Exhibit 10pp.
AGREEMENT FOR THE DESIGN &
SUPPLY OF VLU5 PRODUCTS
** CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS HAVE BEEN OMITTED
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND HAVE BEEN
FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE
“COMMISSION”).
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1
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PARTIES
& EFFECTIVE DATE
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AGREEMENT (this “
Agreement ”), effective 29 December, 2003 (“
Effective Date ”) is made between: Plextek Limited, a
company registered in England (No. 2305889) and having its
registered office at London Road, Great Chesterford, Essex, CB10
1NY, UK (“ Plextek ”) and LoJack Operating
Company, L.P, a Delaware Limited Partnership having its principal
place of business at Westwood Executive Center, 200 Lowder Brook
Drive, Suite 1000, Westwood, MA 02090 (“ Customer
”).
Plextek and Customer desire to enter
into a contract on the terms stated herein for Plextek to design
and supply to Customer stolen vehicle recovery products (“
Products ”) in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
This Agreement governs both (a) the
services to be rendered by Plextek on Customer’s behalf in
designing Products in accordance with mutually agreed
specifications and putting such Products into volume production
(“ Product Development ”), and (b) the supply of
such Products by Plextek to Customer during the term.
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4
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PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT PHASE
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4.1
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Specifications . The specification entitled “Wideband
LoJack Vehicle Location Unit,” Version 1.4 dated December 12,
2003, is the specification for the version of the Product intended
to operate in countries with 25 kHz channel spacing (the “
Wideband VLU5 ” or “ VLU5 US ”).
The specification entitled “Narrowband LoJack Vehicle
Location Unit,” Version 1.30 dated December 5, 2003, is the
specification for the version of the Product intended to operate in
countries with 12.5 kHz channel spacing (the “ Narrowband
VLU5 ” or “ VLU5 EU ”). Each of the
Wideband VLU5, the Narrowband VLU5, and any subsequent version of
the product set forth in accordance herewith, is sometimes referred
to in this Agreement as a “ Model ” or
collectively as “ Models ”. The Wideband VLU5
and the Narrowband VLU5 are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the “ Initial Models ”. Plextek
will create and produce, at no additional cost to Customer, two
variations of the Narrowband VLU5, one of which will operate at a
frequency of ** MHz, and the other of which will operate at
a frequency of ** MHz. Plextek will create and produce one
variation of the Wideband VLU5, which will operate at a frequency
of 173.075; provided , however , that Customer shall
have the right to elect to have Plextek create a second variation
of the Wideband VLU5, which will operate at multiple frequencies
(the “ Multi-frequency Wideband Variant ”). If
Customer makes such election, Plextek will bear the development
costs associated with the creation of the Multi-frequency Wideband
Variant.
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4.2
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Schedule and
Development Expenses .
Attached, as Exhibit B is the schedule for completion of
Product Development for the Initial Models, and the agreed schedule
of payments to be made by Customer to Plextek in respect of all
services and activities associated with Product Development for the
Initial Models. Plextek’s Product Development
responsibilities shall include, without limitation, completion of
the Initial Models in accordance with the Specifications within the
agreed development schedule, all coordination with the approved
contract manufacturer and preparation of the manufacturing line for
volume production. All payments hereunder shall be denominated and
paid in US Dollars.
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** THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTION HAS BEEN SO OMITTED
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION.
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4.3
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Future
Models . From time to
time, the parties may desire to create additional Models, in which
case the parties shall agree in a writing referencing this
Agreement upon specifications and schedules for completion of
Product Development for each new Model.
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4.4
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Specification Finalization.
Customer shall determine within
ninety (90) days of the Effective Date whether to include or
exclude the following items from the specifications for the Models,
and in the event any of such items are included, then the Maximum
Price shall be increased by not more than the amount specified
below for each such item, assuming an aggregate twelve-month unit
volume for all Models of ** units:
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**
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5.1
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After
completion of Product Development for each Model, Plextek will
manage the ongoing manufacture and supply of the Models for the
Exclusive Supply Period (as defined below). The “
Exclusive Supply Period ” shall commence on the date
of initial commercial production of the first Model (“
Production Inception ”) and shall expire on the
** anniversary of Production Inception; provided ,
however , that if Customer agrees to commence production of
a new variant of one of the Models that delivers material cost
savings to Customer and/or material improvements in functionality
utilizing design improvements developed by Plextek (an “
Agreed Improved Design”), then the Exclusive Supply
Period solely with respect to such Agreed Improved Design shall be
** years from the date production commences of such Agreed
Improved Design.
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5.2
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Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, Customer shall not be restricted
from having 3 rd parties manufacture and supply
other Products without remuneration to Plextek, provided that,
during the Exclusive Supply Period, such other Products are not
derivatives of any Models designed by Plextek that are then subject
to the restrictions of Section 5.1.
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5.3
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Customer agrees
to purchase from Plextek, and Plextek agrees to sell to Customer,
assembled Models in the quantities and at the prices herein set
forth, subject to the terms of this Agreement. Customer agrees to
purchase at least ** units (the “ Minimum Volume
Commitment ”) in the aggregate of the Models within the
first three years following Production Inception, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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5.4
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Following
termination of the Exclusive Supply Period for each Model or Agreed
Improved Design, Customer shall have the right to engage the
services of any party (including without limitation the contract
manufacturer utilized by Plextek) to manufacture such Model or such
Agreed Improved Design, as the case may be. If Customer elects to
engage directly the services of the contract manufacturer then
being utilized by Plextek to produce such Model or Agreed Improved
Design (a “ Transitioned Model ”), then Customer
shall pay Plextek a “ Transition Fee ”
determined as follows:
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(a) If Customer makes such election
during the first 12 months following expiration of the Exclusive
Supply Period for any Transitioned Model, then the Transition Fee
shall be an amount per unit equal to ** % of the Gross
Margin per unit that Plextek was earning for such Transitioned
Model immediately preceding Customer’s election to engage
directly the services of such contract manufacturer.
(b) If Customer makes such election
after the first 12 months following expiration of the Exclusive
Supply Period for any Transitioned Model, then the Transition Fee
shall be an amount per unit equal to ** % of the Gross
Margin per unit that Plextek was earning for such Transitioned
Model immediately preceding Customer’s election to engage
directly the services of such contract manufacturer.
** THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTION HAS BEEN SO OMITTED
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION.
(c) The Transition Fee shall be
payable with respect to each unit of such Transitioned Model
purchased from the contract manufacturer by (or on behalf of)
Customer during the 12 month period following the effective date of
Customer’s election to directly engage the contract
manufacturer for such purpose, up to a maximum number of units
equal to the number of units of such Transitioned Model as such
contract manufacturer produced for Customer’s account during
the 12 month period immediately preceding the effective date of
such election.
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5.5
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Plextek shall
select, subject to Customer’s final approval, the contract
manufacturer for the Models to be produced pursuant to this
Agreement.
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5.6
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Plextek shall
share with Customer all information relating to the production,
development, and supply of the Models. Without limiting the
foregoing, Plextek shall provide Customer on a timely basis, during
both the development phase and the production phase of the project,
the complete bill of materials, schematics, gerber files, source
code, object code, and manufacturing test code for each of the
Models, together with all updates and revisions thereto, and
complete cost information for all goods and services (comprising
both the development phase and the Total Product Cost during the
production phase), whether provided directly by Plextek or by
subcontract or purchase.
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5.7
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Plextek shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to continuously reduce the cost
of the Models, while maintaining or exceeding Customer’s
quality standards and specification requirements.
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5.8
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The parties
shall constitute an Executive Steering Committee and an Operating
Committee with representatives from Plextek, Customer and the
contract manufacturer with responsibility to address and resolve
all issues relating to development, manufacturing and supply
matters. The Operating Committee shall have telephonic conference
calls on a weekly basis and in-person meetings on at least a
quarterly basis. The Executive Steering Committee shall convene at
least quarterly to review progress of the Product Development
process and the manufacturing and supply relationship. Plextek will
ensure that Customer shall have direct access to the contract
manufacturer (accompanied by a Plextek representative at
Plextek’s option) in order to participate in the ongoing
management of the production process and supply chain.
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5.9
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Without
Customer’s prior written consent, (i) Plextek shall not
produce for, or sell to, any third party any Products, and (ii)
Plextek shall cause the contract manufacturer for the Models not to
produce for, or sell to, any third party any Products;
provided , however , that the provisions of this
sentence shall not be deemed to restrict Plextek from selling
Permitted Products (as defined below) to a governmental agency for
national security or military purposes. A “ Permitted
Product ” shall be a Product that is not a Model or a
variation thereof. Except as provided in Section 5.4, Plextek shall
not restrict the contract manufacturer for the Models (or any
supplier) from contracting with, manufacturing for, or selling to,
Customer.
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6.1
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Attached, as
Exhibit C is the schedule of pricing for each of the Initial
Models. If Customer gives Plextek or the contract manufacturer
permission to produce or sell Models to any third party, the number
of units sold to such third party (i) shall be deemed included in
the number of units purchased by Customer for purposes of
determination of unit pricing on the volume variable pricing
schedule set forth in Exhibit C hereto, and (ii) shall be
deducted from the number of units with respect to which the Initial
Unit Premium (as defined in Exhibit C ) shall be
paid.
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6.2
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All pricing and
payments hereunder shall be denominated and paid in US
Dollars.
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** THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTION HAS BEEN SO OMITTED
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION.
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7
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ORDER,
PLANNING AND FORECAST PROCEDURE
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7.1
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Annual
Plan . By September
30 th of each year, Customer will deliver
to Plextek a three year plan with annualised volumes to include:
(i) projected current year volumes by Model, (ii) projected next
year volumes by Model and by quarter, and (iii) projected following
year volumes by Model for the total year. Projected volumes will
include a break-out of volumes by frequency variations within each
Model.
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7.2
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Rolling
Forecast . At the end of
each calendar quarter Customer will deliver to Plextek a forecast
by month, by model, for the succeeding 15 months (adding a new
quarter). Customer and Plextek will develop with the contract
manufacturer for the Models mutually agreeable forecasting and
ordering procedures, it being understood that Customer’s and
Plextek’s objective is to have such procedures be consistent
with the following:
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7.2.1
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The first month
of the succeeding quarter shall constitute a firm order for the
specified quantities. The second month shall constitute a firm
order, which may be adjusted for each Model up or down not more
than 10% by Customer by written notice given during the first
month; provided, however, that Plextek agrees to negotiate in good
faith with prospective contract manufacturers to obtain additional
flexibility with minimal impact to Customer’s total cost. The
third month shall constitute a firm order, which may be adjusted up
or down not more than 30% by Customer by written notice given
during the first month, and not more than 20% by written notice
given during the second month.
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7.2.2
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The forecast
for the second quarter of each quarterly forecast may be revised up
or down by not more than 50% from the forecast for that quarter set
forth in the next prior quarterly forecast.
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7.2.3
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In each
forecast, quarters 3, 4 & 5 are for planning purposes
only.
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7.2.4
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In the event
specialized inventory is required to build inventory for Model
variants that are designed to operate in countries where a small
quantity of Models generally are sold each year, then Customer
agrees to reimburse Plextek (at cost) for any excess component or
material inventory purchased for such small volume variants due to
bulk purchasing requirements. Inventory reconciliation shall be
made every six months during the term. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Customer’s reimbursement obligation shall not
accrue so long as there is an ongoing forecast of unit purchases
for such small volume variants.
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7.2.5
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Plextek shall
be required to accept and deliver orders consistent with this
Section 7.2; provided that if Plextek determines in good faith that
compliance with this obligation would result in Plextek being
unable to continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement
without jeopardizing its ability to operate as a going concern,
then the parties agree to use good faith efforts to negotiate a
mutually acceptable resolution, such resolution potentially
including without limitation Plextek relinquishing its remaining
obligations to Customer at a price (if any) to be determined based
on the circumstances and in exchange for transferring to Customer
all Plextek’s rights and responsibilities under this
Agreement and under any associated supply agreement with the
contract manufacturer.
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7.3
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Conference
Calls . There shall be a
weekly conference call to finalize weekly shipping information, and
to give insight into future periods in accordance with the above
schedule.
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7.4
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Purchase
Orders . Customer will
issue a blanket purchase order in November of each year for the
ensuing year. The blanket purchase order shall be amended
periodically to reflect orders becoming firm and changes in
quantities pursuant to Section 7.2, and for other changes agreed by
the parties. Only written or secure electronically dispatched
purchase orders issued by Customer shall be valid. Verbal orders,
additions or
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** THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTION HAS BEEN SO OMITTED
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION.
changes, shall be legally binding
solely to the extent confirmed in writing by facsimile or secure
electronic means by Customer and accepted by Plextek in writing
(including by facsimile or secure electronic means). Plextek shall
confirm purchase orders, or additions or changes thereto, within
five (5) working days of receipt.
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7.5
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Inventory . Plextek shall maintain a piece part inventory
to support Model mix and frequency shifts to accommodate short term
shifts in demand in accordance with the discretion provided for in
Section 7.2. Availability of materials to support production will
be maintained at an agreed upon level, and reviewed monthly. The
parties agree to negotiate in good faith on a case-by-case basis,
any fluctuations within lead times that may become
necessary.
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7.6
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Approved
Vendor List . Plextek
shall maintain an approved vendor list for all components used in
the production of Models for Customer, subject to review and
approval by Customer.
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7.7
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Production
Procedures . Production
of Models shall include procedures for supplying secret codes,
serializing, packaging, and labelling as specified by
Customer.
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7.8
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Disaster
Recovery . Prior to
Production Inception, Plextek will develop a disaster recovery
program to allow recovery (at its or the contract
manufacturer’s expense) of 30% of production beginning on the
31 st day following the occurrence of the
disaster, and 100% of production beginning on the 71
st
day following the
occurrence of the disaster, which program will be approved by
Customer, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
In order for Plextek to meet the required recovery standard of 30%
of production within 30 days, Customer may be required to maintain
an inventory of long lead-time components with the contract
manufacturer. The parties anticipate that the aggregate dollar
value of such long lead-time components will be in the range of
** to ** .
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7.9
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Contingency
for 2 nd Source for Manufacturing
, Plextek will develop
and maintain a business relationship with at least one alternative
contract manufacturer which could be used to produce Models
promptly following any force majeure event involving the then
current contract manufacturer, or any failure of the then current
contract manufacturer to perform as agreed.
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7.10
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Service
Level Commitments .
Plextek and Customer will jointly develop appropriate service level
commitments relating to such matters as delivery schedules, quality
standards, process controls, invoice accuracy, and forecast
accuracy.
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7.11
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Information
Requirements . Prior to
Initial Production, Plextek, Customer and the then current contract
manufacturer will develop appropriate information reporting
requirements covering such matters as advance shipping notices,
production schedules, inventories, production yields, and
in-transit materials.
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7.12
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Quality and
Reliability Standards .
Plextek shall build, and shall cause its contract manufacture to
build, all Models utilizing professional workmanship and quality
standards consistent with the standards maintained by experienced
high quality electronics manufacturers of similar
products.
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8.1
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Unless agreed
otherwise, payment of all valid invoices rendered under this
Agreement for goods sold to Customer shall be made in US Dollars
within 30 days from the later of (i) receipt of invoice at
Customer’s accounts payable department, and (ii) receipt of
goods at the destination designated by Customer (the later of such
dates being referred to as the “ Receipt Date
”). Invoices not paid by the Receipt Date plus 45 days will
accrue interest from the date due until paid at the rate of one
percent (1%) per month (12% per annum). All invoices shall include
detail regarding amounts payable to the contract manufacturer and
amounts payable to Plextek. Customer shall pay Plextek and the
contract manufacture for the respective amounts
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** THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTION HAS BEEN SO OMITTED
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION.
payable to each of them set forth on
such invoices. Plextek shall have the option at any time to have
all amounts be payable directly to Plextek (and for Plextek, in
turn, to pay the contract manufacturer), such option to be
exercisable by Plextek delivering written notice to Customer, which
notice shal

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