
Litigation and Loss Contingencies
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims, lawsuits and other proceedings. Such litigation involves uncertainty as to possible losses we may ultimately realize when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. We record any such possible losses in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company estimates the probability of losses on legal contingencies based on the advice of internal and external counsel, the outcomes from similar litigation, the status of the lawsuits (including settlement initiatives), legislative developments, and other factors. Due to the numerous variables associated with these judgments and assumptions, both the precision
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and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related loss contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to these contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly. A significant change in our estimates, or a result that materially differs from our estimates, may have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Valuation
We evaluate our intangible assets and goodwill for potential impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment are based on anticipated cash flows, market conditions, regulatory and other factors. Future events could cause us to conclude that goodwill or other intangible assets are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss may reduce our net worth and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. As of December 31, 2006, goodwill and intangible assets represented 27.0% of our total assets.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For a description of the new accounting standards that affect us, refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements located at Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We hold our cash and cash equivalents primarily in bank deposits and in liquid debt instruments with maturity dates of less than one year. We are subject to concentration of credit risk as bank deposits may exceed federally insured limits.
Foreign Exchange Risk
We are exposed to foreign exchange risk from currency fluctuations, mainly in Canada and Europe, due to sourcing of our products in the U.S. dollars and selling them primarily in Canadian dollars, Swiss Francs, and Euros. Given the relative size of our current foreign operations, the exposure to the exchange risk could have a material impact on the results of operations. Management estimates the maximum impact on stockholders equity of a ten percent change in any applicable foreign currency to be approximately $1.3 million.
Interest Rate Risk
Fluctuations in the general level of interest rates on our current variable rate credit agreements expose us to market risk. As of December 31, 2006, our outstanding borrowings under the credit facilities were $47.5 million and represented 28.2% of our total liabilities. Due to the short-term nature of these borrowings, management believes that any reasonably possible near-term changes in related interest rates would not have a material impact on the Companys financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Nautilus, Inc.
Vancouver, Washington
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nautilus, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity and comprehensive income, and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nautilus, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 15, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Portland, Oregon
March 15, 2007
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005
(In Thousands)
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 4,262 | $ | 7,984 | |||
Trade receivables, net |
137,714 | 116,908 | |||||
Inventories |
75,832 | 96,084 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
23,093 | 8,369 | |||||
Short-term note receivable |
2,461 | 2,496 | |||||
Assets held for sale |
1,677 | 6,115 | |||||
Deferred tax assets |
5,722 | 7,235 | |||||
Total current assets |
250,761 | 245,191 | |||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net |
52,658 | 59,320 | |||||
GOODWILL |
65,037 | 64,404 | |||||
INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS, net |
56,486 | 44,371 | |||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 424,942 | $ | 413,286 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY | |||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
|||||||
Trade payables |
$ | 61,375 | $ | 61,132 | |||
Accrued liabilities |
31,444 | 29,097 | |||||
Short-term borrowings |
47,500 | 40,147 | |||||
Income taxes payable |
4,551 | 3,810 | |||||
Customer deposits |
2,229 | 3,327 | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
259 | 707 | |||||
Total current liabilities |
147,358 | 138,220 | |||||
LONG-TERM DEBT |
4,158 | 5,610 | |||||
NON-CURRENT DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES |
16,792 | 16,990 | |||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14) |
|||||||
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY: |
|||||||
Common stock no par value, 75,000 shares authorized, 31,482 and 32,780 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively |
1,026 | 3,549 | |||||
Unearned stock compensation |
| (1,947 | ) | ||||
Retained earnings |
251,418 | 248,123 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
4,190 | 2,741 | |||||
Total stockholders equity |
256,634 | 252,466 | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
$ | 424,942 | $ | 413,286 | |||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||||
NET SALES |
$ | 680,295 | $ | 631,310 | $ | 523,837 | ||||||
COST OF SALES |
381,693 | 352,496 | 279,043 | |||||||||
Gross profit |
298,602 | 278,814 | 244,794 | |||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||||||
Selling and marketing |
186,617 | 179,656 | 156,577 | |||||||||
General and administrative |
54,120 | 48,826 | 31,033 | |||||||||
Research and development |
11,179 | 11,160 | 6,754 | |||||||||
Royalties |
5,607 | 5,368 | 5,968 | |||||||||
Total operating expenses |
257,523 | 245,010 | 200,332 | |||||||||
OPERATING INCOME |
41,079 | 33,804 | 44,462 | |||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
||||||||||||
Interest income |
732 | 1,592 | 1,357 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
(2,847 | ) | (564 | ) | | |||||||
Other income (expense), net |
1,705 | 461 | (172 | ) | ||||||||
Total other income (expense), net |
(410 | ) | 1,489 | 1,185 | ||||||||
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
40,669 | 35,293 | 45,647 | |||||||||
INCOME TAX EXPENSE |
11,569 | 12,293 | 15,662 | |||||||||
NET INCOME |
$ | 29,100 | $ | 23,000 | $ | 29,985 | ||||||
EARNINGS PER SHARE: |
||||||||||||
BASIC |
$ | 0.90 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.92 | ||||||
DILUTED |
$ | 0.90 | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.90 | ||||||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING: |
||||||||||||
BASIC |
32,300 | 33,303 | 32,757 | |||||||||
DILUTED |
32,457 | 33,857 | 33,394 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
33
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In Thousands)
Common Stock | Unearned Stock Compensation |
Retained Earnings |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) |
Total Stockholders |
|||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCES at JANUARY 1, 2004 |
32,605 | $ | 2,828 | $ | (1,544 | ) | $ | 221,580 | $ | 3,264 | $ | 226,128 | |||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 29,985 | | 29,985 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| | | | 820 | 820 | |||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
30,805 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid |
| | | (13,091 | ) | | (13,091 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of unearned stock compensation |
| | 340 | | | 340 | |||||||||||||||||
Options exercised |
543 | 6,569 | | | | 6,569 | |||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit of exercise of nonqualified options |
| 1,285 | | | | 1,285 | |||||||||||||||||
BALANCES at DECEMBER 31, 2004 |
33,148 | 10,682 | (1,204 | ) | 238,474 | 4,084 | 252,036 | ||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 23,000 | | 23,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| | | | (1,343 | ) | (1,343 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
21,657 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid |
| | | (13,351 | ) | | (13,351 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Unearned stock compensation |
| 1,106 | (1,106 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of unearned stock compensation |
| | 363 | | | 363 | |||||||||||||||||
Options exercised |
463 | 5,609 | | | | 5,609 | |||||||||||||||||
Stock repurchased |
(831 | ) | (15,636 | ) | | | | (15,636 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Tax benefit of exercise of nonqualified options |
| 1,788 | | | | 1,788 | |||||||||||||||||
BALANCES at DECEMBER 31, 2005 |
32,780 | 3,549 | (1,947 | ) | 248,123 | 2,741 | 252,466 | ||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 29,100 | | 29,100 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| | | | 1,449 | 1,449 | |||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
30,549 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid |
| | | (12,913 | ) | | (12,913 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Stock repurchased |
(1,344 | ) | (3,761 | ) | | (12,892 | ) | | (16,653 | ) | |||||||||||||
Cumulative change from adoption of accounting policy |
(1,947 | ) | 1,947 | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| 2,534 | | | | 2,534 | |||||||||||||||||
Options exercised |
46 | 603 | | | | 603 | |||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit of exercise of nonqualified options |
| 48 | | | | 48 | |||||||||||||||||
BALANCES at DECEMBER 31, 2006 |
31,482 | $ | 1,026 | $ | | $ | 251,418 | $ | 4,190 | $ | 256,634 | ||||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
34
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In Thousands)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 29,100 | $ | 23,000 | $ | 29,985 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
17,044 | 16,354 | 11,972 | |||||||||
Amortization of unearned stock compensation |
| 363 | 340 | |||||||||
Share-based compensation |
2,534 | | | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment |
146 | 17 | (1,214 | ) | ||||||||
Tax benefit from exercise of nonqualified options |
| 1,788 | 1,285 | |||||||||
Excess tax benefit from exercise of employee stock options |
(48 | ) | | | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
414 | (437 | ) | 860 | ||||||||
Foreign currency transaction gain |
(1,420 | ) | | | ||||||||
Decrease in allowance for notes receivable |
| | (594 | ) | ||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions: |
||||||||||||
Trade receivables |
(24,616 | ) | (16,261 | ) | (19,702 | ) | ||||||
Inventories |
21,128 | (33,342 | ) | 4,693 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(12,054 | ) | (1,564 | ) | (1,036 | ) | ||||||
Trade payables |
(101 | ) | 2,228 | 22,774 | ||||||||
Accrued liabilities |
2,042 | 2,315 | (5,991 | ) | ||||||||
Income taxes payable |
795 | (4,600 | ) | 2,261 | ||||||||
Customer deposits |
(1,158 | ) | 493 | 1,373 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
33,806 | (9,646 | ) | 47,006 | ||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(11,147 | ) | (31,771 | ) | (9,043 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and assets held for sale |
7,143 | 2,972 | 641 | |||||||||
Purchases of intangible assets |
(8,455 | ) | | | ||||||||
Net increase in other assets |
(2,703 | ) | (449 | ) | (596 | ) | ||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
| (73,689 | ) | | ||||||||
Purchases of short-term investments |
| (49,352 | ) | (126,143 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments |
| 134,671 | 92,106 | |||||||||
Net increase in notes receivable |
35 | 8 | 453 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(15,127 | ) | (17,610 | ) | (42,582 | ) | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Cash dividends paid on common stock |
(12,913 | ) | (13,351 | ) | (13,091 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
603 | 5,609 | 6,569 | |||||||||
Excess tax benefit from exercise of employee stock options |
48 | | | |||||||||
Stock repurchases |
(16,653 | ) | (15,636 | ) | | |||||||
Net increase of short-term borrowings |
7,353 | 40,147 | | |||||||||
Principal payments on long-term debt |
(1,900 | ) | (300 | ) | | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(23,462 | ) | 16,469 | (6,522 | ) | |||||||
Net effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes |
1,061 | (495 | ) | 12 | ||||||||
(Continued)
35
NAUTILUS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In Thousands)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||||
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
$ | (3,722 | ) | $ | (11,282 | ) | $ | (2,086 | ) | |||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR |
7,984 | 19,266 | 21,352 | |||||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR |
$ | 4,262 | $ | 7,984 | $ | 19,266 | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION - |
||||||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes |
$ | 10,594 | $ | 16,067 | $ | 10,831 | ||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 2,128 | $ | 205 | $ | | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF OTHER NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITY - |
||||||||||||
Other receivable issued as part of the sale of land |
$ | | $ | | $ | 2,331 | ||||||
Other long term liability issued in conjunction with the acquisition of certain intangible assets |
$ | | $ | | $ | 200 | ||||||
(Concluded)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
36
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization and Business Nautilus, Inc. (Nautilus or the Company) is a leading designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of branded fitness and apparel products sold under such well-known brand names as Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, StairMaster, and Pearl Izumi. Nautilus was founded in 1986 and incorporated in the State of Washington in 1993. The Companys headquarters is located in Vancouver, Washington.
The Company has grown through a combination of internal growth and a series of strategic acquisitions such as Nautilus International, Inc., the fitness division of Schwinn/GT Corp. and its affiliates, StairMaster Sports/Medical, Inc., and DashAmerica, Inc. d/b/a Pearl Izumi USA. As a result of these acquisitions, the Company expanded its portfolio of leading brands, product development capabilities, product lines, distribution channels, and the size of its customer base.
Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements relate to Nautilus, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any historical losses in such accounts.
Concentration of Credit Risk and Trade Receivables Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade receivables. The Company generally does not require collateral on its trade receivables. Credit risk on trade receivables is minimized as a result of the large and diverse nature of the Companys customer base. The Company maintains allowances for losses based on the historical experience, the age of outstanding receivables, existing economic conditions, and the expected collectibility of trade receivables. Creditworthiness of customers is periodically reviewed to help gauge collectibility. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectibility of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past-due receivable balances are written-off when the Companys internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful. For the years ended December 31, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable activity was as follows:
(In Thousands) | Balance at Beginning of Period |
Charged to Costs and Expenses |
Deductions* | Balance at End of Period | |||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts: |
|||||||||||||
2006 |
$ | 4,085 | $ | 1,455 | $ | (1,647 | ) | $ | 3,893 | ||||
2005 |
3,252 | 1,874 | (1,041 | ) | 4,085 | ||||||||
2004 |
2,686 | 985 | (419 | ) | 3,252 |
* | Deductions represent amounts written off against the allowance, net of recoveries. |
37
Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost or market. Cost is determined using a first-in, first-out cost method. The Company evaluates the need for inventory valuation adjustments associated with obsolete, slow-moving and not saleable inventory by reviewing current transactions and forecasted product demand on a quarterly basis.
Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Improvements or betterments, not considered to be maintenance and repair which add new functionality or significantly extend the life of an asset, are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Expenditures for maintenance, repair costs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. The cost of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts in the year of disposal. Gains and losses resulting from disposals of property and equipment are recognized in the period in which the property and equipment is disposed. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets primarily consist of license agreements, patents, trademarks and goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, (SFAS No. 142). Intangible assets that are deemed to have finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.
Impairment of Long-lived and Intangible Assets Long-lived and intangible assets that are determined to have finite lives are measured for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, only when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. In these cases, the Company estimates the future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from the asset to determine whether a potential impairment exists. If the carrying value exceeds the estimate of future undiscounted cash flows, the Company then calculates the amount of impairment charge as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over the estimate of its fair value.
The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, typically in the fourth quarter of each year or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may be impaired, using the two-step process prescribed in SFAS No. 142. The first step is a screen for potential impairment, while the second step measures the amount of the impairment, if any.
As the result of performing the tests for potential impairment, the Company determined that no impairment existed as of December 31, 2006 or 2005 and therefore, there were no write-downs to any of its goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible or other long-lived assets. Impairment charge, if any, would be classified, depending on the nature of the underlying assets, as a component of cost of sales or operating expenses.
Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, Revenue Recognition, when products are shipped, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured or probable, title and risk of loss have passed, and there are no significant remaining obligations. Title generally passes upon shipment or upon receipt by the customer depending on the country of the sale and the agreement with the customer. Retail store revenues are recorded at the time of sale. Revenue for commercial products is recognized upon final installation of commercial equipment if the Company is responsible for installation. Revenue is recognized net of applicable promotional discounts, rebates, and return allowances. Return allowances are estimated using historical experience. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation), any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer is presented in the Statements of Income on a net basis (excluded from revenues).
38
Product Warranty The Companys product warranty policy provides for coverage of defects in materials and workmanship and includes the cost to manufacture (raw materials, labor and overhead) or purchase warranty parts from suppliers as well as the cost to ship those parts to customers. The cost of labor to install a warranted part on commercial equipment is also included. The warranty reserve is based on the historical experience with each product and warranty expenses are charged to cost of sales when sales are recognized or as such estimates change, net of estimated cost recoveries from suppliers.
A warranty reserve is established for new products based on historical experience with similar products, adjusted for any technological advances in manufacturing or materials used. The warranty trends are evaluated periodically with respect to future claims volume and nature of likely claims. Any adjustments made to the warranty reserve are the result of judgment regarding the likely effect of the warranty trends on future claims.
For the years ended December 31, warranty reserve activity was as follows:
(In Thousands) | Balance at Beginning of Period |
Charged to Costs and Expenses |
Deductions* | Balance at End of Period | |||||||||
Warranty reserves: |
|||||||||||||
2006 |
$ | 10,210 | $ | 11,175 | $ | (11,578 | ) | $ | 9,807 | ||||
2005 |
7,537 | 11,114 | (8,441 | ) | 10,210 | ||||||||
2004 |
7,348 | 7,362 | (7,173 | ) | 7,537 |
* | Deductions represent warranty claims paid out in the form of service costs and/or product replacements. Beginning in 2006, the Company was able to offset its warranty costs by recovering a portion of such costs from its suppliers. |
Advertising and Promotion The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred, except for commercial advertising production costs which are expensed at the time the first commercial is shown on television. Advertising costs are included in selling and marketing expenses.
Total advertising and promotion expenses were $86.4 million, $79.3 million, and $82.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Advertising and promotion expenses recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets totaled $5.1 million and $2.7 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are recorded as revenue in accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-10, Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs. Direct costs associated with shipping goods and inventory planning, receiving and handling costs to customers are recorded as a component of cost of sales.
Research and Development Internal research and development costs, which primarily consist of payroll, payroll related expenses and materials expenses relating to the development of new products, including significant improvements and refinements to existing products, are expensed as incurred and included separately in operating expenses. Third party research and development costs, if any, are expensed when the contracted work has been performed.
Income Taxes The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period of the enactment. A valuation allowance may be recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount for which realization is more likely than not. Any income tax contingencies are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.
39
Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions Accounts of the Companys foreign operations are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. These accounts are then translated into U.S. dollars using the current rate method with translation gains and losses accumulated as the comprehensive income component of stockholders equity, except for gains or losses from transactions with the Companys international subsidiaries which are recorded as part of other income/expense in the consolidated statements of income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of the Companys cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, note receivable, trade payables, accrued liabilities, short-term borrowings, and customer deposits approximate their estimated fair values due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments. Management does not expect the fair value of the Companys long-term debt to materially differ from its carrying value.
Guarantees At times, the Company arranges for leases or other financing sources to enable sales of its commercial fitness equipment. While most of these financing arrangements are without recourse, in certain cases the Company provides a guarantee or other recourse provisions to an independent finance company for either all or a portion of the lease payments in order to facilitate the sale. In such situations, the Company ensures that the transaction between the independent leasing company and the commercial customer represents a sales-type lease. The Company accounts for such agreements in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) Interpretation (FIN) No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others and therefore records a liability and a corresponding reduction of revenue for the estimated fair value of the guarantees. Revenue is recognized over the life of the lease obligation unless a loss is actually incurred related to such guarantee. The Company monitors the payment status of the lessee under these arrangements and provides a reserve in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, in situations when collection of the lease payments is not probable.
Generally, if the Company is required to fulfill its obligations under the guarantee, it has the right to repossess the products from the commercial customer. It is not practical to estimate the amount of proceeds that would be generated from the sale of these assets in such situations.
Share-Based Compensation Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)) for its share-based compensation plan. SFAS 123(R) requires companies to recognize in the statement of operations the grant-date fair value of stock awards issued to employees and directors. The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the Companys consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the impact of SFAS 123(R). Therefore, the results for fiscal 2006 are not directly comparable to prior years. The Company also adopted FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123(R)-3, Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards (FSP 123(R)-3). Under FSP 123(R)-3, the Company elected not to use the short-cut method for determining the historical pool of windfall tax benefits for purposes of determining whether an excess tax benefit has been realized.
The Company previously accounted for the plan under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25) and related interpretations and disclosure requirements established by SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure. In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) issued SAB No. 107, Share-Based Payment (SAB 107), relating to SFAS 123(R). The Company has applied the provisions of SAB 107 in its adoption of SFAS 123(R).
Under APB 25, no expense was recorded in the income statement for the Companys equity awards granted at fair market value. The pro-forma effect on income for equity awards was instead disclosed in a footnote to the financial statements. Expense was recorded in the income statement for equity awards granted below fair market value on the date of grant.
40
Under SFAS 123(R), the Company recognizes compensation expense from share-based payments over the requisite service periods of the individual grants which generally equal the vesting periods. Consistent with prior years, the fair value of each equity award is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model which requires extensive use of accounting judgment, including estimates of the expected volatility of the Companys common stock price over the expected term, the dividend yield, expected term option holders will retain their vested awards before exercising them, and the number of awards that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting requirements. The fair value of the Companys equity awards was estimated utilizing the following assumptions:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
Dividend yield |
2.7 | % | 2.2 | % | 2.5 | % | |||
Risk-free interest rate |
4.7 | % | 4.2 | % | 4.3 | % | |||
Expected volatility |
44 | % | 65 | % | 48 | % | |||
Expected life (years) |
4.75 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
Expected life represents the period that the Companys equity awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience with similar awards giving consideration to the contractual terms and vesting schedules of the equity awards. Risk-free interest rate is based on the implied U.S. Treasury zero coupon yield curve in effect in the month of grant. Expected dividend yield is calculated based on the amount of quarterly dividends in the amount of $0.10 per share paid in fiscal 2006. Expected volatility utilized in the model is calculated using daily historical volatility of the Companys stock price. When estimating forfeitures, the Company considers terminations as well as anticipated retirements based on an analysis of historical data.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to its equity awards for the periods prior to adoption of SFAS 123(R):
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||
Net income, as reported |
$ | 23,000 | $ | 29,985 | ||||
Add: Share-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax |
237 | 223 | ||||||
Deduct: Share-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of tax |
(1,854 | ) | (2,967 | ) | ||||
Net income, pro-forma |
$ | 21,383 | $ | 27,241 | ||||
Basic earnings per share: |
||||||||
As reported |
$ | 0.69 | $ | 0.92 | ||||
Pro-forma |
$ | 0.64 | $ | 0.83 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share: |
||||||||
As reported |
$ | 0.68 | $ | 0.90 | ||||
Pro-forma |
$ | 0.63 | $ | 0.82 |
As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R), the Companys income before income taxes and net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $2.5 million and $1.8 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. The Companys basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $0.06 and $0.05 lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. The Company did not capitalize any of its share-based compensation costs in any of the periods. A contra-equity balance of $1.9 million in Unearned stock compensation on the Consolidated Balance Sheet was reversed as a change in accounting policy upon the adoption of SFAS 123(R) to Additional paid-in capital as of January 1, 2006.
41
Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as an operating cash flow, in accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-15, Classification in the Statement of Cash Flows of the Income Tax Benefit Received by a Company upon Exercise of a Nonqualified Employee Stock Option. SFAS 123(R) requires the Company to reflect the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense reflected in its financial statements as a financing cash flow.
Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to fiscal year 2006 presentation. These changes had no impact on previously reported results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
New Accounting Pronouncements In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (SFAS 159), The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which expands the scope of what companies may carry at fair value. SFAS 159 offers an irrevocable option to carry the vast majority of financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on the Companys results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In September 2006, the staff of the SEC issued SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108). In SAB 108, the SEC staff established an approach that requires quantification of financial statement misstatements based on the effects of the misstatements on each of the Companys financial statements and the related financial statement disclosures. SAB 108 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The Company adopted SAB 108 in December 2006; adoption of SAB 108 did not have a significant impact on the Companys results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on the Companys results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 provides a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits and requires companies to make disclosures about uncertainties in their income tax position, including a detailed rollforward of tax benefits taken that do not qualify for financial statement recognition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption will have on the Companys results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In June 2006, the EITF issued EITF 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) (EITF 06-3). EITF 06-3 provides guidance on the presentation in the income statement of any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer. EITF 06-3 requires that taxes be presented in the income statement either on a gross basis (included in revenues and costs) or a net basis (excluded from revenues), and that this accounting policy decision be disclosed. EITF 06-3 should be applied to financial reports for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted EITF 06-3, as allowed in the guidance, effective July 1, 2006. The Company has historically reported and will continue to report taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction on a net basis. The adoption of EITF 06-3 did not have an impact on the Companys results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
42
2. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following at December 31:
(In Thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Finished goods |
$ | 55,235 | $ | 69,178 | ||
Work-in-process |
1,154 | 1,368 | ||||
Parts and components |
10,003 | 13,654 | ||||
Raw materials |
9,440 | 11,884 | ||||
Inventories |
$ | 75,832 | $ | 96,084 | ||
3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
Property, plant and equipment included the following at December 31:
(In Thousands) | Estimated Useful Life (in years) |
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
Land |
N/A | $ | 1,283 | $ | 1,507 | |||||
Buildings and improvements |
5 to 31.5 | 26,343 | 27,416 | |||||||
Computer equipment |
2 to 5 | 42,892 | 40,556 | |||||||
Machinery and equipment |
3 to 5 | 27,246 | 26,241 | |||||||
Furniture and fixtures |
5 | 4,778 | 5,182 | |||||||
Construction in process |
N/A | 1,378 | 2,220 | |||||||
Total property, plant and equipment |
103,920 | 103,122 | ||||||||
Accumulated depreciation |
(51,262 | ) | (43,802 | ) | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
$ | 52,658 | $ | 59,320 | ||||||
Construction in process consists of capitalizable costs associated with tooling being developed for new products and internally developed software that are not yet in service. Capitalized interest was not material for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
In 2006, as part of the plan to consolidate its production facilities for the cardiovascular line of equipment, the Company concluded its operations at its manufacturing facility in Tyler, Texas and started transitioning manufacturing of key products to other U.S. and Asian manufacturing facilities. At December 31, 2006, the facility and all related assets were not sold and have been classified as Assets held for sale in the Companys balance sheet. The amount presented at December 31, 2005, consists entirely of the previous Company headquarters. The building was sold in February 2006 for approximately book value.
Depreciation expense was $14.9 million, $12.2 million, and $9.0 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
4. GOODWILL
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
(In Thousands) | Fitness Equipment |
Fitness Apparel |
Total | ||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2005 |
$ | 29,755 | $ | | $ | 29,755 | |||
Belko Canada Acquisition |
2,514 | | 2,514 | ||||||
Pearl Izumi Acquisition |
| 32,135 | 32,135 | ||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2005 |
32,269 | 32,135 | 64,404 | ||||||
Purchase accounting adjustments |
| 622 | 622 | ||||||
Currency exchange differences |
5 | 6 | 11 | ||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2006 |
$ | 32,274 | $ | 32,763 | $ | 65,037 | |||
The International Equipment Business reportable segment did not have goodwill at December 31, 2006 or 2005.
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5. INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS, net
Intangible assets and other assets consisted of the following at December 31:
(In Thousands) | Estimated Useful Life (in years) |
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
Intangible assets: |
||||||||||
Indefinite life trademarks |
N/A | $ | 37,523 | $ | 30,465 | |||||
Definite life trademarks |
20 | | 6,800 | |||||||
Patents |
1 to 17 | 7,697 | 1,597 | |||||||
Customer base |
8 | 3,400 | 3,400 | |||||||
Developed technology |
4 | 2,500 | 2,500 | |||||||
Non-compete agreements |
3 | 1,647 | 1,647 | |||||||
Total intangible assets |
52,767 | 46,409 | ||||||||
Accumulated amortization: |
||||||||||
Trademarks |
| (2,097 | ) | |||||||
Patents |
(730 | ) | (262 | ) | ||||||
Customer base |
(631 | ) | (206 | ) | ||||||
Developed technology |
(927 | ) | (302 | ) | ||||||
Non-compete agreements |
(916 | ) | (366 | ) | ||||||
Total accumulated amortization |
(3,204 | ) | (3,233 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
49,563 | 43,176 | ||||||||
Other assets |
6,923 | 1,195 | ||||||||
Intangible and other assets, net |
$ | 56,486 | $ | 44,371 | ||||||
In 2006, the Company purchased approximately $8.5 million in intangible assets whose lives range between 10 years and perpetuity. The amortization expense, which is included in cost of sales and general and administrative expense, for the next five full succeeding years, is estimated at $2.3 million, $2.0 million, $1.5 million, $1.1 million, and $1.1 million.
During 2006, the Company determined that the life of the Schwinn trademark was indefinite and therefore discontinued its amortization. Prior to 2006 the acquisition value of the trademark was amortized over a period of twenty years. The Company believes the indefinite life is appropriate as the Schwinn product line continues to be profitable and is expected to grow. The Company also evaluated the carrying value of the trademark for impairment and determined that no impairment existed at December 31, 2006.
6. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities in excess of five percent of total current liabilities consisted of accrued warranty expense of $9.8 million and $10.2 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and accrued payroll of $8.5 million at December 31, 2005.
7. LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT
In November 2005, the Company entered into an unsecured credit agreement with two domestic lending institutions. In August 2006, the Company amended its credit agreement. The agreement, as amended, provides for a revolving credit facility for a maximum commitment of $65 million, includes revolving loans, letters of credit and swing loans, and expires on November 17, 2010. Under this credit facility, borrowings had interest based at either the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Effective Rate or Eurodollar rates plus the applicable margin for either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans based upon the Companys consolidated leverage ratio. The credit facility has a default rate of two percent in excess of the rate otherwise applicable and provides for a facility fee
44
at the annual rate equal to the applicable Facility Fee Rate in effect on the payment date. The facility fee is based on the average daily total commitment amount in effect during the quarter and is payable quarterly. At December 31, 2006, the outstanding balance under the facility was $47.5 million with a borrowing limit of $65 million of which $13.5 million was available. The interest rate on the amount of borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2006 ranged between 6.135% and 6.359%. The interest rates ranged between 5.025% and 5.275% on the amount of borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2006, the Company had $4.0 million in standby letters of credit primarily with Asian vendors which reduced the balance available under the credit facility.
Under the terms of the credit facility, the Company could use proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. The terms of the credit facility also allowed the use of funds for the repurchase of shares of the Companys common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30 million until the fixed charge coverage ratio is equal to or greater than 1.20 to 1.00. The credit facility, as amended, contained certain financial and non-financial covenants with which the Company was in compliance at December 31, 2006.
In February 2007, the Company paid off the outstanding balances under the $65 million facility described above and entered into a new revolving credit agreement (the New Facility) with several financing institutions. The New Facility provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility to include revolving loans, a $10 million swing line sub-facility, and a $25 million line of credit sub-facility, for a maximum commitment amount of $125 million with an option to increase the facility to $175 million. The New Facility expires on February 14, 2012 and is intended for general corporate purposes, working capital requirements, and financing permitted acquisitions and share repurchases.
The New Facility provides for either Base Rate or Eurodollar Rate loans with each revolving loan in the principal amount of $2.5 million or in increments of $0.5 million in excess thereof. It also allows for swing loans in minimum amounts of $0.1 million subject to its sub-limit of $10.0 million for a duration of up to ten business days, and letters of credit in the minimum amount of $0.1 million. Base rate revolving loans bear interest at the higher of the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5% or the prime rate per annum; Eurodollar revolving loans bear interest at the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin of from 0.75% to 1.5% per annum; Swing line loans bear interest at the Base Rate minus a margin of from 1.15% to 1.9% per annum. The credit agreement includes a commitment fee of from 0.75% to 3.0% per annum for the unused portion of the commitment.
The New Facility requires Pearl Izumi, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, to be a guarantor of the credit facility; other domestic subsidiaries may be required to become guarantors under certain circumstances. The New Facility also contains certain financial and non-financial covenants which include a consolidated leverage ratio, a consolidated asset coverage ratio, and a requirement to maintain a minimum consolidated Earnings Before Income Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA).
In 2005, the Company issued a $1.5 million non-interest bearing promissory note ($1.3 million, net of imputed interest), payable in full in 2008, as part of the purchase price in the Belko Canada acquisition. During 2006, the Company reached an agreement with the noteholder to settle the entire amount of the note and paid off the remaining balance of the note in August of 2006.
As part of the acquisition of Pearl Izumi, the Company became obligated on two non-interest bearing notes of $4.4 million and $0.9 million, net of imputed interest. The $4.4 million note required payments of $0.3 million in February 2006, and $0.15 million per quarter beginning March 2007 through December 2016. The $0.9 million note required payments of $0.15 million per quarter beginning September 2005 through December 2006 and was paid off in January 2007.
45
8. INCOME TAXES
For the years ended December 31, the income (loss) before income taxes was as follows:
(In Thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
United States |
$ | 38,120 | $ | 35,300 | $ | 43,168 | ||||
Foreign |
2,549 | (7 | ) | 2,479 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 40,669 | $ | 35,293 | $ | 45,647 | ||||
For the years ended December 31, the income tax expense consisted of the following:
(In Thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||
Current: |
||||||||||||
Federal |
$ | 11,841 | $ | 11,118 | $ | 13,495 | ||||||
State |
(2,156 | ) | 849 | 861 | ||||||||
Foreign |
1,470 | 763 | 446 | |||||||||
Total current |
11,155 | 12,730 | 14,802 | |||||||||
Deferred: |
||||||||||||
Federal |
1,040 | (229 | ) | 884 | ||||||||
State |
(261 | ) | 361 | 48 | ||||||||
Foreign |
(365 | ) | (569 | ) | (72 | ) | ||||||
Total deferred |
414 | (437 | ) | 860 | ||||||||
Total income tax expense |
$ | 11,569 | $ | 12,293 | $ | 15,662 | ||||||
The components of the net deferred tax liability at December 31 were as follows:
(In Thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
Accrued liabilities |
$ | 5,785 | $ | 6,808 | ||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
1,058 | 992 | ||||||
Inventory valuation |
856 | 990 | ||||||
Uniform capitalization |
350 | 441 | ||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
784 | | ||||||
Net operating loss carryforward |
180 | 399 | ||||||
Other |
722 | | ||||||
9,735 | 9,630 | |||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Prepaid advertising |
(1,764 | ) | (984 | ) | ||||
Other prepaids |
(772 | ) | (850 | ) | ||||
Basis difference on long-lived assets |
(17,259 | ) | (16,990 | ) | ||||
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries |
(693 | ) | (561 | ) | ||||
(20,488 | ) | (19,385 | ) | |||||
Net deferred tax liability |
$ | (10,753 | ) | $ | (9,755 | ) | ||
46
Deferred taxes are presented in the consolidated balance sheet as follows at December 31:
(In Thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Current deferred tax asset |
$ | 5,722 | $ | 7,235 | ||||
Non-current deferred tax assets |
317 | | ||||||
Non-current deferred tax liabilities |
(16,792 | ) | (16,990 | ) | ||||
Net deferred tax liability |
$ | (10,753 | ) | $ | (9,755 | ) | ||
A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate with the Companys effective income tax rate is as follows:
(In Thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||
U.S. statutory income tax rate |
35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | |||
State tax, net of federal benefit |
1.9 | 1.7 | 1.2 | ||||||
Nondeductible incentive stock option expense |
0.8 | | | ||||||
Tax benefit related to U.S. export sales |
(0.2 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (0.3 | ) | |||
Qualified domestic production activity deduction |
(0.2 | ) | (0.5 | ) | | ||||
Penalties |
| 0.9 | | ||||||
Impact of foreign results |
0.5 | 0.6 | | ||||||
Nondeductible operational expenses |
0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | ||||||
Tax exempt interest |
| (1.1 | ) | (0.8 | ) | ||||
Research and development credit |
(0.5 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (0.4 | ) | |||
Change in deferred tax measurement rate |
0.1 | 0.8 | | ||||||
Reduction in tax contingency reserve |
(9.3 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (0.9 | ) | |||
Other |
(0.1 | ) | (0.6 | ) | 0.2 | ||||
Effective tax rate |
28.5 | % | 34.8 | % | 34.3 | % | |||
The decrease in the effective tax rate in 2006 is primarily due to a $3.8 million reduction of tax contingency reserves resulting from determination that certain statutory periods for the assessment of additional state income tax are now closed.
At December 31, 2006, the Company did not provide for the U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes for a cumulative total of $2.5 million of undistributed income from certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that will be permanently reinvested outside the United States. Should the Company repatriate foreign earnings, the Company would have to adjust the income tax provision in the period management determined that the Company would repatriate earnings.
For foreign tax purposes, the Company has approximately $1.4 million in net operating loss carryforwards of which $0.8 million expire in fiscal 2012 and $0.6 million expire in fiscal 2013, if not utilized.
9. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Common Stock
As of December 31, 2006, the Company had 75.0 million authorized shares of common stock, no par value, of which 31.5 million were issued and outstanding, and 3.5 million shares were reserved for future issuance for exercise of stock options and restricted stock, and payment of awards under share-based compensation plans. During fiscal 2006, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.40 per share.
In March 2005, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of the Companys common stock in open-market transactions at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate depending on market conditions and other factors. The authorization expires on March 31, 2008
47
unless extended by the Board of Directors. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares or acquire shares over any specified period of time. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company acquired 1.3 million shares of common stock at an average price of $12.42 per share for a total cost of $16.7 million. During 2005, the Company acquired 0.8 million shares of common stock at an average price of $18.82 per share for a total cost of $15.6 million.
Share-Based Compensation
In July 2003, certain stock options were granted to the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer at an exercise price of $2.00 per share below the market price on the day of the grant. The Company recognized compensation expense of $0.3 million, $0.4 million, and $0.3 million in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. This arrangement was amended December 31, 2005 to eliminate the original discount per share.
2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
In 2005, the Companys shareholders approved the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan). The 2005 Plan permits flexibility in types of awards and specific terms of awards, which allow future awards to be based on then-current objectives for aligning compensation with increasing long-term shareholder value. The aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance as awards under the 2005 Plan is 4.0 million, plus any shares of common stock that were previously reserved for issuance under the Companys Stock Option Plan and were not subject to grant on June 6, 2005, or as to which the option award is forfeited on or after June 6, 2005. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or performance unit awards which may be granted to any one participant in any one year under the 2005 Plan is 1.0 million. The aggregate number of shares available for issuance under the 2005 Plan is reduced by two shares for each share delivered in settlement of any stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock unit or performance unit award, and one share for each share delivered in settlement of a stock option award. At December 31, 2006, 3.5 million shares were available for future issuance under the 2005 Plan.
Stock Options
Stock option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Companys stock based on the closing market price of the Companys common stock on the date preceding the grant date, generally vest based on four years of continuous service and, starting with the adoption of the 2005 Plan, have a seven year contractual term (options issued prior to the adoption of the 2005 Plan have a ten year term). The fair value of each award was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the weighted-average assumptions described in Note 1 to these consolidated financial statements.
A summary of the Companys stock option plan activity is as follows:
(In thousands, except exercise price) | Total Shares |
Weighted- Exercise |
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) |
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
2,277 | $ | 17.39 | ||||||||
Granted |
661 | 15.61 | |||||||||
Forfeited or canceled |
(171 | ) | 19.45 | ||||||||
Expired |
(153 | ) | 24.75 | ||||||||
Exercised |
(46 | ) | 12.94 | $ | 165 | ||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2006 |
2,568 | $ | 16.44 | 6.41 | $ | 2,879 | |||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2006 |
996 | $ | 17.22 | 6.10 | $ | 1,489 | |||||
48
The weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted was $5.54 for stock options granted in fiscal 2006. The total fair value of options vested during fiscal 2006 was $2.2 million. At December 31, 2006, the number of options vested or expected to vest equaled to the number of options outstanding. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested options was $5.6 million at December 31, 2006. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.45 years.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006:
(In thousands, except life and exercise price) | Options Outstanding | Options Exercisable | ||||||||||
Range of Exercise Prices |
Number Outstanding |
Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Weighted- Average Exercise Price |
Number of Shares Exercisable |
Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |||||||
$10.39 |
769 | 6.50 | $ | 10.39 | 393 | $ | 10.39 | |||||
$12.40 - $15.12 |
201 | 6.20 | 13.65 | 85 | 13.23 | |||||||
$15.15 |
456 | 5.96 | 15.15 | | | |||||||
$15.25 - $18.63 |
429 | 7.01 | 16.44 | 153 | 16.01 | |||||||
$18.66 - $23.15 |
517 | 7.38 | 22.53 | 222 | 22.72 | |||||||
$23.36 - $37.70 |
196 | 3.47 | 29.89 | 143 | 31.12 | |||||||
$10.39 - $37.70 |
2,568 | 6.41 | $ | 16.44 | 996 | $ | 17.22 | |||||
Performance Units
In December 2005, the Company granted 125,000 performance unit awards to members of its executive team. The performance unit awards vest if the Company meets earnings targets set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The fair value of the performance units is based on the closing market price of the Companys common stock on the date preceding the grant date and is amortized over the estimated requisite service period when it becomes probable that the performance targets are expected to be met. The amount of share-based compensation expense is based on the number of performance unit awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, there were approximately $2.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of total unrecognized share-based compensation costs related to performance units with an intrinsic value of approximately $0.1 million in fiscal 2005 (none in 2006). None of the performance units were vested at December 31, 2006 and 2005. The Company did not record any compensation expense related to the performance unit awards in the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005. A summary of the Companys performance units activity for the year ended December 31, 2006 is as follows:
(In thousands, except fair value amounts) | Performance Units |
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | |||
Outstanding at January 1, 2006 |
125 | $ | 17.70 | ||
Granted |
49 | 12.52 - 15.15 | |||
Forfeited or canceled |
| | |||
Expired |
| | |||
Exercised |
| | |||
Outstanding at December 31, 2006 |
174 | $ | 12.52 - $17.70 | ||
10. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common
49
shares outstanding plus the effect of outstanding stock options calculated using the treasury stock method. Net income for the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share is the same as reported net income for all periods.
Calculation of the basic and diluted weighted-average number of outstanding shares and the corresponding amounts of earnings per share for the three years ended December 31 is as follows:
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||
Basic shares outstanding |
32,300 | 33,303 | 32,757 | ||||||
Dilutive effect of stock options |
157 | 554 | 637 | ||||||
Diluted shares outstanding |
32,457 | 33,857 | 33,394 | ||||||
Antidilutive stock options* |
1,802 | 704 | 861 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 29,100 | $ | 23,000 | $ | 29,985 | |||
Earnings per share: |
|||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.90 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.92 | |||
Diluted |
$ | 0.90 | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.90 |
* | Stock options not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they would be antidilutive. |
11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
The Company adopted a 401(k) plan in 1999 covering substantially all employees over the age of 18. Each participant may contribute up to 50% of eligible compensation during any calendar year, subject to certain limitations. The 401(k) plan provides for Company matching contributions of up to 50% of the first 6% of eligible contributions made by all participants. All participants must have completed one year of service before becoming eligible for the Company matching contributions. Employees vest at a rate of 25% per year in the matching contributions for the first four years of service. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Companys contributions to the 401(k) plan were $0.7 million, $0.5 million, and $0.6 million, respectively.
12. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Prior to the Companys acquisition of Pearl Izumi in July 2005, Pearl Izumi GmbH purchased the assets of SHORE Sportworks GmbH, a company owned by Juergen Eckmann and Juergen Sprich, in January 2004. Pearl Izumi GmbH later became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company as the result of the 2005 acquisition of Pearl Izumi. Juergen Sprich is now the managing director for Pearl Izumi GmbH. Juergen Eckmann is now the President of the Companys Fitness Apparel Business.
The purchase price for SHORE Sportsworks GmbH included a contingent consideration clause. The contingent consideration is a payment equal to 3% of the total year-over-year increase in net revenues from Pearl Izumi Europe, which also became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company through the Pearl Izumi acquisition, for each calendar year ending December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004. The estimated contingent payments were accounted for as a reduction of the purchase price.
The Company incurred royalty expense under an agreement with one of its shareholders in the amount of $1.8 million in 2004; none in either 2005 or 2006. In addition to the royalty agreement, the shareholder had separately negotiated an agreement dated June 18, 1992, when the Company was privately held, between the shareholder, the Companys former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and a former director of the Company. That separate agreement stipulated that annual royalties above $0.1 would be paid 60% to the shareholder, 20% to the former Chairman, and 20% to the former director. Both of these agreements expired in April 2004.
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13. REPORTABLE SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION
The Companys reportable segments are evidence of the structure of the Companys internal organization and are organized to allow focus on specific business opportunities in the Companys worldwide market place. Segment information is prepared on the same basis that the Companys management reviews financial information for decision-making purposes. The Companys Chief Executive Officer is the Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined by SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. The Companys three business segments are Fitness Equipment Business, International Equipment Business, and Fitness Apparel Business. Accounting policies used by each segment are the same as those disclosed in Note 1.
The Fitness Equipment Business is responsible for the design, production, marketing and selling of branded fitness equipment sold under the Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster brand names and is responsible for servicing customers within the Americas, which includes the United States, Mexico, Canada and South America.
The International Equipment Business is responsible for the marketing and selling of branded fitness equipment sold under the Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster brand names and is responsible for servicing customers outside of the Americas.
The Fitness Apparel Business is responsible for the design, production, marketing and selling of branded fitness apparel, footwear and accessory products sold primarily under the Pearl Izumi and Nautilus brands in both domestic and international markets.
The three reportable segments are supported by teams that provide services to support the entire entity including finance and reporting, legal, human resources and other centralized functions. Management does not allocate expenses from the centralized functions to the reportable segments; instead, all such costs are included in the results of operations of the Fitness Equipment Business. As a result, the segments operating results are reviewed based on revenue and gross profit.
51
The following table presents information about the Companys reportable segments:
(In Thousands) | Fitness Equipment |
International | Fitness Apparel |
Total | ||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2006: |
||||||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 553,393 | $ | 63,878 | $ | 63,024 | $ | 680,295 | ||||||||
Interest expense |
(1,554 | ) | (312 | ) | (149 | ) | (2,015 | ) | ||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
2,331 | 74 | 129 | 2,534 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
15,016 | 138 | 1,890 | 17,044 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
9,192 | (112 | ) | 2,489 | 11,569 | |||||||||||
Gross profit |
254,753 | 16,506 | 27,343 | 298,602 | ||||||||||||
Net income |
22,863 | 2,073 | 4,164 | 29,100 | ||||||||||||
Total assets |
298,459 | 37,052 | 89,431 | 424,942 | ||||||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
10,651 | 226 | 270 | 11,147 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill, intangible and other assets |
64,362 | 158 | 57,003 | 121,523 | ||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2005: |
||||||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 554,159 | $ | 53,115 | $ | 24,036 | $ | 631,310 | ||||||||
Interest income |
1,156 | 6 | 17 | 1,179 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
15,482 | 141 | 731 | 16,354 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
11,195 | 375 | 723 | 12,293 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit |
254,009 | 13,767 | 11,038 | 278,814 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
22,127 | (478 | ) | 1,351 | 23,000 | |||||||||||
Total assets |
304,033 | 31,034 | 78,219 | 413,286 | ||||||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
31,287 | 141 | 343 | 31,771 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill, intangible and other assets |
51,022 | 151 | 57,602 | 108,775 | ||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2004: |
||||||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 479,911 | $ | 43,926 | $ | | $ | 523,837 | ||||||||
Interest income |
1,350 | 7 | | 1,357 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
11,773 | 199 | | 11,972 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
15,242 | 420 | | 15,662 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit |
229,930 | 14,864 | | 244,794 | ||||||||||||
Net income |
27,927 | 2,058 | | 29,985 | ||||||||||||
Total assets |
310,830 | 48,811 | | 359,641 | ||||||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
8,949 | 94 | | 9,043 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill, intangible and other assets |
47,252 | 166 | | 47,418 |
Net sales in the U.S. represented approximately 83%, 86%, and 87% of consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004. The geographic distribution of the Companys international net sales is mostly concentrated in Switzerland and Canada. Sales outside the U.S. represented approximately 17%, 14% and 13% of consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Long-lived assets attributable to operations in the U.S., which are comprised of property, plant and equipment, were $51.1 million, $54.0 million, and $46.0 million. Long-lived assets outside the U.S. were approximately $1.6 million, $5.3 million, and $0.4 million at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
The Company has operating leases for the U.S. and international properties used for warehousing, distribution, product development, administration, and product sales. The Company also has operating leases for certain equipment mainly consisting of product delivery trucks used in its commercial fitness equipment business, and product service vans used for warranty related matters. These leases expire at various times through
52
June 2015. Rent expense under all leases was $7.0 million, $5.1 million, and $2.9 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under the noncancellable operating leases are as follows:
(In Thousands) | |||
2007 |
$ | 6,023 | |
2008 |
5,341 | ||
2009 |
4,149 | ||
2010 |
3,963 | ||
2011 |
3,908 | ||
Thereafter |
7,228 | ||
Minimum lease payments |
$ | 30,612 | |
Guarantees and Commitments
As further discussed in Note 1, at times the Company arranges for commercial leases or other financing sources with third parties to enable certain of its commercial customers to purchase the Companys commercial products. As the result, at December 31, 2006 and 2005, the maximum contingent liability under all recourse and guarantee provisions was approximately $1.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively. At December 31, 2006, lease terms on outstanding commercial customer financing arrangements were between 3 and 5 years. A reserve for estimated losses under recourse provisions of approximately $0.1 million was recorded based on historical loss experience and was included in accrued expenses at both December 31, 2006 and 2005. The fair value of the guarantees was determined based on the estimated risk premium a bank or similar institution would require in order to extend financing to a customer in the absence of a third-party guarantee. This liability is being reduced over the life of each respective guarantee.
The Company has an agreement with a financing company to provide second tier financing for its consumers. Generally, funding for this reserve comes from a percentage of each sale held back by the financing company. In the event that the financing company experiences higher consumer default rates than specified under our contract, the Company will be required to pay an additional amount to the financing company. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company accrued approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for this liability which is recorded as part of accrued liabilities.
As further discussed in Note 7, at December 31, 2006, the Company also had approximately $4.0 million in outstanding commercial letters of credit expiring between December 31, 2006 and 2007.
Given that the majority of the inventory is sourced from Asia, the Company has long lead times for inventory purchases and therefore needs to secure factory capacity from its vendors in advance. As the result, at December 31, 2006, the Company had approximately $69.6 million in purchase obligations of which $66.9 million was for inventory purchases.
Legal Matters
We are involved in various claims, lawsuits and other proceedings from time to time. Such litigation involves uncertainty as to possible losses we may ultimately realize when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. We accrue and charge to income estimated losses from contingencies when it is probable that a liability had been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Differences between estimates recorded and actual amounts determined in subsequent periods are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The Company estimates the probability of losses on legal contingencies based on the advice of internal and external counsels, outcomes from similar litigation, the status of the lawsuits (including settlement initiatives), legislative developments, and other factors. Due to numerous variables associated with these judgments and assumptions, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related loss contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to these contingencies and, as additional
53
information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly. A significant change in our estimates, or a result that materially differs from our estimates, could have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In November 2005, the Company proceeded to trial in Salt Lake City, Utah in a case filed by ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. (ICON) claiming false advertising involving the Companys advertising and promotion going back to 1987 for certain elements of its Bowflex home gyms and claiming trademark infringement for the name placed on a treadmill belt sold in 2002. On November 15, 2005, the jury returned a verdict in favor of ICON in the amount of $7.8 million which the Court subsequently increased to $8.1 million. By an order dated April 21, 2006, the Court refused to modify the amount of the jury verdict. The Company has filed a notice of appeal of this judgment and has posted the necessary bond with the Court for the appeal. The Company, based on discussion with its legal counsel, believes the verdict is inconsistent with the law and the evidence presented at trial. Further, the Company believes that the evidence does not support the damage award and thus the likelihood of loss is neither probable nor is the amount of potential loss estimable. Therefore, no accrual has been recorded by the Company.
In December 2002, the Company filed suit against ICON in the Federal District Court, Western District of Washington (the District Court) alleging infringement by ICON of the Companys Bowflex patents and trademarks. The Company sought injunctive relief, monetary damages and its fees and costs. In October 2003, the District Court dismissed the patent infringement claims. The Company appealed the District Courts decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the Appeals Court) and in November 2003, the Appeals Court overruled the District Court and reinstated the patent infringement claims. In May 2005, the District Court again dismissed the patent infringement case against ICON. The Company appealed this case to the Appeals Court, which issued an order in August 2006 affirming the ruling of the District Court dismissing the patent infringement case.
In July 2003, the District Court ruled in favor of the Company on a motion for preliminary injunction on the issue of trademark infringement and entered an order barring ICON from using the trademark CrossBow on any exercise equipment. In its ruling, the District Court concluded that the Company showed a probability of success on the merits and irreparable injury on its trademark infringement claim. In August 2003, the Appeals Court granted ICON a temporary stay regarding the motion for a preliminary injunction, which enjoined ICON from using the trademark CrossBow. This stay allowed ICON to continue using the trademark CrossBow until a decision was issued by the Appeals Court. In June 2004, the Appeals Court issued its decision upholding the issuance of an injunction and preventing ICON from selling exercise equipment using the trademark CrossBow pending trial on the trademark issue. This matter is currently pending before the federal court in Seattle.
The Company and ICON have been in settlement discussions to resolve all outstanding litigation which, if successful, will result in a dismissal of all claims between the parties. If settlement discussions do not result in an acceptable agreement, the Company will pursue its remaining claims for trademark infringement and will proceed to trial of this matter in federal court in Seattle, Washington.
In October 2006, the Company filed a complaint in the Superior Court for Clark County, Washington against Gatelys LLC seeking damages in the amount of $5.1 million plus interest, attorneys fees and costs, for collection of outstanding accounts receivable for product purchased by Gatelys. This case has been dismissed and refiled by the Company in state court in Boulder County, Colorado. It is currently being litigated and is in the early stages of discovery. In its answer to the complaint, Gatelys has asserted defenses to payment and counterclaims against Nautilus in an unspecified amount.
In addition to the matters described above, from time to time the Company is subject to litigation, claims and assessments that arise in the ordinary course of business, including disputes that may arise from intellectual property related matters. Many of our legal matters are covered in whole or in part by insurance. Management believes that any liability resulting from such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
54
15. ACQUISITIONS
The Companys growth strategy includes acquisitions of businesses located in markets with significant growth opportunities. Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of the acquired businesses have been included in the Companys consolidated financial statements from their respective acquisition dates.
In 2005, the Company acquired DashAmerica, Inc. d/b/a Pearl Izumi USA (Pearl Izumi) for approximately $70.0 million including acquisition costs, net of cash acquired, plus $5.3 million in assumed debt, and substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of the Companys Canadian distributor, Belko Canada, for approximately $5.3 million, including $1.6 million in other long-term liabilities, net of cash acquired. Pearl Izumi was acquired to enhance the Companys product portfolio by offering high quality branded fitness apparel and footwear. The Companys acquisition of Belko Canada, which served as the exclusive Canadian distributor since 1996 and which was renamed to Nautilus Fitness Canada, strengthened the Companys direct to consumer sales channel in Canada.
The purchase prices have been allocated to the identified intangible assets and tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition, with any residual amounts allocated to goodwill. The purchase price allocations are considered preliminary until the Company is no longer waiting for information that it has arranged to obtain and that is known to be available or obtainable. Although the time required to obtain the necessary information will vary with circumstances specific to an individual acquisition, the allocation period for finalizing purchase price allocations does not exceed one year from the consummation of a business combination. In 2006, the Company completed a review of the income tax basis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions completed in 2005. Based on the Companys review, the income tax basis of the liabilities assumed was revised and is greater than the amount the Company initially recorded. As a result, the Company recorded a net increase of $0.6 million to goodwill and a corresponding increase to deferred income tax liabilities; there was no impact on the Companys income statements for the years ended December 31, 2006 or 2005.
A summary of the purchase price allocations for acquisitions consummated in 2005 is as follows:
Trade receivables |
$ | 7,855 | ||
Inventories |
11,928 | |||
Prepaid and other current assets |
4,765 | |||
Property, plant and equipment |
1,835 | |||
Trade name |
20,000 | |||
Customer base |
3,400 | |||
Developed technology |
2,500 | |||
In process research and development |
250 | |||
Other assets |
55 | |||
Goodwill |
32,135 | |||
Current liabilities |
(3,537 | ) | ||
Long-term deferred tax liabilities |
(5,922 | ) | ||
Long-term debt |
(5,263 | ) | ||
Total acquisition cost |
$ | 70,001 | ||
The Company did not consummate any acquisitions in fiscal 2006.
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On February 1, 2007, Nautilus, Inc. entered into purchase option agreements to acquire substantially all of the assets of its manufacturing partner, Land America Health and Fitness Co., LTD, an enterprise organized under the laws of the Peoples Republic of China, and a related trading company, Treuriver Investments Limited,
55
an enterprise organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. The Company will pay a non-refundable six million dollar option fee that will be applied to the purchase price if the option is exercised and the asset purchase is completed. The purchase options are exercisable through June 30, 2007 to allow the Company time to complete necessary due diligence. The purchase option agreements also provide for rebates on products purchased from the sellers for the period of January 1, 2006 to June, 30, 2007, which will continue through December 31, 2007 upon exercise of the purchase option. The total purchase price for the assets is approximately $72 million in cash and stock, adjusted for the amounts of fixed assets and inventory held on the closing date, with an anticipated closing date of December 31, 2007.
17. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATIONQUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
The following table summarizes Companys unaudited quarterly financial data for the past two years ended December 31:
QUARTER ENDED | |||||||||||||||
(In Thousands except per share) | March 31 | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 | Total | ||||||||||
2006: |
|||||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 184,990 | $ | 137,613 | $ | 159,583 | $ | 198,109 | $ | 680,295 | |||||
Gross profit |
79,312 | 60,591 | 72,090 | 86,609 | 298,602 | ||||||||||
Operating income |
8,661 | 1,589 | 11,145 | 19,684 | 41,079 | ||||||||||
Net income |
5,201 | 1,671 | 9,376 | 12,852 | 29,100 | ||||||||||
Earnings per share: |
|||||||||||||||
Basic |
0.16 | 0.05 | 0.29 | 0.41 | 0.90 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
0.16 | 0.05 | 0.29 | 0.41 | 0.90 | ||||||||||
2005: |
|||||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 156,388 | $ | 129,581 | $ | 163,308 | $ | 182,033 | $ | 631,310 | |||||
Gross profit |
76,773 | 58,054 | 72,286 | 71,701 | 278,814 | ||||||||||
Operating income |
14,138 | 3,802 | 12,461 | 3,403 | 33,804 | ||||||||||
Net income |
9,429 | 3,330 | 8,271 | 1,970 | 23,000 | ||||||||||
Earnings per share: |
|||||||||||||||
Basic |
0.28 | 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.06 | 0.69 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
0.28 | 0.10 | 0.24 | 0.06 | 0.68 |
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2006, we conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. The term disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act
56
is accumulated and communicated to the companys management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of December 31, 2006 that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Managements Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. This rule defines internal control over financial reporting as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
| Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; |
| Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and |
| Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006.
Managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP our independent registered public accounting firm. Its report appears below in Item 9A.
Remediation of Prior Year Material Weakness
As previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2005 as the result of the following material weaknesses:
| Management determined that the controls for testing of and training for the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system which was implemented in the fourth quarter of 2005 for the commercial, retail and specialty channels did not operate effectively. This failure resulted in material audit adjustments to net sales and cost of sales in the 2005 consolidated financial statements. |
| Management also determined that efforts to mitigate the impact of inadequate ERP testing and training resulted in insufficient resources being devoted to controls over analyzing and recording contingencies. Accordingly, such controls failed to operate effectively, resulting in material audit adjustments to the 2005 consolidated financial statements. |
57
We have implemented and will continue to implement changes to our processes to improve our internal control over financial reporting. The following steps have been taken to remediate the conditions leading to the above stated material weaknesses:
Remediation Efforts on the Internal Controls Surrounding the ERP Implementation
| System users received additional training on the effective and efficient use of the system to ensure data accuracy. |
Remediation Efforts on the Internal Controls Surrounding Analyzing and Recording Contingencies
| Additional level of review has been implemented requiring all significant accounting estimates be reviewed by the Corporate Controller and the Chief Financial Officer on a monthly basis, and |
| The Company increased staffing levels in fiscal 2006 and reorganized the finance and accounting functions placing emphasis on financial reporting and accounting. |
Finally, as part of our monitoring effort of the Companys internal control environment, we have reported on the progress and status of the above remediation actions to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Based on our testing of these enhanced procedures and increased staffing levels, management determined that, as of December 31, 2006, we have remediated the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for December 31, 2005.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting are or will be capable of preventing or detecting all errors or all fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control systems objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements, due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns may occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk.
Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.
58
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Nautilus, Inc.
Vancouver, Washington
We have audited managements assessment, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Nautilus, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Companys management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the companys principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the companys board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, managements assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
59
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 of the Company and our report dated March 15, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Portland, Oregon
March 15, 2007
60
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item is included under the captions Election of Directors, Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance, Executive Officers and Information Concerning the Board of Directors in the Companys Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is included under the caption Executive Compensation in the Companys Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item is included under the caption Stock Ownership in the Companys Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is included under the caption Information Concerning the Board of Directors in the Companys Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is included under the caption Appointment of Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm for 2007 in the Companys Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
61
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) |
Financial Statements | |
See the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. | ||
(a)(2) |
Financial Statement Schedule | |
There are no financial statement schedules filed as part of this annual report, since the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, or the circumstances requiring inclusion of such schedules are not present. | ||
(a)(3) |
Exhibit Index | |
See the Exhibit Index beginning on page 64 for a description of the documents that are filed as Exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated herein by reference. |
62
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 15, 2007 | NAUTILUS, INC. | |||||||
By: | /s/ GREGGORY C. HAMMANN | |||||||
Greggory C. Hammann, | ||||||||
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 15, 2007.
Signature |
Title | |||
/s/ GREGGORY C. HAMMANN | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
Greggory C. Hammann | ||||
/s/ WILLIAM D. MEADOWCROFT | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer) | |||
William D. Meadowcroft | ||||
* | Director | |||
Peter A. Allen | ||||
* | Director | |||
Ronald P. Badie | ||||
* | Director | |||
Robert S. Falcone | ||||
* | Director | |||
Frederick T. Hull | ||||
* | Director | |||
Donald W. Keeble | ||||
* | Director | |||
Paul F. Little | ||||
* | Director | |||
Diane L. Neal | ||||
* | Director | |||
Marvin G. Siegert |
*By: | /s/ WILLIAM D. MEADOWCROFT | March 15, 2007 | ||||||
William D. Meadowcroft | ||||||||
Attorney-In-Fact |
63
Exhibit No. | Description | |
2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 17, 2005, by and among the Company, DashAmerica, Inc. d/b/a Pearl Izumi USA, PI Acquisition Company, Inc, and DAI Escrow Holdings Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Companys Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on July 13, 2005. | |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation, as Amended Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1, as filed with the Commission on March 3, 1999. | |
3.2 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2000, as filed with the Commission on August 10, 2000. | |
3.3 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Commission on August 14, 2002. | |
3.4 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on March 14, 2005. | |
3.5 | Amended and Restated Bylaws Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2005. | |
3.6 | Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 31, 2007. | |
10.1* | Company Stock Option Plan, as amended Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1, as filed with the Commission on March 3, 1999. | |
10.2* | Amendment to Company Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2000, as filed with the Commission on August 10, 2000. | |
10.3* | Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on June 10, 2005. | |
10.4* | First Amendment to the Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2006, as filed with the Commission on November 9, 2006. | |
10.5* | Form of Employee Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the Company Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2005. | |
10.6* | Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement under the Company Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2005. | |
10.7* | Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on July 29, 2005. | |
10.8* | Form of Non-Employee Director Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on August 19, 2005. |
64
Exhibit No. | Description | |
10.9* | First Amendment to Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement, dated December 31, 2005, by and between the Company and Greggory C. Hammann Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Companys Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 5, 2006. | |
10.10* | Executive Employment Agreement, dated January 29, 2004, by and between the Company and Timothy Hawkins Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2005. | |
10.11* | Executive Employment Agreement, dated January 14, 2004, by and between the Company and Darryl Thomas Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2005. | |
10.12* | Executive Employment Agreement, dated March 31, 2005, by and between the Company and William D. Meadowcroft Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Companys amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A, as filed with the Commission on April 6, 2005. | |
10.13* | Executive Employment Agreement, dated June 30, 2005, by and between the Company and Juergen Eckmann - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006. | |
10.14* | Annual Base Salary of William D. Meadowcroft Incorporated by reference to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on November 3, 2005. | |
10.15* | Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 1, 2005, by and between the Company and Greggory C. Hammann Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on December 7, 2005. | |
10.16* | 2006 Equity Compensation of Executive Officers - Incorporated by reference to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on February 2, 2006. | |
10.17* | 2007 Compensation of Executive Officers - Incorporated by reference to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 31, 2007. | |
10.18* | 2005 Non-Employee Director Compensation Incorporated by reference to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on June 10, 2005. | |
10.19* | Amendment to Compensation Package for Non-employee Directors Incorporated by reference to the Companys Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on May 12, 2006. | |
10.20* | Summary of 2006 Bonus Plan - Incorporated by reference to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on February 2, 2006. | |
10.21* | Performance Unit Agreement, dated December 1, 2005, by and between the Company and Greggory C. Hammann Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on December 7, 2005. | |
10.22* | Form of Performance Unit Agreement - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2006, as filed with the Commission on August 9, 2006. | |
10.23* | Summary of Performance Unit Award - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2006, as filed with the Commission on November 9, 2006. | |
10.24 | Trademark License Agreement, dated September 20, 2001, by and between Pacific Direct, LLC and the Company Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2001, as filed with the Commission on November 14, 2001. |
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Exhibit No. | Description | |
10.25 | License Agreement, dated April 26, 1999, as amended, between the Company and Gary D. Piaget Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the Commission on March 15, 2004. | |
10.26 | Lease Agreement, dated November 23, 2004, between Columbia Tech Center LLC and the Company Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Companys Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on November 30, 2004. | |
10.27 | Third Amended and Restated Merchant Agreement, dated January 17, 2005, between the Company and Household Bank (SB), N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Companys Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 21, 2005. | |
10.28 | Revolving Credit Agreement with Addendum, dated June 27, 2002, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Commission on August 14, 2002. | |
10.29 | Demand Master Promissory Note, dated August 17, 2005, by and between the Company and KeyBank National Association - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Companys Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on August 23, 2005. | |
10.30 | Credit Agreement, dated November 18, 2005, by and among the Company, KeyBank National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006. | |
10.31 | First Amendment Agreement, dated March 10, 2006, with KeyBank National Association, and US Bank National Association - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006. | |
10.32 | Credit Agreement, dated October 30, 2006, between the Company and Bank of America N.A., as lender - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on November 3, 2006. | |
10.33 | First Amendment Agreement, dated January 29, 2007, with Bank of America N.A. - Incorporated by reference to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 31, 2007. | |
10.34 | Credit Agreement, dated February 14, 2007, by and among the Company and Bank of America N.A., the lead agent - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on February 20, 2007. | |
10.35 | Supply Agreement, dated June 30, 2006, with Action Fast Associates Limited, Land America Health and Fitness Co., LTD, and Xiamen World Gear Sporting Goods, LTD. [Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this exhibit.] - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2006, as filed with the Commission on August 9, 2006. | |
10.36 | Purchase Option Agreement, dated January 31, 2007, by and between the Company and Treuriver Investments Limited. [Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this exhibit.] | |
10.37 | Purchase Option Agreement, dated January 31, 2007, by and between the Company and Land America Health & Fitness Co., Ltd. [Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this exhibit.] | |
21 | Subsidiaries of the Company. |
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Exhibit No. | Description | |
23 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
24 | Powers of Attorney. | |
31.1 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.2 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
* | Indicates management contract, compensatory agreement or arrangement, in which the Companys directors or executive officers may participate. |
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Exhibit 10.36
PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT (Agreement) is entered into effective the 31st day of January 2007, by and between Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, (Purchaser), and Treuriver Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (Seller).
R E C I T A L S:
WHEREAS, among its activities, Seller engages in the procurement and distribution of certain of Purchasers proprietary line of health and fitness equipment and selected other fitness equipment (the Business); and
WHEREAS, Seller desires to provide Purchaser an exclusive, time-limited option to buy the Business and substantially all of the assets of the Business, and Purchaser desires to obtain an exclusive, time-limited option to purchase the Business and substantially all of the assets of the Business; and
WHEREAS, Nautilus has entered into a Purchase Option Agreement, of even date herewith, providing for an option to purchase substantially all of the assets of Land America Health & Fitness Co. LTD. (the Land America Option, and such Agreement the Land America Option Agreement); and
WHEREAS, Seller and Purchaser have finalized the terms of the attached Asset Purchase Agreement and associated Escrow Agreement to be used at Closing for the purchase transaction contemplated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, Purchaser and Seller hereby agree as follows:
1. | OPTION GRANT. Seller hereby grants to Purchaser the exclusive option (the Option) to acquire all of Sellers assets (the Assets) used or useful, now or at the time of exercise of the Option, in the Business, including, without limitation, all tangible and intangible assets. The Assets shall not include any cash, marketable securities or accounts receivable. |
2. | OPTION FEE. In consideration of the grant of the Option, Purchaser shall pay to Seller an option fee of Two Million U.S. Dollars ($2,000,000) (the Option Fee). Seller is currently holding such funds pursuant to other agreements between the parties and Seller acknowledges that no further delivery of funds by Purchaser is required to complete the payment of the Option Fee. In the event Purchaser fails to exercise the Option, the entire amount of the Option Fee shall be retained by Seller. If Purchaser exercises the Option, the Option Fee shall be retained by Seller and credited to the payment of the Purchase Price. |
3. | TERM AND EXERCISE. |
3.1 | Option Term. The term of the Option shall begin on the effective date hereof and expire at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on June 30, 2007. In the event Purchaser fails to exercise the Option on or before such time of expiration, Purchaser shall return to Seller or destroy all confidential and proprietary information of Seller obtained by Purchaser during the due diligence process. |
3.2 | Exercise of Option. On or before expiration of the Option as provided in Section 3.1 above, and subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 below, Purchaser may elect to exercise the Option by giving written notice to Seller in accordance with Section 10.2 below and depositing an Option Exercise Deposit that shall be held in accordance with the terms of an Escrow Agreement in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (the Escrow Agreement). The Option Exercise Deposit shall, at Purchasers sole option, consist of either (a) Thirty Million United States Dollars ($30,000,000) or (b) shares of Nautilus, Inc. unregistered common stock, bearing a restrictive legend as required by applicable U.S. state and federal securities laws, and with a value of $30,000,000, valued at the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange for the trading day immediately preceding the date of delivery of such shares. As set forth in the Purchase Agreement, Nautilus shall be obligated to file a registration statement covering such shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 30 days following Closing (as defined in the Purchase Agreement). The Option Exercise Deposit shall be held and disbursed in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and the Purchase Agreement. |
3.3 | Purchase Agreement and Escrow Agreement. Within sixty (60) days after delivery of written notice of exercise as specified in Section 3.2 above, but no earlier than June 30, 2007, Purchaser and Seller shall execute and deliver a definitive Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (Purchase Agreement) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The purchase and sale of the Assets shall be completed on December 31, 2007 (the Closing Date) in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement. Seller shall deliver draft schedules and exhibits to the Purchase Agreement on or before April 30, 2007 and shall promptly provide updated schedules and exhibits to supplement or correct any information presented in such draft schedules. |
3.4 | Land America Option Agreement. It is the intention of the parties that exercise of the Option shall occur only in conjunction with exercise of the Land America Option. Therefore, exercise (or expiration, if applicable) of the Option as provided in Section 3.2 above shall constitute exercise (or expiration, if applicable) of the Land America Option, and exercise (or expiration, if applicable) of the Land America Option in accordance with the terms of the Land America Option Agreement shall constitute exercise (or expiration, if applicable) of the Option granted herein. |
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4. | CONTINUATION OF BUSINESS; AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. |
4.1 | Continuation of Business. From the date of this Agreement until the expiration of the Option, or until execution of the Purchase Agreement if the Option is exercised, (i) Seller shall continue to operate the Business in the ordinary course and will not enter into any transaction, agreement or other action out of the ordinary course; and (ii) Seller shall not manufacture or sell, or enter into any agreement to manufacture or sell, any product for delivery to any competitor of Purchaser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller will be allowed to continue to sell certain products to certain existing customers as separately agreed in writing by Purchaser. |
4.2 | Audited Financial Statements. Seller agrees that commencing January 1, 2007 and at all times prior to expiration of the Option, or if the Option is exercised, at all times to and including the Closing Date, Seller shall maintain books and records in a manner necessary and appropriate to prepare audited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Seller further agrees to appoint Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte) as its independent auditors for 2007. The incremental cost of Deloitte as auditors compared to the cost of Sellers previous statutory auditors will be reimbursed by Purchaser; provided, that if the Option expires without exercise, such reimbursement shall be limited to incremental costs incurred by Seller through June 30, 2007. |
5. | EXCLUSIVE PERIOD OF NEGOTIATION. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the parties mutual execution of the Purchase Agreement or termination of the Option, other than as contemplated by this Agreement, Seller will not, directly or indirectly, through any officer, director, employee, agent or otherwise (i) solicit, initiate or encourage submission of any proposals or offers from any corporation, partnership, persons or group relating to any acquisition, purchase or option to purchase any of the Business or Assets or stock of Seller, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other business combination of any kind involving Seller, or any other transaction that is incompatible with the transactions described in this Agreement, or (ii) furnish to any person (other than its own professional advisors) any information with respect to any such transaction. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of (i) termination of the Option, (ii) termination of the Purchase Agreement and (iii) December 31, 2007, Purchaser shall not without the written consent of Seller (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) acquire or enter into negotiations to acquire the assets of any other business engaged in the manufacture of fitness equipment in China that has assets with a value exceeding (*). |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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6. | SPECIAL PURCHASE REBATE PROGRAM |
6.1 | Purchaser and Seller have entered into a Supply Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2006 (the Supply Agreement), providing for the terms and conditions under which Purchaser will purchase Products (as defined in the Supply Agreement) from Seller. Seller will provide a rebate to Purchaser on all sales of Products made by Seller to Purchaser in accordance with the provisions of this Article 6. The rebate will be (*) of the total sales volume of Products calculated on an FOB sales price to Purchaser basis excluding sales of product tooling and sales attributed to rods purchased and packaged at the direction of Purchaser for Bowflex home gyms (the Sales Volume). |
6.2 | Rebates will be paid quarterly in arrears on each April 15, July 15, October 15 and January 15 in an amount equal to (*) of the Sales Volume of Products for the preceding calendar quarter; provided, that the rebate for calendar year 2006 (net of prior payments received by Purchaser in the total amount of (*)), shall be paid on or before February 15, 2007. |
6.3 | The term of the rebate program hereunder shall commence on January 1, 2006 and, unless extended as provided below, terminate on June 30, 2007. In the event Purchaser exercises the Option in accordance with Section 3.2 above, the term of the rebate program will automatically extend until December 31, 2007. |
6.4 | The parties acknowledge that the rebate amount was formulated based on current costs in U.S. Dollar terms to Seller for steel components and labor required in the manufacture, assembly and packaging of the Products. Accordingly, the parties agree that adjustments to the rebate rate will be made in the circumstances and in accordance with the procedures set forth below: |
(a) | All calculations involving the determination of unit costs shall be made in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In determining the U.S. Dollar equivalent of a cost or expense incurred in RMB, the exchange rate used shall be the average of the buy and sell exchange rates (or mid-rate) announced by the Peoples Bank of China for U.S. Dollars and RMB for the date on which the relevant RMB cost or expense was incurred. An average of the daily exchange rates may be used for transactions within one month (the rate for non-business days assumed to be the rate for the most recent previous day published.) |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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(b) | For purposes of determining whether an adjustment to the rebate amount is required during the term of the rebate program, reference shall be made to the Base Cost of the Products. The Base Cost of the Bowflex Ultimate 2 shall be U.S(*) and the Base Cost of the Bowflex Extreme 2 shall be U.S(*) (each a Base Cost Product and collectively, the Base Cost Products). |
(c) | At the end of each calendar quarter during the period for which the rebate program is in effect hereunder, Seller shall calculate the average per unit cost in U.S. Dollars of the Base Cost Products for such calendar quarter. If for any calendar quarter the average per unit cost of the Base Cost Products exceeds the Base Cost by more than (*), then within 30 days following the end of the applicable calendar quarter Seller shall certify to Purchaser in writing the amount of such excess expressed in terms of a percentage and provide Purchaser with reasonable supporting documentation to enable Purchaser to confirm that the methodology used in arriving at such figure and the accuracy of such certification. If Purchaser accepts such certification it shall confirm its acceptance in writing. The average will be calculated giving equal weighting to the percentage increase of each of the Base Cost Products. If Purchaser is unable to confirm that the methodology used was consistent with that used in arriving at the Base Case figure or disputes the accuracy of such certification, it will notify Seller in writing of such fact and the parties shall then promptly jointly engage an international accounting firm to examine the Sellers books and records and determine the per unit cost of each Base Cost Product for the calendar quarter in question. The determination of the accounting firm as to the average per unit cost of the Base Cost Products shall be final and binding on the parties absent manifest error. |
(d) | Adjustments to the rebate rate will only be made when the average per unit cost of the Base Cost Products as certified by Seller within 30 days following the end of the applicable calendar quarter and accepted by Purchaser or as determined by the accounting firm, as the case may be, in accordance with Subsection 6.4(c) above, exceeds the Base Cost by more than (*). When the average per unit cost of the Base Cost Products for any calendar quarter exceeds the Base Cost by more than (*), the rebate rate for the next quarter will be adjusted down by (*) percentage points for each full (*) incremental increase; provided, however, that in no case will the rebate rate be adjusted by more than (*) lower than that rebate rate applicable for the previous quarter and never below zero during the effective term of the rebate program Once the base cost has been exceeded by more than (*) in any quarter, Seller agrees to regularly |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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update in the future on a quarterly basis the average per unit cost of the Base Cost Products. Any adjustment to the rebate rate will be confirmed by the parties in writing. If for any reason the parties are unable to agree on any such adjustment the matter shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with Section 10.4 below.
(e) | Purchaser and Seller shall each pay one-half of any fees charged and expenses incurred by any accounting firm jointly engaged to determine the Base Cost or the per unit cost of the Base Cost Products. |
6.5 | Purchaser and Seller agree that the pricing adjustments provided for in Article 3 of the Supply Agreement shall be suspended until December 31, 2007, provided, that the adjustments provided for in Section 3.5 of the Supply Agreement shall remain in effect. |
7. | DUE DILIGENCE AND ACCESS TO RECORDS. Commencing on the date of this Agreement and until the earlier of the mutual execution of the Purchase Agreement or termination of the Option, Purchaser will have reasonable opportunity and access to investigate the Business and the Assets, including Sellers books, records, and all relevant financial and operational information regarding the Assets and Business that Purchaser deems necessary to provide a basis for determining whether it will exercise the Option. |
8. | CONFIDENTIALITY. The parties acknowledge that Purchaser and Land America Health & Fitness Co., Ltd. entered into a non-disclosure agreement dated March 16, 2006, and that agreement shall remain in full force and effect and is incorporated herein. The parties hereby agree that financial information of the Seller is proprietary and that the unauthorized use or disclosure of this information for any purpose other than as set forth in this Agreement could cause substantial monetary damages to the Seller. |
9. | PUBLIC STATEMENTS OR RELEASES. Neither of the parties shall make any public announcement with respect to the existence or terms of this Agreement or the transactions provided for herein without the prior written approval of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 8 shall prevent any party from making any public announcement it considers necessary in order to satisfy its obligations under the law or the rules of any securities exchange or market, provided such party, to the extent practicable, provides the other parties with an opportunity to review and comment on any proposed public announcement before it is made. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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10. | MISCELLANEOUS. |
10.1 | Amendment. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by all parties hereto. |
10.2 | Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given on the date of transmission when sent by telegram or facsimile transmission, on the third business day after the day of mailing when mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, from within the United States, or on the date of actual delivery, whichever is the earliest, and shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses, or at such other address as the party may hereafter designate by written notice to the other: |
If to Purchaser: | Nautilus, Inc. | |
16400 SE Nautilus Drive | ||
Vancouver, WA 98683 | ||
Attn: Wayne M. Bolio | ||
Facsimile: (360) 859-5915 | ||
with a copy to: | Bruce A. Robertson | |
Garvey Schubert Barer | ||
1191 Second Avenue, 18th Floor | ||
Seattle, WA 98101 | ||
Facsimile: (206) 464-0125 | ||
If to Seller: | Treuriver Investments Limited | |
25 North 2nd Road | ||
Xiamen, Xinglin, China 361022 | ||
Attn: (*) | ||
Facsimile: (*) | ||
with a copy to: | (*) |
10.3 | Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, U.S.A., without regard to its conflict of laws principles. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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10.4 | Dispute Resolution. Any disputes between the contracting parties shall be submitted for final and binding resolution before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrators shall interpret all controversies or claims arising under or relating to this Agreement in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The arbitration is to be conducted in San Francisco, California. |
10.5 | Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the matters addressed herein and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments, writings and agreements, written or oral, with respect to such subject matter. |
10.6 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. |
(The Remainder of this Page Intentionally Left Blank)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
PURCHASER: | SELLER: | |||||||||
NAUTILUS, INC. | TREURIVER INVESTMENTS LTD. | |||||||||
By: |
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By: |
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Signature | Signature |
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Print Name: |
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Print Name: |
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Title: |
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Title: |
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Exhibit A
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
NAUTILUS, INC.,
[NAUTILUS ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY]
AND
TREURIVER INVESTMENTS LIMITED
(*)
Dated as of , 2007
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description |
Tab | |
GENERAL PROVISIONS |
2 | |
PURCHASE AND SALE OF BUSINESS AND ASSETS |
6 | |
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS |
12 | |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NAUTILUS |
21 | |
ACTION PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE |
22 | |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF NAUTILUS |
24 | |
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS |
26 | |
INDEMNIFICATION |
27 | |
STAFF AND EMPLOYEE MATTERS |
29 | |
SUBSEQUENT TO THE CLOSING DATE |
30 | |
TERMINATION |
31 | |
OTHER PROVISIONS |
32 |
LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
Assigned Contracts |
Schedule 2.1.8 | |
Certain Fixed Assets |
Schedule 2.4 | |
Land Use Rights |
Schedule 3.5.1 | |
Buildings |
Schedule 3.5.2 | |
Leased Premises |
Schedule 3.5.3 | |
Tangible Property Owned |
Schedule 3.5.4 | |
Tangible Property Leased |
Schedule 3.5.5 | |
Inventory Locations |
Schedule 3.5.6 | |
Intellectual Property |
Schedule 3.5.2 | |
Contracts |
Schedule 3.5.3 | |
Additional Required Assets |
Schedule 3.6 | |
Tangible Personal Property |
Schedule 3.7 | |
Compliance with Law |
Schedule 3.8 | |
Litigation |
Schedule 3.9 | |
Brokers or Finders Fees |
Schedule 3.10 | |
Subsidiaries and Branches |
Schedule 3.11 | |
Financial Statements |
Schedule 3.12 | |
Liabilities |
Schedule 3.13 | |
Taxes |
Schedule 3.14 | |
Material Changes |
Schedule 3.15 | |
Insurance |
Schedule 3.16 | |
Suppliers |
Schedule 3.17 | |
Environmental Matters |
Schedule 3.18 | |
Employees |
Schedule 3.19 | |
Labor Contracts |
Schedule 3.20.1 |
i
Description |
Tab | |
Employee Plans |
Schedule 3.20.2 | |
Compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Export Control and Anti-Boycott Laws |
Schedule 3.21 | |
Sales to Affiliates |
Schedule 3.22 | |
Services from Affiliates |
Schedule 3.23 |
Exhibit A: |
Form of Seller Non-Competition Agreement | |
Exhibit B: |
Form of Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement | |
Exhibit C: |
Form of Opinion of The Universal Legal Corp., PRC counsel to Seller and the Shareholders | |
Exhibit D: |
From of Opinion of Reed Brown, counsel to Seller and the Shareholders |
ii
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (hereinafter, Agreement), dated as of 2007, is entered into by and among the following parties (each a Party and collectively, the Parties):
1. | NAUTILUS, INC., a Washington corporation (Nautilus); |
2. | [NAUTILUS ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY], a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nautilus formed under the laws of the (Buyer); |
3. | TREURIVER INVESTMENTS LIMITED, a British Virgin Islands company (Seller); |
4. | (*) or a Shareholder), who together with his spouse, (*), are the sole shareholders of Seller; and |
5. | (*) or a Shareholder), who together with her spouse, (*), are the sole shareholders of Seller. |
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
1. | Seller is engaged in the procurement and distribution of certain of Nautiluss proprietary line of health and fitness equipment and other fitness equipment (the Business). |
2. | Nautilus and Seller have entered into a Purchase Option Agreement, dated effective January 29, 2007 (the Option Agreement), pursuant to which Nautilus was granted an option to purchase substantially all of the assets related to the Business. |
3. | In accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement, Nautilus has given notice of exercise and the Parties have entered into an Escrow Agreement dated , 2007 (the Escrow Agreement) pursuant to which Nautilus has deposited with the escrow agent thereunder an amount in cash and/or shares of Nautilus common stock with a total value at time of deposit thereunder equal to US$ 30,000,000 (the Option Exercise Deposit), to be held and disbursed in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement. |
4. | Nautilus, (*) are also parties to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, of even date herewith, pursuant to which substantially all of the assets of Land America Health & Fitness Co., Ltd. are being acquired by [Nautilus WOFE] (the Land America Agreement). |
5. | Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Seller is willing to sell substantially all of the assets of the Business to Nautilus or Buyer, and Nautilus is willing to purchase the Assets or, at Nautiluss option, cause Buyer to purchase such assets from Seller. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1.1 | Definitions. |
The following terms as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth below:
Affiliate means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such Person. The term control (including the terms controlled by or under the common control with) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of an equity interest or by contract or otherwise.
After Acquired Assets has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (c).
Audit Report has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (a).
Audited Closing Financial Statements has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (a).
Agreement means this Asset Purchase Agreement and the Schedules hereto.
Appraiser has the meaning given in Article 5.2.
Assets has the meaning given such term in Article 2.1.
2006 Balance Sheet has the meaning given such term in Article 3.12.
Books and Records shall mean all books, ledgers, files, reports, plans and operating records of, or maintained by, the Business, in both physical and electronic form, as the case may be.
Business has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Business Day means any day when banks are open for business in Xiamen, Fujian
Province, PRC.
Buyer has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Closing Date has the meaning given such term in Article 2.5.
Computer Software means all computer applications software, owned or licensed, whether for general business usage (e.g., accounting, word processing,
2
graphics, spreadsheet analysis, etc.) or specific, unique-to-the-business usage (e.g., order processing, manufacturing, process control, design, shipping, etc.) and all computer operating, security or programming software, owned or licensed.
Customer Complaint has the meaning given such term in Article 10.7.
Disposed Assets has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (c).
Employee Plans shall mean all welfare and benefit plans maintained by Seller for the benefit of the staff and workers of Seller, including, without limitation, all bonus, retirement, pension, health and medical, life insurance, disability and accident insurance, vacation and/or annual leave, sick-leave and housing plans.
Excluded Assets shall mean all assets of Seller not used in or relating to the Business and all cash and accounts receivable relating to the Business.
Escrow Agent has the meaning given such term in the Escrow Agreement.
Escrow Agreement has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Escrow Property has the meaning given such term in the Escrow Agreement.
Facilities means the land and buildings and any leasehold interests in land or buildings currently owned or operated by Seller and any machinery or other equipment used or operated by Seller at the respective locations of the land and buildings specified in Articles 3.5.1, 3.5.2 and 3.5.3.
Final Inventory Value has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (b).
Government Authority shall mean the government of the PRC, any subdivision thereof and any provincial or local government authority having jurisdiction over Seller, the Business or any Assets.
Improvements means all buildings, structures, fixtures, and other infrastructure located on the land described in Article 3.5.1.
Indemnity Cut-Off Date has the meaning given such term in Article 8.2 hereof.
Intellectual Property shall mean trademarks, service marks, brand names, certification marks, trade dress, trade names and other indications of origin, the goodwill associated with the foregoing and registrations in any jurisdiction of, and applications in any jurisdiction to register, the foregoing, including any extension, modification or renewal of any such registration or application; inventions, discoveries and ideas, whether patentable or not in any jurisdiction; patents, applications for patents (including, without limitation, divisions, continuations, continuations in-part and renewal applications), and any renewals, extensions or reissues thereof, in any jurisdiction; non-public information, trade secrets and confidential information and rights in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure
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thereof by any Person; writings and other works, whether copyrightable or not in any jurisdiction; registrations or applications for registration of copyrights in any jurisdiction, and any renewals or extensions thereof; Computer Software (including, but not limited to, data, source codes, object codes, specifications and related documentation), any similar intellectual property or proprietary rights; and any claims arising out of or related to any infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing.
Interim Balance Sheet has the meaning given such term in Article 3.12.
Inventory means all inventories of Seller relating to the Business, wherever located, including all finished goods, work in process, raw materials, spare parts and all other materials and supplies to be used or consumed by Seller in the production of finished goods of the Business.
Land means the land described in Article 3.5.1.
Lien shall mean any mortgage, lien, pledge, security interest or other type of charge or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement, including, without limitation, the lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, options or any other restrictions or third party rights.
M&A Regulations has the meaning given such term in Article 5.1.
Option Agreement has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Option Exercise Deposit has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Party shall mean each of Nautilus, Buyer, Seller, (*), who are sometimes collectively referred to as the Parties.
Person shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, joint stock company, limited liability company, state-owned enterprise, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.
PRC or China shall mean the Peoples Republic of China.
Purchase Price has the meaning given such term in Article 2.3.
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4(d).
Real Property means the Land and Improvements.
RMB, Renminbi or ¥shall mean the currency of the PRC.
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Seller has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Sellers Non-Competition Agreement shall mean the Non-Competition, Non-Disclosure and Non-Solicitation Agreement, between Seller and Nautilus, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.
Shareholder shall mean each of (*), who are sometimes collectively referred to as the Shareholders
Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement shall mean the Non-Competition, Non Disclosure and Non-Solicitation Agreement, among the Shareholders and Nautilus, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.
Taxes shall mean all tax and stamp duties charges, tariffs or other assessments charged by any Government Authority (including, without limitation, business, income, capital gain, value added, use, transfer, sales, deed and excise or custom tax, and stamp duties and however termed).
Tangible Personal Property all machinery, equipment, tools, dyes, molds, furniture, fixtures, office equipment, computer hardware, supplies, materials, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property (other than Inventory) of every kind owned or leased by Seller (wherever located and whether or not carried on Sellers books), together with any express or implied warranty by the manufacturers or sellers or lessors of any item or component part thereof and all maintenance records and other documents relating thereto.
Transaction Documents mean each of this Agreement, Sellers Non-Competition Agreement, the Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the (*) Consulting Agreement, and each of the documents to be delivered by Seller pursuant to Section 2.6 below.
U.S. Dollars, US$ or $ shall mean the currency of the United States of America.
U.S. GAAP shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Article 1.2 | Construction of Certain Terms and Phrases. Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include each other gender; (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively; (iii) the terms hereof, herein, hereby and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement; and (iv) the terms Article or Clause refer to the specified Article or Clause of this Agreement. Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Article 1.3 | Exchange Rate. In determining the U.S. Dollar equivalent of an amount in RMB or vice versa, the exchange rate used shall be the average of the buy and sell exchange rates (or mid-rate) announced by the Peoples Bank of China for U.S. Dollars and RMB for the date on or as of which the determination is made. |
CHAPTER 2
PURCHASE AND SALE OF BUSINESS AND ASSETS
Article 2.1 | Purchase and Sale of the Business and Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, Seller shall sell and transfer to Nautilus or Buyer, and Nautilus shall purchase or cause Buyer to purchase from Seller, all of Sellers interest in the following assets (the Assets), free and clear of all Liens: |
2.1.1 | Intellectual Property. All interests of Seller in the Intellectual Property used in or related to the Business, including, without limitation that listed in Schedule 3.5.2. |
2.1.2 | Contracts Related to the Business. All rights and interests of Seller in and to the agreements or contracts used in or related to the Business that are listed in Schedule 2.1.3. |
2.1.3 | Warranties or Guarantees. All rights of Seller under or pursuant to all warranties, representations and guarantees made by third parties relating to items included in the Assets, including, without limitation, warranties or guarantees given by manufacturers and/or vendors in respect of the Assets. |
2.1.4 | Pre-Paid Expenses. All rights and interests of Seller in and to all pre-paid expenses made to any supplier of goods, utilities or services in respect of the Business. |
Buyer shall not purchase any Excluded Assets and Excluded Assets shall remain the property of Seller after the Closing.
Article 2.2 | No Assumption of Liabilities by Buyer. Neither Nautilus nor Buyer will assume, discharge or perform any liabilities or obligations of Seller or the Shareholders incurred or arising prior to or after the Closing, including, without limitation, those liabilities listed below, all of which liabilities will remain with Seller or the Shareholders and which Seller and the Shareholders hereby agree to retain and discharge or perform: |
2.2.1 | subject to Article 12.3, liabilities for all Taxes; |
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2.2.2 | any environmental, health or public safety claims, liabilities or remedial expenses; |
2.2.3 | liabilities or obligations with respect to wages, severance or termination, employee welfare benefits and pensions, workers compensation and health care claims or other benefits or funds payable to employees or former employees of the respective Seller; |
2.2.4 | liabilities for money borrowed and accounts payable; |
2.2.5 | liabilities arising from any product warranties; and |
2.2.6 | liabilities or obligations to any supplier of goods, services or utilities or to any customer and; |
2.2.7 | any other liabilities or obligations to any third party, including, without limitation, liabilities to any Government Authority. |
Article 2.3 | Purchase Price. The purchase price (the Purchase Price) for the Assets shall be US$32,000,000 (THIRTY TWO MILLION U.S. DOLLARS). The Purchase Price shall be paid or credited as paid by or on behalf of Buyer as follows: |
(a) | the US$2,000,000 option fee previously paid to Seller shall be credited against the Purchase Price; and |
(b) | US$30,000,000 of the Purchase Price shall be paid to Seller by release of the Option Exercise Deposit in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement. |
Article 2.4 | Closing Audit. Within sixty (60) calendar days after the Closing Date, Deloitte Touche Tomatsu (Deloitte), or other independent auditors approved by Buyer will prepare an audited balance sheet of the Business, as at the Closing Date, and an audited statement of income of the Business for the period beginning January 1, 2007 and ending on the Closing Date. The fees and expenses of such audit shall be paid by Seller; provided, that Buyer will reimburse Seller for the incremental audit fees as compared to the fees associated with Sellers previous statutory audit. Promptly after completion of such audit Deloitte shall supply Seller with copies of the Audited Closing Financial Statements and Deloittes opinion thereon (together with the Audited Closing Financial Statements, the Audit Report) stating that the Audited Closing Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP on a going concern basis consistently applied. |
Article 2.5 | Transfer Completion. The completion of the transactions contemplated hereby (the Transfer Completion) shall take place at on December 31, 2007, 10:00 a.m. Beijing time, or at such other date and place as the Parties may agree in writing (the Closing Date). |
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Article 2.6 | Deliveries by Seller. At the Transfer Completion, Seller shall deliver to Buyer the following: |
2.6.1 | Duly executed bills of sale or other instruments of transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, transferring ownership to Buyer of all tangible property listed in Schedule 3.5.4; |
2.6.2 | Duly executed assignments or, where necessary, subleases, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, assigning or subleasing to Buyer all leasehold interests, if any, in the tangible property listed in Schedule 3.5.5; |
2.6.3 | Duly executed assignments or other instruments of transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, assigning and transferring to Buyer all of Sellers interest in all Intellectual Property used in and related to the Business, including that listed in Schedule 3.5.2, including, without limitation, an assignment of Sellers trade name and trademarks relating to the Business; |
2.6.4 | Duly executed assignments transferring to Buyer all of Sellers rights and obligations under all contracts, licenses and similar instruments used in and relating to the Business to which Seller is a party, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, together with the written consent, if required, of the other party to such contracts, licenses and similar instruments; and |
2.6.5 | The certificates and other documents to be delivered pursuant to Chapter 6 hereof. |
Article 2.7 | Deliveries by Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver to Seller the following: |
2.7.1 | The Purchase Price to Seller, by (i) crediting the US$2,000,000 option fee previously paid to Seller, and (ii) delivery of U.S.$30,000,000 by transfer of the Option Exercise Deposit (including any additional shares or cash deposited by Nautilus prior to Closing in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement in order to increase the value of the Option Exercise Deposit to U.S.$30,000,000) to an account designated by Seller in writing not less than three Business Days prior to the Closing Date; |
2.7.2 | The certificates and other documents to be delivered pursuant to Chapter 7 hereof. |
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CHAPTER 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
Seller and each Shareholder hereby represent and warrant, jointly and severally, to Nautilus and Buyer as follows:
Article 3.1 | Organization. Seller is a limited liability company duly organized under the Law of the British Virgin Islands. |
Article 3.2 | Power and Authority. The execution and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party (i) are within its corporate power and business scope, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (iii) do not contravene its articles of association and (iv) do not contravene any law or contractual restriction binding on or affecting it. Each Shareholder has the full legal right and authority to execute and perform his/her obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which he/she is a party and such execution and performance does not contravene any laws or contractual restrictions binding on or affecting him/her. |
Article 3.3 | Consents and Approvals. All authorizations, consents or approvals or other actions by, and all notices to or filings with, any Government Authority required for the due execution and performance by Seller and the Shareholders of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been obtained. |
Article 3.4 | Binding Effect. This Agreement is, and the each other Transaction Document to which Seller or a Shareholder will be a party when executed by such Party will be, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller or such Shareholder, enforceable against Seller or such Shareholder in accordance with its respective terms. |
Article 3.5 | Ownership of Assets. Seller owns leases or has the legal right to use all of the Assets. Seller has good and marketable title to, or, in the case of leases, valid and effective leasehold interests in, all of the Assets, free and clear of all Liens, except as noted in the Schedules hereto. |
3.5.1 | [Intentionally left blank] |
3.5.2 | Intellectual Property. Schedule 3.5.2 sets forth all domestic and foreign Intellectual Property used in or relating to the Business, registered in the name of Seller, or of which Seller is a licensor or licensee, used in, or which have been used in, or which are under development or have been conceived in, or which have or potentially have application to, the Business. Seller owns all of the Intellectual Property to be transferred hereunder free and clear of all Liens and pays no royalty to anyone under or with respect to any of them, except as set forth in such Schedule 3.5.2. All rights of Seller in and to each item of the Intellectual Property listed on Schedule 3.5.2 and to all processes, lab journals, toxicological and ecological data, trade secrets, technology including know-how and show-how, product formulae, |
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manufacturing, engineering and other drawings, intellectual property rights, agency agreements, technical information, engineering data, design and engineering specifications and similar materials recording or evidencing Sellers proprietary expertise used in or residing with the Business, whether purchased or developed internally, included in the Assets are transferable to Buyer as herein contemplated. There is no conflict with the rights of others known to Seller, or any claim or formal charge of infringement, with respect to any Intellectual Property of the Business, or with respect to any license relating to the Business under which Seller is licensor or licensee. Seller has no knowledge of the possible infringement by any third party of any Intellectual Property related to or used in the Business. |
3.5.3 | Contracts. Schedule 3.5.3 sets forth all of the following contracts of Seller relating to the Business: (a) all existing contracts for the purchase of raw materials, commodities, merchandise, supplies, other materials or personal property with any supplier under the terms of which Seller is likely to pay more than US$100,000 or the equivalent in RMB during the term of the contract, (b) all existing contracts for the sale of raw materials, commodities, merchandise, supplies, other materials or personal property or for the furnishing of services by or to the Business which involve more than the sum of US$100,000 or the equivalent thereof in RMB , (c) to the extent not included in the foregoing, all broker, distributor, dealer, manufacturers representative, sales, agency, sales promotion, market research, marketing consulting or advertising contracts used in or relating to the Business, (d) all contracts of, or relating to, employment of any officer or individual employee or contracts of independent contractors or consultants relating to the Business and not cancellable without penalty within 30 days of notice of such cancellation, (e) all mortgages, notes, loan or credit agreements or other contracts or obligations of Seller or to the direct or indirect guaranty or assumption by Seller of obligations of others with respect to the Business or the Assets, and (f) all other contracts, whether or not made in the ordinary course of business, which are material to the Business or the Assets. Except as noted in Schedule 3.5.3, each contract listed therein is in full force and effect and, subject to obtaining the consent of the other Party thereto is assignable to Buyer without penalty or other adverse consequence. Seller (in relation to the Business) is not in default under the terms of any such contract or in the payment of any principal of or interest on any indebtedness for borrowed money. There are no contracts granting any Person any preferential rights to purchase any of the Assets or any of the properties or assets of the Business other than in the ordinary course of the Business. All of the contracts listed in Schedule 3.5.3 are valid and binding. |
Article 3.6 | Sufficiency of Assets. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6, the Assets (a) constitute all of the assets, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever, necessary to operate the Business in the manner presently operated by Seller (it being understood that Seller is not responsible for any operational or management errors in the conduct of the Business after the Closing), and (b) except for the Excluded Assets, include all of the operating assets of Seller related to the Business. |
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Article 3.7 | Compliance with Laws. Except as described in Schedule 3.7, Seller is in compliance, and there exists no alleged non-compliance, with all applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations promulgated by any Government Authority relating in any material respect to the Assets or the operation and conduct of the Business, or the use of the properties of the Business and neither Seller nor any Shareholder has received any notice of alleged violation of any such statute, order, rule or regulation. Schedule 3.7 lists all material governmental licenses, permits, product registrations, filings, authorizations and approvals and any pending applications for any thereof relating to the conduct of the Business or the use of properties held by Seller and such licenses, permits, product registrations, filings, authorizations and approvals are all the governmental licenses, permits, filings, authorizations and approvals necessary to conduct the Business or to use the Assets as currently conducted or used. |
Article 3.8 | Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8, there is no action, lawsuit, claim, proceeding, or investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of Seller and the Shareholders, threatened against or affecting Seller which, if decided adversely against Seller, could have a material adverse effect upon the Business or its financial condition, prospects or operations, or upon the Assets. Seller is not in default, and no condition exists that with notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute a default, with respect to any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or Government Authority affecting or relating to the Business. No condemnation proceeding has been commenced or, to the knowledge of Seller or any Shareholder, is threatened to be commenced against any of the Assets. |
Article 3.9 | Brokers or Finders Fees. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, neither Seller nor any Shareholder has paid or will become obligated to pay any fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary for or on account of the transactions provided for in this Agreement. |
Article 3.10 | Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10, Seller has no subsidiaries or branches. |
Article 3.11 | Financial Statements. Seller has delivered to Nautilus: (a) a pro forma unaudited balance sheet of the Business as at December 31, 2006 (including the notes thereto, the 2006 Balance Sheet), and the related pro forma unaudited statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, including the notes thereto, certified by the CEO/President and chief financial officer of Seller; and (b) unaudited pro forma balance sheets of the Business as at each of March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007 (the Interim Balance Sheets) and the related unaudited pro forma statements of income, changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows for the fiscal quarters then ended, including the notes thereto, certified by the CEO/President and chief financial officer of Seller. Such financial statements fairly present (and the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.11 will fairly present) the financial condition and the |
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results of operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of the Business, as at the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in such financial statements, all in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial statements referred to in this Section 3.11 reflect the consistent application of such accounting principles throughout the periods involved. The financial statements have been prepared from and are in accordance with the accounting records of Seller. Seller has also delivered to Buyer copies of all letters from the Sellers auditors to the Sellers board of directors or the audit committee thereof dated during 2007, together with copies of all responses thereto. |
Article 3.12 | No Undisclosed Liabilities. The Business has no material liabilities except for liabilities reflected or reserved against in the 2006 Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance Sheets and current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Business since June 30, 2007. |
Article 3.13 | Books and Records; Tax Returns. Sellers books of account reflect all items of income and expense and all assets and liabilities of the Business required to be reflected therein in accordance with U.S. GAAP and neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller has failed to file any material report or return with respect to the Business which may be required by any law or regulation of the British Virgin Islands or political subdivision thereof to be filed, and, except as set forth in Schedule 3.13, Seller has duly paid or accrued on its books of account all taxes, duties and charges pursuant to such reports and returns or assessed against Seller. Seller has fully filed, on or before the due date therefor or the expiration of any extended period for filing, all returns or reports with respect to any Taxes required to be filed by Seller, which returns or reports disclose as having become due and payable all Taxes becoming due and payable for the periods covered therein. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.13, Seller has paid all Taxes reflected in such returns and reports and all other Taxes currently due or claimed to be due from Seller by any Government Authority. |
Article 3.14 | Absence of Certain Changes, Events and Conditions. Since December 31, 2006, there has not been any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Assets, liabilities, business, results of operations or prospects of the Business, including, without limitation, any damage or destruction of property by fire or other casualty involving loss in excess of US$100,000 or the equivalent thereof in RMB in the aggregate, whether or not covered by insurance. Except as described in Schedule 3.14, there are no conditions known to the senior management of Seller or any Shareholder existing with respect to the products, facilities, personnel, raw materials, supplies or Assets of the Business which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Business or its prospects. |
Article 3.15 | Employees. Schedule 3.15 lists the name, current annual salary rates, bonuses, deferred compensation and other like benefits (in cash or otherwise) paid or payable through the date hereof for fiscal 2007, date of employment and description of position of each of the current employees, |
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officers, directors and agents of Seller employed in the Business or operations of the Business. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15, no employee of Seller has suffered any industrial injury resulting from employment with Seller or filed a claim for compensation related to any industrial injury or condition of employment resulting from employment with Seller. |
Article 3.16 | Employee Plans. Schedule 3.16 contains a complete and accurate list of all Employee Plans and Seller has no other obligations, contingent or otherwise, relating to any Employee Plans. Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of all Employee Plans, including trust agreements and insurance contracts embodying such plans, funds, programs or arrangements. |
Article 3.17 | Compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Export Control and Anti-Boycott Laws. |
(a) | Except as identified in Schedule 3.21, neither Seller nor any of its representatives or agents have, to obtain or retain business, directly or indirectly offered, paid or promised to pay, or authorized the payment of, any money or other thing of value (including any fee, gift, sample, travel expense or entertainment with a value in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) or the equivalent thereof in RMB in the aggregate to any one individual in any year) or any commission payment payable, to: |
(i) | any person who is an official, officer, agent, employee or representative of any Government Authority or of any existing or prospective customer (whether government owned or non-government owned); |
(ii) | any political party or official thereof; |
(iii) | any candidate for political or political party office; or |
(iv) | any other individual or entity; |
while knowing or having reason to believe that all or any portion of such money or thing of value would be offered, given, or promised, directly or indirectly, to any such official, officer, agent, employee, representative, political party, political party official, candidate, individual, or any entity affiliated with such customer, political party or official or political office.
(b) | Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17(b), Seller has made all payments to third parties by check mailed to such third parties principal place of business or by wire transfer to a bank located in the same jurisdiction as such partys principal place of business. |
(c) | Each transaction is properly and accurately recorded on the books and records of Seller, and each document upon which entries in Sellers books |
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and records are based is complete and accurate in all respects. Seller maintains a system of internal accounting controls adequate to insure that Seller maintains no off-the-books accounts and that Sellers assets are used only in accordance with Sellers management directives. |
(d) | Seller has at all times been in compliance with all legal requirements relating to export control and trade embargoes. No product sold or service provided by Seller or any Affiliate of Seller during the last five (5) years has been, directly or indirectly, sold to or performed on behalf of Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea or Sudan. |
(e) | Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17(e), neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller has violated the anti-boycott prohibitions contained in 50 U.S.C. sect. 2401 et seq. or taken any action that can be penalized under Section 999 of the U.S Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.21(e), during the last five (5) years, neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller has been a party to, nor a beneficiary under and has not performed any service or sold any product under any contract under which a product has been sold to customers in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates or the Republic of Yemen. |
Article 3.18 | Compliance with PRC Anti-Corruption Laws. Seller has not, nor to the best of its knowledge after reasonable inquiry has any Affiliate of Seller or any of their respective employees, representatives or agents has engaged in any conduct which would constitute a violation of PRC law prohibiting bribery, including, without limitation, any conduct or activity which would constitute a violation of Articles 163, 164 or 389 of the PRC Criminal Code, Article 8 of the Law Against Unfair Competition or the Interim Rules on Prohibition of Commercial Bribery. |
Article 3.19 | Pricing of Sales. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19, since December 31, 2006, all of the products of the Business have been sold to persons who are not Affiliates or, if Affiliates have been sold at prices not exceeding prices at which such products are sold in substantial quantities in the marketplace in arms-length transactions. |
Article 3.20 | Pricing of Services. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.20, since December 31, 2006, all services provided to the Business have been provided by person who are not Affiliates or, if by Affiliates, have been provided at prices not exceeding prices at which such services are provided in the marketplace in arms-length transactions. |
Article 3.21 | Completeness of Schedules. The Schedules attached hereto, where applicable to Seller, completely and correctly present the information required by this Agreement to be set forth therein, and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. Originals or true and complete copies of all documents or other written materials underlying items listed in such Schedules have heretofore been made available for examination by Buyer, |
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including, without limitation, deeds, leases, mortgages, deeds of trust, security instruments, permits, trademarks, patents and other Intellectual Property, litigation files, contracts, employee agreements and licenses, and such documents have not been modified and will not be modified prior to the Closing Date without Nautiluss prior written consent. |
CHAPTER 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NAUTILUS
Nautilus and Buyer hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Seller and the Shareholders as follows:
Article 4.1 | Organization. Nautilus is a corporation duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Washington, U.S.A. Buyer is a duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of . |
Article 4.2 | Power and Authority. The execution and performance by Nautilus and Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party (i) are within its corporate power, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (iii) do not contravene its respective Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or articles of association and (iv) do not contravene any law or contractual restriction binding on or affecting it. |
Article 4.3 | Consents and Approvals. No authorization, consent or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by Nautilus and Buyer of this Agreement. Nautilus has the financial capacity to satisfy its financial obligations as contemplated herein. |
Article 4.4 | Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party is the legal, valid and binding obligation of Nautilus and Buyer, enforceable against Nautilus and/or Buyer in accordance with its terms. |
Article 4.5 | Brokers or Finders Fees. Neither Nautilus nor Buyer has paid or become obligated to pay any fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary for or on account of the transactions provided for in this Agreement. |
Article 4.6 | Acknowledgments. Subject to the representations, warranties and covenants of Seller and the Shareholders as set forth in this Agreement and the exhibits, schedules and attachments hereto, Nautilus and Buyer are relying on their own investigation as to the condition of the Business and the Assets. Nautilus has been provided access to the books, records and personnel of Seller and has been afforded an opportunity to make inquires and to review such information as Nautilus has requested for the purpose of completing such investigation. |
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Article 4.7 | Periodic Reports. The periodic reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed by Nautilus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since June 30, 2006 (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. |
CHAPTER 5
ACTION PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE
The following actions have been or will be taken prior to the Closing Date:
Article 5.1 | Preserve Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Each Party shall refrain from taking any action which would render any representation and warranty contained in Chapters 3 and 4 of this Agreement inaccurate in any material respect on the Closing Date. |
Article 5.2 | Operation of Business. From the date hereof through the Closing Date, except with the prior written consent of Nautilus or as otherwise provided below, Seller and the Shareholders shall (i) conduct the business and operations of the Business only in the ordinary course, (ii) continue to meet the contractual obligations incurred by Seller in the ordinary course of business and to pay all obligations as they mature in the ordinary course of business, (iii) exercise best efforts to keep available the services of the present employees of the Business, and (iv) exercise best efforts to preserve the good relations of suppliers, customers and others with whom Seller has business relations relating to the Business. |
Article 5.3 | Sale or Pledge of Assets; Borrowing. Seller shall not sell or mortgage or pledge any of the Assets or, for the account of the Business, borrow any money or incur, assume or guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly responsible for the payment of any indebtedness or any other obligation of any other Person or agree to do any of the foregoing. |
Article 5.4 | Compliance with Laws, etc. Seller shall comply with all applicable laws and shall conduct the Business in such a manner that on the Closing Date the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be true as though such representations and warranties were made on and as of such date. |
Article 5.5 | Best Efforts. Each of the Parties hereto shall use its best efforts to fulfill all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement over which it has control or influence (including obtaining any authorizations, consents, approvals or waivers necessary to the performance of such Partys obligations hereunder) and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein. |
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Article 5.6 | Nautiluss Access to Information and Records Before the Closing. Seller shall give Nautilus, its employees, counsel, accountants and other representatives full access throughout the period prior to the Closing Date, to all of the properties, books, contracts, commitments, customers, suppliers, distributors and records of the Business, and furnish to Nautilus during such period all such information concerning the Business as Nautilus may reasonably request. Representatives of Nautilus shall be allowed to have unrestricted contact with employees employed in the Business and with past and present customers, suppliers and distributors of the Business, for the purpose of accomplishing an orderly transfer of the Business to Buyer on the Closing Date. |
Article 5.7 | Interim Financial Statements. Until the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer within twenty (20) days after the end of each month a copy of the internally prepared income statement and balance sheet for such month prepared in a manner and containing information consistent with Sellers current practices and certified by the CEO/President and chief financial officer of Seller as to compliance with Article 3.11. |
CHAPTER 6
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF NAUTILUS
Except for Sellers retention of the $2,000,000 option fee in the event Closing does not occur, the obligations of Nautilus and Buyer under this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of all of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by Nautilus:
Article 6.1 | Representations and Warranties Accurate. All representations and warranties of Seller and the Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall have been true in all material respects when made and shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing Date. Seller shall furnish Nautilus and Buyer with a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller and by each Shareholder, stating the above in such form as Nautilus may reasonably request. |
Article 6.2 | Absence of Certain Changes. Since the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred or been discovered: |
(a) | any material adverse change in the business, financial condition, prospects or results of operations of the Business, other than a material adverse change resulting from a material reduction in the volume of purchases by Nautilus; |
(b) | any new law, rule or regulation or the amendment or interpretation of any existing law, rule or regulation, materially adversely affecting the operation of the Business or the ability of Seller to convey, assign and transfer to Buyer any of the Assets, the Business and other contractual rights pertaining to the Business with the effect of materially affecting the value of, or the ability of Buyer to operate as presently operated, the Business; or |
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(c) | damage or destruction in the nature of a casualty loss or claim, whether covered by insurance or not, materially adversely affecting the operation of the Business or the ability of Seller to convey, assign and transfer to Buyer any of the Assets, the Business and other contractual rights pertaining to the Business with the effect of materially affecting the value of, or the ability of Buyer to operate as presently operated, the Business, and there shall have been delivered to Nautilus a certificate to that effect, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller. |
Article 6.3 | Performance by Seller. Seller shall have performed and complied in all materials respects with all agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed and complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date, and there shall have been delivered to Nautilus and Buyer a certificate to that effect, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller. |
Article 6.4 | Opinions of Counsel for Seller and the Shareholders. Nautilus shall have received from , counsel to Seller and the Shareholders, written opinions, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to Nautilus and Buyer, to the effect set forth in Exhibit C and Exhibit D, respectively. In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of fact, upon certificates of officers of Seller and certificates of the Shareholders, provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that they are justified in relying upon such certificates and deliver copies thereof to Nautilus and Buyer with such opinion. |
Article 6.5 | Authorizations, Approvals and Consents. Seller shall have received (at Sellers cost and expense) all authorizations, consents, approvals and waivers or other action required to be obtained in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the transfer pursuant to this Agreement of all of the Assets. There shall be delivered to Nautilus and Buyer a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller, stating that Seller has received all authorizations, consents, approvals and waivers required by this Article 6.5. |
Article 6.6 | Legal Prohibition. No proceeding shall be pending or threatened before any Government Authority to restrain or prohibit or to obtain material damages or other relief in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and no investigation that might eventuate in any such proceeding shall be pending or threatened. |
Article 6.7 | Instruments of Sale, etc. On the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Nautilus and Buyer each of the documents set forth in Article 2.6, in form and substance satisfactory to Nautilus. |
Article 6.8 | Corporate Authorization. Seller shall have provided Nautilus and Buyer |
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with a certificate of the legal representative of Seller certifying copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors and shareholders of Seller approving this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the sale and transfer of the Assets to Buyer under this Agreement. |
Article 6.9 | Land America Agreement. Closing pursuant to the Land America Agreement shall have been completed simultaneously with the Closing hereunder. |
Article 6.10 | Continuance of Insurance. Seller shall have provided Nautilus with certificate(s) from its insurance brokers, certifying the continuation upon substantially the same terms and conditions of the insurance set forth in Schedule 3.16. Seller will make arrangements to insure the continued coverage after the Closing Date of Buyer under an insurance policy for any and all liabilities for injury to persons or property arising out of the sale by Seller of the products of the Business prior to the Closing Date. |
Article 6.11 | Sellers Non-Competition Agreement. Seller shall have executed and delivered the Sellers Non-Competition Agreement. |
Article 6.12 | Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement. The Shareholders shall have executed and delivered the Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement. |
CHAPTER 7
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
The obligations of Seller and the Shareholders under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by Seller:
Article 7.1 | Representations and Warranties Accurate. All representations and warranties of Nautilus and Buyer contained in this Agreement shall have been true in all material respects when made and shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing Date. Nautilus and Buyer shall furnish Seller a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer stating the above in such form as Seller or the Shareholders may reasonably request. |
Article 7.2 | Performance by Nautilus. Each of Nautilus and Buyer shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed and complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date and there shall be delivered to Seller a certificate to such effect, dated the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer of each of Nautilus and Buyer. |
Article 7.3 | Legal Prohibition. On the Closing Date there shall exist no injunction or final judgment, law or regulation prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
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Article 7.4 | Land America Agreement. Closing pursuant to the Land America Agreement shall have been completed simultaneously with the Closing hereunder. |
CHAPTER 8
INDEMNIFICATION
Article 8.1 | Indemnification by Seller and Shareholders. Seller and Shareholders hereby, jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold each of Nautilus and Buyer harmless at all times as set forth below from and after the Closing Date against and in respect of all matters in connection with the following: |
8.1.1 | From and after the Closing Date, all the liabilities of Seller arising out of or in connection with the Business (including, without limitation, liabilities for taxes or in connection with the termination of employees of the Business), and all suits, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys fees and expenses incident to any matters relating to the such liabilities of Seller and arising out of or in connection with the Business prior to the Closing Date, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Nautilus or Buyer after the Closing Date in the defense thereof; and |
8.1.2 | From and after the Closing Date, any losses, liabilities, damages or deficiencies incurred by either Nautilus or Buyer resulting from any misrepresentation or breach of warranty under Chapter 3 of this Agreement or non-fulfillment of any agreement or covenant on the part of Seller or a Shareholder under this Agreement, or from any certificate or other instrument furnished or to be furnished by Seller or a Shareholder hereunder, and all suits, actions, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys fees and expenses incident to any of the foregoing matters, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Nautilus or Buyer after the Closing Date in defense thereof. |
Article 8.2 | Payments to Nautilus and Buyer. Seller and the Shareholders shall promptly reimburse Nautilus and Buyer for all amounts owed under Article 8.1 from time to time, at their request, as such amounts are incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the maximum aggregate liability of Seller and the Shareholders for all claims made by Nautilus and/or Buyer under Article 8.1.2 shall not exceed the amount of (*) less any amount released to Nautilus or Buyer by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement entered into pursuant to the Land America Agreement (the Land America Escrow Agreement); (b) neither of Nautilus nor Buyer shall make any particular claim for an amount owed under Article 8.1.2 after the (*)-month anniversary of the Closing Date (the Indemnity Cut-Off Date) (other than claims made in respect of Articles 3.2 and 3.13 which shall survive the |
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Indemnity Cut-Off Date for an indefinite period); and (c) notwithstanding the submission of a claim pursuant to Article 8.1.2 prior to the Indemnity Cut-Off Date, Seller and the Shareholders may delay payment for such claims until after the (*)-month anniversary of the Closing Date and the initial release of funds to the Representative pursuant to the Land America Escrow Agreement. |
8.2.1 | Subject to the limitations set forth in Article 8.2 above, Nautilus may from time to time give a notice (a Notice) to the Representative specifying in reasonable detail the nature and dollar amount of any claim (a Claim) it may have under Article 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 of this Agreement. Nautilus may make more than one claim with respect to any underlying state of facts. If the Representative gives notice to Nautilus disputing any Claim (a Counter Notice) within thirty (30) days following receipt by the Representative of the Notice regarding such Claim, such Claim shall be resolved as provided in Article 8.2.2 below. If no Counter Notice is received by Nautilus within such thirty-day (30-day) period, then the dollar amount of damages claimed by Nautilus as set forth in its Notice shall be deemed established for purposes of this Agreement and, at the end of such thirty-day (30-day) period the Representative shall pay to Nautilus the dollar amount claimed in the Notice, subject to the limitations set forth in Article 8.2 above. |
8.2.2 | If a Counter Notice is given with respect to a Claim, the Representative and Nautilus will seek to resolve the matter through friendly negotiations. If the matter has not been resolved within thirty days after delivery of the Counter Notice, either party may submit the matter to binding arbitration in accordance with Article 12.11 below. |
Article 8.3 | Indemnification by Nautilus. Nautilus and Buyer hereby agree jointly and severally to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and the Shareholders at all times from and after the Closing Date against and in respect of all matters in connection with the following: |
8.3.1 | From and after the Closing Date, all the liabilities of Nautilus and Buyer arising out of or in connection with the Business (including, without limitation, liabilities for taxes or in connection with the termination of employees of the Business by Buyer after the Closing Date), and all suits, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys fees and expenses incident to any matters relating to the such liabilities of Nautilus and Buyer and arising out of or in connection with the conduct of the Business from and after the Closing Date, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Seller or the Shareholders after the Closing Date in the defense thereof. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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8.3.2 | From and after the Closing Date up through the Indemnity Cut-Off Date, any losses, liabilities, damages or deficiencies incurred by Seller or the Shareholders that result from any misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or non-fulfillment of any agreement or covenant on the part of Nautilus under this Agreement, or from any certificate or other instrument furnished or to be furnished by hereunder and all suits, actions, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys fees and expenses incident to any of the foregoing matters, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Seller or the Shareholders after the Closing Date in defense thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum aggregate liability of Nautilus and Buyer for all claims made by Seller or the Shareholders under Article 8.3.2 shall not exceed US(*). |
Article 8.4 | Payments to Seller and the Shareholders. Nautilus shall promptly reimburse Seller or the Shareholders for all amounts owed under Article 8.3 from time to time, at their request, as such amounts are incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller and the Shareholders shall not make any particular claim for an amount owed under Article 8.3.2 after the Indemnity Cut-Off Date. |
Article 8.5 | Third Party Claims. If a claim by a third party is made against an indemnified Party hereunder, and if a Party intends to seek indemnity with respect thereto under this Chapter 8 (such Party being the Indemnified Party), the Indemnified Party or Parties shall promptly (and in any case within thirty (30) days) notify the other Party or Parties (the Indemnifying Party) of such claim. The Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of the above-mentioned notice to undertake, conduct and control, through counsel of its own choosing (subject to the consent of the Indemnified Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) and at its expense, the settlement or defense thereof, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with it in connection therewith; provided, that: (i) the Indemnifying Party shall not thereby permit to exist any Lien upon any asset of the Indemnified Party, (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall permit the Indemnified Party to participate in such settlement or defense through counsel chosen by the Indemnified Party, provided that the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the Indemnified Party, and (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnified Party for the full amount of any loss resulting from such claim and all related expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party within the limits of this Chapter 8. So long as the Indemnifying Party is reasonably contesting any such claim in good faith, the Indemnified Party shall not pay |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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or settle any such claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to pay or settle any such claim, provided that in such event it shall waive any right to indemnity therefore by the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty days after receipt of the Indemnified Partys notice of a claim of indemnity hereunder that it elects to undertake the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to contest, settle or compromise the claim in the exercise of its exclusive discretion at the expense of the Indemnifying Party.
CHAPTER 9
STAFF AND EMPLOYEE MATTERS
Article 9.1 | Staff and Employees. Seller has delivered to Nautilus and Buyer a list, dated within ten days of the Closing Date, naming by location all of the staff and employees of Seller actively employed in the Business, including each such staff and employees current compensation rate and date of employment. Nautilus and Buyer shall be permitted to interview all of Sellers staff and employees employed in the Business during business hours, pursuant to schedules to be coordinated with Seller, and Seller shall give Nautilus and Buyer all information in Sellers possession reasonably requested by Nautilus or Buyer in connection with such staff and employees. Buyer will offer employment commencing as of the Closing Date to those staff and employees as Buyer deems, in its sole discretion, appropriate on such terms as Buyer shall deem appropriate. Seller and the Shareholders will use their best efforts to cause such employees to become employees of Buyer as of the Closing Date. |
Article 9.2 | Salaries and Benefits. Seller shall be responsible for (i) the payment of all wages and other remuneration due to staff and employees of the Business with respect to their services as employees of Seller through close of business on the Closing Date; (ii) the payment of any termination or severance payments required by contract or law; and (iii) any amounts or benefits due to the staff and employees under welfare benefit, housing, retirement and health plans maintained Seller for such staff and employees pursuant to contract or as required by law. |
Article 9.3 | No Rights to Staff and Employees. Nothing herein expressed or implied shall confer upon any staff or employee hired by Nautilus or Buyer or any other employee or legal representatives of Seller or any trade union representative any rights or remedies, including, without limitation, any right to employment, or continued employment for any specified period, of any nature or kind whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. |
CHAPTER 10
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
SUBSEQUENT TO THE CLOSING DATE
Article 10.1 | Further Assurances. Following the Closing, Seller and each Shareholder |
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will, upon request by Nautilus or Buyer, (a) do, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or will cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all such further acts, deeds, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of attorney and assurances and (b) use its best efforts to obtain all authorizations, approvals, consents and waivers that may be reasonably required for the conveyance, transfer, assignment, delivery, assurance and confirmation to Buyer, or to its successors and assigns, or for aiding and assisting in collecting or reducing to possession, any or all of the Assets of Seller transferred hereunder. |
Article 10.2 | Customer and Other Business Relationships. After the Transfer Completion, Seller and the Shareholders will cooperate with Nautilus and Buyer in their efforts to continue and maintain for the benefit of Buyer those business relationships of Seller existing prior to the Closing and relating to the Business, including relationships with lessors, employees, regulatory authorities, licensors, customers, suppliers and others, and Seller will satisfy its liabilities in a manner that is not detrimental to any of such relationships. Seller and the Shareholders will refer to Buyer all inquiries relating to the Business. Neither Seller nor either Shareholder nor any of their respective officers, employees, agents or shareholders shall take any action that would tend to diminish the value of the Assets after the Closing or that would interfere with the Business, including disparaging the name or business of Nautilus or Buyer. |
Article 10.3 | Retention of and Access to Records. After the Closing Date, Buyer shall retain for a period consistent with Nautiluss record-retention policies and practices those records of Seller delivered to Buyer. Nautilus will ensure that Buyer also shall provide Seller and the Shareholders and their representatives reasonable access thereto, during normal business hours and on at least three days prior written notice, to enable them to prepare financial statements or tax returns or deal with tax audits. After the Closing Date, Seller shall provide Buyer and its representatives reasonable access to records that are Excluded Assets, during normal business hours and on at least three days prior written notice, for any reasonable business purpose specified by Buyer in such notice. |
Article 10.4 | Mutual Cooperation with Respect to Taxes. Each of Nautilus and Buyer, on the one hand, and Seller and the Shareholders, on the other, will provide the other with such assistance as may reasonably be requested by either of them in connection with the preparation of any tax return, any audit or other examination by any taxing authority, or any judicial or administrative proceedings relating to liability for any Taxes relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each such Party will retain and provide the other with any records or information which may be relevant to such return, audit or examination, proceedings or determination. Such assistance shall include making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder and shall include providing copies of any relevant tax returns and supporting work schedules. The Party requesting assistance hereunder shall reimburse the other for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing such assistance. |
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Article 10.5 | Cooperation in Litigation. In the event that, after the Closing Date, Nautilus, Buyer, Seller or the Shareholders shall require the participation of officers and employees employed by each other to aid in the defense or prosecution of litigation or claims, and so long as there exists no conflict of interest between the Parties, each of Nautilus, Buyer and Seller shall use its best efforts to make such officers and employees available to participate in such defense or prosecution, provided that, except as required pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8, the Party requiring the participation of such officers or employees shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses arising from such participation. |
Article 10.6 | Confidentiality. Except in circumstances where the prior consent of Nautilus has been obtained and for a period of five (5) years after the Closing Date, Seller and each Shareholder agrees that it shall not divulge to any Person any trade secret, or secret process, method or means, or any other confidential information concerning the Business, Nautilus or Buyer that comes to the knowledge of such Party by reason of its being a Party hereto unless and to the extent that (i) the disclosure is required by law or (ii) such information is or becomes public knowledge otherwise than through the breach of this Article or (iii) such information was obtained from a third party having no obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information. |
Article 10.7 | Registration of Shares. In the event the Option Exercise Deposit consists of shares of Nautilus common stock, not later than 30 days after the Closing Date Nautilus shall at its expense file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission covering all shares distributed to Seller hereunder. |
CHAPTER 11
TERMINATION
Article 11.1 | Termination Events. This Agreement may, by notice given on or prior to the Closing Date, in the manner hereinafter provided, be terminated and abandoned: |
11.1.1 | By Nautilus and Buyer, on the one hand, or Seller and the Shareholders, on the other, if material default or breach shall be made by the other with respect to the due and timely performance of any of its covenants and agreements contained herein, or with respect to due compliance with any of its representations and warranties contained herein, and such default cannot be cured, or shall have not been cured within forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice specifying particularly such default; |
11.1.2 | By Nautilus and Buyer if all of the conditions set forth in Chapter 6 shall not |
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have been satisfied (or are incapable of being satisfied) on or before December 31, 2007 or waived by it on or before such date; or by Seller and the Shareholders, if all of the conditions set forth in Chapter 8 shall not have been satisfied (or are incapable of being satisfied) by such date or waived by it on or before such date; |
11.1.3 | By either Nautilus and Buyer, on the one hand, or Seller and the Shareholders, on the other, if in the case of Seller and the Shareholders, Nautilus, or in the case of Nautilus and Buyer, Seller or any Shareholder, becomes bankrupt, or is the subject of proceedings for liquidation or dissolution, or ceases to carry on business or becomes unable to pay its or his debts as they become due; |
11.1.4 | By written mutual consent of Nautilus and Seller; or |
11.1.5 | By either Nautilus or Seller if the Closing shall not have occurred, through no fault of any Party, on or before December 31, 2007, or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Parties. |
Each Partys right of termination hereunder is in addition to any other rights it may have hereunder or otherwise, including, without limitation, Nautiluss rights pursuant to Article 12.2.
Article 11.2 | Effect of Termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article 11.1, all further obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate, the Option Exercise Deposit shall be disbursed to the Parties in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, and unless terminated as provided in Article 11.1.4, the Two Million U.S. Dollar (U.S. $2,000,000) option fee delivered to Seller pursuant to the Option Agreement shall be retained by Seller. |
CHAPTER 12
OTHER PROVISIONS
Article 12.1 | Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing for a period of (*) months from the Closing Date, provided, however that in the event a claim for indemnification is made by Nautilus in respect of any representation and warranty (other than those in Articles 3.2 and 3.13 which shall continue for an indefinite period) made by Seller or either Shareholder prior to the expiration of such (*) month period, Nautilus shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification provisions hereunder as long as such claim is being prosecuted in good faith. |
Article 12.2 | [Intentionally left blank] |
Article 12.3 | Responsibility for Taxes. Each Party shall pay its own transaction-related Taxes arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Article 12.4 | Complete Agreement. This Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto and the documents referred to herein, together with the Escrow Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter, including without limitation the Option Agreement. |
Article 12.5 | Passage of Title and Risk of Loss. Title and risk of loss with respect to the Assets and rights to be transferred hereunder shall not pass to Buyer until the Assets or right is transferred at the Closing hereunder. |
Article 12.6 | Waiver, Discharge, etc. This Agreement may not be released, discharged, abandoned, changed or modified in any manner, except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties hereto by their duly authorized representatives. The failure of any Party hereto to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement or any part thereof or the right of any party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision. No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. |
Article 12.7 | Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be addressed to the relevant Party at the address set forth below or at such other address as such Party may designate by ten Business Days advance written notice to the other Parties. Any notice addressed to the relevant Party shall be deemed to have been delivered: (a) if delivered by hand when delivered, (b) if sent by pre-paid United States registered mail, on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date of posting, (c) if given or made by facsimile, on the following Business Day after the transmission is sent (as long as the sender has a confirmation report specifying the facsimile number of the recipient, the number of pages sent and the date of the transmission) and, (d) if given or made by electronic mail, on the following Business Day after the electronic mail is sent (as long as the sender has confirmation records confirming delivery by the sender and receipt by the recipient of the electronic mail). Notice given to Nautilus shall constitute notice to Buyer. |
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Notices and communications shall be delivered as follows:
To Nautilus |
Nautilus, Inc | |||
and Buyer at: |
16400 SE Nautilus Drive | |||
Vancouver, Washington 98683 U.S.A. | ||||
Attn: | Wayne M. Bolio, | |||
Chief Administrative Officer and | ||||
Senior Vice President, Law & Human Resources | ||||
Facsimile: 1 (360) 859-5915 | ||||
E-mail: wbolio@nautilus.com |
with a copy to: |
Garvey Schubert Barer | |
1191 Second Avenue, 18th Floor | ||
Seattle, Washington 98101 U.S.A. | ||
Attn: Bruce A. Robertson, Esquire | ||
Facsimile: 1 (206) 464-0125 | ||
E-mail: brobertson@gsblaw.com | ||
To Seller at: |
Treuriver Investments Limited | |
25 North 2nd Road, Xiamen, Xinglin | ||
Jimei District | ||
Xiamen China 361022 | ||
Attn: (*) | ||
Facsimile: (*) | ||
with a copy to: |
(*) | |
To Bruno at: |
(*) | |
[Address] | ||
Facsimile: | ||
To Qing at: | (*) | |
[Address] | ||
Attn: | ||
Facsimile: | ||
E-mail: |
Article 12.8 | Public Announcements. No Party shall issue any press release or public announcement in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written approval of the other Parties hereto. |
Article 12.9 | Expenses. Whether the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or fail to be consummated for any reason whatsoever, each Party shall pay its own expenses and the fees and disbursements of its counsel, accountants and other experts. |
Article 12.10 | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, U.S.A., without regard to its conflict of laws principles. |
Article 12.11 | Arbitration. |
(1) | Except as provided in Article 12.2, all disputes arising in connection with or relating to this Agreement shall be finally settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The tribunal shall be composed of a sole arbitrator. The arbitration shall be conducted in the English language at San Francisco under the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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(2) | Any arbitral award rendered shall be final, binding and non-appealable and may be entered and enforced as a judgment with any court having jurisdiction. |
(3) | To the extent this Article is deemed to be a separate agreement independent from this Agreement, Article 12.10 concerning governing law and Article 12.7 concerning notices are incorporated herein by reference. |
(4) | Any Party may, without inconsistency with this agreement to arbitrate, seek from a court any provisional remedy that may be necessary to preserve its rights, to protect intellectual property or to prevent the disposal of assets at any time before, during or after the arbitration proceedings. |
Article 12.12 | Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and the successors or assigns of the Parties, provided that the rights of Seller herein may not be assigned and the rights of Nautilus and Buyer may only be assigned (without Sellers and Shareholders consent) to an Affiliate of Nautilus (as long as Nautilus shall remain liable hereunder). |
Article 12.13 | Language; Schedules; Headings; Counterparts. This Agreement is written both in the Chinese and English languages. Both versions shall have equal validity, but in the event of a conflict between the two versions the English version shall prevail. All Schedules attached to this Agreement are an integral part hereof and are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement or affect any right or obligation under this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. |
Article 12.14 | Joint and Several Obligations. The liability of Seller and each Shareholder hereunder shall be joint and several with Seller and with the Shareholders. Where in this Agreement provision is made for any action to be taken or not taken by Seller, the Shareholders jointly and severally undertake to cause Seller to take or not take such action, as the case may be. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller and each Shareholder shall be jointly and severally liable for the indemnities set forth in Article 8. |
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Article 12.15 | Representative of Seller and the Shareholders. |
(a) | Seller and each of the Shareholders hereby appoint Bruno as their representative (Selling Parties Representative) and their true and lawful attorney in fact, with full power and authority in each of their names and on behalf of each of them: |
(i) | to act on behalf of each of them in the absolute discretion of the Selling Parties Representative, but only with respect to the following provisions of this Agreement, with the power to: (A) designate the accounts for payment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Article 2.3; (B) act pursuant to Article 2.4 with respect to any Purchase Price adjustment; (C) act under the Escrow Agreement; (D) give and receive notices pursuant to Article12.7; (E) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 or waive any provision of this Agreement pursuant to Chapter 7, Article 11.1 and Article 12.6; and (F) act in connection with any matter as to which Seller and each of the Shareholders, jointly and severally, have obligations, or are Indemnified Persons, under Article 8; and |
(ii) | in general, to do all things and to perform all acts, including executing and delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, instructions and other instruments contemplated by or deemed advisable to effectuate the provisions of this Article 12.15. |
This appointment and grant of power and authority is coupled with an interest and is in consideration of the mutual covenants made herein and is irrevocable and shall not be terminated by any act of any of the Shareholders or Seller or by operation of law, or by the occurrence of any other event. Each Shareholder and Seller hereby consents to the taking of any and all actions and the making of any decisions required or permitted to be taken or made by the Selling Parties Representative pursuant to this Article 12.15.
(b) | Nautilus, Buyer and the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any document or other paper delivered by the Selling Parties Representative as (i) genuine and correct and (ii) having been duly signed or sent by the Selling Parties Representative, and none of Nautilus, Buyer or the Escrow Agent shall be liable to any of the Shareholders or Seller for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Nautilus or the Escrow Agent in such reliance. |
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
NAUTILUS | ||
NAUTILUS, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Signature | ||
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
BUYER | ||
[NAUTILUS ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY] | ||
By: |
| |
Signature | ||
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
SELLER | ||
LAND AMERICA HEALTH & FITNESS CO., LTD | ||
By: |
| |
Signature | ||
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
(*) (a Shareholder) | ||
By: |
| |
(*) | ||
(*) (a Shareholder) | ||
By: |
| |
(*) |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT OF SELLING PARTIES REPRESENTATIVE
The undersigned, being the Selling Parties Representative designated in Article 12.15 of the foregoing Asset Purchase Agreement, agrees to serve as the Selling Parties Representative and to be bound by the terms of such Asset Purchase Agreement pertaining thereto.
Dated: , 2007 |
||||
|
||||
(*) |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
Exhibit A
EXHIBIT A
(Sellers Non-Competition Agreement)
Exhibit B
EXHIBIT B
(Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement)
Exhibit C
EXHIBIT C
(Form of Opinion of The Universal Legal Corp., PRC,
Counsel to Seller and Shareholders)
EXHIBIT D
(Form of Opinion of ,
Counsel to Seller and Shareholders)
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Exhibit | ESCROW AGREEMENT |
THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of , 2007 (this Agreement), is entered into by and among NAUTILUS, INC., a Washington corporation (Nautilus), [NAUTILUS ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY], a (Buyer), TREURIVER INVESTMENTS LIMITED, a British Virgin Islands company (Seller), (*) and (*) and Seller are sometimes collectively referred to as the Selling Parties or individually as a Selling Party), (*), as representative of the Selling Parties (the Representative) and , as escrow agent (the Escrow Agent).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. | Nautilus and Seller have entered into a Purchase Option Agreement, dated effective January 29, 2007 (the Option Agreement). Capitalized terms used in the Option Agreement are used herein with the same meaning, unless otherwise defined herein. |
B. | This is the Escrow Agreement referred to in the Option Agreement. |
C. | Nautilus may exercise the Option and purchase the Assets or cause Buyer to purchase the Assets. |
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. | Appointment of Escrow Agent. Nautilus and the Selling Parties hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act as escrow agent in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act as escrow agent hereunder in accordance with such terms and conditions. |
2. | Establishment of Escrow. |
(a) | Option Exercise Deposit. In accordance with Section 3.2 of the Option Agreement, Nautilus has deposited an Escrow Exercise Deposit with the Escrow Agent consisting of either (i) Thirty Million United States Dollars ($30,000,000) or (ii) unregistered shares of Nautilus common stock (Shares) with a market value (determined in accordance with the Option Agreement) of Thirty Million United States Dollars ($30,000,000) issued to together with stock powers relating to such Shares executed by in blank. If (a) Nautilus elects to deposit Shares with the Escrow Agent as described in clause (i) above, and (b) the market value of the Shares on deposit hereunder on the third day prior to the Closing Date (the Determination Date) determined using the Average Share Price (as defined below) is less than Thirty Million United States Dollars ($30,000,000), then Nautilus shall deposit with the Escrow Agent, by no later than 4:30 p.m. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Pacific Standard Time on the day immediately preceding the Closing Date such additional number of Shares issued to , together with stock powers relating to such Shares executed by in blank, so that the market value of all Shares on deposit with the Escrow Agent on the Closing Date determined using the Average Share Price is Thirty Million United States Dollars ($30,000,000). If the market value of the Shares on the Determination Date is greater than $30,000,000, Shares with a market value (determined as set forth above) on the Closing Date in excess of $30,000,000 shall be distributed to Nautilus. If when making any deposit of Shares hereunder it would be necessary to deposit a fractional Share in order to achieve the $30,000,000 valuation, the number of Shares to be deposited shall be adjusted upward to the next full Share. The Selling Parties agree that they will cause to deliver to Nautilus in a timely manner the stock powers executed in blank by so that Nautilus may deposit such in escrow hereunder. Average Share Price means the average closing price of Nautilus common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the 10 trading day period ending on the Determination Date.
(b) | Escrow Property. All Shares or funds deposited by Nautilus with the Escrow Agent constituting the Option Exercise Deposit and all dividends, interest or other income received in respect of such Shares and funds are collectively referred to as the Escrow Property. Any dividends on Shares of Nautilus common stock included in the Escrow Property will be held for the account of the Selling Parties and released from escrow to the Selling Parties at the time the Shares are distributed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Any interest or other income received in respect of funds included in the Escrow Property on or prior to the Closing, should it occur, will be held for the account of the Selling Parties and released from escrow to the Selling Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Any interest or other income received in respect of funds included in the Escrow Property after the Closing, should it occur, will be held for the account of the Selling Parties. |
3. | Release of Escrow Property. |
(a) | Closing Date Releases. On or before December 31, 2007, Nautilus and the Representative may deliver to the Escrow Agent signed instructions in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (the Closing Release Instructions). Upon receipt of the Closing Release Instructions the Escrow Agent shall deliver and pay to the person or persons designated in the Closing Release Instructions and release from escrow hereunder the Escrow Property described in the Closing Release Instructions. |
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(b) | Release If Closing Does Not Occur. If the Escrow Agent does not receive Closing Release Instructions signed by Nautilus and the Representative by 4:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, on December 31, 2007, and if the Closing has neither occurred or is scheduled to occur, the Escrow Agent shall pay and deliver to Nautilus all Escrow Property held by it hereunder; provided, that as provided in Section 2(b) above, all dividends and interest included in the Escrow Property shall be distributed to the Selling Parties. |
(c) | Release on Joint Instruction of Nautilus and the Representative. Nautilus and the Representative may from time to time, jointly instruct the Escrow Agent in writing to release any or all of the Escrow Property to a person or persons designated by them. |
4. | Term. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the payment or delivery of the entire Escrow Property in accordance with the terms hereof. |
5. | Investment of Funds. Except as Nautilus and the Representative may from time to time jointly otherwise instruct the Escrow Agent in writing, funds comprising the Escrow Property deposited with the Escrow Agent shall be invested from time to time, to the extent possible, in United States Treasury bills having a remaining maturity of ninety (90) days or less and repurchase obligations secured by such United States Treasury bills, with any remainder being deposited and maintained in a money market deposit account with the Escrow Agent until release by the Escrow Agent of the entire Escrow Property. The Escrow Agent is authorized to liquidate in accordance with its customary procedures any portion of the Escrow Property consisting of investments to provide for payments required to be made under this Agreement. |
6. | Duties of the Escrow Agent. |
(a) | The Escrow Agent shall not be under any duty to give the Escrow Property held by it hereunder any greater degree of care than it gives its own similar property and shall not be required to invest any funds held hereunder except as directed in this Agreement. Uninvested funds held hereunder shall not earn or accrue interest. |
(b) | The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for actions or omissions hereunder, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct and, except with respect to claims based upon such gross negligence or willful misconduct that are successfully asserted against the Escrow Agent, the other parties hereto shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Escrow Agent (and any successor Escrow Agent) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, actions, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements, arising out of and in connection with this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Escrow Agent shall in no event be liable in connection with its investment or reinvestment of any cash held by it hereunder |
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in good faith, in accordance with the terms hereof, including, without limitation, any liability for any delays (not resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct) in the investment or reinvestment of the funds comprising part of the Escrow Property or any loss of interest incident to any such delays. |
(c) | The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any order, judgment, certification, demand, notice, instrument or other writing delivered to it hereunder without being required to determine the authenticity or the correctness of any fact stated therein or the propriety or validity of the service thereof. The Escrow Agent may act in reliance upon any instrument or signature believed by it to be genuine and may assume that the person purporting to give receipt or advice or make any statement or execute any document in connection with the provisions hereof has been duly authorized to do so. The Escrow Agent may conclusively presume that the undersigned representative of any party hereto which is an entity other than a natural person has full power and authority to instruct the Escrow Agent on behalf of that party unless written notice to the contrary is delivered to the Escrow Agent. |
(d) | The Escrow Agent may act pursuant to the advice of counsel with respect to any matter relating to this Agreement and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with such advice. |
(e) | The Escrow Agent does not have any interest in the Escrow Property deposited hereunder but is serving as escrow holder only and has only possession thereof. Any payments of income from the Escrow Property shall be subject to withholding regulations then in force with respect to United States taxes. The parties hereto will provide the Escrow Agent with appropriate Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9 for tax identification number certification, or nonresident alien certifications. This Section 6(e) and Section 6(b) shall survive notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or the resignation of the Escrow Agent. |
(f) | The Escrow Agent makes no representation as to the validity, value, genuineness or collect ability of any security or other document or instrument held by or delivered to it. |
(g) | The Escrow Agent shall not be called upon to advise any party as to the wisdom in selling or retaining or taking or refraining from any action with respect to any securities or other property deposited hereunder. |
(h) | The Escrow Agent (and any successor Escrow Agent) may at any time resign as such by delivering the Escrow Property to any successor Escrow Agent jointly designated by the other parties hereto in writing, or to any court of competent jurisdiction, whereupon the Escrow Agent shall be discharged of and from any and all further obligations arising in connection with this Agreement. The |
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resignation of the Escrow Agent will take effect on the earlier of (i) the appointment of a successor (including a court of competent jurisdiction) or (ii) the day which is thirty (30) days after the date of delivery of its written notice of resignation to the other parties hereto. If, at that time, the Escrow Agent has not received a designation of a successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agents sole responsibility after that time shall be to retain and safeguard the Escrow Property until receipt of a designation of successor Escrow Agent or a joint written disposition instruction by the other parties hereto or a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. |
(i) | In the event of any disagreement between the other parties hereto resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection with the Escrow Property, or in the event that the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to what action it should take hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to retain the Escrow Property until the Escrow Agent shall have received (i) a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing delivery of the Escrow Property or (ii) a written agreement executed by Nautilus and the Representative directing delivery of the Escrow Property, in which event the Escrow Agent shall disburse the Escrow Property in accordance with such order or agreement. Any court order shall be accompanied by a legal opinion by counsel for the presenting party satisfactory to the Escrow Agent to the effect that the order is final and non-appealable. The Escrow Agent shall act on such court order and legal opinion without further question. |
(j) | Nautilus and the Selling Parties shall pay the Escrow Agent compensation (as payment in full) for the services to be rendered by the Escrow Agent hereunder in the amount of dollars ($ ) at the time of execution of this Agreement and dollars ($ ) annually thereafter and agree to reimburse the Escrow Agent for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Escrow Agent in performance of its duties hereunder (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of its counsel). Any such compensation and reimbursement to which the Escrow Agent is entitled shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by Nautilus and fifty percent (50%) by the Representative. Any fees or expenses of the Escrow Agent or its counsel that are not paid as provided for herein may be taken from any property held by the Escrow Agent hereunder. |
(k) | No printed or other matter in any language (including, without limitation, prospectuses, notices, reports and promotional material) that mentions the Escrow Agents name or the rights, powers or duties of the Escrow Agent shall be issued by the other parties hereto or on such parties behalf unless the Escrow Agent shall first have given its specific written consent thereto. |
(l) | The other parties hereto authorize the Escrow Agent, for any securities held hereunder, to use the services of any United States central securities depository it reasonably deems appropriate, including, without limitation, the Depository Trust Company and the Federal Reserve Book Entry System. |
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7. | Limited Responsibility. This Agreement expressly sets forth all the duties of the Escrow Agent with respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto. No implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by the provisions of any agreement among the other parties hereto except this Agreement. |
8. | Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given to a party when (a) delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by a nationally recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid); (b) sent by facsimile or e-mail (with confirmation by the transmitting equipment); or (c) received by the addressee, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the following addresses and facsimile numbers and marked to the attention of the person (by name or title) designated below (or to such other address, facsimile number or person as a party may designate by notice to the other parties): |
To Nautilus at: | Nautilus, Inc. | |||
16400 SE Nautilus Drive | ||||
Vancouver, Washington 98683 U.S.A. | ||||
Attn: Wayne M. Bolio, | ||||
Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President, | ||||
Law and Human Resources | ||||
Facsimile: 1-360-859-5915 | ||||
E-mail: wbolio@nautilus.com | ||||
with a mandatory copy to: | Garvey Schubert Barer | |||
1191 Second Avenue, 18th Floor | ||||
Seattle, Washington 98101-2939 U.S.A. | ||||
Attn: Bruce A. Robertson, Esquire | ||||
Facsimile: 1-206-464-0125 | ||||
E-mail: brobertson@gsblaw.com | ||||
To Land America at: | Treuriver Investments Limited | |||
25 North 2nd Road Xiamen, Xinglin | ||||
Jimei District | ||||
Xiamen, China 361022 P.R.C. | ||||
Attn: (*) | ||||
Facsimile: (*) | ||||
E-mail: (*) | ||||
with a mandatory copy to: | (*) | |||
To Buyer at: | ||||
Attn: | ||||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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with a mandatory copy to: | ||||
Attn: | ||||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: | ||||
To (*) at: | (*) | |||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: (*) | ||||
with a mandatory copy to: | ||||
Attn: | ||||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: | ||||
To (*) at: | Attn: (*) | |||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: | ||||
with a mandatory copy to: | ||||
Attn: | ||||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: | ||||
To Escrow Agent at: | ||||
Attn: | ||||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: | ||||
with a mandatory copy to: | ||||
Attn: | ||||
Facsimile: | ||||
E-mail: |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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9. | Jurisdiction; Service of Process. Any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of Washington, County of King, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding and waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court and agrees not to bring any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court. Process in any proceeding referred to in the preceding sentence may be served on any party anywhere in the world. |
10. | Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile shall be deemed to be their original signatures for any purposes whatsoever. |
11. | Section Headings; Construction. The headings of sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. |
12. | Waiver. The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement. |
13. | Entire Agreement and Modification. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements among the parties with respect to its subject matter and constitutes (along with the documents referred to in this Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement may not be amended except by a written agreement executed by Nautilus, the Selling Parties, the Representative and the Escrow Agent. |
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14. | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington without regard to conflicts of law principles that would require the application of any other law. |
15. | Representative of Selling Parties. |
(a) | Each Selling Party hereby constitutes and appoints the Representative as their representative and their true and lawful attorney in fact, with full power and authority in each of their names and on behalf of each of them: |
(i) | to act on behalf of each of them in the absolute discretion of the Selling Parties Representative in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation, with the power to: (A) execute and deliver the Closing Release Instructions pursuant to Section 3(a) and other release instructions pursuant to Section 3(d), (B) designate the accounts for payment of the amounts released from escrow; (C) deliver any Counter Notice under Section 3(b)(2); (D) deliver any instructions pursuant to Section 5; (E) give and receive notices pursuant to Section 8 and this Agreement; (F) waive any provision of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12; and (G) accept service of process pursuant to Section 9; and |
(ii) | in general, to do all things and to perform all acts, including executing and delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, instructions and other instruments contemplated by or deemed advisable to effectuate the provisions of this Section 15. |
This appointment and grant of power and authority is coupled with an interest and is in consideration of the mutual covenants made herein and is irrevocable and shall not be terminated by any act of any Selling Party or by operation of law. Each Selling Party hereby consents to the taking of any and all actions and the making of any decisions required or permitted to be taken or made by the Representative pursuant to this Section 15. Bruno agrees to serve as the Representative and be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating thereto.
(b) | Nautilus and the Escrow Agreement shall be entitled to rely upon any document or other paper delivered by the Representative as (i) genuine and correct and (ii) having been duly signed or sent by the Representative, and neither Nautilus nor the Escrow Agent shall be liable to any of the Selling Parties for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Nautilus or the Escrow Agent in such reliance. |
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.
NAUTILUS, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
TREURIVER INVESTMENTS LIMITED | ||
By: |
| |
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
[BUYER] | ||
By: |
| |
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
| ||
(*), individually and as Representative | ||
| ||
(*) |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
Exhibit A
EXHIBIT A
[Form of Closing Release Instructions]
[Name and Address of Escrow Agent] | , 2007. | |
Attention: |
CLOSING RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
Dear Sirs,
We refer to the Escrow Agreement, dated as of , 2007 (the Agreement), among the undersigned, certain other Selling Parties and you, as Escrow Agent. Terms defined in the Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as therein defined.
We confirm that the Closing under the Purchase Agreement occurred on , 2007 and hereby irrevocably authorize and direct you to release the following [securities and] funds constituting part of the Escrow Property from escrow and [deliver or] pay such [securities and] funds to the person or persons designated below:
[1]. Deliver to (*), as representative of the Selling Parties at , share certificates representing Shares of common stock of Nautilus, Inc.[having a total value determined in accordance with Section 2(a) of the Escrow Agreement of U.S.$30,000,000] registered in the name of together with (i) any dividends on Shares that have been received as Escrow Property, and (ii) stock powers relating to such share certificates executed in blank byi
[2]. After giving effect to the instructions set forth above, deliver all additional share certificates representing Shares of common stock of Nautilus, Inc. together with stock powers relating to such Shares executed in blank by , to Nautilus at .]ii
[3]. After giving effect to the payment instructions set forth above, deliver al remaining Escrow Property to the Selling Parties by wire transfer to [here provide wire transfer instructions].
Very truly yours, | ||
NAUTILUS, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
|
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
i | This paragraph and the bracketed language in the preceding paragraph should be included if Nautilus has deposited shares of Nautilus common stock with the Escrow Agent as the Option Exercise Deposit. The total number of shares released in accordance with this paragraph should have a value of $30,000,000 calculated using the Average Share Price as determined in accordance with Section 2(a) of the Agreement and rounded up to the next full share if a fractional share would otherwise be required. |
ii |
This paragraph should be included if the value of the Shares in escrow on the Determination Date exceeds $30,000,000 calculated using the Average Share Price as determined in accordance with Section 2(a) of the Agreement. |
Exhibit A
Exhibit 10.37
PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered effective the 31st day of January 2007, by and between Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, ("Purchaser"), and Land America Health & Fitness Co., LTD. (Land America), a Peoples Republic of China corporation ("Seller").
R E C I T A L S:
WHEREAS, among its activities, Seller engages in the manufacture of certain of Purchasers proprietary line of health and fitness equipment and selected other fitness equipment (the "Business"); and
WHEREAS, Seller desires to provide Purchaser an exclusive, time-limited option to buy the Business and substantially all of the assets of the Business, and Purchaser desires to obtain an exclusive, time-limited option to purchase the Business and substantially all of the assets of the Business; and
WHEREAS, Nautilus has entered into a Purchase Option Agreement, of even date herewith, providing for an option to purchase substantially all of the assets of Treuriver Investments Limited (the Treuriver Option, and such Agreement the Treuriver Option Agreement); and
WHEREAS, Seller and Purchaser have finalized the terms of the attached Asset Purchase Agreement and associated Escrow Agreement to be used at Closing for the purchase transaction contemplated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, Purchaser and Seller hereby agree as follows:
1. | OPTION GRANT. Seller hereby grants to Purchaser the exclusive option (the "Option") to acquire those of Sellers assets (the "Assets") used or useful, now or at the time of exercise of the Option, in the design, manufacture, production or delivery of Purchasers products and other fitness equipment, including, without limitation, all tangible and intangible assets, machines, devices, instruments and components and related intellectual properties, including, but not limited to know-how, facility layouts, tooling, drawings, engineering drawings, process instructions, quality assurance tests, inventory, materials, Seller lists, vendor lists and related items sufficient to enable Purchaser to continue the design, manufacture, production and delivery of Purchasers products in the manner theretofore produced by Seller. The Assets shall not include any cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, or assets not used in the design, manufacture, production or delivery of Purchasers products or other fitness equipment. |
2. | OPTION FEE. In consideration of the grant of the Option, Purchaser shall pay to Seller an option fee of Four Million U.S. Dollars ($4,000,000) (the "Option Fee"). In the event |
Purchaser fails to exercise the Option, the entire amount of the Option Fee shall be retained by Seller. If Purchaser exercises the Option, the Option Fee shall be retained by Seller and credited to the payment of the Purchase Price. |
3. | TERM AND EXERCISE. |
3.1 | Option Term. The term of the Option shall begin on the date of delivery of the Option Fee and expire at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on June 30, 2007. In the event Purchaser fails to exercise the Option on or before such time of expiration, Purchaser shall return to Seller or destroy all confidential and proprietary information of Seller obtained by Purchaser during the due diligence process. |
3.2 | Exercise of Option. On or before expiration of the Option as provided in Section 3.1 above, and subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 below, Purchaser may elect to exercise the Option by giving written notice to Seller in accordance with Section 9.2 below. |
3.3 | Purchase Agreement and Escrow Agreement. Within sixty (60) days after delivery of written notice of exercise as specified in Section 3.2 above, but no earlier than June 30, 2007, Purchaser and Seller shall execute and deliver a definitive Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement ("Purchase Agreement") in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. The purchase and sale of the Assets shall be completed on December 31, 2007 (the Closing Date) in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement. Seller shall deliver draft schedules and exhibits to the Purchase Agreement, with the exception of disclosures related to Section 3.17 of the Purchase Agreement, on or before April 30, 2007 and shall promptly provide updated schedules and exhibits to supplement or correct any information presented in such draft schedules. |
3.4 | Treuriver Option Agreement. It is the intention of the parties that exercise of the Option shall occur only in conjunction with exercise of the Treuriver Option. Therefore, exercise (or expiration, if applicable) of the Option as provided in Section 3.2 above shall constitute exercise of the Treuriver Option, and exercise (or expiration, if applicable) of the Treuriver Option in accordance with the terms of the Treuriver Option Agreement shall constitute exercise of the Option granted herein. |
4. | CONTINUATION OF BUSINESS; AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. |
4.1 | Continuation of Business. From the date of this Agreement until the expiration of the Option, or until execution of the Purchase Agreement if the Option is exercised, (i) Seller shall continue to operate the Business in the ordinary course and will not enter into any transaction, agreement or other action out of the ordinary course; and (ii) Seller shall not manufacture or sell, or enter into any |
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agreement to manufacture or sell, any product for delivery to any competitor of Purchaser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller will be allowed to continue to sell certain products to certain existing customers as separately agreed in writing by Purchaser. |
4.2 | Audited Financial Statements. Seller agrees that commencing January 1, 2007 and at all times prior to expiration of the Option, or if the Option is exercised, at all times to and including the Closing Date, Seller shall maintain books and records in a manner necessary and appropriate to prepare audited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Seller further agrees to appoint Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte) as its independent auditors for 2007. The incremental cost of Deloitte as auditors compared to the cost of Sellers previous statutory auditors will be reimbursed by Purchaser; provided, that if the Option terminates without exercise, such reimbursement shall be limited to incremental costs incurred by Seller for services provided through June 30, 2007. |
5. | EXCLUSIVE PERIOD OF NEGOTIATION. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the parties' mutual execution of the Purchase Agreement or termination of the Option, other than as contemplated by this Agreement, Seller will not, directly or indirectly, through any officer, director, employee, agent or otherwise (i) solicit, initiate or encourage submission of any proposals or offers from any corporation, partnership, persons or group relating to any acquisition, purchase or option to purchase any of the Business or Assets or stock of Seller, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other business combination of any kind involving Seller, or any other transaction that is incompatible with the transactions described in this Agreement, or (ii) furnish to any person (other than its own professional advisors) any information with respect to any such transaction. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of (i) termination of the Option, (ii) termination of the Purchase Agreement and (iii) December 31, 2007, Purchaser shall not without the written consent of Seller (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) acquire or enter into negotiations to acquire the assets of any other business engaged in the manufacture of fitness equipment in China that has assets with a value exceeding (*). |
6. | DUE DILIGENCE AND ACCESS TO RECORDS. Commencing on the date of this Agreement and until the earlier of the mutual execution of the Purchase Agreement or termination of the Option, Purchaser will have reasonable opportunity and access to investigate the Business and the Assets, including Seller's books, records, and all relevant financial and operational information regarding the Assets and Business that Purchaser deems necessary to provide a basis for determining whether it will exercise the Option. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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7. | CONFIDENTIALITY. The parties acknowledge that they entered into a non-disclosure agreement dated March 16, 2006, and that agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The parties hereby agree that financial information of the Seller is proprietary and that the unauthorized use or disclosure of this information for any purpose other than as set forth in this Agreement could cause substantial monetary damages to the Seller. (*) |
8. | PUBLIC STATEMENTS OR RELEASES. Neither of the parties shall make any public announcement with respect to the existence or terms of this Agreement or the transactions provided for herein without the prior written approval of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 8 shall prevent any party from making any public announcement it considers necessary in order to satisfy its obligations under the law or the rules of any securities exchange or market, provided such party, to the extent practicable, provides the other parties with an opportunity to review and comment on any proposed public announcement before it is made. |
9. | MISCELLANEOUS. |
9.1 | Amendment. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by all parties hereto. |
9.2 | Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given on the date of transmission when sent by telegram or facsimile transmission, on the third business day after the day of mailing when mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, from within the United States, or on the date of actual delivery, whichever is the earliest, and shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses, or at such other address as the party may hereafter designate by written notice to the other: |
If to Purchaser: | Nautilus, Inc. | |
16400 SE Nautilus Drive | ||
Vancouver, WA 98683 | ||
Attn: Wayne M. Bolio | ||
Facsimile: (360) 859-5915 | ||
with a copy to: | Bruce A. Robertson | |
Garvey Schubert Barer | ||
1191 Second Avenue, 18th Floor | ||
Seattle, WA 98101 | ||
Facsimile: (206) 464-0125 |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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If to Seller: | Land America Health & Fitness Co., Ltd. | |
25 North 2nd Road | ||
Xiamen, Xinglin, China 361022 | ||
Attn: (*) | ||
Facsimile: (*) | ||
with a copy to: | (*) |
9.3 | Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, U.S.A., without regard to its conflict of laws principles. |
9.4 | Dispute Resolution. Any disputes between the contracting parties shall be submitted for final and binding resolution before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrators shall interpret all controversies or claims arising under or relating to this Agreement in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The arbitration is to be conducted in San Francisco, California. |
9.5 | Entire Agreement. Except as set forth in Section 7 above, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the matters addressed herein and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments, writings and agreements, written or oral, with respect to such subject matter. |
9.6 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. |
(The Remainder of this Page Intentionally Left Blank)
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
PURCHASER: | SELLER: | |||||||||||
NAUTILUS, INC. | LAND AMERICA HEALTH & FITNESS CO., LTD | |||||||||||
By: |
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By: |
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Signature | Signature | |||||||||||
Print Name: |
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Print Name: |
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Title: |
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Title: |
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Exhibit A
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
NAUTILUS, INC.,
[NAUTILUS WOFE]
AND
LAND AMERICA HEALTH & FITNESS CO., LTD.
(*)
Dated as of , 2007
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description |
Tab | |
GENERAL PROVISIONS |
2 | |
PURCHASE AND SALE OF BUSINESS AND ASSETS |
6 | |
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS |
12 | |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NAUTILUS |
21 | |
ACTION PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE |
22 | |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF NAUTILUS |
24 | |
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS |
26 | |
INDEMNIFICATION |
27 | |
STAFF AND EMPLOYEE MATTERS |
29 | |
SUBSEQUENT TO THE CLOSING DATE |
30 | |
TERMINATION |
31 | |
OTHER PROVISIONS |
32 |
LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
Assigned Contracts | Schedule 2.1.8 | |
Certain Fixed Assets | Schedule 2.4 | |
Land Use Rights | Schedule 3.5.1 | |
Buildings | Schedule 3.5.2 | |
Leased Premises | Schedule 3.5.3 | |
Tangible Property Owned | Schedule 3.5.4 | |
Tangible Property Leased | Schedule 3.5.5 | |
Inventory Locations | Schedule 3.5.6 | |
Intellectual Property | Schedule 3.5.7 | |
Contracts | Schedule 3.5.8 | |
Additional Required Assets | Schedule 3.6 | |
Tangible Personal Property | Schedule 3.7 | |
Compliance with Law | Schedule 3.8 | |
Litigation | Schedule 3.9 | |
Brokers or Finders Fees | Schedule 3.10 | |
Subsidiaries and Branches | Schedule 3.11 | |
Financial Statements | Schedule 3.12 | |
Liabilities | Schedule 3.13 | |
Taxes | Schedule 3.14 | |
Material Changes | Schedule 3.15 | |
Insurance | Schedule 3.16 | |
Suppliers | Schedule 3.17 | |
Environmental Matters | Schedule 3.18 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description |
Tab | |
Employees | Schedule 3.19 | |
Labor Contracts | Schedule 3.20.1 | |
Employee Plans | Schedule 3.20.2 | |
Compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Export Control and Anti-Boycott Laws | Schedule 3.21 | |
Sales to Affiliates | Schedule 3.22 | |
Services from Affiliates | Schedule 3.23 |
Exhibit A: | Form of Escrow Agreement | |
Exhibit B: | Form of Seller Non-Competition Agreement | |
Exhibit C: | Form of Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement | |
Exhibit D: | Form of Opinion of The Universal Legal Corp., PRC counsel to Seller and the Shareholders | |
Exhibit E: | From of Opinion of (*), counsel to Seller and the Shareholders |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (hereinafter, "Agreement"), dated as of 2007, is entered into by and among the following parties (each a "Party" and collectively, the "Parties"):
1. | NAUTILUS, INC., a Washington corporation ("Nautilus"); |
2. | [NAUTILUS WOFE], a wholly foreign-owned limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the PRC ("Buyer"); |
3. | LAND AMERICA HEALTH & FITNESS CO., LTD., a wholly foreign-owned limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the PRC ("Seller"); |
4. | (*) or a "Shareholder"), who together with his spouse, (*), are the indirect sole shareholders of Seller; and |
5. | (*) or a "Shareholder"), who together with her spouse, (*), are the indirect sole shareholders of Seller. |
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
1. | Seller is engaged in the manufacture of certain of Nautiluss proprietary line of health and fitness equipment and other fitness equipment (the "Business"). |
2. | Nautilus and Seller have entered into a Purchase Option Agreement, dated effective January 29, 2007 (the "Option Agreement"), pursuant to which Nautilus was granted an option to purchase substantially all of the assets related to the Business. |
3. | Certain of the assets used in the Business and owned by Seller were previously owned and operated by World Gear Sports Goods Co., Ltd. ("World Gear"). |
4. | Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Seller is willing to sell substantially all of the assets of the Business to Buyer, and Nautilus is willing to cause Buyer to purchase such assets from Seller. |
5. | Together with this Agreement, the Parties are entering into an Escrow Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Escrow Agreement"). |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1.1 | Definitions. |
The following terms as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth below:
Affiliate means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such Person. The term control (including the terms controlled by or under the common control with) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of an equity interest or by contract or otherwise.
After Acquired Assets has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (c).
Audit Report has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (a).
Audited Closing Financial Statements has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (a).
Agreement means this Asset Purchase Agreement and the Schedules hereto.
Appraiser has the meaning given in Article 5.2.
Assets has the meaning given such term in Article 2.1.
2006 Balance Sheet has the meaning given such term in Article 3.12.
Books and Records shall mean all books, ledgers, files, reports, plans and operating records of, or maintained by, the Business, in both physical and electronic form, as the case may be.
(*) Consulting Agreement has the meaning given such term in Section 6.16.
Business has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Business Day means any day when banks are open for business in Xiamen, Fujian Province, PRC.
Buyer has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Closing Date has the meaning given such term in Article 2.5.
Computer Software means all computer applications software, owned or licensed, whether for general business usage (e.g., accounting, word processing, graphics, spreadsheet analysis, etc.) or specific, unique-to-the-business usage (e.g., order processing, manufacturing, process control, design, shipping, etc.) and all computer operating, security or programming software, owned or licensed.
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Customer Complaint has the meaning given such term in Article 10.7.
Deloitte has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4(a).
Disposed Assets has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (c).
Employee Plans shall mean all welfare and benefit plans maintained by Seller for the benefit of the staff and workers of Seller, including, without limitation, all bonus, retirement, pension, health and medical, life insurance, disability and accident insurance, vacation and/or annual leave, sick-leave and housing plans.
Excluded Assets shall mean all assets of Seller not used in or relating to the Business and all cash and accounts receivable relating to the Business.
Escrow Agent has the meaning given such term in the Escrow Agreement.
Escrow Agreement has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Escrow Property has the meaning given such term in the Escrow Agreement.
Facilities means the land and buildings and any leasehold interests in land or buildings currently owned or operated by Seller and any machinery or other equipment used or operated by Seller at the respective locations of the land and buildings specified in Articles 3.5.1, 3.5.2 and 3.5.3.
Final Inventory Value has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4 (b).
Government Authority shall mean the government of the PRC, any subdivision thereof and any provincial or local government authority having jurisdiction over Seller, the Business or any Assets.
Improvements means all buildings, structures, fixtures, and other infrastructure located on the land described in Article 3.5.1.
Indemnity Cut-Off Date has the meaning given such term in Article 8.2 hereof.
Intellectual Property shall mean trademarks, service marks, brand names, certification marks, trade dress, trade names and other indications of origin, the goodwill associated with the foregoing and registrations in any jurisdiction of, and applications in any jurisdiction to register, the foregoing, including any extension, modification or renewal of any such registration or application; inventions, discoveries and ideas, whether patentable or not in any jurisdiction; patents, applications for patents (including, without limitation, divisions, continuations, continuations in-part and renewal applications), and any renewals, extensions or reissues thereof, in any jurisdiction; non-public information, trade secrets and
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confidential information and rights in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any Person; writings and other works, whether copyrightable or not in any jurisdiction; registrations or applications for registration of copyrights in any jurisdiction, and any renewals or extensions thereof; Computer Software (including, but not limited to, data, source codes, object codes, specifications and related documentation), any similar intellectual property or proprietary rights; and any claims arising out of or related to any infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing.
Interim Balance Sheet has the meaning given such term in Article 3.12.
Inventory means all inventories of Seller relating to the Business, wherever located, including all finished goods, work in process, raw materials, spare parts and all other materials and supplies to be used or consumed by Seller in the production of finished goods of the Business.
Land means the land described in Article 3.5.1.
Lien shall mean any mortgage, lien, pledge, security interest or other type of charge or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement, including, without limitation, the lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, options or any other restrictions or third party rights.
M&A Regulations has the meaning given such term in Article 5.1.
Option Agreement has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
Party shall mean each of Nautilus, Seller, Shareholder and Shareholder who are sometimes collectively referred to as the Parties.
Person shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, joint stock company, limited liability company, state-owned enterprise, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.
PRC or China shall mean the People's Republic of China.
Purchase Price has the meaning given such term in Article 2.3.
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount has the meaning given such term in Article 2.4(d).
Real Property means the Land and Improvements.
RMB, Renminbi or ¥ shall mean the currency of the PRC.
Seller has the meaning given such term in the Preliminary Statements hereof.
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Sellers Non-Competition Agreement shall mean the Non-Competition, Non-Disclosure and Non-Solicitation Agreement, between Seller and Nautilus, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.
Shareholder shall mean each of Shareholder and Shareholder, who are sometimes collectively referred to as the Shareholders
Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement shall mean the Non-Competition, Non Disclosure and Non-Solicitation Agreement, among the Shareholders and Nautilus, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto.
Taxes shall mean all tax and stamp duties charges, tariffs or other assessments charged by any Government Authority (including, without limitation, business, income, capital gain, value added, use, transfer, sales, deed and excise or custom tax, and stamp duties and however termed).
Tangible Personal Property all machinery, equipment, tools, dyes, molds, furniture, fixtures, office equipment, computer hardware, supplies, materials, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property (other than Inventory) of every kind owned or leased by Seller (wherever located and whether or not carried on Seller's books), together with any express or implied warranty by the manufacturers or sellers or lessors of any item or component part thereof and all maintenance records and other documents relating thereto.
Transaction Documents mean each of this Agreement, Sellers Non-Competition Agreement, the Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Bruno Consulting Agreement, and each of the documents to be delivered by Seller pursuant to Section 2.6 below.
U.S. Dollars, US$ or $ shall mean the currency of the United States of America.
U.S. GAAP shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Article 1.2 | Construction of Certain Terms and Phrases. Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include each other gender; (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively; (iii) the terms hereof, herein, hereby and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement; and (iv) the terms Article or Clause refer to the specified Article or Clause of this Agreement. Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. |
Article 1.3. | Exchange Rate. In determining the U.S. Dollar equivalent of an amount in RMB or vice versa, the exchange rate used shall be the average of the buy and sell exchange rates (or mid-rate) announced by the People's Bank of China for U.S. Dollars and RMB for the date on or as of which the determination is made. |
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CHAPTER 2
PURCHASE AND SALE OF BUSINESS AND ASSETS
Article 2.1 | Purchase and Sale of the Business and Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, Seller shall sell and transfer to Buyer, and Nautilus shall cause Buyer to purchase from Seller, all of Sellers interest in the following assets (the Assets), free and clear of all Liens: |
2.1.1 | Land Use Rights. Ownership of the granted land use rights to the land described in Schedule 3.5.1 subject only to any required government approval upon subsequent transfer by Buyer thereof. |
2.1.2 | Buildings. Ownership to the buildings described in Schedule 3.5.2 subject only to any required government approval upon subsequent transfer by Buyer thereof. |
2.1.3 | Leasehold Interests. Sellers leasehold interests in the premises and leases listed in Schedule 3.5.3, including, without limitation, any prepaid rent, security deposits and options to renew or purchase thereunder and subject only to the respective limitations and obligations of the leases, agreements, charges and instruments listed in Schedule 3.5.3. |
2.1.4 | Machinery and Equipment Owned by Seller. Good and marketable title to all the Tangible Personal Property used in or related to the Business owned by Seller, including those listed in Schedule 3.5.4. |
2.1.5 | Machinery and Equipment Leased by Seller. All leasehold interests in all the Tangible Personal Property used in or related to the Business leased by Seller from a third party, including those listed in Schedule 3.5.5. |
2.1.6 | Inventory. Good and marketable title to the Inventory of Seller. |
2.1.7 | Intellectual Property. All interests of Seller in the Intellectual Property used in or related to the Business, including, without limitation that listed in Schedule 3.5.7. |
2.1.8 | Contracts Related to the Business. All rights and interests of Seller in and to the agreements or contracts used in or related to the Business that are listed in Schedule 2.1.8. |
2.1.9 | Warranties or Guarantees. All rights of Seller under or pursuant to all warranties, representations and guarantees made by third parties relating to items included in the Assets, including, without limitation, warranties or guarantees given by manufacturers and/or vendors in respect of the Assets. |
2.1.10 | Pre-Paid Expenses. All rights and interests of Seller in and to all pre-paid expenses made to any supplier of goods, utilities or services in respect of the Business. |
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Buyer shall not purchase any Excluded Assets and Excluded Assets shall remain the property of Seller after the Closing.
Article 2.2 | No Assumption of Liabilities by Buyer. Neither Nautilus nor Buyer will assume, discharge or perform any liabilities or obligations of Seller or the Shareholders incurred or arising prior to or after the Closing, including, without limitation, those liabilities listed below, all of which liabilities will remain with Seller or the Shareholders and which Seller and the Shareholders hereby agree to retain and discharge or perform: |
2.2.1 | subject to Article 12.3, liabilities for all Taxes; |
2.2.2 | any environmental, health or public safety claims, liabilities or remedial expenses; |
2.2.3 | liabilities or obligations with respect to wages, severance or termination, employee welfare benefits and pensions, workers compensation and health care claims or other benefits or funds payable to employees or former employees of the respective Seller; |
2.2.4 | liabilities for money borrowed and accounts payable; |
2.2.5 | liabilities arising from any product warranties; and |
2.2.6 | liabilities or obligations to any supplier of goods, services or utilities or to any customer and; |
2.2.7 | any other liabilities or obligations to any third party, including, without limitation, liabilities to any Government Authority. |
Article 2.3 | Purchase Price. The purchase price (the Purchase Price) for the Assets shall be US$40,000,000 (FORTY MILLION U.S. DOLLARS), subject to adjustment as provided in Article 2.4 below. The Purchase Price, subject to adjustment in accordance with Article 2.4 below, shall be paid or credited as paid by or on behalf of Buyer as follows: |
(a) | the US$4,000,000 option fee previously paid to Seller under the Option Agreement shall be credited against the Purchase Price; |
(b) | US(*) in cash shall be credited against the Purchase Price but shall be deposited by Buyer with the Escrow Agent at Closing as security for Sellers and the Shareholders obligations under Chapter 8 hereof and released in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement; and |
(c) | US(*) of the Purchase Price shall be paid to Seller by wire transfer at Closing. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Article 2.4 | Closing Audit; Adjustment of Purchase Price. |
(a) | Within sixty (60) calendar days after the Closing Date, Deloitte Touche Tomatsu (Deloitte), or other independent auditors approved by Buyer will prepare an audited balance sheet of the Business, as at the Closing Date, and an audited statement of income of the Business for the period beginning January 1, 2007 and ending on the Closing Date, together with a determination of the net book value of the After Acquired Assets and the Disposed Assets (each as hereinafter defined) determined in accordance with the provisions of clause (c) of this Article and U.S. GAAP (the Audited Closing Financial Statements). The fees and expenses of such audit shall be paid by Seller; provided, that Buyer will reimburse Seller for the incremental audit fees as compared to the fees associated with Seller's previous statutory audit. |
Promptly after completion of such audit Deloitte shall supply Seller with copies of the Audited Closing Financial Statements and Deloitte's opinion thereon (together with the Audited Closing Financial Statements, the Audit Report) stating that the Audited Closing Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP on a going concern basis consistently applied.
(b) | The amount of the Purchase Price shall be adjusted upwards or downwards in respect of the value of the Inventory as reflected in the Audited Closing Financial Statements (the Final Inventory Value) as follows: |
(i) | If the Final Inventory Value is greater than US(*), the Purchase Price shall be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the Final Inventory Value and (*); and |
(ii) | If the Final Inventory Value is less than US(*), the Purchase Price shall be decreased by an amount equal to the difference between US(*) and the Final Inventory Value. |
(c) | The amount of the Purchase Price shall be adjusted upwards or downwards in respect of the net book value of fixed assets acquired by Seller after December 31, 2006 and included in the Assets acquired by Buyer at Closing as reflected in the Audited Closing Financial Statements (the After Acquired Assets) and the net book value of fixed assets disposed of by Seller after December 31, 2006 but prior to Closing (the Disposed Assets) as follows: |
(i) | If the net book value of the After Acquired Assets is greater than the net book value of the Disposed Assets, the Purchase Price shall be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the net book value of the After Acquired Assets and the net book value of the Disposed Assets; and |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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(ii) | If the net book value of the After Acquired Assets is less than the net book value of the Disposed Assets, the Purchase Price shall be decreased by an amount equal to the difference between the net book value of the Disposed Assets and the net book value of the After Acquired Assets. |
For purposes of this Article 2.4 (c), (1) the net book value of the After Acquired Assets and the net book value of the Disposed Assets shall be determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and net of depreciation calculated in a manner consistent with Sellers 2007 practices for similar assets; (2) fixed assets, for purposes of applying this Purchase Price adjustment, shall include only those assets with an original acquisition cost greater than US$12,500 (TWELVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS); and (3) fixed assets acquired after December 31, 2006 with an original acquisition cost greater than US$30,000 (THIRTY THOUSAND U.S. DOLLARS) shall not be included in the calculation and shall be retained by Seller and not acquired by Buyer, unless Nautilus shall have given advance written approval of the acquisition of such assets or waived such prior approval at Closing.
(d) | The amount of the Purchase Price shall be adjusted upwards or downwards in accordance with the provisions of clauses (b) and (c) of this Article on a net basis. In the event that, after application of the provisions of clauses (b) and (c) of this Article, the Purchase Price is adjusted, Seller shall pay to Buyer, if the Purchase Price is adjusted downwards, or Buyer shall pay to Seller, if the Purchase Price is adjusted upwards, the full net amount by which the Purchase Price is to be adjusted, in US Dollars, within twenty (20) calendar days after the Audited Closing Financial Statements are delivered to Seller, except as permitted under clause (e) of this Article below. |
(e) | The Audited Closing Financial Statements shall be deemed to be and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Parties; provided, that, Buyer may dispute any amount reflected on the Audited Closing Financial Statements if Buyer shall notify Seller in writing of the amount of and describe each disputed item within twenty (20) calendar days of Sellers receipt of the Audited Closing Financial Statements. In the event of such a dispute, Seller and Buyer shall attempt to reconcile their differences through friendly negotiations. If Buyer and Seller are unable to reach such a resolution within twenty (20) calendar days of Sellers written notice to Buyer, Seller and Buyer shall submit the items in dispute for resolution to an independent accounting firm of international reputation selected by Nautilus and not |
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unreasonably objected to by Seller, which shall within thirty (30) calendar days after submission determine and report to the Parties upon such disputed items, and such report shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Parties. The fees and disbursements of such independent accounting firm shall be paid equally by Seller and Buyer. Payment of any amount payable by Seller or Buyer, as the case may be, pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) of this Article shall not be delayed as to undisputed amounts until the resolution of any or all disputes as provided in this Article 2.4 (e). Amounts in dispute shall be paid by Seller or Buyer, as the case may be, within five (5) calendar days following such resolution. |
Article 2.5 | Transfer Completion. The completion of the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Transfer Completion") shall take place at the offices of Seller in Xiamen, Fujian, PRC on December 31, 2007, 10:00 a.m. Beijing time, or at such other date and place as the Parties may agree in writing (the "Closing Date"). |
Article 2.6 | Deliveries by Seller. At the Transfer Completion, Seller shall deliver to Buyer the following: |
2.6.1 | A land use rights certificate for each parcel of Land described in Schedule 3.5.1 naming Buyer as the owner, together with evidence satisfactory to Nautilus that such transfer has been approved by the Xiamen municipal government, that the supplemental land grant premium, if any, has been paid and that all applicable fees and taxes (including, without limitation, deed taxes and land appreciation taxes) in respect of the transfer of ownership of the land use rights relating to the Land subject to such land use right certificate from Seller to Buyer have been paid in full; |
2.6.2 | A building ownership certificate for each building or portion of a building described in Schedule 3.5.2 naming Buyer as the owner, together with evidence satisfactory to Nautilus that all applicable fees and taxes (including, without limitation, deed taxes) in respect of the transfer of ownership of the property subject to such building ownership certificate from Seller to Buyer have been paid in full; |
2.6.3 | Duly executed assignments or, where necessary, subleases, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, assigning or subleasing to Buyer all leasehold interests in the premises listed in Schedule 3.5.3 together with the written consent of the landlord of each such premises; |
2.6.4 | Duly executed bills of sale or other instruments of transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, transferring ownership to Buyer of all tangible property listed in Schedule 3.5.4 and the Inventory located at the warehouses and facilities listed in Schedule 3.5.6 and all Inventory in transit to Seller from its suppliers or from Seller to its customers; |
2.6.5 | Duly executed assignments or, where necessary, subleases, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, assigning or subleasing to Buyer all leasehold interests, if any, in the tangible property listed in Schedule 3.5.5; |
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2.6.6 | Duly executed assignments or other instruments of transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, assigning and transferring to Buyer all of Sellers interest in all Intellectual Property used in and related to the Business, including that listed in Schedule 3.5.7, including, without limitation, an assignment of Sellers trade name and trademarks relating to the Business; |
2.6.7 | Duly executed VAT invoices for the Inventory; |
2.6.8 | Duly executed assignments transferring to Buyer all of Seller's rights and obligations under all contracts, licenses and similar instruments used in and relating to the Business to which Seller is a party, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Nautilus, together with the written consent, if required, of the other party to such contracts, licenses and similar instruments; and |
2.6.9 | The certificates and other documents to be delivered pursuant to Chapter 6 hereof. |
Article 2.7 | Deliveries by Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver to Seller the following: |
2.7.1 | The Purchase Price to Seller, by (i) crediting the US$4,000,000 option fee previously paid under the Option Agreement, (ii) bank transfer of US(*) to the Escrow Agreement pursuant to the Escrow Agreement; and (iii) bank transfer of US(*) of the Purchase Price to an account designated by Seller in writing not less than three Business Days prior to the Closing Date; |
2.7.2 | The certificates and other documents to be delivered pursuant to Chapter 7 hereof; and |
2.7.3 | Payment of Chinese VAT taxes on the Inventory transferred to Buyer at Closing. |
CHAPTER 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
Seller and each Shareholder hereby represent and warrant, jointly and severally, to Nautilus and Buyer as follows:
Article 3.1 | Organization. Seller is a limited liability company duly organized under the Law of the PRC Concerning Enterprises with Sole Foreign Investment and validly existing with the status of a legal person under the laws of the PRC. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Article 3.2 | Power and Authority. The execution and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party (i) are within its corporate power and business scope, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (iii) do not contravene its articles of association and (iv) do not contravene any law or contractual restriction binding on or affecting it. Each Shareholder has the full legal right and authority to execute and perform his/her obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which he/she is a party and such execution and performance does not contravene any laws or contractual restrictions binding on or affecting him/her. |
Article 3.3 | Consents and Approvals. All authorizations, consents or approvals or other actions by, and all notices to or filings with, any Government Authority required for the due execution and performance by Seller and the Shareholders of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been obtained. |
Article 3.4 | Binding Effect. This Agreement is, and the each other Transaction Document to which Seller or a Shareholder will be a party when executed by such Party will be, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller or such Shareholder, enforceable against Seller or such Shareholder in accordance with its respective terms. |
Article 3.5 | Ownership of Assets. Seller owns leases or has the legal right to use all of the Assets. Seller has good and marketable title to, or, in the case of leases, valid and effective leasehold interests in, all of the Assets, free and clear of all Liens, except as noted in the Schedules hereto. |
3.5.1 | Land Use Rights. Schedule 3.5.1 sets forth all of the land used in the Business for which Seller owns the land use rights together with copies of the land use rights certificates evidencing Sellers ownership of the land use rights of such land. All of the land use rights relating to such land are granted land use rights and Seller has the right and power to transfer ownership of such land use rights to Buyer. |
3.5.2 | Buildings. Schedule 3.5.2 sets forth the buildings owned by Seller and used in the Business together with copies of the building ownership certificates evidencing Sellers ownership of each such building. |
3.5.3 | Leased Premises. Schedule 3.5.3 sets forth the premises used in the Business which are leased by Seller. There is no notice of cancellation or termination under any option or right reserved to the lessor under any such |
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lease or any notice of default under any such lease, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default under any such lease. Each such lease is assignable or the premises subject thereto may be subleased to a third party with the consent of the lessor and no consent from any other Party is required. Seller has not assigned or subleased its interest under any such lease. |
3.5.4 | Machinery and Equipment Owned by Seller. Schedule 3.5.4 lists all of the Tangible Personal Property of the Business owned by Seller having a book value exceeding Twelve Thousand Five Hundred U.S. Dollars (U.S. $12,500) or the equivalent in RMB. Each item of Tangible Personal Property included in the Assets is suitable for the use in which it is currently employed, is in good operating condition except for such minor defects as do not interfere with the continued use of such equipment and properties in the conduct of the normal operations of the Business, and the Assets include supplies of spare parts for the equipment and machinery included in the Assets in amounts consistent with Sellers past practices. |
3.5.5 | Machinery and Equipment Leased by Seller. Schedule 3.5.5 sets forth the machinery and equipment used in the Business in which Seller has a leasehold interest. There is no notice of cancellation or termination under any option or right reserved to the lessor under any such lease or any notice of default under any such lease and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default under any such lease. Each such lease is assignable with the consent of the lessor and no consent from any other Party is required. Seller has not assigned its interest under any such lease. |
3.5.6 | Inventory. Schedule 3.5.6 is a complete list of the addresses of all warehouses or other facilities in which Inventory used in and relating to the Business are located as of the date hereof. All Inventory to be reflected on the Audited Closing Balance Sheet were and will be usable or saleable in the ordinary course of the business and operations of the Business, and the levels of such Inventory to be reflected on the Audited Closing Balance Sheet will be consistent with customary levels found in the operations of the Business. |
3.5.7 | Intellectual Property. Schedule 3.5.7 sets forth all domestic and foreign Intellectual Property used in or relating to the Business, registered in the name of Seller, or of which Seller is a licensor or licensee, used in, or which have been used in, or which are under development or have been conceived in, or which have or potentially have application to, the Business. Seller owns all of the Intellectual Property to be transferred hereunder free and clear of all Liens and pays no royalty to anyone under or with respect to any of them, except as set forth in such Schedule 3.5.7. All rights of Seller in and to each item of the Intellectual Property listed on Schedule 3.5.7 and to all processes, lab journals, toxicological and ecological data, trade secrets, technology including know-how and show-how, product formulae, manufacturing, engineering and other drawings, intellectual property rights, |
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agency agreements, technical information, engineering data, design and engineering specifications and similar materials recording or evidencing Sellers proprietary expertise used in or residing with the Business, whether purchased or developed internally, included in the Assets are transferable to Buyer as herein contemplated. There is no conflict with the rights of others known to Seller, or any claim or formal charge of infringement, with respect to any Intellectual Property of the Business, or with respect to any license relating to the Business under which Seller is licensor or licensee. Seller has no knowledge of the possible infringement by any third party of any Intellectual Property related to or used in the Business. |
3.5.8 | Contracts. Schedule 3.5.8 sets forth all of the following contracts of Seller relating to the Business: (a) all existing contracts for the purchase of raw materials, commodities, merchandise, supplies, other materials or personal property with any supplier under the terms of which Seller is likely to pay more than US$100,000 or the equivalent in RMB during the term of the contract, excluding purchase orders issued to suppliers in the ordinary course of business; (b) all existing contracts for the sale of raw materials, commodities, merchandise, supplies, other materials or personal property or for the furnishing of services by or to the Business which involve more than the sum of US$100,000 or the equivalent thereof in RMB; (c) to the extent not included in the foregoing, all broker, distributor, dealer, manufacturer's representative, sales, agency, sales promotion, market research, marketing consulting or advertising contracts used in or relating to the Business; (d) all contracts of, or relating to, employment of any officer or individual employee or contracts of independent contractors or consultants relating to the Business and not cancellable without penalty within 30 days of notice of such cancellation; (e) all mortgages, notes, loan or credit agreements or other contracts or obligations of Seller or to the direct or indirect guaranty or assumption by Seller of obligations of others with respect to the Business or the Assets; and (f) all other contracts, whether or not made in the ordinary course of business, which are material to the Business or the Assets. Except as noted in Schedule 3.5.8, each contract listed therein is in full force and effect and, subject to obtaining the consent of the other Party thereto is assignable to Buyer without penalty or other adverse consequence. Seller (in relation to the Business) is not in default under the terms of any such contract or in the payment of any principal of or interest on any indebtedness for borrowed money. There are no contracts granting any Person any preferential rights to purchase any of the Assets or any of the properties or assets of the Business other than in the ordinary course of the Business. All of the contracts listed in Schedule 3.5.8 are valid and binding. |
Article 3.6 | Sufficiency of Assets. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6, the Assets (a) constitute all of the assets, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever, necessary to operate the Business in the manner presently operated by Seller (it being understood that Seller is not responsible for any operational or management errors in the conduct of the Business after the Closing), and (b) except for the Excluded Assets, include all of the operating assets of Seller related to the Business. |
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Article 3.7 | Condition of Facilities. |
(a) | Use of the Real Property for the various purposes for which it is presently being used is permitted as of right under all applicable land and building use legal requirements. All Improvements are in compliance with all applicable legal requirements, are in good repair and in good condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except for such minor defects as do not interfere with the continued use of such Improvements in the conduct of the normal operations of the Business. No part of any Improvement encroaches on any land not included in the Real Property, and there are no buildings, structures, fixtures or other Improvements primarily situated on adjoining property which encroach on any part of the Land. The Land for each owned Facility abuts on and has direct vehicular access to a public road or has access to a public road via a permanent arrangement benefiting such Land and comprising a part of the Real Property, is supplied with public or quasi-public utilities and other services appropriate for the operation of the Facilities located thereon and is not located within any area subject to special environmental regulation as an environmentally sensitive area or any similar restriction. Seller, after reasonable inquiry, is unaware of any plan or proposed plan to modify or realign any street or highway or any existing or proposed requisition proceeding that would result in the taking of all or any part of any Facility or that would prevent or hinder the continued use of any Facility as heretofore used in the conduct of the Business. |
(b) | Each item of Tangible Personal Property is in good repair and good operating condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, is suitable for immediate use in the ordinary course of business except such minor defects as do not interfere with the continued use of such Tangible Personal Property in the conduct of the normal operations of the Business. No item of Tangible Personal Property is in need of repair or replacement other than as part of routine maintenance in the ordinary course of business. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.7(b), all Tangible Personal Property used in the Business is in the possession of Seller. |
Article 3.8 | Compliance with Laws. Except as described in Schedule 3.8, Seller is in compliance, and there exists no alleged non-compliance, with all applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations promulgated by any Government Authority relating in any material respect to the Assets or the operation and conduct of the Business, or the use of the properties of the Business and neither Seller nor any Shareholder has received any notice of alleged violation of any such statute, order, rule or regulation. Schedule 3.8 lists all material governmental licenses, permits, product registrations, filings, authorizations and approvals and any pending applications for any thereof relating to the conduct of the Business or the use of properties held by Seller and such licenses, permits, product registrations, filings, authorizations and approvals are all the governmental licenses, permits, filings, authorizations and approvals necessary to conduct the Business or to use the Assets as currently conducted or used. |
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Article 3.9 | Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, there is no action, lawsuit, claim, proceeding, or investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of Seller and the Shareholders, threatened against or affecting Seller which, if decided adversely against Seller, could have a material adverse effect upon the Business or its financial condition, prospects or operations, or upon the Assets. Seller is not in default, and no condition exists that with notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute a default, with respect to any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or Government Authority affecting or relating to the Business. No condemnation proceeding has been commenced or, to the knowledge of Seller or any Shareholder, is threatened to be commenced against any of the Assets. |
Article 3.10 | Brokers or Finders Fees. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10, neither Seller nor any Shareholder has paid or will become obligated to pay any fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary for or on account of the transactions provided for in this Agreement. |
Article 3.11 | Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.11, Seller has no subsidiaries or branches. |
Article 3.12 | Financial Statements. Seller has delivered to Nautilus: (a) a pro forma unaudited balance sheet of the Business as at December 31, 2006 (including the notes thereto, the 2006 Balance Sheet), and the related pro forma unaudited statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, including the notes thereto, certified by the CEO/President and chief financial officer of Seller; and (b) unaudited pro forma balance sheets of the Business as at each of March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007 (the Interim Balance Sheets) and the related unaudited pro forma statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the fiscal quarters then ended, including the notes thereto, certified by the CEO/President and chief financial officer of Seller. Such financial statements fairly present (and the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.11 will fairly present) the financial condition and the results of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business, as at the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in such financial statements, all in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial statements referred to in this Section 3.12 reflect the consistent application of such accounting principles throughout the periods involved. The financial statements have been prepared from and are in accordance with the accounting records of Seller. Seller has also delivered to Buyer copies of all letters from the Sellers auditors to the Seller's board of directors or the audit committee thereof dated during 2007, together with copies of all responses thereto. |
Article 3.13 | No Undisclosed Liabilities. The Business has no material liabilities except for liabilities reflected or reserved against in the 2006 Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance Sheets and current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Business since June 30, 2007. |
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Article 3.14 | Books and Records; Tax Returns. Seller's books of account reflect all items of income and expense and all assets and liabilities of the Business required to be reflected therein in accordance with PRC generally accepted accounting principles and neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller has failed to file any material report or return with respect to the Business which may be required by any law or regulation of the PRC or political subdivision thereof to be filed, and, except as set forth in Schedule 3.14, Seller has duly paid or accrued on it's books of account all taxes, duties and charges pursuant to such reports and returns or assessed against Seller. Seller has fully filed, on or before the due date therefor or the expiration of any extended period for filing, all returns or reports with respect to any Taxes required to be filed by Seller, which returns or reports disclose as having become due and payable all Taxes becoming due and payable for the periods covered therein. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.14, Seller has paid all Taxes reflected in such returns and reports and all other Taxes currently due or claimed to be due from Seller by any Government Authority. |
Article 3.15 | Absence of Certain Changes, Events and Conditions. Since December 31, 2006, there has not been any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Assets, liabilities, business, results of operations or prospects of the Business, including, without limitation, any damage or destruction of property by fire or other casualty involving loss in excess of US$100,000 or the equivalent thereof in RMB in the aggregate, whether or not covered by insurance. Except as described in Schedule 3.15, there are no conditions known to the senior management of Seller or any Shareholder existing with respect to the products, facilities, personnel, raw materials, supplies or Assets of the Business which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Business or its prospects. |
Article 3.16 | Insurance. Schedule 3.16 contains a list and brief description (including the name of the insurer, the amount of the annual premium for the current policy period, amount insured and coverage period) of the policies and contracts of insurance held since January 1, 2003 by Seller or World Gear with respect to the Business. Except as indicated on Schedule 3.16, all such policies are in full force and effect. Seller shall keep such policies in such amounts duly in force through the Closing Date. |
Article 3.17 | Suppliers. Listed on Schedule 3.17 are the names and addresses of each of the suppliers of services materials, components, and supplies used in the Business and involving in the aggregate payments exceeding U.S.$100,000 or the equivalent in RMB for the twelve-month period ended on the date hereof, supplemented prior to Closing to include each such supplier for the period from the date hereof to the Closing Date. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17, neither Seller nor any Shareholder has any knowledge or information that any of such suppliers will not sell products or provide services to Buyer at any time after the Closing Date on terms and conditions similar to those imposed on prior sales to Seller. |
Article 3.18 | Environmental Matters. There is no pending, and neither Seller nor any |
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Shareholder knows of any threatened, environmental civil (including actions by private parties), criminal, or administrative proceeding against Seller or any Affiliate of Seller. Neither Seller nor any Shareholder knows of any facts or circumstances which may give rise to any future civil (including actions by private parties), administrative or criminal proceedings against Seller or any Affiliate of Seller relating to environmental matters. Seller has delivered to Nautilus the environmental report of MWH Environmental Engineering (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (MWH), dated December 8, 2006, relating to the Facilities. All matters identified in that report have been remediated by Seller. |
Article 3.19 | Employees. Schedule 3.19 lists the name, current annual salary rates, bonuses, deferred compensation and other like benefits (in cash or otherwise) paid or payable through the date hereof for fiscal 2007, date of employment and description of position of each of the current employees, officers, directors and agents of Seller employed in the Business or operations of the Business. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, no employee of Seller has suffered any industrial injury resulting from employment with Seller or filed a claim for compensation related to any industrial injury or condition of employment resulting from employment with Seller. |
Article 3.20 | Employee Contracts and Plans. |
3.20.1 | Labor Contracts. Schedule 3.20.1 contains a complete and accurate list of all labor contracts applicable to persons employed by Seller in the Business. Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of each such contract. Seller has not breached or otherwise failed to comply with any provision of any such contract and there are no grievances outstanding against Seller under any such contract. There are no unfair labor practice complaints against Seller involving persons employed in the Business. Seller knows of no strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages, lockouts, or threats thereof, by or with respect to any employees of the Business. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20.1, since June 30, 2006 there have not been any formally filed grievances involving employees of the Business. The consent of the employees trade union is not required to complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
3.20.2 | Employee Plans. Schedule 3.20.2 contains a complete and accurate list of all Employee Plans and Seller has no other obligations, contingent or otherwise, relating to any Employee Plans. Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of all Employee Plans, including trust agreements and insurance contracts embodying such plans, funds, programs or arrangements. |
Article 3.21 | Compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Export Control and Anti-Boycott Laws. |
(a) | Except as identified in Schedule 3.21, neither Seller nor any of its |
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representatives or agents have, to obtain or retain business, directly or indirectly offered, paid or promised to pay, or authorized the payment of, any money or other thing of value (including any fee, gift, sample, travel expense or entertainment with a value in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) or the equivalent thereof in RMB in the aggregate to any one individual in any year) or any commission payment payable, to: |
(i) | any person who is an official, officer, agent, employee or representative of any Government Authority or of any existing or prospective customer (whether government owned or non-government owned); |
(ii) | any political party or official thereof; |
(iii) | any candidate for political or political party office; or |
(iv) | any other individual or entity; |
while knowing or having reason to believe that all or any portion of such money or thing of value would be offered, given, or promised, directly or indirectly, to any such official, officer, agent, employee, representative, political party, political party official, candidate, individual, or any entity affiliated with such customer, political party or official or political office.
(b) | Except as set forth in Schedule 3.21(b), Seller has made all payments to third parties by check mailed to such third parties' principal place of business or by wire transfer to a bank located in the same jurisdiction as such party's principal place of business. |
(c) | Each transaction is properly and accurately recorded on the books and records of Seller, and each document upon which entries in Seller's books and records are based is complete and accurate in all respects. Seller maintains a system of internal accounting controls adequate to insure that Seller maintains no off-the-books accounts and that Seller's assets are used only in accordance with Seller's management directives. |
(d) | Seller has at all times been in compliance with all legal requirements relating to export control and trade embargoes. No product sold or service provided by Seller or any Affiliate of Seller during the last five (5) years has been, directly or indirectly, sold to or performed on behalf of Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea or Sudan. |
(e) | Except as set forth in Schedule 3.21(e), neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller has violated the anti-boycott prohibitions contained in 50 U.S.C. sect. 2401 et seq. or taken any action that can be penalized under Section 999 of the U.S Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.21(e), during the last five (5) years, neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller has been a party to, nor a beneficiary under and has not performed any service or sold any product under any contract under which a |
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product has been sold to customers in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates or the Republic of Yemen. |
Article 3.22 | Compliance with PRC Anti-Corruption Laws. Seller has not, nor to the best of its knowledge after reasonable inquiry has any Affiliate of Seller or any of their respective employees, representatives or agents has engaged in any conduct which would constitute a violation of PRC law prohibiting bribery, including, without limitation, any conduct or activity which would constitute a violation of Articles 163, 164 or 389 of the PRC Criminal Code, Article 8 of the Law Against Unfair Competition or the Interim Rules on Prohibition of Commercial Bribery. |
Article 3.23 | Pricing of Sales. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.23, since December 31, 2006, all of the products of the Business have been sold to persons who are not Affiliates or, if Affiliates have been sold at prices not exceeding prices at which such products are sold in substantial quantities in the marketplace in arms-length transactions. |
Article 3.24 | Pricing of Services. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.24, since December 31, 2006, all services provided to the Business have been provided by person who are not Affiliates or, if by Affiliates, have been provided at prices not exceeding prices at which such services are provided in the marketplace in arms-length transactions. |
Article 3.25 | Completeness of Schedules. The Schedules attached hereto, where applicable to Seller, completely and correctly present the information required by this Agreement to be set forth therein, and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. Originals or true and complete copies of all documents or other written materials underlying items listed in such Schedules have heretofore been made available for examination by Buyer, including, without limitation, deeds, leases, mortgages, deeds of trust, security instruments, permits, trademarks, patents and other Intellectual Property, litigation files, contracts, employee agreements and licenses, and such documents have not been modified and will not be modified prior to the Closing Date without Nautilus's prior written consent. |
CHAPTER 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NAUTILUS
Nautilus and Buyer hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Seller and the Shareholders as follows:
Article 4.1 | Organization. Nautilus is a corporation duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Washington, U.S.A. Buyer is a limited liability company duly organized under the Law of the PRC Concerning Enterprises with Sole Foreign Investment and validly existing with the status of a legal person under the laws of the PRC. |
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Article 4.2 | Power and Authority. The execution and performance by Nautilus and Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party (i) are within its corporate power, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (iii) do not contravene its respective Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or articles of association and (iv) do not contravene any law or contractual restriction binding on or affecting it. |
Article 4.3 | Consents and Approvals. No authorization, consent or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by Nautilus and Buyer of this Agreement, except for PRC Government Authority approvals required for the acquisition by Buyer of the Assets. Nautilus has the financial capacity to satisfy its financial obligations as contemplated herein. |
Article 4.4 | Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party is the legal, valid and binding obligation of Nautilus and Buyer, enforceable against Nautilus and/or Buyer in accordance with its terms. |
Article 4.5 | Brokers or Finders Fees. Neither Nautilus nor Buyer has paid or become obligated to pay any fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary for or on account of the transactions provided for in this Agreement. |
Article 4.6 | Acknowledgments. Subject to the representations, warranties and covenants of Seller and the Shareholders as set forth in this Agreement and the exhibits, schedules and attachments hereto, Nautilus and Buyer are relying on their own investigation as to the condition of the Business and the Assets. Nautilus has been provided access to the books, records and personnel of Seller and has been afforded an opportunity to make inquires and to review such information as Nautilus has requested for the purpose of completing such investigation. |
Article 4.7 | Periodic Reports. The periodic reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed by Nautilus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since June 30, 2006 (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. |
CHAPTER 5
ACTION PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE
The following actions have been or will be taken prior to the Closing Date:
Article 5.1 | Establishment of Buyer. Prior to the Closing Date, Nautilus shall file an |
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application with the Xiamen Foreign Investment Bureau under the PRC Provisions on Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the M&A Regulations) seeking PRC government approval of (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) the establishment of a wholly foreign owned enterprise in Xiamen to act as Buyer of the Business and the Assets to be transferred and sold by Seller at the Closing. Seller and the Shareholders shall cooperate with Nautilus with respect to all filings and applications that Nautilus elects to make, or pursuant to law, shall be required to make in obtaining all required government approvals necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
Article 5.2 | Valuation of Assets. The Parties shall jointly engage an authorized asset valuation institution or enterprise (the Appraiser) to undertake a valuation of the Assets in accordance with the M&A Regulations. The Appraiser shall submit its valuation report to the Parties for their review. If the Parties agree with the valuation of the Assets set forth in the Appraisers valuation report, Nautilus shall submit such report to the Xiamen Foreign Investment Bureau in connection with the application for the approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the establishment of Buyer. The fees and expenses of the Appraiser shall be shared on a 50%-50% basis by Nautilus, on the one hand, and Seller and Shareholders, on the other hand. |
Article 5.3 | Notification of Creditors. Seller shall notify its creditors and publish a notice of the proposed sale of the Assets in a newspaper with national circulation in accordance with the M&A Regulations. |
Article 5.4 | Preserve Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Each Party shall refrain from taking any action which would render any representation and warranty contained in Chapters 3 and 4 of this Agreement inaccurate in any material respect on the Closing Date. |
Article 5.5 | Operation of Business. From the date hereof through the Closing Date, except with the prior written consent of Nautilus or as otherwise provided below, Seller and the Shareholders shall (i) conduct the business and operations of the Business only in the ordinary course, (ii) continue to meet the contractual obligations incurred by Seller in the ordinary course of business and to pay all obligations as they mature in the ordinary course of business, (iii) exercise best efforts to keep available the services of the present employees of the Business, and (iv) exercise best efforts to preserve the good relations of suppliers, customers and others with whom Seller has business relations relating to the Business. |
Article 5.6 | Sale or Pledge of Assets; Borrowing. Seller shall not sell or mortgage or pledge any of the Assets or, for the account of the Business, borrow any money or incur, assume or guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly responsible for the payment of any indebtedness or any other obligation of any other Person or agree to do any of the foregoing. |
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Article 5.7 | Compliance with Laws, etc. Seller shall comply with all applicable laws and shall conduct the Business in such a manner that on the Closing Date the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be true as though such representations and warranties were made on and as of such date. |
Article 5.8 | Best Efforts. Each of the Parties hereto shall use its best efforts to fulfill all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement over which it has control or influence (including obtaining any authorizations, consents, approvals or waivers necessary to the performance of such Party's obligations hereunder) and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein. |
Article 5.9 | Nautilus's Access to Information and Records Before the Closing. Subject to the provisions of Article 5.13 concerning contact with Sellers suppliers, Seller shall give Nautilus, its employees, counsel, accountants and other representatives full access throughout the period prior to the Closing Date, to all of the properties, books, contracts, commitments, customers, suppliers, distributors and records of the Business, and furnish to Nautilus during such period all such information concerning the Business as Nautilus may reasonably request. Subject to the provisions of Article 5.13, representatives of Nautilus shall be allowed to have unrestricted contact with employees employed in the Business and with past and present customers, suppliers and distributors of the Business, for the purpose of accomplishing an orderly transfer of the Business to Buyer on the Closing Date. |
Article 5.10 | Removing Excluded Assets. On or before the Closing Date, Seller shall remove all Excluded Assets from all Facilities and other Real Property to be occupied by Buyer. Such removal shall be done in such manner as to avoid any damage to the Facilities and other properties to be occupied by Buyer and any disruption of the business operations to be conducted by Buyer after the Closing. Any damage to the Assets or to the Facilities resulting from such removal shall be paid by Seller at the Closing. Should Seller fail to remove the Excluded Assets as required by this Article, Buyer shall have the right, but not the obligation, (a) to remove the Excluded Assets at Sellers sole cost and expense; (b) to store the Excluded Assets and to charge Seller all storage costs associated therewith; (c) to treat the Excluded Assets as unclaimed and to proceed to dispose of the same under the laws governing unclaimed property; or (d) to exercise any other right or remedy conferred by this Agreement or otherwise available at law. Seller shall promptly reimburse Buyer for all costs and expenses incurred by Buyer in connection with any Excluded Assets not removed by Seller on or before the Closing Date. |
Article 5.11 | Interim Financial Statements. Until the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer within twenty (20) days after the end of each month a copy of the internally prepared income statement and balance sheet for such month prepared in a manner and containing information consistent with Sellers current practices and certified by the CEO/President and chief financial officer of Seller as to compliance with Article 3.12. |
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Article 5.12 | Environmental Report. Seller shall obtain and deliver to Nautilus and Buyer prior to Closing an updated environmental report (the Closing Environmental Report), dated within twenty (20) days of the Closing date, prepared by MWH. Such updated report shall be of similar scope to the report of such firm dated December 8, 2006 (as referenced in Section 3.18 above) and shall confirm that all matters identified in the December 8, 2006 report have been remediated. In the event such updated report identifies material unremediated environmental matters, whether or not included in the December 8, 2006 report, then prior to Closing Seller and/or Shareholders shall contract with an environmental firm reasonably acceptable to Nautilus to remediate such matters at Sellers or Shareholders expense. |
Article 5.13 | Contact with Suppliers. Prior to Closing neither Nautilus nor Buyer shall communicate with any Person known, solely as a result of Sellers disclosure as described in Articles 3.5.8 and 3.17 herein, to be a supplier to Seller unless (i) an employee or authorized representative of Seller is present and participates in such communication, and (ii) such communication is limited to the topics of quality and new product development. Seller agrees to assist Nautilus and Buyer in an effective and orderly transition of Sellers supplier relationships to Buyer prior to and following Closing. |
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CHAPTER 6
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF NAUTILUS
Except for Sellers retention of the $4,000,000 Option Fee in the event Closing does not occur, the obligations of Nautilus and Buyer under this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of all of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by Nautilus:
Article 6.1 | Representations and Warranties Accurate. All representations and warranties of Seller and the Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall have been true in all material respects when made and shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing Date. Seller shall furnish Nautilus and Buyer with a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller and by each Shareholder, stating the above in such form as Nautilus may reasonably request. |
Article 6.2 | Absence of Certain Changes. Since the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred or been discovered: |
(a) | any material adverse change in the business, financial condition, prospects or results of operations of the Business, other than a material adverse change resulting from a material reduction in the volume of purchases by Nautilus; |
(b) | any new law, rule or regulation or the amendment or interpretation of any existing law, rule or regulation, materially adversely affecting the operation of the Business or the ability of Seller to convey, assign and transfer to Buyer any of the Assets, the Business and other contractual rights pertaining to the Business with the effect of materially affecting the value of, or the ability of Buyer to operate as presently operated, the Business; or |
(c) | damage or destruction in the nature of a casualty loss or claim, whether covered by insurance or not, materially adversely affecting the operation of the Business or the ability of Seller to convey, assign and transfer to Buyer any of the Assets, the Business and other contractual rights pertaining to the Business with the effect of materially affecting the value of, or the ability of Buyer to operate as presently operated, the Business, and there shall have been delivered to Nautilus a certificate to that effect, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller. |
Article 6.3 | Performance by Seller. Seller shall have performed and complied in all materials respects with all agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed and complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date, and there shall have been delivered to Nautilus and Buyer a certificate to that effect, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller. |
Article 6.4 | Opinions of Counsel for Seller and the Shareholders. Nautilus shall have received from The Universal Legal Corp., PRC counsel to Seller and the |
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Shareholders, and from , counsel to Seller and the Shareholders, written opinions, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to Nautilus and Buyer, to the effect set forth in Exhibit D and Exhibit E, respectively. In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of fact, upon certificates of officers of Seller and certificates of the Shareholders, provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that they are justified in relying upon such certificates and deliver copies thereof to Nautilus and Buyer with such opinion. |
Article 6.5 | Authorizations, Approvals and Consents. Seller shall have received (at Seller's cost and expense) all authorizations, consents, approvals and waivers or other action required to be obtained in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the transfer pursuant to this Agreement of all of the Assets. There shall be delivered to Nautilus and Buyer a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the legal representative of Seller, stating that Seller has received all authorizations, consents, approvals and waivers required by this Article 6.5. |
Article 6.6 | Legal Prohibition. No proceeding shall be pending or threatened before any Government Authority to restrain or prohibit or to obtain material damages or other relief in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and no investigation that might eventuate in any such proceeding shall be pending or threatened. |
Article 6.7 | Instruments of Sale, etc. On the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Nautilus and Buyer each of the documents set forth in Article 2.6, in form and substance satisfactory to Nautilus. |
Article 6.8 | Corporate Authorization. Seller shall have provided Nautilus and Buyer with a certificate of the legal representative of Seller certifying copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors and shareholders of Seller approving this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the sale and transfer of the Assets to Buyer under this Agreement. |
Article 6.9 | [Intentionally left blank] |
Article 6.10 | Continuance of Insurance. Seller shall have provided Nautilus with certificate(s) from its insurance brokers, certifying the continuation upon substantially the same terms and conditions of the insurance set forth in Schedule 3.16. Seller will make arrangements to insure the continued coverage after the Closing Date of Buyer under an insurance policy for any and all liabilities for injury to persons or property arising out of the sale by Seller of the products of the Business prior to the Closing Date. |
Article 6.11 | Environmental Report. Nautilus shall have received the Closing Environmental Report and such Report shall confirm that all environmental matters identified in the report of MWH dated December 8, 2006 have been remediated. |
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Article 6.12 | Governmental Approvals. Nautilus and Buyer shall have received such approvals, including, without limitation, the approval by the Xiamen Foreign Investment Bureau and such other approvals from a Government Authority as are necessary or desirable for the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the establishment of Buyer as a wholly foreign owned enterprise registered in Xiamen, Fujian Province, PRC and the conduct of the Business by Buyer. |
Article 6.13 | [Intentionally left blank] |
Article 6.14 | Sellers Non-Competition Agreement. Seller shall have executed and delivered the Sellers Non-Competition Agreement. |
Article 6.15 | Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement. The Shareholders shall have executed and delivered the Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement. |
Article 6.16 | (*) Consulting Agreement. (*) shall have entered into a consulting agreement with Nautilus and/or Buyer whereby (*) agrees to provide consulting services related to the Business for period of up to six months, subject to such reasonable limitations and providing for such reasonable compensation as is mutually agreed by the Parties. |
CHAPTER 7
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF
SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
The obligations of Seller and the Shareholders under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by Seller:
Article 7.1 | Representations and Warranties Accurate. All representations and warranties of Nautilus and Buyer contained in this Agreement shall have been true in all material respects when made and shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing Date. Nautilus and Buyer shall furnish Seller a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer stating the above in such form as Seller or the Shareholders may reasonably request. |
Article 7.2 | Performance by Nautilus. Each of Nautilus and Buyer shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed and complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date and there shall be delivered to Seller a certificate to such effect, dated the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer of each of Nautilus and Buyer. |
Article 7.3 | Legal Prohibition. On the Closing Date there shall exist no injunction or final judgment, law or regulation prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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CHAPTER 8
INDEMNIFICATION
Article 8.1 | Indemnification by Seller and Shareholders. Seller and Shareholders hereby, jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold each of Nautilus and Buyer harmless at all times as set forth below from and after the Closing Date against and in respect of all matters in connection with the following: |
8.1.1 | From and after the Closing Date, all the liabilities of Seller arising out of or in connection with the Business (including, without limitation, liabilities for taxes or in connection with the termination of employees of the Business), and all suits, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys' fees and expenses incident to any matters relating to the such liabilities of Seller and arising out of or in connection with the Business prior to the Closing Date, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Nautilus or Buyer after the Closing Date in the defense thereof; and |
8.1.2 | From and after the Closing Date, any losses, liabilities, damages or deficiencies incurred by either Nautilus or Buyer resulting from any misrepresentation or breach of warranty under Chapter 3 of this Agreement or non-fulfillment of any agreement or covenant on the part of Seller or a Shareholder under this Agreement, or from any certificate or other instrument furnished or to be furnished by Seller or a Shareholder hereunder, and all suits, actions, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys' fees and expenses incident to any of the foregoing matters, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Nautilus or Buyer after the Closing Date in defense thereof. |
Article 8.2 | Payments to Nautilus and Buyer. Seller and the Shareholders shall promptly reimburse Nautilus and Buyer for all amounts owed under Article 8.1 from time to time, at their request, as such amounts are incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the maximum aggregate liability of Seller and the Shareholders for all claims made by Nautilus and/or Buyer under Article 8.1.2 shall not exceed US(*) and shall be paid from amounts on deposit with the Escrow Agent under the Escrow Agreement for such purpose as provided therein; (b) neither of Nautilus nor Buyer shall make any particular claim for an amount owed under Article 8.1.2 after the (*)-month anniversary of the Closing Date (the Indemnity Cut-Off Date) (other than claims made in respect of Articles 3.2 and 3.14, which shall survive the Indemnity Cut-Off date for an indefinite period, and other than claims under Article 3.18, which shall survive until the (*)-month anniversary of the Closing Date); (c) claims based on the failure of any item of Tangible Personal Property to satisfy the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3.5.4 shall be resolved, if possible, by Buyer promptly obtaining repair and submitting the cost of repair as a claim hereunder, and the maximum aggregate liability for such claims shall be U.S.$100,000; and (d) neither Nautilus nor Buyer shall make any |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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claim for indemnity under Article 8.1.1 or Article 8.1.2 for environmental, health or public safety claims, liabilities or remedial expenses after the (*)-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the maximum aggregate liability of Seller and the Shareholders for any such claims made during the (*)-month period following the Closing Date shall be subject to the limitation set forth in clause (a) of this Section 8.2, the maximum aggregate liability for any such claims made after such (*)-month period and prior to the (*)-month anniversary of the Closing Date shall not exceed the lesser of U.S.(*) and the amount remaining on deposit with the Escrow Agent, and any such claims for costs related to voluntary compliance activities must be accompanied by written verification from MWH (or a firm of similar reputation with its main office located in the PRC or Hong Kong) that such costs were incurred in order to meet the requirements of PRC laws, regulations or regulatory authorities. It is further agreed that Seller and the Shareholders shall have no liability with respect to matters described in Articles 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 until the aggregate total of all claims with respect to such matters exceeds U.S.$150,000, but after such total is exceeded Seller and the Shareholders shall have liability for such initial U.S.$150,000 and all subsequent claims, subject to the other terms and limitations of this Article 8.2. |
Article 8.3 | Indemnification by Nautilus. Nautilus and Buyer hereby agree jointly and severally to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and the Shareholders at all times from and after the Closing Date against and in respect of all matters in connection with the following: |
8.3.1 | From and after the Closing Date, all the liabilities of Nautilus and Buyer arising out of or in connection with the Business (including, without limitation, liabilities for taxes or in connection with the termination of employees of the Business by Buyer after the Closing Date), and all suits, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys' fees and expenses incident to any matters relating to the such liabilities of Nautilus and Buyer and arising out of or in connection with the conduct of the Business from and after the Closing Date, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Seller or the Shareholders after the Closing Date in the defense thereof. |
8.3.2 | From and after the Closing Date up through the Indemnity Cut-Off Date, any losses, liabilities, damages or deficiencies incurred by Seller or the Shareholders that result from any misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or non-fulfillment of any agreement or covenant on the part of Nautilus under this Agreement, or from any certificate or other instrument furnished or to be furnished by hereunder and all suits, actions, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, attorneys' fees and expenses incident to any |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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of the foregoing matters, including those out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses in respect of the participation of officers and employees of Seller or the Shareholders after the Closing Date in defense thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum aggregate liability of Nautilus and Buyer for all claims made by Seller or the Shareholders under Article 8.3.2 shall not exceed (*). |
Article 8.4 | Payments to Seller and the Shareholders. Nautilus shall promptly reimburse Seller or the Shareholders for all amounts owed under Article 8.3 from time to time, at their request, as such amounts are incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller and the Shareholders shall not make any particular claim for an amount owed under Article 8.3.2 after the Indemnity Cut-Off Date. |
Article 8.5 | Third Party Claims. If a claim by a third party is made against an indemnified Party hereunder, and if a Party intends to seek indemnity with respect thereto under this Chapter 8 (such Party being the Indemnified Party), the Indemnified Party or Parties shall promptly (and in any case within thirty (30) days) notify the other Party or Parties (the Indemnifying Party) of such claim. The Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of the above-mentioned notice to undertake, conduct and control, through counsel of its own choosing (subject to the consent of the Indemnified Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) and at its expense, the settlement or defense thereof, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with it in connection therewith; provided, that: (i) the Indemnifying Party shall not thereby permit to exist any Lien upon any asset of the Indemnified Party, (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall permit the Indemnified Party to participate in such settlement or defense through counsel chosen by the Indemnified Party, provided that the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the Indemnified Party, and (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnified Party for the full amount of any loss resulting from such claim and all related expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party within the limits of this Chapter 8. So long as the Indemnifying Party is reasonably contesting any such claim in good faith, the Indemnified Party shall not pay or settle any such claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to pay or settle any such claim, provided that in such event it shall waive any right to indemnity therefore by the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty days after receipt of the Indemnified Party's notice of a claim of indemnity hereunder that it elects to undertake the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to contest, settle or compromise the claim in the exercise of its exclusive discretion at the expense of the Indemnifying Party. |
CHAPTER 9
STAFF AND EMPLOYEE MATTERS
Article 9.1 | Staff and Employees. Seller has delivered to Nautilus and Buyer a list, |
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dated within fifteen days prior to the Closing Date, naming by location all of the staff and employees of Seller actively employed in the Business, including each such staff and employee's current compensation rate and date of employment. Nautilus and Buyer shall be permitted to interview all of Sellers staff and employees employed in the Business during business hours, pursuant to schedules to be coordinated with Seller, and Seller shall give Nautilus and Buyer all information in Sellers possession reasonably requested by Nautilus or Buyer in connection with such staff and employees. Buyer will offer employment commencing as of the Closing Date to those staff and employees as Buyer deems, in its sole discretion, appropriate on such terms as Buyer shall deem appropriate. Seller and the Shareholders will use their best efforts to cause such employees to become employees of Buyer as of the Closing Date. |
Article 9.2 | Salaries and Benefits. Seller shall be responsible for (i) the payment of all wages and other remuneration due to staff and employees of the Business with respect to their services as employees of Seller through close of business on the Closing Date; (ii) the payment of any termination or severance payments required by contract or law; and (iii) any amounts or benefits due to the staff and employees under welfare benefit, housing, retirement and health plans maintained Seller for such staff and employees pursuant to contract or as required by law. Nautilus and Buyer agree to cooperate with Seller to transition the employment of Sellers employees to Buyer in a manner that minimizes any termination or severance payments. If despite such efforts Seller is required to pay termination or severance payments to former employees of Seller who are employed by Buyer, Nautilus and Buyer agree to reimburse Seller in amount equal to the lesser of one-half of such payments and U.S.$250,000. |
Article 9.3 | No Rights to Staff and Employees. Nothing herein expressed or implied shall confer upon any staff or employee hired by Nautilus or Buyer or any other employee or legal representatives of Seller or any trade union representative any rights or remedies, including, without limitation, any right to employment, or continued employment for any specified period, of any nature or kind whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. |
CHAPTER 10
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
SUBSEQUENT TO THE CLOSING DATE
Article 10.1 | Further Assurances. Following the Closing, Seller and each Shareholder will, upon request by Nautilus or Buyer, (a) do, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or will cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all such further acts, deeds, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of attorney and assurances and (b) use its best efforts to obtain all authorizations, approvals, consents and waivers that may be reasonably required for the conveyance, transfer, assignment, delivery, assurance and confirmation to Buyer, or to its successors and assigns, or for aiding and assisting in collecting or reducing to possession, any or all of the Assets of Seller transferred hereunder. |
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Article 10.2 | Customer and Other Business Relationships. After the Transfer Completion, Seller and the Shareholders will cooperate with Nautilus and Buyer in their efforts to continue and maintain for the benefit of Buyer those business relationships of Seller existing prior to the Closing and relating to the Business, including relationships with lessors, employees, regulatory authorities, licensors, customers, suppliers and others, and Seller will satisfy its liabilities in a manner that is not detrimental to any of such relationships. Seller and the Shareholders will refer to Buyer all inquiries relating to the Business. Neither Seller nor either Shareholder nor any of their respective officers, employees, agents or shareholders shall take any action that would tend to diminish the value of the Assets after the Closing or that would interfere with the Business, including disparaging the name or business of Nautilus or Buyer. |
Article 10.3 | Retention of and Access to Records. After the Closing Date, Buyer shall retain for a period consistent with Nautilus's record-retention policies and practices those records of Seller delivered to Buyer. Nautilus will ensure that Buyer also shall provide Seller and the Shareholders and their representatives reasonable access thereto, during normal business hours and on at least three days' prior written notice, to enable them to prepare financial statements or tax returns or deal with tax audits. After the Closing Date, Seller shall provide Buyer and its representatives reasonable access to records that are Excluded Assets, during normal business hours and on at least three days' prior written notice, for any reasonable business purpose specified by Buyer in such notice. |
Article 10.4 | Mutual Cooperation with Respect to Taxes. Each of Nautilus and Buyer, on the one hand, and Seller and the Shareholders, on the other, will provide the other with such assistance as may reasonably be requested by either of them in connection with the preparation of any tax return, any audit or other examination by any taxing authority, or any judicial or administrative proceedings relating to liability for any Taxes relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each such Party will retain and provide the other with any records or information which may be relevant to such return, audit or examination, proceedings or determination. Such assistance shall include making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder and shall include providing copies of any relevant tax returns and supporting work schedules. The Party requesting assistance hereunder shall reimburse the other for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing such assistance. |
Article 10.5 | Cooperation in Litigation. In the event that, after the Closing Date, Nautilus, Buyer, Seller or the Shareholders shall require the participation of officers and employees employed by each other to aid in the defense or prosecution of litigation or claims, and so long as there exists no conflict of |
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interest between the Parties, each of Nautilus, Buyer and Seller shall use its best efforts to make such officers and employees available to participate in such defense or prosecution, provided that, except as required pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8, the Party requiring the participation of such officers or employees shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses arising from such participation. |
Article 10.6 | Confidentiality. Except in circumstances where the prior consent of Nautilus has been obtained and for a period of five (5) years after the Closing Date, Seller and each Shareholder agrees that it shall not divulge to any Person any trade secret, or secret process, method or means, or any other confidential information concerning the Business, Nautilus or Buyer that comes to the knowledge of such Party by reason of its being a Party hereto unless and to the extent that (i) the disclosure is required by law or (ii) such information is or becomes public knowledge otherwise than through the breach of this Article or (iii) such information was obtained from a third party having no obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information. |
Article 10.7 | [Intentionally left blank] |
Article 10.8 | Land America Name. Seller agrees that following the Closing Date it will not, and each Shareholder agrees that it will cause Seller not to, (i) use the name Land America in connection with the manufacture, distribution or sale of fitness equipment, or (ii) transfer the name or any rights in the name Land America, or any confusingly similar name, to any third party unless such party agrees that such name shall not be used in connection with the manufacture, distribution or sale of fitness equipment. |
CHAPTER 11
TERMINATION
Article 11.1 | Termination Events. This Agreement may, by notice given on or prior to the Closing Date, in the manner hereinafter provided, be terminated and abandoned: |
11.1.1 | By Nautilus and Buyer, on the one hand, or Seller and the Shareholders, on the other, if material default or breach shall be made by the other with respect to the due and timely performance of any of its covenants and agreements contained herein, or with respect to due compliance with any of its representations and warranties contained herein, and such default cannot be cured, or shall have not been cured within forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice specifying particularly such default; |
11.1.2 | By Nautilus and Buyer if all of the conditions set forth in Chapter 6 shall not have been satisfied (or are incapable of being satisfied) on or before December 31, 2007 or waived by it on or before such date; or by Seller and the Shareholders, if all of the conditions set forth in Chapter 8 shall not have been satisfied (or are incapable of being satisfied) by such date or waived by it on or before such date; |
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11.1.3 | By either Nautilus and Buyer, on the one hand, or Seller and the Shareholders, on the other, if in the case of Seller and the Shareholders, Nautilus, or in the case of Nautilus and Buyer, Seller or any Shareholder, becomes bankrupt, or is the subject of proceedings for liquidation or dissolution, or ceases to carry on business or becomes unable to pay its or his debts as they become due; |
11.1.4 | By written mutual consent of Nautilus and Seller; or |
11.1.5 | By either Nautilus or Seller if the Closing shall not have occurred, through no fault of any Party, on or before December 31, 2007, or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Parties. |
Each Party's right of termination hereunder is in addition to any other rights it may have hereunder or otherwise, including, without limitation, Nautiluss rights pursuant to Article 12.2.
Article 11.2 | Effect of Termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article 11.1, all further obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate and, unless terminated pursuant to Article 11.1.4, the Four Million U.S. Dollar (U.S.$4,000,000) option fee delivered to Seller pursuant to the Option Agreement shall be retained by Seller. |
CHAPTER 12
OTHER PROVISIONS
Article 12.1 | Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing for a period of (*) months from the Closing Date, provided, that the representations and warranties set forth in Articles 3.2 and 3.14 shall survive for an indefinite period, and the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3.18 shall survive until the (*) month anniversary of the Closing Date); and provided further, that in the event a claim for indemnification is made by Nautilus in respect of any representation and warranty made by Seller or either Shareholder prior to the expiration of such representation or warranty, Nautilus shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification provisions hereunder as long as such claim is being prosecuted in good faith. |
Article 12.2 | [intentionally left blank] |
Article 12.3 | Responsibility for Taxes. Each Party shall pay its own transaction-related Taxes arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Seller shall also pay any filing or recording fees payable in connection with the instruments of transfer provided for herein, including, without limitation, any supplemental land grant fee premium required by the Xiamen Municipal Government as a condition to its approval of the transfer of the Land. Prior |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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to the Closing, Seller and Buyer shall have paid stamp duties in respect of this Agreement. Buyer acknowledges that its taxes will include VAT on the amount of Inventory purchased and Deed Tax on applicable items. |
Article 12.4 | Complete Agreement. This Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto and the documents referred to herein, together with the Escrow Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter, including without limitation the Option Agreement. |
Article 12.5 | Passage of Title and Risk of Loss. Title and risk of loss with respect to the Assets and rights to be transferred hereunder shall not pass to Buyer until the Assets or right is transferred at the Closing hereunder. |
Article 12.6 | Waiver, Discharge, etc. This Agreement may not be released, discharged, abandoned, changed or modified in any manner, except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties hereto by their duly authorized representatives. The failure of any Party hereto to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement or any part thereof or the right of any party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision. No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. |
Article 12.7 | Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be addressed to the relevant Party at the address set forth below or at such other address as such Party may designate by ten Business Days' advance written notice to the other Parties. Any notice addressed to the relevant Party shall be deemed to have been delivered: (a) if delivered by hand when delivered, (b) if sent by pre-paid United States registered mail, on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date of posting, (c) if given or made by facsimile, on the following Business Day after the transmission is sent (as long as the sender has a confirmation report specifying the facsimile number of the recipient, the number of pages sent and the date of the transmission) and, (d) if given or made by electronic mail, on the following Business Day after the electronic mail is sent (as long as the sender has confirmation records confirming delivery by the sender and receipt by the recipient of the electronic mail). |
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Notices and communications shall be delivered as follows:
To Nautilus and |
Nautilus, Inc | |
Buyer at: |
16400 SE Nautilus Drive | |
Vancouver, Washington 98683 U.S.A. | ||
Attn: Wayne M. Bolio, | ||
Chief Administrative Officer and | ||
Senior Vice President, Law & Human Resources | ||
Facsimile: 1 (360) 859-5915 | ||
E-mail: wbolio@nautilus.com | ||
with a copy to: | Garvey Schubert Barer | |
1191 Second Avenue, 18th Floor | ||
Seattle, Washington 98101 U.S.A. | ||
Attn: Bruce A. Robertson, Esquire | ||
Facsimile: 1 (206) 464-0125 | ||
E-mail: brobertson@gsblaw.com | ||
To Seller at: |
Land America Health & Fitness Co., Ltd. | |
25 North 2nd Road, Xiamen, Xinglin | ||
Jimei District | ||
Xiamen, China 361022 | ||
Attn: (*) | ||
Facsimile: (*) | ||
with a copy to: |
(*) | |
To Bruno at: | (*) | |
[Address] | ||
Facsimile: | ||
To Qing at: |
(*) | |
[Address] | ||
Attn: | ||
Facsimile: | ||
E-mail: |
Article 12.8 | Public Announcements. No Party shall issue any press release or public announcement in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written approval of the other Parties hereto. |
Article 12.9 | Expenses. Whether the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or fail to be consummated for any reason whatsoever, each Party shall pay its own expenses and the fees and disbursements of its counsel, accountants and other experts. |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Article 12.10 | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the PRC. |
Article 12.11 | Arbitration. |
(1) | Except as provided in Article 12.2, all disputes arising in connection with or relating to this Agreement shall be finally settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The tribunal shall be composed of a sole arbitrator. The arbitration shall be conducted in the English language at San Francisco under the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act. |
(2) | Any arbitral award rendered shall be final, binding and non-appealable and may be entered and enforced as a judgment with any court having jurisdiction. |
(3) | To the extent this Article is deemed to be a separate agreement independent from this Agreement, Article 12.10 concerning governing law and Article 12.7 concerning notices are incorporated herein by reference. |
(4) | Any Party may, without inconsistency with this agreement to arbitrate, seek from a court any provisional remedy that may be necessary to preserve its rights, to protect intellectual property or to prevent the disposal of assets at any time before, during or after the arbitration proceedings. |
Article 12.12 | Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and the successors or assigns of the Parties, provided that the rights of Seller herein may not be assigned and the rights of Nautilus and Buyer may only be assigned (without Sellers and Shareholders consent) to an Affiliate of Nautilus (as long as Nautilus shall remain liable hereunder). |
Article 12.13 | Language; Schedules; Headings; Counterparts. This Agreement is written both in the Chinese and English languages. Both versions shall have equal validity, but in the event of a conflict between the two versions the English version shall prevail. All Schedules attached to this Agreement are an integral part hereof and are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement or affect any right or obligation under this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. |
Article 12.14 | Joint and Several Obligations. The liability of Seller and each Shareholder hereunder shall be joint and several with Seller and with the Shareholders. |
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Where in this Agreement provision is made for any action to be taken or not taken by Seller, the Shareholders jointly and severally undertake to cause Seller to take or not take such action, as the case may be. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller and each Shareholder shall be jointly and severally liable for the indemnities set forth in Article 8. |
Article 12.15 | Representative of Seller and the Shareholders. |
(a) | Seller and each of the Shareholders hereby appoint Bruno as their representative ("Selling Parties Representative") and their true and lawful attorney in fact, with full power and authority in each of their names and on behalf of each of them: |
(i) | to act on behalf of each of them in the absolute discretion of the Selling Parties Representative, but only with respect to the following provisions of this Agreement, with the power to: (A) designate the accounts for payment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Article 2.3; (B) act pursuant to Article 2.4 with respect to any Purchase Price adjustment; (C) act under the Escrow Agreement; (D) give and receive notices pursuant to Article12.7; (E) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 or waive any provision of this Agreement pursuant to Chapter 7, Article 11.1 and Article 12.6; and (F) act in connection with any matter as to which Seller and each of the Shareholders, jointly and severally, have obligations, or are Indemnified Persons, under Article 8; and |
(ii) | in general, to do all things and to perform all acts, including executing and delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, instructions and other instruments contemplated by or deemed advisable to effectuate the provisions of this Article 12.15. |
This appointment and grant of power and authority is coupled with an interest and is in consideration of the mutual covenants made herein and is irrevocable and shall not be terminated by any act of any of the Shareholders or Seller or by operation of law, or by the occurrence of any other event. Each Shareholder and Seller hereby consents to the taking of any and all actions and the making of any decisions required or permitted to be taken or made by the Selling Parties Representative pursuant to this Article 12.15.
(b) | Nautilus, Buyer and the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any document or other paper delivered by the Selling Parties Representative as (i) genuine and correct and (ii) having been duly signed or sent by the Selling Parties Representative, and none of Nautilus, Buyer or the Escrow Agent shall be liable to any of the Shareholders or Seller for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Nautilus or the Escrow Agent in such reliance. |
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
NAUTILUS | ||
NAUTILUS, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Signature | ||
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
BUYER | ||
[NAUTILUS WOFE] | ||
By: |
| |
Signature | ||
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
SELLER | ||
LAND AMERICA HEALTH & FITNESS CO., LTD | ||
By: |
| |
Signature | ||
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
(*) (a Shareholder) | ||
By: |
| |
(*) | ||
(*)( a Shareholder) | ||
By: |
| |
(*) |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT OF SELLING PARTIES REPRESENTATIVE
The undersigned, being the Selling Parties Representative designated in Article 12.15 of the foregoing Asset Purchase Agreement, agrees to serve as the Selling Parties Representative and to be bound by the terms of such Asset Purchase Agreement pertaining thereto.
Dated: , 2007
|
||
(*) |
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Exhibit
ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of December 31, 2007 (this Agreement), is entered into by and among NAUTILUS, INC., a Washington corporation (Nautilus), LAND AMERICA HEALTH & FITNESS CO., LTD., a Peoples Republic of China limited liability company (Seller), [NAUTILUS WOFE], a Peoples Republic of China limited liability company (Buyer), (*) and (*) and Land America are sometimes collectively referred to as the Selling Parties or individually as a Selling Party), (*), as representative of the Selling Parties (the Representative) and , as escrow agent (the Escrow Agent).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. | The parties hereto have entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated , 2007 (the Purchase Agreement). Capitalized terms used in the Purchase Agreement are used herein with the same meaning, unless otherwise defined herein. |
B. | This is the Escrow Agreement referred to in the Purchase Agreement. |
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. | Appointment of Escrow Agent. Nautilus and the Selling Parties hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act as escrow agent in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act as escrow agent hereunder in accordance with such terms and conditions. |
2. | Establishment of Escrow. Pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Purchase Agreement, (*)) has been deposited with the Escrow Agent by or on behalf of Buyer. Such funds and all interest or other income received in respect of such funds are collectively referred to as the Escrow Property. Any interest or other income received in respect of funds included in the Escrow Property will be held for the account of the Selling Parties. |
3. | Release of Escrow Property. |
(a) | Indemnification Claim Releases. |
(1) | From time to time on before the dates specified in Article 8.2 of the Purchase Agreement, Nautilus may give a notice (a Notice) to the Representative and the Escrow Agent specifying in reasonable detail the nature and dollar amount of any claim (a Claim) it may have under Article 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 of the Purchase Agreement. Nautilus may make more than one claim with respect to any underlying state of facts. If the |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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Representative gives notice to Nautilus and the Escrow Agent disputing any Claim (a Counter Notice) within thirty (30) days following receipt by the Escrow Agent of the Notice regarding such Claim, such Claim shall be resolved as provided in clause (2) of this Section 3(a) below. If no Counter Notice is received by Escrow Agent within such thirty-day (30-day) period, then the dollar amount of damages claimed by Nautilus as set forth in its Notice shall be deemed established for purposes of this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement and, at the end of such thirty-day (30-day) period the Escrow Agent shall pay to Nautilus the dollar amount claimed in the Notice from (and only to the extent of) the Escrow Property. The Escrow Agent shall not inquire into or consider whether a Claim complies with the requirements of the Purchase Agreement.
(2) | If a Counter Notice is given with respect to a Claim, the Escrow Agent shall make payment with respect thereto only in accordance with (i) joint written instructions of Nautilus and the Representative or (ii) a final and non-appealable arbitration award or judgment obtained in accordance with the arbitration provisions of the Purchase Agreement. Any arbitration award or judgment shall be accompanied by a certificate from the arbitrator to the effect that the arbitral award or judgment is non-appealable. The Escrow Agent shall act on such arbitration award or judgment and legal opinion without further question. |
(b) | Release on Joint Instruction of Nautilus and the Representative. Nautilus and the Representative may from time to time jointly instruct the Escrow Agent in writing to release any or all of the Escrow Property to a person or persons designated by them. |
(c) | Release of Escrow Property. Following the (*)-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Escrow Agent shall distribute to the Representative any Escrow Property then on deposit that is in excess of the sum of (i) (*) and (ii) the amount of any Claim as to which Notice has been delivered pursuant to Section 3(a) above on or prior to such (*)-month anniversary and the Claim in respect of such Notice is still outstanding or subject to a Counter Notice (such sum the Retained Escrow Property). The Escrow Agent shall continue to hold the Retained Escrow Property for the remainder of the Term (as defined below and, subject to the proviso of Section 4 of this Agreement, at the conclusion of the Term, the Escrow Agent shall pay to the Representative any amount of Retained Escrow Property then on deposit. |
4. | Term and Termination. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the earlier of (i) the payment or delivery of the entire Escrow Property, and (ii) the date that is the (*)-month anniversary of the date of the Closing Date (the Term) and thereafter shall automatically terminate; provided, however, that in the event a Notice |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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has been delivered pursuant to Section 3(a) of this Agreement at any time prior to the expiration of the Term and the Claim in respect of such Notice is still outstanding or subject to a Counter Notice, the Escrow Agent shall continue to hold Escrow Property in accordance with the terms hereof until final resolution of such Claim.
5. | Investment of Funds. Except as Nautilus and the Representative may from time to time jointly otherwise instruct the Escrow Agent in writing, funds comprising the Escrow Property deposited with the Escrow Agent shall be invested from time to time, to the extent possible, in United States Treasury bills having a remaining maturity of ninety (90) days or less and repurchase obligations secured by such United States Treasury bills, with any remainder being deposited and maintained in a money market deposit account with the Escrow Agent until release by the Escrow Agent of the entire Escrow Property. The Escrow Agent is authorized to liquidate in accordance with its customary procedures any portion of the Escrow Property consisting of investments to provide for payments required to be made under this Agreement. |
6. | Duties of the Escrow Agent. |
(a) | The Escrow Agent shall not be under any duty to give the Escrow Property held by it hereunder any greater degree of care than it gives its own similar property and shall not be required to invest any funds held hereunder except as directed in this Agreement. Uninvested funds held hereunder shall not earn or accrue interest. |
(b) | The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for actions or omissions hereunder, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct and, except with respect to claims based upon such gross negligence or willful misconduct that are successfully asserted against the Escrow Agent, the other parties hereto shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Escrow Agent (and any successor Escrow Agent) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, actions, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements, arising out of and in connection with this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Escrow Agent shall in no event be liable in connection with its investment or reinvestment of any cash held by it hereunder in good faith, in accordance with the terms hereof, including, without limitation, any liability for any delays (not resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct) in the investment or reinvestment of the funds comprising part of the Escrow Property or any loss of interest incident to any such delays. |
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(c) | The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any order, judgment, certification, demand, notice, instrument or other writing delivered to it hereunder without being required to determine the authenticity or the correctness of any fact stated therein or the propriety or validity of the service thereof. The Escrow Agent may act in reliance upon any instrument or signature believed by it to be genuine and may assume that the person purporting to give receipt or advice or make any statement or execute any document in connection with the provisions hereof has been duly authorized to do so. The Escrow Agent may conclusively presume that the undersigned representative of any party hereto which is an entity other than a natural person has full power and authority to instruct the Escrow Agent on behalf of that party unless written notice to the contrary is delivered to the Escrow Agent. |
(d) | The Escrow Agent may act pursuant to the advice of counsel with respect to any matter relating to this Agreement and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with such advice. |
(e) | The Escrow Agent does not have any interest in the Escrow Property deposited hereunder but is serving as escrow holder only and has only possession thereof. Any payments of income from the Escrow Property shall be subject to withholding regulations then in force with respect to United States taxes. The parties hereto will provide the Escrow Agent with appropriate Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9 for tax identification number certification, or nonresident alien certifications. This Section 6(e) and Section 6(b) shall survive notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or the resignation of the Escrow Agent. |
(f) | The Escrow Agent makes no representation as to the validity, value, genuineness or collect ability of any security or other document or instrument held by or delivered to it. |
(g) | The Escrow Agent shall not be called upon to advise any party as to the wisdom in selling or retaining or taking or refraining from any action with respect to any securities or other property deposited hereunder. |
(h) | The Escrow Agent (and any successor Escrow Agent) may at any time resign as such by delivering the Escrow Property to any successor Escrow Agent jointly designated by the other parties hereto in writing, or to any court of competent jurisdiction, whereupon the Escrow Agent shall be discharged of and from any and all further obligations arising in connection with this Agreement. The resignation of the Escrow Agent will take effect on the earlier of (i) the appointment of a successor (including a court of competent jurisdiction) or (ii) the day which is thirty (30) days after the date of delivery of its written notice of resignation to the other parties hereto. If, at that time, the Escrow Agent has not received a designation of a successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent's sole responsibility after that time shall be to retain and safeguard the Escrow Property until receipt of a designation of successor Escrow Agent or a joint written disposition instruction by the other parties hereto or a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. |
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(i) | In the event of any disagreement between the other parties hereto resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection with the Escrow Property, or in the event that the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to what action it should take hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to retain the Escrow Property until the Escrow Agent shall have received (i) a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing delivery of the Escrow Property or (ii) a written agreement executed by Nautilus and the Representative directing delivery of the Escrow Property, in which event the Escrow Agent shall disburse the Escrow Property in accordance with such order or agreement. Any court order shall be accompanied by a legal opinion by counsel for the presenting party satisfactory to the Escrow Agent to the effect that the order is final and non-appealable. The Escrow Agent shall act on such court order and legal opinion without further question. |
(j) | Nautilus and the Selling Parties shall pay the Escrow Agent compensation (as payment in full) for the services to be rendered by the Escrow Agent hereunder in the amount of dollars ($ ) at the time of execution of this Agreement and dollars ($ ) annually thereafter and agree to reimburse the Escrow Agent for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Escrow Agent in performance of its duties hereunder (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of its counsel). Any such compensation and reimbursement to which the Escrow Agent is entitled shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by Nautilus and fifty percent (50%) by the Representative. Any fees or expenses of the Escrow Agent or its counsel that are not paid as provided for herein may be taken from any property held by the Escrow Agent hereunder. |
(k) | No printed or other matter in any language (including, without limitation, prospectuses, notices, reports and promotional material) that mentions the Escrow Agent's name or the rights, powers or duties of the Escrow Agent shall be issued by the other parties hereto or on such parties' behalf unless the Escrow Agent shall first have given its specific written consent thereto. |
(l) | The other parties hereto authorize the Escrow Agent, for any securities held hereunder, to use the services of any United States central securities depository it reasonably deems appropriate, including, without limitation, the Depository Trust Company and the Federal Reserve Book Entry System. |
7. | Limited Responsibility. This Agreement expressly sets forth all the duties of the Escrow Agent with respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto. No implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by the provisions of any agreement among the other parties hereto except this Agreement. |
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8. | Notices All notices, consents, waivers and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given to a party when (a) delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by a nationally recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid); (b) sent by facsimile or e-mail (with confirmation by the transmitting equipment); or (c) received by the addressee, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the following addresses and facsimile numbers and marked to the attention of the person (by name or title) designated below (or to such other address, facsimile number or person as a party may designate by notice to the other parties): |
To Nautilus at: | Nautilus, Inc. | |
16400 SE Nautilus Drive | ||
Vancouver, Washington 98683 U.S.A. | ||
Attn: Wayne M. Bolio, | ||
Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President, | ||
Law and Human Resources | ||
Facsimile: 1-360-859-5915 | ||
E-mail: wbolio@nautilus.com |
with a mandatory | Garvey Schubert Barer | |||||
copy to: | 1191 Second Avenue, 18th Floor | |||||
Seattle, Washington 98101-2939 U.S.A. | ||||||
Attn: Bruce A. Robertson, Esquire | ||||||
Facsimile: 1-206-464-0125 | ||||||
E-mail: brobertson@gsblaw.com | ||||||
To Land America at: | Land America Health & Fitness Co., Ltd. | |||||
25 North 2nd Road Xiamen, Xinglin | ||||||
Jimei District | ||||||
Xiamen, China 361022 P.R.C. | ||||||
Attn: (*), Esquire | ||||||
Facsimile: (*) | ||||||
E-mail: (*) | ||||||
with a mandatory | ||||||
copy to: | (*) | |||||
To BUYER at: |
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Attn: |
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Facsimile: | ||||||
E-mail: | ||||||
with a mandatory | ||||||
copy to: |
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Attn: |
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Facsimile: | ||||||
E-mail: |
(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
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To (*) at: | (*) | |||||
Facsimile: | ||||||
E-mail: (*) | ||||||
with a mandatory |
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copy to: | Attn: |
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E-mail: | ||||||
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E-mail: |
with a mandatory |
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copy to: | Attn: |
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Facsimile: | ||||||
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To Escrow Agent at: |
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Attn: |
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Facsimile: | ||||||
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with a mandatory |
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9. | Jurisdiction; Service of Process. Any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of Washington, County of King, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding and waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court and agrees not to bring any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court. Process in any proceeding referred to in the preceding sentence may be served on any party anywhere in the world. |
10. | Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile shall be deemed to be their original signatures for any purposes whatsoever. |
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11. | Section Headings; Construction. The headings of sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. |
12. | Waiver. The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement. |
13. | Entire Agreement and Modification. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements among the parties with respect to its subject matter and constitutes (along with the documents referred to in this Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement may not be amended except by a written agreement executed by Nautilus, the Selling Parties, the Representative and the Escrow Agent. |
14. | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington without regard to conflicts of law principles that would require the application of any other law. |
15. | Representative of Selling Parties. |
(a) | Each Selling Party hereby constitutes and appoints the Representative as their representative and their true and lawful attorney in fact, with full power and authority in each of their names and on behalf of each of them: |
(i) | to act on behalf of each of them in the absolute discretion of the Selling Parties Representative in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation, with the power to: (A) execute and deliver the Closing Release Instructions pursuant to Section 3(a) and other release instructions pursuant to Section 3(d), (B) designate the accounts for payment of the amounts released from escrow; (C) deliver any Counter Notice under Section 3(b)(2); (D) deliver any instructions pursuant to Section 5; (E) give and receive notices pursuant to Section 8 and this Agreement; (F) waive any provision of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12; and (G) accept service of process pursuant to Section 9; and |
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(ii) | in general, to do all things and to perform all acts, including executing and delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, instructions and other instruments contemplated by or deemed advisable to effectuate the provisions of this Section 15. |
This appointment and grant of power and authority is coupled with an interest and is in consideration of the mutual covenants made herein and is irrevocable and shall not be terminated by any act of any Selling Party or by operation of law. Each Selling Party hereby consents to the taking of any and all actions and the making of any decisions required or permitted to be taken or made by the Representative pursuant to this Section 15. Bruno agrees to serve as the Representative and be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating thereto.
(b) | Nautilus and the Escrow Agreement shall be entitled to rely upon any document or other paper delivered by the Representative as (i) genuine and correct and (ii) having been duly signed or sent by the Representative, and neither Nautilus nor the Escrow Agent shall be liable to any of the Selling Parties for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Nautilus or the Escrow Agent in such reliance. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.
NAUTILUS, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
LAND AMERICA HEALTH & FITNESS CO., LTD. | ||
By: |
| |
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
[BUYER] | ||
By: |
| |
Print Name: |
| |
Title: |
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(*) | Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions. |
49
EXHIBIT A
(Form of Escrow Agreement)
Exhibit A
EXHIBIT B
(Sellers Non-Competition Agreement)
Exhibit B
EXHIBIT C
(Shareholders Non-Competition Agreement)
Exhibit C
EXHIBIT D
(Form of Opinion of The Universal Legal Corp., PRC,
Counsel to Seller and Shareholders)
Exhibit D
EXHIBIT E
(Form of Opinion of ,
Counsel to Seller and Share
Exhibit E
EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF NAUTILUS, INC.
Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation
Nautilus International Holdings, S.A., a Swiss corporation
Nautilus International, S.A., a Swiss corporation
Nautilus Switzerland, S.A., a Swiss corporation
Nautilus Fitness Deutschland GmbH, a German corporation
Nautilus Fitness UK Ltd., a United Kingdom corporation
Nautilus Fitness Italy S.r.l., an Italian corporation
Nautilus Fitness Canada, Inc., a Canadian corporation
DashAmerica, Inc., a Colorado corporation, d/b/a Pearl Izumi USA, Inc.
Pearl Izumi GmbH, a German corporation
Pearl Izumi Spain, SL, a Spanish corporation
Nautilus (Shanghai) Fitness Co., Ltd., a Chinese corporation
Nautilus Fitness Australia Pty Ltd., an Australian corporation
Nautilus Global Investments S.A., a Swiss corporation
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-126054, 333-46936, and 333-79643 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 15, 2007, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Nautilus, Inc. and managements report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2006.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP |
Portland, Oregon |
March 15, 2007 |
EXHIBIT 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
PETER A. ALLEN
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Peter A. Allen, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007. |
Signature: |
/s/ Peter A. Allen |
Peter A. Allen |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
RONALD P. BADIE
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Ronald P. Badie, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007. |
Signature: |
/s/ Ronald P. Badie |
Ronald P. Badie |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
ROBERT S. FALCONE
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Robert S. Falcone, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007.
Signature: |
/s/ Robert S. Falcone |
Robert S. Falcone |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FREDERICK T. HULL
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Frederick T. Hull, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007.
Signature: |
/s/ Frederick T. Hull |
Frederick T. Hull |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
DONALD W. KEEBLE
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Donald W. Keeble, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007.
Signature: |
/s/ Donald W. Keeble |
Donald W. Keeble |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
PAUL F. LITTLE
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Paul F. Little, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007.
Signature: |
/s/ Paul F. Little |
Paul F. Little |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
DIANE L. NEAL
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Diane L. Neal, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007.
Signature: |
/s/ Diane L. Neal |
Diane L. Neal |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
MARVIN G. SIEGERT
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, Marvin G. Siegert, hereby constitutes and appoints Greggory C. Hammann or William D. Meadowcroft, severally and not jointly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and to file this Power of Attorney and the Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each requisite and necessary act to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 15th day of March, 2007.
Signature: |
/s/ Marvin G. Siegert |
Marvin G. Siegert |
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Greggory C. Hammann, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
March 15, 2007 | By: | /s/ Greggory C. Hammann | ||||||
Date | Greggory C. Hammann, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board |
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, William D. Meadowcroft, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Nautilus, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
March 15, 2007 | By: | /s/ William D. Meadowcroft | ||||||
Date | William D. Meadowcroft, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
EXHIBIT 32.1
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation (the Company), does hereby certify that:
To my knowledge, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the Form 10-K) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
March 15, 2007 | By: | /s/ Greggory C. Hammann | ||||||
Date | Greggory C. Hammann, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board |
EXHIBIT 32.2
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Nautilus, Inc., a Washington corporation (the Company), does hereby certify that:
To my knowledge, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the Form 10-K) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
March 15, 2007 | By: | /s/ William D. Meadowcroft | ||||||
Date | William D. Meadowcroft, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.