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EX-5.1 - EXHIBIT 5.1 - National Beef, Inc.a2195776zex-5_1.htm

Exhibit 10.8

 

CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL APPEARING IN THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 406 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.  OMITTED INFORMATION HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ASTERISKS.

 

RAW MATERIAL AND FINISHED PRODUCTS SUPPLY AGREEMENT

 

THIS RAW MATERIAL AND FINISHED PRODUCTS SUPPLY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into this            day of                               , 2009 by and between National Beef Packing Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation with a principal office at 12200 N. Ambassador Drive, Suite 500, Kansas City, MO 64163 and its affiliates and related entities (collectively, “NBP”), and Beef Products, Inc., LLC, a Nebraska corporation with its principal offices at 891 Two Rivers Drive, Dakota Dunes, SD 57049 (“BPI”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.            NBP is engaged in the business of producing, distributing and marketing fresh beef products.  NBP’s current United States beef processing operations are located at Dodge City, KS; Liberal, KS; and Brawley, CA (collectively, the “Locations”).

 

B.            BPI is engaged in the business of producing, distributing and selling lean beef, pork and other meat products and currently has production facilities in Amarillo, Texas; Finney County, Kansas; Waterloo, Iowa; and South Sioux City, Nebraska.

 

C.            NBP desires to sell, and BPI desires to purchase, all of Seller’s Raw Materials, under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals (which are specifically incorporated herein by this reference) and the mutual covenants described below, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.             Sale and Purchase of the Raw Materials and Finished Products.  (a) Subject to the limitations below, NBP shall sell, and BPI shall purchase, all of the beef trimmings produced at the Locations containing less than 50% lean content and meeting the specifications set forth in Exhibit B (the “Raw Materials” or “XF Trim”).  The parties acknowledge that BPI may purchase Raw Materials from other suppliers provided that BPI has purchased, or still purchases all of NBP’s available Raw Materials under the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)  During the term of this Agreement, NBP shall have the right (but not the obligation) to purchase from BPI (in which case BPI shall sell to NBP) finished products produced by BPI from materials similar to the Raw Materials purchased by BPI pursuant to this Agreement (the “Finished Products”) at such prices and upon such terms consistent with sales of Finished Products by BPI to BPI’s other Raw Material suppliers, subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) of this Agreement.  The quantity of Finished Products that BPI must sell, and NBP may purchase, pursuant to this subparagraph (b) shall be that quantity of Finished Products that is produced by BPI from the quantity of Raw Materials purchased by BPI from NBP pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2.             Quantity.  As of the Effective Date, it is estimated that NBP will be able to produce the Raw Materials in the amounts indicated on Exhibit C for each facility.  This

 



 

CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL APPEARING IN THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 406 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.  OMITTED INFORMATION HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ASTERISKS.

 

production rate is only an estimate and BPI shall accept any reasonable amount of Raw Materials.  While NBP is under no obligation to produce any minimum quantity of the Raw Materials, certain terms and conditions relating to Purchase Price (defined below) may vary based upon pound per head achieved or other volume and quality measurements for the Raw Materials.

 

3.             Purchase Price.  The “Purchase Price” for the Raw Materials shall be calculated in accordance with the attached Exhibit A.  NBP shall invoice BPI each week for the Raw Materials delivered to and accepted by BPI during the immediately preceding week.  BPI shall pay each invoice within 7 days after receipt of the applicable invoice.

 

(a)           If at any time during the term of this Agreement, BPI purchases, or offers to purchase, from a third party a product substantially similar to the Raw Materials provided under this Agreement at a price and on terms that are more favorable than the price and terms of this Agreement, then BPI shall notify NBP in writing and NBP shall have the option to adjust the Purchase Price and the associated terms of this Agreement to be as favorable as what is offered to the third party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, BPI shall have no obligations under this section unless such third party purchases the products on a contract basis in quantities greater than 40 loads per week.

 

(b)           If at any time during the term of this Agreement NBP purchases Finished Products from BPI, the price, terms and conditions for the purchase of such Finished Products shall be at least as favorable as the price, terms and conditions any other Raw Material supplier to BPI is able to purchase Finished Products from BPI.

 

4.             Shipments.  NBP shall ship all the Raw Materials as soon as practicable following production of the Raw Materials and in accordance with the customary past practice of the Parties.  Shipments will be FOB the applicable Location with title passing upon BPI’s acceptance (provided such acceptance is accomplished promptly after delivery) of the applicable Raw Materials at BPI’s facility.  NBP shall ensure that all of the Raw Materials are suitably packed and marked in accordance with the requirements of common carriers and the Raw Materials Specifications (defined below).  All shipments are to be inspected by NBP prior to shipment to BPI to provide reasonable assurances that such Raw Materials comply with the Raw Material Specifications.  BPI shall inspect such Raw Materials upon receipt, shall notify NBP if BPI does not accept the Raw Materials, and shall consult with NBP regarding the disposition of such Raw Materials.  Such inspection by BPI shall not waive BPI’s right to later reject such Raw Materials or pursue damages against NBP for Raw Materials that do not comply with NBP’s warranties in Section 11.

 

5.             Specifications.  NBP represents and warrants that the Raw Materials shall comply with the specifications attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Raw Material Specifications”), as amended from time to time based upon the mutual agreement of the parties.  If NBP fails to comply with the Raw Materials Specifications, BPI shall notify NBP within 15 days of receipt of the Raw Materials.  After receiving such notice, if NBP fails to cure according to the terms of this Agreement than BPI, in addition to its other rights and remedies under the law, may also reduce the Purchase Price for the applicable Raw Materials accordingly by an equitable amount.

 

6.             Recoverable Costs.  A separate packaging and collection charge for the Raw Materials at the inception of this Agreement shall be *** per pound — cardboard/pallet or *** per pound — BPI plastic vat, respectively.  This charge shall be reviewed annually and adjusted as

 

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necessary (either up or down), with the goal to ensure that it closely approximates NBP’s actual “Recoverable Costs,” as identified below. Recoverable Costs shall include the actual labor costs, including fringe benefits as defined below, for production workers involved with collection of the Raw Materials and other recoverable costs associated with the collection and packaging of the Raw Materials (as may be agreed upon by the parties) that NBP incurs specifically for the purpose of collecting and/or packaging the Raw Materials.  In addition to labor costs, these costs may include equipment installation and other similar costs to be borne by NBP.  Before inclusion as a Recoverable Cost, the parties will review and determine efficacy and, if installed, proper amortization schedule for inclusion in Recoverable Costs.  Where actual costs are not reasonably available, NBP may use standard or estimated costs, subject to adjustment to actual costs at the end of each fiscal year.  NBP agrees that expenses charged to BPI shall be reasonable in kind and amount.

 

The number of full-time employees utilized by NBP to produce the Raw Materials will vary by Location.  The parties shall review the headcount and productivity for each Location on at least a quarterly basis.

 

Fringe benefits include, without limitation, company paid employment taxes, company paid health, life and disability insurance, workers compensation costs, vacation days, paid holidays, deferred compensation benefit/bonus contributions and other similar fringe benefits mutually agreed to, and consistent with fringe benefits of similar employees of NBP.  For the convenience of the parties, the recovery for fringe benefits will be expressed as a percentage of the direct labor costs.  NBP may vary the percentage figure used on a monthly basis as may be required from time to time to obtain full recovery.  The dollar amount of the recovery of fringe benefits shall be determined by multiplying the labor cost of the hourly workers employed in the collection of Raw Materials by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total fringe benefit costs for NBP’s applicable Location and the denominator of which is the total direct labor cost for the applicable Location.  In the event of a significant unexpected increase in benefit costs, the parties will engage in good faith re-negotiation to ensure the aims and purposes of this Agreement are being met.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, in no event will the employees of NBP be deemed to be employees of BPI for any purpose.

 

7.             Ownership and Use of the Equipment.  BPI has, or from time to time during the term of this Agreement may with NBP’s approval, install certain equipment at one or more of the Locations in order to facilitate the production of the Raw Materials by NBP and delivery of the Raw Materials to BPI (the “Equipment”).  NBP may use the Equipment for that purpose without any royalties or fees owed to BPI, but agrees to maintain the Equipment in working condition at NBP’s expense.  Title and risk of loss of the Equipment shall at all times remain with BPI.  Upon the termination of this Agreement, BPI shall remove the Equipment from any and all Locations at BPI’s expense within 90 days after the effective date of such termination, or such longer period of time as reasonably necessary to remove the Equipment.  After the termination of this Agreement, NBP shall continue to have the right to use the Equipment without owing any royalties or fees to BPI (except that it shall pay for any maintenance or repair costs NBP incurs) until the Equipment is removed by BPI.  NBP shall not charge any warehousing or other storage fees for the Equipment during the term or thereafter.

 

8.             Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation, NoninterferenceNBP shall not during the term of this Agreement and for 18 months thereafter (the “Restrictive Period”), (i) sell or distribute Raw Materials to any party that sells products that are competitive with BPI® Boneless Lean Beef Trimmings or (ii) produce or manufacture any product that is competitive with BPI® Boneless Lean Beef Trimmings for the purpose of selling such product to a third party or

 

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utilizing such product in NBP’s own products.  During the Restrictive Period, neither party shall hire, attempt to hire or contact or solicit with respect to hiring any employee of the other party without the other party’s prior consent.

 

The Parties acknowledges that the covenants and restrictions contained in this Section 8 are necessary, fundamental and required for the protection of each party and the goodwill of each Party; and relate to matters which are of a special, unique and extraordinary character that gives each of the covenants and restrictions a special, unique and extraordinary value. The Parties also acknowledge that a breach of any covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement will result in irreparable harm and damage to the other Party.  Accordingly, each Party expressly agrees that, in the event of a breach or threat of a breach of any provision of this Section 8 by the other Party, their remedies at law will be inadequate, and in each such event, they will be entitled to an injunction or other similar relief to prevent any breach of this Section 8 and to enforce specifically the provisions of this Section 8, in addition to money damages sustained resulting from the breach or threatened breach of this Section 8, and in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity.  If either BPI or NBP institutes legal action to enforce the provisions of this Section 8, in addition to any and all other rights or remedies which the prevailing party may obtain, in any such litigation, the prevailing party shall also be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in such litigation.

 

9.             Inspection.  BPI may (but is not obligated to) inspect the equipment, factories and other facilities of NBP in order to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement at commercially reasonable times during the term of this Agreement and upon 5 days’ notice to NBP, provided however, that such inspection shall not unreasonably interfere with NBPs business and shall occur only during normal business hours.

 

10.           NBP’s Warranties.  NBP warrants that: (a) it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and that its performance of this Agreement will not violate any agreement between NBP and any other third person; (b) the Raw Materials will meet or exceed the Raw Material Specifications in effect as of the date the Raw Materials are shipped to BPI and shall comply with the provisions of NBP’s standard food guaranty which shall be provided to BPI contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement; and (c) the Raw Materials will be free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.  NBP MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS OF THE PRODUCTS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSES EVEN IF SUCH PURPOSES ARE KNOWN TO NBP.

 

11.           Term.  This primary term of this Agreement is for a 10 year period commencing upon the execution of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement will automatically renew for successive 1 year periods after such primary term unless either party notifies the other, no later than 6 months prior to any renewal date, that it desires to terminate this Agreement as of such date.  This Agreement may be terminated earlier (a) by written agreement of the parties; or (b) by either party if the other party materially breaches in any manner and does not cure such breach within 60 days after it receives notification thereof from the non-breaching party.

 

12.           Compliance with Laws.  Each party agrees that it will neither undertake nor cause to be undertaken in its performance under this Agreement, any action or omission that is illegal under the laws of the USA or the laws of any other applicable governmental authority. Each party shall comply with any requirements for the translation, registration or the submission or recording of this Agreement with applicable governmental entities after providing notice of the same to BPI.  Each party agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, offer, pay, promise to pay

 

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or authorize the payment of any money or thing of value to any official, party or candidate, or to any person, while knowing or having reason to know that all or a portion of such money or thing of value will be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, to an official party or candidate, for the purpose of: (a) influencing any act or decision of such official, party or candidate, including a decision to fail to perform his official functions; or (b) inducing such official, party or candidate, to use his influence with the government or instrumentality thereof to affect or influence any act or decision of such government or instrumentality, in order to assist BPI in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person.

 

13.           Remedies.  The Parties hereto acknowledge that compliance with this Agreement is necessary to protect their respective businesses and a breach of this Agreement will irreparably and continually damage the other Party for which money damages may not be adequate.  In addition, the Parties agree that, in the event of a breach or threatened breach to this Agreement, the non-breaching party shall be entitled to (a) an injunction to prevent the continuation of such harm, (b) money damages insofar as they can be determined and (c) reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.  Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall be construed to prohibit the non-breaching party from also pursuing any other remedy, the parties having agreed that all remedies shall be cumulative.

 

14.           Confidentiality.  During the term of this Agreement, each party (the “Disclosing Party”) may provide the other (the “Receiving Party”) with certain confidential and proprietary information (“Confidential Information”).  Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, all business, financial and technical trade secrets, current or future products, production and marketing plans and volume, equipment (including equipment designed by other companies affiliated with BPI), processes and facilities of the parties, any written information which is marked “Confidential” and any information which is orally disclosed, identified as confidential at the time of disclosure and confirmed in writing as being confidential within 30 days thereafter.  However, “Confidential Information” will not include (i) the existence, terms or conditions of this Agreement to the extent such information must be disclosed pursuant to law, rule or regulation (including regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, New York Stock Exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization) or (ii) information that (a) is publicly known at the time of its disclosure; (b) is lawfully received by the Receiving Party from a third party not under an obligation of confidentiality to the Disclosing Party; (c) is published or otherwise made known to the public by the Disclosing Party; or (d) was generated independently by the Receiving Party before disclosure by the Disclosing Party.  The Receiving Party will refrain from using the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information except to the extent necessary to exercise its rights or perform its obligations under this Agreement.  The Receiving Party will likewise restrict its disclosure of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to those who have an absolute need to know such Confidential Information in order for the Receiving Party to perform its obligations and enjoy its rights under this Agreement.  Such persons will be informed of and will agree to the provisions of this Section 15, and the Receiving Party will remain responsible for any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information by any of them.  The Receiving Party may also disclose Confidential Information pursuant to the requirement or request of a governmental agency, a court or administrative subpoena or an order or other legal process or requirement of law so long as it shall (x) first notify the Disclosing Party of such request or requirement; (y) in the case of a required disclosure, furnish only such portion of the Confidential Information as it is advised counsel that it is legally required to disclose; and (z) cooperate with the Disclosing Party in its efforts to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to that portion of the Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed.  Upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason, each party will return (or, if requested, destroy) the Confidential Information (including any and all copies and derivatives thereof) of the other party provided pursuant to this Agreement.  Upon a party’s written request, an authorized officer of the other

 

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party will certify in writing that this Section 15 has been complied with by such other party.

 

15.           Insurance.  BPI shall maintain liability and other insurance appropriate for its business, including comprehensive general liability and product liability insurance with minimum limits of $5 million per occurrence, an aggregate of $10 million (with the other party reserving the right to request reasonable increases in such limits upon 90 days’ prior notice).  All such insurance is to be purchased from reputable, duly qualified insurance companies (at least A- rated), and such insurance is to be maintained during the term of this Agreement and for a minimum of 12 months thereafter.  BPI agrees to (a) furnish the other party with certificates of insurance properly executed by such party’s insurance company evidencing such insurance; (b) include the other party as an additional insured; and (c) give the other party at least 30 days’ prior notice of any cancellation or material alteration of such insurance coverage.

 

16.           Indemnification.  Each party (the “Indemnifying Party”) agrees to indemnify and hold the other party (the “Indemnified Party”) harmless from and against any and all damages, claims, losses and reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Indemnified Party as a result of any claim, action, recall, suit, proceeding or investigation filed or threatened by the government, customer or any other third party (collectively, a “Claim”) to the extent such a Claim arises out of the breach of any of the representations, warranties or obligations made or assumed by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement.  This indemnification provision shall survive for the applicable statute of limitations period for the applicable claim.  The Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party immediately of any claim for which it believes may be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

17.           Independent Contractors.  BPI and NBP are independent contractors, and neither of the parties is the legal representative or agent of the other party for any purpose whatsoever, and neither of the parties has any right or authority to assume or create any obligation express or implied on behalf of the other party or to bind it in any respect whatever.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership relationship between BPI and NBP to make either of the parties jointly liable with the others for any obligation arising out of the activities contemplated by this Agreement.  BPI and NBP will each be solely responsible for the direction and control of the work of its own employees, and each will assume complete responsibility for the personal safety of its respective employees.

 

18.           No Third Party Beneficiaries.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to give any person other than the parties hereto any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any of the provisions contained herein.

 

19.           Assignment.  This Agreement may not be assigned or transferred by either Party by operation of law, a change of control event (e.g., a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of substantially all the assets or stock of NBP or any similar event) or otherwise without the express written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Any purported assignment in violation of the preceding sentence shall be void and of no effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties’ respective successors and permitted assigns.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may transfer this Agreement to any subsidiary and affiliate provided that the assigning party remains liable for all of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

20.           Change in the Locations.  During the term of this Agreement, NBP shall make a good faith effort as part of the sale of any of its Locations, to encourage the new owner of the applicable Location to enter into a new agreement with BPI under similar terms and conditions

 

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as this Agreement.  Provided however, nothing herein shall obligate NBP to expend any money, or make any representation, or covenant obligation to such new owner.

 

21.           Right of First Offer.  In the event that NBP acquires, builds, purchases or otherwise operates a new beef processing operation (an “Additional Location”), it shall promptly notify BPI of the Additional Location and offer BPI a right of first offer to add such Additional Location as a “Location” under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  BPI shall have 3 months from the date of receiving notice of such offer from NBP, to accept such offer.

 

22.           Construction.  “Including” means “including without limitation” and does not limit the preceding words or terms.  The words “or” and “nor” are inclusive and include “and”.  Whenever the context shall require, each term stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and the plural, and masculine or neuter pronouns shall include the masculine, the feminine and the neuter.  All references to dollar amounts shall be in United States dollars.  References to “Sections” or “Exhibits” shall mean the Sections of this Agreement or Exhibits attached to this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly indicated.  The headings or titles preceding the text of the Sections are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor shall they affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Agreement.  Both parties have participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  This Agreement shall not be supplemented or modified by any course of dealing or trade usage.

 

23.           Notices.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any notice, consent or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be shall be deemed given when (a) delivered personally; (b) sent by confirmed facsimile transmission; or (c) sent by commercial courier with written verification of receipt returned to the sender.  Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to constitute receipt of the notice or communication sent.  Names, addresses and facsimile numbers for notices (unless and until written notice of other names, addresses and facsimile numbers are provided by either or both parties) are as follows:

 

If to NBP, to:

National Beef Packing Company, LLC

Attn: General Counsel

12200 Ambassador Drive

Suite 500

Kansas City, MO

Facsimile (816) 713-8889

 

 

If to BPI, to:

Beef Products, Inc.

Attn: General Counsel

891 Two Rivers Drive

Dakota Dunes, South Dakota 57049

Facsimile: (605) 217-8001

 

24.           Choice of Law and Venue.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws the State of Nebraska, without regards to conflicts of law principles.  Each party expressly consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal, state and local courts serving Douglas County, Nebraska, to govern all disputes arising out of this Agreement.

 

25.           Force MajeureNeither Party shall be deemed to have defaulted or failed to perform under this Agreement if that Party’s ability to perform or default shall have been caused by an event or events beyond the control and without the fault of that Party, including fire, flood, explosion, act of God or a public enemy, strike, labor dispute, civil riot, the inability to procure

 

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necessary raw materials, supplies, or equipment for the production, storage and/or delivery of the Raw Materials, or if the ability of NBP to produce the Raw Materials is impacted by any of the foregoing (“Force Majeure Event”). Upon the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event, the Party claiming the Force Majeure Event shall notify the other Party in writing within ten (10) days of such event and, to the extent possible, inform the other Party of the expected duration of the Force Majeure Event and the quantity of Raw Materials to be affected by the suspension or curtailment of this Agreement.  Notwithstanding this provision, nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve the purchaser of the Raw Materials of the obligation to pay in full the purchase price for any amounts due for the Raw Materials delivered and received hereunder.  NBP shall not be obligated to make up delivery of the Products that have been prevented by a Force Majeure Event.

 

26.           Severability.  If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect without regard to the invalid, illegal or unenforceable term or provision.  If the courts of any one or more jurisdictions shall hold all or any part of such term or provision wholly unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties that such determination shall not bar or in any way affect either party’s right to relief in the court of any other jurisdiction as to failures to observe such term or provision in such other jurisdictions, the above provisions as they relate to each jurisdiction, being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent provisions.

 

27.           Waiver.  No right of either party under this Agreement, may be waived except as expressly set forth in a writing signed by an authorized representative of the party waiving such right.  No waiver of any provision shall be implied by a party’s failure to enforce any of its rights or remedies herein provided, and no express waiver shall affect any provision other than that to which the waiver is applicable and only for that occurrence.

 

28.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including all of the Exhibits attached hereto (all of which are incorporated herein by this reference), contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and will supersede and replace any and all other prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings between the parties, whether written or oral, regarding the subject matter hereof.  Any modifications, revisions or amendments to this Agreement must be set forth in a writing signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

 

29.           Survival.  Provisions of this Agreement which are either expressed to survive its termination or, from their nature or context it is contemplated that they are to survive such termination, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date indicated below.

 

National Beef Packing Company , LLC

Beef Products, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

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CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL APPEARING IN THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 406 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.  OMITTED INFORMATION HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ASTERISKS.

 

Exhibit A

 

Raw Materials Price Calculation

 

The “Purchase Price” shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:

 

A = *** of the Raw Material, expressed as a decimal fraction.

 

B = *** of the Raw Material, expressed as a decimal fraction.

 

C = *** of the Raw Material, expressed as a decimal fraction.

 

X = *** – prior week’s weighted average price less freight.

 

Y = *** – prior week’s weighted average price (***)

 

***

 

These calculations will derive a Raw Materials Price based upon predicted rendered Meat Product yields from the Product.  With inputs of analyses and rendered product prices, a gross value is calculated.  From this is subtracted an incremental costs of drying the meal (one pound of water evaporated per pound of meal product).

 

In addition, a premium will be paid based upon the Lean Based Premium Schedule which is attached hereto as Schedule 1 and incorporated herein by this reference, as adjusted, based on volume (pounds per head)

 

·              @ Target lb/hd – pay at proposed premium schedule

 

·              @ Target less *** lb/hd – pay premium schedule less $***

 

·              @ Target less *** lb/hd - pay premium schedule less $***

 

·              @ Target less *** lb/hd - pay at premium schedule less $***

 

·              @ Target less *** lb/hd – pay at premium schedule less $***

 

·              @  Below minimum lb/hd - pay no premium

 

In addition, a negotiated Packaging and Collection charge will be paid based on NBP’s Recoverable Costs as defined in the Agreement.

 

This Raw Materials Price Calculation may be modified from time to time by the written consent of both parties.  In addition, certain components like the tallow freight adjustment, energy cost credit, and lean based premium schedule will be reviewed on a semi-annual basis.  Recoverable Costs will be reviewed at least annually.

 

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Exhibit B

 

RAW MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

 

January 25, 2007

 

Only raw materials supplied from USDA/FSIS inspected beef slaughter and processing facilities or facilities operating under an equivalent inspection program may be used in the production of BPI products.  Raw material suppliers are required to have written HACCP plans, SSOPs, or other prerequisite programs necessary to ensure raw materials supplied to BPI meet all applicable food safety regulatory requirements and other criteria, including but not limited to the specifications below.  HACCP plans, SSOPs, and other programs must be available for BPI review upon requestBPI may also request to visit supplying facilities to review these records along with a review of the operations.  In addition, suppliers must have a documented, functioning food defense program.

 

HACCP plans must contain at least one, but preferably more, critical control points (CCPs), validated to eliminate or to reduce E.coli O157:H7 below detectable levels.  Raw material suppliers are required to update BPI upon implementation of additional CCPs or other material changes to their HACCP plans.  Continued use of CCPs identified by raw material suppliers will comply with these specifications will be confirmed annually.

 

If raw material supplier is a processing establishment that utilizes outside carcasses or raw materials, supplier must confirm that its raw material suppliers have HACCP plans, SSOPs, or other prerequisite programs in place consistent with the requirements above.  Raw material suppliers will maintain records of purchase source or slaughter plant to allow trace back of raw materials in the event of a recall.

 

BPI will not currently require raw material suppliers to sample product and test for the presence of E.coli 0157:H7 other than as noted below, assuming the following criteria are met.  If these criteria are not met, BPI reserves the right to require sampling/testing of all raw materials sold to BPI and also reserves the right to conduct its own sampling/testing of all incoming raw materials.  Those criteria are:

1.               Existence of one or more validated CCPs in use by supplier;

2.               Raw material supplies consistently meet the performance specifications below;

3.               Raw material supplier participates in quarterly verification sampling/testing with BPI; and

4.               BPI continues finished product sampling/testing program and holds product pending negative test result for E.coli O157:H7.

 

With the exception of E.coli O157:H7, which is an adulterant and must not be present in any raw materials supplied to BPI, the following specifications will be reviewed and reports may be provided to raw material suppliers for trending purposes only.  BPI may choose certain safeguards when supplier’s trends are out of specification, such as accelerated sampling, product segregation, process using additional interventions, implementation of alternate pricing for supplier raw materials, or others.

 

·

Total plate count

< 100,000 cfu/gram

·

E.coli

< 100 cfu/gram

 

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·

Coliform

< 100 cfu/gram

·

Staphylococcus aureus

< 100 cfu/gram

·

Listeria monocytogenes

Negative

·

Salmonella

Negative

·

E.coli O157:H7

Negative

 

On a quarterly basis, on dates established by BPI, a lot of five randomly chosen combos will be sampled/tested for the presence of E.coli O157:H7 using sampling and testing methods established by BPI.  The purpose of this quarterly sampling/testing is to verify the continued effectiveness of the CCPs employed by raw material supplier.  If a verification sample is found to be positive the lot tested will be destroyed and the originating supplier will be immediately contacted to conduct a review of policies and programs.  BPI may request a documented response of the findings of this review.

 

Acceptable Products

 

All raw materials shall be free from defects as identified in the “Boneless Beef AQL” criteria established under subpart 18-b of the USDA-MPI Manual.  All raw materials must have a minimum chemical lean of 23.25%.  The product should be free of: all specified risk material as defined in 9 CFR 310.22 or Annex XI, Section A, to Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001, contamination (including ingesta, grease, rail dust, etc.), and foreign objects.

 

All raw materials must meet the follow general requirements:

 

1.

Be produced from only young, fed cattle in compliance with Title 21 CFR, Part 589.2000 addressing feeding bans as measures to control BSE. No raw materials from cows, bulls, or other classifications of raw materials unless supplier is participating in a BPI pre-approved segregation program, in which combos and load manifest are to be clearly identified.

2.

SRM materials identified in 9 CFR 310.22 are not allowed in any product destined for BPI and must be disposed of in accordance with 9 CFR 314.1 or 314.3.

3.

No fresh raw materials will be delivered to BPI’s facility more than 5 days from their cut date, nor more than 10 days from date of slaughter without advance approval of BPI Quality Assurance department.

4.

Without advance approval, the facility may not use chemical sprays, including hyperchlorinated water, organic acids (unless part of an approved BPI quality control program), or alginate coatings, in any of its processes.

5.

The establishment must have an active “Downer” policy that prohibits the fabrication of downer carcasses. A downer carcass includes any animal that is unable to enter or exit a trailer/truck under its own power (subject to USDA-FSIS guidelines as outlined in 69 Federal Register 1862, et seq).

6.

The establishment must demonstrate GMP, Food safety, and humane handling practices consistent with industry standards. If requested, the establishment will provide BPI with a review of recently conducted third party audits.

7.

Each raw material combo may contain product from only one (1) production or cut date. Partial combos will not be carried over to the next production date to be filled out with additional production.

8.

Suppliers must have a documented pest control program.

 

12



 

9.

Suppliers must comply with APHIS rev. January 2002 and USDA safeguards measures against Foot and Mouth Disease.

10.

Raw materials must be free of illegal residues such as antibiotics, hormones and agricultural chemicals as set forth in 1997 by USDA and APHIS.

11.

Free of foreign materials as defined by FSIS Directive 7310.5.

 

Fresh Raw Material Acceptable carcass portions:

 

1.

Flank fat — fat from the flank area of the carcass with traces of lean;

2.

Bottom butt fat — kernel of tri-tip with traces of lean;

3.

Chuck fat — fat associated with the break down of the chuck;

4.

Loin wing cap — fat portion with traces of lean;

5.

Rib cap — fat portion with traces of lean;

6.

Any small pieces of fat derived from the normal breakdown of the beef carcass.

 

Fresh Raw Material Non-acceptable carcass portions:

 

1.

Bones of any kind;

2.

Cartilage (unless specifically approved);

3.

Tunic tissue (unless specifically approved);

4.

Kidney knob fat (unless specifically approved);

5.

Material from bone cannons, mechanically deboned meat, or materials from advanced meat recovery systems;

6.

Spinal cords, any central nervous system materials, dorsal root ganglia, or other specified risk materials identified by USDA in 9 CFR 310.22(1);

7.

Catch pan materials;

8.

Foreign objects, hair, ingesta, bruises, or abscesses;

9.

Mammary tissue.

 

 

 

Mammary tissue is any brownish or off-colored covering on the flank fat from heifer carcasses.  This substance must be trimmed out of the product, to leave only incidental traces behind.  The trimming should be taken to the depth that the mammary tissue appears freckled among the fat.  “Incidental” means any mass smaller than a dime.  Combos containing mammary tissue by this definition will be rejected.

 

 

BPI will notify the originating supplier upon identification of a non-compliance.  BPI may request reasonable appropriate corrective actions and preventive measures addressing these non-compliances.

 

Packaging

 

Fresh raw materials are to be packed into a 40x48x54-inch or taller combo lined with a poly liner.  Poly liners should be securely attached to the combos with filament tape to prevent the

 


(1) Supplier shall continue efforts to put in place product flows and segregation plans to ensure that specified risk materials do not become commingled with raw materials provided to BPI at any stage of the production process.

 

13



 

liner from slipping during the filling process.  Combos should be placed on good quality 40x48-inch pallets and should not have top or bottom boards missing or broken.  Board nails should not be exposed in order to limit the possibility of puncture through the combo and liner, or from falling into product during dumping of the combo.

 

When applicable, trimmings are to be packed into a plastic BPI combo lined with a poly liner.  Poly liners should be securely attached to the combos with filament tape to prevent the liner from slipping during the filling process.  The plastic BPI combo should be in sound shape, being free from any cracks or chips.  The plastic BPI combos should be washed and sanitized before filling with product.

 

Combos are to have a combo cap securely attached and covering the entire top of the combo as to prevent possible contamination during transport.

 

Combo liners are to be 4 mil. thick or greater, or exhibit comparable tear strength.  The combo liners will preferably be blue, but may be of such other color sufficiently distinct from the color of the raw material to allow liner to be easily identifiable from the raw materials.

 

Combos should be filled to a target weight of 2,200-lbs gross weight when possible.  Once filled, the combo should be covered with a poly cap that is securely attached to the sides of the combo.  Any combos that are torn, punctured, or leaning should be reworked.  GROSS trailer weight should not fall below 44,000 lbs, with a NET weight of approximately 40,000 lbs.

 

Labeling

 

Combos should be properly labeled with the following information:

·

Product label, labeled appropriately as trimmings according to contents as approved by USDA;

·

Gross weight — includes tare and net weight; a separate gross weight will be listed to include dry ice tare;

·

Tare weight, including pallet, combo, liner, and cover weights (not including dry ice)

·

Tare weight of dry ice, listed separately (if applicable)

·

Net weight — weight of the product only;

·

Date of production;

·

Combo sequence number per shift and shift ID

·

Manifest number;

·

When using BPI plastic combos, labels are to be attached to the liner of the combo, not the plastic combo

·

When applicable, BEV compliant product should be appropriately labeled and be accompanied by necessary supporting documentation.

·

When applicable materials must be labeled as domestic only product in compliance with USDA AMS programs.

 

Trailer Loading

 

14



 

Combos should be placed in the trailer in a manner so that the face of the combo is toward the rear of the trailer.  In the event that a combo is staged by itself in a row, support should be placed beside it to prevent the combo from tipping or falling during transit.

 

A load manifest should be attached to the Bill of Lading, and given to the driver.  Another copy of the manifest should be attached in a packing slot at the rear of the trailer.  The load manifest should include the following information:

·

Sales order number and purchase order number;

·

Trailer number and carrier;

·

Product code of each combo;

·

Production date of each combo;

·

Combo number of each combo

·

Manifest number of each combo;

·

Gross weight of each combo;

·

Net weight of each combo;

·

Tare weight of each combo.

 

The refer unit should be set at a temperature of 20° F during summer months, and 28° F during the winter months for fresh raw materials.  All changes to these set points will be coordinated through the BPI Traffic Coordinator or designee.

 

Dry Ice & Receiving Temperatures

 

Dry ice should be added either manually or automatically to fresh raw materials so that approximately 50 lbs of CO2 is incorporated into each combo at a minimum of three (3) proportional locations (eg 500, 1000, 1500 lb increments).  The amount and tare of dry ice may vary depending on the type of CO2 used and time of year. Receiving temperatures at the processing facilities for fresh raw materials shall not exceed 45 ° F.

 

15



 

Exhibit C

 

RAW MATERIAL VOLUMES AND LEAN UPGRADE MATRIX

 

The parties are targeting an overall average raw material supply from the National facilities of at least 80 lb/head.  That average will vary over time depending upon a number of factors, including carcass weights, carcass grades, supplier product mix, and other characteristics.  In addition, those factors are often influenced by market and other considerations as well.  Still, based upon experience of each at the facilities listed below, the parties have established the following target and minimum quantities for each facility.

 

Location

 

Minimum

 

Target

 

Brawley, CA

 

35

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dodge City, KS

 

60

 

80+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberal, KS

 

60

 

80+

 

 

At the outset of this Agreement, no Target has been established for the Brawley, CA facility.  The parties shall review periodically to determine whether establishment of any target above the Minimum is appropriate for this facility.

 

16



 

CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL APPEARING IN THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 406 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.  OMITTED INFORMATION HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ASTERISKS.

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

LEAN BASED PREMIUM SCHEDULE

 

Premium Schedule - National

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BPI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lean Percent

 

Beef 90’s

 

25.00%

 

26.00%

 

27.00%

 

28.00%

 

29.00%

 

30.00%

 

31.00%

 

32.00%

 

33.00%

 

34.00%

 

35.00%

 

$0.87

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.88

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.89

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.90

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.91

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.92

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.93

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.94

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.95

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.96

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.97

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.98

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$0.99

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.00

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.01

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.02

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.03

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.04

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.05

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.06

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.07

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.08

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.09

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.10

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.11

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.12

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

 

17



 

$1.13

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.14

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.15

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.16

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.17

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.18

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.19

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.20

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.21

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.22

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.23

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.24

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.25

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.26

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.27

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.28

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.29

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.30

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.31

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.32

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.33

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.34

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.35

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.36

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.37

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.38

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.39

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

$1.40

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

***

 

 

18