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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2010

Registration No. 333-164493

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1

 

 

Cott Beverages Inc.

Additional Registrants Listed on Schedule A Hereto

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Georgia   2086   58-1947565

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation

or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial Classification

Code Number)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6525 Viscount Road

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4V1H6

(905) 672-1900

5519 West Idlewild Avenue

Tampa, Florida, United States 33634

(813) 313-1800

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Marni Morgan Poe

Vice President, General Counsel and

Secretary

Cott Corporation

5519 West Idlewild Avenue

Tampa, Florida, United States 33634

(813) 313-1800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Christian O. Nagler

  

Neil Sheehy

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

  

Goodmans LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

  

250 Yonge Street, Suite 2400

New York, New York 10022-4611

  

Toronto, ON M5B 2M6

(212) 446-4800

  

(416) 979-2211


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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective and all other conditions to the plan of arrangement contemplated by the arrangement agreement described in the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus have been satisfied or waived.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.   ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.

 

 

 


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SCHEDULE A

 

Additional Registrants

  

State of

Incorporation or

Organization

  

Principal Executive Offices

  

I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number

Cott Corporation

   Canada    6525 Viscount Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1H6    98-0154711

Cott Beverages Inc.

   Georgia    5519 W. Idlewild Ave, Tampa FL 33617    58-1947565

Cott Holdings Inc.

   Delaware/Pennsylvania    5519 W. Idlewild Ave, Tampa FL 33617    58-2020185

Cott USA Corp.

   Georgia    5519 W. Idlewild Ave, Tampa FL 33617    58-1947564

Cott Vending Inc.

   Delaware    5519 W. Idlewild Ave, Tampa FL 33617    80-0003395

Interim BCB LLC

   Delaware    5519 W. Idlewild Ave, Tampa FL 33617    Disregarded Entity

CB Nevada Capital Inc.

   Nevada    5519 W. Idlewild Ave, Tampa FL 33617    71-0892875

Cott USA Finance LLC

   Delaware    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   N/A

Cott Beverages Limited

   United Kingdom    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   532/32600 90818

Cott Retail Brands Limited

   United Kingdom    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   532/36420 02440

Cott Limited

   United Kingdom    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   110 95740 02791

Cott Europe Trading Limited

   United Kingdom    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   110 24377 27098

Cott Private Label Limited

   United Kingdom    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   110 84300 09202

Cott Nelson (Holdings) Limited

   United Kingdom    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   Dormant Company

Cott (Nelson) Limited

   United Kingdom    Kegworth Citrus Grove Side Ley,
Derbyshire, UK DE74 2FJ
   532/25650 02858

156775 Canada Inc.

   Canada    6525 Viscount Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1H6    89614 3872 RC0001

967979 Ontario Limited

   Canada    6525 Viscount Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1H6    13169 9266 RC0001

804340 Ontario Limited

   Canada    6525 Viscount Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1H6    89614 3278 RC0001

2011438 Ontario Limited

   Canada    6525 Viscount Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1H6    86503 7055 RC0001


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The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 10, 2010

PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

Cott Beverages Inc.

Exchange Offer for 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017

 

 

We hereby offer, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal (which together constitute the “exchange offer”), to exchange up to $215,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017, and the guarantees thereof, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the exchange notes, for an equal aggregate principal amount of our currently outstanding 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017, and the guarantees thereof, that were issued on November 13, 2009, which we refer to as the old notes. We refer to the old notes and the exchange notes collectively as the notes.

THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                     , 2010, UNLESS EXTENDED.

The material terms of the exchange offer are summarized below and are more fully described in this prospectus.

Material Terms of the Exchange Offer

 

   

The terms of the exchange notes are substantially identical to those of the old notes except that the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the transfer restrictions, registration rights and rights to additional interest applicable to the old notes do not apply to the exchange notes.

 

   

We will exchange all old notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

   

You may withdraw tenders of old notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

   

We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.

 

   

The exchange of notes should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

   

There is no public market for the exchange notes. We have not applied, and do not intend to apply, for listing of the exchange notes on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system.

See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider carefully before participating in the exchange offer.

Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. This prospectus, as amended or supplemented, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for old notes that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities. We have agreed that for a period of 180 days after the expiration of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resales. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2010


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We have not authorized anyone to give you any information or to make any representations about us or the exchange offer other than those contained in this prospectus. If you are given any information or representations about these matters that is not discussed in this prospectus, you must not rely on that information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities anywhere or to anyone where or to whom we are not permitted to offer or sell securities under applicable law. The delivery of this prospectus does not, under any circumstances, mean that there has not been a change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. Subject to our obligation to amend or supplement this prospectus as required by law and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the information contained in this prospectus is correct only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of these securities.

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     Page

Where You Can Find More Information

   1

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

   1

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   2

Summary

   3

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   10

Risk Factors

   11

Use of Proceeds

   24

The Exchange Offer

   25

Description of the Exchange Notes

   32

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

   77

Plan of Distribution

   78

Legal Matters

   79

Experts

   80

 

 

This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this document. This information is available to you at no cost, upon your request. You can request this information by writing or telephoning us at the following address: Investor Relations, 5519 West Idlewild Avenue, Tampa, Florida, United States 33634, telephone number (813) 313-1840.

In order to obtain timely delivery, you must request information no later than                     , 2010, which is five business days before the scheduled expiration of the exchange offer.


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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We have also filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which you can access on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, to register the exchange notes. This prospectus, which forms part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in that registration statement. For further information about us and the exchange notes offered in this prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may also obtain certain of these documents on our Internet site at http://www.cott.com. Our web site and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into and are not a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

This prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about our company that is not included in or delivered with this document. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus that is modified or superseded by subsequently filed materials shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC, including all exhibits thereto, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from now until the termination of the exchange offer:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2010;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 2010, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2010;

 

   

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A related to our Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2010 (with respect to information contained in such Definitive Proxy Statement that is incorporated into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010 only); and

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2010, May 5, 2010 and May 7, 2010 (except, in any such case, the portions furnished and not filed pursuant to Item 2.02, Item 7.01 or otherwise).

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the SEC’s web site at the address described above. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning to the address and telephone set forth below. We will provide, without charge, upon written or oral request, copies of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (excluding exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein). You should direct requests for documents to: Cott Beverages Inc., Investor Relations, 5519 West Idlewild Avenue, Tampa, Florida, United States 33634, telephone number (813) 313-1840.

In order to obtain timely delivery of any copies of filings requested, please write or call us no later than                     , 2010, which is five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offer.


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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, including the “safe harbour” provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario). All forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, new products and economic conditions. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “estimates” or “anticipates” and similar expressions, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” While we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions could be incorrect. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. In addition, actual results could differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors and conditions which include, among others, the various risk factors described under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

We caution the reader that the risk factors described below may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

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SUMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, paying particular attention to the matters discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” and our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, as well as the information incorporated by reference. In addition, you should request from us all additional public information you wish to review relating to us and complete your own examination of us and the terms of the exchange offer and the exchange notes before making an investment decision. Unless otherwise indicated, “Cott,” “the Company,” we,” “us,” “our” and words of similar import refer to Cott Corporation, Cott Beverages Inc. and their subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Cott is one of the world’s largest non-alcoholic beverage companies and the world’s largest retailer brand soft drink provider. We have a diversified product line, which, in addition to carbonated soft drinks, includes clear, still and sparkling flavored waters, juice-based products, bottled water, energy drinks and ready-to-drink teas.

We have five operating segments—North America (which includes the U.S. reporting unit and Canada reporting unit), United Kingdom (which includes our United Kingdom reporting unit and our Continental European reporting unit), Mexico, Royal Crown International and All Other (which includes our Asia reporting unit and our international corporate expenses). Cott closed its active Asian operations at the end of fiscal year 2008.

Cott Corporation was incorporated in 1955 and is governed by the Canada Business Corporation Act. Cott Beverages Inc. was incorporated in 1991 as a Georgia corporation. Our registered Canadian office is located at 333 Avro Avenue, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada H9R 5W3 and our principal executive offices are located at 5519 W. Idlewild Avenue, Tampa, Florida, United States 33634 and 6525 Viscount Road, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4V 1H6. The registered Canadian office and principal executive office for each of the guarantor registrants is the same as the registered Canadian office and principal executive office for Cott.

 

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The Exchange Offer

The following is a brief summary of certain material terms of the exchange offer. For a more complete description of the terms of the exchange offer, see “The Exchange Offer” in this prospectus.

 

Background

On November 13, 2009, we issued $215,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017, or the old notes, to Barclays Capital, Deutsche Bank Securities and J.P. Morgan, as the initial purchasers, in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The initial purchasers then sold the old notes to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and to persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. Because the old notes have been sold in reliance on exemptions from registration, the old notes are subject to transfer restrictions. In connection with the issuance of the old notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers pursuant to which we agreed, among other things, to deliver to you this prospectus and to complete an exchange offer for the old notes.

 

The Exchange Offer

We are offering to exchange up to $215,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017, or the exchange notes, for an equal aggregate principal amount of old notes. The terms of the exchange notes are identical in all material respects to the terms of the old notes, except that the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act and do not contain transfer restrictions, registration rights or additional interest provisions. You should read the discussion set forth under “Description of the Exchange Notes” for further information regarding the exchange notes. In order to be exchanged, an old note must be properly tendered and accepted. All old notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn will be exchanged. We will issue and deliver the exchange notes promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

Resale of Exchange Notes

Based on interpretations by the SEC’s Staff, as detailed in a series of no-action letters issued to third parties unrelated to us, we believe that the exchange notes issued in the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as long as:

 

   

you, or the person or entity receiving the exchange notes, acquires the exchange notes in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

neither you nor any such person or entity receiving the exchange notes is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of the exchange notes within the meaning of the federal securities laws;

 

   

neither you nor any such person or entity receiving the exchange notes has an arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in any distribution of the exchange notes; and

 

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neither you nor any such person or entity receiving the exchange notes is an “affiliate” of Cott Beverages Inc., as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

We have not submitted a no-action letter to the SEC and there can be no assurance that the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to this exchange offer. If you do not meet the conditions described above, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with the resale of the exchange notes. If you fail to comply with these requirements you may incur liabilities under the Securities Act, and we will not indemnify you for such liabilities.

 

Expiration Date

5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2010, unless, in our sole discretion, we extend or terminate the exchange offer.

 

Withdrawal Rights

You may withdraw tendered old notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. See “The Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer.”

 

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

The exchange offer is subject to certain customary conditions, including our determination that the exchange offer does not violate any law, statute, rule, regulation or interpretation by the Staff of the SEC or any regulatory authority or other foreign, federal, state or local government agency or court of competent jurisdiction, some of which may be waived by us. See “The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

 

Procedures for Tendering Old Notes

You may tender your old notes by instructing your broker or bank where you keep the old notes to tender them for you. In some cases, you may be asked to submit the blue-colored letter of transmittal that may accompany this prospectus. By tendering your old notes, you will represent to us, among other things, (1) that you are, or the person or entity receiving the exchange notes, is acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of business, (2) that neither you nor any such other person or entity has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and (3) that neither you nor any such other person or entity is our affiliate within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act. Your old notes will be tendered in integral multiples of $1,000. Exchange notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

A timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of your old notes into the exchange agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, according to the procedures described in this prospectus under “The Exchange Offer,” must be received by the exchange agent before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

 

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Consequences of Failure to Exchange

Any old notes not accepted for exchange for any reason will be credited to an account maintained at DTC promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer. Old notes that are not tendered, or that are tendered but not accepted, will be subject to their existing transfer restrictions. We will have no further obligation, except under limited circumstances, to provide for registration under the Securities Act of the old notes. The liquidity of the old notes could be adversely affected by the exchange offer. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Retention of the Old Notes—If you do not exchange your old notes, your old notes will continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions and you may be unable to sell your old notes.”

 

Taxation

The exchange of old notes for exchange notes by tendering holders should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For more details, see “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

Use of Proceeds

We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offer. For more details, see “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Exchange Agent

HSBC Bank USA, National Association is serving as the exchange agent in connection with the exchange offer. The address, telephone number and facsimile number of the exchange agent are listed under “The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent.”

 

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Terms of the Exchange Notes

The following is a brief summary of certain material terms of the exchange notes. For more complete information about the exchange notes, see “Description of the Exchange Notes” in this prospectus.

 

Issuer

Cott Beverages Inc.

 

Notes Offered

$215.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017.

Maturity Date

November 15, 2017.

 

Interest Rate

We will pay interest on the exchange notes at an annual interest rate of 8.375%.

 

Interest Payment Dates

Interest on the exchange notes will be payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on May 15, 2010.

 

Guarantees

The Issuer’s obligations under the exchange notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by Cott Corporation, certain of our current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, and our subsidiary that holds our assets in the United Kingdom. Certain of our subsidiaries will not be guarantors of the notes. As of April 3, 2010, the non-guarantor subsidiaries held approximately $70.6 million of our total assets of approximately $873.2 million and had liabilities of approximately $20.1 million.

 

Ranking

The exchange notes and the guarantees will be unsecured senior indebtedness. Accordingly, they will be:

 

   

pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuer’s and the guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness (including debt under our ABL Facility);

 

   

senior in right of payment to all of the Issuer’s and the guarantors’ existing and future subordinated indebtedness;

 

   

effectively subordinated to all of the Issuer’s and the guarantors’ secured indebtedness, including borrowings under our ABL Facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

   

structurally subordinated to all obligations of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

As of April 3, 2010, $265.9 million of indebtedness was outstanding, of which $51.5 million was secured indebtedness.

 

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Optional Redemption

Prior to November 15, 2012, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the exchange notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings.

At any time prior to November 15, 2013, we may redeem some or all of the exchange notes at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption plus a “make-whole” premium set forth under “Description of Exchange Notes—Redemption at Make-Whole Premium.”

In addition, at any time on or after November 15, 2013, we may redeem some or all of the exchange notes at the redemption prices set forth under “Description of Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption.”

 

Offer to Purchase

If we experience specific kinds of changes of control, and, under certain circumstances, if we sell certain assets, we may be required to offer to purchase the notes at the prices set forth under “Description of Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and “—Asset Sales.”

 

Covenants

The indenture governing the notes contains certain covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, under certain circumstances:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock;

 

   

pay dividends or distributions on or purchase our equity interests;

 

   

make other restricted payments or investments;

 

   

redeem debt that is junior in right of payment to the notes;

 

   

use our assets as security in other transactions;

 

   

place restrictions on distributions and other payments from restricted subsidiaries;

 

   

sell certain assets or merge with or into other entities; and

 

   

enter into transactions with affiliates.

Each of the covenants is subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. See “Description of Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants.”

 

DTC Eligibility

The exchange notes will be issued in book-entry form and will be represented by a permanent global security deposited with a custodian for and registered in the name of the nominee of DTC in New York, New York. Beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and transfers will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its direct and indirect participants and any such interests may not be exchanged for certificated securities, except in limited circumstances. See “Description of the Exchange Notes—Book-Entry Delivery and Form.”

 

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Absence of Established Markets for the Notes

The exchange notes are a new issue of securities, and currently there is no market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for the exchange notes to be listed on any securities exchange, or to arrange for any quotation system to quote them. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that liquid markets will develop for the exchange notes.

 

Risk Factors

An investment in the notes involves substantial risk. See “Risk Factors” for a description of certain of the risks you should consider before investing in the exchange notes.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown:

 

     Three months ended    Year ended
     Apr. 3,
2010
   Mar. 28,
2009
   Jan. 2,
2010
   Dec. 27,
2008
   Dec. 29,
2007
   Dec. 30,
2006
   Dec. 31,
2005

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a)

   3.3x    2.6    2.7    —      —      —      2.2x

 

(a) We compute the ratio of earnings to fixed charges by dividing (i) earnings (loss), which consists of net income from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less interest capitalized during the period and adjusted for undistributed earnings in equity investments, by (ii) fixed charges, which consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and the portion of rental expense under operating leases estimated to be representative of the interest factor.

Ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends requirements are not presented because there was no outstanding preferred stock in any of the periods indicated.

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was less than 1:1 for the year ended December 30, 2006. In order to achieve a ratio of earnings to Fixed charges of 1:1, we would have had to generate an additional $35 million in pre-tax earnings in the year ended December 30, 2006.

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was less than 1:1 for the year ended December 29, 2007. In order to achieve a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1:1, we would have had to generate an additional $88 million in pre-tax earnings in the year ended December 29, 2007.

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was less than 1:1 for the year ended December 27, 2008. In order to achieve a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1:1, we would have had to generate an additional $145 million in pre-tax earnings in the year ended December 27, 2008.

 

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RISK FACTORS

In considering whether to purchase the exchange notes offered hereby, you should understand the high degree of risk involved. You should carefully consider the risk factors and other information contained in this offering memorandum and the risk factors and other information incorporated by reference under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010, as well as the other information incorporated by reference into this offering memorandum as such risk factors and other information may be updated from time to time by our subsequent reports and other filings under the Exchange Act. See “Information Incorporated By Reference.” The risks below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may be unable to compete successfully in the highly competitive beverage category .

The markets for our products are extremely competitive. In comparison to the major national brand beverage manufacturers, we are a relatively small participant in the industry. We face competition from the national brand beverage manufacturers in all of our markets and from other retailer brand beverage manufacturers. If our competitors reduce their selling prices, increase the frequency of their promotional activities in our core markets, enter into the production of private label products, or if our customers do not allocate adequate shelf space for the beverages we supply, we could experience a decline in our volumes, be forced to reduce pricing, forgo price increases required to off-set increased costs of raw materials and fuel, increase capital and other expenditures, or lose market share, any of which could adversely affect our profitability.

We may not be able to respond successfully to consumer trends related to carbonated and non-carbonated beverages.

Consumer trends with respect to the products we sell are subject to change. Consumers are seeking increased variety in their beverages, and there is a growing interest among the public regarding the ingredients in our products, the attributes of those ingredients and health and wellness issues generally. This interest has resulted in a decline in consumer demand for full-calorie carbonated soft drinks (“CSDs”) and an increase in consumer demand for products associated with health and wellness, such as reduced-calorie CSDs, water, enhanced water, teas and certain other non-carbonated beverages. Consumer preferences may change due to a variety of other factors, including the aging of the general population, changes in social trends, the real or perceived impact that the manufacturing of our products has on the environment, changes in consumer demographics, changes in travel, vacation or leisure activity patterns, negative publicity resulting from regulatory action or litigation against companies in the industry, or a downturn in economic conditions. Any of these changes may reduce consumers’ demand for our products.

There can be no assurance that we can develop innovative products that respond to consumer trends. Our failure to develop innovative products could put us at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace and our business and financial results could be adversely affected.

Because a small number of customers account for a significant percentage of our sales, the loss of or reduction in sales to any significant customer could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

A significant portion of our revenue is concentrated in a small number of customers. Our customers include many large national and regional grocery, mass-merchandise, drugstore, wholesale and convenience store chains in our core markets of North America, United Kingdom and Mexico. Sales to Wal-Mart, our top customer in 2009, 2008 and 2007 accounted for 33.5%, 35.8% and 39.8%, respectively, of our total revenue. Sales to our top ten customers in 2009, 2008 and 2007 accounted for approximately 60%, 62% and 64%, respectively, of our total revenue. We expect that sales of our products to a limited number of customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our revenue for the foreseeable future.

 

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On January 27, 2009, we received written notice from Wal-Mart stating that Wal-Mart was exercising its right to terminate, without cause, our exclusive supply contract, effective on January 28, 2012 (the “Exclusive Supply Contract”). Pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Supply Contract, we are the exclusive supplier to Wal-Mart of retailer brand CSDs in the U.S. The termination provision of the Exclusive Supply Contract provides for exclusivity to be phased out over a period of three years following notice of termination (the “Notice Period”). Accordingly, we have the exclusive right to supply at least two-thirds of Wal-Mart’s total CSD volume in the U.S. during the first 12 months of the Notice Period, and we have the exclusive right to supply at least one-third of Wal-Mart’s total CSD volume in the U.S during the second 12 months of the Notice Period. Notwithstanding the termination of the Exclusive Supply Contract, we continue to supply Wal-Mart and its affiliated companies, under annual non-exclusive supply agreements, with a variety of products in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Mexico, including CSDs, clear, still and sparkling flavored waters, juice-based products, bottled water, energy drinks and ready-to-drink teas.

The loss of Wal-Mart or any significant customer, or customers that in the aggregate represent a significant portion of our revenue, or a material reduction in the amount of business we undertake with any such customer or customers, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows. Furthermore, we could be adversely affected if Wal-Mart or any significant customer reacts unfavorably to any pricing of our products or decides to de-emphasize or reduce their product offerings in the categories with which we supply them. At January 2, 2010, we had $74.8 million of customer relationships recorded as an intangible asset. The permanent loss of any customer included in the intangible asset would result in impairment in the value of the intangible asset or accelerated amortization and could lead to an impairment of fixed assets that were used to service that client.

Our ingredients, packaging supplies and other costs are subject to price increases and we may be unable to effectively pass rising costs on to our customers.

We bear the risk of changes in prices on the ingredient and packaging in our products. The majority of our ingredient and packaging supply contracts allow our suppliers to alter the prices they charge us based on changes in the costs of the underlying commodities that are used to produce them. Aluminum for cans and ends, resin for polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) bottles, preforms and caps and corn for high fructose corn syrup (“HFCS”) are examples of these underlying commodities. In addition, the contracts for certain of our ingredient and packaging materials permit our suppliers to increase the costs they charge us based on increases in their cost of converting those underlying commodities into the materials that we purchase. In certain cases those increases are subject to negotiated limits and, in other cases, they are not. These changes in the prices that we pay for ingredient and packaging materials occur at times that vary by product and supplier, but are principally on a monthly or annual basis.

We are at risk with respect to fluctuating aluminum prices. Simultaneously, because PET resin is not a traded commodity, no fixed price mechanism has been implemented, and we are accordingly also at risk with respect to changes in PET prices. HFCS has a history of volatile price changes. We typically purchase HFCS requirements for North America under 12 month contracts. We have entered into fixed price commitments for a majority of our HFCS requirements for 2010. We have also entered into fixed price commitments for a majority of our forecasted aluminum requirements for 2010 as well as a portion of our requirements for 2011.

Accordingly, we bear the risk of fluctuations in the costs of these ingredient and packaging materials, including the underlying costs of the commodities used to manufacture them and, to some extent, the costs of converting those commodities into the materials we purchase. We currently do not use derivatives to manage this risk. If the cost of these ingredients or packaging materials increases, we may be unable to pass these costs along to our customers through adjustments to the prices we charge. If we cannot pass on these increases to our customers on a timely basis, they could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. If we are able to pass these costs on to our customers through price increases, the impact those increased prices could have on our volumes is uncertain.

 

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Our beverage and concentrate production facilities use a significant amount of electricity, natural gas and other energy sources to operate. Fluctuations in the price of fuel and other energy sources for which we have not locked in long-term pricing commitments or arrangements would affect our operating costs, which could impact our profitability.

If we fail to manage our operations successfully, our business and financial results may be materially and adversely affected.

In recent years, we have grown our business and beverage offerings primarily through the acquisition of other companies, development of new product lines and growth with key customers. We believe that opportunities exist to increase sales of beverages in our markets by leveraging existing customer relationships, obtaining new customers, exploring new channels of distribution, introducing new products or identifying appropriate acquisition or strategic alliance candidates. The success of this strategy dealing with acquisitions depends on our ability to manage and integrate acquisitions and alliances into our existing business. Furthermore, the businesses or product lines that we acquire or align with may not be integrated successfully into our business or prove profitable. In addition to the foregoing factors, our ability to expand our business in foreign countries is also dependent on, and may be limited by, our ability to comply with the laws of the various jurisdictions in which we may operate, as well as changes in local government regulations and policies in such jurisdictions.

If we fail to manage the geographic allocation of production capacity surrounding customer demand in North America, we may lose certain customer product volume or have to utilize co-packers to fulfill our customer capacity obligations, either of which could negatively impact our financial results.

Our geographic diversity subjects us to the risk of currency fluctuations.

We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including those between the U.S. dollar and the pound sterling, the euro, the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso and other currencies. Our operations outside of the U.S. accounted for 36.7% of our 2009 sales. Accordingly, currency fluctuations in respect of our outstanding non-U.S. dollar denominated net asset balances may affect our reported results and competitive position.

Furthermore, our foreign operations purchase key ingredients and packaging supplies in U.S. dollars. This exposes them to additional foreign currency risk that can adversely affect our reported results.

If we are unable to maintain relationships with our raw material suppliers, we may incur higher supply costs or be unable to deliver products to our customers.

In addition to water, the principal raw materials required to produce our products are PET bottles, caps and preforms, aluminum cans and ends, labels, cartons and trays, concentrates and sweeteners.

We typically enter into annual or multi-year supply arrangements with our key suppliers, meaning that our suppliers are obligated to continue to supply us with materials for one-year or multi-year periods, at the end of which we must either renegotiate the contracts with those suppliers or find alternative sources for supply.

We rely upon our ongoing relationships with our key suppliers to support our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to either renegotiate contracts with these suppliers when they expire or, alternatively, if we are unable to renegotiate contracts with our key suppliers, there can be no assurance that we could replace them. We could also incur higher ingredient and packaging supply costs in renegotiating contracts with existing suppliers or replacing those suppliers, or we could experience temporary disruptions in our ability to deliver products to our customers, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

With respect to some of our key packaging supplies, such as aluminum cans and ends, and some of our key ingredients, such as sweeteners, we have entered into long-term supply agreements, the remaining terms of which

 

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range from one to two years, and therefore we are assured of a supply of those key packaging supplies and ingredients for a longer period of time. Crown Cork & Seal, Inc. (“CCS”) supplies aluminum cans and ends under a contract expiring on December 31, 2011. The contract provides that CCS will supply our entire aluminum can and end requirements worldwide, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, the supply of specific ingredient and packaging materials could be adversely affected by many factors, including industry consolidation, energy shortages, governmental controls, labor disputes, natural disasters, transportation interruption, political instability, acts of war or terrorism and other factors.

Our financial results may be negatively impacted by the recent global financial events.

Recent global financial events have resulted in the consolidation, failure or near failure of a number of institutions in the banking, insurance and investment banking industries and have substantially reduced the ability of companies to obtain financing. These events have also adversely affected the stock market. These events could have a number of different effects on our business, including:

 

   

reduction in consumer spending, which could result in a reduction in our sales volume;

 

   

a negative impact on the ability of our customers to timely pay their obligations to us or our vendors to timely supply materials, thus reducing our cash flow;

 

   

an increase in counterparty risk;

 

   

an increased likelihood that one or more members of our banking syndicate may be unable to honor its commitments under our ABL Facility; and

 

   

restricted access to capital markets that may limit our ability to take advantage of business opportunities, such as acquisitions.

Other events or conditions may arise directly or indirectly from the global financial events that could negatively impact our business.

We may not fully realize the expected cost savings and/or operating efficiencies from our restructuring activities.

During the last four years we have implemented, and plan to continue to implement, restructuring activities to support the implementation of key strategic initiatives designed to achieve long-term sustainable growth. These activities are intended to maximize our operating effectiveness and efficiency and to reduce our costs. We cannot be assured that we will achieve or sustain the targeted benefits under these programs or that the benefits, even if achieved, will be adequate to meet our long-term growth expectations. In addition, the implementation of key elements of these activities, such as employee job reductions and plant closures, may have an adverse impact on our business, particularly in the near-term.

Substantial disruption to production at our beverage concentrates or other beverage production facilities could occur.

A disruption in production at our beverage concentrates production facility, which manufactures almost all of our concentrates, could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, a disruption could occur at any of our other facilities or those of our suppliers, bottlers or distributors. The disruption could occur for many reasons, including fire, natural disasters, weather, manufacturing problems, disease, strikes, transportation interruption, government regulation or terrorism. Alternative facilities with sufficient capacity or capabilities may not be available, may cost substantially more or may take a significant time to start production, each of which could negatively affect our business and financial performance.

Our success depends, in part, on our intellectual property, which we may be unable to protect.

We possess certain intellectual property that is important to our business. This intellectual property includes trade secrets, in the form of the concentrate formulas for most of the beverages that we produce, and trademarks

 

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for the names of the beverages that we sell. While we own certain of the trademarks used to identify our beverages, other trademarks are used through licenses from third parties or by permission from our retailer brand customers. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to protect our intellectual property.

To protect this intellectual property, we rely principally on registration of trademarks, contractual responsibilities and restrictions in agreements (such as indemnification, nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements) with employees, consultants and customers, and on common law and statutory protections afforded to trademarks, trade secrets and proprietary “know-how.” In addition, we vigorously protect our intellectual property against infringements using any and all legal remedies available. Notwithstanding our efforts, we may not be successful in protecting our intellectual property for a number of reasons, including:

 

   

our competitors may independently develop intellectual property that is similar to or better than ours;

 

   

employees, consultants or customers may not abide by their contractual agreements and the cost of enforcing those agreements may be prohibitive, or those agreements may prove to be unenforceable or more limited than anticipated;

 

   

foreign intellectual property laws may not adequately protect our intellectual property rights; and

 

   

our intellectual property rights may be successfully challenged, invalidated or circumvented.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our competitive position would weaken and we could face significant expense to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights. At January 2, 2010, we had $45.0 million of rights and $9.5 million of trademarks recorded as intangible assets.

Occasionally, third parties may assert that we are, or may be, infringing on or misappropriating their intellectual property rights. In these cases, we intend to defend against claims or negotiate licenses when we consider these actions appropriate. Intellectual property cases are uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. If we become involved in this type of litigation, it could consume significant resources and divert our attention from business operations.

If we are found to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, we could incur significant damages, be enjoined from continuing to manufacture, market or use the affected product, or be required to obtain a license to continue manufacturing or using the affected product. A license could be very expensive to obtain or may not be available at all. Similarly, changing products or processes to avoid infringing the rights of others may be costly or impracticable.

Our products may not meet health and safety standards or could become contaminated and we could be liable for injury, illness or death caused by consumption of our products.

We have adopted various quality, environmental, health and safety standards. However, our products may still not meet these standards or could otherwise become contaminated. A failure to meet these standards or contamination could occur in our operations or those of our bottlers, distributors or suppliers. This could result in expensive production interruptions, recalls and liability claims. We may be liable to our customers if the consumption of any of our products causes injury, illness or death. Moreover, negative publicity could be generated from false, unfounded or nominal liability claims or limited recalls. Any of these failures or occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows.

Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and damage our reputation.

We are party to various litigation claims and legal proceedings. We evaluate these claims and proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. We may establish a reserve as appropriate based upon assessments and estimates in accordance with our accounting policies. We base our assessments, estimates and disclosures on the information available to us at the time and rely on legal and management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from assessments and estimates. Actual settlements, judgments or resolutions of these claims or proceedings may negatively affect our business and financial performance.

 

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Changes in the legal and regulatory environment in the jurisdictions in which we operate could increase our costs or reduce our revenues.

As a producer of beverages, we must comply with various federal, state, provincial, local and foreign laws relating to production, packaging, quality, labeling and distribution, including, in the U.S., those of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act and California Proposition 65. We are also subject to various federal, state, provincial, local and foreign environmental laws and workplace regulations. These laws and regulations include, in the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Unfair Labor Standards Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, laws governing equal employment opportunity, customs and foreign trade laws and regulations, laws relating to the maintenance of fuel storage tanks, laws relating to water consumption and treatment, and various other federal statutes and regulations. These laws and regulations may change as a result of political, economic, or social events. Such regulatory changes may include changes in food and drug laws, laws related to advertising, accounting standards, taxation requirements, competition laws and environmental laws, including laws relating to the regulation of water rights and treatment. Changes in laws, regulations or government policy and related interpretations may alter the environment in which we do business, which may impact our results or increase our costs or liabilities.

Proposed taxes on CSDs and other drinks could have an adverse effect on our business.

Federal, state, local and foreign governments have considered imposing taxes on soda and other sugary drinks. Any such taxes could negatively impact consumer demand for our products and have an adverse effect on our revenues.

We are not in compliance with the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act (“OEPA”) and, if the Ontario government seeks to enforce those requirements or implements modifications to them, we could be adversely affected.

Certain regulations under the OEPA provide that a minimum percentage of a bottler’s soft drink sales within specified areas in Ontario must be made in refillable containers. The penalty for non-compliance is a fine of $50,000 per day beginning when the first offense occurs and continuing until the first conviction, and then increasing to $100,000 per day for each subsequent conviction. These fines may be increased to equal the amount of monetary benefit acquired by the offender as a result of the commission of the offense. We, and we believe other industry participants, are currently not in compliance with the requirements of the OEPA. We do not expect to be in compliance with these regulations in the foreseeable future. Ontario is not enforcing the OEPA at this time, but if it chose to enforce the OEPA in the future, we could incur fines for non-compliance and the possible prohibition of sales of soft drinks in non-refillable containers in Ontario. We estimate that approximately 3% of our sales would be affected by the possible limitation on sales of soft drinks in non-refillable containers in Ontario if the Ontario Ministry of the Environment initiated an action to enforce the provisions of the OEPA against us.

In April 2003, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment proposed to revoke these regulations in favor of new mechanisms under the Ontario Waste Diversion Act to enhance diversion from disposal of CSD containers. On December 22, 2003, the Ontario provincial government approved the implementation of the Blue Box Program plan under the Ministry of Environment Waste Diversion Act. The Program requires those parties who are brand owners or licensees of rights to brands which are manufactured, packaged or distributed for sale in Ontario to contribute to the net cost of the Blue Box Program. We generally manufacture, package and distribute products for and on behalf of third party customers. Therefore, we do not believe that we will be responsible for direct costs of the Program. However, our customers may attempt to pass these costs, or a portion of them, on to us. We do not believe that the costs for which we may ultimately be responsible under this Program will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations; however, we cannot guarantee this outcome. The Blue Box Program does not revoke any of the regulations mentioned above under the OEPA regarding refillable containers, although the industry anticipates that they will be reversed in the future.

 

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Adverse weather conditions could reduce the demand for our products.

The sales of our products are influenced to some extent by weather conditions in the markets in which we operate. Unusually cold or rainy weather during the summer months may reduce the demand for our products and contribute to lower revenues, which could negatively impact our profitability.

Global or regional catastrophic events could impact our operations and financial results.

Our business can be affected by large-scale terrorist acts, especially those directed against the U.S. or other major industrialized countries in which we do business, major natural disasters, or widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases such as H1N1 influenza. Such events could impair our ability to manage our business could disrupt our supply of raw materials, and could impact production, transportation and delivery of products. In addition, such events could cause disruption of regional or global economic activity, which can affect consumers’ purchasing power in the affected areas and, therefore, reduce demand for our products.

Our success depends in part upon our ability to recruit, retain and prepare succession plans for our CEO, CFO, senior management and key employees.

The performance of our CEO, CFO, senior management and other key employees is critical to our success. We plan to continue to invest time and resources in developing our senior management and key employee teams. In 2009, we appointed a new CEO and a new CFO of the Company. Our long-term success will depend on our ability to recruit and retain capable senior management and other key employees, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our future operating results and financial condition. Further, if we fail to adequately plan for the succession of our CEO, CFO, senior management and other key employees, our operating results could be adversely affected.

Changes in future business conditions could cause business investments and/or recorded goodwill, indefinite life intangible assets or other intangible assets to become impaired, resulting in substantial losses and write-downs that would reduce our results of operations.

As part of our overall strategy, we will, from time to time, make investments in other businesses. These investments are made upon careful target analysis and due diligence procedures designed to achieve a desired return or strategic objective. These procedures often involve certain assumptions and judgment in determining acquisition price. After acquisition, unforeseen issues could arise that adversely affect anticipated returns or that are otherwise not recoverable as an adjustment to the purchase price. Even after careful integration efforts, actual operating results may vary significantly from initial estimates.

Goodwill accounted for approximately $30.6 million of our recorded total assets as of January 2, 2010. We evaluate the recoverability of recorded goodwill amounts annually, or when evidence of potential impairment exists. The annual impairment test is based on several factors requiring judgment and certain underlying assumptions. Our only intangible asset with an indefinite life relates to the 2001 acquisition of intellectual property from Royal Crown Company, Inc. including the right to manufacture our concentrates, with all related inventions, processes, technologies, technical and manufacturing information, know-how and the use of the Royal Crown brand outside of North America and Mexico (the “Rights”). This asset has a net book value of $45.0 million as more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010 (the “Form 10-K”).

As of January 2, 2010, other intangible assets were $110.5 million, which consisted principally of $74.8 million of customer relationships that arose from acquisitions and trademarks of $9.5 million. Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis for the period over which we expect to receive economic benefits which is up to 15 years. We review the estimated useful life of these intangible assets annually, taking into consideration the specific net cash flows related to the intangible asset, unless it is required more frequently due to a triggering event such as the loss of a customer. The permanent loss of any customer included in the intangible asset would result in impairment in the value of the intangible asset or accelerated amortization and could lead to an impairment of fixed assets that were used to service that client.

 

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Principally, a decrease in expected operating segment cash flows, changes in market conditions, loss of key customers and a change in our imputed cost of capital may indicate potential impairment of recorded goodwill or the Rights. For additional information on accounting policies we have in place for goodwill impairment, see our discussion under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Form 10-K and Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the financial statements included in the Form 10-K.

We may not be able to renew collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms, or we could experience strikes.

As of January 2, 2010, 873 of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. These agreements typically expire every three to five years at various dates. We may not be able to renew our collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms or at all. This could result in strikes or work stoppages, which could impair our ability to manufacture and distribute our products and result in a substantial loss of sales. The terms of existing or renewed agreements could also significantly increase our costs or negatively affect our ability to increase operational efficiency.

We depend on key information systems and third-party service providers.

We depend on key information systems to accurately and efficiently transact our business, provide information to management and prepare financial reports. We rely on third-party providers for the majority of our key information systems and business processing services, including hosting our primary data center. These systems and services are vulnerable to interruptions or other failures resulting from, among other things, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, software, equipment or telecommunications failures, processing errors, computer viruses, hackers, other security issues or supplier defaults. Security, backup and disaster recovery measures may not be adequate or implemented properly to avoid such disruptions or failures. Any disruption or failure of these systems or services could cause substantial errors, processing inefficiencies, security breaches, inability to use the systems or process transactions, loss of customers or other business disruptions, all of which could negatively affect our business and financial performance.

We also face other risks that could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition, which include:

 

   

any requirement to restate financial results in the event of inappropriate application of accounting principles;

 

   

any event that could damage our reputation;

 

   

failure of our processes to prevent and detect unethical conduct of employees;

 

   

a significant failure of internal controls over financial reporting;

 

   

failure of our prevention and control systems related to employee compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements; and

 

   

failure of corporate governance policies and procedures.

Risks Related To Our Capital Structure and This Offering

We have a significant amount of outstanding debt, which could adversely affect our financial health and

future cash flows may not be sufficient to meet our obligations.

As of April 3, 2010, our total indebtedness was $265.9 million. Our present indebtedness and any future borrowings could have important adverse consequences to us and our investors, including:

 

   

requiring a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make interest payments on this debt;

 

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making it more difficult to satisfy debt service and other obligations;

 

   

increasing the risk of a future credit ratings downgrade of our debt, which would increase future debt costs;

 

   

increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

reducing the cash flow available to fund capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to grow our business;

 

   

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry;

 

   

placing us at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors that may not be as highly leveraged with debt as we are; and

 

   

limiting our ability to borrow additional funds as needed or take advantage of business opportunities as they arise, pay cash dividends or repurchase common stock.

To the extent we become more leveraged, the risks described above would increase. In addition, our actual cash requirements in the future may be greater than expected. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our ABL Facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the exchange notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs.

If we fail to generate sufficient cash flow from future operations to meet our debt service obligations, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt, including the exchange notes, on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our debt, including our ABL Facility and the exchange notes, on attractive terms, commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance the exchange notes, and to service, extend or refinance our ABL Facility will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Despite current indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt.

This could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial leverage.

We will have the right to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of our ABL Facility and the indenture governing our indebtedness restrict, but do not in all circumstances, prohibit us from doing so. Subject to satisfying the conditions for borrowing under our ABL Facility, not taking into account any of the restrictive covenants therein, as of April 3, 2010, we could borrow up to an additional $123.0 million, which is the unused portion of the existing commitment under our ABL Facility. All existing and future borrowings under our ABL Facility will rank pari passu with the exchange notes and the subsidiary guarantees and such borrowings are secured by substantially all of our assets. Under the instruments governing our debt, we are permitted to incur substantial additional debt that ranks equal with the exchange notes. In addition, as of the date hereof, the indenture governing the exchange notes would permit us to incur more than $300 million of additional indebtedness under certain incurrence baskets without having to meet coverage ratio incurrence tests or other EBITDA thresholds. Under certain debt incurrence tests, the amount of total debt we could incur in the future under the indenture governing the exchange notes could increase.

Any additional debt may be governed by indentures or other instruments containing covenants that could place restrictions on the operation of our business and the execution of our business strategy in addition to the restrictions on our business already contained in the agreements governing our existing debt. Because any

 

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decision to issue debt securities or enter into new debt facilities will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any future debt financings and we may be required to accept unfavorable terms for any such financings.

A portion of our indebtedness is variable rate debt, and changes in interest rates could adversely affect us by

causing us to incur higher interest costs with respect to such variable rate debt.

Our ABL Facility subjects us to interest rate risk. The interest rate and margin applicable to our ABL Facility is variable, meaning that the rate at which we pay interest on amounts borrowed under the facility fluctuates with changes in interest rates and our debt leverage. Accordingly, with respect to any amounts from time to time outstanding under our ABL Facility, we are exposed to changes in interest rates. We do not currently use derivative instruments to hedge interest rate exposure. If we are unable to adequately manage our debt structure in response to changes in the market, our interest expense could increase, which would negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Our ABL Facility contains, and the indenture governing the exchange notes will contain, various covenants limiting the discretion of our management in operating our business and could prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities and taking some corporate actions.

Our ABL Facility imposes, and the indenture governing the exchange notes will impose, significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions will limit or restrict, among other things, our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

   

make restricted payments (including paying dividends on, redeeming, repurchasing or retiring our capital stock);

 

   

make investments;

 

   

create liens;

 

   

sell assets;

 

   

enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make loans or transfer assets to us;

 

   

engage in transactions with affiliates; and

 

   

consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets.

These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications and, with respect to the exchange notes, are described under the heading “Description of Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants” in this prospectus. In addition, our ABL Facility also requires us, under certain circumstances, to maintain compliance with a financial covenant. Our ability to comply with this covenant may be affected by events beyond our control, including those described in this “Risk Factors” section. A breach of any of the covenants contained in our ABL Facility, including our inability to comply with the financial covenant, could result in an event of default, which would allow the lenders under our ABL Facility to declare all borrowings outstanding to be due and payable, which would in turn trigger an event of default under the indenture governing the exchange notes and, potentially, our other indebtedness. At maturity or in the event of an acceleration of payment obligations, we would likely be unable to pay our outstanding indebtedness with our cash and cash equivalents then on hand. We would, therefore, be required to seek alternative sources of funding, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, terms as favorable as our current agreements or at all, or face bankruptcy. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness or find alternative means of financing our operations, we may be required to curtail our operations or take other actions that are inconsistent with our current business practices or strategy.

 

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The trading prices for the exchange notes will be directly affected by many factors, including our credit rating.

Credit rating agencies continually revise their ratings for companies they follow, including us. Any ratings downgrade could adversely affect the trading price of the exchange notes, or the trading market for the exchange notes, to the extent a trading market for the exchange notes develops. The condition of the financial and credit markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future and any fluctuation may impact the trading price of the exchange notes.

Your right to receive payments on the exchange notes and the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to our secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing that debt.

The exchange notes and the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to claims of existing and future secured creditors to the extent of the value of the assets securing such claims. As of April 3, 2010, we had approximately $51.5 million of secured borrowings outstanding, which excludes outstanding letters of credit, and we could have incurred an additional $123.0 million under our ABL Facility. Substantially all of our and the subsidiary guarantors’ assets secure obligations under our ABL Facility. The indenture governing the exchange notes would permit us to incur additional secured indebtedness. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, bankruptcy or any similar proceeding, holders of our secured obligations will have claims that are prior to claims of the holders of the exchange notes or the guarantees with respect to the assets securing those obligations, which are substantially all of our assets. Accordingly, there may not be sufficient funds remaining to pay amounts due on all or any of the exchange notes.

Your right to receive payments on the exchange notes could be adversely affected if any of our non-guarantor

subsidiaries declares bankruptcy, liquidates or reorganizes.

Some, but not all, of our subsidiaries will guarantee the exchange notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of the non-guarantor subsidiaries, holders of their debt and their trade creditors will generally be entitled to payment of their claims from assets of those subsidiaries before any assets are made available for distribution to us. After giving effect to the guarantee of the exchange notes by our subsidiary guarantors, the exchange notes would be effectively junior to approximately $20.1 million of debt and other liabilities (including trade payables) of these non-guarantor subsidiaries. The non-guarantor subsidiaries generated approximately 7.9% and 9.2% of our consolidated revenues for the twelve months ended January 2, 2010 and three months ended April 3, 2010, respectively, and held approximately 8.1% of our consolidated assets as of April 3, 2010.

Certain of our subsidiaries will be classified as unrestricted subsidiaries and will not be subject to any of the

covenants in the indenture, and we may not be able to rely on the cash flow or assets of those unrestricted subsidiaries to pay our indebtedness.

Unrestricted subsidiaries will not be subject to the covenants under the indenture. Unrestricted subsidiaries may enter into financing arrangements that limit their ability to make loans or other payments to fund payments in respect of the exchange notes. Accordingly, we may not be able to rely on the cash flow or assets of unrestricted subsidiaries to pay any of our indebtedness, including the exchange notes. The unrestricted subsidiaries had assets of approximately $70.6 million (excluding inter-company loans and investments) as of April 3, 2010, and revenues of approximately $126.6 million for the year ended January 2, 2010 and $33.5 million for the three months ended April 3, 2010.

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance a change of control offer if required by the

indenture for the exchange notes or the terms of our other indebtedness.

Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, we will be required to offer to purchase all outstanding exchange notes and other outstanding debt. A change of control event under the indenture governing

 

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the exchange notes could also constitute a change of control under our ABL Facility, which could result in the acceleration of the indebtedness outstanding thereunder. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar restrictions and provisions. If a change of control were to occur, we cannot assure you that we would have sufficient funds to pay the purchase price for all the exchange notes tendered by the holders or such other indebtedness and under the indenture governing the exchange notes we may not be permitted to repurchase such other indebtedness, which could result in an event of default under such indebtedness. Moreover, under the indenture governing the exchange notes, certain important corporate events, such as leveraged recapitalizations that would increase the level of our indebtedness, would not constitute a “change of control” and thus would not give rise to any repurchase rights.

Thus, there can be no assurance that in the event of a change of control we will have sufficient funds to satisfy our obligations with respect to any or all of the tendered exchange notes. See “Description of Exchange notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control.”

There is no public market for the exchange notes and we do not know if a market will ever develop or, if a market does develop, whether it will be sustained.

The exchange notes are a new issue of securities and there is no existing trading market for the exchange notes. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid market will develop or continue for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or at the price that you desire. We do not intend to apply for listing or quotation of the exchange notes on any securities exchange or stock market. The liquidity of any market for the exchange notes will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

   

the number of holders of the exchange notes;

 

   

our operating performance and financial condition;

 

   

our ability to complete the offer to exchange the old notes for the exchange notes;

 

   

the market for similar securities;

 

   

the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the exchange notes; and

 

   

prevailing interest rates.

The trading price of the exchange notes may be volatile.

Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the exchange notes. We cannot assure you that any such disruptions may not adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your exchange notes. The exchange notes may trade at a discount from the initial offering price of the exchange notes, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar exchange notes, our performance and other factors.

Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to avoid guarantees and require note

holders to return payments received from guarantors.

Under the federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws or other state laws, a court could avoid a guarantee or subordinate a guarantee to all of our other debts or all other debts of a guarantor if, among other things, the guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee, received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of such indebtedness and:

 

   

the guarantor was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence;

 

   

the guarantor was engaged in a business or transaction for which our or the guarantor’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or

 

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the guarantor intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond our or its ability to pay such debts as they mature.

In addition, a court could void any payment by a guarantor pursuant to a guarantee and require that payment

to be returned to the guarantor, or to a fund for the benefit of our creditors or the creditors of the guarantor.

The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws may vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a guarantor would be considered insolvent if:

 

   

the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, were greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets;

 

   

if the present fair saleable value of its assets were less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

 

   

it could not pay its debts as they become due.

On the basis of historical financial information, recent operating history and other factors, we believe that we and each subsidiary guarantor, after giving effect to its guarantee of the exchange notes, will not be insolvent, will not have unreasonably small capital for the business in which we are or it is engaged and will not have incurred debts beyond our or its ability to pay such debts as they mature. There can be no assurance, however, as to what standard a court would apply in making such determinations or that a court would agree with our or the subsidiary guarantors’ conclusions in this regard.

Risks Related to Retention of the Old Notes

If you do not exchange your old notes, your old notes will continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions and you may be unable to sell your old notes.

We will only issue exchange notes in exchange for old notes that are validly tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth in this prospectus. Therefore, you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your old notes. See “The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Old Notes.” We did not register the old notes under the Securities Act, nor do we intend to do so following the exchange offer. If you do not exchange your old notes in the exchange offer, or if your old notes are not accepted for exchange, then, after we consummate the exchange offer, you may continue to hold old notes that are subject to the existing transfer restrictions and may be transferred only in limited circumstances under the securities laws. If you do not exchange your old notes, you will lose your right to have your old notes registered under the federal securities laws, except in limited circumstances. As a result, you will not be able to offer or sell old notes except in reliance on an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Because we anticipate that most holders of old notes will elect to exchange their old notes, we expect that the liquidity of the trading market for any old notes remaining after the completion of the exchange offer will be substantially reduced. Any old notes tendered and exchanged in the exchange offer will reduce the aggregate number of old notes outstanding. Accordingly, the liquidity of the market for any old notes could be adversely affected and you may be unable to sell them.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the exchange notes, we will receive in exchange old notes in like principal amount. The form and terms of the exchange notes are identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the old notes, except that the transfer restrictions, registration rights and rights to additional interest applicable to the old notes do not apply to the exchange notes. The old notes surrendered in exchange for the exchange notes will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of the exchange notes will not result in any increase in our outstanding debt.

On November 13, 2009, we issued and sold the old notes. The net proceeds from the sale of the old notes, together with cash on hand and ABL Facility borrowings, were used to repurchase our outstanding 8.0% senior subordinated notes due 2011 pursuant to a cash tender offer and consent solicitation.

 

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

The exchange offer is designed to provide holders of old notes with an opportunity to acquire exchange notes which, unlike the old notes, will be freely transferable at all times, subject to any restrictions on transfer imposed by state “blue sky” laws and provided that the holder is not our affiliate within the meaning of the Securities Act and represents that the exchange notes are being acquired in the ordinary course of the holder’s business and the holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the exchange notes.

The old notes were originally issued and sold on November 13, 2009, the issue date, to the initial purchasers, pursuant to the purchase agreement dated November 3, 2009. The old notes were issued and sold in a transaction not registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The concurrent resale of the old notes by the initial purchasers to investors was done in reliance upon the exemptions provided by Rule 144A and Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. The old notes may not be reoffered, resold or transferred other than (i) to us or our subsidiaries, (ii) to a qualified institutional buyer in compliance with Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, (iii) outside the United States to a non-U.S. person within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iv) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (if available) or (v) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

In connection with the original issuance and sale of the old notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the exchange by us of the exchange notes for the old notes, or the exchange offer. The registration rights agreement provides that we will file with the SEC an exchange offer registration statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act and offer to holders of old notes who are able to make certain representations the opportunity to exchange their old notes for exchange notes.

Under existing interpretations by the Staff of the SEC as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties in other transactions, the exchange notes would, in general, be freely transferable after the exchange offer without further registration under the Securities Act; provided, however, that in the case of broker-dealers participating in the exchange offer, a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act must be delivered by such broker-dealers in connection with resales of the exchange notes. We have agreed to furnish a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act to any such broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of any exchange notes acquired in the exchange offer. A broker-dealer that delivers such a prospectus to purchasers in connection with such resales will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement (including certain indemnification rights and obligations).

Each holder of old notes that exchanges such old notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will be deemed to have made certain representations, including representations that (i) any exchange notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of exchange notes and (iii) it is not our affiliate as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or if it is an affiliate, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.

If the holder is not a broker-dealer, it will be required to represent that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of exchange notes. If the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive exchange notes for its own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes.

 

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Terms of the Exchange Offer

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept any and all old notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Subject to the minimum denomination requirements of the exchange notes, the exchange notes are being offered in exchange for a like principal amount of old notes. Old notes may be exchanged only in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount. Holders may tender all, some or none of their old notes pursuant to the exchange offer.

The form and terms of the exchange notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the old notes except that (i) the exchange notes will be registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof and (ii) holders of the exchange notes will not be entitled to certain rights of holders of old notes under and related to the registration rights agreement. The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes and will be entitled to the benefits of the indenture. The exchange notes will be treated as a single class under the indenture with any old notes that remain outstanding. The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered for exchange.

Expiration Date; Extensions; Termination; Amendments

The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2010 (21 business days following the date notice of the exchange offer was mailed to the holders). We reserve the right to extend the exchange offer at our discretion, in which event the term expiration date shall mean the time and date on which the exchange offer as so extended shall expire. Any such extension will be communicated to the exchange agent either orally or in writing and will be followed promptly by a press release or other permitted means which will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately following the previously scheduled expiration date.

We reserve the right to extend or terminate the exchange offer and not accept for exchange any old notes if any of the events set forth below under “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer” occur, and are not waived by us, by giving oral or written notice of such delay or termination to the exchange agent. See “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

We also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner, provided, however, that if we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine constitutes a material or significant change, we will extend the exchange offer so that it remains open for a period of five to ten business days after such amendment is communicated to holders, depending upon the significance of the amendment.

Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make a public announcement of any extension, termination or amendment of the exchange offer, we will comply with applicable securities laws by disclosing any such amendment by means of a prospectus supplement that we distribute to holders of the old notes. We will have no other obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by making a timely release through any appropriate news agency.

Procedures for Tendering Old Notes

Since the old notes are represented by global book-entry notes, DTC, as depositary, or its nominee is treated as the registered holder of the old notes and will be the only entity that can tender your old notes for exchange notes. Therefore, to tender old notes subject to this exchange offer and to obtain exchange notes, you must instruct the institution where you keep your old notes to tender your old notes on your behalf so that they are received prior to the expiration of this exchange offer.

The letter of transmittal that may accompany this prospectus may be used by you to give such instructions.

 

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YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE AT THE BROKER OR BANK WHERE YOU KEEP YOUR OLD NOTES TO DETERMINE THE PREFERRED PROCEDURE.

IF YOU WISH TO ACCEPT THIS EXCHANGE OFFER, PLEASE INSTRUCT YOUR BROKER OR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE IN TIME FOR YOUR OLD NOTES TO BE TENDERED BEFORE THE 5:00 P.M. (NEW YORK CITY TIME) DEADLINE ON                     , 2010.

You may tender all, some or none of your old notes in this exchange offer. However, your old notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000.

When you tender your old notes and we accept them, the tender will be a binding agreement between you and us in accordance with the terms and conditions in this prospectus.

We will decide all questions about the validity, form, eligibility, acceptance and withdrawal of tendered old notes, and our reasonable determination will be final and binding on you. We reserve the absolute right to:

 

  (1) reject any and all tenders of any particular old note not properly tendered;

 

  (2) refuse to accept any old note if, in our judgment or the judgment of our counsel, the acceptance would be unlawful; and

 

  (3) waive any defects or irregularities or conditions to the exchange offer as to any particular old notes before the expiration of the exchange offer.

Our reasonable interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer will be final and binding on all parties. You must cure any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes as we will determine. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will incur any liability for failure to notify you of any defect or irregularity with respect to your tender of old notes. If we waive any terms or conditions pursuant to (3) above with respect to a note holder, we will extend the same waiver to all note holders with respect to that term or condition being waived.

Deemed Representations

To participate in the exchange offer, we require that you represent to us that:

 

  (i) you or any other person acquiring exchange notes in exchange for your old notes in the exchange offer is acquiring them in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (ii) neither you nor any other person acquiring exchange notes in exchange for your old notes in the exchange offer is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of the exchange notes within the meaning of the federal securities laws;

 

  (iii) neither you nor any other person acquiring exchange notes in exchange for your old notes has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of exchange notes issued in the exchange offer;

 

  (iv) neither you nor any other person acquiring exchange notes in exchange for your old notes is our “affiliate” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act; and

 

  (v) if you or another person acquiring exchange notes in exchange for your old notes is a broker-dealer and you acquired the old notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the exchange notes.

BY TENDERING YOUR OLD NOTES YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE THESE REPRESENTATIONS.

 

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Broker-dealers who cannot make the representations in item (v) of the paragraph above cannot use this exchange offer prospectus in connection with resales of the exchange notes issued in the exchange offer.

If you are our “affiliate,” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, if you are a broker-dealer who acquired your old notes in the initial offering and not as a result of market-making or trading activities, or if you are engaged in or intend to engage in or have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of exchange notes acquired in the exchange offer, you or that person:

 

  (i) may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the Staff of the SEC and therefore may not participate in the exchange offer; and

 

  (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom when reselling the old notes.

Procedures for Brokers and Custodian Banks; DTC ATOP Account

In order to accept this exchange offer on behalf of a holder of old notes you must submit or cause your DTC participant to submit an Agent’s Message as described below.

The exchange agent, on our behalf, will seek to establish an Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, account with respect to the old notes at DTC promptly after the delivery of this prospectus. Any financial institution that is a DTC participant, including your broker or bank, may make book-entry tender of old notes by causing the book-entry transfer of such old notes into our ATOP account in accordance with DTC’s procedures for such transfers. Concurrently with the delivery of old notes, an Agent’s Message in connection with such book-entry transfer must be transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the exchange agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. The confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the ATOP account as described above is referred to herein as a “Book-Entry Confirmation.”

The term “Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by the DTC participants to DTC, and thereafter transmitted by DTC to the exchange agent, forming a part of the Book-Entry Confirmation which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC described in such Agent’s Message stating that such participant and beneficial holder agree to be bound by the terms of this exchange offer.

Each Agent’s Message must include the following information:

 

  (i) Name of the beneficial owner tendering such old notes;

 

  (ii) Account number of the beneficial owner tendering such old notes;

 

  (iii) Principal amount of old notes tendered by such beneficial owner; and

 

  (iv) A confirmation that the beneficial holder of the old notes tendered has made the representations for the benefit of us set forth under “—Deemed Representations” above.

BY SENDING AN AGENT’S MESSAGE THE DTC PARTICIPANT IS DEEMED TO HAVE CERTIFIED THAT THE BENEFICIAL HOLDER FOR WHOM OLD NOTES ARE BEING TENDERED HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH A COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

The delivery of old notes through DTC, and any transmission of an Agent’s Message through ATOP, is at the election and risk of the person tendering old notes. We will ask the exchange agent to instruct DTC to return those old notes, if any, that were tendered through ATOP but were not accepted by us, to the DTC participant that tendered such old notes on behalf of holders of the old notes.

 

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Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of Exchange Notes

We will accept validly tendered old notes when the conditions to the exchange offer have been satisfied or we have waived them. We will have accepted your validly tendered old notes when we have given oral or written notice to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purpose of receiving the exchange notes from us. If we do not accept any old notes tendered for exchange by book-entry transfer because of an invalid tender or other valid reason, we will credit the old notes to an account maintained with DTC promptly after the exchange offer terminates or expires.

THE AGENT’S MESSAGE MUST BE TRANSMITTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE 5:00 PM, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

Withdrawal Rights

You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

For a withdrawal to be effective, you should contact your bank or broker where your old notes are held and have them send an ATOP notice of withdrawal so that it is received by the exchange agent before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Such notice of withdrawal must:

 

  (1) specify the name of the person that tendered the old notes to be withdrawn;

 

  (2) identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the CUSIP number and principal amount at maturity of the old notes; and

 

  (3) specify the name and number of an account at DTC to which your withdrawn old notes can be credited.

We will decide all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of the notices and our reasonable determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any tendered old notes that you withdraw will not be considered to have been validly tendered. We will return any old notes that have been tendered but not exchanged, or credit them to the DTC account, promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender, or termination of the exchange offer. You may re-tender properly withdrawn old notes by following one of the procedures described above prior to the expiration date.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the exchange offer, or any extension of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue exchange notes in exchange for, any old notes and may terminate the exchange offer (whether or not any old notes have been accepted for exchange) or amend the exchange offer, if any of the following conditions has occurred or exists or has not been satisfied, or has not been waived by us in our sole reasonable discretion, prior to the expiration date:

 

   

there is threatened, instituted or pending any action or proceeding before, or any injunction, order or decree issued by, any court or governmental agency or other governmental regulatory or administrative agency or commission:

 

  (1) seeking to restrain or prohibit the making or completion of the exchange offer or any other transaction contemplated by the exchange offer, or assessing or seeking any damages as a result of this transaction; or

 

  (2) resulting in a material delay in our ability to accept for exchange or exchange some or all of the old notes in the exchange offer; or

 

  (3) any statute, rule, regulation, order or injunction has been sought, proposed, introduced, enacted, promulgated or deemed applicable to the exchange offer or any of the transactions contemplated by the exchange offer by any governmental authority, domestic or foreign; or

 

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any action has been taken, proposed or threatened, by any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, that, in our sole reasonable judgment, would directly or indirectly result in any of the consequences referred to in clauses (1), (2) or (3) above or, in our sole reasonable judgment, would result in the holders of exchange notes having obligations with respect to resales and transfers of exchange notes which are greater than those described in the interpretation of the SEC referred to above, or would otherwise make it inadvisable to proceed with the exchange offer; or

the following has occurred:

 

  (1) any general suspension of or general limitation on prices for, or trading in, securities on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market; or

 

  (2) any limitation by a governmental authority which adversely affects our ability to complete the transactions contemplated by the exchange offer; or

 

  (3) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States or any limitation by any governmental agency or authority which adversely affects the extension of credit; or

 

  (4) a commencement of a war, armed hostilities or other similar international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or, in the case of any of the preceding events existing at the time of the commencement of the exchange offer, a material acceleration or worsening of these calamities; or

 

   

any change, or any development involving a prospective change, has occurred or been threatened in our business, financial condition, operations or prospects and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole that is or may be adverse to us, or we have become aware of facts that have or may have an adverse impact on the value of the old notes or the exchange notes, which in our sole reasonable judgment in any case makes it inadvisable to proceed with the exchange offer and/or with such acceptance for exchange or with such exchange; or

 

   

there shall occur a change in the current interpretation by the Staff of the SEC which permits the exchange notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer in exchange for old notes to be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than broker-dealers and any such holder which is our affiliate within the meaning of Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such exchange notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders’ business and such holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such exchange notes; or

 

   

any law, statute, rule or regulation shall have been adopted or enacted which, in our reasonable judgment, would impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer; or

 

   

a stop order shall have been issued by the SEC or any state securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement, or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to our knowledge, threatened for that purpose, or any governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval we shall, in our sole reasonable discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the exchange offer as contemplated hereby; or

 

   

we have received an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that there exists any actual or threatened legal impediment (including a default or prospective default under an agreement, indenture or other instrument or obligation to which we are a party or by which we are bound) to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the exchange offer.

If we determine in our sole reasonable discretion that any of the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists or has not been satisfied, we may, subject to applicable law, terminate the exchange offer (whether or not any old notes have been accepted for exchange) or may waive any such condition or otherwise amend the

 

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terms of the exchange offer in any respect. If such waiver or amendment constitutes a material change to the exchange offer, we will promptly disclose such waiver or amendment by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the old notes and will extend the exchange offer to the extent required by Rule 14e-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

These conditions are for our sole benefit and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any of these conditions, or we may waive them, in whole or in part, in our sole reasonable discretion, provided that we will not waive any condition with respect to an individual holder of old notes unless we waive that condition for all such holders. Any reasonable determination made by us concerning an event, development or circumstance described or referred to above will be final and binding on all parties.

Exchange Agent

We have appointed HSBC Bank USA, National Association as the exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the blue-colored letter of transmittal to the exchange agent at HSBC Bank USA, National Association, Corporate Trust & Loan Agency, 2 Hanson Place, 14th Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11217-1409, Attention: Corporate Trust Operations, telephone: (800) 662-9844, facsimile: (718) 488-4488.

Fees and Expenses

We have not retained any dealer-manager or similar agent in connection with the exchange offer. We will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others for soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. However, we will pay the reasonable and customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses to the exchange agent in connection therewith. We will also pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer, including accounting, legal, printing, and related fees and expenses.

Accounting Treatment

The exchange notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the old notes, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will recognize no gain or loss for accounting purposes upon the closing of the exchange offer. The expenses of the exchange offer will be expensed as incurred.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

Upon consummation of the exchange offer, certain rights under and related to the registration rights agreement, including registration rights and the right to receive the contingent increases in the interest rate, will terminate. The old notes that are not exchanged for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer will remain restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. Accordingly, such old notes may be resold only (i) to us or our subsidiaries, (ii) to a qualified institutional buyer in compliance with Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, (iii) outside the United States to a non-U.S. person within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iv) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (if available) or (v) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. The liquidity of the old notes could be adversely affected by the exchange offer.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES

General

In this description, references to the “Notes” are to the exchange notes, unless the context otherwise requires. We issued the old notes and will issue the exchange notes pursuant to an Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of November 13, 2009, among the Company, the Guarantors and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The form and terms of the old notes and the exchange notes are identical in all material respects except that the exchange notes will have been registered under the Securities Act. See “The Exchange Offer—Purpose of the Exchange Offer” and “The Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer.” The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

The Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders (the “Holders”) of the Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement thereof. The following summary of the material provisions of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms used below. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as Holders. The definitions of certain terms used in the following summary are set forth below under “—Certain Definitions.” For purposes of this summary, (i) the term “Issuer” refers only to Cott Beverages Inc.; and (ii) the term “Cott” refers only to Cott Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.

Brief Description of the Notes and the Guarantees

The Notes

The notes (the “notes”) are:

 

   

general unsecured obligations of the Issuer;

 

   

pari passu in right of payment with any existing and future unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer;

 

   

effectively subordinated to any existing and future secured indebtedness of the Issuer to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

   

structurally subordinated to all Indebtedness and other liabilities of the subsidiaries of Cott that do not guarantee the notes; and

 

   

unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors on a senior basis.

The Guarantees

The notes are guaranteed by Cott, all of its Domestic Subsidiaries and its subsidiaries that make up its business in the United Kingdom.

Each guarantee of the notes:

 

   

is a general unsecured obligation of that Guarantor;

 

   

is pari passu in right of payment with any future senior indebtedness of that Guarantor; and

 

   

effectively subordinated to any existing and future secured Indebtedness of such Guarantor, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Indebtedness.

As of April 3, 2010, Cott, the Issuer and the Guarantors on a combined basis would have had $265.9 million of indebtedness, $51.5 million of which would have been secured Indebtedness. Not all of Cott’s subsidiaries will guarantee the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor

 

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subsidiaries, the non-guarantor subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us. The Issuer, Cott and the other Guarantors generated 91.8% of Cott’s consolidated revenues in the twelve months ended April 3, 2010 and held approximately 91.9% of Cott’s consolidated assets as of April 3, 2010.

As of the date of the indenture, all of our subsidiaries other than Northeast Finco Inc. and its Subsidiaries will be “Restricted Subsidiaries.” However, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,” we will be permitted to designate certain of our other subsidiaries as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the restrictive covenants in the indenture. Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not guarantee the notes. As of April 3, 2010, Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries have invested approximately $29.5 million, or 1.9% of Cott’s consolidated revenues in the twelve months ended April 3, 2010, excluding acquisition costs, in Northeast Finco Inc.

As of April 3, 2010, Cott’s subsidiaries that are not guaranteeing the notes had approximately $20.1 million of liabilities including trade payables and excluding inter company liabilities.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

The notes will mature on November 15, 2017 and will bear interest at 8.375% per annum and have an initial aggregate principal amount of $215.0 million. The Issuer may issue additional notes under the indenture from time to time after this offering. Any offering of such additional notes is subject to the covenant described below under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.” The notes and any additional notes subsequently issued under the indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. The Issuer will issue notes only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 8.375% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15, commencing on May 15, 2010. The Issuer will make each interest payment to the trustee (for the benefit of the Holders of record on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1).

Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes

The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar. The Issuer may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the notes, and the Issuer or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.

Transfer and Exchange

A Holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a Holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of notes. Holders will be required to pay all taxes due on transfer. The Issuer is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Issuer is not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.

Guarantees

The notes are guaranteed by Cott, all of its Domestic Subsidiaries (other than its Unrestricted Subsidiaries) and its Subsidiaries that make up its business in the United Kingdom.

 

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These Guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the Guarantors. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes—The guarantees of certain affiliates of the issuer could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and a court may try to subordinate or avoid such guarantees.”

A Guarantor that is a Subsidiary of Cott may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Issuer or another Guarantor, unless:

 

  (1) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

  (2) either:

 

  (a) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture in the form attached to the Indenture; or

 

  (b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture.

See “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

The Guarantee of a Guarantor that is a Subsidiary of Cott will be automatically and unconditionally released:

 

  (1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Subsidiary of Cott, if the sale or other disposition complies with the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture;

 

  (2) in connection with any sale of Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Subsidiary of Cott, if the sale complies with the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture and the Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary;

 

  (3) upon legal defeasance or covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the notes and the indenture;

 

  (4) if Cott designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture; or

 

  (5) if the Guarantor no longer Guarantees any obligations under the Credit Facilities and such Guarantor does not Guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantors (other than Guarantees that are concurrently released with the Guarantee of the Notes).

Optional Redemption

At any time prior to November 15, 2012, the Issuer may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of notes issued under the indenture at a redemption price of 108.375% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Issuer or with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by Cott that are contributed to the Issuer as common equity capital, provided that:

 

  (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes issued under the indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding notes held by Cott and its Subsidiaries); and

 

  (2) the redemption occurs within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

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In addition, at any time prior to November 15, 2013, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to the registered address of each Holder of notes or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of the Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

On or after November 15, 2013, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, subject to the rights of the Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 15 of the years indicated below:

 

YEAR

   PERCENTAGE  

2013

   104.188

2014

   102.094

2015 and thereafter

   100.000

Mandatory Redemption

The Issuer is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.

Selection and Notice

If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time, the trustee will select notes for redemption as follows:

 

  (1) if the notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the notes are listed; or

 

  (2) if the notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate.

No notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.

If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note will be issued in the name of the Holder of notes upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or portions of them called for redemption unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price.

Repurchase at the Option of Holders

Change of Control

If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of notes will have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder’s notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on the terms set forth in the indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuer will offer a

 

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Change of Control Payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes repurchased, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of the Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Issuer will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the indenture and described in such notice. The Issuer will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the indenture, the Issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful:

 

  (1) accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

  (2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and

 

  (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being purchased by the Issuer.

The paying agent will promptly mail to each Holder of notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

The provisions described above that require the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the notes to require that the Issuer repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer. In addition, Holders of the notes may not be entitled to require the Issuer to repurchase their notes in certain circumstances involving a significant change in the composition of Cott’s Board of Directors, including in connection with a proxy contest, where Cott’s Board of Directors does not endorse a dissident slate of directors but subsequently approves them for purposes of the indenture.

The Credit Agreement provides that certain change of control events with respect to Cott would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. Any future credit agreements or other similar agreements to which Cott or the Issuer becomes a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions and may also prohibit the Issuer from purchasing any notes. In the event a Change of Control occurs at a time when Cott or the Issuer is prohibited from purchasing notes, Cott or the Issuer could seek the consent of its lenders to the purchase of notes or could

 

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attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If Cott or the Issuer does not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Issuer will remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In such case, the Issuer’s failure to purchase tendered notes would constitute an Event of Default under the indenture which would, in turn, constitute a default under such other agreements. In addition, the exercise by the Holders of notes of their right to require the Issuer to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control could cause a default under these other agreements, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on Cott. Finally, the Issuer’s ability to pay cash to the Holders of notes upon a repurchase may be limited by Cott’s or the Issuer’s then existing financial resources.

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of Cott and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a Holder of notes to require the Issuer to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of Cott and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.

Asset Sales

Cott will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

  (1) Cott (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;

 

  (2) for each Asset Sale where consideration exceeds $20.0 million, such Asset Sale is approved by Cott’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors; and

 

  (3) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

  (a) any liabilities, as shown on Cott’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities, liabilities owed to Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or any Guarantee) that are (i) assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability, or (ii) expunged by the holder of such liability, and with respect to which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is unconditionally released in writing from further liability with respect thereto;

 

  (b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by Cott or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are within 180 days repaid, converted into or sold or otherwise disposed of for cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

  (c) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause since the Issue Date that is at the time outstanding and held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, not to exceed the greater of (x) $20.0 million or (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value; and

 

  (d) Additional Assets.

 

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Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary will apply an amount equal to the Net Proceeds at its option:

 

  (1) to repay Indebtedness secured by such assets, Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor (other than Indebtedness owed to Cott or another Restricted Subsidiary) or Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

 

  (2) to acquire assets that replace the assets sold or Additional Assets; or

 

  (3) to make capital expenditures.

provided, that Cott or the Restricted Subsidiary will have complied with clauses (2) or (3) if, within 365 days of such Asset Sale, Cott or the Restricted Subsidiary shall have commenced the expenditure or acquisition, or entered into a binding agreement with respect to the expenditure or acquisition in compliance with clauses (2) or (3), and that expenditure or acquisition is completed within a date one year and six months after the date of the Asset Sale; and provided further that if any such expenditure or acquisition is abandoned after the date that is one year after the Asset Sale, Cott or the Restricted Subsidiary will immediately apply the Net Proceeds in accordance with clause (1) above.

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, Cott may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the indenture.

The amounts related to Net Proceeds that are not applied or invested as provided in the second preceding paragraph will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million or earlier at the Issuer’s option, the Issuer will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, Cott may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuer will select the notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

The Issuer will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture, the Issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.

The Credit Agreement prohibits Cott from purchasing any notes and also provides that certain asset sale events with respect to Cott or the Issuer would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. Any future credit agreements or other similar agreements to which Cott or the Issuer becomes a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions and may also prohibit the Issuer from purchasing any notes. In the event an Asset Sale occurs at a time when Cott or the Issuer is prohibited from purchasing notes, Cott or the Issuer could seek the consent of its lenders to the purchase of notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If Cott or the Issuer does not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Issuer will remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In such case, the Issuer’s failure to purchase tendered notes would constitute an Event of Default under the indenture which would, in turn, constitute a default under such other agreements.

 

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Finally, the Issuer’s ability to pay cash to the Holders of notes upon a repurchase may be limited by Cott’s or the Issuer’s then existing financial resources.

Certain Covenants

Restricted Payments

Cott will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

  (1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of Cott’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of Cott’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Cott or to Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott);

 

  (2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Cott) any Equity Interests of Cott or any direct or indirect parent of Cott;

 

  (3) make any voluntary or optional payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the notes or the Guarantees except (a) in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case, due within one year of the date of such payment, purchase or other acquisition or (b) intercompany Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (6) of the second paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” or

 

  (4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

 

  (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

 

  (2) Cott would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” and

 

  (3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries after October 1, 2001 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (7) and (9) through (11) of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

 

  (a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of Cott for the period (taken as one accounting period) from October 1, 2001 to the end of Cott’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

 

  (b) 100% of (i) the aggregate net cash proceeds, or (ii) the Fair Market Value of any property, received by Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Cott (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock or debt securities of Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Cott (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of Cott; plus

 

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  (c) with respect to Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made after the Issue Date, the net reduction in Investments in any Person resulting from dividends, repayments, or other transfers of assets from such Person to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any); plus

 

  (d) to the extent that an entity in which Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary has made an Investment using amounts under this clause (3) thereafter becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value of Cott’s Investment in such entity as of the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; plus

 

  (e) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of Cott is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the indenture, the Fair Market Value of Cott’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation.

As of April 3, 2010, the amount available for Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (3) above would have been approximately $121.9 million.

So long as no Default or Event of Default (except with respect to clauses (2), (5), (7), (10) and (11) below) has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the preceding provisions will not prohibit:

 

  (1) the payment of any dividend within 90 days after the date of declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend payment would have complied with the provisions of the indenture;

 

  (2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of Cott, the Issuer or any other Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of Cott in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Cott) of, Equity Interests of Cott (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded from clause (3) (b) of the preceding paragraph;

 

  (3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of Cott, the Issuer or any other Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

  (4) the payment of any dividend or other distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis with respect to the class of Equity Interests on which the dividend or distribution is being made;

 

  (5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of Cott or any Subsidiary held by any member of Cott’s (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’) management or board of directors pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement or program or other employee benefit plan; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $3.5 million in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $5.0 million in any calendar year);

 

  (6)

the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that (x) the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary immediately prior to such designation consists only of operations in the United Kingdom, (y) the total assets of such Restricted Subsidiary less all liabilities of such Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities for which Cott, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary will be liable immediately after such designation) is less than 15% of Cott’s total consolidated assets less total consolidated liabilities (on the most recently available quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet of Cott prepared in conformity with GAAP), provided further, that the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary may exceed 15% of Cott’s net assets to

 

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  the extent that Cott would be permitted to make a Restricted Payment in an amount equal to such excess and (z) immediately prior to and after giving effect to such designation, Cott could incur at least $1 of additional Indebtedness under the first paragraph set forth under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” as if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio were 2.75 to 1;

 

  (7) the conversion of any preferred stock of Cott into common Equity Interests of Cott;

 

  (8) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount since the date of the indenture not to exceed $20.0 million;

 

  (9) the distribution of shares of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that the Investments in such Unrestricted Subsidiary being distributed pursuant to this clause (9) were Restricted Payments that reduced the amounts available pursuant to clause (3) of the first paragraph of this covenant;

 

  (10) the declaration and payments of dividends on Disqualified Stock issued pursuant to the covenant described under “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” to the extent such dividends constitute Fixed Charges; and

 

  (11) the purchase or redemption at any time of the Issuer’s existing 8.0% senior subordinated notes due 2011.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. If the Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by the covenant exceeds $20.0 million, such transaction will be approved by the Board of Directors whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the trustee.

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

Cott will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and Cott and the Issuer will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that Cott, the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), Cott and the Issuer may issue Disqualified Stock and Restricted Subsidiaries of Cott that are Guarantors may issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for Cott’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four quarter period; provided further that no more than $50.0 million of Indebtedness under this paragraph may be incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors so long as such Restricted Subsidiaries are Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries.

The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

 

  (1)

the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness and letters of credit under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereunder) not to exceed the greater of (A) $250.0 million, less the aggregate amount of such commitment reductions under the revolving portion of any Credit Facility resulting from the application of proceeds from Asset Sales since the date of the indenture and (B) the sum of (x) 85% of the net book value of the accounts receivable of the Person

 

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  incurring such Indebtedness and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) 60% of the total Eligible Inventory of the Person incurring such Indebtedness and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP and calculated on a pro forma basis to give effect to any acquisitions or dispositions of assets made in connection with any transaction on the date of calculation;

 

  (2) the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness;

 

  (3) the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the notes and the related Guarantees;

 

  (4) the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or Purchase Money Indebtedness, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment or other assets used in or acquired in connection with the business of Cott, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed $75.0 million at any time outstanding;

 

  (5) the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness (including the issuance of Exchange Notes and guarantees thereof) in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by the indenture to be incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant or clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (9) or (10) of this paragraph;

 

  (6) the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock between or among Cott and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

 

  (a) if Cott, the Issuer or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the notes, in the case of the Issuer, or the Guarantees, in the case of a Guarantor; and

 

  (b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

 

  (7) the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of (A) Hedging Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes), (B) Indebtedness in respect of performance, surety or appeal bonds in the ordinary course of business or (C) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from Guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary of Cott (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition), in a principal amount not to exceed the gross proceeds actually received by Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such disposition;

 

  (8) the guarantee by Cott, the Issuer or any of the Guarantors of Indebtedness of Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;

 

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  (9) Acquired Debt of Cott, the Issuer or any Guarantor; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, either:

 

  (a) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant; or

 

  (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

 

  (10) the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of Cott as accrued; and

 

  (11) the incurrence by Cott, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (11), not to exceed $50.0 million.

For purposes of determining compliance with this “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (11) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, Cott will be permitted to classify or later classify (or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant and will also be entitled, in its sole discretion, to later reclassify all or any portion of any Indebtedness as having been incurred under any other clause above or the first paragraph above under “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” as long as, at the time of such reclassification, such Indebtedness (or portion thereof) would be permitted to be Incurred pursuant to such other clause or paragraph.

For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this section, any other obligation of the obligor on such Indebtedness (or of any other Person who could have incurred such Indebtedness under this section) arising under any Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation supporting such Indebtedness shall be disregarded to the extent that such Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation secures the principal amount of such Indebtedness.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred (or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt); provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.

The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

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Liens

The indenture will provide that Cott will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Liens securing obligations among Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Liens), unless the notes and the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured with the obligations so secured (or, in the case of Indebtedness subordinated to the notes or the Guarantees senior in priority thereto, with the same relative priority as the notes or such Guarantee has with respect to such subordinated Indebtedness) until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

Cott will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

  (1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (2) make loans or advances to Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

  (3) transfer any of its properties or assets to Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

  (1) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as in effect on the date of the indenture and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of the indenture;

 

  (2) the indenture, the notes and the Guarantees;

 

  (3) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

 

  (4) any instrument, including, without limitation, an instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as in effect at the time of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired or who become a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the indenture to be incurred;

 

  (5) customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (6) purchase money obligations for property (real or personal, tangible and intangible) acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;

 

  (7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

 

  (8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

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  (9) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “—Liens” that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

  (10) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, assets sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements;

 

  (11) covenants to maintain net worth, total assets or liquidity or restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (12) Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” provided that all such restrictions in the aggregate restrict no more than 10% of the Consolidated Cash Flow of Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (13) any Credit Facilities of Cott, the Issuer or a Guarantor in effect after the date of the indenture that are permitted to be incurred by the indenture, to the extent its provisions are substantially no more restrictive with respect to such dividend, distribution or other payment restriction and loan or investment restriction than those contained in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of the indenture; and

 

  (14) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to the terms of any agreement entered into by a Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; provided, however, that such encumbrance or restriction applies only to such Subsidiary.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

Neither Cott nor the Issuer will, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be, is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be, and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:

 

  (1) either: (a) Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be, is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or, in the case of Cott, Canada or any province thereof;

 

  (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be, under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement pursuant to a supplemental indenture;

 

  (3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

  (4) Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Cott or the Issuer, as the case may be), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, (i) will be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” or (ii) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such transaction.

 

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In addition, neither Cott nor the Issuer will, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

Transactions with Affiliates

Cott will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

 

  (1) the Affiliate Transaction, taken as a whole, is on terms that are no less favorable to Cott or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

  (2) Cott delivers to the trustee:

 

  (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors; and

 

  (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $35.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing in the United States or Canada.

The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:

 

  (1) any employment or indemnification agreement entered into by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (2) transactions between or among Cott and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or any Securitization Entity;

 

  (3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of Cott or an Affiliate of a Restricted Subsidiary solely because Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary controls such Person;

 

  (4) payment of reasonable directors fees;

 

  (5) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Cott;

 

  (6) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Restricted Payments;”

 

  (7) Permitted Investments (other than those described in clause (3) of the definition thereof);

 

  (8) any payments or other transactions pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement between Cott and any other Person with which Cott files a consolidated tax return or with which Cott is part of a consolidated group for tax purposes; and

 

  (9) sales of inventory to, or other ordinary course transactions with, a joint venture or business combination in which Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary is an equity holder or other party; provided that the aggregate amount of all such transactions or series of related transactions do not exceed $15.0 million in any fiscal year.

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

The Board of Directors of Cott may designate any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Issuer to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as

 

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an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the covenant described above under the caption “—Restricted Payments” or Permitted Investments, as determined by Cott. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of Cott may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default.

Additional Subsidiary Guarantees

If Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the date of the indenture, then that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary will become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture giving effect to the Guarantee of the Notes by such Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to subsidiaries that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the indenture for so long as they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

If any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott Guarantees any Indebtedness of Cott, the Issuer or any Guarantor, then such Restricted Subsidiary will promptly become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture giving effect to the Guarantee of the Notes by such Subsidiary.

Business Activities

Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not, as a primary business line, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses.

Covenant Suspension

During any period of time that (i) the notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture (the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension”), Cott and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the covenants (the “Suspended Covenants”) described under:

 

  (1) “—Repurchase at Option of Holders—Asset Sales;”

 

  (2) “—Restricted Payments;”

 

  (3) “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”

 

  (4) “—Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries;”

 

  (5) clause (4) of “Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;”

 

  (6) “—Transactions With Affiliates;” and

 

  (7) “—Business Activities.”

In the event that Cott and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) (a) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the notes below an Investment Grade Rating or (b) the Issuer or any of its affiliates enters into an agreement to effect a transaction that would result in a Change of Control and one or more of the Rating Agencies indicate that if consummated, such transaction (alone or together with any related recapitalization or refinancing transactions) would cause such Rating Agency to withdraw its Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the ratings assigned to the notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture with respect to future events. The period beginning

 

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on the day of a Covenant Suspension Event and ending on a Reversion Date is called a “Suspension Period.” During any Suspension Period, Cott may not designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless Cott would have been permitted to designate such Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if a Suspension Period had not been in effect for any period. On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (2) of “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.” The ability of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries to make Restricted Payments after the time of such withdrawal, downgrade, Default or Event of Default will be calculated as if the covenant governing Restricted Payments had been in effect during the entire period of time from the Issue Date.

Payments for Consent

Cott will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the indenture or the notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Reports

Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any notes are outstanding, Cott will furnish to the Holders of notes, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations as if Cott had a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act:

 

  (1) all quarterly and annual financial reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by Cott’s certified independent accountants; and

 

  (2) all current reports required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K.

If Cott has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries with combined net assets exceeding 5% of Cott’s consolidated net assets, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include or be accompanied by a reasonably detailed presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of Cott.

Whether or not required by the Commission, Cott will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing). Documents filed by Cott with the Commission via the EDGAR system will be deemed furnished to the Holders of notes as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR. In addition, Cott, the Issuer and the other Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Events of Default and Remedies

Each of the following is an Event of Default:

 

  (1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the notes;

 

  (2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the notes;

 

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  (3) failure by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” or “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;”

 

  (4) failure by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after written notice to the Issuer by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the notes the outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the agreements in the indenture;

 

  (5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the indenture, if that default:

 

  (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness after the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

 

  (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more;

 

  (6) failure by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $20.0 million (excluding any amounts covered by insurance), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

 

  (7) except as permitted by the indenture, any Guarantee of the notes shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under such Guarantee; and

 

  (8) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the indenture with respect to Cott, the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.

In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to Cott, the Issuer, any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately by giving written notice of the same to the Issuer.

Holders of the notes may not enforce the indenture or the notes except as provided in the indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may withhold from Holders of the notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding notes is in their interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest or Liquidated Damages.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the notes.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding the remedies afforded to the Holders of the notes upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, the indenture will provide that, to the extent Cott elects, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to (i) Cott’s failure to file with the trustee pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act any documents or reports that Cott is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) Cott’s failure to comply with its reporting obligations set forth above under “—Reports”, will after the occurrence of such an Event of Default consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the notes at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding for each day during the 60-day period beginning on, and including, the occurrence of such an Event of Default during which such Event of Default is continuing. If Cott so elects, such additional interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the notes. On the 61st day after such Event of Default (if the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations is not cured or waived prior to such 61st day), the notes will be subject to acceleration.

If a Default is deemed to occur solely because a Default (the “Initial Default”) already existed, then if such Initial Default is cured and is not continuing, the Default or Event of Default resulting solely because the Initial Default existed shall be deemed cured, and will be deemed annulled, waived and rescinded without any further action required.

The Issuer is required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Issuer is required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

Consent to Jurisdiction and Service

Cott will expressly submit to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of New York State and the United States federal courts sitting in The City of New York for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the indenture or the notes and for actions brought under federal or state securities laws.

Enforceability of Judgments

Because a substantial portion of Cott’s assets are outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against Cott, including judgments with respect to payments under its guarantee may not be entirely collectible within the United States.

Cott has been informed by Canadian counsel that the laws of the Province of Ontario permit an action to be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the Province of Ontario on any final and conclusive judgment in personam of any federal or state court in the State of New York (a “New York Court”) that is not impeachable as void or voidable or otherwise ineffective under the internal laws of the State of New York for a sum certain if: (i) the court rendering such judgment has jurisdiction over the judgment debtor, as recognized by the courts of the Province of Ontario (and submission by Cott in the indenture to the jurisdiction of the New York Court will be sufficient for such purpose), (ii) such judgment was not obtained by fraud or in a manner contrary to natural justice and the enforcement thereof would not be inconsistent with public policy, as such term is understood under the laws of the Province of Ontario, (iii) the enforcement of such judgment does not constitute, directly or indirectly, the enforcement of foreign revenue, expropriatory or penal laws in the Province of Ontario, (iv) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is discovered prior to the rendering of judgment by the court in the Province of Ontario, (v) the action to enforce such judgment is commenced in the Province of Ontario within six years of the date of such judgment and (vi) in the case of a judgment obtained by default, there has been no manifest error in the granting of such judgment.

Cott has also been informed that, pursuant to the Currency Act (Canada), a judgment by a court in any province of Canada may only be awarded in Canadian currency. However, pursuant to the provisions of the Courts of Justice Act (Ontario), a court in the Province of Ontario shall give effect to the manner of conversion to

 

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Canadian currency of an amount in a foreign currency, where such manner of conversion is provided for in an obligation enforceable in Ontario. Accordingly, in Ontario, the amount of the Canadian currency payable in respect of Cott’s guarantee of the notes will be determined (as provided for in the indenture and the notes) on the basis of the exchange rate in existence on the business day immediately preceding the date of the collection of a judgment in Ontario in respect of the notes.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the notes, the indenture, the Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding notes and all obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to their Guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”) except for:

 

  (1) the rights of Holders of outstanding notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;

 

  (2) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the notes concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

 

  (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

  (4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the indenture.

In addition, the Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under “—Events of Default and Remedies” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the notes.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

  (1) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the outstanding notes on the stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

 

  (2)

in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer has delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding notes

 

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  will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

  (3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer has delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

  (4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

 

  (5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than the indenture) to which Cott or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Cott or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

  (6) the Issuer must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of notes over the other creditors of the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Issuer or others; and

 

  (7) the Issuer must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the indenture or the notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes).

Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

  (1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

  (2) reduce the principal of or premium payable upon the redemption of or change the fixed maturity of any note or change to an earlier date any redemption date of the notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);

 

  (3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any note;

 

  (4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

  (5) make any note payable in money other than that stated in the notes;

 

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  (6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes;

 

  (7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);

 

  (8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Guarantee or the indenture, except in accordance with the terms of the indenture; or

 

  (9) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any Holder of notes, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes:

 

  (1) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

 

  (2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;

 

  (3) to provide for the assumption of the obligations of the Issuer, Cott or any other Guarantor to Holders of notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, Cott or any other Guarantor;

 

  (4) to provide for the guarantee of the notes by any additional Guarantor or release a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the indenture;

 

  (5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such Holder;

 

  (6) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

 

  (7) to conform the text of the indenture, the subsidiary guarantees, or the notes to any provision of this Description of Notes to the extent such provision was intended by the Issuer to be a verbatim recitation of such provision.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all notes issued thereunder, when:

 

  (1) either:

 

  (a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

  (b) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non- callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

  (2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

 

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  (3) the Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the indenture; and

 

  (4) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Concerning the Trustee

If the trustee becomes a creditor of the Issuer or any Guarantor, the indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any Holder of notes, unless such Holder has offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

The Notes will be represented by one or more global notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”). The Rule 144A Global Note was initially deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), in New York, New York, and registered in the name Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC (such nominee being referred to herein as the “Global Note Holder”), in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant as described below.

Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act were represented by one or more temporary global notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Regulation S Temporary Global Note”). The Regulation S Temporary Global Note was registered in the name of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking N.A. (“Clearstream”). Within a reasonable time period after the expiration of the period of 40 days commencing on the commencement of the notes offering (such period through and including such 40th day, the “Restricted Period”), the Regulation S Temporary Global Note will be exchanged for one or more permanent global notes (collectively, the “Regulation S Permanent Global Note” and, together with the Regulation S Global Note and the 144A Global Note collectively being the “Global Notes”) upon delivery to DTC of certification of compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the note pursuant to Regulation S as provided in the indenture. During the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream (as indirect participants in DTC). See “—Depositary Procedures—Exchanges between Regulation S Notes and the Rule 144A Global Note.” Beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Note may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note at any time except in the limited circumstances described below. See “—Depositary Procedures—Exchanges between Regulation S Notes and the Rule 144A Notes.”

Notes that are issued as described below under “—Certificated Notes” will be issued in the form of registered definitive certificates (the “Certificated Notes”). Upon the transfer of Certificated Notes, Certificated

 

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Notes may, unless all Global Notes have previously been exchanged for Certificated Notes, be exchanged for an interest in the Global Note representing the principal amount of notes being transferred, subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the indenture.

Prospective purchasers are advised that the laws of some states require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to such extent.

So long as Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC (such nominee referred to herein as the “Global Note Holder”) is the registered owner of any notes, the Global Note Holder will be considered the sole Holder under the indenture of any notes evidenced by the Global Notes. Beneficial owners of notes evidenced by the Global Notes will not be considered the owners or Holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any directions, instructions or approvals to the trustee thereunder. Neither the Issuer nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the notes.

Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of the Global Note Holder on the applicable record date will be payable by the trustee to or at the direction of the Global Note Holder in its capacity as the registered Holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the Issuer and the trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither the Issuer, the trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

 

  (1) any aspect of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or

 

  (2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.

DTC has advised the Issuer that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Issuer. Neither the Issuer nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and the Issuer and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Certificated Notes

Subject to certain conditions, any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global Note may, upon prior written request to the trustee, exchange such beneficial interest for notes in the form of Certificated Notes. Upon any such issuance, the trustee is required to register such Certificated Notes in the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to, such Person or Persons (or their nominee). All Certificated Notes would be subject to the legend requirements applicable to the outstanding notes. In addition, if:

 

  (1) DTC (a) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and the Issuer fails to appoint a successor depositary or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act;

 

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  (2) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes; or

 

  (3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes;

then, upon surrender by the Global Note Holder of its Global Note, notes in such form will be issued to each person that the Global Note Holder and DTC identify as being the beneficial owner of the related notes.

Neither the Issuer nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the Global Note Holder or DTC in identifying the beneficial owners of notes and the Issuer and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Global Note Holder or DTC for all purposes.

Depository Procedures

The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. The Issuer takes no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urges investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised the Issuer that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.

DTC has also advised the Issuer that, pursuant to procedures established by it:

 

  (1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and

 

  (2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interest in the Global Notes).

Investors in the Rule 144A Global Notes who are Participants in DTC’s system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Rule 144A Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants in such system. Investors in the Regulation S Global Notes must initially hold their interests therein through Euroclear or Clearstream, if they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. After the expiration of the Restricted Period (but not earlier), investors may also hold interests in the Regulation S Global Notes through Participants in DTC system other than Euroclear and Clearstream. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests in the Regulation S Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems. The laws of some states require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer

 

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beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to Persons that do not participate in DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED BELOW, OWNERS OF INTEREST IN THE GLOBAL NOTES WILL NOT HAVE NOTES REGISTERED IN THEIR NAMES, WILL NOT RECEIVE PHYSICAL DELIVERY OF NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED THE REGISTERED OWNERS OR “HOLDERS” THEREOF UNDER THE INDENTURE FOR ANY PURPOSE.

Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered Holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the Issuer and the trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither the Issuer, the trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

 

  (1) any aspect of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or

 

  (2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.

DTC has advised the Issuer that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Issuer. Neither the Issuer nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and the Issuer and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Subject to the transfer restrictions applicable to the notes described herein, transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the notes described herein, cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream Participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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DTC has advised the Issuer that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder of notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for legended notes in certificated form, and to distribute such notes to its Participants.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. Neither the Issuer nor the trustee nor any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes

A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive notes in registered certificated form if:

 

  (1) DTC (a) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and the Issuer fails to appoint a successor depositary or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act;

 

  (2) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes; or

 

  (3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes.

In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for Certificated Notes upon prior written notice given to the trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with the indenture. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures) and will bear the applicable restrictive legend referred to in the indenture unless that legend is not required by applicable law.

Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes

Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the indenture) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such notes.

Exchanges Between Regulation S Notes and Rule 144A Notes

Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Note only if:

 

  (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the notes pursuant to Rule 144A; and

 

  (2) the transferor first delivers to the trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the indenture) to the effect that the notes are being transferred to a Person:

 

  (a) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A;

 

  (b) purchasing for its own account or the account of a qualified institutional buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A; and

 

  (c) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions.

 

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Beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Restricted Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available) and that, if such transfer occurs prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the interest transferred will be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Transfers involving exchanges of beneficial interests between the Regulation S Global Notes and the Rule 144A Global Notes will be effected in DTC by means of an instruction originated by the trustee through DTC Deposit/Withdraw at Custodian system. Accordingly, in connection with any such transfer, appropriate adjustments will be made to reflect a decrease in the principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note and a corresponding increase in the principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note or vice versa, as applicable. Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the other Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and will become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures applicable to beneficial interest in such other Global Note for so long as it remains such an interest. The policies and practices of DTC may prohibit transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period.

Same Day Settlement and Payment

The Issuer will make payments in respect of the notes represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note Holder. The Issuer will make all payments of principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders of the Certificated Notes or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder’s registered address. The notes represented by the Global Notes will be eligible to trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. The Issuer expects that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised the Issuer that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a Participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.

Certain Definitions

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture. Reference is made to the indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

  (1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

 

  (2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

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“Additional Assets” means (1) any assets or property (other than current assets) that are usable by Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary in or otherwise related to a Permitted Business or (2) any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary held by Persons other than Cott or another Restricted Subsidiary or a Person engaged in a Permitted Business that will become on the date of acquisition thereof a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

 

  (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

 

  (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of such Note at November 15, 2013 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above under the caption “Optional Redemption”), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note through November 15, 2013 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (b) then outstanding principal amount of such Note.

“Asset Sale” means:

 

  (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business; provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and/or the provisions described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant; and

 

  (2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of Cott’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

 

  (1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $10.0 million;

 

  (2) a transfer of assets between or among Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to Cott or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (4) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business or that is worn out, obsolete or damaged or no longer used or useful in the business;

 

  (5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents and other current assets;

 

  (6) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments;”

 

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  (7) Licenses of intellectual property that are in furtherance of, or integral to, other business transactions entered into by Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (8) Like-kind property exchanges pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

  (9) sales of accounts receivable of the type specified in the definition of “Qualified Securitization Transaction” to a Securitization Entity for the Fair Market Value thereof; and

 

  (10) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, including without limitation the surrender, waiver, or settlement of or any rights under an Interest Rate Agreement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

“Board of Directors” means:

 

  (1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation;

 

  (2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership; and

 

  (3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

“Capital Stock” means:

 

  (1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

 

  (2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

  (3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

 

  (4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

 

  (1) United States dollars;

 

  (2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

 

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  (3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and at least a rating of “A-1” or equivalent thereof by Moody’s or a rating of “A” or equivalent thereof by S&P;

 

  (4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

  (5) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an affiliate of the Issuer) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is “P-1” or higher from Moody’s, “A-1” or higher from S&P or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined above);

 

  (6) mutual funds and money market accounts at least 90% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition; and

 

  (7) investments of a nature similar to the foregoing in countries other than the United States where Cott or its Restricted Subsidiaries are then doing business; provided that references to the U.S. Government shall be deemed to mean foreign countries having a sovereign rating of “A” or better from either Moody’s or S&P.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Cott and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to Cott, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Cott or the Issuer;

 

  (3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of Cott, measured by voting power rather than number of shares;

 

  (4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Cott are not Continuing Directors; or

 

  (5) Cott consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, Cott, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of Cott or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock of Cott outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person or a Person of which the surviving or transferee Person is a wholly-owned Subsidiary constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person or a Person of which the surviving or transferee Person is a wholly-owned Subsidiary (immediately after giving effect to such issuance).

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:

 

  (1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

  (2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

  (3) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit (excluding charges included in cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses in connection with worker’s compensation or the export of products) or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

  (4) fees related to a Qualified Securitization Transaction; plus

 

  (5) any non-recurring costs and expenses of an acquired company or business incurred in connection with the purchase or acquisition of such acquired company or business by such Person and any non-recurring adjustments necessary to conform the accounting policies of the acquired company or business to those of such Person; plus

 

  (6) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

  (7) the amount of any restructuring charges (which shall for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention, severance, plant closure, systems establishment cost or excess pension charges); provided that such charges shall not exceed $10.0 million in any four-quarter period; plus

 

  (8) any reasonable expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes and the repurchase and redemption of the Refinancing Notes; minus

 

  (9) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

 

  (1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

 

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  (2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott other than the Issuer will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders (other than due to restrictions contained in Credit Facilities of any such Restricted Subsidiary permitted under clause (13) of the covenant “—Certain Covenants—Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries” that limit but do not absolutely prohibit the payment of dividends or similar distributions);

 

  (3) the Net Income of any Person acquired during the specified period for any period prior to the date of such acquisition will be excluded;

 

  (4) the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles will be excluded;

 

  (5) any non-cash write-up or non-cash write-down of assets (including deferred assets and excluding any such non-cash write-up or non-cash write-down to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization or a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) will be excluded (but solely to the extent that this adjustment to Consolidated Net Income is used to determine whether Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary may make Investments pursuant to clause (3) of the first paragraph of the covenant captioned “Restricted Payments”); and

 

  (6) any redemption premiums paid on the Refinanced Notes will be excluded.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the total amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of Cott and the Guarantors less the sum of (1) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other intangibles, and (2) all current liabilities, in each case, reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of Cott and the Guarantors as at the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to the indenture, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP on a pro forma basis to give effect to any acquisition or disposition of assets made after such balance sheet date and on or prior to the date of determination.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of Cott who:

 

  (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of the indenture; or

 

  (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election.

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2008 as amended by amendment no. 1 thereto dated July 22, 2009, by and among Cott, the Issuer and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time including any amendment, modification, renewal, refinancing, that increases the amount of credit available thereunder.

“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities, or other evidences of indebtedness including, without limitation, indentures, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or

 

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letters of credit, or other indebtedness including, without limitation, notes, bonds or other debt securities, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Designated Noncash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by Cott or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an officer’s certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by a senior financial officer of Cott, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require Cott or the Issuer to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that Cott or the Issuer may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.”

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott other than Cott Investments LLC that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

“Eligible Inventory” means, with respect to any Person, Inventory (net of reserves for slow moving inventory) consisting of finished goods held for sale in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, that are located at such Person’s premises and replacement parts and accessories inventory located at such Person’s premises. Eligible Inventory shall not include obsolete items, work-in-process, spare parts, supplies used or consumed in such Person’s business, Inventory subject to a security interest or lien in favor of any non-Affiliate other than the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement, bill and hold goods, defective goods, if non-salable, “seconds,” and Inventory acquired on consignment.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) made for cash on a primary basis by Cott or the Issuer after the date of the indenture to any Person other than a Subsidiary of Cott or the Issuer.

“Exchange Notes” has the meaning set forth under “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights.”

“Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of the indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value (other than of any asset with a public trading market) in excess of $20 million shall be determined by the Board of Directors acting reasonably and in good faith and shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of Cott delivered to the Trustee.

 

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“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

  (1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit (excluding charges included in the cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses other than in connection with worker’s compensation or the export of products) or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus

 

  (2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

 

  (3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

 

  (4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued, on any series of Disqualified Stock of Cott or any preferred stock of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock) or to Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP; plus

 

  (5) fees related to a Qualified Securitization Transaction.

Fixed Charges shall exclude, however, any premiums, penalties, fees and expenses (and any amortization thereof) payable in connection with the offering of the notes, or the prepayment of the Refinanced Notes. In addition, any payments of interest or related expenses relating to the Refinanced Notes once the same have been discharged shall be excluded.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

 

  (1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

 

  (2)

whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the calculations shall be based on the reasonable good faith judgment of a responsible financial or accounting officer of Cott and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings and operating expense reductions resulting from

 

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  such transaction (which are being given pro forma effect) that have been realized or are reasonably expected to be realized in the 12 month period immediately subsequent to such transaction;

 

  (3) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

 

  (4) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date; and

 

  (5) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest of such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).

“Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries” means any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott other than a Domestic Subsidiary, unless such Domestic Subsidiary has no material assets other than Capital Stock, securities or indebtedness of one or more Subsidiaries that aren’t Domestic Subsidiaries.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the opinions and pronouncements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the date of the indenture.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

“Guarantors” means each of:

 

  (1) Cott;

 

  (2) Subsidiaries of Cott that guarantee the Notes on the Issue Date; and

 

  (3) any other Subsidiary of Cott that executes a Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the indenture;

and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations under:

 

  (1) any Interest Rate Agreement;

 

  (2) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions designed to protect the person or entity entering into the agreement against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchanges rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;

 

  (3) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in the price of commodities used by that entity at the time; and

 

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  (4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

 

  (1) in respect of borrowed money;

 

  (2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

 

  (3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

 

  (4) representing Capital Lease Obligations and Attributable Debt;

 

  (5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property which is due more than 6 months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable arising in the ordinary course of business; or

 

  (6) representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

  (1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and

 

  (2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.

“Inventory” means, with respect to any Person, all inventory in which such Person has any interest, including goods held for sale and all of such Person’s raw materials (but excluding any hazardous materials), work in process, finished goods, packing and shipping materials, and raw and packaging materials, wherever located, and any documents of title representing any of the above.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or, in either case, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of Cott such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of Cott, Cott will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of

 

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the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” The acquisition by Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” The term “Investments” shall also exclude extensions of trade credit and advances to customers and suppliers to the extent made in the ordinary course of business on ordinary business terms.

“Issue Date” means the date the notes are originally issued pursuant to the indenture.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes of any jurisdiction).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

 

  (1) any gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (or loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries; and

 

  (2) any extraordinary gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (or loss).

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate proceeds received by Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash or Cash Equivalents in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness under any Credit Facility secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

 

  (1) as to which neither Cott nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;

 

  (2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the notes) of Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

 

  (3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Permitted Business” means the lines of business conducted by Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date hereof and any business incidental or reasonably related thereto including, without limitation, all beverage businesses or which is a reasonable extension thereof as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors and set forth in an officer’s certificate delivered to the trustee.

“Permitted Investments” means:

 

  (1) any Investment in Cott or in a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott;

 

  (2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

 

  (3) any Investment by Cott or any Subsidiary of Cott in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

 

  (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott; or

 

  (b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott;

 

  (4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales;”

 

  (5) any acquisition of assets solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Cott;

 

  (6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of such persons incurred in the ordinary course of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer;

 

  (7) Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred under the covenant “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”

 

  (8) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (8) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) $70.0 million and (b) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

  (9) any Investment by Cott or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Cott in a Securitization Entity in connection with a Qualified Securitization; provided that such Investment is in the form of a Purchase Money Note or an Equity Interest or interests in accounts receivable generated by Cott or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

  (10) any Indebtedness of Cott to any of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the purchase of accounts receivable and related assets by Cott from any such Subsidiary which assets are subsequently conveyed by Cott to a Securitization Entity in a Qualified Securitization Transaction;

 

  (11) loans, advances and guarantees to or in favor of co-packers and other suppliers to assist them, by making plant improvements or purchasing materials or equipment or otherwise, in meeting production requirements of Cott or its Subsidiaries in an amount not to exceed $25.0 million outstanding at any one time; and

 

  (12) any Investment existing on the date of the indenture.

 

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“Permitted Liens” means:

 

  (1) Liens on assets at the time such assets are acquired including Liens on assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (a) such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which the assets were acquired or such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and (b) such Lien does not extend to cover any other assets of Cott or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (2) Liens existing on the Issue Date other than Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under clause (1) of the second paragraph under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”

 

  (3) Liens imposed by law that are incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, employees’, laborers’, employers’, suppliers’, banks’, repairmen’s and other like Liens, in each case, for sums not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and that are appropriately reserved for in accordance with GAAP if required by GAAP;

 

  (4) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and that are appropriately reserved for in accordance with GAAP if required by GAAP;

 

  (5) Liens on assets acquired or constructed after the Issue Date securing Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations incurred pursuant to clause (4) of the second paragraph under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” provided that such Liens shall in no event extend to or cover any assets other than such assets acquired or constructed after the Issue Date with the proceeds of such Purchase Money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations;

 

  (6) zoning restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions on the use of real property, other similar encumbrances on real property incurred in the ordinary course of business and minor irregularities of title to real property that do not (a) secure Indebtedness or (b) individually or in the aggregate materially impair the value of the real property affected thereby or the occupation, use and enjoyment in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such real property;

 

  (7) terminable or short-term leases or permits for occupancy, which leases or permits (a) expressly grant to Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary the right to terminate them at any time on not more than six months’ notice and (b) do not individually or in the aggregate interfere with the operation of the business of Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary or individually or in the aggregate impair the use (for its intended purpose) or the value of the property subject thereto;

 

  (8) Liens resulting from operation of law with respect to any judgments, awards or orders to the extent that such judgments, awards or orders do not cause or constitute an Event of Default;

 

  (9) bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of the indenture in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements; provided that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;

 

  (10) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness relating to Permitted Liens of the type described in clauses (1), (2) and (5) of this definition; provided that such Liens extend only to the assets securing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

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  (11) other Liens securing obligations in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) $50.0 million or (b) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

  (12) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under clause (1) of the second paragraph under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”

 

  (13) Liens securing Hedging Obligations of the type described in clause (7) of the second paragraph under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”

 

  (14) Liens on the assets of Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (15) Liens in favor of Cott or any Guarantor;

 

  (16) pledges of or Liens on raw materials or on manufactured products as security for any drafts or bills of exchange drawn in connection with the importation of such raw materials or manufactured products;

 

  (17) Liens in favor of banks that arise under Article 4 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in collection and documents relating thereto and proceeds thereof and Liens arising under Section 2-711 of the Uniform Commercial Code;

 

  (19) Liens arising or that may be deemed to arise in favor of a Securitization Entity arising in connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction;

 

  (20) pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent or deposits as security for the payment of insurance-related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (21) Liens in favor of the issuers of surety, performance, judgment, appeal and like bonds or letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (22) Liens occurring solely by the filing of a Uniform Commercial Code statement (or similar filings), which filing (A) has not been consented to by Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary or (B) arises solely as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods;

 

  (23) any obligations or duties affecting any property of Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any municipality or public authority with respect to any franchise, grant, license or permit that do not materially impair the use of such property for the purposes for which it is held;

 

  (24) Liens on any property in favor of domestic or foreign governmental bodies to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute, not yet due and payable;

 

  (25) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements;

 

  (26) deposits, pledges or other Liens to secure obligations under purchase or sale agreements;

 

  (27) Liens in the form of licenses, leases or subleases on any asset incurred by Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott, which licenses, leases or subleases do not interfere, individually or in the aggregate, in any material respect with the business of Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary and is incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (28)

Liens on goods or inventory the purchase, shipment or storage price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit or banker’s acceptance issued or created for the account of Cott or

 

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  any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott; provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such letter of credit or banker’s acceptance;

 

  (29) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods (including under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code) and Liens that are contractual rights of set-off relating to purchase orders and other similar agreements entered into by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

  (30) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto incurred in the ordinary course of business.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of Cott or any of its Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of Cott or any of its Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

 

  (1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);

 

  (2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;

 

  (3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and

 

  (4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by Cott, the Issuer, a Guarantor or by the Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

“Purchase Money Indebtedness” mean Indebtedness:

 

  (1) consisting of the deferred purchase price of assets, conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention agreement, other purchase money obligations, mortgages and obligations in respect of industrial revenue bonds or similar Indebtedness; and

 

  (2) incurred to finance the acquisition by Cott or a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott of such asset, including additions and improvements or the installation, construction or improvement of such asset;

provided that any Lien arising in connection with any such Indebtedness shall be limited to the specified asset being financed or, in the case of real property or fixtures, including additions and improvements, the real property on which such asset is attached; provided further that such Indebtedness is incurred within 180 days after such acquisition of, or the completion of construction of, such asset by the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary.

“Purchase Money Note” means a promissory note evidencing a line of credit, which may be irrevocable, from, or evidencing other Indebtedness owed to, Cott or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a Qualified

 

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Securitization Transaction, which note shall be repaid from cash available to the maker of such note, other than amounts required to be established as reserves pursuant to agreements, amounts paid to investors in respect of interest, principal and other amounts owing to such investors and amounts paid in connection with the purchase of newly generated receivables.

“Qualified Securitization Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by Cott, any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott or a Securitization Entity pursuant to which Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary of Cott or that Securitization Entity may, pursuant to customary terms, sell, convey or otherwise transfer to, or grant a security interest in for the benefit of, (1) a Securitization Entity or Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott which subsequently transfers to a Securitization Entity (in the case of a transfer by Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary of Cott) and (2) any other Person (in the case of transfer by a Securitization Entity), any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising or acquired in the future) of Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott which arose in the ordinary course of business of Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary of Cott, and any assets related thereto, including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and contract rights and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets (including contract rights) which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable.

“Rating Agencies” means (i) S&P and (ii) Moody’s and (iii) if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating of the notes publicly available, a nationally recognized United States securities rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by Cott, which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be.

“Refinanced Notes” means the outstanding 8.0% senior subordinated notes due 2011 guaranteed by Cott and issued by the Issuer.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Securitization Entity” means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Cott (or another Person in which Cott or any Subsidiary of Cott makes an Investment and to which Cott or any Subsidiary of Cott transfers accounts receivable):

 

  (1) which is designated by the Board of Directors (as provided below) as a Securitization Entity and engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable;

 

  (2) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (a) is guaranteed by Cott or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Securitization Entity) (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness)) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (b) is recourse to or obligates Cott or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Securitization Entity) in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or (c) subjects any asset of Cott or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Securitization Entity), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings and other than any interest in the accounts receivable (whether in the form of an equity interest in such assets or subordinated indebtedness payable primarily from such financed assets) retained or acquired by Cott or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

  (3) with which neither Cott nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to Cott or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not affiliates of Cott, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing receivables of such entity; and

 

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  (4) to which neither Cott nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service and its successors.

“Standard Receivables Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by Cott or any Subsidiary of Cott which are customary in a Qualified Receivables Transaction, including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Entity, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Receivables Undertaking.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

  (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

  (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

“Total Assets” means the total assets of the Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Cott prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (a) Northeast Finco Inc., (b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (c) any Subsidiary of Cott (other than the Issuer or any successor to the Issuer) that is designated by the Board of Directors of Cott as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

 

  (1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt; and

 

  (2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with Cott or any Restricted Subsidiary of Cott unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to Cott or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of Cott.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of Cott as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than Northeast Finco Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries) would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for

 

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purposes of the indenture. Any Indebtedness of any such Restricted Subsidiary that has ceased to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the preceding sentence will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” Cott will be in default of such covenant. In addition, in the event Cott or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries enters into a transaction with Northeast Finco Inc. such that holders of Indebtedness of Northeast Finco Inc. have recourse to Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction, Cott and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be deemed to be in default of the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.” The Board of Directors of Cott may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of Cott of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

 

  (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

 

  (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Issuer and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences relating to the exchange of old notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer. It does not contain a complete analysis of all of the potential tax consequences relating to the exchange. This summary is limited to holders of old notes who hold the old notes as “capital assets” (in general, assets held for investment). Special situations, such as the following, are not addressed:

 

   

tax consequences to holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, such as tax-exempt entities, dealers in securities or currencies, banks, other financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings or corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;

 

   

tax consequences to persons holding notes as part of a hedging, integrated, constructive sale or conversion transaction or a straddle or other risk reduction transaction;

 

   

tax consequences to holders whose “functional currency” is not the United States dollar;

 

   

tax consequences to persons who hold notes through a partnership or similar pass-through entity;

 

   

United States federal gift tax, estate tax or alternative minimum tax consequences, if any; or

 

   

any state, local or non-United States tax consequences.

We recommend that each holder consult its own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of exchanging old notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or non-United States tax law.

The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and rulings, judicial decisions and administrative interpretations thereunder, as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.

Consequences of Tendering Old Notes

The exchange of old notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer should not constitute an “exchange” for United States federal income tax purposes because the exchange notes should not be considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the old notes. Rather, the exchange notes received by a holder should be treated as a continuation of the old notes in the hands of such holder. Accordingly, there should be no United States federal income tax consequences to holders exchanging old notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the expiration of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resales. In addition, until                     , 2010 (90 days after the date of this prospectus), all broker-dealers effecting transactions in the exchange notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the exchange notes or a combination of such methods of resale. These resales may be made at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such exchange notes. Any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such exchange notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of exchange notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal delivered with this prospectus states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

For a period of 180 days after the expiration of the exchange offer, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the performance of our obligations in connection with the exchange offer. We will indemnify the holders of the exchange notes (including any broker-dealer) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the exchange notes and the enforceability of obligations under the exchange notes and guarantees will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, New York, New York, as U.S. counsel and Goodmans LLP, as Canadian counsel.

 

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EXPERTS

The financial statements as of January 2, 2010 and December 27, 2008 and for the two years then ended and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of January 2, 2010 incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report(s) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The financial statements for the year ended December 29, 2007 incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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$215,000,000

LOGO

Cott Beverages Inc.

Exchange Offer for 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017

 

 

PROSPECTUS

                    , 2010

 

 

We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or represent anything to you other than the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You may not rely on unauthorized information or representations.

This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which it relates, nor does this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful, where the person making the offer is not qualified to do so, or to any person who cannot legally be offered the securities.

The information in this prospectus is current only as of the date on its cover, and may change after that date. For any time after the cover date of this prospectus, we do not represent that our affairs are the same as described or that the information in this prospectus is correct, nor do we imply those things by delivering this prospectus or selling securities to you.

Until                     , 2010, all dealers that effect transactions in the exchange notes, whether or not participating in this exchange offer, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Corporation laws of the States of Georgia, Nevada and Delaware, and those of Canada and our charter and bylaws, or operating agreement, as the case may be, include provisions designed to limit the liability of our officers and directors against certain liabilities. These provisions are designed to encourage qualified individuals to serve as our officers and directors.

Canada

Under the Canada Business Corporations Act (“CBCA”), a corporation may indemnify certain persons associated with the corporation or, at the request of the corporation, another entity, against all costs, charges, and expenses (including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment) reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other proceeding in which he or she is involved because of that association with the corporation or other entity. Indemnifiable persons are current and former directors or officers, other individuals who act or acted at the corporation’s request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity of another entity.

The law permits indemnification only if the indemnifiable person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as a director or officer in a similar capacity at the corporation’s request and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he or she had reasonable grounds for believing his or her conduct was lawful and he or she was not judged by a court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything he or she ought to have done. With the approval of the court, a corporation may also indemnify an indemnifiable person in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation to which the indemnifiable person is made a party because of his or her association with the corporation.

Sections 7.02 and 7.04 of our by-laws provide that, without in any manner derogating from or limiting the mandatory provisions of the CBCA but subject to the conditions contained in the by-laws, we shall indemnify any of our directors or officers, former directors or officers, and each individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or each individual acting in a similar capacity at another entity, against all costs, charges, and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with us or another entity to the extent that the individual seeking the indemnity:

 

   

acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests or the best interest of the other entity for which the individual acted as a director or officer or in a similar capacity at our request, as the case may be; and

 

   

in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful.

Both the CBCA and our by-laws expressly provide for us to advance moneys to a director, officer, or other individual for the costs, charges, and expenses of a proceeding referenced above. The individual is required to repay the moneys if he or she does not fulfill the aforementioned conditions. Section 7.05 of our by-laws states that, subject to the limitations contained in the CBCA, we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of our directors and officers as such, as the board may from time to time determine.

In addition to the provisions found in our charter and by-laws, we have entered into an indemnification agreement with our chairman and chief executive officer by way of an employment agreement. Under the employment agreement, if such officer is made a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, or employee of us or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, member, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,

 

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trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such proceeding is his alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee, or agent, we shall indemnify and hold him harmless to the fullest extent legally permitted or authorized by our charter, by-laws, resolutions of our board of directors, or, if greater, by the laws of the Province of Ontario, and the Federal Laws of Canada applicable to us, against all cost, expense, liability, and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to such officer even if he has ceased to be a director, member, employee, or agent of us or another entity at our request and shall inure to the benefit of the his heirs, executors, and administrators. We are also required to advance to such officer all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a proceeding within 20 days after our receipt of a written request for such advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by such officer to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses.

Georgia

Article IX of the bylaws of both Cott Beverages Inc. and Cott USA Corp. provide that each respective company will indemnify and otherwise protect its officers, directors, employees and agents under the circumstances described in and to the extent permitted by the corporate laws of the State of Georgia. Moreover, Article 8 of the Articles of Incorporation of Cott USA Corp. provides that, to extent permitted under Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “GBCC”), no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages for any breach of the duty of care or other duty as a director.

Section 14-2-202(b)(4) of the GBCC provides that a corporation’s articles of incorporation may include a provision that eliminates or limits the personal liability of directors for monetary damages to the corporation or its shareholders for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director; provided, however, that the Section does not permit a corporation to eliminate or limit the liability of a director for appropriating, in violation of his or her duties, any business opportunity of the corporation, for (1) acts or omissions including intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (2) voting for or assenting to an unlawful distribution (whether as a dividend, stock repurchase or redemption, or otherwise) as provided in Section 14-2-832 of the GBCC, or (3) receiving from any transaction an improper personal benefit. Section 14-2-202(b)(4) also does not eliminate or limit the rights of the corporation or any shareholder to seek an injunction or other nonmonetary relief in the event of a breach of a director’s duty to the corporation and its shareholders. Additionally, Section 14-2-202(b)(4) applies only to claims against a director arising out of his or her role as a director, and does not relieve a director from liability arising from his or her role as an officer or in any other capacity.

Sections 14-2-850 to 14-2-859, inclusive, of the GBCC govern the indemnification of directors, officers, employees, and agents. Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC permits indemnification of an individual for liability incurred by him or her in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (including, subject to certain limitations, civil actions brought as derivative actions by or in the right of the corporation) in which he or she is made a party by reason of being a director of the corporation and a director who, at the request of the corporation, acts as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity. This section permits indemnification if the director acted in good faith and reasonably believed (1) in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, that such conduct was in the best interests of the corporation, (2) in all other cases other than a criminal proceeding, that such conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and (3) in the case of a criminal proceeding, that he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. If the required standard of conduct is met, indemnification may include judgments, settlements, penalties, fines or reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred with respect to a proceeding.

A Georgia corporation may not indemnify a director under Section 14-2-851 in the following instances:

 

   

in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation except for reasonable expenses incurred by such director in connection with the proceeding provided it is determined that such director met the relevant standard of conduct set forth above; or

 

   

in connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which such director was adjudged liable on the basis that he or she received an improper personal benefit. Prior to indemnifying a director under Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC, a determination must be made that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct. Such determination

 

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must be made by: (1) a majority vote of a quorum consisting of disinterested directors, (2) a majority vote of a duly designated committee of disinterested directors, (3) duly selected special legal counsel, or (4) a vote of the shareholders, excluding shares owned by or voted under the control of directors who do not qualify as disinterested directors.

Section 14-2-853 of the GBCC provides that a Georgia corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director, provided that such director delivers to the corporation a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she met the relevant standard of conduct described in Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC or that the proceeding involves conduct for which liability has been eliminated under a provision of the articles of incorporation as authorized by Section 14-2-202(b)(4), and a written undertaking by the director to repay any funds advanced if it is ultimately determined that such director was not entitled to such indemnification. Section 14-2-852 of the GBCC provides that directors who are successful with respect to any claim brought against them, which claim is brought because they are or were directors of the corporation, are entitled to mandatory indemnification against reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.

The GBCC also allows a Georgia corporation to indemnify directors made a party to a proceeding without regard to the above-referenced limitations, if authorized by the articles of incorporation or a bylaw, contract, or resolution duly adopted by a vote of the shareholders of the corporation by a majority of votes entitled to be cast, excluding shares owned or voted under the control of the director or directors who are not disinterested, and to advance funds to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses incurred in the defense thereof, subject to restrictions similar to the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph; provided, however, that the corporation may not indemnify a director adjudged liable (1) for any appropriation, in violation of his or her duties, of any business opportunity of the corporation, (2) for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) for unlawful distributions under Section 14-2-832 of the GBCC (discussed above) or (4) for any transaction in which the director obtained an improper personal benefit.

Section 14-2-857 of the GBCC provides that an officer of a corporation (but not an employee or agent generally) who is not a director has the mandatory right of indemnification granted to directors under Section 14-2-852, subject to the same limitations as described above. In addition, a corporation may, as provided by either (1) the articles of incorporation, (2) the bylaws, (3) or by general or specific actions by the board of directors or (4) contract, indemnify and advance expenses to (a) an officer who is not a director (unless such officer who is also a director is made party to a proceeding if the sole basis on which he or she is made a party is an act or omission solely as an officer) for appropriating, in violation of his or her duties, any business opportunity of the corporation, for acts or omissions including intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for voting for or assenting to an unlawful distribution (whether as a dividend, stock repurchase or redemption, or otherwise) as provided in Section 14-2-832 (discussed above) of the GBCC, or for receiving from any transaction an improper personal benefit, and (b) to an employee or agent who is not a director to the extent that such indemnification is consistent with public policy.

Delaware

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Holdings Inc. (“Cott Holdings”) provides that, to the extent permitted by the laws of Delaware and Pennsylvania, no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “GCL”) or the Business Corporation Law of Pennsylvania of 1988, as amended (the “BCL”). Furthermore, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that if the GCL or the BCL is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of Cott Holdings shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the GCL and the BCL, as so amended.

The Bylaws of Cott Holdings provide terms consistent with the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Under the Bylaws, Cott Holdings indemnifies any current or former director and officer, and one who acts or acted at the company’s request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the company is or was a shareholder or creditor (or a person who undertakes or has undertaken any liability on behalf of Cott Holdings or any such body corporate) and his heir or legal representative, against all costs, charges and expenses incurred in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which one is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of Cott Holdings or such body corporate (including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment) incurred by him or her in respect of any such action or proceeding for the recovery of claims of employees or former employees of Cott Holdings or such body corporate (including, without limitation, claims for wages, salaries and other remuneration or

 

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benefits) or in respect of any claim based upon the failure of Cott Holdings to deduct, withhold, remit or pay any amount for taxes, assessments and other charges of any nature whatsoever as required by law if (i) such person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company, and (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual has reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. Subject to limitations of the GCL and the BCL, Cott Holdings may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of its officers and directors as such, as the board may from time to time determine.

Section 145 of the GCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, rules, or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than action by or in the right of the corporation (a “derivative action”), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification extends only to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval for any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute further provides that it is not exclusive of other rights to indemnification provided in a corporation’s charter or by-laws, or by agreement, disinterested director or stockholder vote, or otherwise.

In addition, under Section 102(b)(7) of the GCL, a corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director may not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

payment of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The GCL permits the advance payment by the corporation of an indemnified person’s expenses prior to the final disposition of an action. In the case of a current director or officer, the indemnified person must undertake to repay any amount advanced if it is later determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification.

Chapter 17, Subchapter D of the BCL contains provisions permitting indemnification of officers and directors of a business corporation in Pennsylvania.

Sections 1741 and 1742 of the BCL provide that a business corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities and expenses they may incur as such in connection with any threatened, pending or completed civil, administrative or investigative proceeding, provided that the particular person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In general, the power to indemnify under these sections does not exist in the case of actions against a director or officer by or in the right of the corporation if the person otherwise entitled to indemnification shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless it is judicially determined that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for specified expenses.

Section 1743 of the BCL provides that the corporation is required to indemnify directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such actions.

Section 1746 of the BCL grants a corporation broad authority to indemnify its directors and officers for liabilities and expenses incurred in such capacity, except in circumstances where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness.

 

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Section 1747 of the BCL permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a representative of another corporation or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under Chapter 17, Subchapter D of the BCL.

The charter and bylaws of Cott Vending Inc. (“Cott Vending”) contain provisions with respect to liability and indemnification consistent with the provisions of the GCL discussed above. Under the Seventh Article to Cott Vending’s certificate of incorporation, a director has no personal liability to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except to the extent that Section 102(b)(7) of the GCL expressly provides that such liability may not be eliminated or limited. Under Article Six of the bylaws, any director or officer who is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of Cott Vending or served as a representative of another enterprise at the request of Cott Vending shall be indemnified against all expenses, judgments, fines, excise taxes and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonable incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the extent permissible under Delaware law. Officers and directors are entitled to advances for defending such actions from Cott Vending for payment of expenses in defending the action to the extent permissible under Delaware law. Upon the request of a person for indemnification under Article Six of the bylaws, a determination as to whether indemnification is permissible is made by the board of directors or a committee thereof, or by independent legal counsel if the board or committee so directs or is not empowered by statute to make such decision.

Another of the guarantors organized under the law of the State of Delaware, Interim BCB, LLC (“Interim BCB”) provides for indemnification of its managers and members in its amended and restated operating agreement. Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) provides that a limited liability company has the power to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever, subject to the standards and restrictions, if any, as set forth in the limited liability company agreement. Under Article 4.6 of the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Interim BCB, Interim BCB must indemnify each of its managers and members and make advances for expenses to each arising from any loss, cost, expense, damage, claim or demand, in connection with Interim BCB, the manager’s or member’s status as a manager or member of Interim BCB, the manger’s or member’s participation in the management, business and affairs of Interim BCB or such manager’s or member’s activities on behalf of Interim BCB to the fullest extent permitted by Section 18-108 of the DLLCA. In addition, no manager is liable to Interim BCB, any of its members, or other manager for an action taken in the managing of the business or affairs of Interim BCB if he or she performs the duty of his or her office (1) in a manner he or she believes in good faith to be in the best interest of Interim BCB and (2) with such care as an ordinarily prudent person in a like position under similar circumstances. Furthermore, no manager is liable to Interim BCB or any members for any loss or damage except loss or damage resulting from intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law or a transaction for which a manager received a personal benefit in violation or breach of the amended and restated operating agreement.

Nevada

CB Nevada Capital Inc. (“CB Nevada”) is incorporated in the State of Nevada. Sections 78.751 et seq. of the Nevada Revised Statutes allow a company to indemnify its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, except under certain circumstances. Indemnification may only occur if a determination has been made that the officer, director, employee, or agent acted in good faith and in a manner which such person believed to be in the best interests of CB Nevada. A determination may be made by the shareholders, by a majority of the directors who were not parties to the action, suit, or proceeding confirmed by opinion of independent legal counsel; or by opinion of independent legal counsel in the event a quorum of directors who were not a party to such action, suit, or proceeding does not exist.

United Kingdom

Subject to the provisions of the United Kingdom Companies Act 1985, the laws which govern the organization of Cott Beverages Limited, Cott Retail Brands Limited, Cott Limited, Cott Europe Trading Limited, Cott Private Label Limited, Cott Nelson (Holdings) Limited, and Cott (Nelson) Limited (the “UK Guarantors”)provide for every director or other officer or auditor of the UK Guarantors to be indemnified out of the assets of the applicable UK Guarantor against any liability incurred by him or her in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in

 

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his favor or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application in which relief is granted to him by the court from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the applicable UK Guarantor.

Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits.

Reference is made to the Index to Exhibits filed as a part of this registration statement.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Item 22. Undertakings

1. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:

 

  (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

  (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

  (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

  (d) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

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  (e) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, each of the undersigned registrants will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants or used or referred to by the undersigned registrants;

 

  (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrants or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and

 

  (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrants to the purchaser.

2. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants’ annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

4. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first-class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

5. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

 

II-7


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/     Jerry Fowden        

 

Jerry Fowden

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

Chief Executive Officer, Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

/s/    *        

Gregory Monahan

Director

  Date: June 10, 2010

/s/     Neal Cravens        

Neal Cravens

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

/s/     *        

Mario Pilozzi

Director

  Date: June 10, 2010

/s/     Gregory Leiter        

Gregory Leiter

Senior Vice President , Chief Accounting Officer,

and Assistant Secretary

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

/s/     *        

George A. Burnett

Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

/s/     *        

David T. Gibbons

Chairman, Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

/s/    *        

Andrew Prozes

Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

/s/    *        

Mark Benadiba

Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

/s/     *        

Graham Savage

Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

/s/    *        

Stephen H. Halperin

Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

/s/     *        

Eric Rosenfeld

Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

/s/    *        

Betty Jane Hess

Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT BEVERAGES INC.

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

  Date: June 10, 2010  

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Jerry Fowden

Title:    President, Chief Executive

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Vice President, Chief Financial

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT HOLDINGS INC.

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

  Date: June 10, 2010  

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Jerry Fowden

Title:    President, Chief Executive

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Vice President, Chief Financial

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT USA CORP.

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

  Date: June 10, 2010  

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Jerry Fowden

Title:    President, Chief Executive

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Vice President, Chief Financial

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT VENDING INC.

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

  Date: June 10, 2010  

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Jerry Fowden

Title:    President, Chief Executive

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Vice President, Chief Financial

             Officer and Director

             (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

INTERIM BCB, LLC

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

 

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

  Date: June 10, 2010  

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Jerry Fowden

Title:    President, Chief Executive

             Officer and Manager

             (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Vice President, Chief Financial

             Officer and Manager

             (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

CB NEVADA CAPITAL INC.

By:

 

/s/    Ceaser Gonzalez        

 

Ceaser Gonzalez

President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010  

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Wendy Mavrinac

Title:    Secretary and Director

 

Name:  Kristine Eppes

Title:    Treasurer and Director

             (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Ceasar Gonzalez

Title:    President

             (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT USA FINANCE LLC

By:

 

/s/    Ceaser Gonzalez        

 

Ceaser Gonzalez

Director Manager

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010  

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Wendy Mavrinac

Title:    Secretary and Director

 

Name:  Kristine Eppes

Title:    Manager

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Ceasar Gonzalez

Title:    Director Manager

             (Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting

             Officer)

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT BEVERAGES LIMITED

By:

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Gregory N. Leiter

Director and Authorized Representative

In the United States

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Jerry Fowden and Neal Cravens, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute any and all amendments and supplements to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

  Date: June 10, 2010  

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Gregory N. Leiter

Title:    Director

             (Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting

             Officer)

 

Name:  Mike Turner

Title:    Director

*

  Date: June 10, 2010  

/s/    Matthew Vernon         

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Steven Kitching

Title:    Director

 

Name:  Matthew Vernon

Title:    Director

*

  Date: June 10, 2010  

/s/    Laura Jackson        

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Trevor Cadden

Title:    Director

 

Name:  Laura Jackson

Title:    Director

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Jerry Hoyle

Title:    Director

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT RETAIL BRANDS LIMITED

By:

 

/s/     Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Gregory N. Leiter

Director and Authorized Representative

In the United States

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:   Gregory N. Leiter

Title:     Director

              (Principal  Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Name:   Mike Turner

Title:     Director

 

*

Name:   Steven Kitching

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

*

Name:   Jerry Hoyle

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT LIMITED

By:

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Gregory N. Leiter

Director and Authorized Representative

In the United States

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:   Gregory N. Leiter

Title:     Director

              (Principal  Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Name:   Mike Turner

Title:     Director

 

*

Name:   Steven Kitching

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

*

Name:   Jerry Hoyle

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT EUROPE TRADING LIMITED

By:

 

/s/     Gregory N. Leiter         

 

Gregory N. Leiter

Director and Authorized Representative

In the United States

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:   Gregory N. Leiter

Title:     Director

              (Principal  Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Name:   Mike Turner

Title:     Director

 

*

Name:   Steven Kitching

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

*

Name:   Jerry Hoyle

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT PRIVATE LABEL LIMITED

By:

 

/s/     Gregory N. Leiter         

 

Gregory N. Leiter

Director and Authorized Representative

In the United States

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:   Gregory N. Leiter

Title:     Director

              (Principal  Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Name:   Mike Turner

Title:     Director

 

*

Name:   Steven Kitching

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

*

Name:   Jerry Hoyle

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June , 2010.

 

COTT NELSON (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

By:

 

/s/     Gregory N. Leiter         

 

Gregory N. Leiter

Director and Authorized Representative

In the United States

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

 

Date: June 10, 2010

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:   Gregory N. Leiter

Title:     Director

              (Principal  Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Name:   Mike Turner

Title:     Director

 

*

Name:   Steven Kitching

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

*

Name:   Jerry Hoyle

Title:     Director

 

Date: June 10, 2010

   

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

COTT (NELSON) LIMITED

By:

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

Gregory N. Leiter

Director and Authorized Representative

In the United States

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/    Gregory N. Leiter        

  Date: June 10, 2010  

*

  Date: June 10, 2010

Name:  Gregory N. Leiter

Title:    Director

             (Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Name:  Mike Turner

Title:    Director

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Steven Kitching

Title:    Director

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Jerry Hoyle

Title:    Director

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

156775 CANADA INC.

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Jeffrey P. Berk

Title:    Sole Director

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

             (Principal Executive, Financial, and Accounting Officer)

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

967979 ONTARIO LIMITED

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Jeffrey P. Berk

Title:    Sole Director

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

             (Principal Executive, Financial, and Accounting Officer)

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

804340 ONTARIO LIMITED

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Jeffrey P. Berk

Title:    Sole Director

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

             (Principal Executive, Financial, and Accounting Officer)

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on this 10 day of June, 2010.

 

2011438 ONTARIO LIMITED

By:

 

/s/    Jerry Fowden        

Jerry Fowden

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

*

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Jeffrey P. Berk

Title:    Sole Director

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

  Date: June 10, 2010    

Name:  Neal Cravens

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

             (Principal Executive, Financial, and Accounting Officer)

 

 

*By:

 

/s/    Neal Cravens        

 

Neal Cravens as attorney-in-fact pursuant to authority

granted by powers of attorney, copies of which have

been previously filed


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

No.

   

Description of Exhibit

3.1 (i)   

Articles of Amalgamation of Cott Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Form 10-K dated February 28, 2007).

3.1 (ii)   

Amended and Restated By-laws of Cott Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Form 10-Q filed May 10, 2007).

3.1 (iii)   

Articles of Incorporation of Cott Beverages Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 8, 2002).

3.1 (iv)   

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cott Beverages Inc.*

3.1 (v)   

Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on May 29, 2009).

3.1 (vi)   

Articles of Association and Bylaws of Cott Holdings Inc.*

3.1 (vii)   

Articles of Incorporation of Cott USA Corp., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 8, 2002).

3.1 (viii)   

Amended and Restated of Bylaws of Cott USA Corp.*

3.1 (ix)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Vending Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 8, 2002).

3.1 (x)   

Bylaws of Cott Vending Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 8, 2002).

3.1 (xi)   

Certificate of Formation of Interim BCB, LLC.*

3.1 (xii)   

Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Interim BCB, LLC.*

3.1 (xiii)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Beverages Limited.

3.1 (xiv)   

Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Cott Beverages Limited.

3.1 (xv)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Retail Brands Limited.

3.1 (xvi)   

Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Cott Retail Brands Limited.

3.1 (xvii)   

Articles of Incorporation of CB Nevada Capital Inc.*

3.1 (xviii)   

Bylaws of CB Nevada Capital Inc.*

3.1 (xix)   

Certificate of Formation of Cott USA Finance LLC.*

3.1 (xx)   

Limited Liability Operating Agreement of Cott USA Finance LLC.*

3.1 (xxi)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Limited.

3.1 (xxii)   

Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Cott Limited.

3.1 (xxiii)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Europe Trading Limited.

3.1 (xxiv)   

Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Cott Europe Trading Limited.

3.1 (xxv)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Private Label Limited.

3.1 (xxvi)   

Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Cott Private Label Limited.

3.1 (xxvii)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott Nelson (Holdings) Limited.

3.1 (xxviii)   

Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Cott Nelson (Holdings) Limited.

3.1 (xxix)   

Certificate of Incorporation of Cott (Nelson) Limited.

3.1 (xxx)   

Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Cott (Nelson) Limited.

3.1 (xxxi)   

Articles of Incorporation of 156775 Canada Inc.*

3.1 (xxxii)   

By-laws of 156775 Canada Limited.*

3.1 (xxxiii)   

Articles of Incorporation of 967979 Ontario Limited.*

3.1 (xxxiv)   

By-laws of 967979 Ontario Limited.*

3.1 (xxxv)   

Articles of Incorporation of 804340 Ontario Limited.*

3.1 (xxxvi)   

By-laws of 804340 Ontario Limited.*

3.1 (xxxvii)   

Articles of Incorporation of 2011438 Ontario Limited.*

3.1 (xxxviii)   

By-laws of 2011438 Ontario Limited.*

4.1     

Indenture dated as of November 13, 2009, governing the 8.375% New Notes due 2017, by and among the Issuer, the Company, the guarantors identified therein and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2009).

4.2     

Form of 8.375% Senior Note due 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2009).

4.3     

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2009, among the Issuer, the Company, the guarantors identified therein and Barclays Capital Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2009).

5.1     

Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

5.2     

Opinion of Goodmans LLP.

12.1     

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*

23.1     

Consent of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm.

23.2     

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.3     

Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

23.4     

Consent of Goodmans LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).

25.1     

Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1.

99.1     

Letter of Transmittal.

 

* Previously filed.

Exhibit 3.1 (xiii)

 

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CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 2836071

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

COTT UK LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

COTT BEVERAGES LIMITED

Given at Companies House, London, the 28th November 1997

 

/s/ L. Barnes

MRS. L. BARNES

For The Registrar Of Companies

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CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 2836071

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

BENJAMIN SHAW (PONTEFRACT) LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

COTT UK LIMITED

Given at Companies House, Cardiff, the 31st July 1995

 

/s/ A. F. Fletcher

A. F. FLETCHER

For the Registrar of Companies

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CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 2836071

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

THOA COMPUTERS LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

BENJAMIN SHAW (PONTEFRACT) LIMITED

Given at Companies House, London, the 26th January 1994

 

/s/ L. Mills

MRS L. MILLS

For The Registrar Of Companies

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  LOGO  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

No. 2836071

I hereby certify that

THOA COMPUTERS LIMITED

is this day incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the Company is limited.

Given under my hand at the Companies Registration Office, Cardiff the 14 JULY 1993

 

/s/ M. Lewis

M. LEWIS

an authorised officer

Exhibit 3.1(xiv)

LOGO

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

BENJAMIN SHAW (PONTEFRACT) LIMITED

(as amended by Special Resolution passed on 27 January 1994)

 

 

1 The Company’s name is “THOA COMPUTERS LIMITED”*.

2 The Company’s registered office is to be situate in England and Wales.

3 The Company’s objects are:—

3.1 to manufacture, pack, distribute and sell beverages.

 

 

 

* By special resolution dated 26 January 1994 the name of the Company was changed to Benjamin Shaw (Pontefract) Limited.

 

G12ART 3130    – 1 –   


3.2 To carry on any other business or activity of any nature whatsoever which may seem to the Directors to be capable of being conveniently or advantageously carried on in connection or conjunction with any business of the Company hereinbefore or hereinafter authorised or to be expedient with a view directly or indirectly to enhancing the value of or to rendering profitable or more profitable any of the Company’s assets or utilising its skills, know-how or expertise.

3.3 To subscribe, underwrite, purchase, or otherwise acquire, and to hold, dispose of, and deal with, any shares or other securities or investments of any nature whatsoever, and any options or rights in respect thereof or interests therein, and to buy and sell foreign exchange.

3.4 To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, negotiate, execute, and issue, and to buy, sell and deal with bills of exchange, promissory notes, and other negotiable or transferable instruments or securities.

3.5 To purchase, or otherwise acquire for any estate or interest any property (real or personal) or assets or any concessions, licenses, grants, patents, trade marks, copyrights or other exclusive or non-exclusive rights of any kind and to hold, develop and turn to account and deal with the same in such manner as may be thought fit and to make experiments and tests and to carry on all kinds of research work.

3.6 To build, construct, alter, remove, replace, equip, execute, carry out, improve, work, develop, administer, maintain, manage or control buildings, structures or facilities of all kinds, whether for the purposes of the Company or for sale, letting or hire to or in return for any consideration from any company, firm or person, and to contribute to or assist in or carry out any part of any such operation.

 

 

G12ART 3130    – 2 –   

3.7 To amalgamate or enter into partnership or any joint venture or profit/loss-sharing arrangement or other association with any company, firm, person or body.

3.8 To purchase or otherwise acquire and undertake all or any part of the business, property and liabilities of any company, firm, person or body carrying on any business which the Company is authorised to carry on or possessed of any property suitable for the purposes of the Company.

3.9 To promote, or join in the promotion of, any company, whether or not having objects similar to those of the Company.

3.10 To borrow and raise money and to secure or discharge any debt or obligation of or binding on the Company in such manner as may be thought fit and in particular by mortgages and charges upon all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and the uncalled capital of the Company, or by the creation and issue of debentures, debenture stock or other securities of any description.

3.11 To advance, lend or deposit money or give credit to or with any company, firm or person on such terms as may be thought fit and with or without security.

3.12 To guarantee or give indemnities or provide security, whether by personal covenant or by mortgage or charge upon all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and the uncalled capital of the Company, or by all or any such methods, for the performance of any contracts or obligations, and the payment of capital or principal (together with any premium) and dividends or interest on any shares, debentures or other securities, of any person, firm or company including (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) any company which is for the time being a holding company of the Company or another subsidiary of any such holding company or is associated with the Company in business.

 

G12ART 3130    – 3 –   


3.13 To issue any securities which the Company has power to issue for any other purpose by way of security or indemnity or in satisfaction of any liability undertaken or agreed to be undertaken by the Company.

3.14 To sell, lease, grant licences, easements and other rights over, and in any other manner deal with or dispose of, the undertaking, property, assets, rights and effects of the Company or any part thereof for such consideration as may be thought fit, and in particular for shares or other securities, whether fully or partly paid up.

3.15 To procure the registration, recognition or incorporation of the Company in or under the laws of any territory outside England.

3.1.6 To subscribe or guarantee money for any national, charitable, benevolent, public, general, or useful object or for any purpose which may be considered likely directly or indirectly to further the interests of the Company or of its members.

3.17 To establish and maintain or contribute to any pension or superannuation funds for the benefit of, and to give or procure the giving of donations, gratuities, pensions, allowances or emoluments to, any individuals who are or were at any time in the employment or service of the Company or of any company which is its holding company or is a subsidiary of the Company or any such holding company or otherwise is allied to or associated with the Company or any of the predecessors of the Company or any other such company as aforesaid, or who are or were at any time directors or officers of the Company or of any such other company, and the wives, widows, families and dependants of any such individuals; to establish and subsidise or subscribe to any institutions, associations, clubs or funds which may be considered likely to benefit any such persons or to further the interests of the Company or of any such other company; and to make payments for or towards the insurance of any such persons.

 

G12ART 3130    – 4 –   

 

3.18 To establish and maintain, and to contribute to, any scheme for encouraging or facilitating the holding of shares or debentures in the Company by or for the benefit of its employees or for or employees, or those of its subsidiary or holding company or subsidiary of its holding company, or by or for the benefit of such other persons as may for the time being be permitted by law, or any scheme for sharing profits with its employees or those of its subsidiary and/or associated companies, and (so far as for the time being permitted by law) to lend money to employees of the Company or of any company which is its holding company or is a subsidiary of the Company or any such holding company or otherwise is allied to or associated with the Company with a view to enabling them to acquire shares in the Company or its holding company.

3.19 (i) To purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any persons who are or were at any time directors, officers or employees or auditors of the Company, or of any other company which is its holding company or in which the Company or such holding company or any of the predecessors of the Company or of such holding company has any interest whether direct or indirect or which is in any way allied to or associated with the Company, or of any subsidiary undertaking of the Company or of any such other company, or who are or were at any time trustees of any pension fund in which any employees of the Company or of any such other company or subsidiary undertaking are interested, including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of their duties and/or in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers and/or otherwise in relation to the Company or any such other company, subsidiary undertaking or pension fund and (ii) to such extent as may be permitted by law otherwise to indemnity or to exempt any such person against or from any such liability; for the purposes of this clause “holding company’ and “subsidiary undertaking” shall have the same meanings as in the Companies Act 1985 as amended by the Companies Act 1989.

 

G12ART 3130    – 5 –   


3.20 To distribute among members of the Company in specie or otherwise, by way of dividend or bonus or by way of reduction of capital, all or any of the property or assets of the Company, or any proceed of sale or other disposal of any property or assets of the Company, with and subject to any incident authorised and consent required by law.

3.21 To do all or any of the things and matters aforesaid in any part of the world, and either as principals, agents, contractors, trustees or otherwise, and by or through trustees, agents, subsidiary companies or otherwise, and either alone, or in conjunction with others.

3.22 To do all such other things as may be considered to be incidental or conducive to any of the above objects.

And it is hereby declared that the objects of the Company as specified in each of the foregoing paragraphs of this Clause (except only if and so far as otherwise expressly provided in any paragraph) shall be separate and distinct objects of the Company and shall not be in any way limited by reference to any other paragraph or the order in which the same occur or the name of the Company.

4 The liability of the members is limited.

5 The Company’s share capital is £100 divided into ordinary shares of £1 each.

By special resolution passed on 27 January 1994, the Company’s share capital was increased and reclassified so as to consist of £2,200 divided into 102 ‘A’ Shares of £1 each, 98 ‘B’ Shares of £1 each and 2000 Preference Shares of £1 each.

 

G12ART 3130    – 6 –   


WE, the Subscribers to this Memorandum of Association, wish to be formed into a Company pursuant to this Memorandum: and we agree to take the number of Shares shown opposite our respective names.

 

 

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SUBSCRIBERS

  

 

Number of Shares

taken by each

Subscriber

 

 

Combined Nominees Limited

16-26 Banner Street

London EC1Y 8QE

   One

Combined Secretarial Services Limited

16-26 Banner Street

London EC1Y 8QE

   One
    

Total Shares taken:

   TWO

 

 

DATED 1 January 1993.

WITNESS to the above Signatures:–

B R Millar

Crwys House

33 Crwys Road

Cardiff CF2 4YF

 

G12ART 3130    – 7 –   


LOGO

NO:2836071

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

ORDINARY RESOLUTION OF COTT UK LIMITED

AT AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of the Company duly converted and held on 199 at 5 Princes Gate, London SW7 1QJ the following Resolution were duly passed:-

ORDlNARY RESOLUTIONS

 

1 THAT:-

 

1.1 the authorised share capital of the Company be increased from £2,200 to £50,000,000 by the creation of 49,997,800 ordinary shares of £1 each to rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of £1.00 each in the capital of the Company.

 

2 THAT:-

 

2.1 the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to and in accordance with Section 80 of the Companies Act 1985 to exercise for the period of 5 years from the date of the passing of this Resolution all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities up to the aggregate nominal amount of £49,997,800;

 

2.2 by such authority the Directors may make offers or agreements which would or might require the allotment of relevant securities after the expiry of such period; and

 

2.3 words and expressions defined in or for the purposes of the said Section 80 shall have the same meanings in this Resolution.

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

 

3 THAT the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby altered by deleting the existing Article 2 and substituting therefor the following new Article 2:-

 

     “2.The share capital of the Company as at 15 January 1996 is £50,000,000 divided into 49,998,000 ordinary shares of £l each and 2,000 preference shares of £1 each.

 

LOGO

Chairman

Hackwood Securities Limited (RJA)

Barrington House

59-67 Gresham Street

London EC2V 7JA


THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

(Adopted by a Special Resolution passed on 17 July 1995 - Clause 2 amended 15 January 1996)

OF

COTT BEVERAGES LIMITED

 

 

PRELIMINARY

 

1 The regulations contained in Table A in The Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations 1985 (as amended so as to affect companies first registered on the dale of adoption of these Articles) shall, except as hereinafter provided and so far as not inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles, apply to the Company to the exclusion of all other regulations or Articles of Association. References herein to regulations are to regulations in the said Table A unless otherwise stated.

SHARE CAPITAL

 

2

1 The share capital of the Company as at 15 January 1996 is £50,000,000 divided into 49,998,000 ordinary shares of £1 each and 2,000 preference shares of £1 each.

 

3 (A) Subject to Section 80 of the Act, all unissued shares shall be at the disposal of the Directors and they may allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times, and on such terms as they think proper.

(B) Section 89(1) of the Act shall not apply to the allotment by the Company of equity securities.

(C) Words and expressions defined in or for the purposes of the said Section 80 or the said Section 89 shall bear the same meanings in this Article.

 

4 The rights attaching to the Preference Shares are as follows.

LOGO

 

 

1

Amended by Special Resolution passed on 15 January 1996.

 

 

- 1 -


(A) Income

Out of the profits available for distribution and resolved to be distributed, the holders of the Preference Shares shall be entitled in priority to any payment of dividend to the holders of any other class of shares to be paid in respect of each financial year or other accounting period of the Company a fixed preferential dividend (“preferential dividend”) at the rate of  1 / 2  per cent per annum (exclusive of any associated tax credit available to shareholders) on the nominal capital for the time being paid up or credited as paid up thereon, such dividend to be paid half-yearly on 25 March and 29 September (or, if any such date shall be a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England, on the first business day following such date) (“fixed dividend dates”) in each year in respect of the half-years ending on those respective dates, save that the first such payment in respect of each Preference Share shall be made on a pro-rata basis on 29 September 1994 from such date as the Directors may determine up to and including such date. Payments of preferential dividends shall be made to holders on the register at any date selected by the Directors up to 42 days prior to the relevant fixed dividend date. The holders of the Preference Shares shall not be entitled to any further right of participation in the profits of the Company.

 

(B) Capital

On a return of capital on winding-up or (other than on conversion or purchase of shares) otherwise, the holders of the Preference Shares shall be entitled in priority to any payment to the holders of any other class of shares to the repayment of a sum equal to the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on the Preference Shares held by them respectively together with a sum equal to all arrears and accruals (if any) of the said preferential dividend irrespective of whether or not such dividend has been declared or earned or become due and payable, to be calculated down to and including the date of commencement of the winding-up (in the case of a winding-up) or the return of capital (in any other case). The holders of the Preference Shares shall not be entitled to any further right of participation in the assets of the Company.

 

(C) Voting and General Meetings

The Preference Shares shall not confer on the holders thereof the right to receive notice of, attend, speak or vote at any General Meeting of the Company but they shall entitle the holders to receive copies of notices of General Meetings for information only.

TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

5 The Directors shall have the right in their absolute discretion and without assigning any reason therefor to refuse to register a transfer of shares. Regulation 24 shall not apply.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

6 In the case of a corporation a resolution in writing may be signed on its behalf by a Director or the Secretary thereof or by its duly appointed attorney or duly authorised representative. Regulation 53 shall be extended accordingly. Regulation 53 (as so extended) shall apply mutatis mutandis to resolutions in writing of any class of members of the Company.

 

7

An instrument appointing a proxy (and, where it is signed on behalf of the appointor by an attorney, the letter or power of attorney or a duly certified copy thereof) must either be delivered at such place or one of such places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to the notice convening the meeting (or, if no place is so specified, at the registered office) before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting) for the taking of the poll at which it is to be used or be delivered to the

 

 

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Secretary (or the chairman of the meeting) on the day and at the place of, but in any event before the time appointed for holding, the meeting or adjourned meeting or poll. The instrument may be in the form of a facsimile or other machine made copy and shall, unless the contrary is stated thereon, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates. An instrument of proxy relating to more than one meeting (including any adjournment thereof) having once been so delivered for the purposes of any meeting shall not require again to be delivered for the purposes of any subsequent meeting to which it relates. Regulation 62 shall not apply.

VOTES OF MEMBERS

 

8 At a general meeting, but subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares, on a show of hands every member present in person or by proxy (or being a corporation present by a duly authorised representative) shall have one vote, and on a poll every member who is present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder. Regulation 54 shall not apply.

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

 

9 The Directors shall not be less than one in number. Regulation 64 shall be modified accordingly.

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

10 (A) Any director (other than an alternate director) may by notice in writing to the Company appoint any other director, or any other person who is willing to act, to be an alternate director and remove from office an alternate director so appointed by him. Regulation 65 of Table A shall not apply.

(B) An alternate Director shall be entitled to receive notices of meetings of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors of which his appointor is a member and shall be entitled to attend and vote as a Director and be counted in the quorum at any such meeting at which his appointor is not personally present and generally at such meeting to perform all functions of his appointor as a Director and for the purposes of the proceedings at such meeting the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if he were a Director. If he shall be himself a Director or shall attend any such meeting as an alternate for more than one Director, his voting rights shall be cumulative but he shall not be counted more than once for the purposes of the quorum. If his appointor is for the time being absent from the United Kingdom or temporarily unable to act through ill health or disability his signature to any resolution in writing of the Directors shall be as effective as the signature of his appointor. An alternate Director shall not (save as aforesaid) have power to act as a Director, nor shall he be deemed to be a Director for the purposes of these Articles, nor shall he be deemed to be the agent of his appointor. Regulations 66 and 69 shall not apply.

(C) An alternate Director shall be entitled to contract and be interested in and benefit from contracts or arrangements or transactions and to be repaid expenses and to be indemnified to the same extent mutatis mutandis as if he were a Director but he shall not be entitled to receive from the Company in respect of his appointment as alternate Director any remuneration except only such part (if any) of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by notice in writing to the Company from time to time direct.

 

 

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DELEGATION OF DIRECTORS’ POWERS

 

11 In addition to the powers to delegate contained in Regulation 72, the Directors may delegate any of their powers or discretions (including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing all powers and discretions whose exercise involves or may involve the payment of remuneration to or the conferring of any other benefit on all or any of the Directors) to committees consisting of one or more Directors and (if thought fit) one or more other named person or persons to be co-opted as hereinafter provided, insofar as any such power or discretion is delegated to a committee, any reference in these Articles to the exercise by the Directors of the power or discretion so delegated shall be read and construed as if it were a reference to the exercise thereof by such committee. Any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations which may from time to time be imposed by the Directors. Any such regulations may provide for or authorise the co-option to the committee of persons other than Directors and may provide for members who are not Directors to have voting rights as members of the committee but so that (a) the number of members who are not Directors shall be less than one-half of the total number of members of the committee and (b) no resolution of the committee shall be effective unless passed by a majority including at least one member of the committee who is a Director. Regulation 72 shall be modified accordingly.

APPOINTMENT AND RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS

 

12 The Directors shall not be subject to retirement by rotation. Regulations 73 to 75 and the second and third sentences of Regulation 79 shall not apply, and other references in the said Table A to retirement by rotation shall be disregarded.

DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

13 (A) The office of a Director shall be vacated in any of the events specified in regulation 81 and also if he shall in writing offer to resign and the Directors shall resolve to accept such offer or if he shall be removed from office by notice in writing signed by all his co-Directors (being at least two in number) but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines such removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company.

(B) Any provision of the Act which, subject to the provisions of the articles, would have the effect of rendering any person ineligible for appointment or election as a Director or liable to vacate office as a Director on account of his having reached any specified age or of requiring special notice or any other special formality in connection with the appointment or election of any Director over a specified age, shall not apply to the Company.

REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS

 

14 Any Director who serves on any committee, or who otherwise performs services which in the opinion of the Directors are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director, may be paid such extra remuneration by way of salary, commission or otherwise or may receive such other benefits as the Directors may determine. Regulation 82 shall be extended accordingly.

 

 

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PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

15 The Directors, and any committee of the Directors, shall be deemed to meet together if, being in separate locations, they are nonetheless linked by conference telephone or other communication equipment which allows those participating to hear and speak to each other, and a quorum in that event shall be two persons so linked. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of those participating is assembled or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting then is.

 

16 On any matter in which a Director is in any way interested he may nevertheless vote and be taken into account for the purposes of a quorum and (save as otherwise agreed) may retain for his own absolute use and benefit all profits and advantages directly or indirectly accruing to him thereunder or in consequence thereof. Regulations 94 to 98 shall not apply.

 

17 Directors who are absent from the United Kingdom shall be entitled to the same notice of all meetings of the Directors as Directors not so absent and the third sentence of Regulation 88 shall not apply. If a Director who is absent from the United Kingdom does not advise the Company in writing of his overseas address, notice to his usual address in the United Kingdom shall be deemed sufficient notice for the purposes of this Article.

NOTICES

 

18 A member whose registered address is not within the United Kingdom shall be entitled to have notices sent to him as if he were a member with a registered address within the United Kingdom and the last sentence of Regulation 112 shall not apply.

INDEMNITY

 

19 (A) Subject to the provisions of and so far as may be consistent with the Statutes, every Director, Secretary or other officer of the Company shall be indemnified by the Company out of its own funds against and/or exempted by the Company from all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by him in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of his duties and/or the exercise or purported exercise of his powers and/or otherwise in relation to or in connection with his duties, powers or office including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which relate to anything done or omitted or alleged to have been done or omitted by him as an officer or employee of the Company and in which Judgment is given in his favour (or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his part) or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application under any statute for relief from liability in respect of any such act or omission in which relief is granted to him by the Court.

(B) Without prejudice to paragraph (A) of this Article the Directors shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any persons who are or were at any time Directors, officers or employees of any Relevant Company (as defined in paragraph (C) of this Article) or who are or were at any time trustees of any pension fund or employees’ share scheme in which employees of any Relevant Company are interested, including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of their duties and/or In the exercise or purported exercise of their powers and/or otherwise in relation to their duties, powers or offices in relation to any Relevant Company, or any such pension fund or employees’ share scheme.

(C) For the purpose of paragraph (B) of this Article “Relevant Company” shall mean the Company, any holding company of the Company or any other body, whether or not incorporated, in which the Company or such holding company or any of the predecessors of the Company or of such holding company has or had any interest whether direct or indirect or which is in any way allied to or associated with the Company, or any subsidiary undertaking of the Company or of such other body.

 

 

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OVERRIDING PROVISIONS

 

20 Any member holding, or any members together holding, shares carrying not less than 90 per cent of the votes which may for the time being be cast at a general meeting of the Company may at any time and from time to time:-

 

  (a) appoint any person to be a Director (whether to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director);

 

  (b) remove from office any Director howsoever appointed but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines such removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company;

 

  (c) by notice to the Company require that no unissued shares shall be issued or agreed to be issued or put under option without the consent of such member or members;

 

  (d) restrict any or all powers of the Directors in such respects and to such extent as such member or members may by notice to the Company from time to time prescribe.

Any such appointment, removal, consent or notice shall be in writing served on the Company and signed by the Member or members. No person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire as to whether the powers of the Directors have been in any way restricted hereunder or as to whether any requisite consent of such member or members has been obtained and no obligation incurred or security given or transaction effected by the Company to or with any third party shall be invalid or ineffectual unless the third party has at the time express notice that the incurring of such obligation or the giving of such security or the effecting of such transaction was in excess of the powers of the Directors.

To the extent of any inconsistency this Article shall have overriding effects as against all other provisions of these Articles.

 

 

A00582942/0.0/03 Mar 2000     
  - 6 -   


No. 2836071

The Companies Act 1985

Private Company Limited by Shares

Written Resolutions of Cott Beverages Limited

The following resolutions were passed as written resolutions of the Company on 15 June 2000 in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company.

Ordinary Resolutions

 

1 THAT the capital of the Company be increased from £50,000,000 to £75,000,000 by the creation of a further 25,000,000 ordinary shares of £1 each to rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of £1 each in the capital of the Company.

 

2 THAT:-

 

  2.1 the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to and in accordance with Section 80 of the Companies Act 1985 to exercise for the period of five years from the date of the passing of this resolution all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities up to the aggregate nominal amount of £25,376,390;

 

  2.2 by such authority the Directors may make offers or agreements which would or might require the allotment of relevant securities after the expiry of such period; and

 

  2.3 words and expressions defined in or for the purposes of the said Section 80 shall have the same meanings in this resolution.

Special Resolution

 

3 THAT the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby altered by deleting the existing Article 2 and substituting therefor the following new Article 2:-

 

  “2 The share capital of the Company as at 15 June 2000 is £75,000,000 divided into 74,998,000 ordinary shares of £1 each and 2000 preference shares of £1 each.”

 

/s/ Authorized Signatory

For Hackwood Secretaries Limited Secretary

Hackwood Secretaries Limited (RJA)

One Silk Street

London EC2Y 8HQ

Tel: 020 7456 2000

LOGO

 

 

- 3 -


  

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

 

WRITTEN RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

 

COTT BEVERAGES LIMITED

(COMPANY NUMBER 2836071)

  LOGO

We, the undersigned, being all of the members of the Company entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting of the Company unanimously agree pursuant to s.381A of the Companies Act 1985 that the following resolutions be passed as written resolutions of the Company having effect as special resolutions and confirm that they shall be as valid and effective for all purposes as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

THAT:

 

1 the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby amended by the deletion of Article 5 and replacement with the following wording as a new Article 5:

“Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, whether expressly or impliedly contradictory to the provisions of this Special Article (to the effect that any provision contained in this Special Article shall override any other provision of these Articles)

 

  5.1 The Directors shall not decline to register any transfer of shares, nor may they suspend registration thereof, where such transfer:

 

  5.1.1 is to any bank, institution or other person to which such shares have been charged by way of security, or to any nominee of such a bank, institution or other person (or a person acting as agent or security trustee for such person) (a “Secured Institution”); or

 

  5.1.2 is delivered to the Company for registration by a Secured Institution or its nominee in order to perfect its security over the shares; or

 

  5.1.3 is executed by a Secured Institution or its nominee pursuant to a power of sale or other power existing under such security,

and the Directors shall forthwith register any such transfer of shares upon receipt and furthermore notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Articles no transferor of any shares in the Company or proposed transferor of such shares to a Secured Institution or its nominee and no Secured Institution or its nominee shall (in either such case) be required to offer the shares which are or are to be the subject of any transfer as aforesaid to the shareholders for the time being of the Company or any of them and no such shareholder shall have any right under the Articles or otherwise howsoever to require such shares to be transferred to them whether for any valuable consideration or otherwise.”;

 

2

the terms and conditions (as the same may be amended, varied, supplemented or substituted from time to time) of each of the Documents (as defined below) which the Company is proposing to enter into in connection with a multi-currency revolving credit

 

1


 

agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) to be entered into between, the Company’s Canadian ultimate parent company, Cott Corporation (the “Parent”), Cott Beverages Inc (the “US Borrower”), the Company (the “UK Borrower”), Cott Embotelladores de Mexico, S. A. de C. V. (the “Mexican Borrower” and the Parent, the US Borrower, the UK Borrower and the Mexican Borrower are together the “Borrowers”) and Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent and security trustee (the “Bank”) pursuant to which the Bank had offered to make available to the Borrowers a revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of US$100,000,000 with an option to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Facility by up to US$150,000,000 upon the terms and subject to the conditions detailed therein and which shall be used (i) to refinance certain existing indebtedness, (ii) for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, capital expenditures, expenditures in the ordinary course of business and permitted acquisitions and investments and (iii) to pay fees and expenses related to the Facility, be and are hereby approved and (notwithstanding any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company or any personal interest of any of the directors) the directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered, authorised and directed to complete and enter into each such document, being:

 

2.1 a $100,000,000 multicurrency revolving credit facility to be entered into between, among others, the Bank and the Company (the “Credit Agreement”);

 

2.2 a debenture to be entered into by the Company in favour of the Bank (the “Debenture’); and

 

2.3 a New York law governed guaranty agreement to be entered into by, among others, the Company in favour of the Bank (the “Guaranty Agreement”);

 

2.4 a HSBC Bank plc (“HSBC”) multi-currency overdraft facility letter to be entered into between the Company and HSBC (the “HSBC Facility Letter”);

 

2.5 a HSBC standard form fax indemnity to be given by the Company (the “HSBC Fax indemnity”),

(together the “Documents” and each a “Document”);

 

3 (I) the execution and delivery by the Company of each of the Documents, (II) the performance by the Company of its obligations under each of the Documents and (III) the transactions contemplated by each such Document be and are hereby approved.

 

LOGO

Director

For and on behalf of

Cott Retail Brands Limited

Dated: 30 March 2005

 

2

Exhibit 3.1 (xv)

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

No. 2865761

I hereby certify that

TEENJAY LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name,

is now incorporated under the name of

COTT RETAIL BRANDS LIMITED

Given under my hand at the Companies Registration Office, Cardiff the 24 DECEMBER 1993

 

/s/ L. Parry

MRS. L. PARRY

an authorised officer


LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

No. 2865761

I hereby certify that

TEENJAY LIMITED

is this day incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the Company is limited.

Given under my hand at the Companies Registration Office, Cardiff the 25 OCTOBER 1993

 

/s/ P. Bevan
P. BEVAN
an authorised officer

Exhibit 3.1 (xvi)

THE COMPANIES ACTS 1985 TO 1989

 

 

A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

LOGO

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

COTT RETAIL BRANDS LIMITED *

 

 

 

 

1 The Company’s name is COTT RETAIL BRANDS LIMITED.

 

2 The Company’s Registered Office is to be situated in England.

 

3 “The Company’s objects are:

 

3.1

 

  3.1.1 To carry on all or any of the businesses of a holding company and to co-ordinate all or any part of the businesses and operations of any and all companies, firms and businesses controlled directly or indirectly by the Company or in which the Company is interested, whether as a shareholder or otherwise and whether directly or indirectly, and to acquire by purchase, lease, concession, grant, licence or otherwise such businesses, options, rights, privileges, lands, buildings, leases, underleases, stocks, shares, debentures, debenture stock, bonds, obligations, securities, reversionary interests, annuities, policies of assurance and other property and rights and interests in property as the Company shall deem fit and generally to hold, manage, develop, lease, sell or dispose of the same; and to vary any of the investments of the Company, to act as trustees of any deeds constituting or securing any debentures, debenture stock or other securities or obligations; to enter into, assist, or participate in financial, commercial, mercantile, industrial and other transactions, undertakings and businesses of every description, and to establish, carry on, develop and extend the same or sell, dispose of or otherwise turn the same to account, to act as company secretary alone or jointly with any other person or persons for any company or companies incorporated in any part of the world, as secretary of any association or associations whether incorporated or not in any part of the world and as agent or overseas company agent for any other body incorporated in any part of the world, and to provide administrative, legal, technical and financial services of every description to other companies, firms, or persons, to act as business and office managers and to carry on all or any of the businesses of capitalists, trustees, financiers, financial agents, company promoters, bill discounters, insurance

 

* The name of the Company was changed from Teenjay Limited by a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name dated 24 December 1993.
** Altered by Special Resolution passed on 28 April 1997.

 

 

1


    brokers and agents, mortgage brokers, rent and debt collectors, stock and share brokers and dealers and commission and general agents, merchants and traders; and to manufacture, buy, sell, maintain, repair and deal in plant, machinery, tools, articles and things of all kinds capable of being used for the purposes of the above-mentioned businesses or any of them, or likely to be required by customers of or persons having dealings with the Company.

 

  3.1.2 To carry on business as a general commercial company.

 

3.2 To carry on any other business which, in the opinion of the Company, may be capable of being conveniently or profitably carried on in conjunction with or subsidiary to any other business of the Company and is calculated to enhance the value of the Company’s property.

 

3.3 To guarantee or give security for the payment or performance of any contracts, debts, or obligations of any person, company or firm, for any purpose whatsoever, and to act as agents for the collection, receipt or payment of money and generally to give any guarantee, security or indemnity.

 

3.4 To take on lease, purchase or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire and hold for any interest or estate any buildings, lands, easements, privileges, rights, concessions, patent rights, patents, secret processes, licences, machinery, plant, stock-in-trade, and any real or personal property of any kind convenient or necessary for the purpose of or in connection with the Company’s business or any department or branch thereof.

 

3.5 To apply for, purchase or otherwise acquire and held any patents, licences, concessions, brevets d’invention, copyrights and the like, conferring any right to use or publish any secret or other information and to use, develop, exercise, or grant licences in respect of the property, rights and information so acquired.

 

3.6 To erect, build, construct, or reconstruct, lay down, alter, enlarge and maintain any factories, buildings, works, shops, stores, plant and machinery necessary or convenient for the Company’s business and to contribute to or subsidise the construction, erection and maintenance of any of the aforesaid.

 

3.7 To subscribe for, take, purchase or otherwise acquire and hold, sell, deal with or dispose of any share, stocks, debentures, debenture stocks, bonds, obligations and securities, guaranteed by any company constituted or carrying on business in any part of the world and debentures, debenture stocks, bonds, obligations and securities guaranteed by any Government or Authority, Municipal, Parochial, Local or otherwise, within and without the United Kingdom and to subscribe for the same either conditionally or otherwise and to guarantee the subscription thereof and to enforce and exercise all rights and powers conferred by the ownership thereof.

 

3.8 To promote by way of advertising the products and services of the Company in any manner and to reward customers or potential customers and to promote and take part in any scheme likely to benefit the Company.

 

3.9 To borrow or raise money and secure or discharge any debt or obligation of or binding on the Company in such manner as may be thought fit and in particular by mortgages of or charges upon the undertaking and all or any of the real or heritable and personal or moveable property (present or future) and the uncalled capital for the time being of the Company or by the creation and issue of debenture stocks, debentures or other obligations or securities of any description.

 

3.10

To support, guarantee and/or secure either with or without consideration the payment of any debenture stocks, debentures, dividends, shares or moneys or the performance of engagements or contracts of any other company or person and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) of any Company which is, for the time being, the Company’s holding

 

 

2


 

company as defined by Section 736 of the Companies Act, 1985 or another subsidiary, as defined by the said section, of the Company’s holding company or otherwise associated with the Company in business and to give indemnities and guarantees of all kinds and by way of security as aforesaid either with or without consideration to mortgage and charge the undertaking and all or any of the real and personal property and assets present or future, to issue debentures and debenture stock and collaterally or further to secure any securities of the Company by a Trust Deed or other assurance and to enter into partnership or any joint purse arrangement with any person, persons, firm or company.

 

3.11 To make advances to customers and others with or without security, and upon such terms as the Company may approve, and to guarantee the dividends, interest and capital of the stocks, shares or securities of any company of or in which the Company is a member or is otherwise interested.

 

3.12 To take part in the management, formation, control or supervision of the business or operation of any company or undertaking and for that purpose to appoint and remunerate any directors, experts or agents.

 

3.13 To employ experts to examine and investigate into the character, prospects, value, condition and circumstances of any undertakings and business concerns and generally of any property, assets or rights.

 

3.14 To draw, make, accept, endorse, negotiate, discount and execute promissory notes, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments; to receive money on deposit or loan upon such terms as the Company may approve, and generally to act as bankers for customers and others.

 

3.15 To promote or establish or concur in promoting or establishing any other company whose objects shall include the taking over of or the acquisition of all or any of the assets or liabilities of this Company or the promotion of which shall be in any manner calculated to advance directly or indirectly the objects or interests of this Company and to hold, acquire, dispose of stocks, shares or securities issued by or any other obligations of any such company.

 

3.16 To deal with and invest the moneys of the Company not immediately required for the purpose of the business of the Company in or upon such investments and in such manner as the Company may approve.

 

3.17 To accept payment for any rights or property sold or otherwise disposed of or dealt with by the Company, either in cash, by instalments or otherwise, or in partly or fully paid-up shares or stock of any corporation or company, with or without deferred or preferred or special rights or restrictions in respect of repayment of capital, dividend, voting or otherwise, or in mortgages or debentures or other securities of any corporation or company or partly in one mode and partly in another, and generally on such terms as the Company may determine and to hold, dispose of or otherwise deal with any stock, shares or securities so acquired.

 

3.18 To enter into any partnership or amalgamate with or enter into any arrangement for sharing profits, interests, or co-operative or enter into co-operation with any company, person or firm carrying on or proposing to carry on any business within the objects of this Company or which is capable of being carried on so as to benefit this Company, whether directly or indirectly and to acquire and hold, deal with, sell or dispose of any stock, shares or securities of or other interests in any such company, and to guarantee the contracts or liabilities of, otherwise assist or subsidise, any such company.

 

3.19 To pay for any right or property acquired by the Company either in cash or partly or fully paid-up shares with or without deferred or preferred or special rights or restrictions in respect of repayment of capital, dividend, voting or otherwise, or by any securities which the Company has power to issue, and generally on such terms and conditions as the Company may determine.

 

 

3


3.20 To develop, improve, manage, sell, turn to account, let on rent, royalty, exchange, share of profits or otherwise, grant easements, licences and other rights in or over, and in any other manner dispose of or deal with the undertaking and all or any of the assets and property for the time being of the Company for such consideration as the Company may think fit.

 

3.21 To acquire, purchase, take over and undertake part or all of the business, property, assets, liabilities and engagements of any firm, person or company carrying on any business the carrying on of which is calculated to benefit this Company or to advance its interests generally.

 

3.22 To aid in the support and establishment of any educational, scientific, religious or charitable institutions or trade associations or societies, whether such associations, societies or institutions be solely connected with the business carried on by the Company or its predecessors in business or not, and to maintain and institute any club, society or other organisation.

 

3.23 To grant pensions, gratuities, allowances and bonuses to employees or ex-employees, officers or ex-officers of the Company or its predecessors in business or the dependants of such persons and to maintain and establish or concur in maintaining funds, trusts or schemes, (whether contributory or non-contributory) with a view to providing pensions or other funds for any such persons or their dependants as aforesaid.

 

3.24 To distribute in specie any of the shares, debentures or securities of the Company or any proceeds of sale or disposal of any property of the Company between the members of the Company in accordance with the rights, but so that no distribution amounting to a reduction of capital be made except with the sanction of any) for the time being required by law.

 

3.25 To do all or any of the above things in any part of the world either alone as principals, or as agents, trustees, sub-contractors or otherwise.

 

3.26 To do all such other things as may be deemed incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

 

3.27 It is hereby declared that the objects of the Company as specified in each of the foregoing sub-clauses of this Clause shall be separate and distinct objects of the Company and shall not in any way be limited by reference to any other sub-clauses or the order in which the same occur. The widest interpretation shall be given to the objects contained in each sub-clause of this Clause and shall not save where the context expressly so requires be in any way restricted or limited by inference from or reference to any other object or objects set forth in such sub-clause or from the terms of any other sub-clause. None of such sub-clause or the objects mentioned therein or the powers thereby conferred shall be deemed ancillary to or subsidiary to the powers or objects specified in any other sub-clause.

 

3.28 The liability of the members is limited.

 

3.29 ***The share capital of the Company if £1,000 divided into 1,000 shares of £1 each.

 

*** Increased to £100,000,000 divided into 100,000,000 Ordinary Shares of £1 each by ordinary resolution passed on 20 December 1995.

 

 

4


We, the subscribers to this Memorandum of Association, wish to be formed into a Company pursuant to this Memorandum; and we agree to take the number of Shares shown opposite our respective names.

 

NAME AND ADDRESSES OF SUBSCRIBERS

  

Number of Shares
taken by each
Subscriber

Kevin Thomas Brown    One
2 Tredegar Terrace   
London E3 5AH   
Chartered Accountant   
Debbie Moore    One
71 Pitcairn House   
London E9 6PU   
Secretary   

DATED the 1st day of October 1993

WITNESS to the above Signature:

Colette Balley

123 City Road

London EC1V1JB

Secretary

 

 

5


The Companies Act 1985

Company Limited by Shares

Articles of Association

of

Cott Retail Brands Limited

Adopted by Special Resolution passed on 28 April 1997

 

 

Preliminary

 

1 The regulations contained in Table A in The Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations 1985 (as amended so as to affect companies first registered on the date of adoption of these Articles) shall, except as hereinafter provided and so far as not inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles, apply to the Company to the exclusion of all other regulations or Articles of Association. References herein to regulations are to regulations in the said Table A unless otherwise stated.

Share Capital

 

2 The share capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Articles is £100,000,000 divided into 100,000,000 Ordinary Shares of £1 each.

 

3

 

3.1 Subject to Section 80 of the Act, all unissued shares shall be at the disposal of the Directors and they may allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times, and on such terms as they think proper.

 

3.2

 

  3.2.1 Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 80 of the Act the Directors shall be generally and unconditionally authorised to exercise during the period of five years from the date of adoption of these Articles all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £70,031,449;

 

  3.2.2 by such authority the Directors may make offers or agreements which would or might require the allotment of relevant securities after the expiry of such period.

 

3.3 Section 89(1) of the Act shall not apply to the allotment by the Company of equity securities.

 

3.4 Words and expressions defined in or for the purposes of the said Section 80 or the said Section 89 shall bear the same meanings in this Article.

Proceedings at General Meetings

 

4 In the case of a corporation a resolution in writing may be signed on its behalf by a Director or the Secretary thereof or by its duly appointed attorney or duly authorised representative. Regulation 53 shall be extended accordingly. Regulation 53 (as so extended) shall apply mutatis mutandis to resolutions in writing of any class of members of the Company.

 

 

1


Votes of Members

 

5 An instrument appointing a proxy (and, where it is signed on behalf of the appointor by an attorney, the letter or power of attorney or a duly certified copy thereof) must either be delivered at such place or one of such places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to the notice convening the meeting (or, if no place is so specified, at the registered office) before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting) for the taking of the poll at which it is to be used or be delivered to the Secretary (or the chairman of the meeting) on the day and at the place of, but in any event before the time appointed for holding, the meeting or adjourned meeting or poll. The instrument may be in the form of a facsimile or other machine made copy and shall, unless the contrary is stated thereon, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates. An instrument of proxy relating to more than one meeting (including any adjournment thereof) having once been so delivered for the purposes of any meeting shall not require again to be delivered for the purposes of any subsequent meeting to which it relates. Regulation 62 shall not apply.

 

6 At a general meeting, but subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares, on a show of hands every member present in person or by proxy (or being a corporation present by a duly authorised representative) shall have one vote, and on a poll every member who is present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder. Regulation 54 shall not apply.

Number of Directors

 

7 The Directors shall not be less than one in number. Regulation 64 shall be modified accordingly.

Alternate Directors

 

8

 

8.1 Any director (other than an alternate director) may by notice in writing to the Company appoint any other director, or any other person who is willing to act, to be an alternate director and remove from office an alternate director so appointed by him. Regulation 65 of Table A shall not apply.

 

8.2 An alternate Director shall be entitled to receive notices of meetings of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors of which his appointor is a member and shall be entitled to attend and vote as a Director and be counted in the quorum at any such meeting at which his appointor is not personally present and generally at such meeting to perform all functions of his appointor as a Director and for the purposes of the proceedings at such meeting the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if he were a Director. If he shall be himself a Director or shall attend any such meeting as an alternate for more than one Director, his voting rights shall be cumulative but he shall not be counted more than once for the purposes of the quorum. If his appointor is for the time being absent from the United Kingdom or temporarily unable to act through ill health or disability his signature to any resolution in writing of the Directors shall be as effective as the signature of his appointor. An alternate Director shall not (save as aforesaid) have power to act as a Director, nor shall he be deemed to be a Director for the purposes of these Articles, nor shall he be deemed to be the agent of his appointor. Regulations 66 and 69 shall not apply.

 

8.3 An alternate Director shall be entitled to contract and be interested in and benefit from contracts or arrangements or transactions and to be repaid expenses and to be indemnified to the same extent mutatis mutandis as if he were a Director but he shall not be entitled to receive from the Company in respect of his appointment as alternate Director any remuneration except only such part (if arty) of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by notice in writing to the Company from time to time direct.

 

 

2


Delegation of Directors’ Powers

 

9 In addition to the powers to delegate contained in Regulation 72, the Directors may delegate any of their powers or discretions (including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing all powers and discretions whose exercise involves or may involve the payment of remuneration to or the conferring of any other benefit on all or any of the Directors) to committees consisting of one or more Directors and (if thought fit) one or more other named person or persons to be co-opted as hereinafter provided. Insofar as any such power or discretion is delegated to a committee, any reference in these Articles to the exercise by the Directors of the power or discretion so delegated shall be read and construed as if it were a reference to the exercise thereof by such committee. Any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations which may from time to time be imposed by the Directors. Any such regulations may provide for or authorise the co-option to the committee of persons other than Directors and may provide for members who are not Directors to have voting rights as members of the committee but so that (a) the number of members who are not Directors shall be less than one-half of the total number of members of the committee and (b) no resolution of the committee shall be effective unless passed by a majority including at least one member of the committee who is a Director. Regulation 72 shall be modified accordingly.

Appointment and Retirement of Directors

 

10 The Directors shall not be subject to retirement by rotation. Regulations 73 to 75 and the second and third sentences of Regulation 79 shall not apply, and other references in the said Table A to retirement by rotation shall be disregarded.

Disqualification and Removal of Directors

 

11

 

11.1 The office of a Director shall be vacated in any of the events specified in Regulation 81 and also if he shall in writing offer to resign and the Directors shall resolve to accept such offer or if he shall be removed from office by notice in writing signed by all his co-Directors (being at least two in number) but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines such removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company.

 

11.2 Any provision of the Act which, subject to the provisions of the articles, would have the effect of rendering any person ineligible for appointment or election as a Director or liable to vacate office as a Director on account of his having reached any specified age or of requiring special notice or any other special formality in connection with the appointment or election of any Director over a specified age, shall not apply to the Company.

Remuneration of Directors

 

12 Any Director who serves on any committee, or who otherwise performs services which in the opinion of the Directors are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director, may be paid such extra remuneration by way of salary, commission or otherwise or may receive such other benefits as the Directors may determine. Regulation 82 shall be extended accordingly.

 

 

3


Proceedings of Directors

 

13 The Directors, and any committee of the Directors, shall be deemed to meet together if, being in separate locations, they are nonetheless linked by conference telephone or other communication equipment which allows those participating to hear and speak to each other, and a quorum in that event shell be two persons so linked. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of those participating is assembled or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting then is.

 

14 On any matter in which a Director is in any way interested he may nevertheless vote and be taken into account for the purposes of a quorum and (save as otherwise agreed) may retain for his own absolute use and benefit all profits and advantages directly or indirectly accruing to him thereunder or in consequence thereof. Regulations 94 to 93 shall not apply.

 

15 Directors who are absent from the United Kingdom shall be entitled to the same notice of all meetings of the Directors as Directors not so absent and the third sentence of Regulation 88 shall not apply. If a Director who is absent from the United Kingdom does not advise the Company in writing of his overseas address, notice to his usual address in the United Kingdom shall be deemed sufficient notice for the purposes of this Article.

Notices

 

16 A member whose registered address is not within the United Kingdom shall be entitled to have notices sent to him as if he were a member with a registered address within the United Kingdom and the last sentence of Regulation 112 shall not apply.

Indemnity

 

17

 

17.1 Subject to the provisions of and so far as may be consistent with the Act and all other laws and regulations applying to the Company, every Director, Secretary or other officer of the Company shall be Indemnified by the Company out of its own funds against and/or exempted by the Company from all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by him in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of his duties and/or the exercise or purported exercise of his powers and/or otherwise in relation to or in connection with his duties, powers or office including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which relate to anything done or omitted or alleged to have been done or omitted by him as an officer or employee of the Company and in which judgment is given in his favour (or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his part) or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application under any statute for relief from liability in respect of any such act or omission in which relief is granted to him by the Court.

 

17.2 Without prejudice to paragraph 17.1 of this Article the Directors shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any persons who are or were at any time Directors, officers or employees of any Relevant Company (as defined in paragraph 17.3 of this Article) or who are or were at any time trustees of any pension fund or employees’ share scheme in which employees of any Relevant Company are interested, including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of their duties and/or in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers and/or otherwise in relation to their duties, powers or offices in relation to any Relevant Company, or any such pension fund or employees’ share scheme.

 

 

4


17.3 For the purpose of paragraph 17.2 of this Article “ Relevant Company ” shall mean the Company, any holding company of the Company or any other body, whether or not incorporated, in which the Company or such holding company or any of the predecessors of the Company or of such holding company has or had any interest whether direct or indirect or which is in any way allied to or associated with the Company, or any subsidiary undertaking of the Company or of such other body.

Overriding Provisions

 

18 Any member holding, or any members together holding, shares carrying not less than 90 per cent of the votes which may for the time being be cast at a general meeting of the Company may at any time and from time to time:-

 

18.1 appoint any person to be a Director (whether to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director);

 

18.2 remove from office any Director howsoever appointed but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines such removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company;

 

18.3 by notice to the Company require that no unissued shares shall be issued or agreed to be issued or put under option without the consent of such member or members;

 

18.4 restrict any or all powers of the Directors in such respects and to such extent as such member or members may by notice to the Company from time to time prescribe.

Any such appointment, removal, consent or notice shall be in writing served on the Company and signed by the member or members. No person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire as to whether the powers of the Directors have been in any way restricted hereunder or as to whether any requisite consent of such member or members has been obtained and no obligation incurred or security given or transaction effected by the Company to or with any third party shall be invalid or ineffectual unless the third party had at the time express notice that the incurring of such obligation or the giving of such security or the effecting of such transaction was in excess of the powers of the Directors.

To the extent of any inconsistency this Article shall have overriding effects as against all other provisions of these Articles.

 

 

5


LOGO

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

WRITTEN RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

COTT RETAIL BRANDS LIMITED

(COMPANY NUMBER 2865761)

We, the undersigned, being all of the members of the Company entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting of the Company unanimously agree pursuant to s.381A of the Companies Act 1985 that the following resolutions be passed as written resolutions of the Company having effect as special resolutions and confirm that they shall be as valid and effective for all purposes as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

THAT:

 

1 the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby amended by the Insertion of the following wording as Article 19:

“Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, whether expressly or impliedly contradictory to the provisions of this Special Article (to the effect that any provision contained in this Special Article shall override any other provision of these Articles)

 

  19.1 The Directors shall not decline to register any transfer of shares, nor may they suspend registration thereof, where such transfer:

 

  19.1.1 is to any bank, institution or other person to which such shares have been charged by way of security, or to any nominee of such a bank, institution or other person (or a person acting as agent or security trustee for such person) (a “Secured Institution”); or

 

  19.1.2 is delivered to the Company for registration by a Secured Institution or its nominee in order to perfect its security over the shares; or

 

  19.1.3 is executed by a Secured Institution or its nominee pursuant to a power of sale or other power existing under such security,

and the Directors shall forthwith register any such transfer of shares upon receipt and furthermore notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Articles no transferor of any shares in the Company or proposed transferor of such shares to a Secured Institution or its nominee and no Secured Institution or its nominee shall (in either such case) be required to offer the shares which are or are to be the subject of any transfer as aforesaid to the shareholders for the time being of the Company or any of them and no such shareholder shall have any right under the Articles or otherwise howsoever to require such shares to be transferred to them whether for any valuable consideration or otherwise”.

 

2

the terms and conditions (as the same may be amended, varied, supplemented or substituted from time to time) of each of the Documents (as defined below) which the Company is proposing to enter into in connection with a multi-currency revolving credit

 

1


 

agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) to be entered into between, the Company’s Canadian ultimate parent company, Cott Corporation (the “Parent”), Cott Beverages Inc (the “US Borrower”), Cott Beverages Limited (the UK Borrower”), Cott Embotelladoras de Mexico, S.A. de C. V. (the “Mexican Borrower” and the Parent, the US Borrower, the UK Borrower and the Mexican Borrower are together the “Borrowers”) and Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent and security trustee (the “Bank”) In the initial aggregate principal amount of US$100,000,000 with an option to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Facility by up to US$150,000,000 upon the terms and subject to the conditions detailed therein and which shall be used (i) to refinance certain existing indebtedness, (ii) for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, capital expenditures, expenditures in the ordinary course of business and permitted acquisitions and investments and (iii) to pay fees and expenses related to the Facility, be and are hereby approved and (notwithstanding any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company or any personal interest of any of the directors) the directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered, authorised and directed to complete and enter into each such document, being:

 

2.1 a debenture to be entered into by the Company in favour of the Bank (the “Debenture”); and

 

2.2 a New York law governed guaranty agreement to be entered into by, among others, the Company in favour of the Bank (“the Guaranty Agreement”).

(together the “Documents” and each a “Document”).

 

3 (i) the execution and delivery by the Company of the Documents, (ii) the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Documents and (iii) the transactions contemplated by the Documents be and are hereby approved.

 

LOGO

For and on behalf of
BCB European Holdings
Dated: 30 March 2005

 

2

Exhibit 3.1 (xxi)

FILE COPY

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 2186825

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

CRYSTAL DRINKS LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

 

COTT LIMITED  
 
Given at Leeds, the 25th May 1999     
    
    
    
    
    

LOGO

 

/s/ Carol Walker

CAROL WALKER

For The Registrar Of Companies

LOGO

 


FILE COPY

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

No. 2186825

I hereby certify that

TOTALITEM LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name,

is now incorporated under the name of

CRYSTAL DRINKS LIMITED

Given under my hand at the Companies Registration Office,

Cardiff the 29 FEBRUARY 1988

 

     
     
         /s/ C. R. Williams
        

MRS. C. R.WILLIAMS

        

an authorised officer

        
        
        


FILE COPY

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

No. 2186825

I hereby certify that

TOTALITEM LIMITED

is this day incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the Company is limited.

Given under my hand at the Companies Registration Office,

Cardiff the 2 NOVEMBER 1987

 

/s/ C. R. Williams

MRS. C. R. WILLIAMS

an authorised officer

Exhibit 3.1(xxii)

COMPANY NUMBER: 2186825

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

 

 

PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

CRYSTAL DRINKS LIMITED

(as altered on 29 February 1988)

 

1. The name of the Company is “CRYSTAL DRINKS LIMITED”.*

 

2. The Company’s registered office is to be situated in England and Wales.

 

3. The Company’s objects are:-

 

(a)    (i)    To manufacture, sell, buy, improve, treat, preserve, fine, operate, mineralise, bottle can and otherwise deal (whether as retailer or wholesaler) in mineral waters, aerated waters, soft drinks, fruit juices, cordials, syrups, vinegar, cider, perry, wines, beers, spirits and all other kinds of beverages whether alcoholic or non alcoholic.
   (ii)    To carry on business as manufacturers and dealers in plant, machines, machinery, vessels, syphons, cans, bottles, apparatus, appliances and receptacles of all kinds for manufacturing, improving, treating, preserving, fining, aerating, mineralising, bottling and discharging any such liquids.

 

* As changed from Totalitem Limited on 29th February 1988.


(b) To carry on any other trade or business whatever which can in the opinion of the Board of Directors be advantageously certified on in connection with or ancillary to any of the businesses of the Company.

(c) To purchase or by any other means acquire and take options over any property whatever, and any rights or privileges of any kind over or in respect of any property.

(d) To apply for, register, purchase, or by other means acquire and protect, prolong and renew, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere any patents, patent rights, brevets d’invention, licenses, secret processes, trade marks, designs, protections and concessions and to disclaim, alter, modify, use and turn to account and to manufacture under or grant licenses or privileges in respect of the same, and to expend money in experimenting upon, lasting and improving any patents, inventions or rights which the Company may acquire or propose to acquire.

(e) To acquire or undertakes the whole or any part of the business, goodwill, and assets of any person, firm, or company carrying on or proposing to carry on any of the businesses which the Company is authorized to carry on and as part of the consideration for such acquisition to undertake all or any of the liabilities of such person, firm or company, or to acquire in interest in amalgamate with, or enter into partnership or into any arrangement for sharing profits, or for co-operation,or for mutual assistance with any such person, firm or company of a subsidising or otherwise assisting any such person, firm, or company, and to give or accept, by way of consideration for any of the acts or things aforesaid or property acquired, any shares, debentures, debenture stock or securities that may be agree upon, and to hold and retain, or sell mortgage and deal with any shares, debentures, debenture stock or securities so received.

(f) To improve, manage, construct, repair, develop, exchange, let on lease or otherwise, mortgage, charge, sell, dispose of, turn to account grant licenses, options, rights and privileges in respect of, or otherwise deal with all or any part of the property and rights of the Company.

(g) To invest and deal with the moneys of the Company not immediately required in such manner as may from time to time be determined and to hold or otherwise deal with any investments made.

(h) To lend and advance money or give credit on any terms and with or without security to any person, firm or company (including without prejudice to the generally of the foregoing any holding company, subsidiary or fellow subsidiary of, or any other company associated in any way with, the Company), to enter into guarantees, contracts of indemnity and suretyships of all kinds, to receive money on deposit or loan upon any terms, and to secure or guarantee in any manner and upon any terms the payment of any sum of money or the performance of any obligation by any person, firm or company (including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing any such holding company, subsidiary, fellow subsidiary or associated company as aforesaid).

(i) To borrow and raise money in any manner and to secure the repayment of any money borrowed, raised or owing by mortgage, charge, standard security, lien or other security upon the whole or any part of the Company’s property or assets (whether present or future), including its uncalled capital, and also by a similar mortgage, charge, standard security, lien or security to secure and guarantee the performance by the Company or any obligation or liability it may undertake or which may become binding on it.

(j) To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, negotiate, execute and issue charges, bills of exchange, promissory notes, bills of lading, warrants, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.


(k) To apply for, promote, and obtain any Act of Parliament, order, or licence of the Department of Trade or other authority for enabling the Company to carry any of its objects into effect, or for effecting any modification of the Company’s constitution, or for any other purpose which may seem calculated directly or indirectly to promote the Company’s interests, and to oppose any proceedings or applications which may seem calculated directly or indirectly to prejudice the Company’s interests.

(l) To enter into any arrangements with any government or authority (supreme, municipal, local, or otherwise) that may seem conducive to the attainment of the Company’s objects or any of them, and to obtain from any such government or authority any charters, decrees, rights, privileges or concessions which the Company may think desirable and to carry out, exercise, and comply with any such charters, decrees, rights, privileges, and concessions.

(m) To subscribe for, take, purchase, or otherwise acquire, hold, sell, deal with and dispose of, place and underwrite shares, stocks, debentures, debenture stocks, bonds, obligations or securities issued or guaranteed by any other company constituted or carrying on business in any part of the world, and debentures, debenture stocks, bonds, obligations or securities issued or guaranteed by any government or authority, municipal, local or otherwise, in any part of the world.

(n) To control, manage, finance, subsidise, co-ordinate or otherwise assist any company or companies in which the Company has a direct or indirect financial interest, to provide secretarial, administrative, technical, commercial and other services and facilities of all kinds for any such company or companies and to make payments by way of subvention or otherwise and any other arrangements which may seem desirable with respect to any business or operations of or generally with respect to any such company or companies.

(o) To promote any other company for the purpose of acquiring the whole or any part of the business or property or undertaking or any of the liabilities of the Company, or of undertaking any business or corporations which may appear likely to assist or benefit the Company or to enhance the value of any property or business of the Company, and to place or guarantee the placing of, underwrite, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire all or any part of the shares or securities of any such company as aforesaid.

(p) To sell or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the business or property of the Company, either together or in portions, for such consideration as the Company may think fit, and in particular for shares, debentures, or securities of any company purchasing the same.

(q) To act as agents or brokers and as trustees for any person, firm or company, and to undertake and perform sub-contracts.

(r) To remunerate any person, firm or company rendering services to the Company either by cash payment or by the allotment to him or them of shares or other securities of the Company credited as paid up in full or in part or otherwise as may be thought expedient.

(s) To pay all or any expenses incurred in connection with the promotion, formation and incorporations of the Company, or to contract with any person, firm or company to pay the same, and to pay commissions to brokers and others for underwriting, placing, selling, or guaranteeing the subscription of any shares or other securities of the Company.

(t) To support and subscribe to any charitable or public object and to support and subscribe to any institution, society, or club which may be for the benefit of the


Company or its Directors or employees, or may be connected with any town or place where the Company carries on business, to give or award pensions annuities, gratuities, and superannuation or other allowances or benefits or charitable aid and generally to provide advantages, facilities and services for any persons who are or have been Directors of, or who are or have been employed by or who are serving or have served the Company, or any company which is a subsidiary of the Company or the holding company of the Company or any company which is a subsidiary of the Company or the holding company of the Company or a fellow subsidiary of the Company or the predecessors in business of the Company or of any such subsidiary, holding or fellow subsidiary company and to the wives, widow, children and other relatives and dependants of such persons to make payments towards insurance and to set up, establish, support and maintain superannuation and other funds or schemes (whether contributory or non-contributory) for the benefit of any such persons and of their wives, widows, children and other relatives and dependants; and to set up, establish, support and maintain profit sharing or share purchase schemes for the benefit of any of the employees of the Company or of any such subsidiary, holding or fellow subsidiary company and to lend money to any such employees or to trustees on their behalf to enable any such purchase schemes to be established or maintained.

(u) Subject to and in accordance with a due compliance with the provisions of sections 155 to 158 (inclusive) of the Act (if and so far as such provisions shall be applicable), to give, whether directly or indirectly, any kind of financial assistance (as define in Section 152(1)(a) of the act) for any such purpose as is specified in Section 151(1) and/or Section 151(2) of the Act.

(v) To distribute among the Members of the Company in kind any property of the Company of whatever nature.

(w) To procure the Company to be registered or recognised in any part of the world.

(x) To do all or any of the things or matters aforesaid in any part of the world and either as principals, agents contractors or otherwise, and by or through agents, brokers, sub-contractors or otherwise and either alone or in conjunction with others.

(y) To do all such other things as may be deemed incidental or conducive to the attainment of the Company’s objects or any of them.

AND so that:-

(1) None of the objects set forth in any sub-clause of this Clause shall be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall be given to each such object, and none of such objects shall, except where the context expressly so requires, be in any way limited or restricted by reference to or inference to or inference from the term of any other sub-clause of the Clause, or by reference to or intervene from the name of the Company.

(2) None of the sub-clauses of this Clause and none of the objects therein specified shall be deemed subsidiary or ancillary to any of the objects specified in any other such sub-clause, and the Company shall have as full a power to exercise each and every one of the objects specified in each sub-clause of this Clause as though each such sub-clause contained the objects of a separate Company.

(3) The word “Company” in this Clause, except where used in reference to the Company, shall be deemed to include any partnership or other body of persons, whether incorporated or unincorporated and whether domiciled in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.


(4) In this Clause the expression “the Act” means the Companies Act 1985, but so that any reference in this Clause to any provision of the Act shall be deemed to include a reference to any statutory modification or re-enactment of that provision for the time being in force.

 

4. The liability of the Members is limited.

 

5. The Company’s share capital is £     ,000 dividend into 1,000 shares of £1 each* **

 

* as increased by Special Remolution dated 19th February 1968 to £70,000 divided into 70,000 Ordinary Shares of £1 each.

 

** as increased by Special Resolution dated 26th February 1988 to £544,500 divided into 435,500 Ordinary Shares of £1 each, 78,000 Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares of £1 each, and 31,000 Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Ordinary Shares of £1 each.

We, the subscribers to this Memorandum of Association, wish to be formed into a Company pursuant to this Memorandum; and we agree to take the number of shares shown opposite our respective names.

 

Names and addresses of Subscribers

   Number of shares taken
by each Subscriber

1.

 

Instant Companies Limited,

2, Baches Street,

London N1 6UB

   - One

2.

 

Swift Incorporations Limited

2, Baches Street

London N1 6UB

   - One
      
 

Total shares taken

   - Two
      

Dated this 2nd day of February, 1987.

 

Witness to the above Signatures:-

  Terry Jayne,
  2 Baches Street,
  London N1 6UB


THE COMPANIES ACTS 1985 AND 1989

 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

NEW

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

of

CRYSTAL DRINKS LIMITED

(as adopted by Special Resolution passed an 20 October 1994)

 

LOGO

SJ Berwin & Co

Ref: 79/B2400.61/7766.6 (s/c 7766.5)/jmf


INDEX

 

Article

  

Description

   Page

1

  

Preliminary

   1

2

  

Share Capital

   3

2.1

  

Authorised Share Capital

   3

2.2

  

Preference Shares

   4

2.3

  

Preferred Ordinary Shares

   6

2.4

  

‘A’ Ordinary Shares

   8

3

  

Issue of Shares

   9

4

  

Transfer of Shares

   9

5

  

Pre-emption on Transfer

   10

6

  

Bare Nominees

   13

7

  

Compulsory Transfers - General

   13

8

  

Compulsory Transfers - Management Shareholders

   14

9

  

Acquisition of Control and Sale Preference

   14

10

  

Information concerning shareholdings and transfers

   15

11

  

Proceedings at general meetings

   16

12

  

Alternate directors

   16

13

  

Directors

   17

14

  

Notices

   18

15

  

Indemnity

   18


No 2186825

THE COMPANIES ACTS 1985 AND 1989

 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

NEW

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

of

CRYSTAL DRINKS LIMITED

(as adopted by Special Resolution passed on 20 October 1994)

 

 

 

1 Preliminary

 

1.1 The regulations contained in Table A as prescribed by the regulations made under the Act in force at the date of the adoption of these Articles of Association (hereinafter referred to as “Table A”) shall apply to the Company in so far as these Articles do not exclude or modify Table A. A reference herein to any regulation is to that regulation as set out in Table A.

 

1.2 In these Articles the following words and expressions shall have the meanings set out below:

 

the Act    the Companies Act 1985 including every statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force
‘A’ Ordinary Shares    ‘A’ ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital of the Company having the rights set out in Article 2.4
Arrears    in relation to any share, all accruals, deficiencies and arrears of any dividend payable in respect of such share, whether or not earned or declared and irrespective of whether or not the Company has had at any time sufficient distributable profits to pay such dividend together with all interest and other amounts payable thereon
the Auditors    the auditors for the time being of the Company
the Directors    the directors for the time being of the Company or a quorum of such directors present at a meeting of the directors
the Dividend Date    the date when the Preference Dividend or the Preferred Dividend (as the case may be) is due for payment in accordance with the terms of these Articles
Investment Fund    any person, company, trust, limited partnership or fund holding shares for investment purposes and not being a Relevant Executive or any person who is a member of the Company by virtue of acquiring shares directly or indirectly from a Relevant Executive


Listing    a successful application being made to the Council of The London Stock Exchange for all or any of the Ordinary Share Capital of the Company to be admitted to the Official List
Majority    as regards members of a class or classes of shares, a majority by reference to the number of shares of such class or classes held and not by reference to the number of members holding shares of such class or classes
a Member of the same Group    as regards any company, a company which is for the time being a holding company or a subsidiary of that company or of any such holding company
the Ordinary Share Capital    collectively, the Preferred Ordinary Shares and the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares and for the purposes of these Articles and otherwise the Preferred Ordinary Shares and the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares shall be treated as separate classes
Permitted Transfer    a transfer of shares authorised by Article 4
Permitted Transferee    a person, firm or unincorporated association to whom or which shares have been transferred pursuant to a Permitted Transfer
Preference Dividend    the dividend payable under Article 2.2(a)(i)
Preference Shares    cumulative redeemable preference shares of £1 each in the capital of the Company having the rights set out in Article 2.2
Preferred Dividend    the dividend payable under Article 2.3(a)(i)(A)
Preferred Ordinary Shares    cumulative preferred ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital of the Company having the rights set out in Article 2.3
Redemption Date    whichever shall be applicable of:
  

(a)    each of the dates in the table in Article 2.2(d)(j);

  

(b)    the date of a Sale of Listing or any of the other events referred to in
Article 2.2(d)(i); or

  

(c)    the date specified in a notice under Article 2.2(d)(iii)

Relevant Executive    a director or employee of, or a consultant to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company
the Relevant Shares    (so far as the same remain for the time being held by any Transferee Company) the shares originally acquired by such Transferee Company and any additional shares issued to

 

2


     such Transferee Company by way of capitalisation or acquired by such Transferee
Company in exercise of any right or option granted or arising by virtue of the
holding of such shares or any of them or the membership thereby conferred
Sale    the sale of any part of the Ordinary Share Capital to any person resulting in that person together with any person acting in concert (within the meaning given in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers as in force at the date of the adoption of these Articles) with such person holding more that [50%] of the Ordinary Share Capital and for the purposes of these Articles, the persons who are holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares at the date of adoption of these Articles shall not be deemed to be acting in concert with each other
Service Agreement    includes any written or other contract of employment or for services
Subscription Agreement    the subscription and shareholders’ agreement dated [the date of adoption of these Articles] made between the Company and the members at such date relating, inter alia, to the subscription of shares in the Company, as varied and supplemented for the time being
Subscription Price    in relation to any share, the amount paid up or credited as paid up thereon (including the full amount of any premium at which such share was issued whether or not such premium is applied for any purpose thereafter)
Transferee Company    a company for the time being holding shares in consequence, directly or indirectly, of a transfer or series of transfers of shares between Members of the same Group (the relevant Transferor Company in the case of a series of such transfers being the first transferor in such series)
Transferor Company    a company (other than a Transferee Company) which has transferred or proposes to transfer shares to a Member of the same Group
Transfer Notice    a notice in accordance with Article 5 that a member desires to transfer his shares

 

2 Share Capital

 

2.1 Authorised Share Capital

The share capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Articles is £725,625 divided into 200,000 Preference Shares, 1,445,480 Preferred Ordinary Shares, and 3,810,800 ‘A’ Ordinary Shares.

 

3


2.2 Preference Shares

The Preference Shares shall entitle the holders thereof to the following rights:

 

  (a) as regards dividend:

 

  (i) the Company shall, in priority to payment of any dividend to all other shareholders, pay to the holders of the Preference Shares a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at the rate of 8% per annum (net of any advance corporation tax payable by the Company) accruing on a daily basis on the Subscription Price for such shares, and payable half yearly in arrears on 31 August and 28 February in each year provided that the first payment of the such dividend shall be on 28 February 1995 in respect of the period from the date of adoption of these Articles to that date;

 

  (ii) if any Preference Dividend (including any amount payable pursuant to this sub-paragraph), is for whatever reason not paid in full on the Dividend Date (“the Default Date”), then the Company shall be liable to pay to the holders of the Preference Shares (in proportion to the number of Preference Shares held by each of them) on the next date the Preference Dividend is due, in addition to the Preference Dividend then payable, an amount (net of any advance corporation tax payable by the Company) equal to the aggregate of the unpaid Preference Dividend on the Default Date and interest thereon at a rate equal to 12% per annum or 4% per annum above the base rate of Barclays Bank plc at that time (whichever is the greater) such interest to be calculated daily from the Default Date;

 

  (b) as regards capital:

on a return of assets on liquidation, reduction of capital or otherwise, the holders of Preference Shares shall be entitled in respect of their Preference Shares (in proportion to the number of such shares held by each of them), in priority to all other shareholders, to be paid out of the surplus assets of the Company remaining after payment of its liabilities the Subscription Price for the Preference Shares together with a sum equal to any Arrears thereon calculated down to the date of the return of capital;

 

  (c) as regards voting in general meetings:

 

  (i) the holders of the Preference Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend at, general meetings of the Company but shall not in respect of their holdings of such shares be entitled to vote upon any resolution unless:

 

  (A) there shall have been any Arrears for more than two months on the date of the notice convening the meeting; or

 

  (B) the Company, on any of the Redemption Dates under sub-paragraph (d)(i) below of this Article 2.2, shall have failed or been unable to redeem all or any of the Preference Shares falling to be redeemed on any such Redemption Date; or

 

  (C) the resolution is one which directly or indirectly varies, modifies, alters or abrogates any of the rights, privileges, limitations or restrictions attaching to the Preference Shares; or

 

4


  (D) the resolution is for the winding up of the Company, the reduction of share capital or the purchase by it of any of its shares;

 

  (ii) when entitled to vote pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above, every holder of Preferences Shares who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or (being a corporation) is present by a duly authorised representative or by proxy, shall have one vote on a show of hands and on a poll every holder of Preference Shares so present shall have one vote for each Preference Share held by him;

 

  (d) as regards redemption, the Preference Shares shall, subject to the Act, be redeemed on and subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

  (i) subject to the right of the Company to redeem the Preference Shares in accordance with sub-paragraph (iii) below, the Preference Shares shall be redeemed by the Company pro rata to the number of Preference Shares held by each holder thereof in the amounts and on the dates given in the table below or, if earlier (at the option of each holder of Preference Shares and in respect of all of the Preference Shares held by such holder then unredeemed and outstanding), on a Sale or Listing:

 

Redemption Date

   Number of Preference
Shares to be redeemed

28 February 1997

   100,000

28 February 1998

   100,000

 

  (ii) if the Company shall fail or be unable to redeem all or any of the Preference Shares falling to be redeemed on any Redemption Date in accordance with sub-paragraph (d)(i) of this Article 2.2 above then the rate of the Preference Dividend on all of the Preference Shares shall be increased with effect from the date on which such Preference Shares were due for redemption from 8% to 12% per annum (net of any advance corporation tax payable by the Company) until such Preference Shares are redeemed;

 

  (iii) the Company may at any time by giving not less than 14 days’ notice in writing to the holders of Preference Shares redeem the whole or any part of the Preference Shares then outstanding pro rata to the number of shares held by each holder thereof; if part only of the Preference Shares are redeemed by the Company pursuant to this sub-paragraph (iii), the numbers of Preference Shares to be redeemed on any subsequent Redemption Dates under sub-paragraph (i) above shall be adjusted by reducing the number of shares to be redeemed on each such Redemption Date by the aggregate number of shares redeemed in accordance with this sub-paragraph (iii) divided by the number of such Redemption Dates;

 

  (iv)

on each Redemption Date, each registered holder of Preference Shares to be redeemed shall deliver to the Company at its registered office the share certificates for such Preference Shares and thereupon the Company shall pay to such holder (or, in the case of

 

5


 

joint holders, to the holder whose name stands first in the register of members in respect of such shares) the amount due to him in respect of such redemption and shall issue a new share certificate in respect of any unredeemed Preference Shares comprised in the certificate delivered by him;

 

  (v) as a condition of the redemption, there shall be paid on each Preference Share redeemed the Subscription Price for such share together with a sum equal to any Arrears in respect of such Preference Share calculated down to the relevant Redemption Date; and

 

  (vi) the receipt of the registered holder (or, in the case of joint holders, the holder whose name stands first in the register of members) for the time being of any Preference Shares being redeemed for the monies payable on redemption of such shares shall constitute an absolute discharge to the Company in respect thereof.

 

2.3 Preferred Ordinary Shares

The Preferred Ordinary Shares shall entitle the holders thereof to the following rights:

 

  (a) as regards dividend:

 

  (i) the Company shall, after making all necessary provisions for payment of the Preference Dividend (including any Arrears of the same) and the redemption of the Preference Shares that shall have fallen due at that time but in priority to payment of any dividend to holders of ‘A’ Ordinary Shares, pay to the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares:

 

  (A) a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at the rate per annum (net of any advance corporation tax payable by the Company) accruing on a daily basis in respect of each financial year on the Subscription Price for such shares indicated in the following table and payable half yearly in arrears on 31 August and 28 February in each year provided that the first payment of such dividend shall be on 28 February 1995 in respect of the period from the date of adoption of these Articles to that date:

 

Financial Year Ending

   Annual Rate of Dividend
(net)
 

February 1995

   8

February 1996

   8

February 1997

   8

February 1998

   10

February 1999

   10
   12

February 2000 and each year thereafter

  

and

 

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  (B) thereafter the Preferred Ordinary Shares shall rank pari paasu in all respects as to dividend with the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares;

 

  (ii) if any Preferred Dividend (including any amount payable pursuant to this sub-paragraph), is for whatever reason not paid in full on the Dividend Date (“the Default Date”), then the Company shall be liable to pay to the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares (in proportion to the number of Preferred Ordinary Shares held by each of them) on the next date the Preferred Dividend is due, in addition to the Preferred Dividend then payable, an amount (net of any advance corporation tax payable by the Company) equal to the aggregate of the unpaid Preferred Dividend on the Default Date and interest thereon at a rate equal to 12% per annum or 4% per annum above the base rate of Barclays Bank plc at that time (whichever is the greater) such interest to be calculated daily from the Default Date;

 

  (b) as regards capital:

on a return of assets on a liquidation, reduction of capital or otherwise, the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares shall be entitled in respect of their Preferred Ordinary Shares (in proportion to the number of such shares held by each of them), subject to the rights of the holders of the Preference Shares in respect of such shares but in priority to all other shareholders:

 

  (i) to be paid out of the surplus assets of the Company remaining after payment of its liabilities the Subscription Price for their Preferred Ordinary Shares, together with a sum equal to any Arrears thereon calculated down to the date of the return of capital; and

 

  (ii) thereafter to share in any balance pari passu with the holders of the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares in respect of such shares after such holders shall have received an amount equal to the Subscription Price for the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares together with a sum equal to any Arrears thereon calculated down to the date of the return of capital;

 

  (c) as regards voting in general meetings:

the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at, general meetings of the Company; every holder of Preferred Ordinary Shares who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or (being a corporation) is present by a duly authorized representative or by proxy, shall have one vote on a show of hands and (subject to paragraph (d) below of this Article) on a poll every holder of Preferred Ordinary Shares so present shall have one vote for each Preferred Ordinary Share held by him;

 

  (d) as regards appointing a director:

the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares shall have the right, by notice in writing signed by a Majority of the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares delivered to the registered office of the Company, to appoint a person nominated by such holders (“the Investor’s Director”) as a non-executive Director of the Company and to remove from office any person so appointed

 

7


and, upon him ceasing to hold office for any reason whatever, to appoint another person in his place; upon such notice being given as aforesaid the Company shall also procure that the Investor’s Director be appointed or as the case may be, removed as a director of any subsidiary of the Company. Upon any resolution proposed to remove any Investor’s Director the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares shall on a poll have the right to cast ten votes for each such share held by them respectively. The holders of a Majority of the Preferred Ordinary Shares shall use their reasonable endeavours in the circumstances to consult with the holders of the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares regarding the identity of any appointee under this Article other than Mark Hallala, David Wills, Richard Kemp, Roy Parker or Andrew Moye;

 

2.4 ‘A’ Ordinary Shares

The ‘A’ Ordinary Shares shall entitle the holders thereof to the following rights:

 

  (a) as regards dividend:

after making all necessary provisions for payment in any financial year of the Preference Dividend and the Preferred Dividend (including Arrears of each of the same in respect of any period), the Company shall apply any profits which the Directors resolve thereafter to distribute in any such year to the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares and the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares in respect of their holdings of such shares pari passu and pro rata to the number of such shares held by each of them;

 

  (b) as regards capital:

on a return of assets on a liquidation, reduction of capital or otherwise, the holders of the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares shall, subject to the rights of the holders of the Preference Shares and the Preferred Ordinary Shares, be entitled (in proportion to the number of ‘A’ Ordinary Shares held by each of them) to be paid out of the surplus assets of the Company remaining after payment of its liabilities an amount equal to the Subscription Price for the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares together with a sum equal to any Arrears thereon calculated down to the date of the return of capital; thereafter the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares shall rank pari passu in all respects with the Preferred Ordinary Shares;

 

  (c) as regards voting in general meetings:

the holders of the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, general meetings of the Company; on a show of hands every holder of ‘A’ Ordinary Shares who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or (being a corporation) is present by a duly authorised representative or by proxy shall have one vote and on a poll every holder of A’ Ordinary Shares so present shall have one vote for each ‘A’ Ordinary Share held by him;

 

2.5 Unless the Company is prohibited by law, the Preference Dividend and the Preferred Dividend shall (notwithstanding Regulations 102 to 108 inclusive or any provision of these Articles and in particular notwithstanding that there has not been a recommendation of the Directors or resolution of the Company in general meeting) be paid immediately on the due date and if not then paid shall be a debt due by the Company and be payable in priority to any other dividend.

 

8


2.6 The Company shall procure that each of its subsidiaries and, so far as it is able, each of its subsidiary undertakings which has profits available for distribution shall from time to time declare and pay to the Company such dividends to the extent possible as are necessary to permit lawful and prompt payment by the Company of the Preference Dividend, the Preferred Dividend, any Arrears and amounts due under Article 2.5 and the lawful and prompt redemption of the Preference Shares in accordance with these Articles.

 

2.7 Subject to the Act, and provided it is a private company, the Company shall be authorised to make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of any of its own shares otherwise than out of distributable profits of the Company or the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares.

 

3 Issue of Shares

Subject to the provisions of the Act, all unissued shares shall be at the .disposal of the Directors and they may allot, grant rights, options or warrants to subscribe or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times, and on such terms as they think proper.

 

4 Transfer of Shares

 

4.1 Subject to the provisions of Regulation 24 any shares (other than any shares in respect of which the holder shall have been required by the Directors under these Articles to give a Transfer Notice or shall have been deemed to have given a Transfer Notice) may at any time be transferred:

 

  (a) to any person with the prior consent in writing of holders of 95% of the Ordinary Share Capital (which consent may be granted unconditionally or subject to terms or conditions and in the latter case any share so transferred shall be held subject to such terms and conditions notified in writing to the transferee prior to registration of the transfer); or

 

  (b) by any member being a company to a Member of the same Group as the Transferor Company; or

 

  (c) by a holder of Preference Shares or Preferred Ordinary Shares which is an Investment Fund or by its custodian or nominee:

 

  (i) to any nominee or custodian for such fund and vice versa;

 

  (ii) to any unitholder, shareholder, partner, participant, manager or adviser (or an employee of such manager or adviser) in any such fund;

 

  (iii) to any other investment fund managed or advised by the same manager or adviser as the transferor; or

 

  (iv) to any person, company or fund whose business consists of holding securities for investment purposes; or

 

  (d) to a nominee, custodian or to a Member of the same Group of any of the persons referred to in sub-paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (c) above of this Article 4.1.

 

9


4.2 If a Transferee Company ceases to be a Member of the same Group as the Transferor Company from which (whether directly or by a series of transfers under Article 4.1(b)) the Relevant Shares derived, it shall be the duty of the Transferee Company to notify the Directors in writing that such event has occurred and (unless the Relevant Shares are thereupon transferred to the Transferor Company or a Member of the same Group as the Transferor Company, any such transfer being deemed to be authorised under the foregoing provisions of this Article) the Transferee Company shall be bound, if and when required in writing by the Directors so to do, to give a Transfer Notice in respect of the Relevant Shares.

 

5 Pre-emption on Transfer

 

5.1 Except in the case of a Permitted Transfer, the right to transfer shares or any interest in shares in the Company shall be subject to the following restrictions and provisions. References in this Article 5 to transferring shares or Sale Shares shall include any interest in and grant of contractual rights or options over or in respect of shares.

 

5.2 Any person (“the Proposing Transferor”) proposing to transfer any shares in the capital of the Company (“the Sale Shares”) shall be required before effecting, or purporting to effect the transfer, to give a notice in writing to the Company that he desires to transfer the Sale Shares and shall state in the Transfer Notice the identity of the person (if known) to whom the Proposing Transferor desires to transfer the beneficial interest in the Sale Shares. The Transfer Notice shall constitute the Company his agent for the sale of the Sale Shares (together with all rights then attached thereto) at the Prescribed Price (as determined in accordance with Articles 5.3 and/or 5.4) during the Prescribed Period (as defined in Article 5.5) to any member or to any other person selected or approved by the Directors on the basis set out in the following provisions of these Articles and shall not be revocable except with the consent of the Directors.

 

5.3 The Prescribed Price (subject to the deduction therefrom where the Prescribed Price has been agreed with the Directors of any dividend or other distribution declared or made after such agreement and prior to the date on which the Transfer Notice was given (“the Notice Date”)) shall be the higher of:

 

  (a) the price per Sale Share agreed not more than one month before the Notice Data between the Proposing Transferor and the Directors as representing the market value thereof; and

 

  (b) the price contained in a bona fide offer received from a third party by the Proposing Transferor not more than one month before the Notice Date (but subject to the right of the Directors to satisfy themselves that such offer is bona fide, for the consideration stated in the offer without any deduction, rebate or allowance whatsoever to the purchaser).

 

5.4 If, prior to the giving of the Transfer Notice, the Prescribed Price shall not have been agreed or determined in accordance with Article 5.3, upon the giving of the Transfer Notice the Directors shall refer the matter to the Auditors and the Auditors shall determine and certify the sum per share considered by them to be the market value thereof as at the Notice Date and the sum per share so determined and certified shall be the Prescribed Price. The Prescribed Price shall be certified by the Auditors as follows:

 

  (a) assessing the open market value of the Company, assuming a sale as a going concern between a willing seller and willing buyer;

 

10


  (b) deducting an amount equal to that which would be required to redeem all the Preference Shares and to pay all Arrears of dividend;

 

  (c) divide the resulting sum by the number of issued shares in the Ordinary Share Capital,

and the sum per share so determined and certified shall be the market value. The Auditors shall act hereunder at the cost and expense of the Company as experts and not as arbitrators and their determination shall be final and binding on all persons concerned and, in the absence of fraud, they shall be under no liability to any such person by reason of their determination or certificate or by anything done or omitted to be done by them for the purpose thereof or in connection therewith.

 

5.5 If the Prescribed Price was agreed as provided in Article 5.3, the Prescribed Period shall commence on the Notice Date and expire 90 days thereafter. If the Prescribed Price is to be determined in accordance with Article 5.4, the Prescribed Period shall commence on the Notice Date and shall expire 60 days after the date on which the Auditors shall have notified the Directors of their determination of the Prescribed Price. Pending such determination the Directors shall defer the making of the offer mentioned in Article 5.6.

 

5.6 All shares included in any Transfer Notice shall by notice in writing be offered by the Company forthwith on receipt (subject to Article 5.5) of the relative Transfer Notice to all members holding shares of the same class as the Sale Shares (“class members”) (other than the holder of the Sale Shares) for purchase at the Prescribed Price on the terms that in case of competition the Sale Shares shall be sold to the acceptors in proportion (as nearly as may be without involving fractions or increasing the number sold to any member beyond that applied for by him) to their existing holdings of shares of the same class as the Sale Shares. Such offer:

 

  (a)

shall stipulate a time not exceeding 21 days within which it must be accepted or in default will lapse; and

 

  (b) may stipulate that any class members who desire to purchase a number of Sale Shares in excess of the proportion to which each is entitled shall in their acceptance state how many excess Sale Shares they wish to purchase and any shares not accepted by other class members shall be used for satisfying the requests for excess Sale Shares pro rata to the existing shares of the same class as the Sale Shares respectively held by such class members making such requests.

If the Company shall not within the period ending on the date (“the Relevant Date”) which is 28 days from the date of service of the Transfer Notice or, if later, 28 days after the date of determination of the Prescribed Price find a class member or members willing to purchase all of the Sale Shares it shall offer any unsold Sale Shares to the holders of each of the other classes of shares in the order stated in the table below. Such offer shall be made in similar manner to the invitation referred to above to the class members and the procedure of offer and acceptance for class members shall apply to the members of the other classes. The period during which the Company shall try to find prospective purchasers in the other classes shall, in the case of those of the class marked “First” in the table below, be the period commencing on the Relevant Date and terminating 14 days thereafter and, in the case of those of the class marked “Second” be the period commencing on the Relevant Date and ending 21 days after the Relevant Date:

 

Shares transferred

  

First

  

Second

‘A’ Ordinary    Preferred Ordinary    Preference
Preferred Ordinary    Preference    ‘A’ Ordinary
Preference    Preferred Ordinary    ‘A’ Ordinary

 

11


5.7 Any shares not accepted by any of the members pursuant to the foregoing provisions of these Articles by the end of these Prescribed Period may be offered by the Directors to such persons as they may think fit for purchase at the Prescribed Price, provided that no shares in the Company may be sold to a person who is not then already a member, in the circumstances described in Article 5.10(c), except in accordance with the provisions of that Article.

 

5.8 If the Company shall within the Prescribed Period find members or such other persons as aforesaid (each such person being hereinafter called “a Purchaser”) to purchase the Sale Shares or any of them and give notice in writing thereof to the Proposing Transferor he shall be bound, upon payment to him or the Prescribed Price, to transfer such shares to the respective Purchaser(s), provided that, if the Transfer Notice shall state that the Proposing Transferor is not willing to transfer some only of the Sale Shares (which he shall not be entitled to do if he is required by virtue of any provision of these Articles other than this Article 5 to give a Transfer Notice), this provision shall not apply unless the Company shall have found Purchasers for all of the Sale Shares. Every notice given by the Company under this Article 5.8 shall state the name and address of each Purchaser and the number of Sale Shares agreed to be purchased by him and the purchaser shall be completed at a place and time to be appointed by the Directors not being less than three days nor more than ten days after the date of the notice.

 

5.9 If a Proposing Transferor shall fail or refuse to transfer any Sale Shares to a Purchaser(s) hereunder the Directors may authorise some person to execute and deliver on his behalf the necessary transfer and the Company may receive the purchase money in trust for the Proposing Transferor and cause the Purchaser(s) to be registered as the holder of such shares. The receipt of the Company for the purchase money shall constitute a good discharge to the Purchaser(s) (who shall not be bound to see to the application thereof) and after the Purchaser(s) has been registered in purported exercise of the aforesaid powers the validity of the proceedings shall not be questioned by any person. The Company shall not pay the purchase money to the Proposing Transferor until he shall have delivered his share certificate(s) or a suitable indemnity and the necessary transfers to the Company.

 

5.10 If the Company shall not within the Prescribed Period find Purchasers willing to purchase any or all of the Sale Shares and gives notice in writing thereof to the Proposing Transferor, or if the Company shall within the Prescribed Period give to the Proposing Transferor notice in writing that the Company has no prospect of finding Purchasers, the Proposing Transferor at any time during a period of 90 days after the end of the Prescribed Period shall be at liberty (subject only to the provisions of Regulation 24) to transfer those Sale Shares for which the Company has not within the Prescribed Period given notice that it has found (or has given notice that it has no prospect of finding) Purchasers to any person by way of a bona fide sale at any price not being less than the Prescribed Price (after deducting, where appropriate, any dividend or other distribution declared or made after the date of the Transfer Notice and to be retained by the Proposing Transferor) provided that:

 

  (a) if the Transfer Notice shall state that the Proposing Transferor is not willing to transfer part only of the Sale Shares he shall only be entitled to transfer all the unsold Sale Shares under this Article; and

 

12


  (b) the Directors may require to be satisfied that the Sale Shares are being transferred under this Article pursuant to a bona fide sale for the consideration stated in the Transfer Notice without any deduction, rebate or allowance whatsoever to the purchaser and if not so satisfied may refuse to register the instrument of transfer; and

 

  (c) in the case of any transfer (not being a Permitted Transfer) of ‘A’ Ordinary Shares which includes more than 10% in nominal amount of the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares held by the Proposing Transferor other than a transfer by an Investment Fund holding ‘A’ Ordinary Shares at that time, the Proposing Transferor will not sell any such Sale Shares under this Article unless the proposed purchaser(s) of such shares in relation to each holder of Preferred Ordinary Shares:

 

  (i) shall have offered to purchase from each such holder (at the Prescribed Price), such proportion of the Preferred Ordinary Shares held by each such holder as is equal to the proportion which the ‘A’ Ordinary Shares being sold by the Proposing Transferor under this Article bears to the total holding of ‘A’ Ordinary Shares (including the shares to be sold) held by the Proposing Transferor; and

 

  (ii) shall, in respect of any holder of shares which wishes to take up the offer referred to in paragraph (i) above, acquire from such holder the shares in question at the relevant price simultaneously with the acquisition from the Proposing Transferor of the Sale Shares to be sold.

 

6 Bare Nominees

For the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, no share (other than any share so held on the date of adoption of these Articles) shall be held by any member as a bare nominee for and no interest in any share shall be sold to any person unless a transfer of such share to such person would rank as a Permitted Transfer. If the foregoing provision shall be infringed the holder of such share shall be bound to give a Transfer Notice in respect thereof.

 

7 Compulsory Transfers - General

 

7.1 A person entitled to a share in consequence of the bankruptcy of a member shall be bound at any time, if and when required in writing by the Directors so to do, to give a Transfer Notice in respect of such share.

 

7.2

If a share remains registered in the name of a deceased member for longer than the year after the date of his death the Directors may require the legal personal representatives of such deceased member either to effect a transfer of such shares (including for such purpose an election to be registered in respect thereof) being a Permitted Transfer or to show to the satisfaction of the Directors that a Permitted Transfer will be effected up to or promptly upon the completion of the administration

 

13


 

of the estate of the deceased member or (failing compliance with either of the foregoing within one month or such longer period as the Directors may allow for the purpose) to give a Transfer Notice in respect of such share.

 

8 Compulsory Transfers - Management Shareholders

In the case of a member ceasing to be a Relevant Executive at any time, then within 6 months thereafter, the Directors may serve notice on such member requiring him to give a Transfer Notice in respect of all of the shares held by such member for market value as determined in accordance with Article 5.

 

9 Acquisition of Control and Sale Preference

 

9.1 In the event that any person or persons who was or were not a member or members of the Company or entitled to become such on the date of the adoption of these Articles (“the Acquiring Member”) (but excluding any holder for the time being of shares in the capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Articles or any of its Permitted Transferees) either alone or in concert (as such expression is defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers) with any other person(s), shall become beneficially entitled to more than 50% of the issued Ordinary Share Capital of the Company after the date of adoption of these Articles or being so beneficially entitled shall become beneficially entitled to a further 1% be shall forthwith be required to serve notice on the Company that he is so beneficially entitled and shall thereupon be bound to offer to purchase the remaining shares in the Ordinary Share Capital of the Company at a price per share (“the Acquisition Price”) equal to the highest price per share paid by the Acquiring Member for such shares in the Company acquired by him.

 

9.2 The Company shall forthwith give notice to every member other than the Acquiring Member that he may subject to Article 9.6 within 28 days from the date of such notice or such longer period as the Directors may determine in order to give affect to Article 9.4 and Article 9.6 sell his shares to the Acquiring Member at the Acquisition Price. Subject to Article 9.6, any member may accept such offer by giving notice of his intention so to do to the Company accompanied by share certificates for the shares agreed to be sold together with the necessary transfers.

 

9.3 The Directors may at any time require any member to furnish the Company with details of the beneficial interests in the shares held by such member.

 

9.4 The Directors may require to be satisfied that the shares acquired by the Acquiring Member in the period referred to in Article 9.1 were acquired bona fide for the consideration stated in the transfer without any deduction, rebate or allowance whatsoever to the purchaser and if not so satisfied may require the Acquisition Price to be determined in accordance with Article 5.4.

 

9.5 If the Acquiring Member shall fail to serve a notice or make an offer in accordance with Article 9.1 (or, if and to the extent that the offer is accepted, the Acquiring Member shall fail to complete the purchase of any shares pursuant to the offer) he (and any member with whom he is acting in concert as provided in Article 9.1) shall cease to have any rights to vote or to dividends in respect of all the shares held by him and the Directors may where relevant refuse to register the transfer of the shares acquired by the Acquiring Member which give rise to the obligations under Article 9.1 and may require the Acquiring Member to serve a Transfer Notice in accordance with Article 5 in respect of all or any of the shares held by him.

 

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9.6 Any sale of shares under Articles 9.1 to 9.5 is subject at all times to Article 5, so that prior to accepting any offer made pursuant to Article 9.1, each member proposing to accept such offer shall be bound to give a Transfer Notice pursuant to Article 5 and the foregoing provisions of this Article 9 shall be suspended pending completion of the procedure in Article 5 and shall only have effect if following such procedure the Directors shall not have found buyers from among the members for all of the Sale Shares pursuant to Article 5.

 

9.7 In the event of a Sale at an aggregate price which would result in the holders of the Preference Shares and the Preferred Ordinary Shares receiving less than the Subscription Price on such shares by way of sale and/or redemption and the amount of all and any Arrears and other amounts due or owing thereon, the total of any cash received in respect of the shares that are the subject of the Sale shall be reallocated between the holders of such shares so as to ensure the following order of application of the aggregate sale proceeds as follows:

 

  (a) first, in paying to the holders of any Preference Shares that are unredeemed and outstanding the Subscription Price on all such shares together with all Arrears and other amounts due or owing thereon; and

 

  (b) secondly, in paying to the holders of the Preferred Ordinary Shares the Subscription Price on each of such shares together with all Arrears and other amounts due or owing thereon.

 

10 Information concerning shareholdings and transfers

 

10.1 For the purpose of ensuring that a transfer of shares is a Permitted Transfer or that no circumstances have arisen whereby a Transfer Notice is or may be required to be given hereunder or to be satisfied that any proposed sale is bona fide and on the terms stated in the Transfer Notice with no rebate or allowance, the Directors may from time to time require any member or the legal personal representatives of any deceased member or any person named as transferee in any transfer lodged for registration to furnish to the Company such information and evidence as the Directors may think fit regarding any matter which they may deem relevant to such purpose. Failing such information or evidence being furnished to the satisfaction of the Directors within a reasonable time after such requirement being made, the Directors shall be entitled to refuse to register the transfer in question or (if no transfer is in question) to require by notice in writing that a Transfer Notice be given in accordance with Article 5 in respect of the shares concerned.

 

10.2 In a case where the Directors have duly required a Transfer Notice to be given in respect of any shares and such Transfer Notice is not duly given within a period of one month, or such longer period as the Directors may allow for the purpose, such Transfer Notice shall (except and to the extent that a Permitted Transfer of any of such shares shall have been made) be deemed to have been given on such date after the expiration of the said period as the Directors may by resolution determine and the foregoing provisions of these Articles shall take effect accordingly.

 

10.3 From (and including) the date on which the Directors have duly required a Transfer Notice(s), all holders of shares the subject of such Transfer Notice(s) shall not transfer or encumber any of their shares or any interest in their shares (other than pursuant to such Transfer Notice(s)) until all proceedings pursuant to such Transfer Notice(s) have been finalised in accordance with these Articles.

 

15


11 Proceedings at general meetings

 

11.1 A poll may be demanded at any general meeting by the chairman or by any member present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. Regulation 46 shall be modified accordingly.

 

11.2 A resolution in writing executed or approved by telefax or telex by or on behalf of the holders of all the issued Ordinary Share Capital and, in a case where the holders of the Preference Shares (or any of them) is entitled to vote in respect of such holding, by such holder or holders, shall be as valid and effectual as if the same had been duly passed at a general meeting and may consist of several documents in the like form, each executed by or on behalf of one or more persons. In the case of a corporation, the resolution may be signed on its behalf by a Director or the Secretary thereof or by its duly appointed attorney or duly authorised representative. Regulation 53 shall be modified accordingly.

 

12 Alternate directors

 

12.1 Any Director (other than an alternate Director) may at any time by writing under his hand and served on the Company at its registered office, or delivered at a meeting of the Directors, appoint any other Director, or any other person approved by resolution of the Directors and willing to act, to be an alternate Director and may remove from office an alternate Director so appointed by him. The same person may be appointed as the alternate Director of more than one Director.

 

12.2 An alternate Director shall be entitled:

 

  (a) to receive notice of all meetings of Directors and of all meetings of committees of Directors of which his appointor is a member, save that it shall not be necessary to give notice of such meeting to an alternate Director who is absent from the United Kingdom;

 

  (b) to attend, be counted in the quorum for and vote at any such meeting at which the Director appointing him is not personally present; and

 

  (c) generally at such meeting to perform all the functions of his appointor as a Director in his absence.

If an alternate Director is himself a Director or attends any such meeting as an alternate Director for more than one Director, then his voting rights shall be cumulative.

 

12.3 An alternate Director shall cease to be an alternate Director if his appointor ceases to be a Director; but, if a Director retires but is reappointed or deemed to have been reappointed at the meeting at which he retires, any appointment of an alternate Director made by him which was in force immediately prior to his retirement shall continue after his reappointment.

 

12.4 Any appointment or removal of an alternate Director shall be by notice to the Company signed by the Director making or revoking the appointment or in any other manner approved by the Directors.

 

12.5 An alternate Director shall alone be responsible for his own acts and defaults and he shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him, except in relation to matters in which he acted (or failed to act) on the direction or at the request of his appointor.

 

16


12.6 Save as otherwise provided in these Articles, an alternate Director shall not have power to act as a Director nor shall he be deemed to be a Director for the purposes of these Articles. However, such an alternate Director shall owe the Company the same fiduciary duties and duty of care and skill in the performance of his office as are owed by a Director.

 

12.7 An alternate Director shall be entitled to contract and be interested in and benefit from contracts or arrangements or transactions and to be repaid expenses and to be indemnified to the same extent mutatis mutandis as if he were a Director but he shall not be entitled to receive from the Company in respect of his appointment as alternate Director any remuneration except only such part (if any) of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by notice in writing to the Company from time to time direct.

 

12.8 Regulations 65 to 69 shall not apply.

 

13 Directors

 

13.1 The Directors shall not be subject to retirement by rotation. Regulations 73 to 75 and the last two sentences of Regulation 79 shall not apply and Regulations 76, 77, 78 and 80 shall be modified accordingly.

 

13.2 Without prejudice to the first sentence of Regulation 89, a meeting of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors may consist of a conference between directors who are not all in one place, but of whom each is able (directly or by telephonic communication) to speak to each of the others, and to be heard by each of the others simultaneously; and the word “meeting” in these Articles shall be construed accordingly.

 

13.3 A resolution in writing signed or approved by telefax or telex by all the directors shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of Directors duly convened and held and may consist of several documents in the like form each signed by one or more Directors; but a resolution signed by an alternate Director need not also be signed by his appointor and, if it is signed by a Director who has appointed an alternate Director, it need not be signed by the alternate Director in that capacity. Regulation 93 shall not apply.

 

13.4 A Director may vote at a meeting of Directors or of a committee of Directors on any resolution concerning a matter in which he has, directly or indirectly, an interest or duty which is material and which conflicts or may conflict with the interests of the Company. Regulation 94 shall be modified accordingly, provided that he has disclosed to the Directors the nature and extent of any material interest or duty.

 

13.5 In the case of an equality of votes at a meeting of the Directors, the chairman of the, Company shall not have a second or casting vote. Regulation 88 shall be modified accordingly.

 

13.6 The office of a Director shall be vacated if he shall be removed from office by notice in writing served upon him signed by a majority of his co-Directors but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines, such removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of contract of service or otherwise between him and the Company.

 

17


14 Notices

Notices shall be given to a member whose registered address is outside the United Kingdom. Regulation 112 shall be modified accordingly.

 

15 Indemnity

 

15.1 Without prejudice to any indemnity to which such officer may otherwise be entitled, every Director, Auditor, Secretary or other officer of the Company shall be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses, and liabilities incurred by him in the execution and discharge of his duties or in relation thereto including any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which relate to anything done or omitted or alleged to have been done or omitted by him as an officer or employee of the Company and in which judgement is given in his favour (or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his part) or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application under any statute for relief from liability in respect of any such act or omission in which relief is granted to him by the Court Regulation 118 shall not apply.

 

15.2 The Company may purchase and maintain for any Director, Secretary or other officer of the Company insurance against any liability which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which he may be guilty in relation to the Company.

 

18


   

LOGO

   
   
   
   
  THE COMPANIES ACT 1985  
   
  WRITTEN RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF  
  COTT LIMITED  
  (COMPANY NUMBER 2186825)  

We, the undersigned, being all of the members of the Company entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting of the Company unanimously agree pursuant to s.381A of the Companies Act 1985 that the following resolutions be passed as written resolutions of the Company having effect as special resolutions and confirm that they shall be as valid and effective for all purposes as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

THAT:

 

1 the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby amended by the insertion of the following wording as a new Article 5 (such later articles being amended accordingly):

 

     “Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, whether expressly or-impliedly contradictory to the provisions of this Special Article (to the effect that any provision contained in this Special Article shall override any other provision of these Articles)

 

  5.1 The Directors shall not decline to register any transfer of shares, nor may they suspend registration thereof, where such transfer:

 

  5.1.1 is to any bank, institution or other person to which such shares have been charged by way of security, or to any nominee of such a bank, institution or other person (or a person acting as agent or security trustee for such person) (a “Secured Institution”); or

 

  5.1.2 is delivered to the Company for registration by a Secured Institution or Its nominee in order to perfect its security over the shares; or

 

  5.1.3 is executed by a Secured Institution or its nominee pursuant to a power of sale or other power existing under such security,

 

       and the Directors shall forthwith register any such transfer of shares upon receipt and furthermore notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Articles no transferor of any shares in the Company or proposed transferor of such shares to a Secured Institution or its nominee and no Secured institution or its nominee shall (in either such case) be required to offer the shares which are or are to be the subject of any transfer as aforesaid to the shareholders for the time being of the Company or any of them and no such shareholder shall have any right under the Articles or otherwise howsoever to require such shares to be transferred to them whether for any valuable consideration or otherwise.”;

 

2 the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby amended by the deletion of the wording “Regulation 24” at Article 4.1 and replacement with the wording “Article 5”.


3 the terms and conditions (as the same may be amended, varied, supplemented or substituted from time to time) of each of the Documents (as defined below) which the Company is proposing to enter into in connection with into between, the Company’s Canadian ultimate parent company, Cott Corporation (the “Parent”), Cott Beverages Inc (the “US Borrower”), Cott Beverages Limited (the “UK Borrower”), Cott Embotelladores de Mexico, S. A. de C. V. (the “Mexican Borrower” and the Parent, the US Borrower, the UK Borrower and the Mexican Borrower are together the “Borrowers”) and Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent and security trustee (the “Bank”) pursuant to which the Bank had offered to make available to the Borrowers a revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of US$100,000,000 with an option to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Facility by up to US$150,000,000 upon the terms and subject to the conditions detailed therein and which shall be used (i) to refinance certain existing indebtedness, (ii) for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, capital expenditures, expenditures in the ordinary course of business and permitted acquisitions and investments and (iii) to pay fees and expenses related to the Facility, be and are hereby approved and (notwithstanding any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company or any personal interest of any of the directors) the directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered, authorised and directed to complete and enter into each, such document, being:

 

3.1 a debenture to be entered into by the Company in favour of the Bank (the “Debenture”); and

 

3.2 a New York law governed guaranty agreement to be entered into by, among others, the _ Company in favour of the Bank (the “Guaranty Agreement”), (together the “Documents” and each a “Document”).

 

4 (i) the execution and delivery by the Company of the Documents, (ii) the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Documents and (iii) the transactions contemplated by the Documents be and are hereby approved.

LOGO

Director

For and on behalf of

Cott Retail Brands Limited

Dated:30 March 2005


COTT LIMITED

(Company Registration Number 2186825)

WRITTEN SPECIAL RESOLUTION

We the undersigned being all the members for the time being of the above named Company entitled to receive notice of and vote at general meetings of the Company hereby pass the following Resolution as a Special Resolution of the Company and agree that it shall be as effective as if it had been passed as a Special Resolution of the Company at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

“THAT the Articles of Association of the Company be amended by the adoption of the following new Article 16:

 

“16 OVERRIDING PROVISIONS

 

  16.1 Any member holding, or any members together holding, shares carrying not less than 90 per cent of the votes which may for the time being be cast at a general meeting of the Company may at any time and from time to time:

 

  (a) appoint any person to be a Director (whether to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director);

 

  (b) remove from office any Director howsoever appointed but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines such removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company;

 

  (c) by notice to the Company require that no unissued shares shall be issued or agreed to be issued or put under option without the consent of such member of members;

 

  (d) restrict any or all powers of the Directors in such respects and to such extent as such member or members may by notice to the Company from time to time prescribe.

 

  16.2 Any such appointment, removal, consent or notice shall be in writing served on the Company and signed by the Member or members. No person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire as to whether the powers of the Directors have been in any way restricted hereunder or as to whether any requisite consent of such member or members has been obtained and no obligation incurred or security given or transaction effected by the Company to or with any third party shall be invalid or ineffectual unless the third party has at the time express notice that the incurring of such obligation or the giving of such security or the effecting of such transaction was in excess of the powers of the Directors.


  16.3 To the extent of any inconsistency this Article shall have overriding effect as against all other provisions of these Articles.”

Dated 8th March 2007

LOGO

For and on behalf of

Cott Retail Brands Limited

Director and duty authorised Signatory

Exhibit 3.1 (xxiii)

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 2974459

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

PRINCES GATE OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

COTT EUROPE TRADING LIMITED

Given at Companies House, London, the 22nd October 1997

 

     
     
         /s/ L. Barnes
        

MRS. L. BARNES

        

For The Registrar Of Companies

        
        
        

LOGO

 


LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 2974459

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

HACKREMCO (NO. 966) LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

PRINCES GATE OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED

Given at Companies House, London, the 7th November 1994

 

     
     
         /s/ L. Mills
        

MRS L. MILLS

        

For The Registrar Of Companies

        
        
        

LOGO

 


LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

Company No. 2974459

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that HACKREMCO (NO. 966) LIMITED

Is this day Incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the company is limited.

Given at companies House, Cardiff, the 6th October 1994

 

LOGO    LOGO
N02974459R    For the Registrar of Companies

LOGO

Exhibit 3.1(xxiv)

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

LOGO

 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

PRINCES GATE OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED

1 The Company’s name is “PRINCES GATE OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED”.

2 The Company’s registered office is to be situate in England and Wales.

3 The Company’s objects are:-

3.1** To carry on any of the businesses of a holding company and to co-ordinate all or any part of the businesses and operations of any and all companies, firms and businesses controlled directly or indirectly by the Company or in which the Company is interested, whether as a shareholder or otherwise and whether directly or indirectly, and to acquire by purchase, lease, concession, grant, licence or otherwise such businesses, options, rights, privileges, lands, buildings leases, underleases, stocks.

 

* The name of the Company was changed from Hackremco (No. 966) Limited by a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name dated 7 November 1994.
** Altered by a Special Resolution pas.

 

- 1 -


shares, debentures, debenture stock, bonds, obligations, securities, reversionary interests, annuities, policies of assurance and other property and rights and interests in property as the Company shall deem fit and generally to hold, manage, develop, lease, sell or dispose of the same; and to vary any of the investments of the Company, to act as trustees of any deeds constituting or securing any debentures, debenture stock or other securities or obligations; to enter into, assist, or participate in financial, commercial, mercantile, industrial and other transactions, undertakings and businesses of every description, and to establish, carry on, develop and extend the same or sell, dispose of or otherwise turn the same to account, to act as company secretary alone or jointly with any other person or persons for any company or companies incorporated in any part of the world, as secretary of any association or associations whether incorporated or not in any part of the world and as agent or overseas company agent for any other body incorporated in any part of the world, and to provide administrative, legal, technical and financial services of every description to other companies, firms or persons, to act as business and office managers and to carry on all or any of the businesses of capitalists, trustees, financiers, financial agents, company promoters, bill discounters, insurance brokers and agents, mortgage brokers, rent and debt collectors, stock and share brokers and dealers and commission and general agents, merchants and traders; and to manufacture, buy, sell, maintain, repair and deal in plant, machinery, tools, articles and things of all kinds capable of being used for the purposes of the above-mentioned businesses or any of them, or likely to be required by customers of or persons having dealings with the Company.

3.2 To carry on any other business or activity of any nature whatsoever which may seem to the Directors to be capable of being conveniently or advantageously carried on in connection or conjunction with any business of the Company hereinbefore or hereinafter authorised or to be expedient with a view directly or

 

- 2 -


indirectly to enhancing the value of or to rendering profitable or more profitable any of the Company’s assets or utilizing its skills, know-how or expertise.

3.3 To subscribe, underwrite, purchase, or otherwise acquire, and to hold, dispose of, and deal with, any shares or other securities or investments of any nature whatsoever, and any options or rights in respect thereof or interests therein, and to buy and sell foreign exchange.

3.4 To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, negotiable, execute, and issue, and to buy, sell and deal with bills of exchange, promissory notes, and other negotiable or transferable instruments or securities.

3.5 To purchase, or otherwise acquire for any estate or interest any property (real or personal ) or assets or any concessions, licenses, grants, patents, trade marks, copyrights or other exclusive or non-exclusive rights of any kind and to hold, develop and turn to account and deal with the same in such manner as may be thought fit and to make experiments and tests and to carry on all kinds of research work.

3.6 To build, construct, alter, remove, replace, equip, execute, carry out, improve, work, develop, administer, maintain, manage or control buildings, structures or facilities of all kinds, whether for the purposes of the Company or for sale, letting or hire to or in return for any consideration from any company, firm or person, and to contribute to or assist in or carry out any part of any such operation.

3.7 To amalgamate or enter into partnership or any joint venture or profit/loss-sharing arrangement or other association with any company, firm, person or body.

 

- 3 -


3.8 To purchase or otherwise acquire and undertake all or any part of the business, property and liabilities of any company, firm, person or body carrying on any business which the Company is authorized to carry on or possessed of any property suitable for the purposes of the Company.

3.9 To promote, or join in the promotion of, any company, whether or not having objects similar to those of the Company.

3.10 To borrow and raise money and to secure or discharge any debt or obligation of or binding on the Company in such manner as may be thought fit and in particular by mortgages and charges upon all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and the uncalled capital of the Company, or by the creation and issue of debentures, debenture stock or other securities of any description.

3.11 To advance, lend or deposit money or give credit to or with any company, firm or person on such terms as may be thought fit and with or without security.

3.12 To guarantee or give indemnities or provide security, whether by personal covenant or by mortgage or charge upon all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and the uncalled capital of the Company, or by all or any such methods, for the performance of any contracts or obligations, and the payment of capital or principal (together with any premium) and dividends or interest on any shares, debentures or other securities, of any person, firm or company including (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) any company which is for the time being a holding company of the Company or another subsidiary of any such holding company or is associated with the Company in business.

3.13 To issue any securities which the Company has power to issue for any other purpose by way of security or indemnity or in satisfaction of any liability undertaken or agreed to be undertaken by the Company.

 

- 4 -


3.14 To sell, lease, grant, licences, easements and other rights over, and in any other manner deal with or dispose of, the undertaking, property, assets, rights and effects of the Company or any part thereof for such consideration as may be thought fit, and in particular for shares or other securities, whether fully or partly paid up.

3.15 To procure the registration, recognition or incorporation of the Company in or under the laws of any territory outside England.

3.16 To subscribe or guarantee money for any national, charitable, benevolent, public, general or useful object or for any purpose which may be considered likely directly or indirectly to further the interests of the Company or of its members.

3.17 To establish and maintain or contribute to any pension or superannuation funds for the benefit of, and to give or procure the giving of donations, gratuities, pensions, allowances or emoluments to, any individuals who are or were at any time in the employment or service of the Company or of any company which is its holding company or is a subsidiary of the Company or any such holding company or otherwise is allied to or associated with the Company or any of the predecessors of the Company or any other such company as aforesaid, or who are or were at any time directors or officers of the Company or of any such other company, and the wives, widows, families and dependants of any such individuals; to establish and subsidise or subscribe to any institutions, associations, clubs or funds which may be considered likely to benefit any such persons or to further the interests of the Company or of any such other company; and to make payments for or towards the insurance of any such persons.

3.18 To establish and maintain, and to contribute to, any scheme for encouraging or facilitating the holding of shares or debentures in the Company by or for the benefit of its employees or former

 

- 5 -


employees, or those of its subsidiary or holding company or subsidiary of its holding company, of by or for the benefit of such other persons as may for the time being be permitted by law, or any scheme for sharing profits with its employees or those of its subsidiary and/or associated complies, and (so far as for the time being permitted by law) to lend money to employees of the Company or of any company which is its holding company or is a subsidiary of the Company or any such holding company or otherwise is allied to or associated with the Company with a view to enabling them to acquire shares in the Company or its holding company.

3.19 (i) To purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any persons who are or were at any time directors, officers or employees or auditors of the Company, or of any other company which is its holding company or in which the Company or such holding company or any of the predecessors of the Company or of such holding company has any interest whether direct or indirect or which is in any way allied to or associated with the Company, or of any subsidiary undertaking of the Company or of any such other company, or who are or were at any time trustees of any pension fund in which any employees of the Company or of any such other company or subsidiary undertaking are interested, including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of their duties and/or in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers and/or otherwise in relation to the Company or any such other company, subsidiary undertaking or pension fund and (ii) to such extent as may be permitted by law otherwise to indemnify or to exempt any such person against or from any such liability; for the purposed of this clause “holding company” and “subsidiary undertaking” shall have the same meanings as in the Companies Act 1985 as amended by the Companies Act 1989.

 

- 6 -


3.20 To distribute among members of the Company in specie or otherwise by way of dividend or bonus or by way of reduction of capital, all or any of the property or assets of the Company, or any proceeds of sale or other disposal of any property or assets of the Company, with and subject to any incident authorized and consent required by law.

3.21 To do all or any of the things and matters aforesaid in any part of the world, and either as principals, agents, contractors, trustees or otherwise, and by or through trustees, agents subsidiary companies or otherwise and either alone or in conjunction with others.

3.22 To do all such other things as may be considered to be incidental or conducive to any of the above objects.

And it is hereby declared that the objects of the Company as specified in each of the foregoing paragraphs of this Clause (expect only if and so far as otherwise expressly provided in any paragraph) shall be separate and distinct objects of the Company and shall not be in any way limited by reference to any other paragraph or the order in which the same occur or the name the Company.

4. The liability of the members is limited

5. The share capital of the Company is £100 divided into 100 shares of £1 each.

 

017RJA 1385   - 7 -  


We, the Subscriber to this Memorandum of Association wish to be formed into a Company pursuant to this Memorandum and we agree to take the Share shown opposite our name.

 

NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUBSCRIBER

   Number of Shares taken

Hackwood Secretaries Limited

Barrington House,

59-67 Gresham Street,

London EC2V 7JA.

   One

R J Ashmore

For and on behalf of

Hackwood Secretaries Limited

Total Shares taken:

   One

DATED 28 September 1994

WITNESS to the above Signature:-

D E Perry

Barrington House,

59-67 Gresham Street,

London EC2V 7JA.

Secretary

 

017RJA 1385   - 8 -  


LOGO

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

PRINCES GATE OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED

(Adopted by a Special Resolution passed on 8 November 1994)

PRELIMINARY

1 The regulations contained in Table A in The Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations 1985 (as amended so as to affect companies first registered on the date of incorporation of the Company) shall, except as hereinafter provided and so far as not inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles, apply to the Company to the exclusion of all other regulations or Articles of Association, References herein to regulations are to regulations in the said Table A unless otherwise stated.

SHARE CAPITAL

2 The share capital of the Company at the date of the adoption of these Articles is £100 divided into 100 Ordinary Shares of £1 each.

3 (A) Subject to Section 80 of the Companies Act 1985, all unissued shares shall be at the disposal of the Directors and they may allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times, and on such terms as they think proper and Section 89(1) of the Companies Act 1985 shall not apply.

LOGO

 

017RJA 1385   - 9 -  


(B) (i) Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 80 of the Companies Act 1985 the Directors shall be generally and unconditionally authorized to exercise during the period of five years from the date of the adoption of these Articles all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £99:

(ii) by such authority the Directors may make offers or agreements which would or might require the allotment of relevant securities after the expiry of such period:

(iii) words and expressions defined in or for the purposes of the said Section 80 shall bear the same meanings in this Article.

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

4 The words and to the directors and auditors’ at the end of Regulation 38 shall not apply.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

5 In the case of a corporation a resolution in writing may be signed on its behalf by a Director or the Secretary thereof or by its duly appointed attorney or duly authorized representative. Regulation 53 shall be extended accordingly. Regulation 53 (as extended) shall apply mutatis mutandis to resolutions in writing of any class of members of the Company.

6 An instrument appointing a proxy (and, where it is signed on behalf of the appointor by an attorney, the letter or power of attorney or a duly certified copy thereof) must either be delivered at such place or one of such places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to the notice convening the meeting (or, if no place is so specified, at the registered office) before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting)

 

017RJA 1385   - 10 -  


for the taking of the poll at which it is to be used or be delivered to the Secretary (or the chairman of the meeting) on the day and at the place of, but in any event before the time appointed for holding, the meting or adjourned meeting or poll. The instrument shall, unless the contrary is stated thereon, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates. An instrument of proxy relating to more than one meeting (including any adjournment thereof) having once been so delivered for the purposes of any meeting shall not require again to be delivered for the purposes of any subsequent meeting to which it relates. Regulation 62 shall not apply.

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

7 The Directors shall not be less than one in number. Regulation 64 shall be modified accordingly.

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

8 (A) An alternate Director shall (except when absent from the United Kingdom) be entitled to receive notices of meetings of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors of which his appointor is a member and shall be entitled to attend and vote as a Director and be counted in the quorum at any such meeting at which his appointor is not personally present and generally at such meeting to perform all functions of his appointor as a Director and for the purposes of the proceedings at such meeting the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if he were a Director. If he shall be himself a Director or shall attend any such meeting as an alternate for more than one Director, his voting rights shall be cumulative but he shall not be counted more than once for the purpose of the quorum. If his appointor is for the time being absent from the United Kingdom or temporarily unable to act through ill health or disability his signature to any resolution in writing of the Directors shall be as effective as the signature of his appointor. An alternative Director shall not (save as aforesaid) have power to act as a Director, nor shall he be deemed to be a Director for the purposes of these Articles, nor shall he be deemed to be the agent of his appointor. Regulations 66 and 69 shall not apply.

 

017RJA 1385   - 11 -  


(B) An alternate Director shall be entitled to contract and be interests in and benefit from contracts or arrangements or transactions and to be repaid expenses and to be indemnified to the same extent mutatis mutandis as if he were a Director but he shall not be entitled to receive from the Company in respect of his appointment as alternate Director any remunerations except only such part (if any) of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by notice in writing to the Company from time to time direct.

DELEGATION OF DIRECTORS’ POWERS

9 In addition to the powers to delegate contained in Regulation 72, the Directors may delegate any of their powers or discretions (including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing all powers and discretions whose exercise involves or may involve the payment of renumeration to or the conferring of any other benefit on all or any of the Directors) to committees consisting of one or more Directors and (if thought fit) one or more other named persons or persons to be co-opted as hereinafter provided. Insofar as any such power or discretion is delegated to a committee, any reference in these Articles to the exercise by the Directors of the power or discretion so delegated shall be read and construed if it were a reference to the exercise thereof by such committee. Any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations which may from time to time be imposed by the Directors. Any such regulations may provide for or authorize the co-option to the committee of persons other than Directors and may provide for members who are not Directors to have voting rights as members of the committee but so that (a) the number of members who are not Directors shall be less than one-half of the total number of members of the committee and (b) no resolution of the committee shall be effective unless passed by a majority including at least one member of the committee who is a Director. Regulation 72 shall be modified accordingly.

 

017RJA 1385   - 12 -  


APPOINTMENT AND RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS

10 The Directors shall not be subject to retirement by rotation, Regulations 73 to 75 and the second and third sentences of Regulation 79 shall not apply, and other references in the said Table A to retirement by rotation shall be disregarded.

DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

11 The office of a Director shall be vacated in any of the events specified in regulation 81 and also if he shall in writing offer to resign and the Directors shall resolve to accept such offer or if he shall have served upon him a notice in writing signed by all his co-Directors (being at least two in number) but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines such removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company.

REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS

12 Any Director who serves on any committee, or who otherwise performs services which in the opinion of the Directors are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director, may be paid such extra remuneration by way of salary, commission or otherwise or may receive such other benefits as the Directors may determine. Regulation 82 shall be extended accordingly.

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

13 On any matter in which a Director is in any way interested he may nevertheless vote and be taken into account for the purposes of a quorum and (save as otherwise agreed) may retain for his own absolute use and benefit all profits and advantages directly or indirectly accruing to him thereunder or in consequence thereof. Regulations 94 to 98 shall not apply.

 

- 13 -


TELEPHONE BOARD MEETINGS

14 All or any of the Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee of the Directors, by means of a conference telephone or any communications equipment which allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. A person so participating and who would be entitled to attend a meeting of the Board, or any committee of the Directors, and to vote and count in the quorum thereat shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting and shall be entitled to vote and to be counted in a quorum accordingly. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of those so participating is assembled or, if there is no such group, where the person or persons participating in the meeting and carrying the largest number of voting-rights exercisable at that meeting is or are present, or if no such person is, or persons are, present, where the Chairman of the meeting is present and the word “meeting” shall be construed accordingly.

INDEMNITY

15 (A) Subject to the provisions of and so far as may be permitted by law, every Director, Auditor, Secretary or other officer of the Company shall be Indemnified by the Company out of its own funds against and/or exempted by the Company from all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by him in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of his duties and/or the exercise or purported exercise of his powers and/or otherwise in relation to or in connection with his duties, powers or office including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which relate to anything done or omitted or alleged to have been done or omitted by him as an officer or employee of the Company and in which judgment is given in his favour (or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his part) or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application under any statute for relief from liability in respect of any such act or omission in which relief is granted to him by the Court Regulation 118 shall not apply.

 

- 14 -


(B) Without prejudice to the provisions of Regulation 87 or paragraph (A) of this Article, the Directors shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any persons who are or were at any time Directors, officers, employee or auditors of any Relevant Company (as defined in paragraph (C) of this Article) or who are or were at any time trustees of any pension fund or employees’ share scheme in which employees of any Relevant Company are interested, including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of their duties and/or in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers and/or otherwise in relation to their duties, powers or offices in relation to any Relevant Company, or any such pension fund or employees’ share scheme.

(C) For the purpose of paragraph (B) of this Article, “Relevant Company” shall mean the Company, any holding company of the Company or any other body, whether or not incorporated, in which the Company or such holding company or any of the predecessors of the Company or of such holding company has or had any interest whether direct or indirect or which is in any way Allied to or associated with the Company, or any subsidiary undertaking of the Company or of any such other body.

OVERRIDING PROVISIONS

16 Whenever Cott Retail Brands Limited (hereinafter called “the Parent Company”), or any subsidiary undertaking of the Parent Company, shall be the holder of not less than 90 per cent, of the issued Ordinary Shares the following provisions shall apply and to the extent of any inconsistency shall have overriding effect as against all other provisions of these Articles:-

(a) the Parent Company may at any time and from time to time appoint any person to be a Director or remove from office any Director howsoever appointed but so that if he holds an appointment to an executive office which thereby automatically determines such

 

- 15 -


removal shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have affect without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company:

(b) no unissued shares shall be issued or agreed to be issued or put under option without the consent of the Parent Company:

(c) any or all powers of the Directors shall be restricted in such respects and to such extent as the Parent Company may by notice to the Company from time to time prescribe.

Any such appointment, removal, consent or notice shall be in writing served on the Company and signed on behalf of the Parent Company by any two of its Directors or by any one of its Directors and its Secretary or some other person duly authorized for the purpose. No person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire as to whether the powers of the Directors have been in any way restricted hereunder or as to whether any requisite consent of the Parent Company has been obtained and no obligation incurred or security given or transaction effected by the Company to or with any third party shall be invalid or ineffectual unless the third party had at the time express notice that the incurring of such obligation or the giving of such security or the effecting of such transaction was in excess of the powers of the Directors.

 

- 16 -


THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

WRITTEN RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

COTT EUROPE TRADING LIMITED

(COMPANY NUMBER 2974459)

LOGO

We, the undersigned, being all of the members of the Company entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting of the Company unanimously agree pursuant to s.381A of the Companies Act 1985 that the following resolutions be passed as written resolutions of the Company having effect as special resolutions and confirm that they shall be as valid and effective for all purposes as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

THAT:

 

1 the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby amended by the insertion of the following wording as Article 17:

“Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, whether expressly or impliedly contradictory to the provisions of this Special Article (to the effect that any provision : contained in this Special Article shall override any other provision of these Articles)

 

  17.1 The Directors shall not decline to register any transfer of shares, nor may they suspend registration thereof, where such transfer:

 

  17.1.1     is to any bank, institution or other person to which such shares have been charged by way of security, or to any nominee of such a bank, institution or other person (or a person acting as agent or security trustee for such person) (a “ Secured Institution ”.); or

 

  17.1.2     is delivered to the Company for registration by a Secured Institution or its nominee in order to perfect its security over the shares; or

 

  17.1.3     is executed by a Secured Institution or its nominee pursuant to a power of sale or other power existing under such security,

and the Directors shall forthwith register any such transfer of shares upon receipt and furthermore notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Articles no transferor of any shares in the Company or proposed transferor of such shares to a Secured Institution or its nominee and no Secured institution or its nominee shall (in either such case) be required to offer the shares which are or are to be the subject of any transfer as aforesaid to the shareholders for the time being of the Company or any of them and no such shareholder shall have any right under the Articles or otherwise howsoever to require such shares to be transferred to them whether for any valuable consideration or otherwise.”;

 

2

the terms and conditions (as the same may be amended, varied, supplemented or substituted from time to time) of each of the Documents (as defined below) which the Company is proposing to enter into in connection with a multi-currency revolving credit


 

agreement (the “ Credit Agreement ”) to be entered into between, the Company’s Canadian ultimate parent company, Cott Corporation (the “ Parent ”), Cott Beverages Inc (the “ US Borrower ”), Cott Beverages Limited (the “UK Borrower ”), Cott Embatelladores de Mexico, S. A. de C. V. (the “ Mexican Borrower ” and the Parent, the US Borrower, the UK Borrower and the Mexican Borrower are together the “ Borrowers ”) and Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent and security trustee (the- “Bank ”) pursuant to which the Bank had offered to make available to the borrowers a revolving credit facility (the “ Facility ”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of US$100,000,000 with an option to Increase the aggregate principal amount of the Facility by up to US$150,000,000 upon the terms and subject to the conditions detailed therein and which shall be used (I) to refinance certain existing indebtedness, (ii) for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, capital expenditures, expenditures in the ordinary course of business and permitted acquisitions and Investments and (iii) to pay fees and expenses related to the Facility, be and are hereby approved and (notwithstanding any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company or any personal Interest of any of the directors) the directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered, authorised and directed to complete and enter into each such document, being;

 

2.1 a debenture to be entered into by the Company in favour of the Bank (the “ Debenture ”); and

 

2.2 a New York law governed guaranty agreement to be entered into by, among others, the Company in favour of the Bank (the “ Guaranty Agreement ”),

(together the “ Documents ” and each a “ Document ”),

 

3 (i) the execution and delivery by the Company of the Documents, (ii) the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Documents and (iii) the transactions contemplated by the Documents be and are hereby approved.

 

/s/ Authorized Signatory

Director

For and on behalf of

Cott Retail Brands Limited

Dated: 30 March 2005

 

2


No. 2974459

The Companies Act 1985

Private Company Limited by Shares

Written Resolutions of COTT EUROPE TRADING LIMITED

The following resolutions were passed as written resolutions of the Company on 24 December 1998 in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company.

Ordinary Resolutions

 

1 THAT the capital of the Company be increased from £100 to £5,000,000 by the creation of a further 4,999,900 ordinary shares of £1 each to rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of £1 each in the capital of the Company.

 

2 THAT:-

 

2.1 the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to and in accordance with Section 80 of the Companies Act 1985 to exercise for the period of five years from the date of the passing of this resolution all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities up to the aggregate nominal amount of £4,999,999.

 

2.2 by such authority the Directors may make offers or agreements which would or might require the allotment of relevant securities after the expiry of such period; and

 

2.3 words and expressions defined in or for the purposes of the said Section 80 shall have the same meanings in this resolution.

Special Resolution

 

3 THAT the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby altered as follows:-

 

3.1 by deleting the existing Article 2 and substituting therefor the following new Article 2:-

 

  “2 The share capital of the Company as at 24 December 1998 is £5,000,000 divided into 5,000,000 ordinary shares of £1 each.”

 

3.2 by deleting the existing sub-clause 3(B).

 

/s/ Authorized Signatory

For Hackwood Secretaries Limited - Secretary

LOGO

 

 

1

Exhibit 3.1 (xxv)

DUPLICATE FOR THE FILE

No. 340485

LOGO

Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

I Hereby Certify That

E. CARTER & CO. LIMITED

is this day Incorporated under the Companies Act, 1929, and that the Company is Limited.

Given under my hand at London this twentieth day of May One Thousand Nine Hundred and thirty-eight.

LOGO

Registrar of Companies

 

 

Certificate received by /s/ Authorized Signatory

Date 20 th May 1938


DUPLICATE FOR THE FILE

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Whereas

E. CARTER & CO. LIMITED

was incorporated as a limited company under the

COMPANIES ACT, 1929,

on the TWENTIETH DAY OF MAY, 1938

And whereas by special resolution of the Company and with the approval of the Board of Trade it has changed its name

Now therefore I hereby certify that the Company as a limited company incorporated under the name of

CARTER’S GOLD MEDAL SOFT DRINKS LIMITED

Given under my hand at London, this SECOND DAY OF JULY ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR

Certificate received by

LOGO

Assistant Registrar of Companies

Date: 2-7-64


FILE COPY

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

No. 340485/96

I hereby certify that

CARTERS GOLD MEDAL SOFT DRINKS LIMITED

having by special resolution and with the approval of the Secretary of State changed its name is now incorporated under the name of

CARTERS DRINKS GROUP LIMITED

Given under my hand at Cardiff the 19TH MARCH 1982

LOGO

Assistant Registrar of Companies


FILE COPY

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 340485

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

CARTERS DRINKS GROUP LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

HERO DRINKS GROUP (UK) LIMITED

Given at Companies House, Cardiff, the 12th July 1995

 

   LOGO
LOGO    For the Registrar of Companies

*C00340485B*

LOGO


FILE COPY

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 340485

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

HERO DRINKS GROUP (UK) LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

COTT PRIVATE LABEL LIMITED

Given at Companies House, Cardiff, the 11th December 1997

 

LOGO    LOGO

*C00340485A*

  

For the Registrar of Companies

LOGO

Exhibit 3.1 (xxvi)

MEMORANDUM of ASSOCIATION

of

CARTERS DRINKS GROUP LIMITED

(As altered by Special Resolutions passed on the 5th November 1969, 29th December 1970, 14th June 1974 and 19th February 1982)

 

 

 

1. The name of the Company is *Carters Drinks Group Limited.

 

 

 

2. The Registered Office of the Company will be situate in England

 

 

 

3. The objects for which the Company is established are:

 

(1) (i) To carry on the business of a holding and investment Company and to do all lawful acts and things whatever, that are necessary or convenient in carrying on the business of a holding company or the business of an investment company.

(ii) To carry on the business of a management and servicing company and to act as managers or to direct the management of other companies or of the business, property and estates of corporations, private persons or companies and to undertake and carry out all such services in connection therewith as may be deemed expedient and to exercise its powers as a controlling shareholder of other companies.

(iii) To acquire by purchase, lease, concession, grant, licence or otherwise such lands, buildings, leases, underleases, rights, privileges, stocks, shares and debentures in public or private companies, corporate or unincorporate, policies of insurance and other such property, real or personal and rights and interest in property as the Company shall deem fit.

(iv) To manufacture, buy, sell, improved preserve, fine, aerate, mineralise, bottle and otherwise deal in mineral and aerated waters and other liquids of every description

(v) To carry on business as manufacturers and dealers in plant, machinery, vessels, syphons, filters, bottles, apparatus, appliances and receptacles of all kinds for manufacturing, improving, treating, preserving, fining, aerating, mineralising, bottling, and discharging any such liquids

 

(2) To acquire and deal with the property following:

(a) The business property and liabilities of any company, firm or person carrying on any business within the objects of this Company;

(b) Lands, buildings, easements and other interests in real estate;

(c) Plant, machinery, personal estate and effects;

(d) Patents, patent rights or inventions, copyrights, designs, trade marks or secret processes;

(e) Shares or stock or securities in or of any company or undertaking the acquisition of which may promote or advance the interests of this Company.

LOGO

*By Special Resolution passed 28th April 1964, the name of the Company was changed from E. CARTER & CO. LIMITED to CARTER’S GOLD MEDAL SOFT DRINKS LIMITED, and by Special Resolution passed 19th February 1982 to CARTERS DRINKS GROUP LIMITED.

 

-1-


 

(3) (a) To pay all the costs, charges and expenses incurred in connection with the promotion, formation and incorporation of the Company;

(b) To sell, let, dispose of, or grant rights over all or any property of the Company;

(c) To erect buildings, plant and machinery for the purposes of the Company;

(d) To grant licences to use patents, patent rights of inventions, copyrights, designs, trade marks or secret processes of the Company;

(e) To manufacture plant, machinery, tools, boxes or other containers, goods or things for any of the purposes of the business of the Company;

(f) To draw, accept and negotiate bills of exchange, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments;

(g) To borrow money or receive money on deposit either without security or secured by debentures, debenture stock (perpetual or terminable) mortgage or other security, charges on the undertaking or on all or any of the assets of the Company including un-called capital;

(h) To lend money with or without security and to invest money of the Company in such manner other than in the shares of this Company as the Directors think fit;

(i) To enter into arrangements for joint working in business, or for sharing of profits, or for amalgamation, with any other company, firm or person carrying on business within the objects of this Company;

(j) To promote companies;

(k) To sell the undertaking and all or any of the property of the Company for cash or for stock, shares or security of any other company or for other consideration;

(l) To provide for the welfare of persons employed or formerly employed by the Company or any predecessors (in business or in title of the Company and the wives, widows and families of such persons by grants of money or other aid otherwise as the Company shall think fit;

(m) To subscribe to or otherwise aid benevolent, charitable, national or other institutions, or objects of a public character, or which have any moral or other claims to support or aid by the Company by reason of the nature or locality of its operations or otherwise;

(n) To distribute in specie assets of the Company properly distributable amongst the members;

(o) To give indemnities and guarantees to secure the obligations of any company which is at the date of giving the indemnity or guarantee a Subsidiary Company as defined in Section 154 of the Companies Act 1948;

(p) To give indemnities to secure and to guarantee the performance of the obligations of any company firm or person in any case in which such indemnities or guarantees may be considered likely directly or indirectly to further the objects of this Company or the interests of its members.

(q) To lend money to customers and others and to guarantee support or secure, whether by personal covenant or by mortgaging or charging all or any part of the undertaking property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company or by both such methods, the liabilities of and the performance of the obligations of and the repayment or payment of the principal amounts of and premiums, interest and dividends on any securities of any person, firm or company including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) any company which is for the time being the company’s holding company, as defined by Section 154 of the Companies Act 1948 or another subsidiary as defined by the said section of the Company’s holding company or otherwise associated with the Company in its business

 

-2-


Clauses 3(4) to 5

 

(4) To do all or any of the things hereinbefore authorised either alone or in conjunction with, or as factors, trustees, or agents for others, or by or through factors, trustees or agents.

 

(5) To procure the Company to be registered or recognised in any country or place outside the United Kingdom.

 

(6) To do all such other things as are incidental or which the Company may think conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

The objects set forth in any sub-clause of this clause shall not be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall be given thereto and they shall not, except when the context expressly so requires, be in any way limited to or restricted by reference to or inference from any other object or objects set forth in such sub-clause or by the name of the Company. None of such sub-clause or the object or objects therein specified or the powers thereby conferred shall be deemed subsidiary or ancillary to the objects or powers mentioned in any other sub-clause, but the Company shall have full power to exercise all or any of the powers and to achieve or to endeavour to achieve all or any of the objects conferred by and provided in any one or more of the said sub-clauses.

4. The liability of the Members is limited.

5. *The Share Capital of the Company is £100,000 divided into 1,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 10p each.

*By Special Resolution passed 28th July 1952 the Share Capital of the Company was increased from £4,000 to £7,000 by the creation of 3,000 Ordinary Shares of £1 each.

By Special Resolution passed 3rd February 1964 the Share Capital was increased to £100,000 by the creation of 68,000 new Ordinary Shares of £1 each and 25,000 unspecified Shares of £1 each.

By Special Resolution passed 19th February 1982 the Share Capital of the Company was sub-divided into 1,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 10p each.

 

-3-


Companies Act 1948 and 1985

HERO DRINKS GROUP (UK) LIMITED

Company No. 340485

At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company held on 20 th November 1997, the following resolutions were passed as resolutions of the Company:

ORDINARY RESOLUTION

 

1. That the proposed transfer of the business and assets of the Company to Cott UK Limited (“CUK”) contemporaneously with and as an integral part of the process of the Completion of the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of the Company by CUK, as set out in the draft intra group business sale agreement initialled by the Directors of the Company for identification purposes together with all the documents referred to therein (“the Reorganisation”) be and is hereby approved as being in the best commercial interest of the Company and that we consent and authorise the Directors of the Company to execute such documents and take such action as they may reasonably see fit in order to complete the Reorganisation.

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

 

2. That the Memorandum of Association of the Company be amended by the addition of the following new clause:

“3(2)(r) Subject to and in accordance with due compliance with the provisions of Sections 155 to 158) (inclusive) of the Companies Act 1985 (“the Act”) (if and so far as such provisions shall be applicable) to give, whether directly or indirectly, any kind of financial assistance (as defined in Section 152(1)(a) of the Act) for any such purpose as is specified in Section 151(1) and/or Section 151(2) of the Act.”

 

3. That the Company be hereby authorised pursuant to Section 155(4) of the Companies Act 1985 (“the Act”) to give financial assistance to CUK in accordance with the facts set out in the draft Form 155(b)a statutory declaration to be sworn by the Directors of the Company, a copy of which has been initialled by the Directors for identification purposes.

 

4. That the Company change its name to “Cott Private Label Limited”

 

 

LOGO

 
  CHAIRMAN  

LOGO

 

-4-


REF:
DATE:   27/08/92

No. 340485

THE COMPANIES ACTS

 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

- of -

CARTERS DRINKS GROUP LIMITED

(Adopted by Special Resolution passed

on 28 th  August 1992)

 

 

PRELIMINARY

1. In these Articles: -

“the Act” means the Companies Act 1985 including any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force.

“Table A” means Table A in the Schedule to the Companies (Tables A to P) Regulations 1985 (as amended by the Companies (Tables A to P) (Amendment) Regulations 1985);

2. The Company is a private company. The regulations contained in Table A save insofar as they are excluded or varied hereby, and the regulations hereinafter contained shall constitute the regulations of the Company; The regulations contained in Table A in the First Schedule to the Companies Act 1948 shall not apply to the Company.

SHARE CAPITAL

3.

 

  (a) The share capital of the Company at the date of the adoption of these Articles is £100,000 divided into 25,000 “A” Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each, 221,469 “B” Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each and 753,531 “C” Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each,
  (b) The “A” Ordinary Shares the “B” Ordinary Shares and the “C” Ordinary Shares shall be separate classes of shares but shall rank pari passu in all respects.

GENERAL MEETINGS

4. In Regulation 38 of Table A, the following shall be substituted for the second paragraph:-

LOGO

 

-5-


“The notice shall specify the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of special business, the general nature of the business to be transacted and, in the case of an annual general meeting, shall specify the meeting as such. All business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general meeting, and also all that is transacted at an annual general meeting, with the exception of declaring a dividend, the consideration of the accounts, balance sheets, and the reports of the directors and auditors, the election of directors in the place of those retiring and the appointment of, and the fixing of the remuneration of, the auditors.”

In Regulation 38 of Table A, the words “or a resolution appointing a person as a director” shall be deleted.

5. With respect to any such resolution in writing as is referred to in Regulation 53 of Table A:

 

  (i) in the case of joint holders of a share the signature of any one of such joint holders shall be sufficient for the purposes of Regulation 53.

 

  (ii) in the case of corporation which holds a share, the signature of any director or the secretary thereof shall be sufficient for the purposes of Regulation 53.

6. (1) A proxy shall be certified to vote on a show of hands and Regulation 54 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

(2) In Regulation 62 of Table A (time for deposit of proxy) the words “not less than 48 hours” and “not less than 24 hours” shall be deemed to be deleted.

DIRECTORS

7. The Company may have an official seal for use abroad under the provisions of the Act, where and as the Directors shall determine, and the Company may by writing under the Common Seal appoint any agents or agent, committees or committee abroad to be the duly authorized agents of the Company for the purpose of affixing and using any such official seal, and may impose such restrictions on the use thereof as may be thought fit. Wherever in these Articles reference is made to the Common Seal of the Company the reference shall, when and so far as may be applicable, be deemed to include any such official seal as aforesaid.

APPOINTMENT AND RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS

8. The holder or holders for the time being of more than one-half of the issued Ordinary Shares of the Company shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any person or / persons as a Director or Directors either as additional Directors or to fill any vacancy and to remove from office any Director however appointed. Any such appointment or removal shall be effected by an instrument in writing signed by the member or members making the same or in the case of a member being a company signed on its behalf by one of its directors and shall take effect upon lodgment at the registered office of the Company, or such date later than such lodgment as may be specified in the instrument. Regulation 81 of Table A shall be construct accordingly.

 

-6-


9. Unless and until otherwise determined by the Company by Ordinary Resolution, either generally or in any particular case, no Director shall vacate or be required to vacate his office as a Director on or by reason of his attaining or having attained the age of seventy, and any Director retiring or liable to retire under the provisions of these Articles and any person proposed to be appointed a Director shall be capable of being appointed or re-appointed as a Director notwithstanding that he has attained the age of seventy, and no special ratios need be given of any resolution for the appointment or re-appointment as a Director of a person who shall have attained the age of seventy, and it shall not be necessary to give to the members notice of the age of any Director or person proposed to be appointed or re-appointed as such.

ROTATION OF DIRECTORS

10. The Director shall nor be liable to retire by rotation, and accordingly Regulations 73 to 77 (inclusive) and 80 shall not apply to the Company, in Regulation 78 of Table A the words “and any also determine the rotation in which any additional directors are to retire,” shall be deleted and in Regulation 79 of Table A the second and third sentences thereof shall be deleted.

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

11. Any Director or member of a committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment whereby all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and any Director or member of a committee participating in a meeting in this manner shall be deemed to be present in person at such meeting.

 

-7-


LOGO

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

WRITTEN RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

COTT PRIVATE LABEL LIMITED

(COMPANY NUMBER 340485)

We, the undersigned, being all of the members of the Company entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting of the Company unanimously agree pursuant to s.381A of the Companies Act 1985 that the following resolutions be passed as written resolutions of the Company having effect as special resolutions and confirm that they shall be as valid and effective for all purposes as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

THAT:

 

1. the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby amended by the insertion of the following wording as Article 12:

“Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, whether expressly or impliedly contradictory to the provisions of this Special Article (to the effect that any provision contained in this Special Article shall override any other provision of these Articles)

 

  12.1 The Directors shall not decline to register any transfer of shares, nor may they suspend registration thereof, where such transfer:

 

  12.1.1 Is to any bank, institution or other person to which such shares have been charged by way of security, or to any nominee of such a bank, Institution or other person (or a person acting as agent or security trustee for such person) (a “Secured Institution”); or

 

  12.1.2 Is delivered to the Company for registration by a Secured Institution or its nominee in order to perfect its security over the shares; or

 

  12.1.3 Is executed by a Secured Institution or its nominee pursuant to a power of sale or other power existing under such security;

and the Directors shall forthwith register any such transfer of shares upon receipt and furthermore notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Articles no transferor of any shares in the Company or proposed transferor of such shares to a Secured institution or its nominee and no Secured institution or its nominee shall (in either such case) be required to offer the shares which are or are to be the subject of any transfer as aforesaid to the shareholders for the time being of the Company or any of them and no such shareholder shall have any right under the Articles or otherwise howsoever to require such shares to be transferred to them whether for any valuable consideration or otherwise.

 

2

the terms and conditions (as the same may be amended, varied, supplemented or substituted from time to time) of each of the Documents (as defined below) which the Company is proposing to enter into in connection with a multi-currency revolving credit

 

-8-


 

agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) to be entered into between, the Company’s Canadian ultimate parent company, Cott Corporation (the “Parent”), Cott Beverages Inc. (the “US Borrower”), Cott Beverages Limited (the UK Borrower”), Cott Embotelladores de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (the “Mexican Borrower” and the Parent, the US Borrower, the UK Borrower and the Mexican Borrower are together the “Borrowers”) and Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent and security trustee (the “Bank”) pursuant to which the Bank had offered to make available to the Borrowers a revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of US$100,000,000 with an option to Increase the aggregate principal amount of the Facility by up to US$150,000,000 upon the terms and subject to the conditions detailed therein and which shall be used (i) to refinance certain existing indebtedness, (ii) for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, capital expenditures, expenditures in the ordinary course of business and permitted acquisitions and investments and (iii) to pay fees and expenses related to the Facility, be and are hereby approved and (notwithstanding any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company or any personal interest of any of the directors) the directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered, authorised and directed to complete and enter into each such document, being:

 

2.1 a debenture to be entered into by the Company in favour of the bank (the “Debenture”);

 

2.2 a New York law governed guaranty agreement to be entered into by, among others, the Company in favour of the Bank (the “Guaranty Agreement”),

(together the “Documents” and each a “Document”);

 

3 (i) the execution and delivery by the Company of the Documents, (ii) the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Documents and (iii) the transactions contemplated by the Documents be and are hereby approved.

 

LOGO

Director

For and on behalf of

Cott Beverages Limited

Dated: 30 March 2005

 

-9-

Exhibit 3.1(xxvii)

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

Company No. 3464429

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

UPWARDCHANCE LIMITED

is this day incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the company is limited.

Given at Companies House, Cardiff, the 12th November 1997

 

LOGO    LOGO             
*N03464429J*   

For the Registrar of Companies

 

   LOGO    HC0078


LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 3464429

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

UPWARDCHANCE LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

MACAW (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

Given at Companies House, Cardiff, the 29th March 1999

 

LOGO    LOGO
*C03464429S*   

 

   LOGO    HC0068


LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 3464429

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

MACAW (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

COTT NELSON (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

Given at Companies House, Cardiff, the 30th May 2006

LOGO

LOGO

 

Exhibit 3.1(xxviii)

3464429

 

THE COMPANIES ACTS 1985 AND 1989

 

PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF

 

UPWARDCHANCE LIMITED

 

   LOGO
  
  
  

1. The Company’s name is UPWARDCHANCE LIMITED.

 

  

2. The Company’s registered office is to be situated in England and Wales.

 

  
3. The Company’s objects are:-   

 

(a) To carry on business as a general commercial company.

 

(b) To purchase or by any other means acquire any freehold, leasehold or other property for any estate or interest whatever and any rights or privileges of any kind over or in respect of any property and any real or personal property or rights whatsoever which may be necessary for, or may be conveniently used with, or may enhance the value of any other property of the Company.

 

(c) To purchase, or by other means acquire and protect, prolong and renew, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere any patents, patent rights, brevets d’invention, licences, copyrights, secret processes, trade marks, designs, protections and concessions which may appear likely to be advantageous or useful to the Company in pursuit of any trade or business carried on by the Company and to use and turn to account and to manufacture under or grant licences or privileges in respect of the same, and to expend money in experimenting upon, testing and improving any patents, inventions or rights which the Company may acquire or propose to acquire.

 

(d) To acquire or undertake the whole or any part of the business, goodwill, and assets of any person, firm, or company carrying on or proposing to carry on any of the businesses which the Company chooses to carry on and as part of the consideration for such acquisition to undertake all or any of the liabilities of such person, firm or company, or to acquire an interest in amalgamate with, or enter into partnership or into any arrangement for sharing profits, or for co-operation, or for limiting competition, or for mutual assistance with any such person, firm or company, and to give or accept, by way of consideration for any of the acts or things aforesaid or property acquired, any shares, debentures, debenture stock or securities that may be agreed upon, and to hold and retain, or sell, mortgage and deal with any shares, debentures, debenture stock or securities so received.

 

(e) To improve, manage, cultivate, construct, repair, develop, exchange, let on lease or otherwise, mortgage, charge, sell, dispose of, turn to account, grant rights and privileges in respect of, or otherwise deal with all or any part of the property and rights of the Company.


(f) To invest and deal with the moneys of the Company not immediately required upon such securities and in such manner as may from time to time be determined.

 

(g) To lead or advance money or give credit to any persons, firms or companies or others having dealings with the Company upon such terms and with or without security and subject to such conditions as may seem desirable and to give guarantees or become security for any such persons, firms, companies or others.

 

(h) To guarantee support or to secure whether by personal obligation or covenant or by mortgaging or charging all or any part of the undertaking property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company or by any one or more or all of such methods or by any other method the performance of any obligations or commitments of, and the repayment or payment of the principal amounts of, and premiums, interest, dividends, and. other moneys payable on or in respect of, any debentures, debenture stock, loan stock, shares or other securities, liabilities or obligations of any person firm or company, including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) any company which is for the time being a subsidiary or a holding company, as defined in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985, (as re-enacted by the Companies Act 1989 or any subsequent re-enactment or amendment thereof) or a subsidiary undertaking (as defined by Section 258 of the Companies Act 1985 or any re-enactment or amendment thereof) of the Company, or another subsidiary of such holding company or otherwise associated with the Company in business or through shareholdings.

 

(i) To borrow and raise money in any manner and to secure the repayment of money borrowed, raised or owing by mortgage, charge, standard security, lien or other security upon the whole or any part of the Company’s property or assets (whether present or future), including its uncalled capital, and also by a similar mortgage, charge, standard security, lien or security to secure and guarantee the performance by the Company of any obligation or liability it may undertake or which may become binding on it

 

(j) To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue cheques, bills of exchange, promissory notes, bills of lading, warrants, debentures, and other negotiable instruments that may be incidental or conducive to the Company’s commercial activity.

 

(k) To enter into any arrangements with any government or authority (supreme, municipal, local, or otherwise) or any corporations, companies or persons, that may seem conducive to the attainment of the Company’s object and to obtain from any such government or authority, corporation, company or person, any charters, contracts, decrees, rights, privileges or concessions which the Company may think desirable and to carry out, exercise and comply with any such charters, contracts, decrees, rights, privileges and concessions.

 

(l) To subscribe for, take, purchase, or otherwise acquire and hold shares, stock or other interests in or obligations of any other company or corporation.

 

(m) To promote any other company for the purpose of acquiring all or any of the property or undertaking or any of the liabilities of the Company, or of undertaking any business or operations which may appear likely to assist or benefit the Company or to enhance the value of any property or business of the Company, and to place or guarantee the placing of, underwrite, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire all or any part of the shares or securities of any such company as aforesaid.


(n) To sell, let, licence, develop or otherwise deal with the whole or any part of the undertaking of the Company, either together or in portions upon such terms, as the Company may think fit, with power to accept shares, debentures, or securities of any company purchasing the same.

 

(o) To undertake and perform sub-contracts and also to act in any of the businesses of the Company through or by means of agents, brokers, sub-contractors or others.

 

(p) Subject to and in accordance with a due compliance with the provisions of Sections 155 to 158 (inclusive) of the Act (if and so far as such provisions shall be applicable), to give, whether directly or indirectly, any kind of financial assistance (as defined in Section 152(1)(a) of the Act) for any such purpose as is specified in Section 151(1) and/or Section 151(2) of the Act.

 

(q) To remunerate any person, firm or company rendering services to the Company either by cash payment or by the allotment subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 1985 (or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof) to him or them of shares or other securities of the Company credited as paid up in full or in part or otherwise.

 

(r) To pay out of the funds of the Company all costs and expenses of or incidental to the promotion formation and incorporation of the Company, or to contract with any person, firm or company to pay the same, and to pay commissions to brokers and others for underwriting, placing, selling or guaranteeing the subscription of any shares or other securities of the Company.

 

(s) To purchase and maintain insurance policies to indemnify the officers and auditor of the Company against any costs, expenses and liabilities arising from negligence, default, breach of duty or trust incurred by them in discharge of their duties or in relation thereto pursuant to the provisions contained in section 310(3) of the Companies Act 1985.

 

(t) To support and subscribe to any charitable or public object and to support and subscribe to any institution, society, or club which may be for the benefit of the Company or its Directors or employees; to remunerate the Directors of the Company in any manner the Company may think fit and to pay or provide pensions for or make payments to or for the benefit of any persons who are or were at any time in the employment or service of the Company or of any company for the time being the Company’s holding company or subsidiary company as defined by Section 736 of the Companies Act 1985 or otherwise associated with the Company in business and the wives, widows, families and dependants of any such persons; to make payments towards life insurance; to set up, establish support and maintain superannuation and other funds or schemes (whether contributory or non-contributory) for the benefit of any of such persons as aforesaid and of their wives, widows, families and dependants, and to set up, establish, support and maintain profit sharing, share option or share purchase schemes for the benefit of any of the employees of the Company or of any such subsidiary or holding company and to lend money to any such employees or to trustees on their behalf to enable any such schemes to be established or maintained.

 

(u) To distribute any property of the Company in specie among the members.


(v) To do all such other things as may be deemed incidental or conducive to the attainment of the Company’s objects or any of them.

AND it is hereby declared that

i) None of the objects set forth in any sub-clause of this clause shall be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall be given to each such object, and the foregoing sub-clauses shall be construed independently of each other, except where the context expressly so requires and none of the objects therein mentioned shall be deemed to be merely subsidiary or ancillary to the objects contained in any other sub-clause; and

ii) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-clause (v), such matters as are hereinbefore set out in sub-clauses (b) to (u) are deemed to be incidental or conducive to the Company’s object; and

iii) The word “Company” in this clause shall, except where used in reference to this Company, be deemed to include any partnership or other body of persons whether corporate or unincorporate and whether domiciled in any part of the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

4. The liability of the members is limited.

5. The Company’s share capital is £1000 divided into 1000 shares of £1 each.

I, the subscriber to this Memorandum of Association, wish to be formed into a Company pursuant to this Memorandum; and I agree to take the number of shares shown opposite my name.

 

 

Name and address of the subscriber and number of shares taken by the subscriber

 

 

York Place Company Nominees Limited  

One

12 York Place   LOGO
Leeds LS1 2DS  

 

 

Dated 4 November 1997

Witness to the above signature

 

Julie Tinkler    LOGO
12 York Place   
Leeds LS1 2DS   


     
     
      No. 03464429
     
     
     

COMPANIES ACTS 1985 to 1989

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

of

COTT NELSON (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

(As adopted on 10/08/2005)

LOGO

PRELIMINARY

 

1. The regulations contained in Table A In The Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations 1985 (hereinafter referred to as Table A”) shall apply to the Company save in so far as they are hereby modified or excluded.

Regulations 24, 73 to 80 inclusive, of Table A shall not apply to the Company.

 

2. The Company is a private company and accordingly no offer shall be made to the public (whether for cash or otherwise) of any shares in or debentures of the Company and no allotment or agreement to allot (whether for cash or otherwise) shall be made of any shares in or debentures of the Company with a view to all or any of those shares or debentures being offered for sale to the public.

SHARES

 

3. The authorised share capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Articles is £500,000 divided into 500,000 ordinary shares of £1 each (“ Ordinary Shares ”, the holder of such shares being an “ Ordinary Shareholder ”) having the rights and privileges as set out in these Articles.

 

4. Regulation 2 of Table A shall not apply to the Company. The rights and restrictions attaching to the Ordinary Shares are set out in full in these Articles.

 

5. The Directors may unconditionally exercise the power of the Company to allot relevant securities (within the meaning of Section 80(2) of the Act). The general authority conferred by this Article shall:-

 

  5.1 extend to all relevant securities of the Company created but unissued at the date of these Articles;

 

  5.2 expire on the fifth anniversary of the incorporation of the Company unless varied or revoked or renewed by the Company in General) Meeting; and

 

  5.3 entitle the Directors to make at any time before the expiry of such authority any offer or agreement which will or may require relevant securities to be allotted after the expiry thereof.

RIGHTS OF THE ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS

 

6. Any profits paid which the Company determines to distribute in respect of any accounting period of the Company will be applied in such amount as the Company may determine in respect of the Ordinary Shares.

 

1


7. On a return of capital on a liquidation or otherwise (other than a redemption of shares or the purchase by the Company of its own shares), the surplus assets and retained profits of the Company available for distribution among its shareholders shall be applied in paying to the Ordinary Shareholders the nominal amount plus any premium paid (or credited as paid) on subscription of the Ordinary Shares.

 

8. Ordinary Shareholders shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak and vote at all general meetings of the Company, and on a show of hands of each Ordinary Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every Ordinary Share which he is the holder.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

9. If and so long as, the Company has only one member the quorum for a General Meeting shall be one. Regulation 40 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

TELEPHONIC MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

 

10. Unless otherwise restricted by these Articles Members may participate in any General Meeting of the Company by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

DIRECTORS

 

11. The number of Directors shall be not less than one. If and so long as there is a sole Director, he may exercise all the powers and authorities vested in the Directors by these Articles or Table A. Regulations 64 and 89 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

 

12. The Directors shall not be liable to retire by rotation.

 

13. A Director shall not be required to hold any share qualification.

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

14. The appointment of an alternate Director shall not be subject to approval by resolution of the Directors. Regulation 65 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

15. Unless otherwise restricted by these Articles all or any of the Directors or members of a committee of the Directors may participate in and vote at a meeting of the Directors or such committee by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and be heard by each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

16. Subject to the provisions of Section 317 of the Act, a Director may vote on any contract or arrangement in which he is interested and on any matter arising therefrom and if he shall so vote his vote shall be counted and he shall be reckoned in estimating a quorum when any such contract or arrangement is under consideration. Regulations 94 and 95 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

INDEMNITY

 

17.

In so far as is permitted by law, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which the person concerned may otherwise be entitled, every Director or other officer of the Company shall be entitled to be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all costs, losses and liabilities which he may sustain or incur in or about the execution of the duties of his office or otherwise in relation thereto, and no Director or other officer shall

 

2


  be liable for any loss, damage or misfortune which may happen or be incurred by the Company in the execution of the duties of his office or in relation thereto. The Directors shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of persons who are or were directors, officers, employees or auditors of the Company including insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or trust of which they may be guilty in relation to the Company. This Article shall be supplementary and additional to Regulation 118 of Table A.

NOTICES

 

18. Any notices to be given to or by any person pursuant to the Articles may be in writing, by fax transmission or by any other method.

 

19. Notice of Meetings shall be given to a Director or alternate Director notwithstanding that he may be absent from the United Kingdom. Regulations 88 and 66 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

 

20. Notices in writing shall be sent to Members at the addresses they have notified to the Company for these purposes notwithstanding that such addresses may be outside the United Kingdom. Regulation 112 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

OVER-RIDING PROVISIONS

 

21. Whenever a Company wheresoever incorporated (hereinafter called the “Parent Company”) shall be the holder of not less than 90 per cent of the issued Ordinary Shares the following provisions shall apply and to the extent of any inconsistency shall have over-riding effect as against all other provisions of these Articles:-

 

  21.1   the Parent Company may at any time and from time to time appoint any person to be a Director or remove from office any Director howsoever appointed, but so that in the case of a Managing Director his removal from office shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages in respect of the consequent termination of his executive office;

 

  21.2   no unissued securities shall be issued or agreed to be issued or put under option without the consent of the Parent Company;

 

  21.3   any or all powers of the Directors shall be restricted in such respects and to such extent as the Parent Company may by notice to the Company from time to time prescribe.

Any such appointment, removal, consent or notice shall be in writing served on the Company and signed on behalf of the Parent Company by any one of its Directors or by its Secretary or some other person duly authorised for the purpose. No person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire as to whether the powers of the Directors have been in any way restricted hereunder or as to whether any requisite consent of the Parent Company has been obtained and no obligation incurred or security given or transaction effected by the Company to or with any third party shall be invalid or ineffectual unless the third party had at the time express notice that the incurring of such obligation or the giving of such security or the effecting of such transaction was in excess of the powers of the Directors.

 

3

Exhibit 3.1 (xxix)

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

Company No. 2234044

The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales hereby certifies that

MACAW (SOFT DRINKS) LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated

under the name of

 

COTT (NELSON) LIMITED

Given at Companies House, Cardiff, the 25th May 2006

LOGO

LOGO

 


FILE COPY

 

  LOGO     
      
      
      
      
      
      
      

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

ON CHANGE OF NAME

No. 2234044

I hereby certify that

SANDING LIMITED

having by special resolution changed its name, is now incorporated under the name of

MACAW (SOFT DRINKS) LIMITED

Given under my hand at the Companies Registration Office,

Cardiff the 26 FEBRUARY 1990

 

/s/ M. Moss

MRS. M. MOSS

an authorised officer


FILE COPY

LOGO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

No. 2234044

I hereby certify that

SANDING LIMITED

is this day incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the Company is limited.

Given under my hand at the Companies Registration Office, Cardiff the 22 MARCH 1988

 

/S/ G.J. STAGG (Mrs)

MRS. G.J. STAGG

an authorised officer

Exhibit 3.1 (xxx)

THE COMPANIES ACT 1985

A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

SANDING LIMITED

1. The Company’s name is ‘SANDING LIMITED”.

2. The Company’s Registered Office is to be situated in England and Wales.

3. The Company’s objects are:-

 

(A)   To carry on all or any of the businesses of general engineers, designers, manufacturers, assemblers, maintainers, importers, exporters, repairers, installers, hirers, letters on hire, distributors and agents for the sale of, and dealers in engineering equipment, plant, machinery, appliances, components, accessories, tools, jigs, dies and fixtures of all kinds, electrical, electronics, motor, aeronautical, hydraulic, marine, computer and civil engineers, engineering consultants, production planners, prototype designers, draughtsmen, and technicians, designers, distributors, factors, manufacturers and merchants of, and dealers in mouldings, shapings, weldings, pressings, assemblies, repetition work and machined castings, metal founders, converters and moulders, millwrights, metallurgists, boilermakers, smiths and fitters, wiredrawers, tube makers, tin-plate workers , sheet metal manufacturers, workers and dealers, tinners, galvanisers, platers, painters, sprayers, plastic workers and moulders, garage and petrol filling station proprietors, haulage and transport contractors, rallway, forwarding, passenger and freight agents, insurance and general commission agents and general merchants; to buy, sell, manufacture, repair, alter, manipulate, and otherwise deal in vehicles, fittings, furnishings, materials, products, articles and things capable of being used for the purpose of the foregoing business or any of them, or likely to be required by customers of, or persons having dealings with the Company.

   LOGO

LOGO


(B) To carry on any other trade or business which may seem to the Company capable of being conveniently carried on in connection with the objects specified in Sub-Clause (A) hereof or calculated directly or indirectly to enhance the value of or render profitable any of the property or rights of the Company.

(C) To purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire and hold for any estate or interest any lands, buildings, easement, rights, privileges, concessions, patents, patents rights, licenses, secret processes, machinery, plant, stock-in-trade, and any real or personal property of any kind necessary on convenient for the purposes of or in connection with the Company’s business or any branch or department thereof.

(D) To erect, construct, lay down, enlarge, alter and maintain any roads, railways, tramways, sidings, bridges, reservoirs, shops, stores, factories, buildings, works, plant and machinery necessary or convenient for the Company’s business, and to contribute to or subsidize the erection construction and maintenance of any of the above.

(E) To borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as the Company shall think fit for the purposes of or in connection with the Company’s business, and for the purposes of or in connection with the borrowing or raising of money by the Company to become a member of any building society.

(F) For the purposes of or in connection with the business of the Company to mortgage and charge the undertaking and all or any of the real and personal property and assets, present and future, and all or any of the uncalled capital for the time being of the Company, and to issue at par or at a premium or discount, and for such consideration and with and subject to such rights, powers, privileges and conditions as may be thought fit, debentures or debenture stock, either permanent or redeemable or repayable, and collaterally or further to secure any securities of the Company by a trust deed or other assurances. To issue and deposit any securities which the Company has power to issue by way of mortgage to secure any sum less than the nominal amount of such securities, and also by way of security for the performance of any contracts or obligations of the Company or of its customers or other persons or corporations having dealings with the Company, or in whose businesses or undertakings the Company is interested, whether directly or indirectly.

(G) To receive money on deposit or loan upon such terms as the Company may approve.

(H) To lend money to any company, firm or person and to give all kinds of Indemnities and either with or without the Company receiving any consideration or advantage, direct or indirect, for giving any such guarantee, and whether or not such guarantee is given in connection with or pursuant to the attainment of the objects herein stated to guarantee either by personal covenant or by mortgaging or charging all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets present and future and uncalled capital of the Company or by both such methods, the performance of the obligations and the payment of the capital or principal (together with any premium) of and dividends or interest on any debenture, stocks, shares or other securities of any company, firm or person and in particular (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) any company which is for the time being the Company’s Holding or Subsidiary company or otherwise associated with the Company in business.


(I) To establish and maintain or procure the establishment and maintenance of any non-contributory or contributory pension or superannuation funds for the benefit of, and give or procure the giving of donations, gratuities, pensions, allowances, or emoluments to any persons who are or ware at any time in the employment or service of the Company, or of any company which is for the time being the Company’s Holding or Subsidiary company or otherwise associated with the Company in business or who are or were at any time Directors or officers of the Company or of any such other company as aforesaid, and the wives, widows, families and dependants of any such persons, and also to establish and subsidise or subscribe to any institutions, associations, clubs or funds calculated to be for the benefit of or to advance the interests and well-being of the Company or of any such other company as aforesaid, or of any such persons as aforesaid, and to make payments for or towards the insurance of any such persons as aforesaid, and to subscribe or guarantee money for charitable or benevolent objects or for any exhibition or for any public, general or useful object, general or useful object; and to establish, set up, support and maintain share purchase schemes or profit sharing schemes for the benefit of any employees of the Company, or of any “company which is for the time being the Company’s Holding or Subsidiary company and to do any of the matters aforesaid, either alone or in conjunction with any such other company aforesaid.

(J) To draw, make, accept, endorse, negotiate, discount and execute promissory notes, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments.

(K) To invest and deal with the moneys of the Company not immediately required for the purposes of its business in or upon such investments or securities and in such manner as may from time to time be determined.

(L) To pay for any property or rights acquired by the Company, either in cash or fully or partly paid-up shares with or without preferred or deferred or special rights or restrictions in respect of dividend, repayment of capital, voting or otherwise, or by any securities which the Company has power to issue, or partly in one mode and partly in another, and generally on such terms as the Company may determine.

(M) To accept payment for any property or rights sold or otherwise disposed of or dealt with by the Company, either in cash, by instalments or otherwise, or in fully or partly paid-up shares of any company or corporation, with or without deferred or preferred or special rights or restrictions in respect of dividend, repayment of capital, voting or otherwise, or in debentures or mortgage debentures or debenture stock, mortgages or other securities of any company or corporation, or partly in one mode and partly in another, and generally on such terms as the Company may determine, and to hold, dispose of or otherwise deal with any shares, stock or securities so acquired.

(N) To enter into any partnership or joint-purse arrangement or arrangement for sharing profits, union of interests or co-operation with any company, firm or person carrying on or proposing to carry on any business within the objects of this Company, and to acquire and hold, sell, deal with or dispose of shares, stock or securities of any such company, and to guarantee the contracts or liabilities of, or the payment of the dividends, interest or capital of any shares, stock or securities of and to subsidise or otherwise assist any such company.


(O) To establish or promote or concur in establishing or promoting any other company whose objects shall include the acquisition and taking over of all or any of the assets and liabilities of this Company or the promotion of which shall be in any manner calculated to advance directly or indirectly the objects or interests of this Company, and to acquire and hold of dispose of shares, stock or securities and guarantee the payment of dividends, interest or capital of any shares, stock or securities issued by or any other obligations of any such company.

(P) To purchase or otherwise acquire and undertake all or any part of the business, property, assets, liabilities and transactions of any person, firm or company carrying on any business which this Company is authorised to carry on or possessed of property suitable for the purposes of the Company, or which can be carried on in conjunction therewith or which is capable of being conducted so as directly or indirectly to benefit the Company.

(Q) To sell, improve, manage, develop, turn to account, exchange, let on rent, grant royalty, share of profits or otherwise, grant licences, easements and other rights in or over, and in any other manner deal with or dispose of the undertaking and all or any of the property and assets for the time being of the Company for such consideration as the Company may think fit.

(R) To amalgamate with any other company whose objects are or include objects similar to those of this Company, whether by sale or purchase (for fully or partly paid-up shares or otherwise) of the undertaking, subject to the liabilities of this or any such other company as aforesaid, with or without winding-up, or by sale or purchase (for fully or partly paid-up shares or otherwise), of all or a controlling interest in the shares or stock of this or any such other company, as aforesaid, or by partnership, or any arrangement of the nature of partnership, or in any other manner.

(S) To subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire, and hold shares, stock, debentures or other securities of any other company.

(T) To distribute among the members in specie any property of the Company, or any proceeds of sale or disposal of any property of the Company, but so that no distribution amounting to a reduction of capital be made except with the sanction (if any) for the time being required by law.

(U) To give such financial assistance directly or indirectly for the purpose of the acquisition of shares in the Company or the Company’s Holding company or for the purpose of reducing or discharging any liability incurred by any person for the purpose of the acquisition of shares in the Company or the Company’s Holding company as may be lawful.

(V) To do all or any of the above things in any part of the world, and either as principals, agents, trustees, contractors or otherwise, and either alone or in conjunction with others, and either by or through agents, trustees, sub-contractors or otherwise.

(W) To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the above objects or any of them.


And it is hereby declared that, save as otherwise expressly provided, each of the paragraphs of this Clause shall be regarded as specifying separate and independent objects and accordingly shall not be in anywise limited by reference to or inference from any other paragraph or the name of the Company and the provisions of each such paragraph shall, save as aforesaid, be carried out in as full and ample a manner and construed in as wide a sense as if each of the paragraphs defined the objects of a separate and distinct company.

4. The liability of the Members is limited.

5. The Company’s share capital is £100 dividend into 100 shares of £1 each.


We, the Subscribers to this Memorandum of Association, wish to be formed into a Company pursuant to this Memorandum; and we agree to take the number of Shares shown opposite our respective names.

 

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SUBSCRIBERS        

Number of Shares

taken by each

Subscriber

 

/s/ Roy C. Keen

     
ROY C. KEEN,       One
Temple Chambers,      
Temple Avenue,      
London EC4Y OHP      

 

/s/ Nigel L. Blood

     
NIGEL L. BLOOD,       One
Temple Chambers,      
Temple Avenue,      
London EC4Y OHP      

 

Total Shares taken:

      Two

 

Dated the 1st day of February, 1988.      

 

Witness to the above Signatures:

     

 

/s/ J. Jeremy A. Cowdry

     
J. JEREMY A. COWDRY,      
Temple Chambers,      
Temple Avenue,      
London EC4Y OHP      


LOGO

WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS

OF

MACAW (SOFT DRINKS) LIMITED

(Company No:2234044)

Passed 10 June 1998

We, the undersigned, being all the members for the time being of the above named Company entitled to attend and vote at general meetings thereof HEREBY PASS the following resolutions as ordinary and special resolutions of the Company as specified below pursuant to section 381A Companies Act 1985 and confirm that such resolutions shall be as valid and effectual as if they had been passed at an extraordinary general meeting of the Company duly convened and held:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

 

1. THAT the proposed contract between (1) The Royal Bank of Canada Trust Company (Jersey) Limited (“RBC”), (2) the Company and (3) Mr Martin for the purchase by the Company of RBC’s 5,000 ordinary shares in the Company for an aggregate consideration of £1,400,000 (“the RBC Share Purchase Agreement”), be approved pursuant to section 164(2) of the Companies Act 1985 and for the purposes of Section 320 of the Companies Act 1985 and that any director be authorised to execute the RBC Share Purchase Agreement on behalf of the Company and that the directors be authorised to implement and complete the contract in accordance with its terms.

 

2. THAT the provisions of the pre-emption article 18 of the Articles of Association of the Company shall not apply to the proposed purchases by the Company of the shares to which the RBC Share Purchase Agreement relate.

 

3. THAT the memorandum of Association of the Company be amended by the insertion of the following additional clause x:-

“(x) Insofar as the same is permitted by law to give financial assistance directly or indirectly for the purpose of the acquisition of shares in the Company or in any company which is for the time being the Company’s holding company or for the purpose of reducing or discharging any liability incurred by any person for the purpose of the acquisition of shares in the Company or of shares in any company which may from time to time be the Company’s holding company (as that expression is defined in the Companies Act 1985)”

 

4. THAT the statutory declaration (with auditors’ report attached) has been produced to and inspected by us together with an inspection of a first legal charge (the “Legal Charge”) a debenture (the “Debenture”) and an assignment of Keyman insurance, (the “Keyman Assignment”) (together the “Security Documents”) a facility letter (the “Facility Letter”) and a working capital facility letter (the “Working Capital Facility Letter”) (together the “Facilities Documents”) which the Company is proposing to enter into and grant in connection with (inter alia) the acquisition provided for in the RBC Share Purchase Agreement (the “Acquisition”) and details of financial assistance which the Company is proposing to give for the purpose of the Acquisition by (inter alia) entering into the Security Documents and the Facilities Documents (the RBC Share Purchase Agreement, the Security Documents and the “Facilities Documents” together the “Documents”).

 

5. THAT the provisions (as the same may be amended, varied, supplemented or substituted) of the Documents be and are hereby approved and (notwithstanding any provisions of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company or any personal interest of any of the directors) the directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered, authorised and directed to complete and enter into such Documents.


6. THAT notwithstanding that the entering into and granting of certain of the Banking Documents and granting the security and performing its obligations thereunder would constitute financial assistance within the meaning of sections 151-158 (inclusive) of the Companies Act 1985, such entry and grant and the giving of such financial assistance is in the best interests of the Company.

 

7. THAT the giving of such financial assistance be and is hereby approved and that the Company entering into and/or granting the Documents to which it is a party and granting the security and guarantees and performing its obligations thereunder be and is hereby approved.

 

LOGO    LOGO    
ANDREW JAMES CAWTHRAY   

SUSAN PATRICIA CAWTHRAY

IN HER CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE

OF THE ANDREW CAWTHRAY NO.1

ACCUMULATION AND MAINTENANCE SETTLEMENT

 
LOGO     
JOHN ROBERT BOARD   

for and on behalf of

HEADHAND LIMITED

 
LOGO   

LOGO

 

ANDREW JAMES CAWTHRAY

IN THIS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE

OF THE ANDREW CAWTHRAY NO.1

ACCUMULATION AND MAINTENANCE SETTLEMENT

  

for and on behalf of

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA TRUST

COMPANY (JERSEY) LIMITED

 
  

LOGO

 

 

We confirm receipt of a written resolution of which this is a copy                     

Dated 10 June 1998                     


No. 02234044

 

      
  COMPANIES ACTS 1985 to 1989     
 

 

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

    
      
      
  ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION     
      
  of     
  COTT (NELSON) LIMITED   LOGO   
  (As adopted on 10/08/2005)     

PRELIMINARY

 

1. The regulations contained in Table A in The Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations 1985 (hereinafter referred to as “Table A”) shall apply to the Company save in so far as they are hereby modified or excluded.

Regulations 24, 73 to 80 inclusive, of Table A shall not apply to the Company.

 

2. The Company is a private company and accordingly no offer shall be made to the public (whether for cash or otherwise) of any shares in or debentures of the Company and no allotment or agreement to allot (whether for cash or otherwise) shall be made of any shares in or debentures of the Company with a view to all or any of those shares or debentures being offered for sale to the public.

SHARES

 

3. The authorised share capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Articles is £700,000 divided into 700,000 ordinary shares of £l each (“ Ordinary Shares ”, the holder of such shares being an “ Ordinary Shareholder ”), having the rights and privileges as set out in these Articles.

 

4. Regulation 2 of Table A shall not apply to the Company. The rights and restrictions attaching to the Ordinary Shares are set out in full in these Articles.

 

5. The Directors may unconditionally exercise the power of the Company to allot relevant securities (within the meaning of Section 80(2) of the Act). The general authority conferred by this Article shall:-

 

  5.1 extend to all relevant securities of the Company created but unissued at the date of these Articles;

 

  5.2 expire on the fifth anniversary of the incorporation of the Company unless varied or revoked or renewed by the Company in General Meeting; and

 

  5.3 entitle the Directors to make at any time before the expiry of such authority any offer or agreement which will or may require relevant securities to be allotted after the expiry thereof.

RIGHTS OF THE ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS

 

6. Any profits paid which the Company determines to distribute in respect of any accounting period of the Company will be applied in such amount as the Company may determine in respect of the Ordinary Shares.

 

1


7. On a return of capital on a liquidation or otherwise (other than a redemption of shares or the purchase by the Company of its own shares), the surplus assets and retained profits of the Company available for distribution among its shareholders shall be applied in paying to the Ordinary Shareholders the nominal amount plus any premium paid (or credited as paid) on subscription of the Ordinary Shares,

 

8. Ordinary Shareholders shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak and vote at all general meetings of the Company, and on a show of hands of each Ordinary Shareholder present in person or by proxy shaft have one vote for every Ordinary Share which he is the holder.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

9. If and so long as, the Company has only one member the quorum for a General Meeting shall be one. Regulation 40 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

TELEPHONIC MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

 

10. Unless otherwise restricted by these Articles Members may participate in any General Meeting of the Company by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

DIRECTORS

 

11. The number of Directors shall be not less than one. If and so long as there is a sole Director, he may exercise all the powers and authorities vested in the Directors by these Articles or Table A. Regulations 64 and 89 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

 

12. The Directors shall not be liable to retire by rotation.

 

13. A Director shall not be required to hold any share qualification.

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

14. The appointment of an alternate Director shall not be subject to approval by resolution of the Directors. Regulation 65 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

15. Unless otherwise restricted by these Articles all or any of the Directors or members of a committee of the Directors may participate in and vote at a meeting of the Directors or such committee by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and be heard by each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

16. Subject to the provisions of Section 317 of the Act, a Director may vote on any contract or arrangement in which he is interested and on any matter arising therefrom and if he shall so vote his vote shall be counted and he shall be reckoned in estimating a quorum when any such contract or arrangement is under consideration. Regulations 94 and 95 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

INDEMNITY

 

17.

In so far as is permitted by law, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which the person concerned may otherwise be entitled, every Director or other officer of the Company shall be entitled to be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all costs, losses and liabilities which he may sustain or incur in or about the execution of the duties of his office or otherwise in relation thereto, and no Director or other officer shall

 

2


 

be liable for any loss, damage or misfortune which may happen or be incurred by the Company in the execution of the duties of his office or in relation thereto. The Directors shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of persons who are or were directors, officers, employees or auditors of the Company including insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or trust of which they may be guilty in relation to the Company. This Article shall be supplementary and additional to Regulation 118 of Table A.

NOTICES

 

18. Any notices to be given to or by any person pursuant to the Articles may be in writing, by fax transmission or by any other method.

 

19. Notice of Meetings shall be given to a Director or alternate Director notwithstanding that he may be absent from the United Kingdom. Regulations 88 and 66 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

 

20. Notices in writing shall be sent to Members at the addresses they have notified to the Company for these purposes notwithstanding that such addresses may be outside the United Kingdom. Regulation 112 of Table A shall be modified accordingly.

OVER-RIDING PROVISIONS

 

21. Whenever a Company wheresoever incorporated (hereinafter called the “ Parent Company ”) shall be the holder of not less than 90 per cent of the issued Ordinary Shares the following provisions shall apply and to the extent of any inconsistency shall have over-riding effect as against all other provisions of these Articles:

 

  21.1 the Parent Company may at any time and from time to time appoint any person to be a Director or remove from office any Director howsoever appointed, but so that in the case of a Managing Director his removal from office shall be deemed an act of the Company and shall have effect without prejudice to any claim for damages in respect of the consequent termination of his executive office;

 

  21.2 no unissued securities shall be issued or agreed to be issued or put under option without the consent of the Parent Company;

 

  21.3 any or all powers of the Directors shall be restricted in such respects and to such extent as the Parent Company may by notice to the Company from time to time prescribe.

Any such appointment, removal, consent or notice shall be in writing served on the Company and signed on behalf of the Parent Company by any one of its Directors or by its Secretary or some other person duly authorised for the purpose. No person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire as to whether the powers of the Directors have been in any way restricted hereunder or as to whether any requisite consent of the Parent Company has been obtained and no obligation incurred or security given or transaction effected by the Company to or with any third party shall be invalid or ineffectual unless the third party had at the time express notice that the incurring of such obligation or the giving of such security or the effecting of such transaction was in excess of the powers of the Directors.

 

3

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

 

      (212) 446-4800  

Facsimile:

(212) 446-4900

www.kirkland.com

June 10, 2010

Cott Beverages Inc.

5519 West Idlewild Avenue

Tampa, Florida 33634

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as special counsel for Cott Beverages Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “ Issuer ”), Cott Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the “ Parent Guarantor ”), Cott Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Cott Holdings ”), Cott USA Corp., a Georgia corporation (“ Cott USA ”), Interim BCB, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Interim BCB ”), Cott Vending Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Cott Vending ”), Cott USA Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Cott USA Finance ”), CB Nevada Capital Inc., a Nevada corporation (“ CB Nevada ”), Cott Beverages Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ Cott Beverages Limited ”), Cott Retail Brands Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ Cott Retail Limited ”), Cott Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ Cott Limited ”), Cott Europe Trading Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ Cott Europe ”), Cott Private Label Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ Cott Private Label ”), Cott Nelson (Holdings) Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ Cott Nelson (Holdings) ”), Cott Nelson Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ Cott Nelson Limited ”), 156775 Canada Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Canada (“ 156775 Canada ”), 967979 Ontario Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario (“ 967979 Ontario ”), 804340 Ontario Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario (“ 804340 Ontario ”) and 2011438 Ontario Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario (“ 2011438 Ontario ” and, collectively with the Parent Guarantor, Cott Holdings, Cott USA, Interim BCB, Cott Vending, Cott USA Finance, CB Nevada, Cott Beverages Limited, Cott Retail Limited, Cott Limited, Cott Europe, Cott Private Label, Cott Nelson (Holdings), Cott Nelson Limited, 156775 Canada, 967979 Ontario and


804340 Ontario, the “ Guarantors ” and each a “ Guarantor ” and, together with the Issuer, the “ Registrants ”). This opinion letter is being delivered in connection with the proposed registration by the Issuer of $215,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “ Exchange Notes ”), to be guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ”) by the Guarantors, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). Such Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the “ Registration Statement ”. The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of November 13, 2009 (the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). The Exchange Notes are to be issued in exchange for and in replacement of the Issuer’s 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 issued on March 10, 2010 (the “ Old Notes ”), of which $215,000,000 in aggregate principal amount is outstanding and is subject to the exchange offer pursuant to the Registration Statement.

Cott Holdings, Cott Vending, Cott USA Finance and Interim BCB, LLC are collectively referred to herein as the “ Delaware Guarantors ”. The Parent Guarantor, Cott USA, CB Nevada, Cott Beverages Limited, Cott Retail Limited, Cott Limited, Cott Europe, Cott Private Label, Cott Nelson (Holdings), Cott Nelson Limited, 156775 Canada, 967979 Ontario, 804340 Ontario and 2011438 Ontario are collectively referred to herein as the “ Non-Delaware Guarantors ”.

In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including (i) the certificates of incorporation, bylaws and other organizational documents of the Delaware Guarantors, (ii) resolutions of the Delaware Guarantors with respect to the issuance of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, (iii) the Indenture, (iv) the Registration Statement, (v) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2009, by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as initial purchasers of the Old Notes and (v) forms of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees.

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Delaware Guarantors, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Delaware Guarantors. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Issuer and the Guarantors.

Our opinion expressed below is subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principals of equity


(regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) public policy considerations that may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Registration Statement becomes effective and (ii) the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and duly delivered to holders of the Old Notes in exchange for the Old Notes and the guarantees related thereto (assuming the due authorization and execution of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees by the Company and the Non-Delaware Guarantors, as applicable, and the due delivery of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees by the Company and the Non-Delaware Guarantors to holders of the Old Notes in exchange for the Old Notes and the guarantees related thereto), the Exchange Notes will be validly issued and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantees will be validly issued and binding obligations of the Guarantors.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of the rules and regulations of the Commission.

Our advice on every legal issue addressed in this letter is based exclusively on the internal law of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware and represents our opinion as to how that issue would be resolved were it to be considered by the highest court in the jurisdiction which enacted such law. The manner in which any particular issue relating to the opinions would be treated in any actual court case would depend in part on facts and circumstances particular to the case and would also depend on how the court involved chose to exercise the wide discretionary authority generally available to it. We are not qualified to practice law in the State of Delaware and our opinions herein regarding Delaware law are limited solely to our review of provisions of the General Corporation Law and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware which we consider normally applicable to transactions of this type, without our having made any special investigation as to the applicability of another statute, law, rule or regulation. None of the opinions or other advice contained in this letter considers or covers any foreign or state securities (or “blue sky”) laws or regulations.

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion.

We have also assumed that the execution and delivery of the Indenture and the Exchange Notes and the performance by the Issuer and the Guarantors of their obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which any Registrant is bound.


This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purposes.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

LOGO  

Barristers & Solicitors

 

Bay Adelaide Centre

333 Bay Street, Suite 3400

Toronto, Ontario M5H 2S7

 

Telephone: 416.979.2211

Facsimile:   416.979.1234

goodmans.ca

   

June 10, 2010

Cott Corporation

6525 Viscount Road

Mississauga, Ontario

L4V 1H6

Dear Ladies/Gentlemen:

 

Re: Cott Corporation

We are acting as Canadian counsel to Cott Corporation (the “ Company ”) and Cott Beverages Inc. (“ CBI ”) in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in respect of up to U.S.$215,000,000 aggregate principal amount of CBI’s 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “ New Notes ”) to be offered in exchange for any and all of CBI’s outstanding 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 originally issued on November 13, 2009 (the “ Old Notes ”). The New Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by 156775 Canada Inc., 967979 Ontario Limited, 804340 Ontario Limited and 2011438 Ontario Limited (the “ Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors ”), the Company, certain of the Company’s current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, and the Company’s subsidiary that holds its assets in the United Kingdom (collectively, the “ Guarantors ”). The New Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of November 13, 2009, among the Company, the Guarantors and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as trustee (the “ Indenture ”). The Indenture includes the guarantees of the New Notes by the Guarantors (the “ Guarantees ”).

We have examined such records and proceedings of the Company, CBI and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors, the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of certificates of public officials and officers or directors of the Company, CBI and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors and such other documents, and have considered such questions of law and made such other investigations, as we have deemed relevant or necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed.

In rendering the opinion expressed herein we have assumed:

 

  (a) the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, notarized or true copies or facsimiles, and the authenticity of the originals of such documents;


LOGO   Page 2
   
  (b) the identity and capacity of all individuals acting or purporting to act as public officials; and

 

  (c) that any party to any agreement or instrument referred to herein who is a natural person has the legal capacity to enter into, execute and deliver such agreement or instrument and has not entered into, executed or delivered the same under duress or as a result of undue influence.

Our opinion is given to you as of the date hereof only and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after the date hereof in or affecting any matter set forth herein.

The opinion hereinafter expressed relates only to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein and is based upon legislation in effect on the date hereof.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of, and executed and delivered by, each of the Company, CBI and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

2. The New Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporation action of CBI.

 

3. The Guarantees by the Company and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and each of the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors, as applicable.

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name where it appears in the Registration Statement.

Yours very truly,

/s/ Goodmans LLP

“Goodmans LLP”

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated March 16, 2010, relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Cott Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Tampa, Florida

June 10, 2010

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated March 10, 2008, except for Note 8 for which the date is March 11, 2009 and as it relates to the accounting for non controlling interests as discussed in Note 1, as to which the date is May 29, 2009 relating to the financial statements and the financial statement schedule which appears in Cott Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Ontario

June 10, 2010

 

 

Exhibit 25.1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST

INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION

DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE

ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO

SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

N/A   20-1177241

(Jurisdiction of incorporation

or organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1800 Tyson’s Boulevard, Ste 50

McLean, VA

  22102
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Kevin T. O’Brien, SVP

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

452 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10018-2706

Tel: (212) 525-1311

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

COTT BEVERAGES INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Georgia   [Not Applicable]   58-1947565

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

   

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5519 West Idlewild Avenue, suite 100

Tampa, Florida

 
[Not Applicable]   33634
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(Title of Indenture Securities)

COTT BEVERAGES INC.

8.375% Senior Notes due 11/15/17

 

 

 


General

 

Item 1. General Information.

Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

(a) Name and address of each examining or supervisory authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency, New York, NY.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C.

(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

 

Items 3-15. Not Applicable


Item 16. List of Exhibits

 

Exhibit

       
T1A(i)   (1)   Copy of the Articles of Association of HSBC Bank USA, National Association.
T1A(ii)   (1)   Certificate of the Comptroller of the Currency dated July 1, 2004 as to the authority of HSBC Bank USA, National Association to commence business.
T1A(iii)   (2)   Certificate of Fiduciary Powers dated August 18, 2004 for HSBC Bank USA, National Association
T1A(iv)   (1)   Copy of the existing By-Laws of HSBC Bank USA, National Association.
T1A(v)     Not applicable.
T1A(vi)   (2)   Consent of HSBC Bank USA, National Association required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
T1A(vii)     Copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee (March 31, 2010), published pursuant to law or the requirement of its supervisory or examining authority.
T1A(viii)     Not applicable.
T1A(ix)     Not applicable.

 

(1) Exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with Registration No. 333-118523 and incorporated herein by reference thereto.
(2) Exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with Registration No. 333-125197 and incorporated herein by reference thereto.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 26 th day of May, 2010.

 

HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Herawattee Alli

  Herawattee Alli
  Vice President


Exhibit T1A (vii)

 

   Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
   OMB Number: 7100-0036
   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
   OMB Number: 3064-0052
   Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
   OMB Number: 1557-0081
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council    Expires March 31, 2009
  

Please refer to page i,

Table of Contents, for

 
     1
   the required disclosure    
    

of estimated burden.

 

   

Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for

A Bank With Domestic and Foreign Offices—FFIEC 031

 

Report at the close of business March 31, 2010

  (20040630)
  (RCRI 9999)

 

This report is required by law; 12 U.S.C. §324 (State member banks); 12 U.S.C. § 1817 (State nonmember banks); and 12 U.S.C. §161 (National banks).    This report form is to be filed by banks with branches and consolidated subsidiaries in U.S. territories and possessions, Edge or Agreement subsidiaries, foreign branches, consolidated foreign subsidiaries, or International Banking Facilities.

 

NOTE: The Reports of Condition and Income must be signed by an authorized officer and the Report of Condition must be attested to by not less than two directors (trustees) for State nonmember banks and three directors for State member and National Banks.

 

I,          Gerard Mattia, CFO

Name and Title of Officer Authorized to Sign Report

 

Of the named bank do hereby declare that these Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and believe.

 

/s/ Joseph R. Simpson

Signature of Officer Authorized to Sign Report

 

5/5/2010

Date of Signature

 

  

 

The Reports of Condition and Income are to be prepared in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

 

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

/s/ Sal H. Alfieri

Director (Trustee)

 

/s/ Donald Boswell

Director (Trustee)

 

/s/ Paul Lawrence

Director (Trustee)

Submission of Reports

Each Bank must prepare its Reports of Condition and Income either:

 

(a) in electronic form and then file the computer data file directly with the banking agencies’ collection agent, Electronic Data System Corporation (EDS), by modem or computer diskette; or

 

(b) in hard-copy (paper) form and arrange for another party to convert the paper report to automated for. That party (if other than EDS) must transmit the bank’s computer data file to EDS.

 

For electronic filing assistance, contact EDS Call report Services, 2150 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202, telephone (800) 255-1571.

To fulfill the signature and attestation requirement for the Reports of Condition and Income for this report date, attach this signature page to the hard-copy f the completed report that the bank places in its files.


 

 

FDIC Certificate Number    5      7      8      9      0  
   (RCRI 9030)

 

http://WWW.BANKING.US.HSBC.COM

Primary Internet Web Address of Bank (Home Page), if any (TEXT 4087)

(Example: www.examplebank.com)

  

HSBC Bank USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Legal Title of Bank (TEXT 9010)

 

Wilmington

City (TEXT 9130)

  

 

DE

  19801
   State Abbrev. (TEXT 9200)   ZIP Code (TEXT 9220)


Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

REPORT OF CONDITION

 

Consolidated domestic subsidiaries

   

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

  of Buffalo  

Name of Bank

  City  

in the state of New York, at the close of business March 31, 2010

 

          Thousands of
dollars

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

a. Non-interest-bearing balances currency and coin

      2,291,294

b. Interest-bearing balances

      32,258,028

Held-to-maturity securities

      3,817,438

Available-for-sale securities

      33,543,942

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

a. Federal funds sold in domestic offices

      0

b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell

      2,898,032

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

      2,830,018

Loans and leases net of unearned income

   73,326,009   

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

   3,193,755   

Loans and lease, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve

      70,132,254

Trading assets

      24,112,767

Premises and fixed assets

      529,131

Other real estate owned

      76,180

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

      18,256

Customers’ liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding

      NA

Intangible assets: Goodwill

      2,056,813

Intangible assets: Other intangible assets

      476,453

Other assets

      8,521,875
       

Total assets

      183,562,481
       


LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      90,281,448

Non-interest-bearing

   18,476,198   

Interest-bearing

   71,805,250   

In foreign offices

      40,840,956

Non-interest-bearing

   1,360,518   

Interest-bearing

   39,480,438   

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

a. Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

      111,645

b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

      1,103,216

Trading Liabilities

      10,013,940

Other borrowed money

      12,279,430

Bank’s liability on acceptances

      NA

Subordinated notes and debentures

      4,850,718

Other liabilities

      7,771,117
       

Total liabilities

      167,252,470
       

Minority Interests in consolidated Subsidiaries

      N/A

EQUITY CAPITAL

     

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

      0

Common Stock

      2,001

Surplus

      15,804,967

Retained earnings

      816,718

Accumulated other comprehensive income

      -313,877

Other equity capital components

      0
       

Total equity capital

      16,310,011
       

Total liabilities, minority interests and equity capital

      183,562,481
       

Exhibit 99.1

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

With respect to the Exchange Offer Regarding the

8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 issued by Cott Beverages Inc.

 

 

THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 PM, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2010

 

 

To My Broker or Account Representative:

I, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus, dated             , 2010 (the “Prospectus”) of Cott Beverages Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Issuer”) with respect to the Issuer’s exchange offer set forth therein (the “Exchange Offer”). I understand that the Exchange Offer must be accepted on or prior to 5:00 PM, New York City Time, on             , 2010.

This letter instructs you as to action to be taken by you relating to the Exchange Offer with respect to the Issuer’s 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Old Notes”) held by you for the account of the undersigned.

The aggregate face amount of the Old Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned is (FILL IN AMOUNT): $                  of the Old Notes.

With respect to the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby instructs you (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX):

¨ TO TENDER the following Old Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned (INSERT PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY OF OLD NOTES TO BE TENDERED, IF ANY):$                                 

¨ NOT TO TENDER any Old Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned.

If the undersigned instructs you to tender the Old Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned, the undersigned hereby represents for the benefit of the Issuer and you that:

 

1. The undersigned is acquiring the Issuer’s 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017, for which the Old Notes will be exchanged (the “Exchange Notes”), in the ordinary course of its business;
2. The undersigned does not have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) of Exchange Notes;
3. The undersigned is not an “affiliate,” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Issuer; and
4. The undersigned is not a broker-dealer and does not engage in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the Old Notes or the Exchange Notes.

If the undersigned is a broker-dealer, and acquired the Old Notes as a result of market making activities or other trading activities, the undersigned represents that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Notes received in respect of such Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

The undersigned also authorizes you to:

 

  (1) confirm that the undersigned has made such representations; and
  (2) take such other action as necessary under the Prospectus to effect the valid tender of such Old Notes.

The undersigned acknowledges that any person participating in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction of the Exchange Notes acquired by such person and cannot rely on the position of the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission set forth in no-action letters that are discussed in the section of the Prospectus entitled “The Exchange Offer.”


Name of beneficial owner(s):  

 

Signatures:  

 

Name (please print):  

 

Address:  

 

Telephone Number:  

 

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number:  

 

Date:  

 

 

2