TLC Support Agreement - BeaconEye Inc. and TLC The Laser Center Inc.
TLC SUPPORT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made this 26th day of February, 1998.
BETWEEN: BEACONEYE INC. (the "Corporation"), a corporation
incorporated under the laws of Canada,
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TLC THE LASER CENTER INC. ("TLC"), a corporation
incorporated under the laws of Ontario
WHEREAS:
(a) TLC has proposed a transaction (the "Transaction") to the Corporation on the
basis set out in Schedule "A" pursuant to which TLC would acquire all of the
outstanding common shares of the Corporation;
(b) TLC also has proposed that, pending completion of the Transaction, it will
manage and fund the business and affairs of the Corporation;
(c) Shareholders of the Corporation have entered into agreements (the "Lock-Up
Agreements") with TLC pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to
tender those shares pursuant to the Transaction;
(d) The board of directors of the Corporation (after consultation with its
financial advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy Inc., and shareholders of the Corporation)
has determined that it is in the best interests of the Corporation to pursue the
Transaction;
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual covenants set out in this agreement
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are acknowledged, the Corporation and TLC agree that:
1. Representations and Warranties
A. The Corporation represents and warrants to TLC that:
(a) the Corporation has been incorporated and organized, and is validly
existing, under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation;
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(b) the Corporation has the requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into this agreement;
(c) the execution and delivery of this agreement by the Corporation, and
the consummation by the Corporation of the transactions contemplated
by this agreement, have been duly authorized by the board of
directors of the Corporation;
(d) this agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Corporation and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
Corporation, enforceable by TLC against the Corporation in
accordance with its terms, subject to the availability of equitable
remedies and the enforcement of creditors' rights generally;
(e) the execution and delivery by the Corporation of this agreement and
performance by it of its obligations under this agreement will not:
(i) result in a material violation or breach of any provision of
its constating documents or its bylaws, or
(ii) any applicable law or, to its knowledge, any regulation,
order, judgement or decree (subject to obtaining the consents
referred to below);
(f) other than the delivery and filing of a directors circular and
filings required in connection with the financing contemplated in
Schedule "B", no authorization, consent or approval of, or filing
with, any public body, court or authority is necessary for the
consummation by the Corporation of its obligations under this
agreement, except for such authorizations, consents, approvals and
filings as to which the failure by any party to obtain or make would
not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay
the Transaction;
(g) the board of directors of the Corporation has determined to
recommend that holders of common shares of the Corporation accept,
and tender their shares pursuant to, the Transaction.
(h) as at the date of this agreement, the accounts payable and accrued
expenses of the Corporation do not exceed US$4 million, in the
aggregate; and
(i) except as publicly disclosed or disclosed in writing to TLC prior to
the date of this agreement, there has not been any material adverse
change (as that term is defined for the purpose of the Securities
Act (Ontario)) in the financial condition of the Corporation from
that reflected in the balance sheet and income statement for the
month ended January 31, 1998 that has been delivered to TLC.
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B. TLC represents and warrants to the Corporation that:
(a) TLC has been incorporated and organized, and is validly existing,
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation;
(b) TLC has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
this agreement;
(c) the execution and delivery of this agreement by TLC, and the
consummation by TLC of the transactions contemplated by this
agreement, have been duly authorized by the board of directors of
TLC;
(d) this agreement has been duly executed and delivered by TLC and
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of TLC, enforceable by
the Corporation against TLC in accordance with its terms, subject to
the availability of equitable remedies and the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally;
(e) the execution and delivery by TLC of this agreement and performance
by it of its obligations under this agreement will not:
(i) result in a material violation or breach of any provision of
its constating documents or its bylaws, or
(ii) any applicable law or, to its knowledge, any regulation,
order, judgement or decree (subject to obtaining the consents
referred to below);
(f) other than the delivery and filing of a share exchange take-over bid
circular, no authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with,
any public body, court or authority is necessary for the
consummation by TLC of its obligations under this agreement, except
for such authorizations, consents, approvals and filings as to which
the failure by any party to obtain or make would not, individually
or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the Transaction;
and
(g) TLC has sufficient funds available to finance the Corporation on the
terms set out in Schedule "B".
2. The Transaction
On or before March 16, 1998, TLC shall mail to all holders of common
shares of the Corporation a share exchange take-over bid circular that is
consistent with the terms and conditions of Schedule "A" and complies with all
applicable legislation.
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3. Cooperation
The Corporation shall use all reasonable commercial efforts to assist TLC
in complying with ss.2 and, among other things, will:
(a) provide to TLC such lists of holders of the securities of the
Corporation that TLC may reasonably request to assist it in the
implementation of the Transaction;
(b) through its board of directors recommend that its shareholders
tender Shares to the Transaction;
(c) issue and file a directors circular, including such recommendation,
that complies with all applicable legislation and is in accordance
with Schedule "A"; and
(d) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exercise,
conversion or cancellation of all issued and outstanding options or
other rights, warrants or entitlements to purchase or otherwise
acquire authorized and unissued common shares of the Corporation
(other than the Debentures) prior to the expiry date of the Bid.
4. Management of the Corporation
From the date of this agreement until its termination, TLC shall manage
the business and affairs of the Corporation and the Corporation shall cooperate
with TLC in permitting it to do so. (That management shall include, without
limitation, the ability to require existing management of the Corporation to
take leave with pay, provided such leave is on terms that do not result in any
liability to the Corporation.) In this capacity, TLC shall:
(a) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of
the Corporation; and
(b) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent
person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
TLC shall have no liability to the Corporation in this context for any
liabilities, obligations, claims, costs or expenses, and the Corporation shall
indemnify TLC and its present and former directors, officers and employees
against all costs, charges and expenses (including an amount paid to settle an
action or satisfy a judgment) reasonably incurred by such party in respect of
any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which it is made a
party by reason of its management activities undertaken pursuant to this section
4, except, in each case, to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction
determines in a judgement that is not subject to appeal that those liabilities,
obligations,
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claims, costs or expenses arise out of, or are caused by, the wilful misconduct,
bad faith or negligence of TLC or any of its directors, officers, employees,
consultants, agents or representatives.
5. Bridge Financing
Provided that, as at the date hereof, the accounts payable and accrued
expenses of the Corporation do not exceed US$4 million, in the aggregate, TLC
shall provide financing to the Corporation to finance its operations from the
date of this agreement on the terms set out in Schedule "B".
6. Access to Information to Facilitate Pursuant of the Transaction
The Corporation shall afford (and will cause its respective subsidiaries
to afford) to TLC (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) access to
their businesses, properties, assets, officers, employees, agents, books and
records. All information resulting from this process shall be held in confidence
as provided in the confidentiality agreement (the "Confidentiality Agreement")
dated November 4, 1997 to which TLC is a party.
7. Other Acquisition Proposals
A. Except as expressly permitted by this agreement, the Corporation shall not,
directly or indirectly (through any insider, investment banker, agent or
otherwise) take any act that would reasonably be expected to in any material way
adversely affect, or reduce the likelihood of, the successful completion of the
Transaction.
B. Without limiting the generality of the preceding paragraph, during the term
of this agreement, the Corporation shall not:
(a) solicit, initiate, or encourage inquiries or submission of;
(b) participate in any discussion or negotiations regarding;
(c) furnish to any other person any information with respect to; or
(d) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, or
facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any other person to
effect,
a transaction which competes with or is inconsistent with the successful
completion of the Transaction. Nothing in this agreement shall, however, prevent
the board of directors of the
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Corporation or the Corporation itself from responding to or pursuing an
unsolicited proposal made to it if, in the opinion of the board of directors of
the Corporation, acting in good faith, the failure to do so would be
inconsistent with the discharge of their fiduciary duties.
C. The Corporation shall notify TLC of any proposed transaction (including the
terms thereof and the identity of the party making the proposal), any future
request for non-public information relating to the Corporation, or access to the
properties, books or records of the Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries) by
any person that may be considering a transaction that could reasonably be
considered to be in competition with or inconsistent with the Transaction.
8. Fees and Expenses
Except as expressly provided in Schedule "B", or as may otherwise be
agreed by the parties, each of the parties shall be responsible for payment of
all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the matters contemplated
by this agreement.
9. Confidentiality and Public Disclosure
Disclosure of this agreement, its terms and conditions and the
transactions that it contemplates shall be made only:
(a) with the approval of each of the Corporation (through its board of
directors) and TLC, which approval shall not be withheld
unreasonably;
(b) as required by applicable legislation or any regulatory authority or
stock exchange; or
(c) as may be required by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Corporation and TLC shall consult with one another as to the timing and
wording of press releases and other disclosure of or relating to this agreement
and the Transaction. This section shall not restrict the ability of the
Corporation and TLC to provide copies of this agreement to their respective
boards of directors and to those employees, bankers and professional advisors
that need to know details of this agreement and the Transaction for them to
perform their obligations in connection with the Transaction.
10. Termination
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A. The Corporation, when not in default in performance of its obligations under
this agreement may, without prejudice to any other rights, terminate this
agreement by notice to TLC if:
(a) TLC has not taken up and paid for all common shares tendered
pursuant to the Transaction on or before April 17, 1998; or
(b) TLC breaches this agreement in any material respect.
B. TLC, when not in default of the performance of its obligations under this
agreement, may, without prejudice to any other rights, terminate this agreement
by notice to the Corporation if:
(a) any of the Lock-Up Agreements have been terminated without the
consent of TLC, provided that TLC has not breached a Lock-Up
Agreement in any material respect; or
(b) the Corporation breaches this agreement in any material respect.
C. This agreement also may be terminated at such other time as may be agreed by
the board of directors of the Corporation and TLC in writing.
D. The provisions of ss.4 (as it relates to the liability of TLC for its
management of the business and affairs of the Corporation), 6 (as it relates to
the maintenance of confidentiality), 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 shall
continue in full force and effect and survive any termination or purported
termination of this agreement or any of its terms.
11. Assignment
TLC may assign all or any part of its rights under this agreement (other
than those arising under ss.4) to a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary;
provided that if such an assignment takes place, TLC shall continue to be liable
for any default in the performance by the assignee. This agreement shall not
otherwise be assignable by either the Corporation or TLC without the prior
written consent of the other.
12. Notice
Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given under
this agreement shall be sufficiently given if delivered in person or if sent by
facsimile transmission (provided that transmission is confirmed):
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(a) in the case of the Corporation, to the following address:
3 Robert Speck Parkway
Suite 725
Mississauga, Ontario
L4Z 2G5
Facsimile No: 905-897-6130
Attention: Richard Lockie
Chairman, Special Committee of the Board of Directors
(b) in the case of TLC, to the following address:
5600 Explorer Drive
Suite 301
Mississauga, Ontario
L4W 4Y2
Facsimile No: 905-602-2025
Attention: Elias Vamvakas
President and Chief Executive Officer
or such other address as the party to which that notice or other communication
is to be given last notified the party giving the notice in the same manner
provided in this section. Any notice given in accordance with the section shall
be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery or sending.
13. Governing Law
This agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable
therein (excluding any conflict of laws rule or principle that might refer to
the laws of another jurisdiction). Each party irrevocably submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario with respect to any matter
arising under this agreement or related to this agreement.
14. Entire Agreement
This agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire
obligations of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this agreement
and supersede any prior expression of intent or understanding with respect to
the subject matter of this agreement or understanding with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this agreement. For greater certainty, none of the
parties
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makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, except as set forth in
this agreement or as may be set forth in a subsequent definitive agreement.
15. Specific Performance and Other Equitable Rights
Each of the Corporation and TLC recognizes and acknowledges that this
agreement is an integral part of the Transaction and that they would not pursue
the Transaction unless this agreement was executed. Each of the Corporation and
TLC acknowledges and agrees that a breach by it of any covenant or other
commitment contained in this agreement will cause the other to sustain injury
for which it would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages. In the
event of any such breach, the aggrieved party shall be entitled to the remedy of
specific performance of the covenants or commitments and preliminary and
permanent injunctive and other equitable relief in addition to any other remedy
to which it might be entitled, at law or in equity. The Corporation and TLC
agree to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in
connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable relief.
16. Counterparts
This agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts (by facsimile
or otherwise), each of which shall be deemed to be original and all of which,
when taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one in the same instrument.
It shall not be necessary in making proof of this agreement to produce more than
one counterpart.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have signed this agreement as of the date
first set out above.
BEACONEYE INC.
Per: ____________________________________
TLC THE LASER CENTRE INC.
Per: ____________________________________
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SCHEDULE "A"
THE TRANSACTION
Form: Share exchange take-over bid (the "Bid") for all of the common
shares of the Corporation.
Consideration: $1.50 per common share of the Corporation, to be satisfied
with common shares of TLC, which shall be valued at the
weighted average closing price of the common shares of TLC on
the 20 trading days ending on the last trading day prior to
take up of the common shares of the Corporation under the Bid;
provided this value shall not exceed $18.75 or be less than
$17.50. Fractional interests in common shares of TLC will not
be issued and in lieu thereof, a holder will be paid cash
based on the price calculated above per common share of TLC.
Conditions: The bid shall be conditional only upon:
(a) there being deposited, and not withdrawn, at least
two-thirds of the outstanding common shares of the
Corporation;
(b) no law, regulation, rule, policy, decision or order
(whether or not having the force of law) shall have been
enacted, promulgated, applied or rendered after the date
of this agreement (i) to cease trade, enjoin, prohibit
or impose material limitations or conditions on the
purchase by or the sale to TLC of the common shares of
the Corporation or the right of TLC to own or exercise
full rights of ownership of such shares, or (ii) which
would prevent, or impose material limitations or
conditions on, completion of the acquisition by TLC of
all of the common shares of the Corporation pursuant to
a second step transaction; and
(c) there not existing any prohibition at law against TLC
making the Bid or taking up and paying for any or all of
the shares under the Bid.
Mailing: TLC shall mail the bid on or before March 16, 1998.
Take-Up: TLC shall take up and pay for common shares deposited under
the bid as soon as possible after the expiry of the initial 21
day withdrawal rights contemplated under the Securities Act
(Ontario).
Letter of
Transmittal: The letter of transmittal will contain the language included
under the heading "Release of BeaconEye and Certain Persons
and Cancellation of Options and Warrants" in the letter of
transmittal that accompanied TLC's January 13, 1998
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circular, amended to add the following after the words "Expiry
Time" in the seventh line:
"except that such release insofar as it relates to
directors, officers and employees of BeaconEye and its
subsidiaries shall only extend to causes, matters or
things arising out of their conduct as directors,
officers and employees of BeaconEye and its
subsidiaries".
Directors
Circular: The board of directors of the Corporation shall make available
to TLC, for mailing by TLC concurrently with the Bid, a
directors circular recommending that holders of common shares
of the Corporation accept, and tender their shares pursuant
to, the Bid.
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SCHEDULE "B"
FINANCING
Facility: Subject to ss.5 of the agreement, TLC shall advance to the
Corporation sufficient funds to carry on its business in a
manner that does not diminish the value of that business.
Drawdowns: Advances shall be made to the Corporation as required for the
operation of its business.
Interest: The principal amount of the loan and accrued interest shall
bear interest at floating rate equal to prime plus 2%.
Interest shall accrue monthly and be payable at maturity.
Maturity: The loan shall mature and be payable on December 31, 1998.
Prepayment: The Corporation may prepay the loan, in $100,000 increments,
at any time.
Security: The loan shall be secured on the assets of the Corporation
(including a pledge of the shares of its subsidiaries) and its
subsidiaries and shall rank in priority to the security
granted in connection with the convertible debentures issued
by the Corporation in November 1997; provided, however, that
if TLC does not take up and pay for the Shares based solely on
reliance on condition (b)(ii) then TLC shall subordinate its
security interest to the holders of the Debentures.
Expenses: All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of TLC in connection
with the financing shall be for the account of the
Corporation.