Employment Agreement - Samsonite Corp. and John P. Murtagh
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective as of August 1, 1996
(the "Effective Date"), by and between SAMSONITE CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and JOHN P. MURTAGH (the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of the Executive
and to enter into this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to serve the Company on the terms and
conditions herein provided.
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the premises and
covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT
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The Company agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive agrees to
serve the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2. TERM
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This Agreement shall have a term (the "Term") beginning on the
Effective Date and expiring on the third anniversary of the Effective Date.
3. POSITION AND DUTIES
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(a) The Executive shall serve as Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer and shall perform such duties and services prescribed
herein and as may be prescribed from time to time by the President and Chief
Executive Officer (the "CEO") and/or the Board of Directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee thereof (the "Board"). The Executive shall perform
such duties, under the supervision and direction of the Board, to the best of
his ability and in a diligent and proper manner. The Executive shall report
directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer.
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(b) Except during customary vacation periods and periods of illness,
the Executive shall, during his employment hereunder, devote his full business
time and attention to the performance of services for the Company, and as
determined by the Board.
(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the Executive's duty of
loyalty and duty of care to the Company and its subsidiaries as provided under
applicable state laws.
4. COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS
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(a) Salary. During the Executive's employment hereunder, the Company
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shall pay to the Executive a salary ("Base Salary") in equal installments in
accordance with normal payroll practices of the Company but not less frequently
than monthly. The Base Salary shall be payable at the rate of $200,000 per
annum, starting as of the Effective Date. The payments of Base Salary hereunder
shall not in any way limit or reduce any other obligation of the Company
hereunder, and no other compensation, benefit or payment hereunder shall in any
way limit or reduce the obligation of the Company to pay the Executive's Base
Salary hereunder. The Board, at any time and from time to time, may increase
(but not reduce) the Base Salary payable under this Agreement, and increase in
the Base Salary shall become effective at the time indicated by the Board
without the need for an amendment to this Agreement.
(b) Relocation. It is contemplated that the Executive's office shall
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be in the Company's executive offices in Denver, Colorado, unless, subsequently
during the Term, the Board and the Executive agree that it would be desirable
for the Executive's office to be located elsewhere. Accordingly, the Executive
shall promptly relocate to the Denver metropolitan area and shall own or lease a
residence in the Denver metropolitan area so long as he shall be headquartered
there. To defray the cost of relocating to the Denver metropolitan area, the
Company shall make a lump sum payment of $100,000 to the Executive, payable
within 30 days after the Effective Date, and shall provide the relocation
benefits set forth in the Samsonite Relocation Policy -Transferred Employees
(effective date July 1, 1988), excluding all of the benefits set forth in
Sections II and VI of such Policy. Except as provided in the preceding sentence,
the Company shall have no obligation to reimburse the Executive for any costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the relocation of the Executive and his
family to the Denver metropolitan area.
(c) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
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reimbursement from the Company of all reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in performing services hereunder, in accordance with the policies and
procedures established by the Company from time to time. The Executive shall
furnish the Company with evi-
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dence that such expenses were incurred as the Company may from time to time
reasonably request.
(d) Stock Option Agreement. As an inducement to enter into this
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Agreement and solely in connection with the performance of services by the
Executive pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall receive a grant of
stock options (the "Options") to purchase 150,000 shares of the common stock,
par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of the Company pursuant to and
subject to the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Executive (the "Stock Option
Agreement"). The Stock Option Agreement shall be executed concurrently with this
Agreement.
(e) Other Benefits. From and after the Effective Date, the
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Executive shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company's employee
pension plans, welfare benefit plans, tax-deferred savings plans, or other
benefit arrangements (including any insurance or trust arrangements maintained
generally for the benefit of the Company's directors and officers) and in which
the senior executives of the Company who receive equity-based compensation are
entitled to participate (collectively, the "Company Plans"), on the same basis
as other senior executives of the Company who receive equity-based compensation,
and shall be provided with the use of a Company provided automobile in
accordance with the Company's current policy for executive officers. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Board so determines, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in any supplemental executive
retirement plan or excess benefit plan (a "SERP") that the Company may maintain
from time to time for the benefit of its senior executive officers who receive
equity-based compensation provided that Executive's participation shall be on
the same terms and conditions as such senior executives, all as determined by
the Board. The Company and the Executive agree that nothing in this Agreement
shall preclude the Company from amending or terminating any such employee
benefit plan, policy or practice, whether now or hereinafter in effect.
(f) Incentive Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible to receive an
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annual incentive bonus (the "Incentive Bonus") in respect of each fiscal year of
the Company that ends during the Term, starting with the fiscal year ending
January 31, 1997. The Incentive Bonus in respect of each fiscal year that ends
during the Term (each, a "Reference Year") shall be calculated on the terms
hereafter set forth in this Section 4(f). The Incentive Bonus may, subject to
the conditions set forth below, equal up to 100% of the Executive's Base Salary.
Except as provided in Section 4(f)(v) below, the Executive's Incentive Bonus
shall consist of a Target Bonus and a Project Bonus (each as defined below),
determined as follows:
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(i) A portion of the Incentive Bonus (the "Target Bonus") in an amount
equal to one-half of the EBIT Attainment Percentage (as defined below)
multiplied by the Base Salary of the Executive (with respect to the applicable
Reference Year) shall be payable to the Executive with respect to each Reference
Year, provided that the Target Bonus shall not be paid with respect to any
Reference Year if the EBIT Attainment Percentage with respect to such Reference
Year is less than eighty percent (80%). The "EBIT Attainment Percentage" with
respect to any Reference Year shall mean the percentage that is established as
follows: if the EBIT (as defined below) of the Company with respect to the
Reference Year is
(A) less than the Minimum EBIT Target (as defined below) for such
Reference Year, then the EBIT Attainment Percentage shall equal zero
percent (0%);
(B) equal to the Minimum EBIT Target for such Reference Year, the
EBIT Attainment Percentage shall equal eighty percent (80%);
(C) greater than the Minimum EBIT Target but less than the Annual
EBIT Target (as defined below) for such Reference Year, the EBIT
Attainment Percentage shall equal the sum of (x) eighty percent (80%)
plus (y) the product of ten percent (10%) multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the excess of (I) the EBIT of the Company
over (II) the Minimum EBIT Target for such Reference Year and the
denominator of which shall be the excess of the Annual EBIT Target over
the Minimum EBIT Target; or
(D) equal to or greater than the Annual EBIT Target for such
Reference Year, the EBIT Attainment Percentage shall equal ninety percent
(90%).
(E) greater than the Annual EBIT Target but less than the Maximum
EBIT Target (as defined below) for such Reference Year, the EBIT
Attainment Percentage shall equal the sum of (x) ninety percent (90%)
plus (y) the product of ten percent (10%) multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the excess of (I) the EBIT of the Company
over (II) the Annual EBIT Target for such Reference Year and the
denominator of which shall be the excess of the Maximum EBIT Target over
the Annual EBIT Target; or
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(F) equal to or greater than the Maximum EBIT Target for such
Reference Year, the EBIT Attainment percentage shall equal one hundred
percent (100%).
(ii) The Board shall determine the "Annual EBIT Target" and the "Minimum
EBIT Target", and the "Maximum EBIT Target" for the Reference Years ending
January 31, 1997, January 31, 1998, January 31, 1999, and January 31, 2000,
and promptly after such targets have been determined, the Board shall give the
Executive written notice thereof. The Annual EBIT Targets, Minimum EBIT
Targets, and Maximum EBIT Targets determined by the Board shall be reasonably
achievable in the good faith judgment of the Board. The Board shall have the
right, acting unilaterally and in good faith, to adjust the Annual EBIT
Target, the Minimum EBIT Target,and the Maximum EBIT Target upon the
occurrence of any acquisition, disposition or other significant event that
occurs after such targets have been determined. For purposes of this Section
4(f), "EBIT" shall mean, for any period, the Company's consolidated earnings
(excluding extraordinary gains and losses and gains or losses from the sale of
fixed assets outside of the ordinary course of business) from continuing
operations before interest and taxes for such period, and EBIT shall be
determined on the same basis as the Annual EBIT Target, the Minimum EBIT
Target, and the Maximum EBIT Target. Notwithstanding the foregoing, EBIT for
any Reference Year shall be equitably adjusted by the Board (solely for the
purposes of Section 4(f)(i)) to the extent that the Company's business was not
conducted in the ordinary course in accordance with past practices.
(iii) A portion of the Incentive Bonus in a target amount equal to a
maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the Base Salary of the Executive (with
respect to the Reference Year) (the "Project Bonus") shall be payable to the
Executive to the extent that the Board determines that the Executive has
satisfactorily completed certain projects (the "Annual Projects") established
by the Board with respect to such Reference Year in accordance with this
subparagraph (iii); provided that the Board may award a Project Bonus between
eighty percent (80%) and one hundred percent (100%)of the target amount based
upon its evaluation of the manner in which the Executive completes the Annual
Projects. The Company shall determine the Annual Projects for each fiscal
year during the Term and promptly after such projects have been determined,
the Board shall give the Executive written notice thereof. The Annual
Projects determined by the Board shall be reasonably achievable in the good
faith judgment of the Board. The Executive acknowledges that the Annual
Projects established by the Board may not be measured by financial results or
other quantifiable standards and may depend on subjective judgments by the
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Board, and the Executive agrees that the determination of the Board as to the
extent to which such Annual Projects have been satisfactorily completed shall
be conclusive for all purposes, provided that such determination shall be made
in good faith.
(iv) Each Incentive Bonus (including the Target Bonus and the Project
Bonus) shall be paid not more than 30 days after a determination by the Board
that applicable performance goals have been met, and such determination shall
be made not later than 10 days following the filing of a Form 10-K for the
Company, or if the Company is not required to file a Form 10-K, not later than
10 days following the date upon which the Company's audited financial
statements first become available.
(v) The Executive shall be entitled to receive an Incentive Bonus for
the full Reference Year ending January 31, 1997 as if he had been employed for
the entire fiscal year then ending, in an amount equal to the maximum
Incentive Bonus for such Reference Year, regardless of whether or not the
Minimum EBIT Target or Annual Projects for such Reference Year shall have been
achieved. The Executive shall not be entitled to an Incentive Bonus with
respect to the fiscal year ending January 31, 2000.
(g) Vacation and other Absences. The Executive shall be entitled to
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the number of paid vacation days in each calendar year determined in accordance
with the Company's vacation policy as in effect immediately prior to the
execution of this Agreement, provided that the Executive shall be entitled to at
least four weeks of paid vacation in each calendar year and a prorata amount for
any partial calendar year.
(h) Services Furnished. The Company shall furnish the Executive
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with office space, secretarial assistance and such other facilities and services
as shall be suitable to the Executive's position and adequate for the
performance of his duties hereunder.
5. TERMINATION
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The Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated under the
following circumstances:
(a) Death. The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon his
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death.
(b) Disability. If the Board determines in good faith, based on medical
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evidence acceptable to it, that the Executive has become physically or mentally
disabled or
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incapacitated during his employment hereunder for a continuous period of ninety
(90) days to such an extent that he shall be unable to perform his duties
hereunder then, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2, the Company may,
after the expiration of said ninety (90) day period and during the continuance
of such disability or incapacity, give to the Executive a Notice of Termination
(as defined in Section 5(e) hereof) of the Executive's employment hereunder and
such employment shall terminate on the date provided in Section 5(f) hereof.
(c) Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate the
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Executive's employment hereunder at any time with or without Cause. For purposes
of this Agreement, the Company shall have "Cause" to terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder upon (A) the engaging by the Executive in willful
misconduct that is materially injurious to the Company, (B) the embezzlement or
misappropriation of funds or property of the Company by the Executive or the
conviction of the Executive of a felony or the entrance of a plea of guilty by
the Executive to a felony or (C) the failure or refusal by the Executive to
devote his full business time and attention (as described in Section 3(b) of
this Agreement) to the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder
or any other breach by the Executive of this Agreement in any material respect
if such breach has not been cured by the Executive within thirty (30) days after
the Preliminary Notice (as defined below) has been given to the Executive. For
purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part
shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by him not in
good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the
best interest of the Company. The Executive shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause, unless the Company shall have given the Executive (i)
notice (the "Preliminary Notice") setting forth, in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination for Cause, (ii) a
reasonable opportunity for the Executive, together with his counsel, to be heard
before the Board and (iii) a Notice of Termination stating that, in the good
faith judgement of the Board, the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in
clauses (A), (B) or (C) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in
reasonable detail. Upon receipt of the Preliminary Notice, the Executive shall
have thirty (30) days in which to appear before the Board with counsel, or take
such oth er action as he may deem appropriate, and such thirty (30) day period
is hereby agreed to as a reasonable opportunity for the Executive to be heard.
(d) Termination by the Executive. The Executive may voluntarily terminate
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his employment hereunder at any time with or without Good Reason. For purposes
of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean, so long as the Executive has not
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been guilty of the conduct set forth in clauses (A), (B) or (C) of Section 5(c)
hereof, (i) a failure by the Company to comply with any material provision of
this Agreement that has not been cured within thirty (30) days after written
notice of such noncompliance has been given by the Executive to the Company or
(ii) the assignment to the Executive by the Company of duties inconsistent with
the Executive's position, duties or responsibilities as Vice President, Chief
Administrative Officer, including, but not limited to, any material reduction in
such position, duties or responsibilities or material change in his title, or
(iii) a relocation by the Company of the Executive's office to a location
outside a 30 mile radius from Denver, Colorado, which relocation is made not as
part of a relocation of the Company's executive offices; (in the case of each of
clauses (ii) and (iii) above, without the consent of the Executive). The
Executive's election to terminate under this Section 5(d) shall be made by
giving Notice of Termination not later than 60 days from, as applicable, the
date that the Company fails to cure under (i) above, the assignment of duties
under (ii) above, and the date that the Executive is advised of the proposed
relocation under (iii) above.
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive's employment
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by the Company or by the Executive (other than termination pursuant to Section
5(a) hereof) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other
party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall
mean a notice that shall indicate the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances, if any, claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.
(f) Date of Termination. Except to the extent otherwise herein provided,
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"Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated
pursuant to Section 5(a), the date of his death, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated pursuant to Section 5(b) or (c), the date of or a later
date specified in the Notice of Termination, (iii) if the Executive's employment
is terminated pursuant to Section 5(d), the date on which the Notice of
Termination is given and (iv) if this Agreement is continued in effect to the
end of the Term, the last day of the Term. Except as provided in and subject to
Section 6 hereof, the Company shall not have any obligation to Executive for
salary continuation, severance or termination pay upon termination of this
Agreement.
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6. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION
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(a) If the Executive's employment is terminated (i) by the Company
for Cause, (ii) by the Executive other than for Good Reason, or (iii) by reason
of the Executive's death or disability (pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof), then
the Company shall pay the Executive his full Base Salary through the Date of
Termination (to the extent not otherwise paid through the Date of Termination)
at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination, provided
that if the Executive's employment hereunder terminates by reason of his death,
the Company shall continue to make salary payments at the rate of the Base
Salary then in effect in respect of the month following the date of death. In
addition, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, the
Executive shall continue to participate in, and shall receive all accrued
benefits to which the Executive is entitled under, all of the Company Plans,
through the Date of Termination, provided that the Executive shall not be
entitled to any portion of the Incentive Bonus unless such bonus shall be
payable pursuant to Section 4(f) with respect to a Reference Year ending on or
before the Date of Termination. With respect to the Incentive Bonus, if the Date
of Termination occurs after the end of a Reference Year and prior to the
determination of whether the performance goals for such Reference Year were met,
such Incentive Bonus shall be payable, if it is determined that such goals were
met, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(f) hereof.
(b) If the Executive's employment is terminated (i) by the Company
without Cause (other than for disability pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof), or
(ii) by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Company shall pay to the
Executive, as severance pay in a lump sum, not later than the fifth day
following the Date of Termination, the following amounts, which shall not be
discounted to take into account present value:
(A) to the extent not otherwise paid through the Date of
Termination, the Executive's full Base Salary through the Date of Termination
at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given; and
(B) in lieu of any further salary and bonus or other incentive
compensation payments to the Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of
Termination, the sum of two hundred percent (200%) of the Base Salary of the
Executive.
In addition to the foregoing, until such time that the Executive becomes
eligible for coverage under a program maintained or sponsored by a subsequent
employer of the Executive (not including self-employment), the Company shall, at
the Company's expense, allow the Executive to continue to participate, for the
number of years (including partial years) then remaining in the Term, to the
same extent and upon the same terms as the Executive
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participated in such plans immediately prior to the termination of his
employment, in the Company's medical reimbursement and other welfare benefit
plans in which the Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to
the Date of Termination; provided that the Executive's continued participation
in such plan shall be continued pursuant to this sentence only to the extent
permissible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and applicable
law.
(c) In the event that this Agreement is continued in effect to the end
of the Term and at or prior to expiration of the Term the Company has not
offered to extend this Agreement upon the same or substantially similar terms
and conditions for an additional term of at least one year, the Company shall
pay the Executive the sum of $200,000; payment to be made within thirty (30)
days from the Date of Termination of employment, and the Company shall have no
further obligations to the Executive, except as may be provided under the
express terms of this Agreement or of any applicable pension or welfare plans or
in accordance with the survivorship provisions of Section 13 of this Agreement.
7. LEGAL FEES; REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN EXPENSES
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The Company shall promptly reimburse the Executive for the reasonable
legal fees and expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with enforcing
or defending any right or benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or
instruments related thereto; provided that the Company shall have no obligation
to reimburse the Executive for any such fees and expenses unless the resolution
of any action taken by the Executive to enforce such right is in favor of the
Executive. In addition, the Company hereby agrees that the amount of any such
legal fees and expenses reimbursed to the Executive in connection with enforcing
any right or benefit provided to the Executive by the Company pursuant to or in
accordance with this Agreement shall not be taken into account by the Company in
determining the aggregate compensation paid or payable to the Executive under
this Agreement.
8. INDEMNIFICATION
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The Company shall indemnify the Executive (and his legal
representatives), unless expressly prohibited by applicable law, against all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, charges and expenses incurred or
sustained by him or his legal representatives in connection with any action,
suit or proceeding to which he (or his legal representatives) may be made a
party by reason of his being or having been a director, officer or employee of
the Company (including payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition
of the proceeding). The Company further agrees, upon demand by the Executive,
promptly to reimburse the Executive for, or pay, any loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense, unless
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expressly prohibited by applicable law, to which the Company has agreed to
indemnify the Executive pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof. If any action, suit
or proceeding is brought or threatened against the Executive in respect of which
indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to the foregoing, the
Executive shall notify the Company promptly in writing of the institution of
such action, suit or proceeding. Such action, suit or proceeding shall be
defended by and be under the exclusive control of the Company and its counsel;
except that the Executive shall have the right to designate separate counsel,
acceptable to the Executive in his sole discretion, and, to the extent of a
conflict of interest with the Company, the right to direct, control and
supervise the Executive's defense of such action, suit or proceeding.
9. TAXES
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The Company shall deduct from all amounts payable under this Agreement
all federal, state, local and other taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to such payments.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONCOMPETITION
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(a) Unless otherwise required by law or judicial process, the
Executive shall keep confidential all confidential information known to the
Executive concerning the Company and its businesses during his employment with
the Company and for the shorter of three (3) years following the termination of
the Executive's employment with the Company or until such information is
publicly disclosed by the Company or otherwise becomes publicly disclosed other
than through the Executive's actions; provided, that the Executive shall provide
notice to the Company in advance of any disclosure required by law or judicial
process in a timely manner to permit the Company to oppose such compelled
disclosure.
(b) The Executive agrees that during his employment with the Company
and for a period of one (1) year thereafter (unless such employment is
terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 5(c) without Cause or by the
Executive pursuant to Section 5(d) with Good Reason, provided that the Company
does not contest that such termination was for Good Reason), he shall not,
directly or indirectly, as a principal, officer, director, employee or in any
other capacity whatsoever, without the prior written consent of the Company,
engage in, or be or become interested or acquire any ownership of any kind in,
or become associated with, or make loans or advance property to any person
engaged in or about to engage in, any business activity that is in substantial
competition (in excess of 15% of net sales of the business) with any of the
businesses engaged in by the Company during the Term in any of the geographic
areas in which such businesses are then conducted
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by the Company or have been conducted by the Company during the twelve months
preceding the termination of the Executive's employment. Nothing in this
Agreement shall prevent the Executive from making or holding any investment in
any amount in securities traded on any national securities exchange or traded in
the over the counter market, provided said investments do not exceed one percent
(1%) of the issued and outstanding stock of any one such corporation.
11. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT
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(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the Company and any successor of the Company, including, without limitation, any
corporation or corporations acquiring directly or indirectly all or a
substantial portion of the stock, business or assets of the Company, whether by
merger, consolidation, sale or otherwise (and such successor shall thereafter be
deemed the "Company" for the purposes of this Agreement).
(b) This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amounts would be
still payable to him hereunder if he had continued to live, all such amounts,
unless otherwise provided hereunder, shall be paid in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement to the Executive's devisee, legatee, or other beneficiary or,
if there be no such beneficiary, to the Executive's estate.
12. NOTICE
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For purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given (i) when hand delivered, (ii) when sent if sent
by overnight mail, overnight courier or facsimile transmission or (iii) when
mailed by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
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John P. Murtagh
3511 Northwest 61st Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33496
If to the Company:
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Samsonite Corporation
11200 East Forty-Fifth Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80239
Attention: Board of Directors
c/o Corporate Secretary
(with a copy to the attention of General
Counsel at the same address)
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.
13. SURVIVORSHIP
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The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder set forth
in Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this Agreement shall survive any termination
of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such
rights and obligations.
14. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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The Company represents and warrants that (a) it is fully authorized and
empowered to enter into this Agreement and that its Board has approved the terms
of this Agreement, (b) the execution of this Agreement and the performance of
its obligations under this Agreement shall not violate or result in a breach of
the terms of any material agreement to which the Company is a party or by which
it is bound, (c) no approval by any governmental authority or body is required
for it to enter into this Agreement, and (d) this Agreement is valid, binding
and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the
extent affected or limited by applicable bankruptcy laws or other statutes
governing the rights of creditors generally and any regulations or
interpretations thereof. The Executive represents and warrants that his
execution of this Agreement and his performance of his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement shall not violate or result in a breach of
the terms of any material agreement to which he is a party or by which he is
bound.
15. MISCELLANEOUS
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(a) Entire Agreement. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement and
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the Stock Option Agreement referred to in Section 4(d) hereof contain the entire
understanding and agreement between them, and supersedes all prior
understandings and agreements between the parties respecting the employment by
the Company of the Executive, and that the provisions of this Agreement may not
be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge
is agreed to in writing signed by the parties hereto. Nothing contained herein
shall supersede or otherwise modify the rights and obligations of the Company or
the Executive under the Stock Option Agreement. No waiver by either party
hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance
with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other
party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions
at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth
expressly in this Agreement.
(b) Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach
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by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of
this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time.
(c) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
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performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New
York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
16. VALIDITY
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The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision or provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect.
17. COUNTERPARTS
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This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its name to be subscribed to
this Agreement by its duly authorized representative and the Executive has
executed this Agreement as of the date and the year first above written.
SAMSONITE CORPORATION
By: /s/ R. R. Nicolosi
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Print Name: Richard R. Nicolosi
----------------------------
Title: President & CEO
---------------------------------
/s/ John P. Murtagh
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John P.Murtagh
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